Rapid review methods more challenging during COVID-19: commentary with a focus on 8 knowledge synthesis steps

ACT, JM and GW are Associate Editors and SES is on the Editorial Board for the 103 Journal of Clinical Epidemiology; none were involved with the peer review of this 104 manuscript or decision to publish. BH previously received honoraria from Eversana for 105 provision of methodologic advice related to the conduct of systematic reviews. JM is a 106 co-Convenor of the Cochrane Information Retrieval Methods Group. CMG is the co-107 Convenor of the Cochrane Rapid Reviews Methods Group and provides consultancy to 108 Cochrane Response. SL is the Joint Coordinating Editor of Cochrane Effective Practice 109 and Organisation of Care (EPOC) and Chair of the Governance Group of the Global 110 Evidence Synthesis Initiative (GESI). ELV, AAS, VW, BP, SK, CH, MW, NM, CG, LB, 111 FC, CL, MM, AL, DD have no competing interests to declare. 112