Scientists are understanding more and more about how to stay safe during the COVID-19 pandemic. In indoor spaces with poor ventilation, clouds of virus particles can stay suspended in the air and be inhaled by others, even from a distance. Fortunately, though, even a slight breeze can help disperse the coronavirus clouds, making outdoors spaces much safer. Listen to learn more about how fresh air helps protect people from infection, and what can be done to reduce risk when it is necessary to be indoors.
Story Length: 2:56
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August 5, 2020
3:54
People infected with COVID-19 are often “silent spreaders,” able to infect others with the virus while showing no symptoms of illness themselves. The symptoms of COVID-19 often do not appear for several days in a newly infected person, but it is during this pre-symptomatic period that the person is most contagious. Because of this, public health experts are finding coronavirus especially hard to contain. Listen to an epidemiology professor describe the challenges of containing a virus that spreads silently, and which strategies have been proven to work best.
Read MoreJuly 27, 2020
3:32
Early in the coronavirus pandemic, public health experts urged people to wear masks to protect others from getting sick. Now, scientists are finding that masks protect the wearer, too. Wearing a mask can block virus particles from entering a person’s body, and even if some particles enter, the mask wearer is less likely to become seriously ill. Listen to an infectious disease doctor explain the science behind mask wearing and how this new information could encourage more people to cover their faces in public.
Read MoreJuly 1, 2020
3:35
As states reopen and coronavirus infection rates begin to rise, public health officials are monitoring the spread of disease. The “R,” or reproduction number, indicates how many people a sick person is likely to infect. An R of two, meaning every sick person infects two other people, translates into exponential spread in the community, and the goal of safety measures is to lower the R to less than one. Listen to learn which states currently have surging infection rates and how small changes in the reproduction number can mean big changes in the rate of illness.
This audio story was recorded in mid-June. The news about COVID-19 is changing rapidly and parts of this story may be dated.
Read MoreMay 18, 2020
6:25
States are beginning to lift lockdown restrictions, and experts are weighing in on how people can stay safe as they return to normal activities. Many doctors advise that social distancing, wearing masks, and washing hands continue to be the best ways to prevent the spread of infection. They especially warn against relaxing distancing guidelines as people start to mingle, and highly recommend outdoor gatherings rather than indoor events. Listen to hear a pastor’s plan for keeping worshippers safe when he reopens church, and how doctors recommend lowering the risk of virus transmission when socializing.
This audio story was recorded in mid-May. The news about COVID-19 is changing rapidly and parts of this story may be dated.
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