In my position as European Respiratory Society (ERS) Publications Committee Chair, I am pleased to introduce this latest issue of the ERS Monograph. With 15 chapters entirely dedicated to COVID-19, written by 50 leading experts in the field, it reflects the relentless efforts of the ERS and its members to add another stone to fortify the scientific compendium against past, current and future pandemic waves. Disclosures: A.T. Dinh-Xuan's institution is supported by a research grant from the "Fondation Air Liquide" related to lung function in COVID-19. A.T. Dinh-Xuan reports receiving ad hoc honoraria for lectures in pharmaceutical- sponsored symposia: AstraZeneca, Chiesi, Circassia, GSK, Novartis and Sanofi-Genzyme. vi https://doi.org/10.1183/2312508X.10021321