COVID-19

Everything you need to know about the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic.

Latest in COVID-19

a vial of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine

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Facing COVID-19 variants, vaccine makers are weighing how to tweak their designs Facing COVID-19 variants, vaccine makers are weighing how to tweak their designs

Bearded man wearing a surgical mask on the street

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5 must-know tips for safely wearing a mask over facial hair 5 must-know tips for safely wearing a mask over facial hair

By Sandra Gutierrez G.

Masha Krasnova-Shavaeva illustration

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Neanderthal genes are still helping humans today Neanderthal genes are still helping humans today

By Claire Maldarelli

young girl wearing covid-19 mask

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The CDC says COVID-19 is no match for two masks The CDC says COVID-19 is no match for two masks

By Sara Chodosh

mardi gras decorations in new orleans

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Can Louisiana’s COVID surge trace back to one Mardi Gras reveler? Can Louisiana’s COVID surge trace back to one Mardi Gras reveler?

By Philip Kiefer

A man in a gray t-shirt removing or putting on a surgical face mask by only touching the ear loops.

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Why you shouldn’t ever wear your mask around your neck Why you shouldn’t ever wear your mask around your neck

By Erin Fennessy

Couple drinking milkshakes with COVID-19 face masks on.

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How to celebrate Valentine’s Day in a pandemic How to celebrate Valentine’s Day in a pandemic

By Sara Kiley Watson

A Black middle-aged individual talking on a smartphone in a cafe

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One big hiccup in US efforts to distribute COVID-19 vaccines? Poor internet access. One big hiccup in US efforts to distribute COVID-19 vaccines? Poor internet access.

By Tamra Burns Loeb, Et Al./The Conversation

Person receiving a shot from a healthcare worker.

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How to prepare for getting the COVID-19 vaccine How to prepare for getting the COVID-19 vaccine

By Tyler Santora

A woman in mask, head scarf and yellow rain jacket stands along the water

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Women are more likely to take COVID-19 guidelines seriously Women are more likely to take COVID-19 guidelines seriously

By Disha Shetty/Undark

two footballs used in the NFL

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Even at half capacity, the Super Bowl could cause COVID-19 outbreaks Even at half capacity, the Super Bowl could cause COVID-19 outbreaks

By Kate Baggaley

vaccine medical supplies

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The CDC declares Super Bowl parties a no-go The CDC declares Super Bowl parties a no-go

By Claire Maldarelli

The visitor entrance of the Minneapolis VA Medical Center

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How US veterans can get COVID-19 vaccines How US veterans can get COVID-19 vaccines

By James Clark/Task & Purpose

Pregnant woman checking phone notifications.

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Pregnant people can—and should—get vaccinated against COVID-19 Pregnant people can—and should—get vaccinated against COVID-19

By Sara Kiley Watson

Two people wearing cloth face masks with their arms around each other on a New York City sidewalk on a sunny day.

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How to wear a face mask for maximum protection How to wear a face mask for maximum protection

By Erin Fennessy

woman wearing mask in subway station

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The US finally has a national mask mandate The US finally has a national mask mandate

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The new COVID-19 team has a lot of work to do. Here’s how they should start. The new COVID-19 team has a lot of work to do. Here’s how they should start.

By Erin Fennessy

a healthcare worker wearing a surgical mask

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What you can do right now to protect yourself from the new COVID-19 variants What you can do right now to protect yourself from the new COVID-19 variants

By Claire Maldarelli

vials of COVID-19 vaccines

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COVID-19 vaccines could end the pandemic by eliminating severe cases COVID-19 vaccines could end the pandemic by eliminating severe cases

By Kate Baggaley

covid-19 vaccine vials

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There’s a new COVID-19 vaccine in the running—but variants could pose a problem There’s a new COVID-19 vaccine in the running—but variants could pose a problem

By Sara Chodosh

Gloved hands testing a COVID-19 sample in a lab

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The US is way behind on tracking COVID-19 variants The US is way behind on tracking COVID-19 variants

