Coronavirus & COVID-19 Updates - Consumer Reports

Here, CR keeps you up to date on the coronavirus pandemic and shares advice on how to keep yourself and your family safe from COVID-19, covering: Health • Home & Home Maintenance • Personal Finance & Scams • Tech & Privacy • Food & Cooking • Cars & Car Care • Exercising at Home • and More

Last updated: September 1, 2022

In the Spotlight

Your Questions About the Coronavirus Vaccine and Children, Answered

How to Clear Up Brain Fog

Your Questions About COVID-19 Booster Shots, Answered

Your Questions About COVID-19 Breakthrough Infections, Answered

HEALTH

How to Get Free At-Home COVID Tests

How Much Should It Cost to Get Tested for COVID-19?

Your Questions About Home COVID-19 Tests, Answered

How to Get Proof of Your Negative COVID-19 Test

Is It COVID-19 or Allergies?

Your Health

HEALTH

CDC Says Most Americans Don't Need to Wear Masks

When the Ringing in Your Ears Won't Stop

What to Expect When You Get Vaccinated Against COVID-19

A Consumer's Guide to Getting Tested for the Coronavirus

Face Masks and Hearing Loss: 6 Tips to Help Make Communication Easier

Your Most Pressing Questions About Masks, Answered by CR's Chief Scientist

HEALTH

The Hand-Washing Technique That Keeps You Healthy

Your Questions on Coronavirus, Answered

HEALTH

How to Protect Yourself From Coronavirus

What to Know About Fever and COVID-19

How to Handle Fever, Cough, and Body Aches If You Have Mild COVID-19

HEALTH

What to Do If You Think You Have Coronavirus Symptoms

HEALTH

Coronavirus FAQ: What You Need to Know About COVID-19

Your Guide to Getting Medical Care Now

3 Misconceptions About the Flu Shot and COVID-19

FDA and CDC Recommend Pausing Use of J&J Vaccine While Investigating 6 Cases of Rare Blood Clots

5 Ways to Upgrade Your Mask in 2021

The Safest Way to Get Your Health Screenings During COVID-19

People With Lingering Coronavirus Symptoms Are Turning to Post-COVID-19 Clinics

When Symptoms Hang On Too Long

Why Diabetes + COVID-19 Is So Dangerous

Gloves, Face Shields, Masks: Which Protective Gear You Really Need During the Pandemic

Should You Be Taking Vitamin D?

How to Choose and Wear a Mask During the Coronavirus Pandemic

How to Color Your Hair at Home

6 Ways to Stay Safe at the Beach During the Pandemic

Deadline Nears for Those Who Lost Health Insurance During the Pandemic

How to Get Free or Discounted Prescription Drugs During the Coronavirus Crisis

New Hand Sanitizers Packaged in Beverage Bottles Could Pose Health Risks

How to Get Physical Therapy in the Middle of a Pandemic

The Truth About Off-Label Prescribing and Coronavirus

How to Get a House Call in the Time of COVID-19

How to Handle Minor Injuries During the Coronavirus Pandemic

How to Ease Stress During the Coronavirus Pandemic

How to Pay for Coronavirus Tests and Treatments

Your COVID-19 Health Toolkit

What It's Like to Recover From COVID-19

How to Get Your Kids Back on Track With Medical and Dental Care

Why People Get Colds in Quarantine

Why Some People Are Getting COVID-19 Again

Your Questions About the Coronavirus Vaccine in Children, Answered

U.S. Health Officials Recommend COVID-19 Booster Shots for All Americans

Your Questions About COVID-19 Breakthrough Infections, Answered

Life Lessons From the Pandemic

Yes, You Need to Use a Better Mask

When the Ringing in Your Ears Won't Stop

Your Questions About Home COVID-19 Tests, Answered

How to Protect Your COVID-19 Vaccination Card, and Where to Use It

What You Can Do Now That You're Vaccinated Against COVID-19

Black and Hispanic Americans Twice As Likely As Whites to Say Schools Should Remain Closed, CR Survey Finds

Addressing COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy Among Black Americans

You Could Be Required to Get Vaccinated Against COVID-19

Your Questions About a Coronavirus Vaccine, Answered

Take These Steps If You're Renting a Vacation Home During the Pandemic

How to Cut Your Own Hair During the Pandemic

Consumers Tried 6 Home Hair Dye Brands. Here's What They Thought.

Many People Avoided Hospitals During the Pandemic. The Effect Was Dire.

