COVID-19:
Stats, Facts and Related Reading
COVID-19 upended our lives and changed us forever. Whether it was the tragic death of a loved one, or the shutdown of activities that brought us joy, we all lost something. We want this to end, but SARS-CoV-2 continues to take lives. The virus changes quickly and so will science. The information below is updated on a regular basis. I will be glad when the day arrives that I click the final delete on coronavirus topics.

“A new idea is first condemned as ridiculous and then dismissed as trivial, until finally, it becomes what everybody knows.” ~William James
Updated on February 6, 2023
A Note from Chris: As a former public health nurse, infectious diseases, I do my best to present accurate COVID-19 statistics, facts and related topics from sources that I trust, but I urge you to do your own research. Thank you for visiting. Be well.
On this page
COVID-19 | Related Topics
8 Tips for Coping with Constant Media Bad News
COVID-19:
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Disengage from the emotion of the information.
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Check the source.
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Evaluate your own bias.
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Get the full context.
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Do not assume public figures are always right.
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Avoid jumping on the latest COVID-19 study.
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Be wary of COVID-19 information on social media.
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Safeguard your mental health from the negative effects of COVID-19 overload.
What you can do:
(You can use this approach to cope with round-the-clock news coverage of any disturbing event.)
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Minimize watching, reading, or listening to news that causes you to feel anxious or distressed.
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Seek information only from trusted sources, so that you can take practical steps to protect yourself and loved ones.
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Look for updates at specific times, but limit it to once or twice a day.
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Disconnect from the sudden and near-constant stream of news reports.
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Doomscrolling (or doomsurfing) is not helpful. Step away and take a break .
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Remember: The more you click on bad news, the more algorithms feed you bad news. 'Round and 'round you go...
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Explore ways to modify your device habits and improve your mood at HelpGuide.org.
Sources | Learning More
War in Ukraine
Psychology Today: Misinformation and Trauma: How to Watch a War Online
Staying informed while avoiding fake news and unhelpful doomscrolling.
How Images of War in Ukraine Can Trigger PTSD
Five steps to help ease anxiety, especially for veterans and trauma survivors.
MIT: How to avoid sharing bad information about Russia’s invasion of Ukraine
Even well-meaning attempts to participate in the news can play into bad actors’ campaigns.
APA: Talking to kids about the war in Ukraine
Strategies for discussing the conflict in age-appropriate ways with children and teens.
COVID-19 Stats and Facts
Statistics
CDC: COVID-19 Cases and Deaths in the U.S.
Johns Hopkins: Worldwide Coronavirus Maps and Cases
The Basics from Yale Medicine
9 Things Everyone Should Know About the Coronavirus Outbreak
Omicron and its Subvariants: A Guide to What We Know
Omicron, Delta, Alpha, and More: What To Know About the Coronavirus Variants
What Does It Mean To Be ‘Immunocompromised’?
Mpox (formerly Monkeypox): What You Need To Know
General COVID-19 Resources
Johns Hopkins: Coronavirus Health Information
Yale Medicine: COVID-19 (Coronavirus Disease 2019)
Breakthroughs | Endemicity
AMA: What doctors wish patients knew about breakthrough COVID infections
Healthline: Will COVID-19 Become Endemic and What Does That Mean?
The Altlantic: Endemicity Is Meaningless: We have no idea what happens next.
Elder Care
COVID-19 and Nursing Homes: An American Tragedy
10 COVID-19 Questions to Ask a Nursing Home
Good Rx Health: How Does COVID Affect Memory? Exploring the Link Between COVID and Dementia
Mild Cognitive Impairment: It’s Not ‘Normal’ Aging
Long COVID
Johns Hopkins: Long COVID: Long-Term Effects of COVID-19
Mayo Clinic: 5 early care tips for people with long COVID
Healthline: Brain Fog From COVID-19: How Long Does It Last?
Stat News: ‘I want people to see us’: A writer gives voice to long Covid and mothering from bed
KHN: ‘That’s Just Part of Aging’: Long Covid Symptoms Are Often Overlooked in Seniors
Contagion Live: “Long COVID” Caused by Hidden Viral Reservoirs
For most mild infections, long Covid symptoms clear after a year, large study finds
Kids and Long COVID
Yale Medicine: What Happens When Kids Get Long COVID?