By Tyler Santora

people wearing masks walking their dogs

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The places where Americans aren’t wearing masks The places where Americans aren’t wearing masks

bar graph of covid-19 mortality rates in LA county by ethnicity and poverty level

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5 graphs that show how bad COVID-19 is in LA County 5 graphs that show how bad COVID-19 is in LA County

By Sara Chodosh

Three people in prison jumpsuits behind orange bars and the SARS-CoV-2 virus illustrations superimposed in four spots

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On surviving—and leaving—prison during a pandemic On surviving—and leaving—prison during a pandemic

By Sarah Scoles

a person putting a vaccine into a syringe.

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To get vaccines to more people, the priority system needs to loosen up To get vaccines to more people, the priority system needs to loosen up

A beach rock painted with the phrase vax and relax for the COVID-19 pandemic

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What does it take to convince people to get vaccinated? What does it take to convince people to get vaccinated?

By Matt Motta/The Conversation

Blood vials at a bank or testing lab

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We may have grossly underestimated COVID-19 infection rates We may have grossly underestimated COVID-19 infection rates

By Nathaniel Scharping/Undark

person wearing a mask and looking at the departures board at an airport

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What to know about new COVID-related travel restrictions in the US What to know about new COVID-related travel restrictions in the US

vaccine syringe held out by a gloved hand

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How does an mRNA vaccine work? How does an mRNA vaccine work?

By Maddie Bender

president joe biden looking solemn

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What you need to know about Biden’s 5-point COVID-19 relief plan What you need to know about Biden’s 5-point COVID-19 relief plan

By Sara Chodosh

Close up of influenza vaccine shot being prepared.

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Flu cases have been shockingly low during the pandemic. Here why. Flu cases have been shockingly low during the pandemic. Here why.

By Sara Kiley Watson

a kid sick in bed having his temperature taken

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What COVID-19 will look like once the pandemic ends What COVID-19 will look like once the pandemic ends

By Claire Maldarelli

woman with a mask on gets a vaccine

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More evidence points to long-lasting COVID-19 immunity More evidence points to long-lasting COVID-19 immunity

By Sara Chodosh

Hawaiian National Guard member gets a COVID-19 vaccine from a health care worker in scrubs

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Hawaii managed COVID-19 better than any other state, but its residents are still at risk Hawaii managed COVID-19 better than any other state, but its residents are still at risk

By Tyler Santora

United States capitol building at night.

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The attack on the Capitol had all the ingredients of a COVID-19 superspreader event The attack on the Capitol had all the ingredients of a COVID-19 superspreader event

By Sara Kiley Watson

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Is one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine enough? Is one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine enough?

A person in glasses and a buttoned shirt tossing a handful of colorful confetti in the air

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A psychologist explains how hope can make a difference in impossible times A psychologist explains how hope can make a difference in impossible times

By Jacqueline S. Mattis/The Conversation

a medical syringe

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COVID vaccines are getting thrown out thanks to strict distribution rules COVID vaccines are getting thrown out thanks to strict distribution rules

By Claire Maldarelli

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When it comes to COVID-19 risk, what counts as ‘outdoor’ dining? When it comes to COVID-19 risk, what counts as ‘outdoor’ dining?

By Sara Kiley Watson

A US sailor at the Naval Medical Center in San Diego, California, prepares Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines for rollout

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Vaccines conquered smallpox and polio, but COVID-19 looks like a tougher battle Vaccines conquered smallpox and polio, but COVID-19 looks like a tougher battle

By Tyler Santora

aid workers in Africa go door-to-door to deliver accurate information about Covid-19

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COVID-19 could make malaria surge, but African aid workers are fighting back COVID-19 could make malaria surge, but African aid workers are fighting back

By Ashley Stumvoll/Undark

People wearing masks looking out the window of a diner during the COVID-19 pandemic

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Is indoor dining safe? Five health experts weigh in. Is indoor dining safe? Five health experts weigh in.

