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

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. Science Source hide caption

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Science Source

Goats and Soda

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

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.

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

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Coronavirus FAQ: Why are some folks hacking home COVID tests by swabbing their throat?

A COVID-19 home test in the U.S. comes with a swab to swirl in the nostrils. But some users say they're swabbing the throat too — even though that's not what the instructions say to do. "They may stab themselves," cautions Dr. Janet Woodcock, acting head of the Food and Drug Administration. Angus Mordant/Bloomberg via Getty Images hide caption

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Angus Mordant/Bloomberg via Getty Images

Goats and Soda

Coronavirus FAQ: Why are some folks hacking home COVID tests by swabbing their throat?

The FDA-authorized tests call for a nasal swab. Some doctors are tweeting that they're doing a throat swab too — though they don't recommend this step to the public. Here's a look at the swab debate.

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

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. Caroline Seidel/picture alliance via Getty Images hide caption

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Caroline Seidel/picture alliance via Getty Images

Goats and Soda

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

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?

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Coronavirus FAQ: Help me with omicron vocab. What's immune evasion? Epistasis?

A 3D-generated image of the coronavirus variant of concern known as omicron. The little bumps are spike proteins (see definition below). Uma Shankar Sharma/Getty Images hide caption

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Uma Shankar Sharma/Getty Images

Goats and Soda

Coronavirus FAQ: Help me with omicron vocab. What's immune evasion? Epistasis?

The emergence of this new variant of concern has brought a new vocabulary into daily news reports. We asked experts to help define the terms you're being bombarded with.

Thursday

Coronavirus FAQ: What is long COVID? And what is my risk of getting it?
RLT_Images/Getty Images

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?

Listen · 6:29
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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?

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