mteb/FeedbackQARetrieval huggingface dataset:
Frequently Asked Questions
How to Protect Yourself
Am I at risk for COVID-19 from mail, packages, or products?
There is still a lot that is unknown about COVID-19 and how it spreads.
Coronaviruses are thought to be spread most often by respiratory droplets.
Although the virus can survive for a short period on some surfaces, it is
unlikely to be spread from domestic or international mail, products or
packaging. However, it may be possible that people can get COVID-19 by
touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching their
own mouth, nose, or possibly their eyes, but this is not thought to be the
main way the virus spreads.
Learn more about safe handling of deliveries and
mail.
Frequently Asked Questions
Children and Youth with Special Healthcare Needs
Is my child with an underlying medical condition or special healthcare need at higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19?
Children with complex, chronic medical conditions, including children with
physical, developmental, behavioral, or emotional differences, can have
special healthcare needs. It’s not known yet whether all of these children are
at higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19.
Although most COVID-19 cases in children are not severe, serious illness that
needs to be treated at the hospital still happens. Some data on children
reported that the majority who needed hospitalization for COVID-19 had at
least one underlying medical condition. The most common underlying conditions
reported among children with COVID-19 include chronic lung disease (including
asthma), heart disease, and conditions that weaken the immune system. This
information suggests that children with these underlying medical conditions
may be at risk for more severe illness from COVID-19.
More data are needed to learn which underlying or complex medical conditions
may put children at increased risk. CDC is monitoring new information as it
becomes available and will provide updates as needed.
Learn more about caring for children with special health care needs during a
disaster
and people who are at higher risk for severe illness from
COVID-19.
Frequently Asked Questions
COVID-19 and Funerals
My family member died from COVID-19 while overseas. What are the requirements for returning the body to the United States?
CDC does not require an autopsy before the remains of a person who died
overseas are returned to the United States. Depending on the circumstances
surrounding the death, some countries may require an autopsy. Sources of
support to the family include the local consulate or embassy, travel insurance
provider, tour operator, faith-based and aid organizations, and the deceased’s
employer. There likely will need to be an official identification of the body
and official documents issued by the consular office.
CDC requirements for importing human remains depend upon if the body has been
embalmed, cremated, or if the person died from a quarantinable communicable
disease.
At this time, COVID-19 is a quarantinable communicable disease in the United
States and the remains must meet the standards for importation found in 42
Code of Federal Regulations Part 71.55 and may be cleared, released, and
authorized for entry into the United States only under the following
conditions:

The remains are cremated; OR
The remains are properly embalmed and placed in a hermetically sealed casket; OR
The remains are accompanied by a permit issued by the CDC Director. The CDC permit (if applicable) must accompany the human remains at all times during shipment. 
Permits for the importation of the remains of a person known or suspected to have died from a quarantinable communicable disease may be obtained through the CDC Division of Global Migration and Quarantine by calling the CDC Emergency Operations Center at 770-488-7100 or emailing dgmqpolicyoffice@cdc.gov.



Please see CDC’s guidance
for additional information.
Frequently Asked Questions
In Case of an Outbreak in Your Community
Can CDC tell me or my employer when it is safe for me to go back to work/school after recovering from or being exposed to COVID-19?
CDC cannot address the policies of any business or organization. CDC shares
recommendations based on the best available science to help people make
decisions that improve their health and safety. Employers, schools, and
organizations may decide to visibly screen for symptoms or perform on-site
symptom checks.
If your employer, school, or organization requires you to present
documentation regarding COVID-19 before returning to work or school (for
example, proof of a negative COVID-19 lab test, if a test was performed,
contact your healthcare provider to ask if he or she would be able to provide
a form of documentation for you. Documentation of self-isolation and self-
quarantine may not be possible.
CDC has guidance for when and how people with COVID-19 can discontinue home
isolation: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/if-you-are-sick/steps-
when-sick.html.
CDC also has guidance for what people should do if they think they have been
exposed or feel sick: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-
getting-sick/social-distancing.html.
In all cases, follow the guidance of your healthcare provider and local
health department. Local decisions depend on local circumstances.
Frequently Asked Questions
In Case of an Outbreak in Your Community
Will businesses and schools close or stay closed in my community and for how long? Will there be a “stay at home” or “shelter in place” order in my community?
CDC makes recommendations, shares information, and provides guidance to help
slow down the spread of COVID-19 in the U.S. including guidance for schools
and businesses. CDC regularly shares information and provides assistance to
state, local, territorial, and tribal health authorities. These local
authorities are responsible for making decisions including “stay at home” or
“shelter in place.” What is included in these orders and how they are
implemented are also decided by local authorities. These decisions may also
depend on many factors such as how the virus is spreading in a certain
community.
Please contact your local health
department
to find out more.
Frequently Asked Questions
Coronavirus Disease 2019 Basics
How can people help stop stigma related to COVID-19?
People can fight stigma by providing social support in situations where you
notice this is occurring. Stigma affects the emotional or mental
health of stigmatized groups and the communities they live in. Stopping
stigma is important to making communities and community members resilient. See
resources on mental health and coping during
COVID-19.
Everyone can help stop stigma related to COVID-19 by knowing the
facts and
sharing them with others in your community.
Frequently Asked Questions
Higher Risk
What should people at higher risk of serious illness with COVID-19 do?
If you are at higher risk of getting very sick from COVID-19, you should:

