Can I wear a Face Shield by itself?
Masks Staying Safe
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: NOT RECOMMENDED. As more businesses open up, we’re aware of reports of employees wearing ONLY Face Shields/Visors for protection (for example many hairdressers in the UK). This approach is NOT recommended. While face shields provide some additional protection to the wearer, especially for the eyes, they should be used as a complement to face Read more…
Dear Pandemic talks to authors of recent PNAS opinion about parenting and women in science in a pandemic
Families/Kids Uncategorized
Dear Pandemic Nerdy Girls Dr. Malia Jones and Dr. Amanda Simanek chat with a collaboration of academic women who recently authored an opinion piece about women, parenting, academia and the sciences in heavy-hitting journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Our guests are Drs. Breanna Harris, Kristy Lewis, Jessica Mallish, Pimtiwitt McCarthy, Shanen Sheer, Read more…
Parenting and Women in Science
Families/Kids Videos
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Dear Pandemic Nerdy Girls Dr. Malia Jones and Dr. Amanda Simanek chat with a collaboration of academic women who recently authored an opinion piece about women, parenting, academia and the sciences in heavy-hitting journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Our guests are Drs. Breanna Harris, Kristy Lewis, Jessica Mallish, Pimtiwitt McCarthy, Shanen Sheer, Read more…
Ugh, what’s the deal with this new study from South Korea about kids transmitting COVID-19?
Families/Kids Infection and Spread Reopening
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
Does this mean going back to school is more dangerous than we thought? A: As you’ve noticed by now, headlines are often more sensational than the underlying facts. This is a large, solidly conducted study but doesn’t move the needle on what we already know: younger children seem less likely to contract and spread SARS-CoV-2, Read more…
Dang it’s hot. Is it unsafe to spend time in places with air conditioning?
Socializing Staying Safe
Lauren Hale, PhD MA
A. It’s all about air flow! Most air conditioner systems primarily recirculate indoor air without introducing that much air from the outside. Unfortunately, if viral particles are already inside the air-conditioned space, the particles continue to be recirculated, potentially infecting others. One of the early case studies about air conditioning investigated an air-conditioned windowless restaurant Read more…
Are there evidence-based tips for dealing with the uncertain state of ……everything?!
Mental Health Uncertainty and Misinformation
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
A: Our brains are wired to despise uncertainty. Cognitive scientists advise a COMPLY – CONSOLIDATE – CONSULT strategy to help cope. Context: During a pandemic – and this current one is clearly on brand – uncertainty reigns. As Drs. Geeta Menon and Ellie Kyung articulate in a recent Harvard Business Review article, it’s natural to Read more…
Is sex dead??
Mental Health
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: With the extra household duties, the zoom fatigue, the existential anxieties, the sadness all around us….it is no wonder that many of us may not be feeling remotely in the mood for sex. Whether you are partnered or not, COVID-19 can be an extremely isolating & lonely time. First of all, we know that Read more…
Tengo tantas preguntas sobre el coronavirus. ¿Dónde puedo encontrar las respuestas más precisas?
Posts en Español
Tita Smyth Escobedo, PM-IT
R. Ha sido muy difícil encontrar información bien fundamentada. Lo bueno es que PBS ha publicado una guía de todo lo que se sabe sobre el coronavirus por parte de científicos, médicos, y expertos en salud publica (en español o ingles) hasta el 13 de Julio 2020. Es importante tener en cuenta la fecha de Read more…
Should K-12 schools reopen in the fall, and if so, how?
Reopening School
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
** Updated on 7/18/2020 to clarify that our position is that community outbreak control is a pre-req for safe school reopening plans. Schools can only reopen safely IF there is already good community control of the outbreak in place. ** A: If we want schools to reopen for in-person instruction, here is what is needed: Read more…
How do we know who to trust?
Uncertainty and Misinformation
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
We really couldn’t have said it better… thanks Dr. Fauci! You can trust us. We love facts. Link to original FB post.
How do we know who to trust?
Uncertainty and Misinformation Videos
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Malia Jones as Dr. Fauci We really couldn’t have said it better… thanks, Dr. Fauci! You can trust us. We love facts. Link to original FB post
What is the real death toll due to COVID-19? Are we OVER or UNDER counting deaths? Wouldn’t a lot of these people have died anyway?
Data and Metrics Data Literacy
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: The death toll has been HIGH (specifics below), -We are likely UNDER counting deaths due to COVID-19. -While some deaths attributed to COVID-19 would have occurred during this period anyway, we can calculate “EXCESS MORTALITY” – the number of deaths above and beyond those that would have been expected based on previous years. Deaths Read more…
What is the timeline from exposure to viral shedding to symptoms? When do people stop being contagious? When can I get out of quarantine? When is a PCR test accurate?
Infection and Spread Testing and Contact Tracing
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
For today’s #ThrowbackThursday, we revisit a post from May 4th about the timeline of infection. A: This timeline, which we adapted from several sources, visualizes the incubation period and infectious period (also called contagious period), along with the timeline for seeing symptoms, timing for a reliable PCR test, and the typical timeline to hospitalization and Read more…
Do you have any other tips to help kids get used to wearing masks?
Masks Staying Safe
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: We get it, many of us have young children and are actively working on mask use with them as well! We previously posted some useful ideas for encouraging kids to wear masks and a video for kids by the fabulous Nerdy Girl, Dr. Aparna Kumar, explaining how and why they should wear them and we Read more…
Will a gaiter protect me from coronavirus?
Masks Staying Safe
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: Let’s discuss. The gaiters we are referring to are facial coverings that go around your neck and extend from above your nose down your neck. They are commonly used to protect against the sun, inhalation of dust, or during very cold outdoor activities like fishing, hiking, and skiing. Gaiters, to our knowledge, were not Read more…
Do masks work?
Infection and Spread Masks Staying Safe
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: Signs point to YES! As we’ve been heard to say, “absence of evidence is not evidence of absence.” While our gold standard randomized controlled trials are not very practical for testing the efficacy of masks during a pandemic (how would YOU like to be in that placebo group?!), accumulating evidence from different types of Read more…
With so much talk about schools and reopening, what factors are important to consider when weighing risks/benefits of doing so?
Families/Kids Reopening School Staying Safe
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
As nerdy girls, parents, and educators, we want so much to have clarity around school reopening. But, we just don’t yet know everything we need to know (and may not in 6 weeks!). So our best offering to you, our dear followers, is to share our ideas about how to assess the issue. We hope Read more…
I’m still confused about the “Is the virus airborne?” debate. Practical take-aways, please.
Infection and Spread Staying Safe
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
A: Individuals: Avoid poorly ventilated, crowded indoor spaces to the extent possible. Building owners/tenants: Beef up air filtration, especially in older buildings. Background: A very loud squabble emerged last week around the classification of SARS-CoV-2 in the scientific taxonomy. Nerdy Girl Alison wrote a wonderful post walking through the science discussing what an “airborne” classification Read more…
When should I get tested?
