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coronavirus faqs

Friday August 28, 2020

Coronavirus FAQ: Is It Safe To Get On The Bus (Or Subway)?

A worker disinfects the inside of a bus in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Transit agencies are taking new steps to reduce the risks for riders during the pandemic. Michael Tewelde/Xinhua News Agency via Getty Images hide caption

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Michael Tewelde/Xinhua News Agency via Getty Images

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Coronavirus FAQ: Is It Safe To Get On The Bus (Or Subway)?

August 28, 2020 • Mass transportation ridership plummeted when COVID-19 struck. Now people are beginning to return. What are the risks they face — and how can they reduce them?

Friday August 21, 2020

Coronavirus FAQ: So Do Lots Of People Get COVID-19 From Flying?

A flight attendant adjusts protective glasses. There has been little documentation about COVID-19 transmission on planes. Valentyn Ogirenko/Reuters hide caption

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Valentyn Ogirenko/Reuters

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Coronavirus FAQ: So Do Lots Of People Get COVID-19 From Flying?

August 21, 2020 • A study released this week points to two passengers infected on a four-hour-plus flight. But there hasn't been a lot of documentation of transmission on planes. So how risky is flying?

Friday August 7, 2020

Coronavirus FAQ: Can An Airline Put You On A No-Fly List For Refusing To Mask Up?

Many airlines now require passengers to wear masks to reduce the risk of COVID-19 spread — and are putting scofflaws on a no-fly list. Nicolas Economou/ NurPhoto via Getty Images hide caption

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Nicolas Economou/ NurPhoto via Getty Images

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Coronavirus FAQ: Can An Airline Put You On A No-Fly List For Refusing To Mask Up?

August 7, 2020 • The matter of masks on planes has led to some contentious moments — and serious consequences. Is it legal to ban a passenger from flying for violating a mask mandate?

Friday July 31, 2020

Coronavirus FAQ: What's Life Like For Hong Kongers As The Virus Spikes Again?

New rules in Hong Kong require everyone to wear a mask in all outdoor places or face a $650 fine. Above: A masked woman stretches out a public park. Also: The maximum number of people allowed at a public gathering is ... 2. Miguel Candela/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images hide caption

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Miguel Candela/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images

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Coronavirus FAQ: What's Life Like For Hong Kongers As The Virus Spikes Again?

July 31, 2020 • Hong Kong had brought local transmission way, way down. But numbers are now going up. That means a new round of restrictions, including a limit on public gatherings of ... 2.

Friday July 24, 2020

Coronavirus FAQ: What Does It Mean If I Can Blow Out A Candle While Wearing A Mask?

Birthday spoiler alert: If you want your mask to be a barrier to coronavirus transmission, you should not be able to blow out candles while wearing it. Florin Cristian Ailenei/EyeEm via Getty Images hide caption

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Florin Cristian Ailenei/EyeEm via Getty Images

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Coronavirus FAQ: What Does It Mean If I Can Blow Out A Candle While Wearing A Mask?

July 24, 2020 • The candle test is one way to assess (roughly) the effectiveness of a mask. If your mask passes the test, you can help it do an even better job with some simple hacks.

Friday July 17, 2020

Coronavirus FAQ: What's The Best Way To Care For A Loved One With COVID-19?

Malaka Gharib/ NPR

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Coronavirus FAQ: What's The Best Way To Care For A Loved One With COVID-19?

July 17, 2020 • With cases on the rise, people want to know: How do I look after a family member who's been diagnosed and is at home? And how do I show support for a friend with the virus?

Saturday July 11, 2020

Coronavirus FAQ: How Do I Protect Myself If The Coronavirus Can Linger In The Air?

Malaka Gharib/ NPR

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Coronavirus FAQ: How Do I Protect Myself If The Coronavirus Can Linger In The Air?

July 11, 2020 • Researchers say airborne transmission is possible, especially in cramped indoor settings, but it's unclear how much it contributes to the spread. Here's how to lower your risks, just in case.

Thursday July 2, 2020

Coronavirus FAQs: Is It Safe To Dine Indoors — Or Outdoors?

Malaka Gharib/ NPR

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Coronavirus FAQs: Is It Safe To Dine Indoors — Or Outdoors?

July 2, 2020 • We look at the risks to consider (and precautions to take) before a restaurant meal. Also: How risky is it to fly on fully booked flights?

Friday June 26, 2020

Coronavirus FAQs: Is There A Polite Way To Remind Someone To Follow Pandemic Rules?

Malaka Gharib/ NPR

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Coronavirus FAQs: Is There A Polite Way To Remind Someone To Follow Pandemic Rules?

June 26, 2020 • Also, if you're headed back to a physical workplace, how do you keep safe? And do you need to have a mask on all the time at work?

Friday June 19, 2020

Coronavirus FAQs: Home Repair Guidelines, Toilet Plumes, Manicures And Self-Spraying

Malaka Gharib/ NPR

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Coronavirus FAQs: Home Repair Guidelines, Toilet Plumes, Manicures And Self-Spraying

June 19, 2020 • By popular demand, we've updated our guidelines for repair people in the home — and taken on new topics as well.

Friday June 12, 2020

Coronavirus FAQs: Convertibles, Dishwashing, Dog's Paws, Bowling, Travel With Kids

The pandemic is prompting a lot of questions about everyday life. Malaka Gharib/ NPR hide caption

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Malaka Gharib/ NPR

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Coronavirus FAQs: Convertibles, Dishwashing, Dog's Paws, Bowling, Travel With Kids

June 12, 2020 • This week we tackle frequently asked questions — and some infrequently asked ones as well. And we also have advice on how to decide about possible testing if you attended a protest.

Friday June 5, 2020

Coronavirus FAQs: How To Stay Safe While Protesting, When To Go Out After Recovery

Malaka Gharib/NPR

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Coronavirus FAQs: How To Stay Safe While Protesting, When To Go Out After Recovery

June 5, 2020 • Also: If I head to a new state or country for a visit, do I need to self-isolate to protect others in case I'm contagious?

Saturday May 30, 2020

Coronavirus FAQs: Is It Safer To Fly Or Drive? Is Air Conditioning A Threat?

Malaka Gharib/ NPR

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Coronavirus FAQs: Is It Safer To Fly Or Drive? Is Air Conditioning A Threat?

May 30, 2020 • They're not exactly easy questions to answer. In the first case, you must consider motel cleaning regimens and the hazards of driving vs. the risk of sitting next to a sneezy air traveler.

Friday May 22, 2020

Coronavirus FAQs: Can I Catch It Through My Eyes? Will Goggles Help?

A woman wearing a face mask and goggles walks through LAX airport in Los Angeles on Friday. Apu Gomes/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

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Apu Gomes/AFP via Getty Images

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Coronavirus FAQs: Can I Catch It Through My Eyes? Will Goggles Help?

May 22, 2020 • What's the risk of contracting the virus through the eyes? And in what situations would protective eyewear be helpful?

Friday May 15, 2020

Coronavirus FAQs: How Risky Is It To Fly? Is There Any Way To Reduce The Risks?

Passengers wear masks on a Myanmar National airlines flight out of Yangon. Many airlines now require passengers to don masks. Paula Bronstein/Getty Images hide caption

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Paula Bronstein/Getty Images

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Coronavirus FAQs: How Risky Is It To Fly? Is There Any Way To Reduce The Risks?

May 15, 2020 • As places around the world begin reopening, people are thinking about flying again — and wondering if it's safe.