Coronavirus: the latest news and tips

A new coronavirus, first identified in Wuhan, China, has global health agencies on high alert. Here’s everything experts know about COVID-19 so far.

person wearing a mask on the train

Wearing a mask could protect you from COVID-19 in more ways than you think

Some researchers think masks could expose wearers to just enough of the virus that it helps trigger immunity.

Kat Eschner

a girl getting a bandaid after receiving a vaccine.

What would it actually take to have a COVID-19 vaccine by November?

The CDC has told states to prepare to potentially distribute a COVID-19 vaccine this fall.

Kate Baggaley

DIY wipes

How to make your own disinfecting wipes

Come for a cleaning product, get a baby wipe recipe for free.

By Sandra Gutierrez G.

doctor giving nasal spray to patient

The COVID-19 pandemic is about to collide with flu season. Here’s what to expect.

There's a bit of good news, but the US may still suffer a particularly nasty winter.

Sara Chodosh

New updates:

Big Ten football players will get daily COVID-19 tests, but that might not be enough
Fast, frequent testing may be less reliable, but could help teams identify infections as they happen
By Rachael ZiskSeptember 18, 2020
A coronavirus vaccine will save more lives if we share it widely
Influenza modelers estimate that equitable vaccination could prevent the most deaths from the novel virus.
Kat EschnerSeptember 17, 2020
Why you should vote as early as possible (and how to do it)
Casting a ballot shouldn’t be a miserable experience.
By John KennedySeptember 17, 2020
Some kids have been suffering from COVID-19 for months
The long-haulers, as they’re called, are baffling medical experts who’ve been studying the virus for months.
By Megan E. Doherty/UndarkSeptember 16, 2020
COVID-19 may one day come and go like the flu, but we’re not there yet
For now, too few people are immune for weather to halt the novel coronavirus.
Kate BaggaleySeptember 16, 2020
Google search data can help pinpoint COVID-19 hotspots before they flare up
Scientists are using Google Trends data to detect coronavirus cases early.
Kat EschnerSeptember 15, 2020
AstraZeneca resumed its COVID-19 vaccine trials after uncovering a mysterious reaction
Here’s everything you need to know this week.
Claire MaldarelliSeptember 15, 2020
Make online classes easier with these laptop shortcuts
Gather 'round, kids—we’re taking a stroll down Old Technology Lane.
By Sandra Gutierrez G.September 15, 2020
How well do fancy mask designs actually protect against COVID-19?
The pandemic has led to a surge in new personal protective equipment that claims to be more comfortable, sustainable, or accessible. But health standards are all over the place.
By Hannah Thomasy/UndarkSeptember 11, 2020
Trump downplayed the threat from COVID-19. Here’s how we could’ve fought back harder.
Why minimizing a pandemic to avoid panic is the ‘opposite response any expert would suggest.’
Kate BaggaleySeptember 11, 2020
Wearing a mask could protect you from COVID-19 in more ways than you think
Some researchers think masks could expose wearers to just enough of the virus that it helps trigger immunity.
Kat EschnerSeptember 10, 2020
Times of strife can lead to medical innovation—when governments are willing
The Civil War saw a record number of health-related patents. Can we replicate that during the current pandemic?
By Jeffrey Clemens/The ConversationSeptember 9, 2020
AstraZeneca just paused its COVID-19 vaccine trial, and that’s a good thing
The company is reviewing an adverse reaction that occurred in a patient in the U.K.
Claire MaldarelliSeptember 9, 2020
The safest ways to exercise during a pandemic
Is it worth it to go back to the gym?
By Sara Kiley WatsonSeptember 9, 2020
The Sturgis Motorcycle Rally may account for 19 percent of US COVID-19 cases in August
Here’s everything you need to know this week.
Claire MaldarelliSeptember 8, 2020
Data on COVID-19 outbreaks in schools was sparse, so this teacher collected it herself
Now anyone can use the tracker to look for warning signs in their state.
By Audrey Goodson Kingo/Working MotherSeptember 3, 2020
What would it actually take to have a COVID-19 vaccine by November?
The CDC has told states to prepare to potentially distribute a COVID-19 vaccine this fall.
Kate BaggaleySeptember 3, 2020
Corticosteroids can help COVID-19 patients with severe respiratory distress
A group of new studies shows the potent anti-inflammatories can help some coronavirus patients who are experiencing severe bouts with the virus.
Kat EschnerSeptember 3, 2020
Herd immunity alone won’t stop COVID-19. Here’s why.
We have better ways to fight the pandemic.
Kate BaggaleySeptember 2, 2020
All the pros—and cons—of convalescent plasma therapy for COVID-19
