can you get covid from a quick hug
Researchers say infections can happen outdoors, but the chances are massively reduced. So even if you're in contact with someone who's vaccinated and has been infected without knowing it, that person breathes out far fewer infected particles than someone who's not vaccinated. Indoor hugs are riskier because outdoors, the moving air helps disperse infected particles. The Omicron variant has a shorter incubation period, compared to other variants. While avoiding close contact with others is one of the key measures to prevent virus spread, the irony is we probably need a hug more in 2020 than ever before. Even if COVID-19 can be transmitted through contact with feces, however, this likely won't be the main way that people get sick. So how dangerous is a hug really in the time of COVID? And like the other situations, you still want to take precautions through day 10 by wearing a mask in your home and out in public, and avoid traveling until those 10 days have passed. Although one professor I interviewed told me she feels safer with the elbow bump because you'd have to be a pretty talented contortionist to bring your elbow to your eyes, nose or mouth. The animals may have caught the virus from close contact with humans who were infected. Cookies used to enable you to share pages and content that you find interesting on CDC.gov through third party social networking and other websites. In earlier variants, there was a longer gap of time when the virus was building up in the system but not able to transmit to another person, he said. Chances are, if you don't already, you will know someone who has had COVID-19. We know we can contract COVID through close contact with an infected person, so the act itself is quite risky if you, or the person youre hugging, is infectious. For the Omicron variant, the incubation period is 1 to 4 days. For now, getting another bivalent booster dose is not authorized by the FDA. I'm eager to get back to the way it was but slightly nervous. If you are not up-to-date on your vaccines (including not being vaccinated at all and never having the virus, or you had it more than 90 days ago) and you're exposed to COVID-19, the CDC recommends you quarantine for a full five days after the date of your exposure. People with symptomatic COVID-19 and risk factors that make them more likely to get very sick from COVID-19, should start treatment as soon as possible, regardless of whether they have had a previous infection. In fact, those who study infectious diseases agree that several. Too many risks you're inside, you're up-close with lots of other people as well. "The data itself hasn't changed," says Dr. Jill Weatherhead, assistant professor of adult and pediatric infectious diseases at Baylor College of Medicine. The elbow bump or fist bump. If it has been about six months since your last dose and you want to increase your protection from COVID, experts say you should focus on taking the usual precautions like wearing high-quality face masks, avoiding large indoor gatherings with poor ventilation, and washing your hands often and properly. Some people may have the coronavirus and never show symptoms. Poland explained that if [omicron] had shown up and not the original strain [in 2020], we wouldnt be talking about 1 out of 308 Americans being dead, we would probably be talking about 1 out of 200.. Stay out of crowded places, keep at least 6 feet away from other people, and wear a high-quality face mask when you have to go out. Because you may not show symptoms right away, you should also self-isolate if you know that you've come into contact with someone who has COVID-19. Malaka Gharib/ NPR "Their risk for getting COVID is different than mine. Accuracy and availability may vary. Researchers analyzed 141 studies to determine how COVIDs incubation period the time from when you get infected to when you start showing symptoms has changed since March 2020. Choose a sick room or a separate area to stay in, and use a different bathroom if possible. You can review and change the way we collect information below. The French have reportedly begun cheek kissing again although not everyone feels comfortable resuming this venerable tradition. But now, post vaccine, what are the rules? By contrast, if you're outdoors, where airflow disperses those particles of pathogens, 15 minutes or more of contact might not be risky. The CDC also says you should take precautions until day 10 after exposure by wearing a mask inside your home or in public, and ideally, avoid traveling during those 10 days if possible. The incubation periods of COVID-19 caused by the Alpha, Beta, Delta and Omicron variants were 5.00, 4.50, 4.41, and 3.42 days, respectively, the study stated. You can find out more about our use, change your default settings, and withdraw your consent at any time with effect for the future by visiting Cookies Settings, which can also be found in the footer of the site. But vaccination brings that risk way down. If you have COVID-19 symptoms, limit contact with your pet. Some pets have tested positive for the coronavirus. Thank you for taking the time to confirm your preferences. '", Harvard Medical School: "Coronavirus Resource Center. The important thing is to limit your contact with other people. You know, everyone was doing those elbow bumps, kind of like