Reader FAQ: Answers and advice for coping with COVID-19
The Star Tribune takes on your questions about the pandemic in Minnesota.
COVID-19
Live: Latest updates and what you need to know about COVID-19
As the novel coronavirus spreads across the world, we've answered reader question about what they most want to know about the outbreak.
Have you lost a loved one to COVID-19 in Minnesota?
Are you a health care worker or other person on the front lines of COVID-19 response? Have you or a loved one been diagnosed with the novel coronavirus? Help us report on how the pandemic is affecting Minnesotans.
How to make an appointment to get the COVID-19 vaccine in Minnesota
Doses of the COVID-19 vaccine are being administered through health systems, state clinics, health departments and pharmacies. Here's what you need to know.
Are dining tents a safe way to eat out during the pandemic?
Health experts say outdoor dining tents are generally safer than dining inside, but caution that they're not all equal.
Is COVID a disease of the blood vessels?
The way COVID destroys the vascular system could explain what links wide-ranging symptoms.
Who will be the first to get COVID-19 vaccines?
Consensus among many experts in the U.S. and globally is that health care workers should be first.
6 things you need to know about COVID-19 testing in Minnesota
Which COVID test works best? Is it free? Where can I get one? We spoke to medical experts to answer these questions and more.
Is it safe yet to fly during the pandemic?
Public health experts say staying home is best to keep yourself and others safe from infection. But if you're thinking about flying for the holidays, you should know what to expect.
Does weather affect the spread of the coronavirus outside?
The World Health Organization says the virus can be transmitted in any kind of weather and that there is no reason to believe that cold weather can kill it.
During COVID, should you let your college kids come home?
Q: Should parents let their children who are away at college come home for a visit during the pandemic? A: If you mean coming…
Are portable potties safe during the pandemic?
And what precautions should you take?
Will you get a refund if COVID-19 closes your campus?
Many colleges are welcoming students back for in-person learning and dormitory living this fall semester. Looming over everything: Campuses could shut back down anytime. With…
How should you respond to a party invitation during the pandemic?
Q: You’ve been invited to a party. You aren’t sure about the number of attendees, if the event will be outdoors, whether social distancing will…
Coronavirus 'support bubbles' grow in popularity, but are they safe?
People from separate households socialize exclusively to take the edge off pandemic loneliness.
Don't Miss
How risky is using a public restroom during the COVID-19 pandemic?
More Minnesotans are venturing out, but still avoiding public restrooms. Is the worry warranted?
Out of work? Looking for a better job? The state will pay for online classes
Residents must enroll by Sept. 30 for online classes paid for by the state.
Don't Miss
Why are the recycling bins overflowing in my alley?
If it seems like big blue bins are overflowing more than usual, it's not your imagination.
Car insurance rebates are coming, but are they enough?
Crashes have dropped sharply under stay-at-home orders, saving insurers billions.
How can you tell the difference between COVID-19 and spring allergies?
Anxiety is running high, along with the pollen count. A local allergist weighs in.
The food supply
Can you freeze whole pig carcasses to preserve the meat?
Minnesota pork plants sidelined by coronavirus outbreaks have begun euthanizing and disposing of thousands of pigs. A reader wanted to know whether they could just freeze the carcasses instead of wasting all that meat.
Don't Miss
If you think you have had COVID-19, can you be tested to prove it?
The hope is that antibody testing will provide new options for people and public health policymakers. If we can identify those who have COVID-19 immunity, perhaps more people can safely be deployed on the front lines.
The Economy
Can I still collect unemployment if I refuse to return to an unsafe workplace?
Many Minnesotans may soon be asked to return to work as the governor eases closure orders on some businesses. But if some refuse to go due to health concerns, they will likely lose unemployment benefits.
COVID-19 DATA
Why does Hennepin County have so many more COVID-19 fatalities than Ramsey?
COVID-19 is hitting Hennepin County far harder than any other county in Minnesota. And its size alone does not explain why.
COVID-19 FACTS
Is there a gender difference in how COVID-19 affects men and women?
Women and men each make up 50% of the state's confirmed COVID-19 cases, according to the Minnesota Department of Health. However, as of mid-April, about 60% of the deaths were in men, the state Health Department said.
The food supply
Why are there so many COVID-19 outbreaks at pork plants?
Pork and other meat-processing plants have emerged as hotspots for the spread of the new coronavirus because employees work side by side in close quarters, making social distancing impossible.
COVID-19 FACTS
When is COVID-19 most contagious? When are you no longer considered contagious?
People sickened by COVID-19 are most infectious when they are showing symptoms, including fever, coughing and shortness of breath, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Prevention, preparation
What's the best way to prepare for COVID-19 and to prevent its spread?
COVID-19 is a respiratory disease, much like influenza, and while there's not a vaccine for it, there are ways to cope. The precautions used to fight influenza are the same ones that people should be using to stave off coronavirus and other respiratory diseases.
Prevention, preparation
Can the coronavirus live on surfaces outside the body, and for how long?
The most common method of catching COVID-19 is by inhaling respiratory droplets created when an infected person sneezes or coughs, but the virus can survive on surfaces for varying amounts of time.
Testing
Who should get tested for COVID-19 and where?
Contact your medical provider or visit a new state of Minnesota website that can assess your testing needs.
Testing
Given limited testing, what's the real number of COVID-19 cases in Minnesota?
As the coronavirus pandemic spreads, we've asked readers what they most want to know about its impact, prevention and treatment. This is an answer to…
Prevention, preparation
Can my pets get infected with COVID-19 and will it make them sick?
As the coronavirus pandemic spreads, we've asked readers what they most want to know about its impact, prevention and treatment. This is an answer to…
The Economy
Recently unemployed in Minnesota? Here's what you need to know
More than 16 million U.S. workers have lost their jobs in the economic fallout from the coronavirus pandemic, forcing many to scramble after losing a job. Here are things you need to know about getting help in Minnesota.