The treatment has been around for about a century, and hasn’t really gotten any better with age.
Claire MaldarelliSeptember 1, 2020
The recent rise in Asian American hate crimes could have impacts beyond the pandemic
Without a reliable database, it’s difficult to tackle the aftermath in immigrant communities.
By Candice WangSeptember 1, 2020
One way to slow the spread of COVID-19? Stop talking. Seriously.
Here’s everything you need to know this week.
Claire MaldarelliAugust 31, 2020
Convincing someone to wear a mask is hard, but not impossible
Borrow some talking points from famous philosophers in the name of public health.
By Colin Marshall/The ConversationAugust 30, 2020
What makes a patient asymptomatic to COVID-19?
Some scientists are confident that the immune system’s aggressive response to the virus is only part of the story.
By Emily Laber-Warren/UndarkAugust 27, 2020
The CDC’s new COVID-19 testing guidelines could make the pandemic worse
Testing is still as important as ever, politics aside.
By Sara Kiley WatsonAugust 27, 2020
The COVID-19 pandemic is about to collide with flu season. Here’s what to expect.
There's a bit of good news, but the US may still suffer a particularly nasty winter.
Sara ChodoshAugust 26, 2020
How to help your pet with separation anxiety
Your buddy misses you when you're gone, so let them know you're coming back.
By Sara Kiley WatsonAugust 26, 2020
Scientists may have confirmed you can catch COVID-19 twice
Here’s everything you need to know this week.
Claire MaldarelliAugust 24, 2020
Oleandrin won’t cure coronavirus
Every single part of the plant is poisonous to humans.
By Cassandra Quave/The ConversationAugust 20, 2020
How to make your own disinfecting wipes
Come for a cleaning product, get a baby wipe recipe for free.
By Sandra Gutierrez G.August 19, 2020
The risks of three back-to-school plans, ranked
It’s a balancing act between staying healthy and staying on top of learning.
Sara Kiley WatsonAugust 19, 2020
We need rapid COVID-19 screening if we want to get back to normal
Schools, offices, and businesses need more options to fill the gaps in testing.
By Zoë McLaren/The ConversationAugust 18, 2020
Five stories of sailors who weathered COVID-19 out at sea
For cruisers who were voyaging far from home this past spring, quarantine presented a new set of hurdles.
By Herb McCormickAugust 17, 2020
Scientists are still unsure how frequently kids and teens pass COVID to others
Here's everything you need to know from this week's COVID-19 news.
Claire MaldarelliAugust 17, 2020
The CDC clarifies that COVID-19 immunity and antibodies are still a mystery
New guidelines on quarantining send a mixed message.
Rachel FeltmanAugust 14, 2020
Eight tips for boosting mental health at college in the age of COVID-19
As campuses reopen, students stuck at home or in dorm rooms should take close care of themselves.
By Candice WangAugust 14, 2020
Should you risk COVID-19 for a cancer screening?
Health care facilities are urging patients back for routine tests, but financial incentives may result in murky motives.
By Teresa Carr/UndarkAugust 13, 2020
Social distancing can make living with eating disorders harder
Understanding how pandemic-related environmental changes influence people with eating disorders is key to treating the conditions.
Kat EschnerAugust 13, 2020
Social distancing saves lives. Here’s the proof.
Statewide policies prevented more than 600,000 cases within three weeks.
Kate BaggaleyAugust 13, 2020
Russia just approved a COVID vaccine—but that’s not necessarily good news
Vaccine candidates go through three important phases of clinical trials for good reasons.
Claire MaldarelliAugust 12, 2020
The best ways to reduce the risk of COVID-19 indoors
Consider an air filter, a rapid HVAC system, or even just a box fan.
By Shelly Miller/The ConversationAugust 12, 2020
Does your favorite mask actually work? Researchers now have a way to tell.
Not all masks are made equal.
Kat EschnerAugust 11, 2020
The safest way to travel during the pandemic
Other travelers are the biggest risk.
By Hannah SeoAugust 11, 2020
There’s still a lot of COVID-19 data that we don’t have
Studying a virus in real time has its methodical challenges.
By Manal Mohammed/The ConversationAugust 10, 2020
Nearly 100,000 U.S. kids tested positive for COVID-19 in the second half of July
Here's everything you need to know this week.
Claire MaldarelliAugust 10, 2020
How to host a virtual party that’s absolutely lit
Ce-le-brate good times (safely and socially distant), come on!
By Sandra Gutierrez G.August 7, 2020
A second US state just passed half a million COVID-19 cases
The country still isn't meeting the testing goals required to quell the virus.
Rachel FeltmanAugust 7, 2020