Stock up on supplies
Take everyday precautions to keep space between yourself and others
When you go out in public, keep away from others who are sick
Limit close contact and wash your hands often
Avoid crowds, cruise travel, and non-essential travel

If there is an outbreak in your community, stay home as much as possible.
Watch for symptoms and emergency signs. If you get sick, stay home and call
your doctor. More information on how to prepare, what to do if you get sick,
and how communities and caregivers can support those at higher risk is
available on People at Risk for Serious Illness from
COVID-19.
Frequently Asked Questions
How COVID-19 Spreads
Can someone who has had COVID-19 spread the illness to others?
The virus that causes COVID-19 is spreading from person-to-
person. People are thought to be most contagious when they are
symptomatic (the sickest). That is why CDC recommends that these patients be
isolated either in the hospital or at home (depending on how sick they are)
until they are better and no longer pose a risk of infecting others. More
recently the virus has also been detected in asymptomatic persons.
How long someone is actively sick can vary so the decision on when to release
someone from isolation is made using a test-based or non-test-based strategy
(i.e. time since illness started and time since recovery) in consultation with
state and local public health officials. The decision involves considering the
specifics of each situation, including disease severity, illness signs and
symptoms, and the results of laboratory testing for that patient.
Learn more about CDC’s guidance on when to release someone from
isolation and discharge hospitalized patients with COVID-19.
For information on when someone who has been sick with COVID-19 is able to
stop home isolation see Interim Guidance for Discontinuation of In-Home
Isolation for Patients with
COVID-19.
Someone who has been released from isolation is not considered to pose a risk
of infection to others.
Frequently Asked Questions
COVID-19 and Funerals
Am I at risk if I touch someone who died of COVID-19 after they have passed away?
COVID-19 is a new disease and we are still learning how it spreads. The
virus that causes COVID-19 is thought to mainly spread from close contact
(i.e., within about 6 feet) with a person who is currently sick with COVID-19.
The virus likely spreads primarily through respiratory droplets produced when
an infected person coughs or sneezes, similar to how influenza and other
respiratory infections spread. These droplets can land in the mouths or noses
of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs. This type of
spread is not a concern after death.
It may be possible that a person can get COVID-19 by touching a surface or
object that has the virus on it and then touching their own mouth, nose, or
possibly their eyes, but this is not thought to be the main way the virus
spreads.
People should consider not touching the body of someone who has died of
COVID-19. Older people and people of all ages with severe underlying health
conditions are at higher risk of developing serious COVID-19 illness. There
may be less of a chance of the virus spreading from certain types of touching,
such as holding the hand or hugging after the body has been prepared for
viewing. Other activities, such as kissing, washing, and shrouding should be
avoided before, during, and after the body has been prepared, if possible. If
washing the body or shrouding are important religious or cultural practices,
families are encouraged to work with their community’s cultural and religious
leaders and funeral home staff on how to reduce their exposure as much as
possible. At a minimum, people conducting these activities should wear
disposable gloves. If splashing of fluids is expected, additional personal
protective equipment (PPE) may be required (such as disposable gown,
faceshield or goggles and N-95 respirator).
Cleaning should be conducted in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions
for all cleaning and disinfection products (e.g., concentration, application
method and contact time). Products with EPA-approved emerging viral pathogens
claimspdf iconexternal iconexternal icon are expected to be
effective against COVID-19 based on data for harder to kill viruses. After
removal of PPE, perform hand hygiene by washing hands with soap and water for at least 20
seconds or using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60%
alcohol if soap and water are not available. Soap and water should be used if
the hands are visibly soiled.
Frequently Asked Questions
Symptoms & Testing
Can a person test negative and later test positive for COVID-19?
Using the CDC-developed viral test, a negative result means that the virus
that causes COVID-19 was not found in the person’s sample. In the early stages
of infection, it is possible the virus will not be detected.
For COVID-19, a negative test result for a sample collected while a person has
symptoms likely means that the COVID-19 virus is not causing their current
illness.
Frequently Asked Questions
COVID-19 and Animals
Can I take my dog to daycare or a groomer?
Until we know more about how this virus affects animals, CDC encourages pet
owners to treat pets as you would other human family members to protect them
from possible infection. This means limiting contact between pets and people
or animals outside the household as much as possible and avoiding places where
large numbers of animals and people gather.
Some areas are allowing groomers and boarding facilities such as dog daycares
to open. If you must take your pet to a groomer or boarding facility, follow
any protocols put into place at the facility, such as wearing a cloth face
covering
and maintaining at least 6 feet of space between yourself and others if
possible.
Limit pet items brought from home to the groomer or boarding facility, and
disinfect any objects that are taken into a facility and returned home (such
as leashes, bowls, and toys). Use an EPA-registered disinfectantexternal
icon to clean items and rinse thoroughly with clean water
afterwards. Do not wipe or bathe your pet with chemical disinfectants,
alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, or any other products not approved for animal use.
Do not put face coverings on pets, and do not take a sick pet to a groomer or
boarding facility. Signs of sickness in animals may include:

