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Welcome to PopSci’s weekly #COVID19 Twitter Q&A. We’re here to provide informed, measured answers to your questions about the global coronavirus pandemic. Reply below or use the #AskPopSci hashtag to submit a question. Our DMs are also open.
Answering your questions today: Articles Editor @RachelFeltman; Associate Editor @camaldarelli; Assistant Editor @schodosh; and special guest, pediatrician Daniel Summers ( @WFKARS). Let’s begin:
A recent study by Chinese researchers, which tested a number of animals—cats, dogs, chickens, pigs—showed cats (but not dogs) can be infected with #COVID19 and pass it to cats, but not humans. Other virologists say more data is needed. -CM #AskPopSci
https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-020-00984-8 https://twitter.com/urbanflowerpot/status/1244673839071707140
https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-020-00984-8 https://twitter.com/urbanflowerpot/status/1244673839071707140
People with symptoms can be contagious for 1-2 weeks after symptoms go away. Doctors don't have enough data on asymptomatic patients to know how long they're contagious, because most go undetected. This is why social distancing is important even if you feel fine. -RF #AskPopSci https://twitter.com/Gabriel_B612/status/1245427321496047616
As with many things regarding #COVID19, the body of evidence that I've seen cautioning against ibuprofen is preliminary. I'm advising people to use Tylenol, just to err on the side of caution. Check the FDA site for the latest advisories. -DS #AskPopSci
https://www.fda.gov/drugs/drug-safety-and-availability/fda-advises-patients-use-non-steroidal-anti-inflammatory-drugs-nsaids-covid-19 https://twitter.com/juanwayne1971/status/1245410485434023943
https://www.fda.gov/drugs/drug-safety-and-availability/fda-advises-patients-use-non-steroidal-anti-inflammatory-drugs-nsaids-covid-19 https://twitter.com/juanwayne1971/status/1245410485434023943
Data suggests countries with mandatory use of the BCG vaccine against TB may have fewer #COVID19 deaths than countries without, but we don't know for sure that there is cause and effect here: [1/2]
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-04-02/fewer-coronavirus-deaths-seen-in-countries-that-mandate-tb-vaccine https://twitter.com/Icocbekristos/status/1243929264271044609
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-04-02/fewer-coronavirus-deaths-seen-in-countries-that-mandate-tb-vaccine https://twitter.com/Icocbekristos/status/1243929264271044609
But previous research has shown the BCG vaccine can help boost immunity against microbes other than TB bacteria. The link is promising enough that Australia has started a clinical trial. -RF #AskPopSci [2/2] https://www.sciencealert.com/australia-is-trialling-a-tb-vaccine-for-coronavirus-and-health-workers-get-it-first
DM: “Should you get tested to see if you had the virus even though you may already be recovered from it?"
For people who don't have any symptoms, it's not currently recommended to get tested, though this may change as test kits become more widely available. -DS #AskPopSci
For people who don't have any symptoms, it's not currently recommended to get tested, though this may change as test kits become more widely available. -DS #AskPopSci
Some estimates put the deadliness of #COVID19 around 10 times higher than the flu. These numbers are likely to be inflated, as many asymptomatic or mild cases go uncounted. [1/2] https://twitter.com/comgeek25/status/1245754057492434944
But it seems clear the virus is posing more of a risk than the seasonal flu, and it's definitely more contagious. -RF #AskPopSci [2/2] https://www.popsci.com/story/health/how-diseases-spread/
Because many cancer treatments can weaken a patient's immune system, that can increase the risk of more serious illness from an infectious disease like #COVID19. -DS #AskPopSci https://twitter.com/noiatoday/status/1245759123968278530
DM: "Is ordering takeout risky? Should I avoid it?"
#COVID19 is a respiratory virus, and mainly spreads through viral droplets, not food. Take precautions like washing your hands before eating and throwing away food containers to make eating takeout safer. -CM #AskPopSci
#COVID19 is a respiratory virus, and mainly spreads through viral droplets, not food. Take precautions like washing your hands before eating and throwing away food containers to make eating takeout safer. -CM #AskPopSci
DM: "What are the predictions for when travel bans will end?”
It’s still unclear how long travel restrictions will last, since that largely depends on how well the US and other countries contain the virus and flatten their curves. -CM #AskPopSci
It’s still unclear how long travel restrictions will last, since that largely depends on how well the US and other countries contain the virus and flatten their curves. -CM #AskPopSci
DM: “Is there a covid19 risk on a congenital heart disease called patent ductus arteriosus?"
