A lot has changed since SARS-CoV-2 (the virus responsible for COVID-19) appeared on the world stage four years ago. In 2020 the novel coronavirus infected and upended the daily lives of millions of people, but today life has mostly returned to normal: Restrictions have been lifted, people are a lot less cautious, and the etiquette rules around keeping yourself and others healthy aren’t so clear-cut. So if you’re confused about the current state of COVID-19 and how to reduce your risk, here’s a guide with everything you need to know — from variant- and case-tracking to the most up-to-date public health recommendations on masking, vaccines, testing and more.
What COVID variant is dominant right now? Are cases currently increasing or decreasing? When do I need to wear a mask? Are mask mandates coming back? Are at-home tests free? How accurate are at-home tests? Can I use an expired test? Who should get boosted? Are vaccines free? Can you get COVID and flu shots at the same time? Do vaccine cards matter?