COVID-Then 19, Now 25: Lessons, Realities and the Road Ahead

In late 2019, the world was introduced to a tiny virus with massive consequences-SARS-CoV-2, the novel coronavirus that gave rise to the COVID-19 pandemic. Within months, the virus brought the world to a standstill, challenging healthcare systems, economies, education, and the very fabric of social life. Now, as we stand in the year 2025, the landscape has changed drastically-but the virus hasn't disappeared. It has merely evolved, and so must we.

- DR. SHIVAM JASROTIA

From Lockdowns to Living withit

The year 2020 was defined by lockdowns, isolation, masks, and the rush to develop vaccines. The fear of the unknown gripped the globe. Hospitals were overwhelmed. Scientists worked at lightning speed to decode the virus, and the general public became unexpectedly familiar with terms like "flattening the curve," "herd immunity," and "RT-PCR."

Now, five years later, we are no longer in emergency mode. Most people have been vaccinated, some multiple times, and treatments have significantly improved. Variants have emerged-some mild, others more transmissible-but the initial panic has turned into cautious coexistence. COVID-19 has transitioned from a pandemic to an endemic condition in many parts of the world.However, that doesn't mean the threat is gone. Like the seasonal flu, COVID continues to pose risks, especially to vulnerable populations like the elderly and immunocompromised.

Healthcare: Resilient, But Stretched

One of the most visible transformations has been in the healthcare sector.

The pandemic forced rapid innovation: telemedicine boomed, digital health tracking became mainstream, and hospital protocols evolved. However, it also revealed deep cracks-understaffed hospitals, underfunded public health systems, and disparities in healthcare access. In India, especially in rural areas, the lack of robust infrastructure made pandemic management even more challenging. Although significant progress has been made, the need for sustained investment in healthcare remains urgent. Preparedness must be long-term, not reactive.

Mental Health: The Invisible Pandemic