Since early-2020 we’ve been sharing research and expert commentary on all things COVID-19. From modelling 3D replicas of the virus’ structure to behavioural research advice and tips to making it through lockdown. As we start to embrace a new lifestyle of living with COVID-19, now is the chance to reflect and see just how closely you’ve been paying attention.
Think you’ve managed to stay across the research and avoid the online misinformation minefield?
Let’s get started.
Take the COVID-19 quiz:
Results
Need to brush up on the latest research? Take a look at our COVID-19 blogs: https://blog.csiro.au/tag/covid-19/.
#1. Do you still need a vaccine if you have already had COVID-19?
Antibody responses after COVID-19 infection are highly variable. Some people’s immune systems do not mount a great response to the virus on their own. This often opens the door to more variants and repeated infection cycles in the population. More: https://blog.csiro.au/how-do-vaccines-work/.
#2. Are both the Pfizer and AstraZeneca vaccines effective against the Delta variant?
A peer-reviewed study in The New England Journal of Medicine showed that after two doses: Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine is 85.3 to 90.1% effective against symptomatic disease caused by Delta. Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine is 61.3 to 71.8% effective against symptomatic disease caused by Delta. More: https://blog.csiro.au/vaccines-effective-delta-variant/.
#3. What is the best way to protect yourself against COVID-19?
Vaccines are the best tool we have to protect our own health, and that of our friends, families and communities. More: https://blog.csiro.au/how-do-vaccines-work/.
#4. COVID-19 disease affects which body parts?
At first, it was thought that SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, was a disease of the airways and lungs. That could then lead to life-threatening respiratory symptoms. As the pandemic progressed, it became clear that the virus can affect multiple organs. This includes neural and cardiac tissues, sometimes causing widespread and permanent damage. More: https://blog.csiro.au/covid-19-treatments/.
#5. Which virus causes the COVID-19 disease?
SARS-CoV-2 is part of the coronavirus superfamily, like SARS and MERS. Coronavirinae (the scientific name for coronavirus) are a subfamily of these viruses. More: https://blog.csiro.au/coronavirus-characteristics/.
#6. How do viruses mutate?
Mutation happens when a virus replicates or makes copies of itself. Its genes undergo random ‘copying errors’, which we refer to as genetic mutations. More: https://blog.csiro.au/covid-19-faq/.
#7. How were the COVID-19 vaccines able to be developed so quickly?
The global research community worked together to streamline the vaccine production process and accelerate the pipeline of work. More: https://www.csiro.au/en/showcase/covid-19-vaccine.
#8. What are some things behavioural scientists suggest to do in lockdown?
The main things we can do to protect our wellbeing during times of uncertainty is to take steps towards controlling what we can control. Maintaining a regular routine, staying active, and avoiding too much alcohol will help to protect our physical and mental health including sleep quality. More: https://blog.csiro.au/lockdown-tips/.
#9. Can people with COVID-19 who don’t show symptoms still shed the virus signal in their faeces?
People infected with COVID-19 shed SARS-CoV-2 in their faeces even if they don’t show symptoms, like a fever or cough. More: https://blog.csiro.au/dr-warish-ahmed-wastewater-testing/.
#10. What type of temperature does the virus survive longer in?
In late 2020 our researchers found that at 40°C the virus was inactivated much faster. More: https://blog.csiro.au/covid19-virus-surfaces/.
3 comments
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23rd March 2022 at 8:03 am
Interesting info. Heading for the sunshine.
28th November 2021 at 7:45 pm
That was new information for me, too – that the virus survives longer in cool weather. I’m heading to Darwin!
19th November 2021 at 5:25 pm
Interesting quiz, I was surprised to see the virus survives longer in cooler temps