coronavirus faqs

Signs direct people arriving to get COVID-19 vaccines last week at the Mountain America Expo Center in Sandy, Utah. Spenser Heaps/Deseret News hide caption

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

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

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

Some of our readers sent in their vaccine selfie pics. We asked the experts: What should they do with their vaccine cards? Photo collage by Michele Abercrombie/NPR hide caption

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