A variety of leading metrics point to a sustained flat low productive R&D activity in the US. Coincident with the emergence of Covid-19. The accelerated R&D activity on pharmaceuticals, protective equipment and breathing instruments, has been overshadowed by a slowdown in other technologies. Similar trend is shaping up in Europe. China -- based on fewer metrics -- kept pace in critical areas of computing, and construction. The outlook though is for a strong comeback and even acceleration of innovation productivity, owing in part to new methods for distributed R&D program, maximizing remote work productivity.