The 2020 COVID-19 pandemic was caused by the novel coronavirus, known as SARS-CoV-2, which first emerged in Wuhan, China in late 2019. The virus quickly spread worldwide, leading to widespread illness and significant disruptions to daily life. Governments implemented measures such as lockdowns, social distancing, and mask mandates to slow the spread of the virus. The pandemic resulted in millions of infections and deaths globally, prompting a rapid response from the scientific community. Vaccines were developed and distributed in record time, with efforts led by organizations like Pfizer, Moderna, and AstraZeneca. The pandemic highlighted the importance of public health and global cooperation in addressing health crises.