Alexey Solodovnikov / Wikimedia / CC BY-SA 4.0

Scientifically accurate atomic model of the external structure of the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome CoronaVirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), a strain (genetic variant) of the coronavirus that caused coronavirus disease (COVID-19), first identified in Wuhan, China, during December 2019
2020 - 2023

COVID-19 pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic, caused by the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, was declared a global pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO) on March 11, 2020. Originating in Wuhan, China, in late 2019, the highly contagious virus spread rapidly across the globe, impacting millions of lives and significantly straining healthcare systems. Governments implemented various containment measures including lockdowns, travel restrictions, and social distancing guidelines to curb the spread. The pandemic accelerated developments in vaccine technology, leading to the unprecedented rapid creation of multiple vaccines. The economic repercussions were severe, with industries and employment sectors experiencing substantial disruptions, prompting extensive governmental economic interventions. The pandemic highlighted disparities in healthcare access and outcomes, underscoring the importance of global collaboration, preparedness, and equity in addressing such crises.

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