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Scientists Offer RM19k For Volunteers To Be Infected With Coronavirus

Mar 09, 2020

Main image via NOS , Aljazeera

COVID-19 is spreading worldwide but we are nowhere near to finding a vaccine for the virus. And scientists are now offering to pay volunteers to be infected with the virus!

A company named Hvivo that owns the Queen Mary BioEnterprises Innovation Centre laboratory in Whitechapel, east London is conducting an experiment to find a COVID-19 vaccine and offering up to RM19,000 (£3,500) for volunteers to be infected with a form of the coronavirus.

The scientists will not be infecting the volunteers with the killer COVID-19 virus, but are looking at infecting batches of 24 volunteers with 0C43 and 229E strains of the virus instead, which can cause mild respiratory symptoms that are far less serious.

Scientists believe that finding the same vaccine that will eventually be created to cure these smaller viruses could take on the destructive COVID-19 virus and bring the global epidemic to an end.

Of course, it’s not as easy as it sounds. The volunteers will be isolated for two weeks with a restricted diet and are not allowed to exercise or have physical contact with anyone. But video games and TV will be provided for the volunteers.

Nurses and doctors wearing protective clothing and ventilators will be tasked to take nasal swabs of the volunteers and blood tests as well as collecting virus-infected dirty tissues. The drugs and vaccines that are the most effective will then be used on actual patients.

UK's Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency will have to agree with Hvivo’s plans before the experiments are to be conducted.

The World Health Organization (WHO) revealed that over 20 vaccines are being developed for COVID-19 and the testing is a part of a $2billion global race to find a vaccine.

Remember to keep your hands clean all the time and avoid face contact and wear a mask if you’re not feeling well!

Stay updated with the latest COVID-19 news here: https://en.syok.my/covid-19

Info via Daily Star