Infection and Spread Testing and Contact Tracing
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Introducing Nerdy Guest Ajay Sethi, PhD, MHS. Dr. Sethi is a leading infectious disease epidemiologist at UW-Madison’s School of Medicine and Public Health. (@AjayKSethi on Twitter!) ____________________________________________ Q: When should I get tested? When I’m sick? When I have specific symptoms? When I’m sick and not getting better after several days? When a family member Read more…
What is pool testing?
Testing and Contact Tracing
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
A: In simple terms, pool testing (also referred to as “group testing” or “batch testing”) combines many tests into one sample. The benefit is that it can facilitate an increase in testing capabilities as well as result in cost/resource savings (when supplies are low). This is not a new strategy to test individuals for infectious Read more…
A: NOT RECOMMENDED. As more businesses open up, we’re aware of reports of employees wearing ONLY Face Shields/Visors for protection (for example many hairdressers in the UK). This approach is NOT recommended. While face shields provide some additional protection to the wearer, especially for the eyes, they should be used as a complement to face Read more…
Dear Pandemic talks to authors of recent PNAS opinion about parenting and women in science in a pandemic
Families/Kids UncategorizedDear Pandemic Nerdy Girls Dr. Malia Jones and Dr. Amanda Simanek chat with a collaboration of academic women who recently authored an opinion piece about women, parenting, academia and the sciences in heavy-hitting journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Our guests are Drs. Breanna Harris, Kristy Lewis, Jessica Mallish, Pimtiwitt McCarthy, Shanen Sheer, Read more…
Parenting and Women in Science
Families/Kids VideosMalia Jones, PhD MPH
Dear Pandemic Nerdy Girls Dr. Malia Jones and Dr. Amanda Simanek chat with a collaboration of academic women who recently authored an opinion piece about women, parenting, academia and the sciences in heavy-hitting journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Our guests are Drs. Breanna Harris, Kristy Lewis, Jessica Mallish, Pimtiwitt McCarthy, Shanen Sheer, Read more…
Ugh, what’s the deal with this new study from South Korea about kids transmitting COVID-19?
Families/Kids Infection and Spread Reopening
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
Does this mean going back to school is more dangerous than we thought? A: As you’ve noticed by now, headlines are often more sensational than the underlying facts. This is a large, solidly conducted study but doesn’t move the needle on what we already know: younger children seem less likely to contract and spread SARS-CoV-2, Read more…
Dang it’s hot. Is it unsafe to spend time in places with air conditioning?
Socializing Staying Safe
Lauren Hale, PhD MA
A. It’s all about air flow! Most air conditioner systems primarily recirculate indoor air without introducing that much air from the outside. Unfortunately, if viral particles are already inside the air-conditioned space, the particles continue to be recirculated, potentially infecting others. One of the early case studies about air conditioning investigated an air-conditioned windowless restaurant Read more…
Are there evidence-based tips for dealing with the uncertain state of ……everything?!
Mental Health Uncertainty and Misinformation
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
A: Our brains are wired to despise uncertainty. Cognitive scientists advise a COMPLY – CONSOLIDATE – CONSULT strategy to help cope. Context: During a pandemic – and this current one is clearly on brand – uncertainty reigns. As Drs. Geeta Menon and Ellie Kyung articulate in a recent Harvard Business Review article, it’s natural to Read more…
Is sex dead??
Mental Health
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: With the extra household duties, the zoom fatigue, the existential anxieties, the sadness all around us….it is no wonder that many of us may not be feeling remotely in the mood for sex. Whether you are partnered or not, COVID-19 can be an extremely isolating & lonely time. First of all, we know that Read more…
Tengo tantas preguntas sobre el coronavirus. ¿Dónde puedo encontrar las respuestas más precisas?
Posts en Español
Tita Smyth Escobedo, PM-IT
R. Ha sido muy difícil encontrar información bien fundamentada. Lo bueno es que PBS ha publicado una guía de todo lo que se sabe sobre el coronavirus por parte de científicos, médicos, y expertos en salud publica (en español o ingles) hasta el 13 de Julio 2020. Es importante tener en cuenta la fecha de Read more…
Should K-12 schools reopen in the fall, and if so, how?
Reopening School
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
** Updated on 7/18/2020 to clarify that our position is that community outbreak control is a pre-req for safe school reopening plans. Schools can only reopen safely IF there is already good community control of the outbreak in place. ** A: If we want schools to reopen for in-person instruction, here is what is needed: Read more…
How do we know who to trust?
Uncertainty and Misinformation
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
We really couldn’t have said it better… thanks Dr. Fauci! You can trust us. We love facts. Link to original FB post.
How do we know who to trust?
Uncertainty and Misinformation Videos
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Malia Jones as Dr. Fauci We really couldn’t have said it better… thanks, Dr. Fauci! You can trust us. We love facts. Link to original FB post
What is the real death toll due to COVID-19? Are we OVER or UNDER counting deaths? Wouldn’t a lot of these people have died anyway?
Data and Metrics Data Literacy
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: The death toll has been HIGH (specifics below), -We are likely UNDER counting deaths due to COVID-19. -While some deaths attributed to COVID-19 would have occurred during this period anyway, we can calculate “EXCESS MORTALITY” – the number of deaths above and beyond those that would have been expected based on previous years. Deaths Read more…
What is the timeline from exposure to viral shedding to symptoms? When do people stop being contagious? When can I get out of quarantine? When is a PCR test accurate?
Infection and Spread Testing and Contact Tracing
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
For today’s #ThrowbackThursday, we revisit a post from May 4th about the timeline of infection. A: This timeline, which we adapted from several sources, visualizes the incubation period and infectious period (also called contagious period), along with the timeline for seeing symptoms, timing for a reliable PCR test, and the typical timeline to hospitalization and Read more…
Do you have any other tips to help kids get used to wearing masks?
Masks Staying Safe
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: We get it, many of us have young children and are actively working on mask use with them as well! We previously posted some useful ideas for encouraging kids to wear masks and a video for kids by the fabulous Nerdy Girl, Dr. Aparna Kumar, explaining how and why they should wear them and we Read more…
Will a gaiter protect me from coronavirus?
Masks Staying Safe
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: Let’s discuss. The gaiters we are referring to are facial coverings that go around your neck and extend from above your nose down your neck. They are commonly used to protect against the sun, inhalation of dust, or during very cold outdoor activities like fishing, hiking, and skiing. Gaiters, to our knowledge, were not Read more…
Do masks work?