Getting Treated for a Medical Problem That's Not Coronavirus

Understanding Pneumonia, a Dangerous Coronavirus Complication

How to Find Affordable Mental Teletherapy Now

Preparing to Give Birth During the Pandemic

People Concerned About COVID-19 Are Using Pulse Oximeters to Measure Oxygen Levels. These Are the Pros and Cons.

Vaccinated People Can Now Go Maskless, Even Indoors and in Crowds

Judge Scolds FDA for Letting Purell Make Claims Other Hand Sanitizers Can't

Doctors on the Front Lines Are Testing New Therapies to Treat COVID-19

Protect Yourself If You're at High Risk for Coronavirus

Healthy Habits We've Learned From COVID-19

Beware Dietary Supplements Marketed Online

Fears of Legionella in Drinking Water Grow Amid Pandemic

Get the Best Eye Care During COVID-19

CR Survey: Most Americans Not Ready to Ditch Masks

CDC Now Says Vaccinated People Sometimes Still Need Masks

Pfizer's COVID-19 Vaccine Gets Full Approval From the FDA

A Guide to Respiratory Viruses in Children

How to Prove You're Vaccinated for COVID-19

You Can Skip a Mask Outside if You're Vaccinated (Unless You're in a Crowd)

New Standards Will Help You Choose an Effective COVID-19 Face Mask

COVID-19 Vaccine Answers Start to Arrive, but Americans Still Have Concerns

Understanding the Different Kinds of Coronavirus Tests

How You Will Know If a Coronavirus Vaccine Is Safe and Effective

How the Coronavirus Can Affect the Heart

Stay Safe From the Coronavirus at the Dentist

You Touch Public Surfaces All Day. Here's How to Stay Safe From Coronavirus.

Guide to Going Out Safely During the Pandemic

Keeping Up With Routine Pediatric Care During the Pandemic

A Consumer's Guide to Coronavirus Antibody Tests

How to Navigate a School Reopening

What Socializing, Going to Work and School Might Look Like as States Reopen Amid the Pandemic

People Are Aching for More Social Contact. Here's How to Minimize the Risk.

What to Expect If You End Up in the ER During the Pandemic

What to Know Now About Masks and Coronavirus

Should You Take Zinc for a Cold or COVID-19?

When Someone in Your Household Has COVID-19

Pharmacies Make It Easier, Cheaper to Get Prescriptions Delivered During Pandemic

7 Coronavirus Protection Strategies for Seniors

The Safe Way to Donate Blood During the Coronavirus Pandemic

Your Questions About Omicron, Answered

The Risks of COVID-19 If You Have Heart Disease

Going Back to Work While COVID-19 Is Still Spreading

Considering a Quarantine Pod for 2021

Living the New Normal

People With a Weaker Immune System Should Get COVID-19 Booster, FDA Says

Your Questions About COVID-19 Booster Shots, Answered

How Government Data Is Being Misused to Question COVID-19 Vaccine Safety

How to Clear Up Brain Fog

Home & Home Maintenance

These Common Household Products Can Destroy the Novel Coronavirus

How to Revise Your Emergency Plan Amid the Coronavirus Pandemic

How to Prevent the Spread of COVID-19 While Doing Laundry

APPLIANCES

Best and Worst Air Purifiers of 2020

HOME & GARDEN

What You Need to Know About Air Purifiers and the Coronavirus

Can a Steam Mop Kill Germs?

Should You Put a Freezer in the Garage?

Why It Makes Sense to Get a Generator Now

When Freezers Are Sold Out, Consider a Second Refrigerator

APPLIANCES

Best Robotic Vacuums of 2020

APPLIANCES

Best Air Fryers of 2020

Cleaning After COVID-19: What to Do if Someone at Home Has Had the Coronavirus

As Home Defense Sales Rise, So Do Calls for Safe Gun Storage

Prevent Home Injuries to Kids During the Coronavirus Pandemic

How to Handle a Home Service Call During the Coronavirus Pandemic

Chores to Get Done If You're Stuck at Home

How to Keep Your Indoor Air Clean

Set Up Your Front Door to Auto-Unlock and Open Hands-Free

How Coke and Pepsi Make Millions From Bottling Tap Water, as Residents Face Shutoffs

What to Do If Your Appliance Breaks During the Coronavirus Pandemic

12 Filters You Should Be Changing at Home

Best Air Filters for Your Central AC or Furnace

COVID-19: What You Might Need If You're Quarantined at Home

Want a New Wood Deck During the Pandemic? It Helps to Be Flexible.

