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Covid-19

Evidence-based explanations of the Covid-19 pandemic, including how it started, how it might end, and how to protect yourself and others.

One Year Later
Crowds might be anxiety-inducing after Covid-19. Here’s how to manage it.Crowds might be anxiety-inducing after Covid-19. Here’s how to manage it.
One Year Later

We spoke to a psychologist about how to deal with post-Covid-19 worries.

By Melinda Fakuade
Politics
The US vaccine situation is looking up — but experts say you should keep wearing a maskThe US vaccine situation is looking up — but experts say you should keep wearing a mask
Politics

The US set a new daily record for vaccinations on Saturday with 2.9 million shots.

By Cameron Peters
Explainers
The Covid-19 stimulus bill, explained in 600 wordsThe Covid-19 stimulus bill, explained in 600 words
Explainers

Here’s what the bill tries to do — and what’s actually in it.

By German Lopez
Politics
5 winners and 3 losers in the $1.9 trillion Covid-19 stimulus bill5 winners and 3 losers in the $1.9 trillion Covid-19 stimulus bill
Politics

Sen. Joe Manchin is a winner in the stimulus bill. Losers: deficit hawks, and people hoping for a $15 minimum wage.

By Andrew Prokop, Ian Millhiser and 4 more
Politics
The Senate just passed the $1.9 trillion stimulus package. Here’s what’s in it.The Senate just passed the $1.9 trillion stimulus package. Here’s what’s in it.
Politics

The package includes funding for stimulus checks, vaccine distribution, and school reopenings.

By Emily Stewart and Li Zhou
Politics
The last-minute federal unemployment insurance compromise, briefly explainedThe last-minute federal unemployment insurance compromise, briefly explained
Politics

Sen. Joe Manchin singlehandedly pared back federal unemployment benefits in the new Covid-19 relief package.

By Cameron Peters
The long history of anti-Asian hate in America, explained
Politics

Anti-Asian racism is nothing new in America. The pandemic, and Trump, just made it worse.

By Li Zhou
Explainers
Why comparing Covid-19 vaccine efficacy numbers can be misleadingWhy comparing Covid-19 vaccine efficacy numbers can be misleading
Play
Explainers

The best Covid-19 vaccine for you is most likely still the first one you can get.

By Umair Irfan
Politics
What to watch for in the Senate’s grueling vote-a-ramaWhat to watch for in the Senate’s grueling vote-a-rama
Politics

The Senate is weighing in on the minimum wage and unemployment insurance as it holds these votes.

By Li Zhou
Politics
A new Democratic plan to expand Medicaid hits a big snag: Republican governorsA new Democratic plan to expand Medicaid hits a big snag: Republican governors
Politics

The Covid-19 stimulus bill isn’t going to fix the Medicaid expansion gap.

By Dylan Scott
Technology
You got a vaccine. Walgreens got your data.You got a vaccine. Walgreens got your data.
Technology

Retail pharmacies are now giving out Covid-19 vaccines, and some of them are using it as an opportunity to profit off your information.

By Sara Morrison
Covid-19
A West Virginia pharmacist on how the state became a vaccine success storyA West Virginia pharmacist on how the state became a vaccine success story
Covid-19

West Virginia’s high vaccination rate is in part due to its high number of locally run pharmacies that have gained trust in the community.

By Drew Massey
Explainers
Covid tongue? Why new Covid-19 symptoms keep popping up.Covid tongue? Why new Covid-19 symptoms keep popping up.
Explainers

Scientists say they still have more to learn about the symptoms of Covid-19 infections, long Covid, and the new variants.

By Umair Irfan
Money
Why public shaming of vaccinations is a bad ideaWhy public shaming of vaccinations is a bad idea
Money

Don’t be mad about individuals getting the vaccine. Be mad about vaccine inequity.

By Alex Abad-Santos
Politics
Poll: People favor expansive Covid-19 relief over a targeted bipartisan packagePoll: People favor expansive Covid-19 relief over a targeted bipartisan package
Politics

Sixty-two percent of voters want Congress to pass the $1.9 trillion bill as soon as possible.

By Li Zhou
Covid-19
Covid-19 cases are down, vaccinations are up. But the US shouldn’t declare victory yet.Covid-19 cases are down, vaccinations are up. But the US shouldn’t declare victory yet.
Covid-19

The risks of reopening too quickly, explained.

By Dylan Scott
Future Perfect
Covid-19 vaccines are finally, truly coming for every American adult soonCovid-19 vaccines are finally, truly coming for every American adult soon
Future Perfect

America’s vaccine rollout has improved. Now it’s time to ensure we all make it to the finish line.

By German Lopez
Technology
The key ingredient that could hold back vaccine manufacturingThe key ingredient that could hold back vaccine manufacturing
Technology

Lipid nanoparticles are essential to the Moderna and Pfizer/BioNTech vaccines — and we’re staring down a shortage.

By Rebecca Heilweil
Future Perfect
The growing evidence that the Covid-19 vaccines can reduce transmission, explainedThe growing evidence that the Covid-19 vaccines can reduce transmission, explained
Future Perfect

Here’s what we know about how the vaccines protect against spread of the virus.

