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Your coronavirus questions answered

Updated June 1, 2020

As a public service, The Inquirer is making this article and other critical public health and safety coverage of the coronavirus available to all readers.

There’s a lot happening — and changing — quickly. And you have a lot of questions about what to do now, and how to stay safe. Our reporters have tracked down answers to your questions, to help us all get through these difficult times.

We’re adding to this FAQ as we answer more of your questions. What do you want to know? Ask us anything.

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Business and daily life

Can I go to church?

What’s considered an essential business or life-sustaining business?

Can I move into a new apartment or house right now?

Are farmers markets open?

Where can I find therapy or mental health support?

Can I get a medical marijuana card right now? How?

Am I allowed to travel right now?

Is it safe to go to my doctor’s office?

Can I go to the dentist?

Can I drive to a county in the green phase to get my haircut?

Are organized sports allowed?

Can I rent at the Shore this summer?

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Family and home

Can a pregnant woman transmit the virus to her baby?

Can my pets get the coronavirus?

How can I make disinfecting wipes?

How should I wash my vegetables?

What do I do if someone in my household is sick?

Can I use my “green” cleaner to disinfect?

Do I still need a two-week emergency food supply?

Is it safe to open my windows?

Can I get my appliances fixed if they break down?

Can I flush disinfecting wipes down the toilet?

Where can I get free food support?

How should I clean and disinfect my home or business?

Can I go to a veterinarian right now if my pet is sick?

Can I get my car fixed right now?

Since I work from home, can I deduct my home office on my taxes?

Are camps open?

Are playdates allowed in the yellow phase?

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Going outside

Are kids safe to play outside? What about at the playground?

Do I have to wash my clothes after I go outside?

Can I go outside?

Can I go into my backyard?

Is it better to wear gloves when outside, or bare hands and use sanitizer?

How often should I use hand sanitizer when I’m outside?

Can I go to the beach?

Is it safe to swim?

Can I golf right now?

Can I go camping?

Can I get the coronavirus from a mosquito?

Can I go for a hike?

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Masks

Should I wear a mask?

How can I make a mask?

How should I clean my face mask?

Will makeup affect how effective my mask is?

Do I have to wear a mask inside my apartment building?

Should my child wear a face mask?

What kind of mask should my child wear?

How can I wear a mask comfortably when it’s hot outside?

How can I wear a mask and not fog up my glasses?

How do you wear a mask properly?

Why do I have bad mask breath?

Should I wear a mask at the beach?

What if I’m wearing a mask and need to drink water?

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Money and stimulus checks

How much stimulus money am I getting?

Do I need to apply to get a stimulus check?

When will I get my stimulus check?

How can I make sure my stimulus check wasn’t misdirected?

How many stimulus checks would there be?

Are the stimulus checks taxable income?

Will I get a stimulus check if I have no income or am on Social Security?

Can I skip my mortgage payments?

I got a stimulus check for someone who died. Do I have to give it back?

Do I have to pay my rent? Can my landlord evict me?

I was charged a late fee on my Comcast bill. Do I have to pay it?

Where can I donate to help other people?

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Protecting myself

Can someone with no symptoms give somebody else coronavirus?

What if I was exposed to someone who was exposed to someone who has COVID-19?

Shouldn’t young people actually get the virus so they become immune?

How can I protect myself?

Can I get the coronavirus from mail or food delivery?

If I run out of hand soap, can I use dish soap? Shampoo? Laundry detergent?

Should I shave my beard to keep from getting the coronavirus?

What’s the proper way to wash my hands?

Do I need to wash my shoes when I come inside?

Should I stop smoking pot to stay safe?

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Reopening

When will we reopen?

Can I see people in the yellow phase?

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Social distancing

How do I convince people to practice social distancing?

Can I hang out with my friends if we stay six feet apart?

If I’ve been exposed, can I run errands?

How do I protect myself at the grocery store or pharmacy?

Why did the city close tennis courts? Isn’t tennis safe?

Can I drop something off for someone else safely?

If we’ve both been self-isolating, is it safe to hang out with my friend?

Do coronavirus ‘wave parades’ violate the stay-at-home order?

Can I expand who’s in my quarantine circle?

Can I have a barbecue with my friends?

How do I know if I’m six feet apart from others?

Should I see people inside or outside?

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Symptoms and treatment

What do I do if I have the symptoms?

How do I treat coronavirus at home?

If I don't have a car, how should I get to a doctor, hospital, or testing site?

How can I get tested?

When should you worry that you really need to see a doctor?

What are the early symptoms of the coronavirus?

How are symptoms of coronavirus different than seasonal allergies?

What’s a pulse oximeter and should I buy one?

How can I donate plasma to help people with the coronavirus?

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Virus facts

Who is most at risk of developing COVID-19?

Is there a vaccine?

How is the coronavirus different from the flu?

Why is it called a coronavirus?

Does sun and heat kill the virus?

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Work and unemployment

What’s the difference between a layoff and a furlough?

Am I less likely to get called back if I got laid off vs. being furloughed?

Am I still eligible for unemployment benefits in Pennsylvania if I got furloughed?

Are there any laws around when an employer can furlough a worker or lay a worker off?

My employer says I have to work during coronavirus. Do I have to?

My employer says I have to come in to work but I don’t feel safe going to work. What can I do?

If I quit or get fired because I refused to work in unsafe conditions, can I apply for unemployment?

My employer is still operating but I don’t think it’s allowed to. What can I do?

My employer has called me back to work. Do I have to go?

I’m worried about my health if I return to work. Do I have to go?

I have been called back to work but I don’t have childcare. Will I lose my unemployment benefits?

I was denied unemployment. What can I do?

Does my employer have to tell me if a coworker tests positive for the coronavirus?

I lost my health insurance when I got laid off during the pandemic. How can I get coverage?

What government programs can help me right now?

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