Lots of folks on Twitter say that swabbing your throat in addition to your nose may be a better way of using your COVID-19 testing kit to detect the omicron variant. Is this true? If you've used a do-it-yourself COVID-19 home test in the U.S. — the "antigen" rapid tests that promise results in 15 minutes or so — you know the drill.

Millions of people are testing positive with COVID-19 in the U.S. each week and the FDA warns that most Americans will get the virus at some point. With growing evidence that the omicron variant likely causes milder disease, some people may be thinking: Why not encourage omicron to infect us so we can enjoy life again?

For entire generations of Minnesota kids, the morning following a snowstorm was a time when the radio took center stage. In the ’70s and ’80s, pajama-clad youths cozied up by their parents’ kitchen radio and waited with bated breath as WCCO 830’s Roger Erickson dutifully read through the list of school closings and delayed starts.

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." See an archive of our FAQs here. When I'm reading about the new omicron variant, I feel like I need a medical degree.

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." See an archive of our FAQs here. After I got my initial COVID-19 vaccine, my head hurt and my muscles ached.

Historically, the North Star State has been one of the most welcoming states for refugees, and we’re stronger for it today. As we begin to welcome our new Afghan friends and neighbors, we reflect on exactly what the contributions of refugees have meant to the region so far.

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." See an archive of our FAQs here. My kids are so over seeing Santa Claus through Zoom.

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." See an archive of our FAQs here. My turn for a booster is coming up!

At this point in the pandemic, most parents are familiar with “covid notification” letters. But the letters’ instruction on whether your kid must quarantine or not varies wildly from school to school. In Minneapolis, students exposed to covid-19 at school are supposed to quarantine for 10 days. In the suburban Anoka-Hennepin school district, a single exposure does not trigger contact tracing or quarantining.

In other words, news you’d be hard-pressed to find anywhere else. “Without [the paper], there is no news in a small town,” says Reed Anfinson, who writes most of the stories for the Swift County Monitor-News—one of three community papers he owns and publishes. “We’re absolutely essential to an informed electorate.

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." See an archive of our FAQs here. We've heard that colds and the flu could be more prevalent this year because they didn't spread much last year when we were all masked up and staying away from people.

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." See an archive of our FAQs here. I'm hearing of more and more activities that will require proof of vaccination: eating out, going to a concert, flying internationally — and likely at some point domestically in the U.S.

As high school and college athletes across Minnesota head back to locker rooms, some will be doing so with a fresh confidence that they belong there. The Minnesota State High School League, the International Olympic Committee, and the NCAA have had policies that allow athletes to play on the team consistent with their gender identity for years.

Since the beginning of COVID-19, I have heard two numbers associated with reducing the risk of catching the virus from someone else. Six feet – that's how far we were told to stay from others. And 15 minutes – that's said to be a cutoff for close contact. But the delta variant is more contagious. So shouldn't it be – I dunno – zero feet and 15 seconds? Seriously, what's the recommendation now?

Peripheral artery disease, cancer, erectile dysfunction—just a few problems the Minnesota State Fair could help solve thanks to some enterprising researchers from the U of M. Here’s how.

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." See an archive of our FAQs here. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is now recommending face coverings for vaccinated people in certain situations.