The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has had a major impact on societies across the globe from high-income to low- and middle-income countries. The disease caused by this virus, COVID-19, has caused substantial morbidity and mortality yet many questions remain unanswered. Although there has been a plethora of published data on this disease and the causative agent, the quality of the available data varies widely. Given the importance of this pandemic for global and domestic health, and the way it has changed civilization, there is a need for a high level look at the epidemiology and worldwide impact of COVID-19 while delving into the disease vulnerabilities of certain subpopulations and the health disparities that have been highlighted and aggravated by the disease, and looking to future prevention and control of this disease, and optimizing preparedness and response to any other respiratory disease that might subsequently emerge.