Covid-19 UpdatesCovid-19 Updates Archive

Covid-19 Updates: Risk assessment

Rendering of MIT Mascot Tim the Beaver standing with outstretched arms in an Alpline field

September 14, 2021

The do-re-mi’s of COVID-19 risk assessment

You won't be exposed to COVID-19 frolicking alone on a mountaintop, but in the real world, social distancing isn’t as easy. We've teamed up with Tim the beaver to create the Do-Re-Mi’s of COVID-19 risk—a handy poster guide for those of us who don’t have access to a pristine alpine meadow.

illustration of a person wearing two PPE masks one layered on top of the other

September 13, 2021

What kind of mask do I need now?

Ahh, the perfect fall look: chunky cardigan, boots, COVID-19 vaccine... and fancier mask?

Graphic of person running down a street; a dotted line shows his winding path around several people

August 30, 2021

How safe are outdoor activities?

Since the pandemic started, I’ve enjoyed spending time outdoors with friends. But with Delta, is it still safe to spend time outside? Seriously — the only thing I want to catch outside is a football or a frisbee.

Illustration of a COVID-19 molecule seen through a partially open door that is secured with a chain door guard

August 5, 2021

Breakthrough infections: What you need to know

I thought a breakthrough was a good thing… until COVID-19. Is my vaccine no match for Delta?

Line graph indicating the the prevalence of COVID variants, with the Delta variant showing a sharp upturn and represented with a think green line and heavy green text

July 15, 2021

Delta’s here; I’m vaccinated; how cautious should I be?

Delta has landed. I’m vaxxed... but I’m not relaxed. Am I protected? What about my unvaccinated kid?

Illustration of two hands holding a PPE mask against a background of several question marks

June 17, 2021

I’m vaccinated; but how safe am I, really?

To paraphrase Shakespeare… “To mask, or not to mask, that is the question —” No seriously... that’s my question. I’m vaccinated; am I safe to take it off?

Illustration of a person wearing a PPE mask and speaking into a bullhorn in front of a crowd at a demonstration

April 15, 2021

Protesting during COVID-19: What you need to know

Guidelines and recommendations for reducing your risk of contracting COVID-19 while participating in a demonstration.

Illustration of a list written on yellow lined paper, entitled ‘Pandemic wish list!’ that includes a list of activities and doodles next to each item

March 15, 2021

What can I do once I’m vaccinated? (And why?)

I’m fully vaccinated and excited to start checking items off my pandemic wish list! So…what am I allowed to do?

cropped view of hands presenting a gift decorated with COVID-19 molecules with a tag reading 'to Grandma'

December 22, 2020

Can someone who has recovered from COVID-19 still spread it to others?

Your daughter just called to invite you to a holiday get-together. She says it’s safe because everyone who will be there has already had COVID-19. Should you bring a cheeseball or take a rain check?

Closeup view of a person at a dispenser putting hand sanitizer on their gloved hand

December 11, 2020

Are there “COVID cooties” on my gloves?

Nana worked so hard on these crocheted mittens! Do I need to boil them to keep the COVID-19 particles away? And just how dangerous are contaminated surfaces?

Illustration of two families having a virtual Thanksgiving with one couple sitting around a dinner table watching the other family on a monitor

October 29, 2020

Is COVID-19 testing the key to a safe Thanksgiving?

Your mom just called. Aunt Martha insists on hosting Turkey day this year. She says it’ll be safe — everyone just needs to get a COVID-19 test before the feast. So, as long as everybody has a negative test it’s fine, right? The biggest danger is Uncle Walt’s deep-fried turkey exploding… right?

Illustration of a partial view of a book cover with text, 'Select Your Own Escapade, The Chat About Precautions'

October 28, 2020

Talking about boundaries and bubbles

You’d like to start a romantic bubble with that special someone. But how do you bring it up? And what should you say? We’ve created a handy guide to make this awkward conversation… less awkward!

illustration of a person in a protective plastic bubble reclining on a rose petal strewn bed with a rose clenched between their teeth

October 27, 2020

All about relationship bubbles

Isn’t romance wonderful? Long walks on the beach, dining al fresco by candlelight, having no idea what the bottom half of your date’s face looks like… Wondering how you can take your budding relationship indoors while minimizing your COVID-19 risk? It might be time to propose a romantic bubble.

October 22, 2020

I think I’ve been exposed to COVID-19. Now what?

I think I might have been exposed to COVID-19! How can I know for sure? And if I was, what should I do next?

Rendering of a rocket with the fuse lit labeled ‘Acme Rocket Co.’ on a desert cliff

October 2, 2020

I’ve been exposed to COVID-19; how soon will I be contagious?

If you grew up watching Saturday morning cartoons, getting exposed to COVID-19 may evoke the image of a bedraggled coyote lighting the fuse of a ginormous rocket on the edge of a cliff. How long until it goes kaboom and you start infecting everyone around you?

Person in wither clothing waiting at the Charles/MHG stop on the MBTA's Red Line

September 29, 2020

How safe is public transportation?

Wondering how safe it is to use public transportation during a pandemic? This is the article for you! Dying to know the size and MERV-rating of every HVAC filter on the Red Line? Yup, you’ll find that here too.

Illustration of an overhead view of a person swimming in a blue-green water

September 25, 2020

But what about… salt-water pools?

Chlorine deactivates viruses, so chlorinated swimming-pool water is very unlikely to be able to transmit COVID-19. But what about salt-water pools?