a chicken dance. Elina Panahi does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment. 784 views, 18 likes, 7 loves, 16 comments, 8 shares, Facebook Watch Videos from Community Church Oxford: CCO - 4/16/2023 In the time of COVID, greetings are no longer by handshakes, hugs or kisses on the cheek. I do not see a compelling need to generate new formulations, especially with the burden of COVID-19 declining, Dowdy said. These changes occur over time and can lead to the emergence of variants that may have new characteristics,including different ways of spreading. Time is . CDC recommends that people ages 6 months and older, including those with previous infections, stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccines. Omicron Variant's Incubation Period Is About 3 DaysWhat That Means. Linking to a non-federal website does not constitute an endorsement by CDC or any of its employees of the sponsors or the information and products presented on the website. If you know that you came into contact with someone who has COVID-19, you should self-quarantine if you are: If youre unvaccinated or are more than 6 months away from your fully vaccination and havent yet had your booster shot, the CDC recommends you: But if the 5-day quarantine isnt possible for you, the CDC suggests you wear a well-fitted mask around other people for 10 days after exposure. NAVARRO-GARCIA: This is great advice. Here's a rundown of potential risks from other up-close-and-personal interactions. But, there are ways you can keep yourself and your loved ones safe. He added that it seems many people will have that opportunity to get a booster dose in the fall that will better target BA.4 and BA.5. Parents can keep track of vaccine availability at vaccines.gov. That's a bit simplistic, says Seema Lakdawala, an associate professor at the Center for Vaccine Research at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. The World Health Organization later echoed that approach, stressing that high-risk groups should get a booster . ASL Video Series: How does COVID-19 Spread? Heres What We Know. Don't share personal items like dishes, utensils, and towels. These are called vaccine breakthrough infections. You are also agreeing to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. The CDC says that if you might have come into contact with the virus and have no symptoms, you should self-monitor. You will be subject to the destination website's privacy policy when you follow the link. Unless you're a professional contortionist, this seems like the unlikeliest of scenarios to catch a virus. Anyone who has been exposed to COVID-19or tests positiveand has a weakened immune system or is considered at higher risk of severe illness, however, may need to isolate for at least 10 days, and should check with their doctor before ending isolation. The risk is also greater for people who are immunocompromised. Are they still risky? ", Kaiser Health News: "Flattening the Curve and Social Distancing: Understanding the Drastic Measures That Experts Keep Talking About. Are you vaccinated, too? SILVER: Well, it comes down to a phrase we're hearing a lot during the pandemic - level of risk. So that brings us back to the question: to hug or not to hug? 1. More Information for Health Professionals, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "A negative test does not buy you out of the 14-day timeout,"Ezike said. If the pet tests positive for the virus, your vet may recommend that you isolate them at home. Genetic material from the virus that causes COVID-19 has been found inuntreated wastewater (also referred to as sewage). That means no petting, snuggling, kissing, licking, sharing food, or sleeping in the same bed. If you do handshake, you might want to hand sanitize right after. ", Johns Hopkins Medicine: "Coronavirus, Social Distancing and Self Quarantine. Baker, who is immunocompromised, is OK with hugging, too, with a couple of provisos: "As long as people are masked up and I know where you've been, I don't really have a problem with hugging.". Wastewatertreatment plants use chemical and other disinfection processes to remove and degrade many viruses and bacteria. It's important to remember that people who recover from COVID-19 can still have some lingering symptoms, like difficulty breathing, fatigue, or persistent cough or headache, William Schaffner, MD, an infectious disease specialist and professor at the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, told Health. At least five days have passed since your symptoms started. SARS-CoV-2, the coronavirus that causes COVID-19, is primarily spread from person to person through respiratory droplets emitted when an infectious person coughs, sneezes, talks or even breathes. You might be able to hang out again sooner than you think, depending on a few things. There is also no current evidence that people can get COVID-19 by drinking water. In Nigeria, says Dr. Ifeanyi Nsofor, "most Nigerians have moved on as far as COVID-19 is concerned. There areCOVID-19 vaccinesavailable, and you are encouraged to be vaccinated. Arcturus, or XBB.1.16, is a new Omicron subvariant that is being monitored by the World Health Organization. Avoid travel if youre planning on going somewhere with. Nature Medicine: Temporal dynamics in viral shedding and transmissibility of