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Marc Silver Marc Silver edits NPR's global health blog.
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Marc Silver

Monday

High up in the mountains, goats and sheep faced off over salt. Guess who won

A female mountain goat in an alpine meadow in Montana's Glacier National Park. When goats competed with sheep for salt in the park, the goats won almost unanimously. Forest P. Hayes hide caption

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Forest P. Hayes

Goats and Soda

High up in the mountains, goats and sheep faced off over salt. Guess who won

It was the unstoppable force versus the immovable object as goats and sheep locked horns over salt licks newly exposed in a warming climate in Montana. A new study reports on this cage match.

Friday

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Monday

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Saturday

The Coronavirus Crisis

Should we be wearing masks outside again?

Given how contagious the omicron variant is, we wondered whether we should all still be wearing masks outdoors. We talk to some experts for advice.

Should we be wearing masks outside again?

Listen · 3:38
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Friday

Saturday

Health

Advice for cold, flu and COVID-19: Wear a mask and wash your hands

Flus and colds could be more prevalent this year because they didn't spread as much last year due to pandemic restrictions. We answer questions about the flu vaccine and how to stay protected.

Advice for cold, flu and COVID-19: Wear a mask and wash your hands

Listen · 3:48
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Thursday

'Sex Education's' Eric Effiong is inspiration to Nigeria's gays, says activist

The character Eric Effiong (portrayed by actor Ncuti Gatwa) is an openly gay British teen in the Netflix series Sex Education. In a storyline in the new season, Eric travels to his mother's homeland of Nigeria — where sex between men and sex between women are against the law — for a family wedding. Sam Taylor/Netflix hide caption

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Sam Taylor/Netflix

Goats and Soda

'Sex Education's' Eric Effiong is inspiration to Nigeria's gays, says activist

We asked Bisi Alimi, who came out on TV in Nigeria and is an advocate for LGBTQ rights in his homeland, to weigh in on the plotline of the popular Netflix series.

Sunday

Health

Is it still too risky to hug? We answer that question and more

At the start of the pandemic, greeting someone with a hug, handshake or a peck on the cheek was considered high risk for the spread of the virus. But now, post vaccine, what are the rules?

Is it still too risky to hug? We answer that question and more

Listen · 3:54
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Friday

Coronavirus FAQ: Should I humor my friend's request for a pointless COVID precaution?

A friend's invitation to fly in for a visit at their vacation cabin came with a request for a COVID-19 precaution that seemed ... not very helpful. Michael Fox/EyeEm/Getty Images hide caption

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Michael Fox/EyeEm/Getty Images

Goats and Soda

Coronavirus FAQ: Should I humor my friend's request for a pointless COVID precaution?

Fly in and stay with us at our cabin, they said. And get a COVID test right after your flight to see if you picked up an infection while traveling. But that's too soon for a meaningful test result.

Friday

Coronavirus FAQ: I'm vaccinated. Can I give a hug — or a handshake — without risk?

To hug or not to hug? Experts say it depends on where you've been and your personal tolerance for risk. Malaka Gharib/ NPR hide caption

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Malaka Gharib/ NPR

Goats and Soda

Coronavirus FAQ: I'm vaccinated. Can I give a hug — or a handshake — without risk?

In the vaccine era, people are wondering if it's (relatively) safe to resume hugs, exchange handshakes, kiss on the cheek or air-kiss.

Coronavirus FAQ: I'm vaccinated. Can I give a hug — or a handshake — without risk?

Listen · 3:54
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Friday