'Backyard' Oasis: Ways to Create a Better Space No Matter Where You Live

Keep Your Utility Bills From Skyrocketing During the Coronavirus Pandemic

How to Set Up a Home Workstation to Avoid Muscle Strain, Headaches, and Sore Eyes

How to Cope at Home With Kids During the Coronavirus Outbreak

Personal Finance & Scams

Don't Fall for a COVID-19 Vaccine Scam

COVID-19 Relief Law Makes FSAs Even More Flexible

How 'Free' Coronavirus Testing Has Become the New Surprise Medical Bill

If You Need Mortgage Relief, Time May Be Running Out

How to Avoid COVID-19 Schemes

MONEY

Advice on Getting Your Canceled Flights Refunded, From People Who Did It

How to Protect Your Credit Score During the Coronavirus Pandemic

ELECTRONICS & COMPUTERS

If You're Asked to Sign a COVID-19 Waiver, Use This Road Map to Help With Your Decision

The Many Ways to Make Contactless Payments

How Mortgage Relief Is Supposed to Work

Protect Yourself From Credit Card Fraud During the Pandemic

How to Avoid Coronavirus Phishing Scams

Hunger Crisis: 1 in 5 Americans Turning to Food Banks

Coronavirus Financial Aid Bill: What's in It for Consumers

Tell Consumer Reports If You've Seen a Product With a Bogus Coronavirus Claim

Money Moves to Survive a Coronavirus Recession

Why You May Face Lower Credit Card Borrowing Limits

How to Shop Online Safely During the Pandemic

What to Do When Your Bank Is Slow to Fix Credit Card Problems

How to Get More College Financial Aid During the Coronavirus Crisis

How to Get Help With Your Mortgage During the Coronavirus Pandemic

Stock Market Volatility: 3 Moves to Keep Your Investments on Track

How to Make an Online Will

Your Guide to Getting Cash During the Pandemic

Beware of Products Touting False Coronavirus Claims

Proposed Law Would Guarantee Refunds for Air Travel Canceled by the Pandemic

How to Help Your Community During the Coronavirus Crisis

What to Do If You're Having Trouble Paying Bills

How the Pandemic Has Changed the Way Americans Shop for Pet Supplies

Tech & Privacy

Struggling to Afford Internet Service? The Emergency Broadband Benefit Program May Help.

Pharmacies Ask for Lots of Info to Book a COVID-19 Vaccine. What Happens to That Data?

COVID-19 Apps Could Slow the Pandemic. Here's Why They Still Haven't Been Released.

Medical Privacy Gets Complicated as Doctors Turn to Video Chats

How to Sanitize Your Smartphone

How to Sanitize Your Remote Controls

How to Video-Chat Between an iPhone and an Android Smartphone

Optimize Your WiFi Network for Working at Home

How to Boost Your Router Security

Best Cheap Laptops and Tablets

ELECTRONICS & COMPUTERS

Best Laptops of 2020

What to Look for in a Cheap All-in-One Printer

How to Prevent Zoombombing

Cisco Clarifies Privacy Policy for Webex Videoconferencing

Zoom Tightens Privacy Policy, Says No User Videos Are Analyzed for Ads

Facebook Approved Ads With Coronavirus Misinformation

Working From Home Because of COVID-19? These Tech Ideas Can Make It Easier

Best Chromebooks Under $300

Apple, Google Could Alert You to Coronavirus Exposure

Libraries and Schools Are Bridging the Digital Divide During the Coronavirus Pandemic

Facebook Will Remove COVID-19 Vaccine Misinformation

How to Turn an Old Laptop Into a Chromebook With CloudReady

How Consumer Data Is Being Used to Track the Coronavirus

It's Not Just Zoom. Google Meet, Microsoft Teams, and Webex Have Privacy Issues, Too.

How to Stay Safe From Cybercrime When Working at Home During the Outbreak

ISPs Raise Speeds and Suspend Data Caps in Response to the Coronavirus Pandemic

Best Video Game Subscription and Streaming Services

Tech Firms Bet Apps Can Help Trace Coronavirus Cases. But the Apps Face an Uphill Climb.

Coronavirus Robocall Scams Spotlight Need for Better Consumer Protections

New Privacy Bills Aim to Protect Health Data During the Pandemic

Choosing a VPN for Added Internet Security

Zoom Calls Aren't as Private as You May Think. Here's What You Should Know.

Coronavirus Researchers: 'We Don't Need to Spy on Everyone to Track the Pandemic'

Internet Safety for Kids: How to Protect Your Child From Online Danger

Tracking Everyone With Coronavirus Is a Huge Task. These Systems Could Help.