Infection and Spread Masks Staying Safe
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: Signs point to YES! As we’ve been heard to say, “absence of evidence is not evidence of absence.” While our gold standard randomized controlled trials are not very practical for testing the efficacy of masks during a pandemic (how would YOU like to be in that placebo group?!), accumulating evidence from different types of Read more…
With so much talk about schools and reopening, what factors are important to consider when weighing risks/benefits of doing so?
Families/Kids Reopening School Staying Safe
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
As nerdy girls, parents, and educators, we want so much to have clarity around school reopening. But, we just don’t yet know everything we need to know (and may not in 6 weeks!). So our best offering to you, our dear followers, is to share our ideas about how to assess the issue. We hope Read more…
I’m still confused about the “Is the virus airborne?” debate. Practical take-aways, please.
Infection and Spread Staying Safe
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
A: Individuals: Avoid poorly ventilated, crowded indoor spaces to the extent possible. Building owners/tenants: Beef up air filtration, especially in older buildings. Background: A very loud squabble emerged last week around the classification of SARS-CoV-2 in the scientific taxonomy. Nerdy Girl Alison wrote a wonderful post walking through the science discussing what an “airborne” classification Read more…
When should I get tested?
Infection and Spread Testing and Contact Tracing
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Introducing Nerdy Guest Ajay Sethi, PhD, MHS. Dr. Sethi is a leading infectious disease epidemiologist at UW-Madison’s School of Medicine and Public Health. (@AjayKSethi on Twitter!) ____________________________________________ Q: When should I get tested? When I’m sick? When I have specific symptoms? When I’m sick and not getting better after several days? When a family member Read more…
What is pool testing?
Testing and Contact Tracing
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
A: In simple terms, pool testing (also referred to as “group testing” or “batch testing”) combines many tests into one sample. The benefit is that it can facilitate an increase in testing capabilities as well as result in cost/resource savings (when supplies are low). This is not a new strategy to test individuals for infectious Read more…
Dear Pandemic Nerdy Girls Dr. Malia Jones and Dr. Amanda Simanek chat with a collaboration of academic women who recently authored an opinion piece about women, parenting, academia and the sciences in heavy-hitting journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Our guests are Drs. Breanna Harris, Kristy Lewis, Jessica Mallish, Pimtiwitt McCarthy, Shanen Sheer, Read more…
Ugh, what’s the deal with this new study from South Korea about kids transmitting COVID-19?
Families/Kids Infection and Spread ReopeningJennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
Does this mean going back to school is more dangerous than we thought? A: As you’ve noticed by now, headlines are often more sensational than the underlying facts. This is a large, solidly conducted study but doesn’t move the needle on what we already know: younger children seem less likely to contract and spread SARS-CoV-2, Read more…
Dang it’s hot. Is it unsafe to spend time in places with air conditioning?
Socializing Staying Safe
Lauren Hale, PhD MA
A. It’s all about air flow! Most air conditioner systems primarily recirculate indoor air without introducing that much air from the outside. Unfortunately, if viral particles are already inside the air-conditioned space, the particles continue to be recirculated, potentially infecting others. One of the early case studies about air conditioning investigated an air-conditioned windowless restaurant Read more…
Are there evidence-based tips for dealing with the uncertain state of ……everything?!
Mental Health Uncertainty and Misinformation
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
A: Our brains are wired to despise uncertainty. Cognitive scientists advise a COMPLY – CONSOLIDATE – CONSULT strategy to help cope. Context: During a pandemic – and this current one is clearly on brand – uncertainty reigns. As Drs. Geeta Menon and Ellie Kyung articulate in a recent Harvard Business Review article, it’s natural to Read more…
Is sex dead??
Mental Health
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: With the extra household duties, the zoom fatigue, the existential anxieties, the sadness all around us….it is no wonder that many of us may not be feeling remotely in the mood for sex. Whether you are partnered or not, COVID-19 can be an extremely isolating & lonely time. First of all, we know that Read more…
Tengo tantas preguntas sobre el coronavirus. ¿Dónde puedo encontrar las respuestas más precisas?
Posts en Español
Tita Smyth Escobedo, PM-IT
R. Ha sido muy difícil encontrar información bien fundamentada. Lo bueno es que PBS ha publicado una guía de todo lo que se sabe sobre el coronavirus por parte de científicos, médicos, y expertos en salud publica (en español o ingles) hasta el 13 de Julio 2020. Es importante tener en cuenta la fecha de Read more…
Should K-12 schools reopen in the fall, and if so, how?
Reopening School
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
** Updated on 7/18/2020 to clarify that our position is that community outbreak control is a pre-req for safe school reopening plans. Schools can only reopen safely IF there is already good community control of the outbreak in place. ** A: If we want schools to reopen for in-person instruction, here is what is needed: Read more…
How do we know who to trust?
Uncertainty and Misinformation
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
We really couldn’t have said it better… thanks Dr. Fauci! You can trust us. We love facts. Link to original FB post.
How do we know who to trust?
Uncertainty and Misinformation Videos
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Malia Jones as Dr. Fauci We really couldn’t have said it better… thanks, Dr. Fauci! You can trust us. We love facts. Link to original FB post
What is the real death toll due to COVID-19? Are we OVER or UNDER counting deaths? Wouldn’t a lot of these people have died anyway?
Data and Metrics Data Literacy
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: The death toll has been HIGH (specifics below), -We are likely UNDER counting deaths due to COVID-19. -While some deaths attributed to COVID-19 would have occurred during this period anyway, we can calculate “EXCESS MORTALITY” – the number of deaths above and beyond those that would have been expected based on previous years. Deaths Read more…
What is the timeline from exposure to viral shedding to symptoms? When do people stop being contagious? When can I get out of quarantine? When is a PCR test accurate?
Infection and Spread Testing and Contact Tracing
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
For today’s #ThrowbackThursday, we revisit a post from May 4th about the timeline of infection. A: This timeline, which we adapted from several sources, visualizes the incubation period and infectious period (also called contagious period), along with the timeline for seeing symptoms, timing for a reliable PCR test, and the typical timeline to hospitalization and Read more…
Do you have any other tips to help kids get used to wearing masks?
Masks Staying Safe
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: We get it, many of us have young children and are actively working on mask use with them as well! We previously posted some useful ideas for encouraging kids to wear masks and a video for kids by the fabulous Nerdy Girl, Dr. Aparna Kumar, explaining how and why they should wear them and we Read more…
Will a gaiter protect me from coronavirus?
Masks Staying Safe
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: Let’s discuss. The gaiters we are referring to are facial coverings that go around your neck and extend from above your nose down your neck. They are commonly used to protect against the sun, inhalation of dust, or during very cold outdoor activities like fishing, hiking, and skiing. Gaiters, to our knowledge, were not Read more…
Do masks work?
