“Mrs. Croft, I truly regret that I’m calling you about a covid-19 research program only an hour after your husband, John, died of his coronavirus infection. None of us know what you are feeling, and we want you to know how immensely sorry we are for all that you and your family are going through. It’s just that the whole world is trying to grapple with this pandemic, and we are trying to understand what the virus is doing to the brain, since so many people are presenting with an inability to smell, confusion and strokes. I am calling to see if you might consider a priceless gift to the world so we can learn and hopefully help others: We are studying the brain in those who die of covid, and I’d like to talk with you about the possibility of donating John’s brain to our NIH-funded scientific research program.”