COVID-19 - An Amazing Scientific Triumph Coupled With Political Failure

History is shaped by the choices made during crises like COVID-19. The pandemic showcased an incredible scientific achievement with the rapid identification of the virus and development of multiple effective vaccines within a year. However, it also highlighted a significant political failure as politicians failed to effectively utilize these scientific tools. While some countries managed the crisis well, at a global level, there was an overall failure with no plan for future pandemics. Compared to other historical catastrophes like the First World War, pandemics have had a smaller impact on shaping history. The aftermath of the Spanish influenza and even the Black Death did not lead to significant changes or cultural developments like wars did. This underscores the importance of political decision-making in effectively managing crises and shaping the course of history.