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).