Illustration of MIT's mascot Tim the Beaver in an Alpine field with arms outstretched

September 22, 2020

The do-re-mi’s of COVID-19 risk assessment

You won't get COVID-19 frolicking alone on a mountaintop, but in the real world, social distancing isn’t as easy. We've teamed up with Tim the beaver to create the Do-Re-Mi’s of COVID-19 risk—a handy poster guide for those of us who don’t have access to a pristine alpine meadow.

September 4, 2020

Is it safe to… [fill in the blank]?

Is it safe to… go to that backyard BBQ? Do yoga in the park? Attend a birthday party? MIT Medical is here to help you weigh the pros and cons of accepting that next invitation — and any other activities you may be contemplating.

Illustration of 3 people swimming laps in a pool

August 28, 2020

Is it safe to use an indoor pool?

It will soon be too cold to swim outdoors, but is it safe to use an indoor pool? What guidelines can we use to assess risk in this situation and others?

Illustration of a cross-section of an airplane showing one row of seats with every other seat occupied by passengers wearing PPE masks and arrows indicating the direction of airflow in the cabin

July 23, 2020

How safe is air travel?

MIT Medical answers your questions about COVID-19. Today’s topic? How safe is air travel? What about that re-circulated air in the cabin? And should I look for an airline that’s still blocking middle seats?

Small illustration of an A negative result on a column agglutination blood typing test

July 10, 2020

Blood type and COVID-19?

MIT Medical answers your COVID-19 questions. Today’s topic: What’s your type? Your blood type, that is. And does it affect your risk of contracting COVID-19 or becoming seriously ill if you do?

Illustration of a blue sedan on a road with mountains and clouds in the background

June 30, 2020

Is it safe to rent a car?

MIT Medical answers your COVID-19 questions. Today’s question comes from someone who wants to get out of the city to go hiking or enjoy other social-distanced, outdoor activities. Is it safe to rent a car? What precautions should be taken?

Illustration of two houses surrounded by one white picket fence with several children, adults, and a dog in the enclosed yard

June 26, 2020

Creating bubbles that work for families and kids

No school. No daycare. No play dates or sleepovers. And now summer camp is canceled too? Daily life during the pandemic has been especially tough for parents and kids. MIT Medical pediatricians think “bubbles” may be the answer.

illustration fo an air conditioning vent on a wall with lines indicating airflow from the vent and questions marks among the lines

June 23, 2020

Air conditioning risks?

Summer’s officially here, the days are hot and humid, and it’s time to turn on the AC. Or is it? In a high-rise building with a shared HVAC system, what are the chances of airborne COVID-19 transmission through the vents if someone in another apartment is sick?

Iconic representations of two people in bubbles that are in the process of merging with each other

June 18, 2020

Is it time to expand your “bubble?”

As states reopen, we can get haircuts, eat at a restaurants, and go back to work in our labs. But when can the kids see grandma or have a play date? When can I start hanging out with the friends I used to hang out with in those pre-coronavirus days?

Small illustration of a toilet with a plume of several liquid droplets and questions marks shooting up from the toilet bowl

June 15, 2020

Public toilets and “toilet plumes”

MIT Medical answers your questions about COVID-19. Today’s topic? Sh*t happens. But when it happens in a public restroom, does it increase the risk for transmission of the virus?

June 5, 2020

Reducing risks when attending protests

MIT Medical answers your COVID-19 questions. Today’s topic: What can we do to mitigate the spread of the virus during protests, and what precautions should protesters take after possible exposure?

Illustration of two speech bubbles with one containing a question mark and one containing the letter A

May 28, 2020

Does wearing short sleeves and shorts increase risk?

May 28: MIT Medical answers your COVID-19 questions. Does wearing short sleeves and shorts increase risk?

Illustrated flowchart showing a potential path of viral transmission from a delivered package to its recipient

May 11, 2020

Can I get the virus from a grocery delivery?

May 11: MIT Medical answers your COVID-19 questions. How easy is it to pick up the virus from a contaminated surface, like a recently delivered bag of groceries?

Illustration of a red and white striped windsock blowing in the wind

April 22, 2020

Social distancing and wind

April 22: Does the wind change social-distancing recommendations when we're outside? Is six feet far enough if I’m downwind of someone else?

Illustration a pepperoni pizza in an open box with the pepperonis in the shape of a question mark

April 8, 2020

Can I get COVID-19 from contaminated take-out food?

April 8: Could I get COVID-19 from eating take-out food that had somehow become contaminated by airborne viral particles?

Illustration of a masked house-cleaner looking through a window in the front door of a residence

April 3, 2020

Should I cancel my housecleaners?

April 3: Should my house-cleaners be wearing masks and gloves? Should they be coming at all?

Illustration of a question mark with several headlines about COVID-19 in the background

March 23, 2020

Is the virus in the air? On my mail? In my take-out food?

Recent research showed that #COVID19 can live for up to 3 days on some surfaces and may remain suspended in the air for as long as a half-hour. So how safe are home-delivered groceries? Mail? Take-out food? A walk around the block?

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Covid-19 Updates
Covid-19 Updates Archive

Covid Pass testing | Covid Pass testing results | COVID-19 updates | COVID-19 FAQ Use Clockwise MD to reserve your Urgent Care spot.

Covid-19 UpdatesCovid-19 Updates Archive

Covid Pass testing | Covid Pass testing results | COVID-19 updates | COVID-19 FAQ
Use Clockwise MD to reserve your Urgent Care spot.

Covid-19 Updates
Covid-19 Updates Archive