Almost 180 million cases of COVID-19 have been diagnosed, with almost 4.000.000 deaths. Since this pandemic had unprecedented worldwide healthcare and socio-economic effects, the scientific world is under exceptional pressure regarding the need for knowledge on this new disease, including its pathophysiology and possible treatments.

Such pressure prioritized scientific publications on COVID-19 over other medical conditions, with exponential increases in editorial workload.

Trials on COVID-19 underwent rapid ethical evaluation3; the peer-review process was shortened and was possibly less stringent.

Studies were published as preprints in order to spread immediate knowledge and experience.

Moreover, the emergence of viral variants and the roll out of vaccines is keeping pressure high to publish on COVID-19.

From a scientific perspective, the pandemic probably boosted research collaboration both as interdisciplinary teamwork (i.e., radiology, pathology, pulmonology), and as multicentre data sharing.

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