The first emergency phase, which particularly affected hospitals, old people's homes and healthcare institutions, was followed by a second phase in which the country was confronted with the reorganisation of production activities, social services and the education sector. Universities reacted with distance learning, teleworking and the digitisation of academic events such as open days or graduation ceremonies. On the research and community services front, the response was equally concrete and immediate. Corona Immunitas Ticino was the cantonal branch of a national project coordinated by the Swiss School of Public Health and supported by the Federal Office of Public Health. Fourteen universities and health organisations took part in it, working together in a nationwide coordinated manner. In our latitudes, the regional study was conducted by the Institute of Public Health of the University of Lugano and the Department of Business, Health and Social Economics of SUPSI, in collaboration with the Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale, the Institute for Research in Biomedicine and other public and private partners. Laurie Corna is Professor in Ageing and Quality of Life at the Centre for Elderly Expertise. Within Corona Immunitas Ticino she was Academic Leader for the cohort of the elderly population (65+ years) and in March 2020 she had only been in Ticino for six months "suddenly I found myself collaborating with colleagues from USI, EOC, IRB. Participating in this study was a challenge but also a professional opportunity to immediately come into contact with a large network of researchers committed to the same objective. The project proceeded at a fast pace and at times I would have liked more time to reflect on certain aspects of the research, such as the contents of the questionnaires completed by the cohort I was in charge of, that of the over-65 population. Having said that, and despite the fact that much of the work was carried out remotely, a strong spirit of collaboration was created between us'.
The objectives were to quantify the seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 in the population, monitor the duration of post-infection immune protection, and identify risk factors for (re)infection, taking into account socio-demographic, behavioural and environmental variables.    One of the videos in the series "Science in a Minute, designed to disseminate the results of Corona Immunitas The study conducted in Ticino was carried out in full coherence with the national one, following all its phases between 2020 and 2023. During this period, data were collected on more than 3,000 people, information that was essential for monitoring the evolution of the antibody response to the virus and assessing the impact of the pandemic, as well as of the restrictions, on the behaviour and psychological wellbeing of residents in Ticino.
 Laurie Corna remembers her role and the collaboration with USI, emphasising how the realisation of the project was only possible thanks to teamwork and the synergy between various players, first and foremost the two university institutes whose references in the area were Luca Crivelli, Director of DEASS SUPSI, and Emiliano Albanese, Director of the Institute of Public Health at USI. "I was in charge of the longitudinal cohort of the elderly, a role that entailed defining the key objectives of the study, working with the national team to ensure uniformity in the questions asked throughout the territory, and investigating specific issues related to the elderly population. We had to establish how to involve this demographic group, the most affected by COVID-19, and since not everyone was able to fill out an online questionnaire, we provided an alternative via telephone interviews. In addition, the possibility of taking blood samples directly at home was offered.
 The research experience gained in recent years has allowed us to strengthen the collaboration between experts and institutions, creating a solid network of specialists capable of responding in a timely manner to new health emergencies. "Undoubtedly, this project has mobilised the scientific community, leading it to work at a fast pace on a little-known subject in order to provide rapid answers to the authorities. Today, this network of experts represents a valuable resource, ready to be activated in the event of future health crises'.