Few could have predicted that, almost two years since the first cases were reported, that Covid-19 would have had such a devastating effect on the lives of so many.
One industry that has been badly impacted is that of sports, with many events cancelled, others forced to go behind closed doors, and almost all of them forced to adopt a range of health protocols scarcely imaginable a few years ago.
The debate about unvaccinated players meanwhile rages on, from football to tennis to baseball and hockey, pitting former friends and teammates against each other.
The latest impact is in ice hockey, with the announcement that no player from the NHL will be allowed to participate in the Beijing Winter Olympics. With some 50 games already cancelled this season because of the latest Omicron strain of the Coronavirus, it was not felt feasible to further weaken franchises for the three weeks (including training camps).
For most players, it is likely to be their only chance to compete at an Olympics.
Football is having its own battles. Leagues in Germany and the Netherlands are once again being played in front of empty stadia, and Scotland has now announced that matches will be virtually fan free over the holiday period.
England is carrying on at the moment, but rising Covid-19 cases among players and staff have created doubts as to how long this can continue. There are already question marks about the relevance of sporting contests where teams are being forced to field weakened sides in order not to forfeit games.
It is probable that early 2022 will see more major events postponed and perhaps even a temporary halt to some leagues or competitions.
While this will not be good news for sports fans, it is a reality that they have to learn to accept. Covid-19 is here to stay, at least for now, and people will just have to find ways to deal with it, including how they watch and participate in sport.
Turbulent times may still lie ahead.