Virologists are growing the virus that causes COVID-19 in labs to determine how it’s

transmitted and which experimental antiviral medications might treat or prevent

infections;

Epidemiology is the study and analysis of the distribution (who, when, and where),
patterns and determinants of health and disease conditions in defined populations. It is
a cornerstone of public health, and shapes policy decisions and evidence-based
practice by identifying risk factors for disease and targets for preventive healthcare.
Epidemiologists help with study design, collection, and statistical analysis of data,
amend interpretation and dissemination of results (including peer review and occasional
systematic review). Epidemiology has helped develop methodology used in clinical
research, public health studies, and, to a lesser extent, basic research in the biological
sciences.

A microbiologist is a scientist who studies microscopic life forms and processes. This
includes study of the growth, interactions and characteristics of microscopic organisms
such as bacteria, algae, fungi, and some types of parasites and their vectors. Most
microbiologists work in offices and/or research facilities, both in private biotechnology
companies as well as in academia. Most microbiologists specialize in a given topic
within microbiology such as bacteriology, parasitology, virology, or immunology.

Scientists are not sure whether viruses are living or non-living. In general, scientists use

a list of criteria to determine if something is alive. Let’s look at some traits
of living things and see if viruses also have those traits. Living things have
cells. Viruses do not have cells.

Viruses do not have nuclei, organelles, or cytoplasm like cells do, and
so they have no way to monitor or create change in their internal
environment. Viruses do not grow. They only replicate.

Because the virus is constantly changing, it makes it very hard to

design drugs and vaccines against it.