Infection and Spread Masks Staying Safe
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: Signs point to YES! As we’ve been heard to say, “absence of evidence is not evidence of absence.” While our gold standard randomized controlled trials are not very practical for testing the efficacy of masks during a pandemic (how would YOU like to be in that placebo group?!), accumulating evidence from different types of Read more…
With so much talk about schools and reopening, what factors are important to consider when weighing risks/benefits of doing so?
Families/Kids Reopening School Staying Safe
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
As nerdy girls, parents, and educators, we want so much to have clarity around school reopening. But, we just don’t yet know everything we need to know (and may not in 6 weeks!). So our best offering to you, our dear followers, is to share our ideas about how to assess the issue. We hope Read more…
I’m still confused about the “Is the virus airborne?” debate. Practical take-aways, please.
Infection and Spread Staying Safe
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
A: Individuals: Avoid poorly ventilated, crowded indoor spaces to the extent possible. Building owners/tenants: Beef up air filtration, especially in older buildings. Background: A very loud squabble emerged last week around the classification of SARS-CoV-2 in the scientific taxonomy. Nerdy Girl Alison wrote a wonderful post walking through the science discussing what an “airborne” classification Read more…
When should I get tested?
Infection and Spread Testing and Contact Tracing
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Introducing Nerdy Guest Ajay Sethi, PhD, MHS. Dr. Sethi is a leading infectious disease epidemiologist at UW-Madison’s School of Medicine and Public Health. (@AjayKSethi on Twitter!) ____________________________________________ Q: When should I get tested? When I’m sick? When I have specific symptoms? When I’m sick and not getting better after several days? When a family member Read more…
What is pool testing?
Testing and Contact Tracing
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
A: In simple terms, pool testing (also referred to as “group testing” or “batch testing”) combines many tests into one sample. The benefit is that it can facilitate an increase in testing capabilities as well as result in cost/resource savings (when supplies are low). This is not a new strategy to test individuals for infectious Read more…
Does this mean going back to school is more dangerous than we thought? A: As you’ve noticed by now, headlines are often more sensational than the underlying facts. This is a large, solidly conducted study but doesn’t move the needle on what we already know: younger children seem less likely to contract and spread SARS-CoV-2, Read more…
Dang it’s hot. Is it unsafe to spend time in places with air conditioning?
Socializing Staying SafeLauren Hale, PhD MA
A. It’s all about air flow! Most air conditioner systems primarily recirculate indoor air without introducing that much air from the outside. Unfortunately, if viral particles are already inside the air-conditioned space, the particles continue to be recirculated, potentially infecting others. One of the early case studies about air conditioning investigated an air-conditioned windowless restaurant Read more…
Are there evidence-based tips for dealing with the uncertain state of ……everything?!
Mental Health Uncertainty and Misinformation
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
A: Our brains are wired to despise uncertainty. Cognitive scientists advise a COMPLY – CONSOLIDATE – CONSULT strategy to help cope. Context: During a pandemic – and this current one is clearly on brand – uncertainty reigns. As Drs. Geeta Menon and Ellie Kyung articulate in a recent Harvard Business Review article, it’s natural to Read more…
Is sex dead??
Mental Health
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: With the extra household duties, the zoom fatigue, the existential anxieties, the sadness all around us….it is no wonder that many of us may not be feeling remotely in the mood for sex. Whether you are partnered or not, COVID-19 can be an extremely isolating & lonely time. First of all, we know that Read more…
Tengo tantas preguntas sobre el coronavirus. ¿Dónde puedo encontrar las respuestas más precisas?
Posts en Español
Tita Smyth Escobedo, PM-IT
R. Ha sido muy difícil encontrar información bien fundamentada. Lo bueno es que PBS ha publicado una guía de todo lo que se sabe sobre el coronavirus por parte de científicos, médicos, y expertos en salud publica (en español o ingles) hasta el 13 de Julio 2020. Es importante tener en cuenta la fecha de Read more…
Should K-12 schools reopen in the fall, and if so, how?
Reopening School
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
** Updated on 7/18/2020 to clarify that our position is that community outbreak control is a pre-req for safe school reopening plans. Schools can only reopen safely IF there is already good community control of the outbreak in place. ** A: If we want schools to reopen for in-person instruction, here is what is needed: Read more…
How do we know who to trust?
Uncertainty and Misinformation
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
We really couldn’t have said it better… thanks Dr. Fauci! You can trust us. We love facts. Link to original FB post.
How do we know who to trust?
Uncertainty and Misinformation Videos
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Malia Jones as Dr. Fauci We really couldn’t have said it better… thanks, Dr. Fauci! You can trust us. We love facts. Link to original FB post
What is the real death toll due to COVID-19? Are we OVER or UNDER counting deaths? Wouldn’t a lot of these people have died anyway?
Data and Metrics Data Literacy
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: The death toll has been HIGH (specifics below), -We are likely UNDER counting deaths due to COVID-19. -While some deaths attributed to COVID-19 would have occurred during this period anyway, we can calculate “EXCESS MORTALITY” – the number of deaths above and beyond those that would have been expected based on previous years. Deaths Read more…
What is the timeline from exposure to viral shedding to symptoms? When do people stop being contagious? When can I get out of quarantine? When is a PCR test accurate?
Infection and Spread Testing and Contact Tracing
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
For today’s #ThrowbackThursday, we revisit a post from May 4th about the timeline of infection. A: This timeline, which we adapted from several sources, visualizes the incubation period and infectious period (also called contagious period), along with the timeline for seeing symptoms, timing for a reliable PCR test, and the typical timeline to hospitalization and Read more…
Do you have any other tips to help kids get used to wearing masks?
Masks Staying Safe
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: We get it, many of us have young children and are actively working on mask use with them as well! We previously posted some useful ideas for encouraging kids to wear masks and a video for kids by the fabulous Nerdy Girl, Dr. Aparna Kumar, explaining how and why they should wear them and we Read more…
Will a gaiter protect me from coronavirus?
Masks Staying Safe
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: Let’s discuss. The gaiters we are referring to are facial coverings that go around your neck and extend from above your nose down your neck. They are commonly used to protect against the sun, inhalation of dust, or during very cold outdoor activities like fishing, hiking, and skiing. Gaiters, to our knowledge, were not Read more…
Do masks work?
Infection and Spread Masks Staying Safe
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: Signs point to YES! As we’ve been heard to say, “absence of evidence is not evidence of absence.” While our gold standard randomized controlled trials are not very practical for testing the efficacy of masks during a pandemic (how would YOU like to be in that placebo group?!), accumulating evidence from different types of Read more…
With so much talk about schools and reopening, what factors are important to consider when weighing risks/benefits of doing so?
Families/Kids Reopening School Staying Safe
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
As nerdy girls, parents, and educators, we want so much to have clarity around school reopening. But, we just don’t yet know everything we need to know (and may not in 6 weeks!). So our best offering to you, our dear followers, is to share our ideas about how to assess the issue. We hope Read more…
I’m still confused about the “Is the virus airborne?” debate. Practical take-aways, please.