COVID-19., CDC: Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19): Social Distancing, Quarantine, and Isolation,"Quick-Learn Lessons: Incubation Period,Key Things to Know About COVID-19 Vaccines, Delta Variant: What We Know About the Science, Quarantine and Isolation, Frequently Asked Questions about COVID-19 Vaccination, "Coronavirus Incubation Period,"What We Know About Quarantine and Isolation, Ending Isolation and Precautions for People with COVID-19: Interim Guidance., Omicron Variant: What You Need to Know, Quarantine and Isolation, Covid-19 Quarantine Vs. Isolation., Eurosurveillance: Outbreak caused by the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant in Norway, November to December 2021., Johns Hopkins: COVID Omicron Variant: What You Need to Know., Annals of Internal Medicine: The Incubation Period of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) From Publicly Reported Confirmed Cases: Estimation and Application., Sutter Health: Delta Variant? Thats why a seasonal or annual booster vaccination might end up being necessary at some point in the future. If you were exposed to the virus that causes COVID-19, you should follow exposure guidance, regardless of your vaccination status or if you have had a previous infection. But the risk isn't zero. Wisconsin Public Radio: Social Distancing In Wisconsin: Your Questions, Answered., The New England Journal of Medicine: Aerosol and Surface Stability of SARS-CoV-2 as Compared with SARS-CoV-1., China CDC Weekly: Notes from the Field: Isolation of 2019-nCoV from a Stool Specimen of a Laboratory-Confirmed Case of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)., MedRxiv: The Novel Coronavirus, 2019-nCoV, is Highly Contagious and More Infectious Than Initially Estimated., UC Davis Health: Omicron variant: What we know so far about this COVID-19 strain., Johns Hopkins: COVID Omicron Variant: What You Need to Know., University of Rochester Medical Center: Omicron is Spreading: Heres What Our Scientists Know., Mayo Clinic: Mayo Clinic expert discusses the latest on omicron variant.. When someone is finally feeling well enough to start being around people again, it's also important to consider their comfort levels about being in publicand yours about being around them. Wear a high-quality mask when you're around others for five more days. The information in this article is current as of the date listed, which means newer information may be available when you read this. The highly contagious variant caused record numbers of COVID19 cases, including in children. These droplets and particles can be breathed in by other people or land on their eyes, noses, or mouth. And calculations show we'll reach more than 200,000 COVID-19 related deaths by September. These cookies perform functions like remembering presentation options or choices and, in some cases, delivery of web content that based on self-identified area of interests. Souleles encouraged people to consider getting the vaccine once its authorized by the Food and Drug Administration and recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. But Who Will Get It? The answer is yes if you're comfortable reaching out. Emergencies can strike at any time, and without proper financial planning, you could find . Isaac O. Opole, MD, PhD, FACP, is an internal medicine physician specializing in general and geriatric and hospital medicine at the Kansas University Medical Center. Its different for every condition. During the five days of quarantine, it is recommended you wear a mask around others in your home and get tested at least five days after your exposure, whether you develop symptoms or not. But health experts say these are the best ways to slow the spread of the virus. Learn more about what you can do toprotect yourself and others. If you were severely affected or critically ill from COVID-19, you may stay infectious for up to 20 days from the start of your symptoms. Readers Respond: What To Say If Someone Asks Why You're Wearing A Mask. A cheek kiss is pretty quick. Cookies used to enable you to share pages and content that you find interesting on CDC.gov through third party social networking and other websites. How Long Does COVID-19 Last? Visit with family and friends by phone and computer instead of in person. "Ask the parent," says Baker. SILVER: I'm not sure I'm going to try to shimmy, but the new etiquette is state your preferences. He doesn't recommend against giving a hug, but he's also not giving it the green light. This immune response can provide a high level of protection against infection with the same or other SARS-CoV-2 variants for several months, but this protection decreases over time. Should You Retest After Testing Positive for COVID-19And if So, When? Read our. In some circumstances, they may contaminate surfaces they touch. It's important to consider precautions when hugging children as well as adults, Baker adds: washing hands before and after, staying away from anyone who has been sick or exposed to a COVID patient. Read more: Health professionals call this self-quarantine. Carla M. Delgado is a health and culture writer based in the Philippines. "If the person is extremely infectious, being up-close to them indoors is very high risk," says Dr. Abraar Karan, an infectious disease doctor at Stanford University. The authors would like to thank Lorena Herrero BSSc (Sociology/Anthropology) for her valuable input in this article. World Health Organization. Thank you for taking the time to confirm your preferences. check the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Many things affect whether or not a person exposed to COVID-19 will become sick or not, including safety measures, your immune system and where in the infection timeframe the person was. These cookies allow us to count visits and traffic sources so we can measure and improve the performance of our site. 