coronavirus faqs

The relatively empty flights of past months are filling up as more people get vaccinated — and make summer plans. Are there still risks to weigh? Michele Abercrombie/NPR hide caption

A reader wants to know about smoking's impact on the vaccine but didn't specify cigarettes, e-cigs ... or marijuana. So we'll discuss all three. Jordan Kirchner for NPR hide caption

People are wondering if alcohol in between vaccine doses might have an impact on your body's reaction to the vaccination. Michele Abercrombie/NPR hide caption

Genevieve Villamora, 44, says she suffered hair loss after recovering from COVID-19: Her hands would be covered with hair after a shower. It was "traumatic because as a woman so much of my femininity and self-image is linked to my hair," says the Washington, D.C., restaurateur. Her hair loss began to lessen four months out from her recovery from COVID. Ben de la Cruz/NPR hide caption

According to the CDC using a brace or mask fitter over a disposable mask or a cloth mask is a good way to make your mask more secure and prevent leaks. Michele Abercrombie/NPR hide caption

A reader asks: I want to have a private cuddle session with some goats but am concerned that the goats may have cuddled with other people. What's the COVID-19 risk? Note: The goat and human in the photo above are part of the same pandemic pod. Michele Abercrombie/NPR hide caption

A handheld ultraviolet-C wand is waved over the surface of a computer keyboard. Michele Abercrombie/NPR hide caption

South Korea's KF94 mask does a good job concealing the Mona Lisa's smile — but how effective is it at preventing coronavirus spread? Here, masked pedestrians stroll through a shopping district in Seoul. Chung Sung-Jun/Getty Images hide caption

London sends a message about how to reduce the risk of exposure to the newly detected U.K. variant. Tolga Akmen/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

Students wear masks at a school in Baghdad. Anadolu Agency/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images hide caption

People attend a SoulCycle class under an outdoor tent in September in New York City. Noam Galai/Getty Images hide caption