Infection and Spread Staying Safe
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
A: Individuals: Avoid poorly ventilated, crowded indoor spaces to the extent possible. Building owners/tenants: Beef up air filtration, especially in older buildings. Background: A very loud squabble emerged last week around the classification of SARS-CoV-2 in the scientific taxonomy. Nerdy Girl Alison wrote a wonderful post walking through the science discussing what an “airborne” classification Read more…
When should I get tested?
Infection and Spread Testing and Contact Tracing
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Introducing Nerdy Guest Ajay Sethi, PhD, MHS. Dr. Sethi is a leading infectious disease epidemiologist at UW-Madison’s School of Medicine and Public Health. (@AjayKSethi on Twitter!) ____________________________________________ Q: When should I get tested? When I’m sick? When I have specific symptoms? When I’m sick and not getting better after several days? When a family member Read more…
What is pool testing?
Testing and Contact Tracing
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
A: In simple terms, pool testing (also referred to as “group testing” or “batch testing”) combines many tests into one sample. The benefit is that it can facilitate an increase in testing capabilities as well as result in cost/resource savings (when supplies are low). This is not a new strategy to test individuals for infectious Read more…
A. It’s all about air flow! Most air conditioner systems primarily recirculate indoor air without introducing that much air from the outside. Unfortunately, if viral particles are already inside the air-conditioned space, the particles continue to be recirculated, potentially infecting others. One of the early case studies about air conditioning investigated an air-conditioned windowless restaurant Read more…
Are there evidence-based tips for dealing with the uncertain state of ……everything?!
Mental Health Uncertainty and MisinformationLindsey Leininger, PhD MA
A: Our brains are wired to despise uncertainty. Cognitive scientists advise a COMPLY – CONSOLIDATE – CONSULT strategy to help cope. Context: During a pandemic – and this current one is clearly on brand – uncertainty reigns. As Drs. Geeta Menon and Ellie Kyung articulate in a recent Harvard Business Review article, it’s natural to Read more…
Is sex dead??
Mental Health
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: With the extra household duties, the zoom fatigue, the existential anxieties, the sadness all around us….it is no wonder that many of us may not be feeling remotely in the mood for sex. Whether you are partnered or not, COVID-19 can be an extremely isolating & lonely time. First of all, we know that Read more…
Tengo tantas preguntas sobre el coronavirus. ¿Dónde puedo encontrar las respuestas más precisas?
Posts en Español
Tita Smyth Escobedo, PM-IT
R. Ha sido muy difícil encontrar información bien fundamentada. Lo bueno es que PBS ha publicado una guía de todo lo que se sabe sobre el coronavirus por parte de científicos, médicos, y expertos en salud publica (en español o ingles) hasta el 13 de Julio 2020. Es importante tener en cuenta la fecha de Read more…
Should K-12 schools reopen in the fall, and if so, how?
Reopening School
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
** Updated on 7/18/2020 to clarify that our position is that community outbreak control is a pre-req for safe school reopening plans. Schools can only reopen safely IF there is already good community control of the outbreak in place. ** A: If we want schools to reopen for in-person instruction, here is what is needed: Read more…
How do we know who to trust?
Uncertainty and Misinformation
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
We really couldn’t have said it better… thanks Dr. Fauci! You can trust us. We love facts. Link to original FB post.
How do we know who to trust?
Uncertainty and Misinformation Videos
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Malia Jones as Dr. Fauci We really couldn’t have said it better… thanks, Dr. Fauci! You can trust us. We love facts. Link to original FB post
What is the real death toll due to COVID-19? Are we OVER or UNDER counting deaths? Wouldn’t a lot of these people have died anyway?
Data and Metrics Data Literacy
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: The death toll has been HIGH (specifics below), -We are likely UNDER counting deaths due to COVID-19. -While some deaths attributed to COVID-19 would have occurred during this period anyway, we can calculate “EXCESS MORTALITY” – the number of deaths above and beyond those that would have been expected based on previous years. Deaths Read more…
What is the timeline from exposure to viral shedding to symptoms? When do people stop being contagious? When can I get out of quarantine? When is a PCR test accurate?
Infection and Spread Testing and Contact Tracing
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
For today’s #ThrowbackThursday, we revisit a post from May 4th about the timeline of infection. A: This timeline, which we adapted from several sources, visualizes the incubation period and infectious period (also called contagious period), along with the timeline for seeing symptoms, timing for a reliable PCR test, and the typical timeline to hospitalization and Read more…
Do you have any other tips to help kids get used to wearing masks?
Masks Staying Safe
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: We get it, many of us have young children and are actively working on mask use with them as well! We previously posted some useful ideas for encouraging kids to wear masks and a video for kids by the fabulous Nerdy Girl, Dr. Aparna Kumar, explaining how and why they should wear them and we Read more…
Will a gaiter protect me from coronavirus?
Masks Staying Safe
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: Let’s discuss. The gaiters we are referring to are facial coverings that go around your neck and extend from above your nose down your neck. They are commonly used to protect against the sun, inhalation of dust, or during very cold outdoor activities like fishing, hiking, and skiing. Gaiters, to our knowledge, were not Read more…
Do masks work?
Infection and Spread Masks Staying Safe
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: Signs point to YES! As we’ve been heard to say, “absence of evidence is not evidence of absence.” While our gold standard randomized controlled trials are not very practical for testing the efficacy of masks during a pandemic (how would YOU like to be in that placebo group?!), accumulating evidence from different types of Read more…
With so much talk about schools and reopening, what factors are important to consider when weighing risks/benefits of doing so?
Families/Kids Reopening School Staying Safe
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
As nerdy girls, parents, and educators, we want so much to have clarity around school reopening. But, we just don’t yet know everything we need to know (and may not in 6 weeks!). So our best offering to you, our dear followers, is to share our ideas about how to assess the issue. We hope Read more…
I’m still confused about the “Is the virus airborne?” debate. Practical take-aways, please.
Infection and Spread Staying Safe
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
A: Individuals: Avoid poorly ventilated, crowded indoor spaces to the extent possible. Building owners/tenants: Beef up air filtration, especially in older buildings. Background: A very loud squabble emerged last week around the classification of SARS-CoV-2 in the scientific taxonomy. Nerdy Girl Alison wrote a wonderful post walking through the science discussing what an “airborne” classification Read more…
When should I get tested?
Infection and Spread Testing and Contact Tracing
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Introducing Nerdy Guest Ajay Sethi, PhD, MHS. Dr. Sethi is a leading infectious disease epidemiologist at UW-Madison’s School of Medicine and Public Health. (@AjayKSethi on Twitter!) ____________________________________________ Q: When should I get tested? When I’m sick? When I have specific symptoms? When I’m sick and not getting better after several days? When a family member Read more…
What is pool testing?