Food & Cooking

How to Protect Yourself From Coronavirus When Grocery Shopping

DoorDash, Grubhub, Postmates, and Uber Eats: How Food Delivery Services Perform

How to Save Time and Money Food Shopping

Answers to Common Questions About Coronavirus and the Food You Eat

Tips and Tricks for Getting Groceries During the Coronavirus Pandemic

HEALTH

6 Healthy Eating Tips While You're Cooped Up at Home

How to Extend Food Expiration Dates

HEALTH

How to Cook From Your Pantry

How to Brew the Perfect Cup of Coffee

Amid Meat Supply Disruptions, Consumers Have Options

Grocery and Meal-Kit Delivery Services Seeing Surge in Demand Due to Coronavirus

Make an Easy, Healthy, Mix-and-Match Soup

How to Eat Healthier at 17 Restaurant Chains

What's the Best Way to Store Coffee Beans?

Consumers Look Beyond Grocery Stores to 'Camping' Meals and Farms for Food

8 Healthy Eating Strategies to Try Right Now

7 Ways to Keep Leftovers Tasty and Safe

Protein Alternatives Can Help You Cope With the Meat Shortage

Cars & Car Care

Now May Be the Right Time to Buy a New Car

You May Want to Hold Off on Buying a Used Car

CARS

Now May Be the Right Time to Buy an Electric or Hybrid Car

CARS

What You Should Expect as You Return to Auto Repair Shops

How to Kill Coronavirus in Your Car Without Damaging Interior Surfaces

CARS

How to Protect Yourself Against Coronavirus When Pumping Gas

CARS

How to Safely Work on Your Car at Home

CARS

How to Keep the Gas Fresh and Protect Your Car During the Coronavirus Pandemic

CARS

Car Care and Maintenance During the Coronavirus Pandemic

Car Insurers Are Giving Customers Breaks Due to Coronavirus. We Got the Details for You.

New Car Incentives Offered for Healthcare Workers During the Pandemic

Ford Bronco and Mustang Mach-E, Chevrolet Corvette Debuts Delayed by Pandemic

Coronavirus Is Pushing Car Dealerships Into Online Sales and Home Delivery

How to Prepare for a Flat Tire in the Age of Social Distancing

How to Stay Safe From Coronavirus in an Uber, Lyft, or Rental Car

What to Do If Your Car Has a Recall During the Coronavirus Pandemic

How to Buy a Car From Home and Spend Less Time at the Dealership

Talking Cars 248: Pumping Gas in the Age of Coronavirus

How to Safely Transport Your Newborn Baby by Car During the Pandemic

How to Safely Clean Coronavirus From Your Child's Car Seat

How to Prepare for a Road Trip During the Pandemic

Some Automakers Are Offering Car Lease Extensions Amid Coronavirus Pandemic

What to Do If You Can't Make Auto Loan or Lease Payments

New Cars With the Biggest Savings Off MSRP Right Now

Talking Cars 247: Your Favorite Automotive Podcast Goes Remote

Exercising at Home

Best Equipment for a Home Gym

How to Exercise at Home During the Coronavirus

CARS

Bike Riding Safety During the Coronavirus Pandemic

HEALTH

Your Binge-Watch Workout Plan

HEALTH

Is the Peloton Tread Really Worth $4,300?

HEALTH

Best Treadmills From CR's Tests

How to Use Your Heart Rate to Help You Work Out

Important Bike Maintenance Tips During the Coronavirus Pandemic

Staying Safe at the Gym During the Coronavirus Outbreak

The Benefits of Running vs. Walking

More on the Coronavirus Pandemic

CR Survey: The COVID-19 Crisis Has Changed How Americans Live

Your Guide to Voting During the Pandemic

'I Literally Am in Tears Typing This . . .' Tales From the Coronavirus Crisis

Americans Were Underprepared for Coronavirus Impact, Consumer Reports' Survey Finds

A Small Hand Sanitizer Maker Says an FDA Action Could Force It to Close

You Can Vote Safely in Person Despite Coronavirus. Here's How.

How to Fly Safely During the Pandemic

Millions in U.S. at Risk of Water Shutoffs Amid Layoffs Triggered by Pandemic

How to Stay Safe From Coronavirus While on Planes, Trains, and Buses

How the Spread of Coronavirus Could Affect Your Travel Plans

What to Do About Your Relatives in Long-Term Care During the Coronavirus Pandemic

Your COVID-19 Travel Toolkit

Why Did It Take a Pandemic for the FDA to Crack Down on a Bogus Bleach 'Miracle' Cure'?

Giving Tuesday Now: A Global Day of Unity and Giving

The New Norm: Socializing at a Distance During the Coronavirus Outbreak

Avoid Coronavirus While Riding a Rented Bike or Electric Scooter