By Laurie Archbald-Pannone Et Al./The Conversation

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In 2021, a new wave of evictions could also fuel a rise in COVID cases In 2021, a new wave of evictions could also fuel a rise in COVID cases

a healthcare worker with PPE on

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The world may be at risk of a new COVID-19 surge The world may be at risk of a new COVID-19 surge

By Claire Maldarelli

people getting rapid covid testing outside

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The new, more-contagious UK COVID-19 strain is officially in the US The new, more-contagious UK COVID-19 strain is officially in the US

By Sara Chodosh

a syringe with a needle attached

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Ending the pandemic means vaccinating the whole world—but the US is focusing on itself Ending the pandemic means vaccinating the whole world—but the US is focusing on itself

Mask and thermometer

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The ‘darkest days’ of COVID-19 are still to come The ‘darkest days’ of COVID-19 are still to come

By Sara Kiley Watson

two women wearing masks outside

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Can you spread COVID-19 after vaccination? Here’s what we know. Can you spread COVID-19 after vaccination? Here’s what we know.

By Kate Baggaley

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Why two doses of the new COVID-19 vaccines are better than one Why two doses of the new COVID-19 vaccines are better than one

By Tyler Santora

woman sitting on a suitcase in an airport wearing a face mask

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With two COVID-19 vaccines available, the CDC updates its guidance on who gets them first With two COVID-19 vaccines available, the CDC updates its guidance on who gets them first

By Sara Chodosh

person getting vaccinated

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Rural America may miss out on early COVID-19 vaccines Rural America may miss out on early COVID-19 vaccines

By Tyler Santora

person preparing a vaccine

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What you should know about allergic reactions to the COVID-19 vaccine What you should know about allergic reactions to the COVID-19 vaccine

By Kate Baggaley

novel coronavirus

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There’s a new coronavirus strain in the UK, but don’t panic There’s a new coronavirus strain in the UK, but don’t panic

three vaccine bottles with "RX" on their labels, filled with small frozen beads of ice cream

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What the Dippin’ Dots ‘cold chain’ can teach us about COVID-19 vaccines What the Dippin’ Dots ‘cold chain’ can teach us about COVID-19 vaccines

By Maddie Bender

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What to know about Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine before it reaches you What to know about Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine before it reaches you

By Claire Maldarelli

Someone receiving a vaccine

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Pfizer is shipping millions of COVID-19 vaccine doses this week Pfizer is shipping millions of COVID-19 vaccine doses this week

By Jessica Boddy

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The FDA just green-lit America’s first COVID vaccine The FDA just green-lit America’s first COVID vaccine

By Sara Chodosh

A person sticking out a purple-stained tongue

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Can’t smell or taste the bacon? It’s probably a sign of COVID-19. Can’t smell or taste the bacon? It’s probably a sign of COVID-19.

By Tyler Santora

A man in medical PPE holds a syringe full of yellow liquid

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Pfizer’s COVID vaccine just hit a major milestone on its way to FDA authorization Pfizer’s COVID vaccine just hit a major milestone on its way to FDA authorization

By Rachel Feltman

Two kids running on a lawn with masks on

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Shaming the public into smarter COVID-19 decisions won’t work. This will. Shaming the public into smarter COVID-19 decisions won’t work. This will.

By Maia Szalavitz/Undark

A pharmacist picking a medication off a shelf

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See how COVID-19 vaccines will get to your neighborhood See how COVID-19 vaccines will get to your neighborhood

By Bahar Aliakbarian/The Conversation

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100 days of wearing masks could make an enormous difference in the pandemic 100 days of wearing masks could make an enormous difference in the pandemic

By Kate Baggaley

A cutting board with baked venison

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Hunters are helping keep food banks stocked through COVID-19 Hunters are helping keep food banks stocked through COVID-19

By Alex Robinson & Natalie Krebs/ Outdoor Life

person handling blood samples in a lab

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COVID-19 may have been circulating in the U.S. as early as last year COVID-19 may have been circulating in the U.S. as early as last year