Explaining the Science of Plasma as a Covid-19 Treatment

Here’s an explainer—heavy on the science—about treating people who are severely ill from Covid-19 with the blood (specifically the plasma) of people who have recovered from the illness. The treatment is called convalescent plasma, and it’s been used in past pandemics like Ebola. The therapy has been under study for Covid-19 for some time now, and this story explains what makes it complicated.

The Complex Science Behind Convalescent Plasma

I also recommend this story published in Elemental in May about the history of using blood as medicine in America.

A Promising Coronavirus Treatment Has a Dark History