By Kelsey Piper
The danger of the new skepticism
Features

“Question everything, right?” is the new mantra for some. But social echo chambers have propelled “healthy” skepticism into surreal terrain.

By Eleanor Cummins
Covid-19
“It all happened so fast”: 3 people on getting the Covid-19 vaccine by chance“It all happened so fast”: 3 people on getting the Covid-19 vaccine by chance
Covid-19

What it’s like to be in the right place at the right time and walk away vaccinated.

By Maryam Gamar
Explainers
The vaccine race against the coronavirus variants, explainedThe vaccine race against the coronavirus variants, explained
Explainers

Covid-19 vaccines are here. So are new mutations. Here’s what you should know.

By Umair Irfan and Julia Belluz
Covid-19
One simple way to understand how effective the Covid-19 vaccines areOne simple way to understand how effective the Covid-19 vaccines are
Covid-19

All of the Covid-19 vaccines are more effective than your annual flu shot.

By Dylan Scott
Technology
Twitter is tweaking its approach to vaccine misinformationTwitter is tweaking its approach to vaccine misinformation
Technology

The company is introducing a new strike system that could lead to some users getting permanently banned.

By Rebecca Heilweil
Politics
Congress is writing up Biden’s stimulus plan. Here’s what’s in it.Congress is writing up Biden’s stimulus plan. Here’s what’s in it.
Politics

Stimulus checks and UI, but not a $15 minimum wage: the state of the House’s stimulus bill so far.

By Emily Stewart
Future Perfect
Why Johnson & Johnson’s one-shot Covid-19 vaccine is a game changerWhy Johnson & Johnson’s one-shot Covid-19 vaccine is a game changer
Future Perfect

The vaccine is very effective — and most importantly, it only requires one shot.

By German Lopez
Money
What it’s like to announce an NBA game to an empty arenaWhat it’s like to announce an NBA game to an empty arena
Money

How do you hype up a crowd when there’s no crowd?

By Luke Winkie
Politics
Kristi Noem tried to take a victory lap for her coronavirus response on CBS. It did not go well.Kristi Noem tried to take a victory lap for her coronavirus response on CBS. It did not go well.
Politics

South Dakota’s governor got a great reception at CPAC. Her interview on Face the Nation hours later was a different story.

By Aaron Rupar
Politics
CPAC 2021 shows how conservatives have learned nothing about the coronavirusCPAC 2021 shows how conservatives have learned nothing about the coronavirus
Politics

CPAC organizers begged attendees to wear masks — and got booed.

By Aaron Rupar
Politics
Poll: A majority of Americans think teachers should be vaccinated before reopening schoolsPoll: A majority of Americans think teachers should be vaccinated before reopening schools
Politics

The poll shows Americans have nuanced opinions about when — and how — to reopen schools.

By Katelyn Burns
Politics
FDA advisers unanimously recommend Johnson & Johnson’s Covid-19 vaccineFDA advisers unanimously recommend Johnson & Johnson’s Covid-19 vaccine
Politics

The FDA could make an emergency use authorization as soon as this weekend, paving the way for distribution.

By Julia Belluz and Umair Irfan
Politics
A Trump judge’s order striking down the federal eviction moratorium, briefly explainedA Trump judge’s order striking down the federal eviction moratorium, briefly explained
Politics

The opinion is embarrassingly wrong.

By Ian Millhiser
Future Perfect
Should we be more careful outdoors as Covid-19 variants spread?Should we be more careful outdoors as Covid-19 variants spread?
Future Perfect

What to know about your risk among friends, runners, and passersby outside.

By Sigal Samuel
Covid-19
Is this the Covid-19 endgame?Is this the Covid-19 endgame?
Covid-19

Why experts believe life could be “normal-ish” by fall — and why they fear it won’t be.

By Dylan Scott
Politics
The $15 minimum wage is effectively dead — for nowThe $15 minimum wage is effectively dead — for now
Politics

The Senate parliamentarian says the minimum wage increase can’t be part of the stimulus bill.

By Li Zhou
Science
“We’ve made it so complicated”: Vaccine campaigns are failing to reach the most vulnerable“We’ve made it so complicated”: Vaccine campaigns are failing to reach the most vulnerable
Science

Local health clinics and community groups are just as important as mass vaccination sites in the rollout.

By Umair Irfan
Future Perfect
How bad is your state’s Covid-19 outbreak?How bad is your state’s Covid-19 outbreak?
Future Perfect

These maps show how your state is doing.

By German Lopez
World Politics
Ghana is the first country to receive vaccines from the global Covax initiativeGhana is the first country to receive vaccines from the global Covax initiative
World Politics

It’s the start of a long campaign to immunize billions of people.

By Jen Kirby
India’s vaccination campaign is unlike any other
World Politics

One of the world’s largest countries plans to vaccinate hundreds of millions by summer.

By Jen Kirby
As Times Square sits idle, so do Mickey and Elmo
Features

Life was never easy for New York’s costumed performers. What happens when the tourists disappear?

By Emily Stewart