NPR

Coronavirus FAQ: How Do I Protect Myself From The U.K. Variant?

The newly detected strain — dubbed B.1.1.7 — appears to be more contagious. What precautions might be effective in trying to keep from getting infected?
London sends a message about how to reduce the risk of exposure to the newly detected U.K. variant.

Each week, we answer frequently asked questions about life during the coronavirus crisis. If you have a question you'd like us to consider for a future post, email us at goatsandsoda@npr.org with the subject line: "Weekly Coronavirus Questions."

I'm hearing about virus variants that might be more easily transmitted. I'm worried one might be coming soon to my neck of the woods! What precautions should I be taking?

While COVID-19 has mutated in thousands of mostly harmless ways, the world is increasingly focused on one variant detected in England, dubbed B.1.1.7, and one found in South Africa, called 501.V2, because they seem to spread more easily than older strains. Although not believed to be any deadlier, B.1.1.7 has now

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