Fever
Coughing
Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
Lethargy
Sneezing
Nasal/ocular discharge
Vomiting
Diarrhea

If you think your pet is sick, call your veterinarian. Some veterinarians may
offer telemedicine consultations or other plans for seeing sick pets. Your
veterinarian can evaluate your pet and determine the next steps for your pet’s
treatment and care.
See more information on pets and COVID-19 and recommendations for how to help keep your pet safe.
Frequently Asked Questions
Children and Youth with Special Healthcare Needs
What if my child needs to go to the hospital?
If your child’s healthcare provider tells you to go to the hospital for any
health problem, including COVID-19:

Ask the healthcare provider to let the hospital know you are coming and to share the important information the hospital will need to know to care for your child.
Visiting policies may have changed due to COVID-19. If your child’s hospital policy does not allow an adult to stay with a child, ask your child’s healthcare provider for a statement explaining your child’s need for a familiar adult to be present.
Bring your care plans/emergency notebook with you along with paper and pen to write down questions you have during your time at the hospital.
Frequently Asked Questions
Coronavirus Disease 2019 Basics
Why do the number of cases for previous days increase?
Delays in reporting can cause the number of COVID-19 cases reported on
previous days to increase. (Sometimes this effect is described as “backfill.”)
State, local, and territorial health departments report the number of cases
that have been confirmed and share these data with CDC. Since it takes time to
conduct laboratory testing, cases from a previous day may be added to the
daily counts a few days late.
Frequently Asked Questions
Preparing Your Home and Family for COVID-19
How can my family and I prepare for COVID-19?
Create a household plan of action to help protect your health and the health
of those you care about in the event of an outbreak of COVID-19 in your
community:

Talk with the people who need to be included in your plan, and discuss what to do if a COVID-19 outbreak occurs in your community.
Plan ways to care for those who might be at greater risk for serious complications, particularly older adults and those with severe chronic medical conditions like heart, lung or kidney disease. 
Make sure they have access to several weeks of medications and supplies in case you need to stay home for prolonged periods of time.


Get to know your neighbors and find out if your neighborhood has a website or social media page to stay connected.
Create a list of local organizations that you and your household can contact in the event you need access to information, healthcare services, support, and resources.
Create an emergency contact list of family, friends, neighbors, carpool drivers, health care providers, teachers, employers, the local public health department, and other community resources.
Frequently Asked Questions
Cleaning and Disinfection
What is routine cleaning? How frequently should facilities be cleaned to reduce the potential spread of COVID-19?
Routine cleaning is the everyday cleaning practices that businesses and
communities normally use to maintain a healthy environment. Surfaces
frequently touched by multiple people, such as door handles, bathroom
surfaces, and handrails, should be cleaned with soap and water or another
detergent at least daily when facilities are in use. More frequent cleaning
and disinfection may be required based on level of use. For example, certain
surfaces and objects in public spaces, such as shopping carts and point of
sale keypads, should be cleaned and disinfected before each use. Cleaning
removes dirt and impurities, including germs, from surfaces. Cleaning alone
does not kill germs, but it reduces the number of germs on a surface.
Frequently Asked Questions
Children and Youth with Special Healthcare Needs
What if my child’s symptoms of their underlying medical condition or complex, chronic medical condition get worse?

