The 2020 novel coronavirus pandemic has impacted our lives in many ways. This article examines the rapid adoption and use of traditional and state-of-the-art information technologies intended to help cope with the pandemic. People and organizations have adopted and used IT tools for collaboration, communication, surveillance and monitoring, remote working, and cloud-based applications for one major reason – necessity. There is no viable alternative to maintain our civilized society. These and other information technologies have helped people continue to work, to socialize, to communicate, to entertain, to visit doctor’s office, to shop, and live. Experience with these technology adaptations has demonstrated that we need more and better IT solutions, more technology literacy, better public health surveillance, and better preventative measures to minimize harms from health crises to find a new normal. In the future, many people will likely choose to work and learn remotely, and organizations and governments must upgrade their digital capabilities and the skills of employees. IT can increase the robustness and adaptability of our economic and social systems as well as our well-being
