FROM THE EDITOR AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2020 BY ORLY AVITZUR, MD, MBA, FAAN; EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Neurology Proud Prominent members of the Brain & Life family oer messages of support to all of us.

Emilia Clarke, the four-time Emmy-nominated actor best known for her role on HBO's blockbuster show Game of Thrones, graciously agreed to postpone her cover on our June/July issue so we could pay tribute to front-line workers during the coronavirus pandemic. Her show of support extended further when she broadcast a video message of hope and announced that she is a proud member of the Brain & Life community. Reciting a poem by Mary Oliver comparing human nature to the ocean, Clarke encouraged viewers to find strength.

Her story of surviving two brain aneurysms and establishing a charity, SameYou, to raise money for and increase awareness of neuro- rehabilitation is chronicled in our feature "Emilia Clarke Works to End Stigma Around Brain Injury."

Clarke is not the only prominent figure we reached out to during these troubled times. Five people who previously appeared on our covers also shared words of support and solidarity. Comedian Josh Blue, who has cerebral palsy, reminded viewers to keep their sense of humor; Dr. Avitzur Photo by Andre Baranowski Ray Donovan actor Dash Mihok, who has Tourette syndrome, recited an original poem. Breaking Bad actor RJ Mitte, who has cerebral palsy, urged folks not to let their neurologic condition keep them from realizing their potential, while TV personality Jack Osbourne, who has multiple sclerosis, asked readers to keep fighting the fight. Television star Blair Underwood, an advocate for those with HIV/AIDS, thanked the Brain & Life team for being a source of support. Next month's cover subject, rock musician Peter Frampton, who has inclusion body myositis, strongly recommended exercise for those with the disease. Watch all the videos now!

We all may know someone who has become infected, tested positive, or even lost their life to COVID-19. That is why our message remains the same: People with neurologic conditions and their families must be vigilant about social distancing, handwashing, and wearing masks outside the home.

One of the ways I've been keeping current on the virus is through conversations with my colleague James J. Sejvar, MD, an epidemiologist with the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. I have shared his updates and recommendations with members of the American Academy of Neurology through our sister publication Neurology Today. In this issue's Ask Your Neurologist, he explains how COVID-19 differs from the flu and why a flu shot is even more important this year.

When I returned to work after the stay-at-home order was lifted in New York, some of my patients spoke about the psychological fallout—everything from anxiety and depression to posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)—from the pandemic. We hope our feature on PTSD will help you recognize serious symptoms and find the resources and treatments to alleviate their effects.

We also include tips on safe hugs, a tale of teens who help seniors stay socially connected, guidance for maintaining self-care, and a feature on immunity differences between the sexes, which may explain why more men than women have died from COVID-19.

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As always, my favorite parts of the magazine are the stories from you. We have a profile of an executive with peripheral neuropathy whose symptoms worsened after he contracted COVID-19, an interview with an 8-year-old who creates art to cheer on her neurologist mother, and an essay by a woman living with multiple sclerosis who resumed running to help her cope. Finally, your letters, especially those in response to our last issue, let us know that we are providing a helpful and reliable resource.

Until next time, stay well, stay strong, and stay safe.

Orly Avitzur, MD, MBA, FAAN, Editor-in-Chief (Also a proud member of the Brain & Life community!)