Over the past few years, COVID-19 has dramatically changed the world. Lockdowns, mask mandates, and social distancing became part of daily life. However, in 2025, the situation improved significantly. While the virus still exists, vaccines, natural immunity, and improved treatments have made it much less dangerous. Many experts believe that COVID-19 is now more like the seasonal flu rather than the global crisis it once was. Interviews with a doctor and a teacher help show how life has changed and why COVID-19 is no longer as severe.
Ashley Kuruvilla, an IB sophomore, says: “I just had Covid and it was just a common cold.”
One of the main reasons COVID-19 is less dangerous today is the widespread availability of vaccines. Since 2021, millions of people around the world have been vaccinated. As more people gained immunity, the virus had fewer opportunities to spread. Additionally, many people have had COVID-19 and recovered, which has also contributed to immunity in the population.
In addition to immunity, medical advancements have helped reduce the severity of COVID-19. At the beginning of the pandemic, there were limited treatment options. Now, antiviral medications, monoclonal antibodies, and improved hospital care have made it easier to treat those who do get sick.
Because of these advances, fewer people experience long-term effects from COVID-19. Doctors can now prescribe antiviral pills that help patients recover at home, reducing the need for hospitalization. As a result, COVID-19 is no longer overwhelming healthcare systems the way it once did.
Another major sign that COVID-19 is not as severe anymore is the return to normal life. Schools, businesses, and public spaces are fully open without restrictions. Mask mandates have been lifted in most places, and large gatherings like concerts, sports events, and weddings are happening again.
Kiersten Bordner, a IB high school teacher, describes how things have changed in education: “For two years, students had to learn online or follow strict social distancing rules. It was difficult for both teachers and students. Now, we’re back to normal classroom learning, and kids are finally able to interact without worrying about masks or distance. It feels like school is truly back to what it should be.”
This return to normalcy is not just limited to schools. Businesses that suffered during the pandemic have started recovering, and travel has resumed without major restrictions. Airports and tourist destinations are busy again, showing that people feel safer going out.
Even though COVID-19 is not as dangerous as before, it has not completely disappeared. New variants continue to emerge, but they are generally less severe than earlier ones. Some people still catch COVID-19, but in most cases, symptoms are mild, similar to a cold.
Bordner points out that while people still get sick, the fear has decreased: “We’ve learned how to live with COVID-19, just like we do with the flu. Some students still miss school because of illness, but it’s not a big disruption anymore. We just encourage good hygiene and staying home when sick.”
Many experts agree that COVID-19 will likely remain part of life, just like other respiratory viruses. Annual booster shots, similar to flu vaccines, may help keep people protected, especially those who are older or have weaker immune systems.
COVID-19 once caused a global crisis, but in 2025, it is no longer as severe. Widespread immunity, improved treatments, and a return to normal life have transformed it from a deadly pandemic to a manageable illness. While the virus still exists, people are no longer living in fear. As Bordner explained, society has adapted, and life has largely returned to the way it was before. COVID-19 is now just another part of everyday life, much like the flu, rather than a major global threat.