Summary

  • BBC experts answered your key questions over one day

  • We've received more than 50,000 questions from the public since coronavirus crisis began

  • Get in touch by emailing YourQuestions@bbc.co.uk

  • You can also tweet us using the hashtag #BBCYourQuestions

  1. What will happen to summer exams?published at 12:36 Greenwich Mean Time 19 March 2020

    Question from Hannah Boston who is due to sit exams

    Elaine Dunkley
    BBC Education correspondent

    Stock image of examImage source, Getty Images

    Hannah, there’s a lot of concern and confusion about the issue around exams and assessment.

    It’s not clear what will happen but a range of options are being discussed at the moment. Suggestions include looking at predicted grades, coursework and teacher assessment. Exams could also be delayed until later on in the year.

    The PM says in time the government will ensure that students will get the qualifications they need.

    Understandably students are really stressed about the impact this will have on their future.

  2. If I can’t send my son to nursery am I still expected to pay his fees?published at 12:22 Greenwich Mean Time 19 March 2020

    Question from Jane Whitely about her one-year-old who goes to nursery four days a week

    Elaine Dunkley
    BBC Education correspondent

    Hi Jane, this is tricky. Parents are being told to look at the contracts they have, because usually there is a clause which states in the event of a flood or emergency that you’ll continue to pay.

    The problem with this is we don’t know how long this will go on for. Some parents may want to pay because they don’t want the nursery to close long term. Nurseries still have overheads such as staffing costs etc.

    In these difficult times a lot of parents may struggle with their own job security, rent and mortgages and there is the moral question of whether they should be paying for a service they are not receiving if the nursery is shut.

    The government has said additional funding will be made available, the question is whether it will be enough to take the financial burden away from nurseries and parents.

  3. Does my grandson qualify as a vulnerable pupil?published at 12:00 Greenwich Mean Time 19 March 2020

    Question from Paula Craddock, whose six-year-old grandson has cerebral palsy

    Elaine Dunkley
    BBC Education correspondent

    This is an issue which will vary from pupil to pupil.

    Vulnerable children includes those with education, health and care plans (EHCP), those on free school meals, those with special needs, and those who – frankly – you would worry about leaving in their homes for days and weeks on end.

    It’s going to be somewhat messy to define who this group is in black and white terms, but at this early stage is probably going to be the staff at school identifying those pupils and communicating with their parents.

  4. Keep getting in touch!published at 11:51 Greenwich Mean Time 19 March 2020

    Thanks for your questions! So far our experts have covered everything from keeping safe to protecting your income.

    Right now we are looking at your questions about money, with our personal finance correspondent, but we will be turning to education soon.

    Our BBC correspondents will be bringing you answers all day across television, radio and here online. If you have questions:

    Your questions answered graphic

    You can click here to get the latest news updates from around the world about the pandemic on our other live coverage.

  5. Loan and credit card repayment break?published at 11:41 Greenwich Mean Time 19 March 2020

    Question via Twitter

    Simon Gompertz
    Personal finance correspondent

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    Yes they are. But different banks have different policies. For instance, RBS, Lloyds and TSB will give you a holiday from personal loan repayments if you are affected by the virus.

    Beware, though, you will still have to make up the missed payments later. Many providers will let you increase the limit on what you can borrow on the credit card, but be careful of getting into too much debt!

    Nationwide is removing interest charges on credit cards and overdrafts. Lloyds says it won’t charge fees for missed credit card and loan repayments.

    So it varies and customers will need to check.

  6. Financial support for self-employed?published at 11:23 Greenwich Mean Time 19 March 2020

    Question from Richard Halleron, Belfast

    Simon Gompertz
    Personal finance correspondent

    Thanks for your question Richard.

    The Chancellor has directed self-employed people who are affected by the virus towards claiming benefits.

    The most important one is Universal Credit, which starts at £317 a month if you are 25 or over. He has made it easier for claims to get through by removing the requirement to have been earning a minimum income before claiming.