How to talk to kids about the coronavirus and other bad news
They might know more than you think, but starting the conversation is tricky.
By Sara Kiley WatsonAugust 6, 2020
Most parents don’t want to send their kids back to school this fall
The availability of a vaccine or a steady drop in cases could change their minds.
By Quinn Fish/Working MotherAugust 4, 2020
COVID-19 raises the stakes for environmental activists in Colombia
The Indigenous Wayuu people have long battled the Cerrejón coal mine. Now a shortage of water and spike in disease are pushing the community to seek international help.
By Lise Josefsen Hermann/UndarkAugust 3, 2020
Why you might need to sport a mask inside your own home
Here’s everything you need to know this week.
Claire MaldarelliAugust 3, 2020
How to enjoy summer in a pandemic
We still have some summer left.
By Sandra Gutierrez G.July 31, 2020
The verdict on hydroxychloroquine is in
Evidence was shaky at first, but as evidence from clinical trials has come in, the data are pretty clear on how effective the drug really is.
By Sara Chodosh and Claire MaldarelliJuly 31, 2020
Herd immunity, contact tracing, and other terms to help you understand COVID-19
A glossary to get you through this epidemic—or is it a pandemic?
Sara ChodoshJuly 31, 2020
The virus that causes COVID-19 has been silently brewing in bats for decades
The viral lineage leading to SARS-CoV-2 has likely been around for the past 40 to 70 years in bats.
Kat EschnerJuly 30, 2020
Moderna’s coronavirus vaccine has started a nationwide, Phase 3 trial
The CDC also updated its guidelines for how long people must self-isolate after testing positive for COVID-19.
Claire MaldarelliJuly 27, 2020
Protecting nature could prevent the next pandemic
Doing so is a lot cheaper than responding to disease outbreaks when they happen.
By Ula ChrobakJuly 24, 2020
Long-distance learning could help us democratize education
The pandemic can be a chance to remove geographic barriers in education.
By Meredith Bodgas/Working MotherJuly 23, 2020
Leagues scramble to replace the roar of the crowd as pro sports return
Hope you like grunting.
By Purbita SahaJuly 23, 2020
Face masks with valves don’t stop COVID-19 from spreading
They're not designed with COVID in mind.
Kat EschnerJuly 23, 2020
There’s a dangerous virus brewing in pigs—but there’s no need to panic yet
Monitoring our growing livestock populations will be crucial for preventing the next pandemic.
By Candice WangJuly 23, 2020
We already know how to beat COVID-19 in three easy steps
Mask up, lather up, and keep your distance.
Kate BaggaleyJuly 22, 2020
Wearing a face mask is patriotic
And here's why.
Rachel FeltmanJuly 22, 2020
COVID-19 temperature checks might do more harm than good
Fevers aren't a reliable filter for keeping COVID spreaders out of crowded spaces.
By Kat EschnerJuly 21, 2020
Eight summer activity ideas that will boost kids’ brains
And give adults a little break, too.
By Pexman, Reggin & Madigan/The ConversationJuly 20, 2020
Kids may spread COVID-19 more than previously assumed
Here’s what you need to know this week.
By Sara Kiley WatsonJuly 20, 2020
How (and when) to put together a social bubble
Flatten the curve first, then join a quaranteam.
By Candice WangJuly 20, 2020
How to evacuate and find emergency shelter during a pandemic
If you prepare now, it'll be much easier to get up and get out.
By Hannah SeoJuly 19, 2020
Where to get reliable COVID-19 data, now that the CDC doesn’t have it
Hospitals now have to report their data to another federal agency, which won't be making the information public.
Sara ChodoshJuly 17, 2020
Why no one knows if you can catch COVID-19 twice
More evidence is needed to determine whether people who recover from the novel coronavirus are vulnerable to reinfection.
Kate BaggaleyJuly 16, 2020
How eviction is feeding—and being fed by—the pandemic
People who have been evicted are statistically more likely to face ongoing housing instability and have worse health outcomes than those that have stable living situations.
Kat EschnerJuly 15, 2020
With the US-Canada border closed, wildlife tourism is hurting
Four Canadian outfitters share their stories of grappling with the pandemic.
By Joe Genzel/Outdoor LifeJuly 14, 2020
Balance boards make for a scary, fun, and surprisingly perfect pandemic workout
Consider skateboarding inside. Here's how.
Rob VergerJuly 14, 2020
We’re still not sure how COVID-19 impacts pregnant people
Researchers are still trying to understand how SARS-CoV-2 can potentially travel to an unborn fetus during and right after pregnancy.
By Kat EschnerJuly 14, 2020
One in three young people could face serious symptoms from coronavirus
Here’s everything you need to know this week.
