The coronavirus disease pandemic (COVID-19) started in 2019 and induced long-lasting effects on many aspects of life. Every one of us felt how the quiet existence was transformed into a chaotic state full of uncertainties, doubts, and fear for one’s safety. This led to many societal changes, some influenced by objective facts and events, others by human risk perception and behavior modifications. Although risk perception tends to be biased and the responses of individuals to the perceived threat are very different, jumping from lack of precautions and a false feeling of security to unnecessary scares and stigmatization of risks groups will impact human activities in all areas for many years to come. Here, we review the positive and negative outcomes of the pandemic on academia and scientific enterprises.