Update from Upal Basu Roy, PhD, MPH, Vice President of ResearchThe past three months have been a stressful, isolating, and taxing time for many of us, but particularly for the lung cancer community, already vulnerable before the public health crisis began. As states reopen and shelter-in-place restrictions are lifted, you might feel anxious to leave lockdown and resume a sense of normalcy in your life. One big question remains: Is it safe to return to routine activities as members of the lung cancer community? This week’s joint statement seeks to address this question. It’s essential to remember that we are not yet out of the woods, and we must remain cautious and vigilant against COVID-19. While it’s difficult to remain isolated from family and friends and the comforts of our routine activities, lung cancer experts strongly encourage you to continue to protect yourself from the risks of COVID-19 and to refrain from partaking in routine activities that could increase your vulnerability. The update provides evidence on why the lung cancer community needs to be vigilant about the risk of exposure and describes the impact of easing shelter-in-place restrictions in different states in the US. It concludes by providing expert guidance from epidemiologists on what to expect over the next year. I encourage you to read the full update on our website. LUNGevity knows this is a hard time for our community and is hard at work developing new resources to address your questions and concerns about reopening and life post-lockdown. We appreciate all of you who responded to our survey with input on topics for these resources. Thank you for helping us serve you better. As you navigate this new phase of the public health crisis, be sure to continue to check the COVID-19 and Lung Cancer section of our website frequently for the latest information. Please remember, LUNGevity is here to help you navigate emotionally during these difficult times. Please reach out to support@lungevity.org or 312-407-6116 if you are feeling isolated or need support. Best, Upal |