Testing and Contact Tracing
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
A: In simple terms, pool testing (also referred to as “group testing” or “batch testing”) combines many tests into one sample. The benefit is that it can facilitate an increase in testing capabilities as well as result in cost/resource savings (when supplies are low). This is not a new strategy to test individuals for infectious Read more…
A: Our brains are wired to despise uncertainty. Cognitive scientists advise a COMPLY – CONSOLIDATE – CONSULT strategy to help cope. Context: During a pandemic – and this current one is clearly on brand – uncertainty reigns. As Drs. Geeta Menon and Ellie Kyung articulate in a recent Harvard Business Review article, it’s natural to Read more…
Is sex dead??
Mental HealthAshley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: With the extra household duties, the zoom fatigue, the existential anxieties, the sadness all around us….it is no wonder that many of us may not be feeling remotely in the mood for sex. Whether you are partnered or not, COVID-19 can be an extremely isolating & lonely time. First of all, we know that Read more…
Tengo tantas preguntas sobre el coronavirus. ¿Dónde puedo encontrar las respuestas más precisas?
Posts en Español
Tita Smyth Escobedo, PM-IT
R. Ha sido muy difícil encontrar información bien fundamentada. Lo bueno es que PBS ha publicado una guía de todo lo que se sabe sobre el coronavirus por parte de científicos, médicos, y expertos en salud publica (en español o ingles) hasta el 13 de Julio 2020. Es importante tener en cuenta la fecha de Read more…
Should K-12 schools reopen in the fall, and if so, how?
Reopening School
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
** Updated on 7/18/2020 to clarify that our position is that community outbreak control is a pre-req for safe school reopening plans. Schools can only reopen safely IF there is already good community control of the outbreak in place. ** A: If we want schools to reopen for in-person instruction, here is what is needed: Read more…
How do we know who to trust?
Uncertainty and Misinformation
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
We really couldn’t have said it better… thanks Dr. Fauci! You can trust us. We love facts. Link to original FB post.
How do we know who to trust?
Uncertainty and Misinformation Videos
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Malia Jones as Dr. Fauci We really couldn’t have said it better… thanks, Dr. Fauci! You can trust us. We love facts. Link to original FB post
What is the real death toll due to COVID-19? Are we OVER or UNDER counting deaths? Wouldn’t a lot of these people have died anyway?
Data and Metrics Data Literacy
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: The death toll has been HIGH (specifics below), -We are likely UNDER counting deaths due to COVID-19. -While some deaths attributed to COVID-19 would have occurred during this period anyway, we can calculate “EXCESS MORTALITY” – the number of deaths above and beyond those that would have been expected based on previous years. Deaths Read more…
What is the timeline from exposure to viral shedding to symptoms? When do people stop being contagious? When can I get out of quarantine? When is a PCR test accurate?
Infection and Spread Testing and Contact Tracing
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
For today’s #ThrowbackThursday, we revisit a post from May 4th about the timeline of infection. A: This timeline, which we adapted from several sources, visualizes the incubation period and infectious period (also called contagious period), along with the timeline for seeing symptoms, timing for a reliable PCR test, and the typical timeline to hospitalization and Read more…
Do you have any other tips to help kids get used to wearing masks?
Masks Staying Safe
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: We get it, many of us have young children and are actively working on mask use with them as well! We previously posted some useful ideas for encouraging kids to wear masks and a video for kids by the fabulous Nerdy Girl, Dr. Aparna Kumar, explaining how and why they should wear them and we Read more…
Will a gaiter protect me from coronavirus?
Masks Staying Safe
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: Let’s discuss. The gaiters we are referring to are facial coverings that go around your neck and extend from above your nose down your neck. They are commonly used to protect against the sun, inhalation of dust, or during very cold outdoor activities like fishing, hiking, and skiing. Gaiters, to our knowledge, were not Read more…
Do masks work?
Infection and Spread Masks Staying Safe
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: Signs point to YES! As we’ve been heard to say, “absence of evidence is not evidence of absence.” While our gold standard randomized controlled trials are not very practical for testing the efficacy of masks during a pandemic (how would YOU like to be in that placebo group?!), accumulating evidence from different types of Read more…
With so much talk about schools and reopening, what factors are important to consider when weighing risks/benefits of doing so?
Families/Kids Reopening School Staying Safe
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
As nerdy girls, parents, and educators, we want so much to have clarity around school reopening. But, we just don’t yet know everything we need to know (and may not in 6 weeks!). So our best offering to you, our dear followers, is to share our ideas about how to assess the issue. We hope Read more…
I’m still confused about the “Is the virus airborne?” debate. Practical take-aways, please.
Infection and Spread Staying Safe
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
A: Individuals: Avoid poorly ventilated, crowded indoor spaces to the extent possible. Building owners/tenants: Beef up air filtration, especially in older buildings. Background: A very loud squabble emerged last week around the classification of SARS-CoV-2 in the scientific taxonomy. Nerdy Girl Alison wrote a wonderful post walking through the science discussing what an “airborne” classification Read more…
When should I get tested?
Infection and Spread Testing and Contact Tracing
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Introducing Nerdy Guest Ajay Sethi, PhD, MHS. Dr. Sethi is a leading infectious disease epidemiologist at UW-Madison’s School of Medicine and Public Health. (@AjayKSethi on Twitter!) ____________________________________________ Q: When should I get tested? When I’m sick? When I have specific symptoms? When I’m sick and not getting better after several days? When a family member Read more…
What is pool testing?
Testing and Contact Tracing
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
A: In simple terms, pool testing (also referred to as “group testing” or “batch testing”) combines many tests into one sample. The benefit is that it can facilitate an increase in testing capabilities as well as result in cost/resource savings (when supplies are low). This is not a new strategy to test individuals for infectious Read more…
A: With the extra household duties, the zoom fatigue, the existential anxieties, the sadness all around us….it is no wonder that many of us may not be feeling remotely in the mood for sex. Whether you are partnered or not, COVID-19 can be an extremely isolating & lonely time. First of all, we know that Read more…
Tengo tantas preguntas sobre el coronavirus. ¿Dónde puedo encontrar las respuestas más precisas?
Posts en EspañolTita Smyth Escobedo, PM-IT
R. Ha sido muy difícil encontrar información bien fundamentada. Lo bueno es que PBS ha publicado una guía de todo lo que se sabe sobre el coronavirus por parte de científicos, médicos, y expertos en salud publica (en español o ingles) hasta el 13 de Julio 2020. Es importante tener en cuenta la fecha de Read more…
Should K-12 schools reopen in the fall, and if so, how?