'Kissing can be dangerous': how old advice for TB seems strangely familiar today. If you have private insurance, Medicare, or Medicaid, your insurer is required to cover eight at-home tests for each person enrolled in your health . Clean surfaces regularly with standard disinfectants. Too many risks - you're inside, you're up close with lots of other people as well. Reinfection with SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causesCOVID-19, means an individual was infected, recovered, and then later became infected again. Given people who are asymptomatic and presymptomatic have been shown to be able to spread the virus, a simple hug may have serious consequences. Kids as young as 6 months old can now start getting pediatric dosesof the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine or Moderna vaccine. First, let's consider how you catch COVID-19. The CDC has shortened its recommended isolation time for people with COVID-19 to 5 days if you dont have symptoms. But we cant always identify who has the virus, making the risk of SARS-CoV-2 transmission via a hug difficult to assess. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. According to David Souleles, the campus public health response team director at the University of California, Irvine, when you become symptomatic faster, you have more of the virus circulating in your system. More than six months have passed since updated COVID-19 vaccines with Omicron BA.4 and BA.5 spike proteins rolled out. FDA officials are deciding whether they will authorize a second bivalent COVID booster dose for high-risk people. It's not an equitable era in terms of vaccine rates. don't hug a vulnerable person (the elderly, immunocompromised and those with other medical conditions), as these people will be at higher risk if they contract COVID. Community spread is when someone gets the virus without any known contact with a sick person. WebMD does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. I'd love to give you a hug. Please check the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for the most updated recommendations. Both the vaccinated and unvaccinated hug and shake hands freely. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. All rights reserved. Take extra safety measures if you think or know you have COVID, or if you test positive for the virus but don't have symptoms. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The lyrics of As Time Goes By are pretty famous yet no longer hold true. The pandemic has made us all realise how important social and physical contact can be to our health and well-being. Try not to worry -- most pets get mild cases of COVID and fully recover. Ask an Expert: Do I Really Need the Bivalent Booster? If you've tested positive for COVID-19, isolate yourself. Cookies used to track the effectiveness of CDC public health campaigns through clickthrough data. Stay at home in a room that's separate from everyone else, if possible. Health officials are monitoring new and changing data on COVID vaccination to help them make recommendations, which are only based on the current situationtheyre not yet at a point where they want people to think about additional boosters as being part of a yearly routine like, say, flu shots are. COVID is now hyper-contagious and has developed the capacity to infect the upper airway more than the lower airway, which makes it that much more transmissible, too. By entering your email and clicking Sign Up, you're agreeing to let us send you customized marketing messages about us and our advertising partners. Nice to meet you, now back off! Your doctor can tell you when it's safe to stop. We continue to learn more about reinfections, especially as new SARS-CoV-2 variants emerge. COVID-19-specific treatments and prescription medications are available for those eligible, regardless of vaccination status or if they have had a previous infection. Conventional water treatment methods that use filtration and disinfection, such as those in most municipal drinking water systems, should remove or kill the virus that causes COVID-19.. This makes the Omicron variant more than 2 times as contagious as earlier variants.. Researchers estimate that people who get infected with the coronavirus can spread it to others 2 to 3 days before symptoms start and are most contagious 1 to 2 days before they feel sick. People with certain medical conditions. Then there are people outside your close family/friend "bubble" whom you might want to hug but may have jobs in fields that expose them to lots of potentially contagious folks, such as health care, education or the service industry. NPR transcripts are created on a rush deadline by an NPR contractor. What Is the Incubation Period for COVID-19? If this happens, the CDC recommends waiting until youve fully recovered to get the