It's been five years since the World Health Organization officially declared COVID-19 a pandemic.

The virus disrupted daily life, strained hospitals and healthcare systems and reshaped the world as we see it today.

The CDC says close to 150 million cases of the virus were reported in America since the start of the pandemic, leading to roughly 1.2 million deaths. In Ohio, nearly 45,000 people lost their lives. 

Reflecting on the past five years, it's clear that COVID-19 reshaped the world in ways many are still navigating.

The pandemic forced a rapid shift to remote work, and today, many employees are reluctant to return to brick-and-mortar offices, said Dr. Deirdre Adduci, owner of Restoration Counseling in Cortland.

Adduci said this trend has both positive and negative effects.

"We do have a positive in that we're more productive, we're getting more done," she said, "but we are using less of our muscle in interacting with other people."

While some feel less stressed working from home, Adduci said others are experiencing more isolation.

Meanwhile, many businesses have adjusted by shortening store hours.

Adduci added that COVID-19 also deepened societal divisions. She said vaccination debates have turned political and the overall tone of public discourse has become more "aggressive."

"I think people are more entitled, but they're also being more aggressive in how they're expressing themselves," she said. "Assertiveness is a good thing, we're able to express it, we're respecting someone else. Aggressive means 'I'm respecting how I feel, but I feel I can run over your feelings to get my feelings out.'"

On WFMJ Today Tuesday morning, Dr. James Kravec, Chief Clinical Officer of Mercy Health, said that while vaccines remain a critical tool in public health, distrust has grown.

A recent Axios-Ipsos poll found that more than half of Americans believe officials have misrepresented vaccine efficacy.

"I believe in the science of vaccines. I believe in the science of public health," Kravec said, "The science hasn't changed. We still need to get our vaccines when we're supposed to get our vaccines as a kid, and as adults."

Kravec believes COVID-19 is here to stay and may be seasonal, although it's unclear.

"The good news is it's not deadly for the most part, just like flu isn't deadly for the most part," he added, "but it's a nuiseance, it can be very severe."

Despite ongoing concerns, both point out that many pandemic-era habits remain, such as more hand washing, masking and people being more prone to stay home when sick.