This month marks the third anniversary since the COVID-19 pandemic started, wreaking havoc across the United States.

Much of normal life stopped on March 13 in the tri-state. Schools closed, and many people began working from home. That was just the beginning.

Since then, an estimated 1.1 million people have died from the virus -- leaving over 240,000 children without a parent or caregiver, according to a report by the National Institutes of Health.

The shutdown was profoundly strange and has had lasting effects on our national mental health.

News 12’s Elizabeth Hashagen takes a look back at the pandemic's impact and lessons learned.

Right now, most people have resumed their normal lives, thanks to a wall of immunity built from infections and vaccines.

Humans unlocked the virus' genetic code and rapidly developed vaccines that work remarkably well.

Johns Hopkins University says the current Omicron variants have about 100 genetic differences from the original coronavirus strain.

So what about the future? There are many unknowns about the long-term health effects of COVID-19.