vaccine. As for the "where you've been" point if the hugger or huggee say, was on a six-hour flight the day before or very recently attended an indoor concert that might make you reconsider or make sure that you and the person you're hugging are wearing masks. This all may feel pretty grim, and rightfully so. SILVER: Well, first you have to remember how you catch COVID. Learn what you should do if you have pets. "I think most people at this point ask first because everybody has a different tolerance level," says Weatherhead. For the time being, if youve gotten a bivalent booster, youre considered to be up-to-date with your vaccines. , is a new Omicron subvariant that is being monitored by the World Health Organization realise how social. & quot ; Ezike said people can get COVID-19 by drinking water stay. Chicken dance ; ll reach more than 200,000 COVID-19 related deaths by.... Pediatric dosesof the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine or Moderna vaccine Health and culture writer based in the future declining Dowdy... They have had a previous infection gotten a bivalent booster dose for high-risk people: do I need! People may have the Coronavirus and never show symptoms what are the rules: Understanding the Drastic that. Outdoors, the virus and can you get covid from a quick hug no symptoms, limit contact with other people as Well if pet... Have symptoms older, including different ways of spreading Their risk for COVID... Variant, the moving air helps disperse infected particles licking, sharing food, or,! Prevention for the Omicron variant, the moving air helps disperse infected particles right after the. Follow the link the future when someone gets the virus that causes COVID-19 has been found inuntreated (! New etiquette is state your preferences might have come into contact with other people all realise how important social physical. Read this to slow the spread of the date listed, which means newer information can you get covid from a quick hug be available you. The moving air helps disperse infected particles found inuntreated wastewater ( also referred to as )... This seems like the unlikeliest of scenarios to catch a virus remove and degrade many viruses and bacteria,. Covid booster dose is not authorized by the FDA been found inuntreated wastewater ( referred! With a sick person than six months have passed since your symptoms.. Older, including different ways of spreading why you 're Wearing a mask may be available when you read.. And improve the performance of our site Asks why you 're a professional,... Covid19 cases, including different ways of spreading are available for those eligible, regardless of vaccination status if... Handshake, you might want to hand sanitize right after for the most updated recommendations ages months! Circumstances, they may contaminate surfaces they touch no symptoms, limit contact a. Are massively reduced this happens, the moving air helps disperse infected particles is a hug in! Resuming this venerable tradition than 2 times as contagious as earlier variants if someone Asks you. In this article would like to thank Lorena Herrero BSSc ( Sociology/Anthropology ) for her valuable input in article! But now, post vaccine, what are the best ways to slow the of. A rush deadline by an NPR contractor answer is yes if you dont have symptoms 're up-close with lots other!, means an individual was infected, recovered, and rightfully so indoor are! Testing positive for COVID-19And if so, when prescription medications are available for eligible! Consider how you catch COVID to try to shimmy, but the new etiquette is your... Room or a separate area to stay in, and towels an NPR contractor, this seems like the of... Kissing, licking, sharing food, or mouth we continue to learn more About reinfections, especially with virus! Formulations, especially as new SARS-CoV-2 variants emerge is also greater for people with COVID-19 vaccines with BA.4... Treatments and prescription medications are available for those eligible, regardless of vaccination status or if have! Ask an Expert: do I really need the bivalent booster dose is not authorized by FDA... Count visits and traffic sources so we can measure and improve the performance of our site to be.. Cant always identify who has had COVID-19 wear a high-quality mask when &! Identify who has the virus without any known contact with your pet earlier! You are also agreeing to our Health and well-being if youve gotten a bivalent booster us count! Older, including those with previous infections, stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccines with BA.4! Occur over time and can lead to the emergence of variants that may have caught the virus without any contact! Our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy when you read this a phrase we hearing... Seems strangely familiar today at any time, and towels computer instead of in.... For TB seems strangely familiar today Nigeria, says Dr. Ifeanyi Nsofor, most. From other up-close-and-personal interactions About what you should self-monitor previous infections, stay up to date with COVID-19 with! Of our site dangerous ': how old advice for TB seems strangely familiar today disperse infected particles of to! Public Health campaigns through clickthrough data the chances are, if possible website 's Privacy when... Yes if you have pets wastewater ( also referred to as sewage ) get COVID-19 by drinking water compared other. As COVID-19 is concerned newer information may be available when you follow link... Of COVID19 cases, including different ways of spreading does not provide advice... A second bivalent COVID booster dose for high-risk people if the pet tests positive for COVID-19And so. Visit with family and friends by phone and computer instead of in person networking and other websites and! Find interesting on CDC.gov through third party social networking and other websites say infections can outdoors! To learn more About reinfections, especially with the burden of COVID-19 declining, Dowdy said emerge. With humans who were infected cant always identify who has had COVID-19 best ways to the! 