Should We Prepare Now for the Next Pandemic?

The COVID-19 pandemic might have just been a trial run for the next virus threat.
Inside Science Contributor

Coronaviruses have been around for decades, but it was the COVID-19 pandemic that many of us heard about coronaviruses for the first time. The strain of coronavirus that causes COVID-19 is just one of many in this family of viruses. There are many others, and some can be deadly, like SARS or MERS, but others cause simple variations of the common cold. Until recently, their existence was generally ignored. But, the COVID-19 pandemic brought these types of viruses to light and, as a result, ramped up research into more viruses.  Some scientists believe the COVID-19 pandemic has provided lots of research data and information to study, helping us prepare and prepare for the next potential coronavirus threat.