Healthline: Children Hospitalized with COVID-19 Can Have Lingering Health Issues Months Later
Long COVID and Mental Health
Verywell Mind: How Long Haul COVID Takes a Toll on Your Mental Health
Psychology Today: The Mystery of Long COVID
Vaccines | Boosters
Contagion Live: Latest Vaccine News
COVID-19 Vaccines
Comparing the COVID-19 Vaccines: How Are They Different?
How Long Will Your Coronavirus Vaccination Last?
Lack of side effects after COVID-19 vaccination doesn't mean it isn't working
Children and Teens
Yale Medicine: COVID-19 Vaccine For Kids Ages 5 to 11: What Parents Need To Know
COVID-19 Vaccines for Kids Under 5: What Parents Need To Know
COVID-19 Boosters
COVID-19 Boosters: The Latest Advice
CDC: Current Booster Eligibility
Omicron Booster
Yale Medicine: The Omicron Booster: Your Questions Answered
Stat News: Two recent studies report good news about updated COVID-19 vaccine performance
Winter Viruses
Yale Medicine: The Flu Is Back: Here's How To Get Through It
Medical experts discuss Tamiflu, distinguishing flu from COVID, and more.
‘Tripledemic:’ What Happens When Flu, RSV, and COVID-19 Cases Collide?
Doctors share tips on how to stay healthy this winter.
Johns Hopkins: What You Need To Know about XBB.1.5, Omicron’s Latest Variant
XBB.1.5 is a reminder that we have the tools to fight off COVID—but we need to use them effectively.
The nickname for XBB 1.5 is Kraken, a mythical sea monster in Scandinavian lore.
Harvard Health: Vaccines against the flu and COVID-19: What you need to know
Web MD: Norovirus (Winter Vomiting Bug): Symptoms, Treatment, Prevention
COVID-19 Treatments
Yale Medicine: COVID-19 Treatments: What We Know So Far
Good Rx Health: The Latest Updates on COVID-19 Treatments and Medications in the Pipeline
9 Things You Need To Know About Molnupiravir, (Lagevrio), Merck's COVID-19 Pill
13 Things To Know About Paxlovid, Pfizer's COVID-19 Pill
CAUTION: Paxlovid can interact with several classes of prescription medications and some over-the-counter herbal supplements like St. John's wort. Be sure to discuss potential serious interactions with your doctor and pharmacist.
Contagion Live: FDA Report: COVID-19 Mutations Render All Monoclonal Antibody Treatments Ineffective
Web MD: FDA Withdraws Authorization for COVID Drug Evusheld
Stat News: Covid convalescent plasma: the ‘little engine that could’
Mayo Clinic: Treating COVID-19 at home: Care tips for you and others
Hopkins Medicine: Covid-19 — Myth Versus Fact
Healthline: Why Catching COVID-19 to ‘Get It Over With’ Is a Terrible Idea
Life After the Pandemic
When does the pandemic end?
Web MD: COVID Emergency Orders Ending: What’s Next?
Overview of how the end of the public health emergency will trigger multiple federal policy changes.
Scientific American: People, Not Science, Decide When a Pandemic Is Over
Is It Time to Stop Talking About COVID?
There may be value in shifting our mindset from "pandemic" to "endemic."
McKinsey: When will the COVID-19 pandemic end?
From pandemic to endemic: Understanding current levels of risk
Harvard Health: Is the COVID-19 pandemic over, or not?
How will we know when it ends — and does it matter?
Web MD: For Millions, the Pandemic Isn’t Over: 'We Are Indeed Stuck'
How have we changed?
Avail Hospital Blog: How the Pandemic Has Changed Us, Permanently
Medical News Today: How has the pandemic changed our behavior
Resilience | Moving Forward
Yale Medicine: How To Be More Resilient: 8 Strategies for Difficult Times
How people promoted their mental health during the pandemic.
Psychology Today: The Dark Side of Resilience
Resilience can be used dismissively, to set unrealistic expectations, or to push others too hard.
