These last few weeks have been the most disruptive that I have experienced during my entire career, affecting all of the DDS community in one way or another. From those on the front lines caring for infected patients, to those whose research studies were shut down, to those whose friends, colleagues, and loved ones have been stricken, to those whose opportunity to share ideas with colleagues has been curtailed by meeting and conference cancellations, and to those who simply crave eating out at their favorite restaurant or attending a raucous sporting event, this has been a trying time. I’m sure that all of us have watched caregivers and scientists become the heroes of this pandemic, showing how all of the advances in epidemiology, molecular biology, molecular modeling, and immunology, among other fields, when eventually harnessed into a massive and coordinated effort, can help tame this microscopic predator.

Despite these tribulations, DDS continues to receive submissions, including those related to the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, at a record pace, for which I thank you. I just wanted you to know that since all of the editorial work at DDS is accomplished remotely, I anticipate no interruptions in the service to our authors and reviewers. Furthermore, deadlines for revisions, reviews and other tasks will be relaxed, although with meetings and travel cancelled with some of us sequestered in the home, what better way to spend your time than writing critiques, reviews, and papers?

We have every reason to believe that with adequate public health measures and rapidly deployed clinical trials of antivirals and vaccines, this pandemic too will pass. I applaud the bravery of those involved with direct patient care and the hard work and ingenuity of those in the laboratory tirelessly working to tame this virus. Most of all, I thank all of you for your efforts to bring DDS to where it is today and for your efforts to improve its quality in the future. In particular, I thank our managing editor, Meghan Keeffe, for keeping the ship steaming ahead with her intense dedication to tirelessly keep things running smoothly, and Melissa Ramondetta and Springer Nature for their ceaseless and helpful support.