It has been exactly two years since the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a pandemic; and one and a half years since the “Mother of Neonatology” the unique, beloved Professor Maria Delivoria-Papadopoulos passed away. Two years that humankind suffered lockdowns, school closures, social distancing, restrictions on movement and suspension of liberties. And this while coronavirus continuously evolves to new variants, spreading fear that at the end nobody will escape this insidious and invisible foe.

So, is it the right time to talk about an “aftermath”, concerning COVID-19? Most probably not. But, in a way, we have to recapitulate the up to now knowledge, draw -at least partial- conclusions and set new rules for our behaviour towards deprived fellow human beings, wildlife and the earth’s climate.

In this respect, our 9th “Maria Delivoria-Papadopoulos Perinatal Symposium” consists of two sessions -one with mainly clinical and another with mainly psychosocial content-, as well as a panel discussion with the latest issues on prevention, treatment and consequences of the pandemic. Experts, who have delved into the individual topics accepted with pleasure our invitation; therefore, I would like to cordially thank them. Additionally, many thanks to the sponsors for their contribution to the realization of this scientific event.

Closing this brief introduction to our Symposium I would like to touch on Maria’s sincere concern for the suffering Third World countries and particularly for the children in Africa. Thus, I am sure she would be very happy and would strongly support our decision to discuss health equity and social justice in the times of the dreadful pandemic. Lastly, let me disclose the chosen colours of our programme, inspired by the usual depiction of SARS-CoV-2.