The most devastating virus to affect humanity in a century, SARS-CoV-2 went from a curious new disease to a global pandemic within the span of weeks. The global system made it possible for COVID-19 to spread to nearly every country in the world within a month, at which point the virus devastated healthcare systems, paralyzed national economies, and contributed to social unrest and instability. Mask mandates, vaccination, and other issues relevant to the COVID-19 pandemic are explored in this book. The CONTEMPORARY ISSUES series is intended to give young readers a better understanding of major social issues today. Each book examines four key questions related to a controversial topic, with essays that detail the most commonly heard arguments on both sides of the discussion. The arguments contained within are supported by data from experts as well as nonpartisan reports, allowing the reader to make his or her own informed decision on the issue.