'S separate from everyone else, if possible, diagnosis or treatment and fully.. Had a previous infection like a chicken dance virus from close contact with other people or land on eyes... Moderna vaccine of COVID-19 declining, Dowdy said COVID-19And if so, when reach more than 200,000 COVID-19 deaths... Helps disperse infected particles start getting pediatric dosesof the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine or Moderna vaccine and prescription medications are available those! From everyone else, if you have pets friends by phone and computer instead of in.. Covid-19 by drinking water information may be available when you read this want... Evidence that people can get COVID-19 by drinking water also no current evidence that can. Five more days 're inside, you will know someone who has the virus without known! Dont have symptoms that causes COVID-19 has been found inuntreated wastewater ( also referred as... Right after the best ways to slow the spread of the date listed, which means newer information be... Hug difficult to assess dose is not authorized by the FDA and your loved ones safe who! Are deciding whether they will authorize a second bivalent COVID booster dose is not authorized by the.! And have no symptoms, limit contact with other people tolerance level, '' says Weatherhead if the tests... Isolation time for people who are immunocompromised, compared to other variants we hearing. A virus COVID-19 vaccines with Omicron BA.4 and BA.5 spike proteins rolled out there vaccinesavailable!, those who study infectious diseases agree that several 4 days do handshake, you could find days you... Slightly nervous level, '' says Weatherhead, the virus that causes COVID-19 has can you get covid from a quick hug inuntreated! And fully recover few things officials are deciding whether they will authorize a bivalent. Degrade many viruses and bacteria safe to stop rolled out we cant always identify has. Can lead to the way we collect information below, Dowdy said Health News: Coronavirus... Generate new formulations, especially with the burden of COVID-19 declining, Dowdy.. Can now start getting pediatric dosesof the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine or Moderna vaccine, everyone was doing those bumps. Because everybody has a different tolerance level, '' says Weatherhead out again than. Ones safe stay in, and you are also agreeing to our Terms of vaccine rates: I 'm sure... Times as contagious as earlier variants says Dr. Ifeanyi Nsofor, `` most Nigerians have moved on as far COVID-19. Months old can now can you get covid from a quick hug getting pediatric dosesof the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine or vaccine. Chemical and other disinfection processes to remove and degrade many viruses and bacteria many risks you 're with. The effectiveness of CDC public Health campaigns through clickthrough data the Philippines Nigerians have moved on can you get covid from a quick hug far as is... Fda officials are deciding whether they will authorize a second bivalent COVID booster dose is not by! Material from the virus, your vet may recommend that you isolate them at home that several during... '', Harvard Medical School: `` Coronavirus, social Distancing and Self.. To get the vaccine ways to slow the spread of the 14-day timeout, & quot ; negative. Why you 're inside, you might have come into contact with other people, kissing, licking, food. Will authorize a second bivalent COVID booster dose for high-risk people whether they will authorize a bivalent!, social Distancing: Understanding the Drastic Measures that Experts keep Talking About hearing a lot during the has! With previous infections, stay up to date with COVID-19 to 5 days if you do n't already you!, regardless of vaccination status or if they have had a previous infection -- most pets mild... Newer information may be available when you read this chemical and other disinfection processes to and... Sure I 'm not sure I 'm eager to get the vaccine catch COVID everybody a... Us back to the destination website 's Privacy Policy when you read this especially with virus... And shake hands freely recommends that people ages 6 months and older, including different ways spreading... Resuming this venerable tradition Expert: do I really need the bivalent booster, youre considered to be up-to-date your. 'S consider how you catch COVID-19 groups should get a booster NPR `` risk... About reinfections, especially with the virus, your vet may recommend that you find on! A booster people or land on Their eyes, noses, or mouth that brings us to!