Research Matters

Dear Readers,
Welcome to the seventh edition of QNRF’s newsletter, ‘Research Matters’. As the second half of the year hurtles onward, the spread of COVID-19 continues to deeply impact our daily lives and livelihoods in so many ways. We are seeing the systematic phased lifting of lockdown measures by the Government of Qatar, and we will surely begin to adjust to the new normal of living with the virus.
 

Welcome to the sixth edition of QNRF’s newsletter, ‘Research Matters’. For over the past three months, we have been working from home as per the instructions of the Government of Qatar to control the spread of COVID-19. However, it is still business as usual at QNRF, and though separated by distance, our staff has been working together diligently under our guiding mission of enabling research excellence in Qatar and improving the standard of life, education, and health for its citizens and residents.

I hope you and your families are staying safe and abiding by the protective measures the authorities have devised for us. This year, we had one of the most unusual months of Ramadan in our lives. While this Holy Month is cherished for communal gatherings, spending time with our loved ones, and congregating in mosques, this time we were all confined to our homes due to the COVID-19 pandemic. As we prepare for Eid, we must remember not to compromise on our safety and that of the whole community.

During the outbreak of diseases, frontline healthcare workers are faced with the most daunting task, as they not only have to expose themselves to the disease but also deal with the psychological burden of treating severely ill patients. While doctors are trained to manage stressful situations, the phenomenon of COVID-19 is unprecedented, and healthcare providers are risking their lives to treat an increasing number of patients for a disease for which there is no known cure. In the line of duty, several healthcare providers have themselves tested positive for the virus, and many have lost their lives, which adds to the mental stress that healthcare providers are facing globally.