Reopening School
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
** Updated on 7/18/2020 to clarify that our position is that community outbreak control is a pre-req for safe school reopening plans. Schools can only reopen safely IF there is already good community control of the outbreak in place. ** A: If we want schools to reopen for in-person instruction, here is what is needed: Read more…
How do we know who to trust?
Uncertainty and Misinformation
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
We really couldn’t have said it better… thanks Dr. Fauci! You can trust us. We love facts. Link to original FB post.
How do we know who to trust?
Uncertainty and Misinformation Videos
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Malia Jones as Dr. Fauci We really couldn’t have said it better… thanks, Dr. Fauci! You can trust us. We love facts. Link to original FB post
What is the real death toll due to COVID-19? Are we OVER or UNDER counting deaths? Wouldn’t a lot of these people have died anyway?
Data and Metrics Data Literacy
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: The death toll has been HIGH (specifics below), -We are likely UNDER counting deaths due to COVID-19. -While some deaths attributed to COVID-19 would have occurred during this period anyway, we can calculate “EXCESS MORTALITY” – the number of deaths above and beyond those that would have been expected based on previous years. Deaths Read more…
What is the timeline from exposure to viral shedding to symptoms? When do people stop being contagious? When can I get out of quarantine? When is a PCR test accurate?
Infection and Spread Testing and Contact Tracing
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
For today’s #ThrowbackThursday, we revisit a post from May 4th about the timeline of infection. A: This timeline, which we adapted from several sources, visualizes the incubation period and infectious period (also called contagious period), along with the timeline for seeing symptoms, timing for a reliable PCR test, and the typical timeline to hospitalization and Read more…
Do you have any other tips to help kids get used to wearing masks?
Masks Staying Safe
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: We get it, many of us have young children and are actively working on mask use with them as well! We previously posted some useful ideas for encouraging kids to wear masks and a video for kids by the fabulous Nerdy Girl, Dr. Aparna Kumar, explaining how and why they should wear them and we Read more…
Will a gaiter protect me from coronavirus?
Masks Staying Safe
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: Let’s discuss. The gaiters we are referring to are facial coverings that go around your neck and extend from above your nose down your neck. They are commonly used to protect against the sun, inhalation of dust, or during very cold outdoor activities like fishing, hiking, and skiing. Gaiters, to our knowledge, were not Read more…
Do masks work?
Infection and Spread Masks Staying Safe
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: Signs point to YES! As we’ve been heard to say, “absence of evidence is not evidence of absence.” While our gold standard randomized controlled trials are not very practical for testing the efficacy of masks during a pandemic (how would YOU like to be in that placebo group?!), accumulating evidence from different types of Read more…
With so much talk about schools and reopening, what factors are important to consider when weighing risks/benefits of doing so?
Families/Kids Reopening School Staying Safe
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
As nerdy girls, parents, and educators, we want so much to have clarity around school reopening. But, we just don’t yet know everything we need to know (and may not in 6 weeks!). So our best offering to you, our dear followers, is to share our ideas about how to assess the issue. We hope Read more…
I’m still confused about the “Is the virus airborne?” debate. Practical take-aways, please.
Infection and Spread Staying Safe
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
A: Individuals: Avoid poorly ventilated, crowded indoor spaces to the extent possible. Building owners/tenants: Beef up air filtration, especially in older buildings. Background: A very loud squabble emerged last week around the classification of SARS-CoV-2 in the scientific taxonomy. Nerdy Girl Alison wrote a wonderful post walking through the science discussing what an “airborne” classification Read more…
When should I get tested?
Infection and Spread Testing and Contact Tracing
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Introducing Nerdy Guest Ajay Sethi, PhD, MHS. Dr. Sethi is a leading infectious disease epidemiologist at UW-Madison’s School of Medicine and Public Health. (@AjayKSethi on Twitter!) ____________________________________________ Q: When should I get tested? When I’m sick? When I have specific symptoms? When I’m sick and not getting better after several days? When a family member Read more…
What is pool testing?
Testing and Contact Tracing
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
A: In simple terms, pool testing (also referred to as “group testing” or “batch testing”) combines many tests into one sample. The benefit is that it can facilitate an increase in testing capabilities as well as result in cost/resource savings (when supplies are low). This is not a new strategy to test individuals for infectious Read more…
R. Ha sido muy difícil encontrar información bien fundamentada. Lo bueno es que PBS ha publicado una guía de todo lo que se sabe sobre el coronavirus por parte de científicos, médicos, y expertos en salud publica (en español o ingles) hasta el 13 de Julio 2020. Es importante tener en cuenta la fecha de Read more…
Should K-12 schools reopen in the fall, and if so, how?
Reopening SchoolMalia Jones, PhD MPH
** Updated on 7/18/2020 to clarify that our position is that community outbreak control is a pre-req for safe school reopening plans. Schools can only reopen safely IF there is already good community control of the outbreak in place. ** A: If we want schools to reopen for in-person instruction, here is what is needed: Read more…
How do we know who to trust?
Uncertainty and Misinformation
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
We really couldn’t have said it better… thanks Dr. Fauci! You can trust us. We love facts. Link to original FB post.
How do we know who to trust?
Uncertainty and Misinformation Videos
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Malia Jones as Dr. Fauci We really couldn’t have said it better… thanks, Dr. Fauci! You can trust us. We love facts. Link to original FB post
What is the real death toll due to COVID-19? Are we OVER or UNDER counting deaths? Wouldn’t a lot of these people have died anyway?
Data and Metrics Data Literacy
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: The death toll has been HIGH (specifics below), -We are likely UNDER counting deaths due to COVID-19. -While some deaths attributed to COVID-19 would have occurred during this period anyway, we can calculate “EXCESS MORTALITY” – the number of deaths above and beyond those that would have been expected based on previous years. Deaths Read more…
What is the timeline from exposure to viral shedding to symptoms? When do people stop being contagious? When can I get out of quarantine? When is a PCR test accurate?
Infection and Spread Testing and Contact Tracing
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
For today’s #ThrowbackThursday, we revisit a post from May 4th about the timeline of infection. A: This timeline, which we adapted from several sources, visualizes the incubation period and infectious period (also called contagious period), along with the timeline for seeing symptoms, timing for a reliable PCR test, and the typical timeline to hospitalization and Read more…
Do you have any other tips to help kids get used to wearing masks?
Masks Staying Safe
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: We get it, many of us have young children and are actively working on mask use with them as well! We previously posted some useful ideas for encouraging kids to wear masks and a video for kids by the fabulous Nerdy Girl, Dr. Aparna Kumar, explaining how and why they should wear them and we Read more…
Will a gaiter protect me from coronavirus?
Masks Staying Safe
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: Let’s discuss. The gaiters we are referring to are facial coverings that go around your neck and extend from above your nose down your neck. They are commonly used to protect against the sun, inhalation of dust, or during very cold outdoor activities like fishing, hiking, and skiing. Gaiters, to our knowledge, were not Read more…
Do masks work?
