Even as others were dying of COVID-19, Rick Wright made phone calls to his business clients. He lifted weights, did pushups and glided on an elliptical trainer. Late at night, he took his dog on long walks.

“I never felt sick. Not a cough, wheezing, headache. Absolutely nothing,“ said 63-year-old Wright of Redwood City, despite testing positive for the virus – 40 days, straight — after being exposed aboard the Diamond Princess cruise last February.

Seven months into a pandemic that has killed more than 667,000 people globally, scientists are searching for clues into why infected people like Wright feel just fine.

Understanding the mystery of their protection may help suggest targets for vaccines and treatment. These cases also underscore the importance of masks and expanded testing, because asymptomatic people may unwittingly transmit infection to others.

Read More →