I’m not aware of a patent ductus being a specific #COVID19 risk factor, but anyone worried about a known medical condition should ask their medical provider for guidelines. -DS #PopSci
I’m not aware of a patent ductus being a specific #COVID19 risk factor, but anyone worried about a known medical condition should ask their medical provider for guidelines. -DS #PopSci
If your symptoms are mild and manageable at home, it's generally advised not to seek medical treatment and to self monitor. But you shouldn't try to ride out severe symptoms (particularly any trouble breathing) at home. -DS #AskPopSci https://twitter.com/van_ruin/status/1243649481863598080
DM “Is diabetes a risk factor?"
Yes, it seems that having diabetes puts people at a higher risk of getting #COVID19 and also of getting a severe form of the disease, though we’re not sure exactly why or how much higher the risk is. -SC #AskPopSci https://www.popsci.com/story/health/coronavirus-covid-19-faq-transmission/
Yes, it seems that having diabetes puts people at a higher risk of getting #COVID19 and also of getting a severe form of the disease, though we’re not sure exactly why or how much higher the risk is. -SC #AskPopSci https://www.popsci.com/story/health/coronavirus-covid-19-faq-transmission/
Unfortunately we don’t have enough data right now to know any of this for sure. It’s clear that some viral particles do get into the air, but not how long they might linger or whether they’re enough to make others sick. -SC #AskPopSci https://twitter.com/cnmonastero/status/1245772311128682497
DM: "How long do the antibodies last?"
Scientists are still figuring out how long antibodies against #COVID19 last in the body, and how much protection they provide against infection. Research is ongoing! -RF #AskPopSci https://theconversation.com/antibodies-in-the-blood-of-covid-19-survivors-know-how-to-beat-coronavirus-and-researchers-are-already-testing-new-treatments-that-harness-them-134619
Scientists are still figuring out how long antibodies against #COVID19 last in the body, and how much protection they provide against infection. Research is ongoing! -RF #AskPopSci https://theconversation.com/antibodies-in-the-blood-of-covid-19-survivors-know-how-to-beat-coronavirus-and-researchers-are-already-testing-new-treatments-that-harness-them-134619
Playing a sport is NOT a good idea while we're trying to flatten the curve. The virus can live on plastic and metal for days, making transmission between players quite possible if they're touching the same frisbee or the same basket/target. [1/2] https://twitter.com/MidnightMogwai1/status/1245777036376969216
While going outside is okay as long as you keep your distance, gathering with friends outside your household provides an opportunity for viral transmission. The point of social distancing is to NOT seek out contact, even if you plan to keep a few feet away. -RF #AskPopSci [2/2]
DM: "How do viruses survive outside of a host?”
Viruses need cells of living beings to reproduce, but they can survive for a time on other surfaces. #COVID19 can survive on plastics for up to 3 days, metals up to 2 days. Not as long on porous surfaces (ie paper). -CM #AskPopSci
Viruses need cells of living beings to reproduce, but they can survive for a time on other surfaces. #COVID19 can survive on plastics for up to 3 days, metals up to 2 days. Not as long on porous surfaces (ie paper). -CM #AskPopSci
This is still the best demonstration I've seen of how social distancing works and how adherence rates affect efficacy. -RF #AskPopSci
https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/2020/world/corona-simulator/ https://twitter.com/joolban/status/1245780647102341123
https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/2020/world/corona-simulator/ https://twitter.com/joolban/status/1245780647102341123
DM: "Will asymptotic carriers of Covid-19 develop antibodies to it?"
Though there's a lot we have yet to know with certainty, assuming #COVID19 is like SARS and other viruses, people who are infected but don't show symptoms will eventually develop antibodies. -DS #AskPopSci
Though there's a lot we have yet to know with certainty, assuming #COVID19 is like SARS and other viruses, people who are infected but don't show symptoms will eventually develop antibodies. -DS #AskPopSci
I don't think additional precautions are necessary, but definitely strict adherence to regular recommendations is necessary. Good hand-washing, staying home to the greatest extent possible, and vigilantly avoiding anyone who may be ill remain extremely important. -DS #AskPopSci https://twitter.com/hahabita/status/1245771910975238147
DM: "What are the most promising therapies now being tested?”
Several drugs are being tested to help fight COVID-19, but nothing has come out as a proven, reliable therapy. Read more here. -RF #AskPopSci https://www.health.harvard.edu/diseases-and-conditions/treatments-for-covid-19
Several drugs are being tested to help fight COVID-19, but nothing has come out as a proven, reliable therapy. Read more here. -RF #AskPopSci https://www.health.harvard.edu/diseases-and-conditions/treatments-for-covid-19
