Following SARS, there was a very significant report, as you know, again done by Dr. Naylor and a group of very distinguished Canadians and scientists who reacted to it. I would say that COVID-type viruses have been researched for a long time. They're a complex virus defined by their shape. I think there has been a significant amount of virology research undertaken, but there's been such a rapid uptake of this illness and concern about being able to create vaccines that I think my colleagues in immunology would say that research funding in this domain has not kept pace with the risk.
Many of those who've blown the whistle in science have said quite loudly that the basic sciences, particularly the science of immunology and virology, have not kept pace with the superbugs that we're seeing develop in places like intensive care units and beyond. Their prediction that the next global pandemic was likely to be related to viruses that are difficult to control and, because of the nature of travel today, spread virulently and aggressively was sadly correct.