The SARS-CoV-2 outbreak has put pressure on science the likes of which few epidemiologists have ever experienced. Timelines are compressed, science is under scrutiny, the integrity of scientists are being questioned, the public has mixed trust in science and science itself is confronting its own limitations. The purpose of this course is to use the SARS-CoV-2 outbreak as a case study in how scientists should react to a massive public health emergency and to identify the lessons we can learn from how we have engaged so far in response to COVID-19.