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coronavirus faqs

Friday September 25, 2020

Shanti Hands for NPR

Coronavirus FAQs: Why Can't The CDC Make Up Its Mind About Airborne Transmission?

September 25, 2020 • The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention last week said that the coronavirus spreads "most commonly" through air — then took it back. Is this something I should be worried about?

Friday September 18, 2020

Coronavirus FAQ: I See People Wearing Disposable Coveralls On Planes. Good Idea?

Air passengers wearing practically full-body coveralls at the Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport in India. Dibyangshu Sarkar/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

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Dibyangshu Sarkar/AFP via Getty Images

Coronavirus FAQ: I See People Wearing Disposable Coveralls On Planes. Good Idea?

September 18, 2020 • Some passengers don a disposable suit over their clothes to help shield themselves from the coronavirus. Is that helpful? What about gloves, face shields and goggles? Also: A blanket idea!

Friday September 11, 2020

Malaka Gharib/NPR

Coronavirus FAQs: What Are The New Dating Rules? And What About Hooking Up?

September 11, 2020 • Should you go on a date with someone new ... or revisit an ex if you feel safer that way? How do you know if a potential partner is following pandemic safety rules? And is it safe to have sex?

Friday September 4, 2020

Coronavirus FAQ: Is It A Good Idea To Buy An Air Cleaner For My Home?

As people spend more time together indoors with the changing of the seasons, could an air cleaner provide an added layer of protection against the transmission of the coronavirus by removing a percentage of viral particles from the air? Ben de la Cruz/NPR hide caption

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Ben de la Cruz/NPR

Goats and Soda

Coronavirus FAQ: Is It A Good Idea To Buy An Air Cleaner For My Home?

September 4, 2020 • Do portable air cleaning machines really help reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission in the home? The frustrating short answer: "It depends." Find out what it depends upon.

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

Goats and Soda

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

Goats and Soda

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

Goats and Soda

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

Goats and Soda

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