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Coronavirus: Ten of your most-asked questions answered Coronavirus: Can divorced parents still see their kids? And other questions
(about 2 hours later)
The UK government has introduced strict new measures to try and slow the spread of coronavirus. But what does the virus mean for your health? And what are the chances of you catching it? The UK government has introduced strict new measures to try and slow the spread of coronavirus. But what are you still allowed to do? And what does the virus mean for your health?
Here are the answers to ten of the most common readers' questions. Here are the answers to some of the most common readers' questions.
Can divorced parents keep seeing their kids even if they live in different houses? - Safia Finlay, Lymington
Yes. The government guidance on staying at home says, "Where parents do not live in the same household, children under 18 can be moved between their parents' homes."
Cabinet Minister Michael Gove has also tweeted a message in answer to claims that advice had not been clear enough.
He said that while children should not normally be moving between households, it may be necessary in these circumstances.
How do you MOT a vehicle if the garage is closed? - W. Burgher, Christchurch
Garages are allowed to remain open under the new restrictions. MOTs have been suspended for lorries, buses and trailers for up to three months, and MOT testing for cars, motorcycles and light vans is under review.
The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) has also suspended driving and motorcycle tests in England, Scotland and Wales for up to three months from 21 March 2020, except for critical workers.
All practical driving tests are also currently suspended in Northern Ireland until 22 June 2020.
If you recover from coronavirus, are you immune? - RubyRed on Twitter.If you recover from coronavirus, are you immune? - RubyRed on Twitter.
It is too soon to tell. This virus has only been around since the end of December, but from experience with other viruses and coronaviruses, you should have antibodies to the virus which will protect you.It is too soon to tell. This virus has only been around since the end of December, but from experience with other viruses and coronaviruses, you should have antibodies to the virus which will protect you.
With Sars and other coronaviruses we tended not to see reinfection. Now there are some reports from China of people who are released from hospital subsequently testing positive.With Sars and other coronaviruses we tended not to see reinfection. Now there are some reports from China of people who are released from hospital subsequently testing positive.
The key thing was that those people were no longer infectious.The key thing was that those people were no longer infectious.
What is the incubation period for the coronavirus? - Gillian GibsWhat is the incubation period for the coronavirus? - Gillian Gibs
It takes five days on average to start showing the symptoms, scientists have said, but some people will get symptoms much later than this.It takes five days on average to start showing the symptoms, scientists have said, but some people will get symptoms much later than this.
The incubation period lasts up to 14 days, the World Health Organization (WHO) says. But some researchers say it may be up to 24 days.The incubation period lasts up to 14 days, the World Health Organization (WHO) says. But some researchers say it may be up to 24 days.
Knowing and understanding the incubation period is very important. It allows doctors and health authorities to introduce more effective ways of controlling the spread of the virus.Knowing and understanding the incubation period is very important. It allows doctors and health authorities to introduce more effective ways of controlling the spread of the virus.
How long are you ill for? - Nita, MaidstoneHow long are you ill for? - Nita, Maidstone
For four out of five people Covid-19 will be a mild disease, a bit like flu.For four out of five people Covid-19 will be a mild disease, a bit like flu.
Symptoms include a fever and a dry cough. You may feel under the weather for a few days but you should be back to normal within a week or so of symptoms appearing.Symptoms include a fever and a dry cough. You may feel under the weather for a few days but you should be back to normal within a week or so of symptoms appearing.
If the virus gets well established in the lungs, it can cause breathing difficulties and pneumonia. About one in seven people may need hospital treatment.If the virus gets well established in the lungs, it can cause breathing difficulties and pneumonia. About one in seven people may need hospital treatment.
How dangerous is coronavirus for people who have asthma? - Lesley-Anne, Falkirk
The government says some people with severe asthma could be "extremely vulnerable" to the virus. That's because when people with asthma get respiratory infections, such as coronavirus, it can set off their asthma symptoms.
More than a million people most at risk of needing hospital treatment if they catch coronavirus - including some people with severe asthma - have now been asked to stay at home for at least 12 weeks. They should have received a letter from the NHS.
If you think you are extremely vulnerable but have not had a letter or been contacted by your doctor, you should discuss your concerns with your GP or hospital clinician.
Asthma UK's advice is to keep taking your preventer inhaler (usually brown) daily, as prescribed. This will help cut your risk of an asthma attack being triggered by any respiratory virus, including coronavirus.
Carry your blue reliever inhaler with you every day, in case you feel your asthma symptoms flaring up. If your asthma is getting worse and there is a risk you might have coronavirus, contact the online NHS 111 coronavirus service.
Are otherwise healthy disabled people more at risk from coronavirus? - Abigail Ireland, StockportAre otherwise healthy disabled people more at risk from coronavirus? - Abigail Ireland, Stockport
Coronavirus can be more severe in older people and those with pre-existing conditions. These include heart and lung illnesses, and diabetes.Coronavirus can be more severe in older people and those with pre-existing conditions. These include heart and lung illnesses, and diabetes.
