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https://scmp.com/comment/letters/article/3077065/coronavirus-response-publishers-were-quick-open-easy-global-access Letters
Coronavirus response: publishers were quick to open up easy global access to research findings
A researcher holds up a test tube containing cells to be infected with Covid-19, during coronavirus vaccine research work at the Pasteur Institute laboratories in Lille, France, on March 9. Photo: Bloomberg
I refer to the article, “Will the coronavirus kill off the ‘dinosaur’ world of academic publishing” (March 16). Contrary to the statement cited in the report, that publishers have been both recalcitrant and slow to react, they have in fact acted rapidly and decisively to support the continued global response to the rapid worldwide spread of Covid-19.
In immediate reaction to the crisis unfolding in China, publishers provided free access to all relevant peer-reviewed publications to ensure that for the duration of the outbreak, research and data quickly reaches the widest possible audiences. More than 32,000 articles, chapters, and other resources related to Covid- 19, other coronaviruses and related epidemics have already been made available in this manner.
This was done in February, in advance of the pandemic announcement by the World Health Organisation in March, and before requests from governments for greater access to research.
Publishers were able to move quickly because they have invested in the underlying infrastructure that allows for research articles to be generated, kept safe and now put at the disposal of researchers who need it.
They have swiftly enhanced the use of these resources – making them available for additional analysis and reuse, including by machine tools and artificial intelligence. They have also ensured that data related to publications has been made available.
Publishers are committed to working collectively to ensure that research findings are shared quickly to advance cutting-edge research.
As a community, we continue to offer researchers the full range of publisher systems and solutions to enhance their abilities to address the global health crisis, and hope that these provisions will aid the global response and make a difference.
Ian Moss, CEO, The International Association of Scientific, Technical and Medical Publishers