Explicitly & implicitly this encourages *a lot* of scientists to switch to #COVID19 research - whether appropriate or not. Money is hard to come by in research. Every call - no matter how well or poorly suited - is potentially a few years' lifeline.
2/n
-
Show this thread
-
Diversity in applications is *good*! But funding at the best of times is *slow as mud.* Overload an emergency funding call - while all reviewers are distracted by a pandemic - & it ain't gonna go faster. Every week feels like a year - what happens while we wait for funding? 3/n
1 reply 7 retweets 40 likesShow this thread -
Many of these scientists *cannot write a grant*. Many of us are working all day, every day (inc weekends). Grants usually take days - weeks - to prepare. That kind of time is absolutely laughable for
#COVID19 researchers at the moment. The lucky among us find a few hours. 4/n1 reply 17 retweets 83 likesShow this thread -
Those who don't have time to write at all *get NOTHING* & the work they do now is paid only in their sweat, tears & lost opportunities. Those who scrape together a few hours compete against others who are not doing COVID now, operating more normally & could spend days on it 5/n
1 reply 6 retweets 57 likesShow this thread -
These researchers at such a disadvantage are the ones who dropped everything to switch to this. They are glad to help. They work willingly. They are called by duty. They are making your models, testing your patients, analysing your data, informing your govts - RIGHT NOW. 6/n
1 reply 7 retweets 58 likesShow this thread -
And the best outcome for them is a small chance of some money in a crowded field - in a few months. For others, who couldn't scrape together time to write a grant - nothing. Regardless, we do & will keep going, setting aside all other opportunities & work. 7/n
1 reply 6 retweets 40 likesShow this thread -
Life isn't fair. But I, at least, cannot help but look at this & think *there must be a better way*. More funding calls requiring different & long-form applications that take months to process *are not the answer*. Yet each agency in turn strolls out to lay them down. 8/n
1 reply 7 retweets 50 likesShow this thread -
Scientists despair with each because *there is no time* & yet what choice do we have but to /try/ - because otherwise we struggle on unfunded. So stay up late, work harder, tell them the research has to wait... in a pandemic. Is that what we want to encourage right now? 9/n
1 reply 3 retweets 38 likesShow this thread
I had a very privileged friend repeatedly question me about a community face shield producer before deciding that the cause wasn’t “worthy enough”. The person has a net worth in the millions. Sponsoring a shield was $3. She made enough for 100 shields during her questioning.
-
-
Replying to @caseorganic @DanielleFong
This is disappointing :( I am hopeful that other investors will see this differently, and embrace the chance to make a difference!
1 reply 0 retweets 1 like -
Replying to @firefoxx66 @caseorganic
I am organizing a lot of them out of California and elsewhere in the tech community, we are a couple months ahead!
@BillAckman and friends may also do stuff.1 reply 0 retweets 1 like - Show replies
New conversation -
Loading seems to be taking a while.
Twitter may be over capacity or experiencing a momentary hiccup. Try again or visit Twitter Status for more information.