Coronavirus: COVID-19

The Pandemic’s Future Hangs in Suspense

A new surge has not yet shown up in the case numbers, but cases could be declining at a slower rate.

• The COVID Tracking Project
• March 4, 2021

Massachusetts Actually Might Have a Way to Keep Schools Open

An ambitious pilot program could finally pave the way to in-person learning—at least for those who can afford it.

• Katherine J. Wu
• March 4, 2021

The False Dilemma of Post-Vaccination Risk

We’ll never know for sure how contagious people are after they’re vaccinated, but we do know how they should act.

• James Hamblin
• February 26, 2021

Listen: Infections, Vaccinations, and Other Questions

James Hamblin answers questions from callers with mild COVID-19 cases.

• February 25, 2021

You Got the Vaccine! What Can You Do Now?

A guide to America’s awkward, semi-vaccinated months

• Rachel Gutman
• February 25, 2021

Where Are the Iconic COVID-19 Images?

The scarcity of memorable pandemic photographs reveals something about this crisis.

• Helen Lewis
• February 24, 2021

Coronavirus Reinfection Will Soon Become Our Reality

The virus can take many paths to reinvading a person’s body. Most of them shouldn’t scare us.

• Katherine J. Wu
• February 24, 2021

A Simple Rule of Thumb for Knowing When the Pandemic Is Over

At some point—maybe even soon—the emergency phase of the pandemic will end. But what, exactly, is that magic threshold?

• Alexis C. Madrigal
• February 23, 2021

A Sign of Just How Terrible the Winter’s Surge Was

In November, COVID-19 levels shot past the worst of the summer’s surge. Now they’re back below that threshold.

• Whet Moser
• February 21, 2021

Listen: ‘A Disaster for Feminism’

Why have the economic and psychological stresses of the pandemic hit women harder—and what can we do about it?

• February 19, 2021

A Quite Possibly Wonderful Summer

Families will gather. Restaurants will reopen. People will travel. The pandemic may feel like it’s behind us—even if it’s not.

• James Hamblin
• February 19, 2021

The Good News of COVID-19 Is Sticking, for Now

Every major pandemic indicator has been falling for weeks.

• The COVID Tracking Project
• February 18, 2021

America’s Health Will Soon Be in the Hands of Very Minor Internet Celebrities

Local health departments are counting on lifestyle bloggers and fitness experts to get their message out.

• Kaitlyn Tiffany
• February 18, 2021

Delay a Shot? Skip One? Vaccine-Dosing Messaging Is a Nightmare.

Vaccine regimens need both science and public trust to succeed.

• Katherine J. Wu
• February 18, 2021

Listen: A Forever Pandemic

Vaccines are a public good. Until the world regards them as such, the pandemic will not end.

• February 13, 2021

The Body Is Far From Helpless Against Coronavirus Variants

The virus is evolving, but the antibodies that fight it can change, too.

• Katherine J. Wu
• February 12, 2021

The Pandemic’s Deadly Winter Surge Is Rapidly Easing

Cases are down 57 percent from the country’s all-time peak in early January, according to the COVID Tracking Project.

• The COVID Tracking Project
• February 11, 2021

Leave Your Antibodies Alone

Antibody tests can determine whether your immune system has seen the coronavirus before—and not much else.

• Katherine J. Wu
• February 10, 2021

What If We Never Reach Herd Immunity?

Hitting the threshold might actually be impossible. But vaccines can still help end the pandemic.

• Sarah Zhang
• February 9, 2021

A Single Day With Fewer Than 100,000 Cases of COVID-19

The case count in the U.S. hadn’t dipped that low since November.

• Whet Moser
• February 8, 2021