How Italy's ‘father of the swabs’ fought the virus

When the coronavirus arrived in Italy, microbiologist Andrea Crisanti knew trouble was coming. Although he had spent his career studying a different scourge—malaria—Crisanti was sure that asymptomatic people were spreading COVID-19. He quickly retooled his lab to start widespread testing, despite the insistence at the time of regional authorities (and the World Health Organization) that only people with symptoms should be tested. His quick, decisive action—coupled with local lockdowns—have been credited with stemming an outbreak in the prosperous Veneto region. Crisanti9s work has earned him public praise and honors, but also resentment from the region9s governor, who has claimed in the press that he and his government deserved most of the credit.