This is truly a very sad and trying time. We are experiencing the worst pandemic of a century. Life as we know it has been turned upside-down.

I work at the University of Michigan Health System in Ann Arbor, just west of Detroit, one of the early epicenters of this horrid disease. Fortunately, we are seeing that children are largely spared. Not so in adults. As I write, the numbers swell. Two floors of our pediatric hospital have been converted to adult COVID-19 units. As early as next week, the University of Michigan hospitals will overflow. Projections are for 2,000 to 5,000 patients over capacity. A 500-bed field hospital is being operationalized in an athletic building. Second and third field hospitals are in planning, should they be needed. [Addendum: Fortunately, during the production of this editorial, our curve has substantially flattened. Although a large number of patients, it is much less than the dire predictions, and the field hospital has been put on hold.]

I am in awe of the physicians and staff downstairs in the emergency room and upstairs on the units. Individually and collectively, they are the heroes of our generation (Fig. 1). Thank you! Many radiologists in my department, including my wife, have volunteered to serve in the field hospital or in other novel roles. You are also heroes.

Fig. 1
figure 1

Photo taken at a parking garage entrance at C. S. Mott Children’s Hospital

Full size image

I am inspired by extraordinary leadership in this time of strife. I am deeply thankful for the excellent leaders in my department and my institution who have stepped up in unfathomable ways to accomplish so much in so little time. As a parent with a daughter holed up in a small apartment on the Upper West Side of Manhattan, I am deeply grateful for the extraordinary leadership of Gov. Andrew Cuomo. True leaders stand out in times of need and fill the void of others who cannot. Thank you.

In spite of this, life otherwise somehow goes on. During this time, we hope that Pediatric Radiology will serve as a beacon for our profession. We are fortunate to be largely virtual in operation to begin with. Our work will go on. We know that readers, authors, reviewers, our staff in the journal editorial offices and those who work for our publisher may be deeply affected by this tragedy. Delays and changes in plans will occur. We understand.

The journal will be publishing several pieces related to the pandemic in the coming weeks. A group from Toronto is sharing its experience on pandemic preparation of a pediatric radiology department. The European Society of Paediatric Radiology Cardiothoracic Imaging Taskforce has mobilized efforts to collect images and data to teach us more of the imaging manifestations of COVID-19 in children. The Society for Pediatric Radiology Quality and Safety Committee is working on a review of personal protective equipment (PPE) recommendations for pediatric radiology fluoroscopic procedures. We also hope to have several commentaries to provide guidance and reflection.

Some of you are blessed with time because overall imaging volumes are down — now is a good time to get that project done or find a good topic for a review article. Those of you who had planned to present your scientific work or lecture at the Society for Pediatric Radiology or the European Society of Paediatric Radiology annual meetings are invited to submit your excellent work for review and publication. Please practice safe distancing as you do this work.

Last, I want to wish each and every one of you the best in this difficult time. Many of you, I am sure, are providing critical services to your respective hospitals and communities in ways you never fathomed. Thank you.

Otherwise, stay home and take care of and appreciate your loved ones. Be safe. Be healthy.