How many times can I reuse my N95 mask?
It depends, but you should be able to use N95s and KN95s a few times.
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Viral Questions
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Answering your questions about the coronavirus.
How many times can I reuse my N95 mask?
It depends, but you should be able to use N95s and KN95s a few times.
Is it better to wear an N95 or cloth mask right now?
Health experts suggest stepping up protection against the highly contagious omicron variant with stronger masks such as N95s or KN95s.
When am I contagious if infected with omicron?
Early data suggests people might become contagious sooner than with earlier variants — possibly within a day after infection.
Can your pet get COVID-19?
Dogs, cats, ferrets, rabbits, otters, hyenas and white-tailed deer are among the animals that have tested positive, in most cases after contracting it from infected people.
How do I know if I have a cold, the flu or COVID-19?
The viruses that cause colds, the flu and COVID-19 are spread the same way — through droplets from the nose and mouth of infected people. And they can all be spread before a person realizes they're infected.
Why are so many vaccinated people getting COVID-19 lately?
People might mistakenly think the COVID-19 vaccines will completely block infection, but the shots are mainly designed to prevent severe illness.
Do at-home COVID-19 tests detect the omicron variant?
If you've been exposed to a person who tested positive but you don't have symptoms, a rapid test five days later can give a good indication of whether you caught the virus. It can also help if you're not sure whether your runny nose or sore throat is COVID-19.
How can I protect a child too young for a COVID-19 vaccine?
"Surround them with adults and siblings who are vaccinated, boosted if eligible,” advises Dr. Rochelle Walensky, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Is the COVID-19 vaccine safe for children?
Yes, US regulators authorized Pfizer’s vaccine for younger children after millions of 12- to 17-year-olds already safely got the shot, the only one available for children in the country.
Can new variants of the coronavirus keep emerging?
With more than half the world still not vaccinated, the virus will likely keep finding people to infect and replicating inside them for several months or years to come. And each time a virus makes a copy of itself, a small mutation could occur. Those changes could help the virus survive, becoming new variants.
What’s the latest advice on the type of mask I should wear?
If supplies are available, people can opt for disposable N95 masks for personal use, the CDC says in updated guidance. Such masks are considered most effective at blocking virus particles.
What is the ‘delta plus’ variant of the coronavirus?
In a recent report, UK officials said this variant makes up 6% of all analyzed COVID-19 cases in the country and is “on an increasing trajectory.”
What is a COVID-19 vaccine passport, and do I need one?
Officials around the world were initially reluctant to mandate vaccines, but some now hope doing so will persuade more people to get the shots. Businesses requiring proof of vaccination say they are trying to make customers and employees feel safe.
Do I need a booster if I got the Johnson & Johnson vaccine?
Despite continued protection against severe disease, US officials are planning to offer Pfizer and Moderna boosters eight months after the second shot based on evidence that effectiveness against infection wanes over time. Adding to the decision, the vaccines don't appear quite as strong against the highly contagious delta variant as they were against earlier versions of the virus.
Can I get ‘long COVID’ if I’m infected after vaccination?
Researchers don’t know why symptoms linger, but believe some symptoms reflect lung scarring or damage to other organs from severe initial infections. Another theory suggests that the virus may linger in the body and trigger an immune response that leads to the symptoms.
Do the COVID-19 vaccines affect my chances of pregnancy?
Medical experts say there’s no biological reason the shots would affect fertility.
What is being done to distribute COVID-19 vaccines globally?
Several groups are working to get shots to poor countries, but they're falling far short of what's needed to curb outbreaks around the world.
What should I know about the delta variant?
Recent research suggests that vaccinated people who get infected with the delta variant can spread it to others, even if the vaccinated don’t get seriously ill.
Will one dose of a two-dose Covid-19 vaccine protect me?
Experts recommend getting fully vaccinated, especially with the emergence of worrisome coronavirus mutations such as the delta variant first identified in India.
What should I know about the delta variant?
Viruses constantly mutate, and most changes aren't concerning. But there is a worry that some variants might evolve enough to be more contagious, cause more severe illness or evade the protection that vaccines provide.
Do I need to get tested for COVID-19 if I’m vaccinated?
The latest guidance from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says you don't need to be tested or to quarantine if you're fully vaccinated, even if you’ve been exposed to someone who was sick. An exception is if you develop COVID-19 symptoms such as fever, cough and fatigue.
