The COVID-19 pandemic has emerged as a significant global health crisis. As of April 6, 2020, over 1.3 million individuals worldwide had tested positive, with more than 74,000 fatalities. These figures continue to escalate, underscoring the urgent need for effective responses. However, amidst this turmoil, the capabilities of scientific research provide a beacon of hope.

We inhabit a time when we can rely on empirical evidence rather than myths or conjectures. Our understanding of COVID-19 has advanced significantly; we recognize its nature, transmission methods, and therapeutic options available to counter its effects. It is crucial to heed scientific guidance and explore three pivotal areas where science is enhancing our response to this crisis.

1.) Advancements on the Scientific Frontier. Within weeks of identifying the virus, scientists mapped its entire genome. Even with only a few hundred reported cases, researchers understood transmission dynamics and assessed the disease's contagiousness. Early observations outlined critical stages of the illness, enabling society to adopt practices aimed at reducing infections and fatalities.

Although initial recommendations were not universally followed, ongoing scientific and medical research continues to support efforts against this pandemic. Treatments are being explored in clinical trials, with various vaccine candidates under development and promising blood therapies emerging from the plasma of recovered patients.

The medical community, alongside healthcare professionals, is leveraging its collective expertise to combat COVID-19. While the specific path to resolution remains uncertain, public cooperation with health experts is vital.

Everyone must take responsibility by staying home unless engaged in essential activities. When necessary to go out, individuals should practice hygiene, maintain distance from others, limit travel, and avoid touching their faces. Washing hands with soap and using hand sanitizer is critical after contact with surfaces others may have touched. Such measures, when adhered to collectively, significantly contribute to curbing the virus's spread.

2.) The Value of Curiosity-Driven Research. Understanding various facets of the natural world holds intrinsic value. Although the timing of research benefits can be unpredictable, thorough exploration equips us to address unforeseen challenges, such as COVID-19.

Curiosity-driven studies have already yielded insights relevant to the pandemic. For instance, research on bat population dynamics has illuminated pathways for zoonotic diseases, including COVID-19. Initiatives like the Human Genome Project, begun in 1990, have enabled rapid genetic sequencing, facilitating our comprehension of the virus's evolution and potential for long-term immunity.

Understanding cultural social structures and psychological responses to isolation is crucial for grasping public behavior during this crisis. Mathematical modeling, disease epidemiology, and social psychology form the groundwork for formulating effective public health recommendations.

The discipline of immunology, grounded in extensive historical research on human immune responses, provides essential knowledge for addressing current challenges. The contributions of evolutionary virologists, disease ecologists, and biophysicists inform both clinical practices and policy decisions, underscoring the interconnectedness of various scientific fields.

Scientific inquiry at the fundamental level empowers us to explore the limits of physical reality, which is vital during crises. Investigations into high-energy phenomena, low-temperature physics, biochemical processes, and astrophysical mysteries continually expand our understanding of the universe.

In challenging times, fundamental research is often seen as expendable, yet its loss would severely hinder future innovations. The knowledge gained through basic science underpins numerous medical technologies that save lives today.

Consider the implications of lacking foundational knowledge in atomic theory when studying a pathogen's molecular structure or the challenges of applying neutron therapy without insights from particle physics. Innovations such as MRIs and PET scans are rooted in discoveries made at the frontiers of science.

As we confront the threats of today and prepare for those of the future, it is imperative to invest in scientific research across all levels, from immediate crisis response to fundamental exploration. The knowledge acquired through such endeavors will shape the tools and techniques necessary for a healthier world.

The COVID-19 pandemic profoundly affects our global community, yet it also highlights our progress as a civilization. By rigorously studying the universe, we enhance our readiness for future challenges. Investments made today will yield knowledge that benefits humanity for generations to come.

Ethan is a writer for Forbes and Medium, with published works including "Beyond The Galaxy" and "Treknology: The Science of Star Trek from Tricorders to Warp Drive."