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Passengers wear face masks at Tocumen International Airport in Panama City on Oct. 12.

STR/AFP via Getty Images

Francis Collins, director of the National Institutes of Health, told NPR this week that he's "guardedly optimistic" about the prospects of a coronavirus vaccine being approved by the end of the year.

In the meantime, scientists are still learning new things about the coronavirus.

NPR's Geoff Brumfiel reports on improvements in medical treatment for COVID-19 patients, and NPR's Michaeleen Doucleff explains new research on exposure during air travel.

In participating regions, you'll also hear a local news segment that will help you make sense of what's going on in your community.

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This episode was produced by Brianna Scott, Lee Hale and Brent Baughman. It was edited by Sami Yenigun with help from Wynne Davis and. Additional reporting from Pien Huang and Selena Simmons-Duffin. Our executive producer is Cara Tallo.

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