The global death toll from COVID-19 topped 5 million on Monday, less than two years into a crisis that has not only devastated poor countries but also humbled wealthy ones with first-rate health care systems.

(Photo by Horacio Villalobos#Corbis/Corbis via Getty Images) Health technicians clad in full protective equipment get ready to register people queuing to take an antigen COVID-19 test at a mobile testing post managed by the Portuguese Red Cross in Alameda Dom Afonso Henriques during the COVID-19 Coronavirus pandemic on Jin Lisbon, Portugal. Portugal has registered so far 877,195 infections and 17,092 COVID-19-related deaths. This initiative is carried out in partnership with the Ministry of Health, the Portuguese Red Cross, and the Lisbon City Hall, with the cooperation of members of the Municipal Police and Civil Protection. The testing is free for city residents and non-residents, and has a special focus on areas with a higher number of cases. LISBON, PORTUGAL - JUNE 29: Health technicians clad in full protective equipment get ready to register people queuing to take an antigen COVID-19 test at a mobile testing post managed by the Portuguese Red Cross in Alameda Dom Afonso Henriques during the COVID-19 Coronavirus pandemic on Jin Lisbon, Portugal.

Civil protection half life