Like everyone else we are with a great concern given the current coronavirus situation and the beginning of a global experiment: What are the right measures to fight the virus and for how long should these measures continue if the pandemic churns across the globe unabated? How can policymakers tell if they are doing more good than harm? In this opinion piece and an interview, John P.A. Ioannidis highlights the need to generate robust, reliable data so that decision-making can be based on solid facts, profound knowledge and a universal understanding of the spread and the tight control of this dangerous virus.

Due to the coronavirus, the anti-malaria drug chloroquine receives a lot of attention and excitement these days. Given the urgent need to find a treatment, it is very frustrating that here again we read worrisome reports about the quality of evidence related to this potential treatment for the coronavirus disease.