COVID-19 Basics

COVID-19, an illness caused by SARS-CoV-2, can spread easily from person to person. Current federal guidelines recommend that you wash your hands often, avoid close contact, cover your nose and mouth with a mask when indoors or around large groups of people, and get a COVID-19 vaccine when it’s available to you.

If you have symptoms of COVID-19, get tested and be sure to call your health care provider for medical advice.

Did You Know...

illustration of three masked people

COVID-19 variants like Delta, Gamma, and Lambda develop when SARS-CoV-2, the COVID-19 virus, spreads from person to person and makes copies of itself.
 

illustration of a person having their nose swabbed for a COVID-19 test

COVID-19 tests and vaccines are free to anyone who needs them through a federal program.


 

illustration of a medical professional examining a young child sitting on his mother's lap

Anyone, including children, can spread SARS-CoV-2, even when they have only mild symptoms or no symptoms at all — and especially if they have not received a COVID-19 vaccine.

Resources

You can make a big impact in the fight against COVID-19 by sharing factual and trustworthy information in your community and networks. Copy the links or download the resources below to help spread accurate information.
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Fact Sheet

6 Questions (and Answers) About COVID-19 Variants

  • Source: NIH Community Engagement Alliance (CEAL)
  • File Info: PDF (282KB)
Also available in Spanish
Hoja informativa

Seis preguntas (y respuestas) sobre las variantes de COVID-19

  • Source: NIH Community Engagement Alliance (CEAL)
  • File Info: PDF (210KB)
Toolkit

Adapting Fact-Based Information to the Needs of Communities: A Guide

  • Source: NIH CEAL Communication Work Group
  • File Info: PDF (696KB)
Also available in Spanish
Kit de herramientas

Adaptar la información basada en hechos a las necesidades de las comunidades

  • Source: NIH CEAL Communication Work Group
  • File Info: PDF (5.85MB)
Hoja informativa

Cómo lidiar con información errónea acerca de COVID-19

  • Source: NIH CEAL Communication Work Group
  • File Info: (906KB)
Video

Ask a Pediatrician: COVID-19 and Heart Inflammation

  • Source: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
  • File Info: (1:05)
Video

Ask a Pediatrician: the Delta Variant

  • Source: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
  • File Info: (1:07)
Fact Sheet

Community Benefits of COVID-19 Research: An Overview for Community Members

  • Source: NIH CEAL Inclusive Participation Working Group
  • File Info: PDF (160KB)
Also available in Spanish
Hoja informativa

Beneficios para la comunidad de la investigación de COVID-19

  • Source: NIH CEAL Inclusive Participation Working Group
  • File Info: PDF (415KB)

Social Media Messages

Copy and use these social media messages to encourage the spread of accurate information about COVID-19.

COVID-19 clinical trials will help us find safe and effective ways to treat and prevent COVID-19. Share information about safety protections and providing informed consent with your community: https://go.usa.gov/xfShb

Can immune supplements help protect against #COVID19? Will a future vaccine be safe? How can the medical community build trust with African Americans? @TiffanyHaddish has questions. Watch her discussion with Dr. Anthony Fauci: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_FZXfgT_IRg&feature=youtu.be 

Social Media Images

To download an image and save the file to your computer, click on the link for the social media platform you’d like to use.

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