In winter of 2020, SARS-CoV-2 emerged as a global threat, impacting not only health but also financial and political stability. To address the societal need for monitoring the spread of SARS-CoV-2, many existing diagnostic technologies were quickly adapted to detect SARS-CoV-2 RNA and antigens as well as the immune response, and new testing strategies were developed to accelerate time-to-decision. In parallel, the infusion of research support accelerated the development of new spectroscopic methods. While these methods have significantly reduced the impact of SARSCoV-2 on society when coupled with behavioral changes, they also lay the groundwork for a new generation of platform technologies. With several epidemics on the horizon, such as the rise of antibioticresistant bacteria, the ability to quickly pivot the target pathogen of this diagnostic toolset will continue to have an impact.