Figure 1. Impact of COVID-19 outbreak in terms of cases and deaths [6].
The healthcare systems suffered immense pressure, leading to shortages of beds, medical supplies, and healthcare workers. The closing and layoffs of businesses have led to millions of job losses and the adoption of remote work policies. In the education system, schools were closed, and online learning was adopted as the new default. The inequalities in access to technology and Internet connectivity worsened social differences and posed huge challenges for teachers, students, and parents. Social isolation, fear of infection, and financial stress contributed to increased anxiety, depression, and emotional stress, increasing the problems related to mental health, among others [4,5]. The urgent need for fast and efficient means of diagnosis and effective therapies has boosted several areas of science and research. The importance of science in the context of COVID-19 was immense, playing a crucial role in various aspects of understanding, managing, and fighting the pandemic. Understanding the virus, vaccine development, implementation of public health measures, epidemiological modelling, and monitoring the emergence of new variants (Figure 2).