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://www.nature.com/articles/... https://twitter.com/urbanflowerpot/status/1244673839071707140">https://twitter.com/urbanflow...
People with symptoms can be contagious for 1-2 weeks after symptoms go away. Doctors don& #39;t have enough data on asymptomatic patients to know how long they& #39;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">https://twitter.com/Gabriel_B...
As with many things regarding #COVID19, the body of evidence that I& #39;ve seen cautioning against ibuprofen is preliminary. I& #39;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://www.fda.gov/drugs/dru... https://twitter.com/juanwayne1971/status/1245410485434023943">https://twitter.com/juanwayne...
Data suggests countries with mandatory use of the BCG vaccine against TB may have fewer #COVID19 deaths than countries without, but we don& #39;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://www.bloomberg.com/news/arti... https://twitter.com/Icocbekristos/status/1243929264271044609">https://twitter.com/Icocbekri...
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">https://www.sciencealert.com/australia...
Australia's Trialing a TB Vaccine Against COVID-19, And Health Workers Get It First

4,000 health care workers around the country will get the vaccine.

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& #39;t have any symptoms, it& #39;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">https://twitter.com/comgeek25...
But it seems clear the virus is posing more of a risk than the seasonal flu, and it& #39;s definitely more contagious. -RF #AskPopSci [2/2] https://www.popsci.com/story/health/how-diseases-spread/">https://www.popsci.com/story/hea...
Just how contagious is COVID-19? This chart puts it in perspective.

Demystifying the epidemiology terms that help us understand new diseases like COVID-19.

https://www.popsci.com/story/health/how-diseases-spread/
Because many cancer treatments can weaken a patient& #39;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">https://twitter.com/noiatoday...
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
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
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
If your symptoms are mild and manageable at home, it& #39;s generally advised not to seek medical treatment and to self monitor. But you shouldn& #39;t try to ride out severe symptoms (particularly any trouble breathing) at home. -DS #AskPopSci https://twitter.com/van_ruin/status/1243649481863598080">https://twitter.com/van_ruin/...
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/">https://www.popsci.com/story/hea...
How long can the coronavirus live on surfaces, can I get COVID-19 twice, and every other question...

Here are some of the most common questions we’ve been getting about COVID-19.

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">https://twitter.com/cnmonaste...
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">https://theconversation.com/antibodie...
Antibodies in the blood of COVID-19 survivors know how to beat coronavirus – and researchers are...

Before a vaccine is available to teach your immune system to ward off the coronavirus, maybe you can directly use molecules that have already fought it in other people.

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& #39;re trying to flatten the curve. The virus can live on plastic and metal for days, making transmission between players quite possible if they& #39;re touching the same frisbee or the same basket/target. [1/2] https://twitter.com/MidnightMogwai1/status/1245777036376969216">https://twitter.com/MidnightM...
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
This is still the best demonstration I& #39;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://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/... https://twitter.com/joolban/status/1245780647102341123">https://twitter.com/joolban/s...
DM: "Will asymptotic carriers of Covid-19 develop antibodies to it?"

Though there& #39;s a lot we have yet to know with certainty, assuming #COVID19 is like SARS and other viruses, people who are infected but don& #39;t show symptoms will eventually develop antibodies. -DS #AskPopSci
I don& #39;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">https://twitter.com/hahabita/...
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">https://www.health.harvard.edu/diseases-...
Treatments for COVID-19 - Harvard Health

Most people who become ill with COVID-19 will be able to recover at home. No specific treatments for COVID-19 exist right now. But some of the same things you do to feel better if you have the flu —...

https://www.health.harvard.edu/diseases-and-conditions/treatments-for-covid-19
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