The worldwide spread of COVID-19 brought multiple and profound changes and restrictions into the everyday lives of people in contemporary societies. Most countries imposed a number of lockdowns and other measures in order to contain the virus. These measures have had a profound impact on the economy, the lives and welfare of people as well as on societal structures. Numerous questions have arisen for sociological analysis. These questions concern topics around the organization of everyday lives during the periods of lockdown and social contact restrictions, such as family lives, childcare, work, social ties, possibilities for contact, and media uses.Current sociological analysis is also required regarding the impact of the pandemic on the economy and social stratification: How does the pandemic influence different forms of social inequalities? How does it affect specific segments of the population or professional groups? In this special issue, three contributions employ such a perspective. The contribution by Lukas Richter and Theresa Heidinger investigates the problem of loneliness among the older generation, Nadia Steiber and Christina Siegert study the economic impact of the pandemic on couples and