Lots of schools are closed and people are staying home. In this episode we’ll explain how all of this could help slow the spread of the new coronavirus. We’ll explain some terms you’re probably hearing too, like “social distancing” and “flattening the curve.”

Plus, we talk with a doctor who is on the front lines helping people get better, and two virus podcasters help answer your coronavirus questions like, “How did this virus start?” and “Can our pets get sick too?”

And of course there’s a Mystery Sound and a Moment of Um looking at why our tongues stick to ice.

Please note that this episode was released on March 24, 2020. For the most up-to-date information, please head to trusted sources like the World Health Organization and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

To learn more about how viruses spread, you can listen to our first episode about this new coronavirus: Understanding coronavirus and how germs spread

For more on how our immune system fights viruses, check out our episode: How do flu vaccines work?

For more on how to know which sources of information are trustworthy, you can check out our four-part series Prove It:

Part one: A brief history of facts
Part two: Science under the microscope
Part three: The scoop on journalism
Part four: How to find the facts

Please note that this episode was released on March 24, 2020. For the most up-to-date information, please head to trusted sources like the World Health Organization and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

This episode is sponsored by Perfect Snacks (perfectbar.com/brainson). Brains On is a non-profit public radio podcast. You can support the show at brainson.org/fans

Staying home: How social distancing helps fight coronavirus 33:09

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Staying home: How social distancing helps fight coronavirus