How long it really takes to get COVID-19

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How long does it take to get COVID-19? By Jamie Ducharme Health Correspondent Like most people, I’ve been exposed to COVID-19 many times that I’m aware of, and surely countless other times that I’m not. Sometimes it seems like there’s no rhyme or reason to when these exposures actually get me sick. How could I have stayed healthy after driving in a car or eating lunch with a friend who didn’t yet realize they had COVID-19? A new study offers a possible reason: it sometimes takes much longer than you think to catch the virus. Using data from a U.K. COVID-19 tracking app, the researchers found that exposures that last an hour or longer cause many more infections than shorter ones. In some cases, they found, it can take more than a full day for the virus to jump from one person to another. This doesn’t mean it’s impossible to catch COVID-19 when you’re out running errands or commuting to work. But, the researchers told me, people should remember that places where they spend the most time around others—like their home or workplace—may be where the virus is most likely to spread. READ THE REST Share This Story

WHAT ELSE TO READ What to Know About Complementary Treatments for Lupus By Markham Heid Experts say therapies like mindfulness and biofeedback can be beneficial for people living with lupus. Read More » Hong Kong No Longer Has the World's Longest Life Expectancy By Shirley Zhao / Bloomberg The city relinquished its crown to Japan as COVID-19 and overall stress weigh on local lifespans. Read More » Princess Kate Hospitalized For Up to Two Weeks After Planned Abdominal Surgery  By Solcyre Burga Kate, the Princess of Wales, will be hospitalized after planned abdominal surgery for the next 10-14 days, per Kensington Palace. Read More » Utah to Revise Social Media Limits for Youth as Lawsuits Loom By Hannah Schoenbaum / AP Utah's Republican legislative leaders are prioritizing revisions to new social media youth protection laws to ensure they hold up in court. Read More » King Charles to Undergo Treatment for Enlarged Prostate By Solcyre Burga King Charles III will undergo a procedure to correct his enlarged prostate, Buckingham Palace announced. Read More »

ONE LAST READ Bathroom breaks are a real problem in science When scientists do fieldwork that takes them far from the laboratory, they’re often far from the lavatory, as well. Younger trainees who are afraid to interrupt the flow of work—or just not accustomed to using the toilet outdoors—often struggle in silence. For Undark, Freda Kreier explores the unforeseen risks of bathroom breaks in the field. Read More »

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