coronavirus faqs

Health & Safety

Coronavirus FAQ: Is the 6-foot rule debunked? Or does distance still protect you?

7:43am June 23, 2024

At a congressional hearing, Dr. Anthony Fauci said the CDC recommendation to stay 6 feet from others to ward off infection was not based on data. Does that mean keeping a distance won't protect you?

What to do if you get COVID on a family vacay: Stay in a separate room if you can. Masks are still your best friend. Be honest with little kids. You can still eat together. Just do it outdoors. It's OK to go for walks together — just stay downwind.

Health & Safety

Coronavirus FAQ: I got it on a family vacay! Can my relatives stay (relatively) safe?

5:19pm July 22, 2022

by Marc Silver

It's a common dilemma in this summer of surging travel and surging COVID. If one member of a vacation party comes down with the virus, what steps can be taken to reduce the risk to others?

What do you do if you catch COVID on a trip?

We asked, you answered: NPR readers share how they handled COVID on vacation

3:03pm July 15, 2022

by Marc Silver

Nearly 5,000 NPR readers told us how they dealt with COVID on a trip. Did they respect the CDC guidance to wait 10 days before flying? Or did they travel anyway? What lessons do they have to share?

Coronavirus FAQ: I took a trip and caught COVID. What should I do? When can I go home?

6:34pm July 08, 2022

by Marc Silver

As summer travel surges, so does COVID. Experts share advice on how to prepare ahead of time in case you are infected on a vacation or visit — and what to do if you get that dreaded positive test.

Passengers get a COVID test at Heathrow Airport in London in November 2021. On June 12, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention lifted its requirement for pre-departure testing for travelers flying into the U.S.

Coronavirus FAQ: Should I still take a COVID test before flying into the U.S.?

9:59pm June 17, 2022

by Fran Kritz

This week, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ended the COVID-19 testing rule for air passengers traveling to the U.S. from abroad. Should you still take a COVID test anyway?

Coronavirus FAQ: I took Paxlovid. I felt better. Then symptoms rebounded. What's up?

7:16pm May 20, 2022

by Fran Kritz

The antiviral drug is prescribed to those at risk of severe disease. It's been credited with reducing hospitalizations. But then there's the "Paxlovid rebound."

Print and fold a zine version of this comic here. Here are directions on how to fold it.

Health & Safety

Coronavirus FAQ: Our mini-zine has advice on when & how to dial down COVID precautions

2:34pm April 01, 2022

by Marc Silver

Cases are surging in some regions but dropping in many places. If you're in the latter situation, is it OK to go back to living as you did pre-pandemic? Print our handy zine with advice from experts.

A child wears a KN95 mask for kids in Hastings-on-Hudson, New York.

Health & Safety

Coronavirus FAQ: What's the best way to protect school-age kids from COVID?

5:23pm February 11, 2022

by Sheila Mulrooney Eldred

Plus: Do kids really need masks if they've been vaccinated and had COVID? And what kind of masks should kids wear?

SARS-CoV-2 is shown in this colorized transmission electron micrograph. This specimen was isolated from a patient in the U.S. Particles of the virus are shown emerging from the surface of cells cultured in the lab.

Health & Safety

The future of the pandemic is looking clearer as we learn more about infection

12:27pm February 07, 2022

by Michaeleen Doucleff

Scientists are beginning to come up with answers to the question of how long antibodies from an infection can protect you — and what they'll protect you from.

Queue Listen Now

A Santa Claus in Germany wears a surgical mask in December 2020. If you're planning to take the kids to see Santa this year, experts say it's safest to keep everyone's masks on.

Coronavirus FAQ: Is it OK for the kids to take a pic with Santa?

3:47pm December 17, 2021

by Sheila Eldred

Plus: Is it safe to go to a holiday party if not everyone is vaccinated? And are people getting different side effects from the COVID booster?