How long does protection from COVID-19 vaccines last?
While the current COVID-19 vaccines will likely last for at least about a year, they probably won’t offer lifelong protection, as with measles shots, said Dr. Kathleen Neuzil, a vaccine expert at the University of Maryland School of Medicine.
Are some COVID-19 vaccines more effective than others?
Around the world, hospitalizations are dropping in countries where vaccines have been rolling out including Israel, England and Scotland — regardless of which shots are given.
I got the Covid-19 vaccine. What can I safely do?
One reason to keep your guard up after getting one dose of a two-dose vaccine: infection while having partial protection sets up the potential for the virus to mutate.
Will the coronavirus ever go away?
Scientists think the virus that causes COVID-19 may be with us for decades or longer, but that doesn’t mean it will keep posing the same threat.
Can COVID-19 vaccines be mixed and matched?
In the US where vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna are being distributed, health officials say the two aren't interchangeable even though they're made similarly.
How are experts tracking variants of the coronavirus?
Most mutations are meaningless, but others can make a virus more contagious, deadly or resistant to vaccines and treatment. Health experts are primarily concerned about three variants first detected in the United Kingdom, South Africa and Brazil. They seem to spread more easily and research is underway to see if they cause more serious disease.
How do we know the COVID-19 vaccines are safe?
With more than 52 million vaccine doses administered in the US by mid-February, the CDC said it hasn't detected any patterns in deaths that signal a safety problem.
Does wearing two masks provide more protection?
It depends, but it’s possible that doubling up could help in some situations.
Is shopping in stores safe during the pandemic?
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says holiday shopping in crowded stores is a “higher risk” activity and that people should limit any in-person shopping, including at supermarkets.
Will social distancing weaken my immune system?
Some worry a lack of contact with others will weaken their immune system by reducing its active contact with germs.
Is it safe yet to fly during the pandemic?
Public health experts say staying home is best to keep yourself and others safe from infection. But if you’re thinking about flying for the holidays, you should know what to expect.
Is it safe to stay in hotels during the pandemic?
In a recent travel update, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention makes it clear: Staying home is the best way to protect yourself against the coronavirus.
Does weather affect the spread of the coronavirus outside?
The World Health Organization says the virus can be transmitted in any kind of weather and that there is no reason to believe that cold weather can kill it.
Do masks with antiviral coating offer more protection?
It’s an intriguing idea, but there haven’t been enough rigorous independent studies to establish whether antiviral masks are better at protecting wearers or preventing the spread of the virus.
Do I need to wear a mask if I’m 6 feet away from others?
“There’s no invisible force field at 6 feet,” said Saskia Popescu, an infectious disease expert at George Mason University.
What are the treatment options for Covid-19?
Aside from drugs, doctors have learned more about ways to treat hospitalized patients, such as putting them on their bellies and other measures that may prevent the need for breathing machines.
What is contact tracing, and how does it work with COVID-19?
Contact tracing is done in a variety of ways around the world. But a common issue is that determining who a person has been around can get harder as gatherings with friends and family resume, and as bars, restaurants and other places start reopening.
How long could I be contagious before a positive virus test?
Studies have shown that people may be contagious for about two days before developing COVID-19 symptoms. In fact, right before developing symptoms is when people are likely the most contagious.
Can the coronavirus travel more than 6 feet in the air?
People spray liquid droplets of various sizes when they cough, sneeze, talk, sing, shout and even just breathe. The coronavirus can hitchhike on these particles.
How can I tell the difference between the flu and COVID-19?
How can I tell the difference between the flu and COVID-19?
What are the different types of coronavirus tests?
There are three broad categories of coronavirus tests in the US. Two diagnose whether you have an active infection, and a third indicates if you previously had the virus.
Does my employer have to say if a coworker has the virus?
Employers are generally not required to tell workers when someone in the workplace has tested positive for the coronavirus.
Does the coronavirus spread easily among children?
It appears the virus can spread among children and teens, but how easily may vary by age. Research is still underway, but children under age 10 seem to be less likely than older kids to transmit the virus to other children and adults.
Can I get the coronavirus twice?
Researchers in Hong Kong recently reported evidence of a person who got the coronavirus a second time, months after an initial infection.
Can I use a face shield instead of a mask?
Health officials don’t recommend the clear plastic barriers as a substitute for masks because of the lack of research on whether they keep an infected person from spreading viral droplets to others.