There is no evidence that disabled people who are otherwise healthy - and who don't, for instance, have respiratory problems - are at greater risk of dying from, or with, coronavirus.There is no evidence that disabled people who are otherwise healthy - and who don't, for instance, have respiratory problems - are at greater risk of dying from, or with, coronavirus.
Should I wear a mask to protect myself and others from the virus? - Ann Hardman, Radcliffe, ManchesterShould I wear a mask to protect myself and others from the virus? - Ann Hardman, Radcliffe, Manchester
Although doctors and surgeons often wear face masks, there is little evidence that wearing face masks by the public makes a difference.Although doctors and surgeons often wear face masks, there is little evidence that wearing face masks by the public makes a difference.
Public Health England has said they "do not recommend the use of face masks as a means of protection from coronavirus". They say there is very little evidence of widespread benefit from their use, outside of clinical settings,Public Health England has said they "do not recommend the use of face masks as a means of protection from coronavirus". They say there is very little evidence of widespread benefit from their use, outside of clinical settings,
Can you catch the virus from food prepared by an infected individual? - Sean McIntyre, Brisbane, AustraliaCan you catch the virus from food prepared by an infected individual? - Sean McIntyre, Brisbane, Australia
Someone infected with coronavirus could potentially pass it on to someone else, if the food they prepare has not been handled hygienically. Coronavirus can be spread by cough droplets on hands. Washing your hands before touching and eating food is good advice for anyone, to stop the spread of germs.Someone infected with coronavirus could potentially pass it on to someone else, if the food they prepare has not been handled hygienically. Coronavirus can be spread by cough droplets on hands. Washing your hands before touching and eating food is good advice for anyone, to stop the spread of germs.
Can coronavirus be transmitted by door handles, other surfaces and money? - Jean Jimenez, PanamaCan coronavirus be transmitted by door handles, other surfaces and money? - Jean Jimenez, Panama
If someone infected with the virus coughs on their hand and then touches something, that surface may become contaminated. Door handles are a good example of a surface that might pose a risk.If someone infected with the virus coughs on their hand and then touches something, that surface may become contaminated. Door handles are a good example of a surface that might pose a risk.
It's not yet known how long the new coronavirus might be able to live on such surfaces. Experts suspect it is hours rather than days, but there are differences of opinion.It's not yet known how long the new coronavirus might be able to live on such surfaces. Experts suspect it is hours rather than days, but there are differences of opinion.
It is best to wash your hands regularly to help reduce the risk of infection and the spread of the virus.It is best to wash your hands regularly to help reduce the risk of infection and the spread of the virus.
The Chinese government has said that cash received by all banks must be sterilised before being released to customers, in order to reduce the spread of the disease.The Chinese government has said that cash received by all banks must be sterilised before being released to customers, in order to reduce the spread of the disease.
Using contactless cards can minimise the risk of handling cash. However, these cards can also harbour germs and viruses.Using contactless cards can minimise the risk of handling cash. However, these cards can also harbour germs and viruses.
Best practice is to wash your hands thoroughly after handling cards, coins or banknotes.Best practice is to wash your hands thoroughly after handling cards, coins or banknotes.
Can the coronavirus be transferred through items posted to the UK from abroad? - StefanCan the coronavirus be transferred through items posted to the UK from abroad? - Stefan
There is no evidence that this is a risk. Some diseases, including coronavirus, can spread through surfaces contaminated by people coughing or sneezing on them, but it is thought that the virus does not survive for long.There is no evidence that this is a risk. Some diseases, including coronavirus, can spread through surfaces contaminated by people coughing or sneezing on them, but it is thought that the virus does not survive for long.
Something sent in the post is unlikely to be contaminated by the time it arrives at its destination.Something sent in the post is unlikely to be contaminated by the time it arrives at its destination.
How do you get gas and electricity if you are on a prepayment meter and can't get to a Post Office to top it up? - David E P Dennis, via TwitterHow do you get gas and electricity if you are on a prepayment meter and can't get to a Post Office to top it up? - David E P Dennis, via Twitter
The energy companies have promised to help you if you have a prepayment meter. So you may be able to authorise a friend to top up your energy card for you.The energy companies have promised to help you if you have a prepayment meter. So you may be able to authorise a friend to top up your energy card for you.
You could also ask your supplier to send you a card by post, which is already topped up. The government says that if it's urgent, the supplier should be able to add credit directly to your account.You could also ask your supplier to send you a card by post, which is already topped up. The government says that if it's urgent, the supplier should be able to add credit directly to your account.
You need to ring the company and talk it through. The new scheme has only just been announced so we will have to see how well it works. You should be able to top-up online as well.You need to ring the company and talk it through. The new scheme has only just been announced so we will have to see how well it works. You should be able to top-up online as well.
What questions do you have about the coronavirus?What questions do you have about the coronavirus?
In some cases, your question will be published, displaying your name, age and location as you provide it, unless you state otherwise. Your contact details will never be published. Please ensure you have read our terms & conditions and privacy policy.In some cases, your question will be published, displaying your name, age and location as you provide it, unless you state otherwise. Your contact details will never be published. Please ensure you have read our terms & conditions and privacy policy.
Use this form to ask your question:Use this form to ask your question: