These are the top 10 baby names in your state

1. What should we do if there are coronavirus cases nearby?

Experts advise that the best course of action is to avoid transmitting or spreading the virus by social distancing: Basically, avoid unnecessary travel, stick close to home and limit your time spent in places where large groups of people gather. Currently, health experts are asking Americans to practice social distancing through at least April 30, 2020.

Hearing about canceled events and closures due to social distancing may be stressful, but health experts say this is actually a good thing. As stressful as it is to hear that schools and churches are closing, social distancing is an important weapon in "flattening the curve" of the infection's spread. And the best news is the social distancing measures that have been enacted so far seem to be having an effect on the rate of infections.

For more resources:

• Why social distancing is so important
• Phrases to use to help explain social distancing to kids
• 5 things to know about coronavirus in your community
• 5 steps the CDC recommends to prepare for coronavirus

2. What are the symptoms of coronavirus?

Symptoms of coronavirus include high fever, coughing and difficulty breathing. Unfortunately for parents everywhere, those are also common symptoms of colds and flu. This chart breaks down how the symptoms of coronavirus differ from the symptoms of cold, flu, RSV and seasonal allergies.

3. What can I do to keep my family from getting sick?

While there's no silver bullet that will prevent coronavirus, experts recommend frequent hand-washing, cleaning high-touch surfaces in the house regularly (here's how to clean your house to prevent coronavirus) and paying close attention to hygiene.

There are also some simple actions you can take to help boost your family's immune systems overall, such as getting enough sleep and eating healthful foods. And of course, social distancing is the top method health professionals recommend to prevent yourself—and others—from transmitting the virus.

More resources about how coronavirus impacts children, babies, and moms-to-be:

• Coronavirus in babies and preschoolers
• How the coronavirus pandemic affects fertility treatments
• Everything we know (so far) about giving birth during the COVID-19 pandemic

4. If anyone in my family has symptoms, what should we do?

The CDC advises that you call your doctor or health care provider if you are showing symptoms of coronavirus that include high fever, cough and difficulty breathing.

Unless you recently traveled to an affected area or had direct contact with someone who had a confirmed case of coronavirus, it's still likely to be difficult for you to get tested, even if you are showing symptoms such as a sore throat and fever.

After an earlier rumor that people with suspected cases of COVID-19 should not be taking ibuprofen, the World Health Organization has clarified its position. If you're trying to treat a child's fever the WHO does not oppose the use of either ibuprofen (Children's Advil or Motrin) or acetaminophen (Children's Tylenol).

Other steps to take, as recommended by the CDC:

• Stay home except to get medical care.
• Separate yourself from other people and animals in your home as much as possible.
• Call ahead before visiting your doctor.
• Wear a face mask if you are sick.
• Cover your coughs and sneezes.
• Wash your hands often.
• Avoid sharing personal household items.
• Clean all "high-touch" surfaces every day.
• Monitor your symptoms and call your doctor immediately if your symptoms worsen.

5. Is it okay to take kids out to public places? Can we go to the playground?

Especially if you're living in an area where the number of cases is rapidly rising, experts recommend using an abundance of caution and staying home as much as possible. That means not scheduling any unnecessary social gatherings like birthday parties, sleepovers and play dates. Playgrounds are also not advised right now.

Social distancing for families is hard, but it's so important to take it seriously. Taking kids to ride bikes or play in the park—where it's easy to maintain space between people—is okay, but taking kids to shopping centers, playgrounds and other public places where large numbers of people gather in close contact is discouraged.

More ideas for keeping kids busy during the coronavirus pandemic:

• PE at home: 10 fun activities to get the whole family moving
• 25 board games parents + kids will love playing together
• 25+ outdoor games that will keep kids busy for hours
• 20 indoor boredom busters that don't involve screen time

6. Is it safe to travel with kids?

The answer is changing every day, but experts say that local travel by car is perfectly safe. It may be wisest to postpone family vacations through the summer, though. (And Disneyworld is closed, anyway.)

7. How do I tell my kids about coronavirus?

Talking to your kids about coronavirus is important, whether you're soothing their worries or simply reminding them about the importance of good hand washing. The potential for disruption to daily life is high, but the CDC still says the risk to children is low.

Be calm, meet your child where they are in terms of their interest level in the news and remember that it's okay not to have all the answers.

More resources for talking with kids about coronavirus + social distancing and managing their fears:

• Talking points for answering kids' questions about coronavirus
• 10 phrases to use to help children understand social distancing
• 8 positive ways to give kids the connection and reassurance they need now
• Tactics for reducing anxiety that parents and kids can use together

8. What do pregnant women need to know about coronavirus?

Here's everything we know about giving birth during the coronavirus pandemic so far.

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) has noted precautions that pregnant women and nursing women should take to help limit their exposure to coronavirus and stresses that pregnant women should stay in touch with their care providers to be advised of the most recent protocols.

Here are the current guidelines for pregnant women from ACOG:

• Pregnant people should be treated as an at-risk population.
• Pregnant people should report concerning symptoms immediately: these include fever, cough, and chest tightness or difficulty breathing.
• Providers will be following a detailed algorithm when deciding when to test pregnant people for COVID-19. The primary criteria involve assessing the presence of coronavirus symptoms.
• Regarding travel, pregnant women (like all people) should adhere to the Centers for Disease Control recommendations for specific areas, in addition to consulting with their providers.
• ACOG does not currently recommend that women change their labor + delivery plans in response to the pandemic.
• ACOG also does not endorse that women plan to give birth at home rather than at their hospital, noting that "ACOG believes that the safest place for you to give birth is still a hospital, hospital-based birth center, or accredited freestanding birth center" as opposed to giving birth at home.

If you are diagnosed with COVID-19 while pregnant, you should know that it does not appear that COVID-19 can be transmitted from a pregnant woman to her fetus, according to studies. That said, pregnant women who are diagnosed with COVID-19 will need to take special precautions during pregnancy, labor and delivery. Here are the current guidelines from ACOG for pregnant women who have tested positive:

• Follow advice from the CDC, your OB-GYN and your primary health care provider.
• Stay home except to get medical care. Avoid public transportation.
• Speak with your health care team over the phone before going to their office. Get medical care right away if you feel worse or think it's an emergency.
• Separate yourself from other people in your home.
• Wear a face mask when you are around other people and when you go to get medical care.

12. Can I start IVF during the COVID-19 pandemic?

If you are about to start IVF, you should speak with your reproductive endocrinologist about whether they are starting any IVF cycles at this time, and about the risks of going forward with your cycle. Motherly's education editor and certified nurse midwife Diana Spalding recommends that people consider freezing their embryos and not do a fresh transfer right now—we are still learning a lot about the impacts of coronavirus on pregnancy so delaying conception a bit may decrease the chance of potential risks associated with the infection.

According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), little is known about the impact of COVID-19 on pregnant women and infants, and it is unclear if COVID-19 can cross the placenta. Since pregnant women are at higher risk of complications from similar respiratory infections, pregnant women are considered an "at-risk population" for COVID-19.

The data on coronavirus infections in pregnancy is minimal. Providing care for pregnant women with severe infections will possibly be more difficult and resource-intensive. Some of the drugs that are being considered for treatment may not be usable in pregnant women, for instance.

It may be best to postpone your cycle for multiple reasons, including unknown risks of infection during pregnancy, desire to minimize in-person interactions, and preserving medical resources for urgent COVID-19 patients.

9. When will kids go back to school?

As of this update, school closures have impacted public and private schools and preschools in all 50 states.

It's not clear when schools will reopen, and the timeline for ending school closures depends on where you live. As the impact of the coronavirus pandemic continues to spread across the U.S., extended school closures are looking like an unavoidable reality for most communities.

This is nothing short of a crisis for working parents who depend on public schools to provide a safe learning environment for their children during the day while they're at work, and it reveals a gaping hole in our country's support network for parents.

The good news is, there's almost never been a better time for kids to learn at home, thanks to improvements in educational technology like remote learning platforms and educational apps. And there are hundreds of ways to make the time at home meaningful, thoughtful and educational, whether that's through spending family time together, or through math, art, science, and music projects you can do at home.

Here are resources to bookmark that may be helpful:

• Homeschooling resources for school closures
• Creating a daily schedule for home schooling kids (while also working from home)
• 5 tips for homeschooling a child with special needs, according to a special ed teacher
• 5 expert tips to get the most of online learning resources
• Fun ways to keep kids busy at home

10. What should I do if I can't pay my bills because I'm out of work?

We understand this is a tough time right now, mama, and not everyone is getting paid while they're out of work. The federal government has announced relief payments for people affected by the pandemic and pushed back the tax deadline to July 15, although if you qualify for a refund, you should file earlier. There are a few additional things you can do if you're facing hardship:

1. Call your landlord or the bank that holds your mortgage and discuss your options during a pandemic. Some states are seeking to ban evictions during the pandemic.
2. Contact your credit card company and ask about payment plan options, or if there are any interest deferrals during a time of crisis.
3. If you have student loan payments, interest payments on federal loans have been paused during the pandemic. Speak to your loan provider to see if there are any other resources available.
4. Contact your local diaper bank if you cannot afford more diapers. You can find one close to you here.
5. Here's what to do if you cannot afford baby formula, or if you cannot find baby formula in your area. We're also tracking places where parents can find formula, diapers and wipes.
6. Here's where to find free and low-cost food during the pandemic.
7. Call your representatives in state and municipal government. Some areas are making plans to help those hit by financial hardship during this time.

11. How do I work from home with kids around?

With offices across the country encouraging workers to clock in remotely, and schools closing in district after district, finding a way to work from home with kids is a high priority for a growing number of parents. It's definitely possible—and we've got lots of work from home strategies to help (the entire staff at Motherly works from home—almost all of us with kids—so we're all right there with you, mama).

• I've worked from home for years—here's what keeps me productive
• How to work from home with kids: Experienced parents share tips for all ages from baby to teen
• Okay, but seriously: How do you schedule a day with the kids home from school?