    The other option, for those who are ill or have a disability, is to put in a claim for Employment and Support Allowance.

  7. What support for freelance workers?published at 11:07 Greenwich Mean Time 19 March 2020

    Question from Alison Yeung

    Simon Gompertz
    Personal finance correspondent

    Freelance workers are in a tricky position because they cannot claim statutory sick pay like an employee.

    They have to fall back on the benefits system or the hardship funds dispensed by local authorities.

    Some charities, such as Turn2Us, external, have funds for serious cases as well.

  8. Advice for supply teachers?published at 10:54 Greenwich Mean Time 19 March 2020

    Question from Andrew Gillard, Derby

    Simon Gompertz
    Personal finance correspondent

    A lot of supply teachers say it's very hard to claim statutory sick pay. So you're not the only one to get in touch, worried about how they can support their family.

    It is complicated by the fact that some supply teachers work directly for a school and others for an agency.

    Agency workers can qualify statutory sick pay, according to the government. But it might take longer to become eligible, you might not get the same as other teachers and you may only be entitled to it until the assignment ends.

    If you can't work you may need to think about applying for Universal Credit, which includes extra elements for rent and children being cared for in the family.

  9. I own a salon - should I still be seeing customers?published at 10:36 Greenwich Mean Time 19 March 2020

    BBC Radio 5 Live

    BBC Radio 5 Live is taking questions from listeners all day.

    Alison owns a salon in Stroud and called unsure about what she should do. Many of her clients are older and she says the phone is ringing constantly.

    Get in touch with your questions - text 85058, @BBC5Live, external

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    You can listen live on BBC Sounds.

  10. Can I see my grandchildren on Mother's Day?published at 10:20 Greenwich Mean Time 19 March 2020

    Question from Jo who has asthma and has been self-isolating with a cold

    Fergus Walsh
    Medical correspondent

    I hate to be a Grinch here but with all the things you've said Jo it sounds like your Mother's Day should be separate from your grandkids.

    In terms of what you can do, you fall into the group who are strongly advised to avoid social contact.

    This very question about Mother's Day was put to the government's chief scientific adviser and he said don't do it. Sunday lunch is off.

  11. Our experts are here to helppublished at 10:04 Greenwich Mean Time 19 March 2020

    BBC correspondents are answering your questions across radio, television and online all day.

    We've had lots of health questions, which the BBC's Medical Correspondent Fergus Walsh has been helping with, but we are also getting questions about the impact on your finances and businesses too.

    To get in contact:

    BBC Your Questions Answered logo
  12. Can kids stay with parents they don't live with?published at 09:51 Greenwich Mean Time 19 March 2020

    Question from Paul in Bolton

    Fergus Walsh
    Medical correspondent

    It's really difficult what you're facing - having to make a choice about whether to see children you don't live with.

    The advice is we should all avoid what they call unnecessary social contact. But we all have to do that within the prism of common sense.

    Our families are the most precious thing we have and we want to keep them safe.

    Your daughter has asthma. Children with asthma - regular asthma as opposed to something really serious which requires hospitalisation - are not in the really high risk groups. Although there's an elevated risk, unless their asthma is brittle and very hard to control, then if nobody's been asked to self isolate you can carry on.

    You just have to try as much as you can as a family to cut down the number of unnecessary social contacts. Your family has to carry on living and seeing each other.

  13. Can I take my kids outside?published at 09:32 Greenwich Mean Time 19 March 2020

    Question from Jo

    Fergus Walsh
    Medical correspondent

    You're absolutely allowed to take them outside. You just can't take them to the swings in the park or places where there are more likely to be other people around.

    Even if you're self-isolating at home you can get out and about and take the dog for a walk or go for a run.

    You're just being asked not to get up close and personal with other people.

  14. I live with my granddaughter, how do I isolate?published at 09:16 Greenwich Mean Time 19 March 2020

    Question from Keith

    Fergus Walsh
    Medical correspondent

    I answered Keith's question on BBC Breakfast earlier this morning.

