Stories by Tanya Lewis

From a human-made virus to vaccine conspiracy theories, we rounded up the most persistent false claims about the pandemic

The decline seen in some studies is normal, experts say. But scientists must wait to see whether infection confers long-term protection

Large crowds, tear gas and jail cells could contribute to transmission of the virus. But it would not be easy to separate that danger from the risks of states reopening businesses and workplaces

The results of a trial that found dexamethasone reduced the risk of death in extremely ill coronavirus patients have yet to be published, but some doctors are already embracing them

Researchers found COVID-19 infection produces a strong T cell response. Here’s why they say that is good news

The virus that causes COVID-19 can persist in aerosol form, some studies suggest. But the potential for transmission depends on many factors, including infectiousness, dose and ventilation

Amyloid, the leading target for dementia therapy, faces skepticism after drug failures

A new device could ultimately increase the number of usable livers for transplants and could perhaps preserve other types of organs

LabCorp’s Pixel kits rely on self-swabbing and mailing samples, and they have yet to be scaled up for widespread use

Glucose metabolism plays a key role in the cytokine storm seen in influenza, and the link could have potential implications for novel coronavirus infections

Numerous contenders—from a controversial malaria medication to treatments that regulate the immune system—are now in clinical trials

Johns Hopkins health security expert Tom Inglesby discusses the need for widespread testing, protective equipment and face coverings

By adjusting for population, researchers have identified rural areas in several states that could be disproportionally affected by COVID-19

Though few studies have investigated the connection specifically, cigarette smoke and vaping aerosol are linked to lung inflammation and lowered immune function

The drug remdesivir is effective against many other viruses, and some experts are optimistic that it—or similar compounds—may work for the pathogen responsible for COVID-19

Health security expert Caitlin Rivers talks about what schools, businesses and individuals can do to minimize the impact

Whenever there’s a new outbreak, scientists rush to calculate a number called R₀, or R-naught

Whenever there’s a new outbreak, scientists rush to calculate a number called R₀, or R-naught. Why? It’s been a critical part of the scientific effort to understand just how transmissible the new virus is. Here’s how.

Editor’s Note (2/11/20): The video in this story has been revised after posting. It originally incorrectly referred to SARS as “sudden acute respiratory syndrome.” The full name is “severe acute respiratory syndrome.”

The country has shut down all travel to and from Wuhan and nearby cities in an attempt to curb the spread of a new virus

Federal disease agency director Anthony Fauci discusses the novel pathogen that has, so far, sickened hundreds in Asia and one person in the U.S.

Dozens of compounds approved for other purposes can kill cancer cells selectively

The first research center of its kind in the country is bringing renewed rigor to the investigation of the drugs’ therapeutic uses

The pathogen has been newly identified in eight cases of encephalitis in Germany over the past 20 years

Scientists engineered the bacterium to produce psilocybin