In a series of essays published on the RIKEN blog, It Ain’t Magic, four researchers give their thoughts about the crisis. First, Executive Director Shigeo Koyasu, an immunologist, talks about how we can respond to pandemics like COVID-19. Then, RIKEN CBS Unit Leader Rei Akaishi discusses governmental decision-making during the crisis. Next, RIKEN AIP Team Leader Osamu Sakura writes about how telework is changing society, bringing us both benefits and difficulties. And in closing, RIKEN IMS Team Leader Aki Minoda talks about how the pandemic is changing the way we do research.