    He lives with his 11-year-old granddaughter and wanted to know what he should be doing in terms of isolation now his granddaughter will be home with him full time.

    She won't be mixing with her friends at school since the schools have been closed, so there will be less chance of her getting it.

    If you're living with your granddaughter anyway you've got to carry on. The advice is to cut down on social contact that is not absolutely necessary.

  15. Why are people not wearing masks?published at 08:54 Greenwich Mean Time 19 March 2020

    Question from Hazel in Hosham

    Fergus Walsh
    Medical correspondent

    The sort of thin, paper masks you see people wearing is not very effective at preventing you getting infected.

    They get moist very quickly and so need frequent changing. They may encourage people not to touch their face, but of course they don’t protect your eyes.

    There are good at preventing people from passing on infection if they are coughing and sneezing but anyone with symptoms should now be thinking about staying at home and not spreading germs.

    Media caption,

    Coronavirus: Do face masks actually work?

    There are more effective face masks with finer mesh filtration but they tend to be uncomfortable to wear.

    The British Lung Foundation says it does not recommend using a face mask as there isn't enough evidence to show how effective they are.

    The key measure to prevent yourself getting infected is good hand hygiene - it may sound simple but regular hand-washing with soap and water for 20 seconds is key.

  16. What do you want to know?published at 08:42 Greenwich Mean Time 19 March 2020

    We're here to answer your questions on coronavirus. So what do you want to know?

    Right now we're focusing on health, but BBC correspondents with expertise in a whole host of different areas are on hand to help. So whatever you want to know, get in touch and we'll do our best to give you the answer.

    BBC Your Questions Answered
  17. How long are you ill for?published at 08:31 Greenwich Mean Time 19 March 2020

    Question from Nita in Maidstone

    Fergus Walsh
    Medical correspondent

    For four out of five people Covid-19 will be a mild disease, a bit like flu.

    Symptoms include a fever and dry cough. You may feel grotty for a few days but you should be back to normal within a week or so of symptoms appearing.

    Lots of people may not even know that they are infected - we are unsure about this but it would be very positive news if that is the case because it would build up the level of so-called herd immunity in society.

    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 and about one in twenty critical care - such things as a ventilator and oxygen.

    In China, those who got most sick were in hospital for around three weeks. While many died, the vast majority of those who fall ill will recover, even if they are elderly or have underlying health conditions.

  18. How long does the virus stay active on surfaces?published at 07:58 Greenwich Mean Time 19 March 2020

    Question from Martin in Manchester

    Fergus Walsh
    Medical correspondent

    It varies a lot on the type of surface. On hard surfaces - like door handles, lift buttons, kitchen worktops, it is probably around 48 hours, although some previous research on coronaviruses has found they can survive for perhaps a week in the right conditions.

    On soft surfaces like clothes it will survive far less long, so if you have a coat that has virus on and you don’t wear it for a day or two the virus shouldn’t be active any more.

    Remember, simply touching an infected surface will not give you Covid-19.

    You have to then pass the virus to your mouth, nose or eyes so that’s why we need to stop touching our faces when out and about.

  19. Is it safe to swim in a public pool?published at 07:36 Greenwich Mean Time 19 March 2020

    Question from Annette in Chester, UK

    The water in most swimming pools contains chlorine, a chemical which can kill viruses. So it should, technically, be safe to use a swimming pool as long as it is properly chlorinated.

    But many countries, including the UK, are now recommending people avoid public places where possible. You could still catch the virus from an infected person in a changing-room or building if they contaminate surfaces, such as door handles.

    Someone with the virus could also spread it to others through coughs and sneezes if they come into close contact.

    There are a number of ways you can avoid catching or spreading the virus.

  20. If you recover from coronavirus are you immune?published at 07:14 Greenwich Mean Time 19 March 2020

    Question from RubyRed on Twitter

    Fergus Walsh
    Medical correspondent

    Well, 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. There have been some reports from China of people who are released from hospital subsequently testing positive but we're not sure about those tests.