Call your child’s healthcare provider if you have any concerns about your child’s medical conditions. If you need emergency help, call 911.
Emergency departments have infection prevention plans to protect you and your child from getting COVID-19 if your child needs care for medical conditions not related to COVID-19. Do not delay getting emergency care for your child’s underlying condition or complex medical condition because you are afraid of getting exposed to COVID-19 when visiting the healthcare setting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Higher Risk
Who is at higher risk for serious illness from COVID-19?
COVID-19 is a new disease and there is limited information regarding risk
factors for severe disease. Based on currently available information and
clinical expertise, older adults and people of any age who have serious
underlying medical conditions might be at higher risk for severe illness
from COVID-19.
Based on what we know now, those at high-risk for severe illness from COVID-19
are:

People aged 65 years and older
People who live in a nursing home or long-term care facility

People of all ages with underlying medical conditions, particularly if not
well controlled, including:

People with chronic lung disease or moderate to severe asthma
People who have serious heart conditions
People who are immunocompromised 
Many conditions can cause a person to be immunocompromised, including cancer treatment, smoking, bone marrow or organ transplantation, immune deficiencies, poorly controlled HIV or AIDS, and prolonged use of corticosteroids and other immune weakening medications


People with severe obesity (body mass index [BMI] ≥40)
People with diabetes
People with chronic kidney disease undergoing dialysis
People with liver disease
Frequently Asked Questions
COVID-19 and Children
Should children wear masks?
CDC recommends that everyone 2 years and older wear a cloth face covering that
covers their nose and mouth when they are out in the community. Cloth face
coverings should NOT be put on babies or children younger than 2 because of
the danger of suffocation. Children younger than 2 years of age are listed as
an exception as well as anyone who has trouble breathing or is unconscious,
incapacitated, or otherwise unable to remove the face covering without
assistance.
Wearing cloth face coverings is a public health measure people should take to
reduce the spread of COVID-19 in addition to (not instead of) social
distancing, frequent hand cleaning ,and other everyday preventive actions. A
cloth face covering is not intended to protect the wearer but may prevent the
spread of virus from the wearer to others. This would be especially important
if someone is infected but does not have symptoms. Medical face masks and N95
respirators are still reserved for healthcare personnel and other first
responders, as recommended by current CDC guidance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Coronavirus Disease 2019 Basics
COVID-19 and Hypertension
Are people with high blood pressure (hypertension) at higher risk from
COVID-19?
At this time, we do not think that people with high blood pressure and no
other underlying health conditions are more likely than others to get severely
ill from COVID-19. Although many people who have gotten severely ill from
COVID-19 have high blood pressure, they are often older or have other medical
conditions like obesity, diabetes, and serious heart conditions that place
them at higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19.
If you have high blood pressure, it’s critically important that you keep your
blood pressure under control to lower your risk for heart disease and strokes.
Take your blood pressure medications as directed, keep a log of your blood
pressure every day if you are able to take your blood pressure at home, and
work with your healthcare team to make sure your blood pressure is well
controlled. Any changes to your medications should be made in consultation
with your healthcare team.
Should I continue to take my blood pressure medication?
Yes. Continue to take your blood pressure medications exactly as prescribed
and make lifestyle modifications agreed upon in your treatment plan. Continue
all your regular medications, including angiotensin-converting enzyme
inhibitors (ACE-Is) or angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs), as prescribed by
your healthcare team. This is recommended by current clinical
guidelines from the American Heart Association, the Heart
Failure Society of America, and the American College of Cardiology
Frequently Asked Questions
COVID-19 and Animals
What about imported animals or animal products?
CDC does not have any evidence to suggest that imported animals or animal
products pose a risk for spreading COVID-19 in the United States. This is a
rapidly evolving situation and information will be updated as it becomes
available. CDC, the U. S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), and the U.S. Fish
and Wildlife Service (FWS) play distinct but complementary roles in regulating
the importation of live animals and animal products into the United States.

CDC regulates animals and animal products that pose a threat to human health,
USDA regulateexternal icon animals and animal products that pose a threat to agriculture; and
FWS regulatesexternal icon importation of endangered species and wildlife that can harm the health and welfare of humans, the interests of agriculture, horticulture, or forestry, and the welfare and survival of wildlife resources.
Frequently Asked Questions
How COVID-19 Spreads
Will warm weather stop the outbreak of COVID-19?
It is not yet known whether weather and temperature affect the spread of
COVID-19. Some other viruses, like those that cause the common cold and flu,
spread more during cold weather months but that does not mean it is impossible
to become sick with these viruses during other months. There is much more to
learn about the transmissibility, severity, and other features associated with
COVID-19 and investigations are ongoing.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to Protect Yourself
Is it okay for me to donate blood?
In healthcare settings across the United States, donated blood is a
lifesaving, essential part of caring for patients. The need for donated blood
is constant, and blood centers are open and in urgent need of donations. CDC
encourages people who are well to continue to donate blood if they are able,
even if they are practicing social distancing because of COVID-19. CDC is
supporting blood centers by providing recommendations that will keep donors
and staff safe. Examples of these recommendations include spacing donor chairs
6 feet apart, thoroughly adhering to environmental cleaning practices, and
encouraging donors to make donation appointments ahead of time.