COVID-19 pandemic impact and global mortality

The COVID-19 pandemic, caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, significantly impacted nearly the entire globe between 2020 and 2021. According to the World Health Organization, the total death toll may reach approximately 20 million people, representing a peak of roughly 25,000 daily deaths during the height of the crisis.

The emergence of the virus followed a period of intense global social unrest in 2019, characterized by widespread protests across the Americas, Europe, Asia, Africa, and Oceania. These demonstrations were driven by economic discontent, ethnic or gender discrimination, and environmental concerns. The pandemic led to strict lockdowns, curfews, and the militarization of public spaces, which effectively halted these social movements.