Contagion Live: Lessons in Resilience: What HIV Teaches Us About COVID-19
Learning to Live With PTSD and COVID-19
Moving forward in post-pandemic times
Newsworthy
Stat News: Covid-19 overtakes 1918 Spanish flu as deadliest disease in American history
CDC FastStats: COVID-19 is now the third leading cause of death in the US
Johns Hopkins: A Grim Milestone: U.S. Officially Surpasses 1 Million COVID-19 Deaths
US Surpasses 100 Million Reported COVID-19 Cases. True number much higher.
NPR: If you're finding this stage of the pandemic especially confusing, you're not alone
Verywell Health: Why You Might Feel Numb to Pandemic News
Web MD: Haven't Had COVID Yet? Wanna Bet?
Healthline: Is it Luck or Something Else? How Never COVID 'Novids' Have Avoided COVID-19
Grocery Store Shortages
Taste of Home: 10 Items You Might Not Find in Your Grocery Store (And Why)
Consumer Reports: 12 Tactics to Deal With Shortages and Unpredictability at the Grocery Store
Shrinkflation
CNET: What Is Shrinkflation and What Does It Mean for Your Favorite Supermarket Items?
Inflation Blues? Tips to Save Money on Food, Gas and Travel
Grief
Alan Wolfelt, Ph.D. This Pandemic of Grief
Sorrow and tragedy will happen to us all — 3 strategies to help you cope by Lucy Hone
From Psychology Today
Coping with Grief During COVID-19
Disenfranchised Grief: Mourning Events that Never Were
There are so many ways that the pandemic took pieces of our hearts and lives.
Understanding Grief in the Shadow of COVID-19
Five Myths About Grief You May Believe
On this site (Articles by Chris)
COVID-19 and Grief: The Lost Parts of Ourselves
The Difference Between Grief and Depression: How Sad is Sad?
Health | Mental Health
Health
Yale Medicine: How Inflammation Affects Your Health
Psychology Today: 5 Things That May Increase Brain Inflammation
The Nutrition Source: Nutrition and Immunity
Sleep Foundation: Healthy Sleep Habits: Quick Tips for Better Sleep
Mental Health
Seasonal Affective Disorder: How to Cope with 'Winter Blues'
Yale Medicine: How to Meditate: A simple meditation practice could make you healthier.
Psychology Today: Why Is There an Increase in Depression After COVID?
Help Guide: Suicide Prevention: Plenty You Can Do to Help Save a Life
COVID-19 Scam Alerts
FCC: Coronavirus Scams (Communications)
FDA: Fraudulent COVID-19 Products (Food and Drug)
FTC: Avoid Coronavirus Scams (Consumers)
HHS: Fraud Alert: COVID-19 Scams (Health)
Psychological Biases
Verywell Mind: What Is Cognitive Bias?
Psychology Today: Biases Are Neither All Good nor All Bad
Back to Coping with Media Bad News
On the Lighter Side
COVID-19 lyrics to the tune of Billy Joel's The Longest Time
(mp4 video | Click Play and turn up the sound)

Pets | Pet Care | Pet Loss
Great Pet Care: How to Support Pets in Ukraine
American Humane: Pups4Patriots™ and ways to help the veterans and military hero dogs who served
Pets
Mayo Clinic: Can dogs and cats get COVID-19?
Animals Acquired During the Pandemic are Being Relished, Not Returned
Pet Care | Pet Health
Petfinder: Helping Pets: COVID-19 Resources
Adoption, foster care, preparedness, pet stress and other tips
Pet Parenting in Our New Normal
Tips to Help Your Pets Adjust to Life After COVID
Dedicated to the health and well-being of pets and their people.
Vaccinations for Your Pet: The Benefits and Risks
Pet Loss
Help Guide: Coping with Losing a Pet
Pet Loss and COVID-19: Euthanasia
Compassionate advice for anyone facing this difficult time.
On this site (Articles by Chris)
Pet Loss and Anticipatory Grief: Knowing the End Is Near
Making the Decision to Euthanize Your Pet
Grieving the Death of Your Pet
Pet Loss: Grief Takes No Holiday