Claire MaldarelliJuly 13, 2020
Less roadkill during the pandemic could translate to more deer down the road
But it will depend a lot on where you live in the country.
Joe Genzel/Outdoor LifeJuly 11, 2020
Masks help prevent the spread of the coronavirus—here’s a breakdown of how effective they are
The evidence has been changing, but we know a lot more now than we did a few months ago.
By Sara Chodosh and Claire MaldarelliJuly 10, 2020
Mexico City buried its river and lakes to prevent disease. But then COVID-19 happened.
The city's air pollution could worsen the toll of the pandemic.
By Elena Delavega/The ConversationJuly 9, 2020
Experts say COVID’s airborne transmission may deserve more attention
Researchers who study tiny aerosols are concerned that the role of these particles is being downplayed in public health communication.
Kat EschnerJuly 7, 2020
The racial disparities in COVID cases are even more striking than we thought
Here’s everything you need to know this week.
Claire MaldarelliJuly 6, 2020
Arizona reopened too quickly. Now Indigenous nations are paying the price.
Tribal governments moved quickly to promote science-driven emergency orders, but the death toll keeps rising.
By Hardy, Saul & Smith/The ConversationJuly 6, 2020
Inside the race to develop a safe COVID-19 vaccine
There’s no guarantee a vaccine is right around the corner, but more than 145 candidates are under investigation.
Kate BaggaleyJuly 3, 2020
Three safe ways to enjoy fireworks during a pandemic
Go virtual or go home.
By Purbita SahaJuly 3, 2020
When we’ll return to these ‘normal’ activities, according to experts
Epidemiologists answer your burning questions.
Sara ChodoshJuly 2, 2020
Is it safe to go to the dentist yet? Here’s how COVID-19 will affect your cleanings.
Consider your options before you head into the office.
Kat EschnerJune 30, 2020
The FDA’s gay and bi blood-donor ban isn’t just stigmatizing—it’s also likely outdated
Critics say that the policy, first instated during the 1980's AIDS crisis, doesn't track with modern testing methods and social movements.
By Candice WangJune 30, 2020
COVID cases in the US might be ten times higher than reported
Here's everything you need to know this week.
Claire MaldarelliJune 29, 2020
Will the coronavirus kill open-plan offices?
Organizational culture, not technology, has long been the key force keeping us in central offices.
By Andrew Wallace/The ConversationJune 29, 2020
COVID-19 testing problems are all too familiar to Lyme disease patients
Much like early Lyme testing, the coronavirus is a reminder that diagnostics aren’t perfect.
By Carrie ArnoldJune 28, 2020
The pandemic is domesticating men like never before
And the trend might last if employers allow more flexible work situations in the future.
By Audrey Goodson Kingo/Working MotherJune 26, 2020
COVID-19 cases are surging, but not because of Black Lives Matter protests
Social distancing measures by all could have helped prevent increases in coronavirus cases after Black Lives Matter demonstrations.
By Kat EschnerJune 25, 2020
COVID-19 antibodies might not last long, but immunity still could
Cases have doubled in seven states over the past two weeks.
Claire MaldarelliJune 22, 2020
The pandemic has shown how unsafe nursing homes can be. But is there a better option?
Nursing home deaths have critics saying it’s time to rethink the institutional model for elder care.
By Michael Schulson/UndarkJune 22, 2020
Landowners say pipelines are being constructed in their backyards with little regard for COVID-19
Oil- and gas- pipeline firms have broad authority to build through private property. The coronavirus hasn’t slowed them down.
By Jeremy Deaton/Nexus MediaJune 18, 2020
The pandemic has cities rethinking public transit
As COVID-19 rages on, local governments are eyeing microtransit to create a more responsive system.
By Doug Johnson/UndarkJune 17, 2020
Doctors add diabetes to the list of COVID-triggered conditions
Infection with the novel coronavirus may set off stress-related diabetes.
Kat EschnerJune 16, 2020
Scientists are working on at least 135 different coronavirus vaccines
Here’s everything you need to know about the pandemic this week.
Claire MaldarelliJune 15, 2020
Tips for staying in campgrounds, hotels, and rentals in the time of COVID-19
Even though you need a vacation, the virus isn’t taking one.
By Marder & Beamer/The ConversationJune 15, 2020
What you need to know to protest safely and securely
From applying first aid to keeping your text messages from being read.
PopSci StaffJune 12, 2020
All the info you need to refute 5G conspiracy theories
First things first, it doesn’t give you COVID-19.
By Tchéhouali Destiny/The ConversationJune 12, 2020

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