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Thursday

Coronavirus FAQ: What is long COVID? And what is my risk of getting it?
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Goats and Soda

Coronavirus FAQ: What is long COVID? And what is my risk of getting it?

One of the surprising aspects of the pandemic is that symptoms can linger months after infection. This syndrome has been called "long COVID," and it's had a profound impact on many people's lives.

Coronavirus FAQ: What is long COVID? And what is my risk of getting it?

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Friday

Coronavirus FAQ: I just got a booster. Can I go back to my pre-pandemic routines?

Nurse Sandra Lindsay celebrates after receiving her COVID-19 Pfizer vaccine booster at Long Island Jewish Medical Center in New York in October. Lindsay was the first person known to receive a COVID vaccine in the United States vaccination campaign — on Dec. 14, 2020. Her vaccination card is displayed at the COVID-19 exhibit in the Smithsonian Museum of American History. Lev Radin/Pacific Press via Getty Images hide caption

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Lev Radin/Pacific Press via Getty Images

Goats and Soda

Coronavirus FAQ: I just got a booster. Can I go back to my pre-pandemic routines?

Does a booster shot mean that you can return to your old normal? Or is there still a newish kind of normal to face?

Friday

Coronavirus FAQ: It's cold and flu season — and COVID season! How do I stay unsick?

Wash your hands. A lot. That's the message from public health specialists as cold and flu season arrives. Jens Kalaene/picture alliance via Getty Image hide caption

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Jens Kalaene/picture alliance via Getty Image

Goats and Soda

Coronavirus FAQ: It's cold and flu season — and COVID season! How do I stay unsick?

Last winter the number of flu cases was pretty low — likely a result of COVID precautions people were taking. Does that mean we have fewer antibodies — and a greater risk of catching something now?

Friday

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?

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Friday

Friday

Tuesday

Coronavirus FAQ: I'm Vaccinated And Confused. Do I Need To Mask Up Or Not?
Malaka Gharib/NPR

Goats and Soda

Coronavirus FAQ: I'm Vaccinated And Confused. Do I Need To Mask Up Or Not?

A World Health Organization representative just advised wearing masks after vaccination. The CDC has a different perspective. We asked public health specialists to weigh in.

Coronavirus FAQ: I'm Vaccinated And Confused. Do I Need To Mask Up Or Not?

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Friday

Coronavirus FAQ: I've Been Vaccinated. Do I Need To Worry About Variants?

A sign urges people to get tested for a COVID-19 variant in Blackburn, England. The U.K. is experiencing a surge in the delta variant, which was first identified in India. Oli Scarff/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

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Oli Scarff/AFP via Getty Images

Goats and Soda

Coronavirus FAQ: I've Been Vaccinated. Do I Need To Worry About Variants?

Here's what we know about the effectiveness of vaccines for variants of concerns, notably the delta variant, first identified in India and now responsible for more than 20% of new U.S. cases.

Coronavirus FAQ: I've Been Vaccinated. Do I Need To Worry About Variants?

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Friday

Coronavirus FAQ: What Does It Mean If My Ears Ring Or Toes Hurt After A Vaccine?

Some readers wrote to NPR with concerns about a whole slate of unusual conditions they've been noticing in the aftermath of their own vaccines. Carmen Martínez Torrón/Getty Images hide caption

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Carmen Martínez Torrón/Getty Images

Goats and Soda

Coronavirus FAQ: What Does It Mean If My Ears Ring Or Toes Hurt After A Vaccine?

There are some side effects that are pretty common: sore arm, headache, fatigue, fever. But people are saying they've got other unusual reactions. Is it the vaccine — or something else?

Friday

Coronavirus FAQ: You're Vaccinated. Cool! Now About Those 'Breakthrough' Infections...

You can do a lot of things with minimal risk after being vaccinated. Although our public health expert says that maybe it's not quite time for a rave or other tightly packed events. Above: Fans take photographs of Megan Thee Stallion at a London show in 2019. Ollie Millington/Getty Images hide caption

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Ollie Millington/Getty Images

Goats and Soda

Coronavirus FAQ: You're Vaccinated. Cool! Now About Those 'Breakthrough' Infections...

No vaccine is 100% effective. Though so-called "breakthrough" COVID cases are rare, the virus is circulating widely. What's a vaccinated person to do? And ... not do?

Friday

Coronavirus Vaccine FAQs: What's Up With Side Effects? Should You Still Double Mask?

The usual side effects of the COVID-19 vaccine can range from a sore arm to flu-like symptoms. Or, if you're lucky, you won't get any side effects at all. Michele Abercrombie/NPR hide caption

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Michele Abercrombie/NPR

Goats and Soda

Coronavirus Vaccine FAQs: What's Up With Side Effects? Should You Still Double Mask?

So, you've successfully scored a vaccine — or at least an appointment. Congrats! That's amazing news, seriously! Now what about those side effects? And do you have to keep up that double masking?