The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic is unprecedented. That’s for sure.

The apparently highly-contagious virus, first reported in December 2019, took many by surprise.

What’s also for sure is the response to the pandemic around the world and in the United States.

Many in the medical field, emergency response organizations, nonprofit and corporate world, businesses large and small, communities large and small and families have stepped up to respond to the coronavirus challenge.

This edition of the Focus section in the Lehigh Valley Press newspapers and Press websites begins a series of articles looking at some of the many who have met the challenge of the coronavirus pandemic.

If you have a story to share or know of a story to share about an organization or those responding to the coronavirus pandemic challenge, email: Paul Willistein, Focus editor: pwillistein@tnonline.com