A Brief Appraisal of the Covid-19 Pandemic in Portugal

[Discussion on the paper by Nunes, Caetano, Antunes and Dias]

Abstract

In this issue, Nunes et al. ([4]) review the prominent role embraced by statistical and epidemiological researchers in conducting societies through the COVID-19 pandemic. Basic epidemiological concepts, such as infection-fatality ratios (IFR), temporal infection repro[1]duction numbers (Rt) and herd immunity thresholds (HIT), became part of every person vocabulary. Daily new cases, recoveries and deaths, have been diligently tracked and fea[1]tured at the opening of prime-time news since the first case was confirmed in each country (February–March in most of Europe). Besides reviewing research conducted by themselves and others, Nunes et al. ([4]) provide a frank account of the challenges associated with con[1]ducting scientific research under such spotlight. Their paper should interest a very wide readership.