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Umair Irfan

Umair Irfan

Former correspondent

    Latest articles by Umair Irfan

    The other plague: Locusts are devouring crops in East Africa and the Middle East
    Explainers

    Billions of hungry insects are threatening to cause famine amid the coronavirus pandemic.

    By Umair Irfan and Jen Kirby
    Science
    Why reopening has become so confusingWhy reopening has become so confusing
    Science

    The White House is giving states contradictory guidance on what counts as safe.

    By Umair Irfan
    Why it can be so hard to tell if you have Covid-19
    The Vox guide to navigating the coronavirus crisis

    Symptoms of the novel coronavirus can vary a lot, if an infected person experiences them at all.

    By Umair Irfan
    Explainers
    It’s not your imagination. Allergy season gets worse every year.It’s not your imagination. Allergy season gets worse every year.
    Explainers

    Another intense allergy season is underway as the Covid-19 pandemic rages.

    By Umair Irfan
    Science
    Should we bother testing people with coronavirus symptoms?Should we bother testing people with coronavirus symptoms?
    Science

    The debate over how to allocate limited Covid-19 tests, explained.

    By Umair Irfan
    Science
    The Asian giant hornet, a.k.a. the Murder Hornet, has arrived. Bees beware.The Asian giant hornet, a.k.a. the Murder Hornet, has arrived. Bees beware.
    Science

    The arrival of the invasive species is yet another threat to beleaguered bees in the United States.

    By Umair Irfan
    Science
    Remdesivir receives emergency approval as a Covid-19 treatmentRemdesivir receives emergency approval as a Covid-19 treatment
    Science

    Recent studies showed mixed results about remdesivir’s effectiveness in treating the new coronavirus.

    By Umair Irfan
    Explainers
    What to do if you have symptoms of the new coronavirusWhat to do if you have symptoms of the new coronavirus
    Explainers

    What to do if you suspect you might have Covid-19.

    By Umair Irfan
    Explainers
    How common is Covid-19? What 2 controversial antibody studies can and can’t tell us.How common is Covid-19? What 2 controversial antibody studies can and can’t tell us.
    Explainers

    Why two California surveys caused an uproar among researchers.

    By Umair Irfan
    What immunity to Covid-19 might actually mean
    Science

    How your body will try to save you from the new coronavirus.

    By Brian Resnick and Umair Irfan