Infection and Spread Masks Staying Safe
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: Signs point to YES! As we’ve been heard to say, “absence of evidence is not evidence of absence.” While our gold standard randomized controlled trials are not very practical for testing the efficacy of masks during a pandemic (how would YOU like to be in that placebo group?!), accumulating evidence from different types of Read more…
With so much talk about schools and reopening, what factors are important to consider when weighing risks/benefits of doing so?
Families/Kids Reopening School Staying Safe
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
As nerdy girls, parents, and educators, we want so much to have clarity around school reopening. But, we just don’t yet know everything we need to know (and may not in 6 weeks!). So our best offering to you, our dear followers, is to share our ideas about how to assess the issue. We hope Read more…
I’m still confused about the “Is the virus airborne?” debate. Practical take-aways, please.
Infection and Spread Staying Safe
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
A: Individuals: Avoid poorly ventilated, crowded indoor spaces to the extent possible. Building owners/tenants: Beef up air filtration, especially in older buildings. Background: A very loud squabble emerged last week around the classification of SARS-CoV-2 in the scientific taxonomy. Nerdy Girl Alison wrote a wonderful post walking through the science discussing what an “airborne” classification Read more…
When should I get tested?
Infection and Spread Testing and Contact Tracing
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Introducing Nerdy Guest Ajay Sethi, PhD, MHS. Dr. Sethi is a leading infectious disease epidemiologist at UW-Madison’s School of Medicine and Public Health. (@AjayKSethi on Twitter!) ____________________________________________ Q: When should I get tested? When I’m sick? When I have specific symptoms? When I’m sick and not getting better after several days? When a family member Read more…
What is pool testing?
Testing and Contact Tracing
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
A: In simple terms, pool testing (also referred to as “group testing” or “batch testing”) combines many tests into one sample. The benefit is that it can facilitate an increase in testing capabilities as well as result in cost/resource savings (when supplies are low). This is not a new strategy to test individuals for infectious Read more…
** Updated on 7/18/2020 to clarify that our position is that community outbreak control is a pre-req for safe school reopening plans. Schools can only reopen safely IF there is already good community control of the outbreak in place. ** A: If we want schools to reopen for in-person instruction, here is what is needed: Read more…
How do we know who to trust?
Uncertainty and MisinformationMalia Jones, PhD MPH
We really couldn’t have said it better… thanks Dr. Fauci! You can trust us. We love facts. Link to original FB post.
How do we know who to trust?
Uncertainty and Misinformation Videos
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Malia Jones as Dr. Fauci We really couldn’t have said it better… thanks, Dr. Fauci! You can trust us. We love facts. Link to original FB post
What is the real death toll due to COVID-19? Are we OVER or UNDER counting deaths? Wouldn’t a lot of these people have died anyway?
Data and Metrics Data Literacy
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: The death toll has been HIGH (specifics below), -We are likely UNDER counting deaths due to COVID-19. -While some deaths attributed to COVID-19 would have occurred during this period anyway, we can calculate “EXCESS MORTALITY” – the number of deaths above and beyond those that would have been expected based on previous years. Deaths Read more…
What is the timeline from exposure to viral shedding to symptoms? When do people stop being contagious? When can I get out of quarantine? When is a PCR test accurate?
Infection and Spread Testing and Contact Tracing
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
For today’s #ThrowbackThursday, we revisit a post from May 4th about the timeline of infection. A: This timeline, which we adapted from several sources, visualizes the incubation period and infectious period (also called contagious period), along with the timeline for seeing symptoms, timing for a reliable PCR test, and the typical timeline to hospitalization and Read more…
Do you have any other tips to help kids get used to wearing masks?
Masks Staying Safe
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: We get it, many of us have young children and are actively working on mask use with them as well! We previously posted some useful ideas for encouraging kids to wear masks and a video for kids by the fabulous Nerdy Girl, Dr. Aparna Kumar, explaining how and why they should wear them and we Read more…
Will a gaiter protect me from coronavirus?
Masks Staying Safe
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: Let’s discuss. The gaiters we are referring to are facial coverings that go around your neck and extend from above your nose down your neck. They are commonly used to protect against the sun, inhalation of dust, or during very cold outdoor activities like fishing, hiking, and skiing. Gaiters, to our knowledge, were not Read more…
Do masks work?
Infection and Spread Masks Staying Safe
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: Signs point to YES! As we’ve been heard to say, “absence of evidence is not evidence of absence.” While our gold standard randomized controlled trials are not very practical for testing the efficacy of masks during a pandemic (how would YOU like to be in that placebo group?!), accumulating evidence from different types of Read more…
With so much talk about schools and reopening, what factors are important to consider when weighing risks/benefits of doing so?
Families/Kids Reopening School Staying Safe
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
As nerdy girls, parents, and educators, we want so much to have clarity around school reopening. But, we just don’t yet know everything we need to know (and may not in 6 weeks!). So our best offering to you, our dear followers, is to share our ideas about how to assess the issue. We hope Read more…
I’m still confused about the “Is the virus airborne?” debate. Practical take-aways, please.
Infection and Spread Staying Safe
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
A: Individuals: Avoid poorly ventilated, crowded indoor spaces to the extent possible. Building owners/tenants: Beef up air filtration, especially in older buildings. Background: A very loud squabble emerged last week around the classification of SARS-CoV-2 in the scientific taxonomy. Nerdy Girl Alison wrote a wonderful post walking through the science discussing what an “airborne” classification Read more…
When should I get tested?
Infection and Spread Testing and Contact Tracing
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Introducing Nerdy Guest Ajay Sethi, PhD, MHS. Dr. Sethi is a leading infectious disease epidemiologist at UW-Madison’s School of Medicine and Public Health. (@AjayKSethi on Twitter!) ____________________________________________ Q: When should I get tested? When I’m sick? When I have specific symptoms? When I’m sick and not getting better after several days? When a family member Read more…
What is pool testing?
Testing and Contact Tracing
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
A: In simple terms, pool testing (also referred to as “group testing” or “batch testing”) combines many tests into one sample. The benefit is that it can facilitate an increase in testing capabilities as well as result in cost/resource savings (when supplies are low). This is not a new strategy to test individuals for infectious Read more…
We really couldn’t have said it better… thanks Dr. Fauci! You can trust us. We love facts. Link to original FB post.
How do we know who to trust?
Uncertainty and Misinformation VideosMalia Jones, PhD MPH
Malia Jones as Dr. Fauci We really couldn’t have said it better… thanks, Dr. Fauci! You can trust us. We love facts. Link to original FB post
What is the real death toll due to COVID-19? Are we OVER or UNDER counting deaths? Wouldn’t a lot of these people have died anyway?
Data and Metrics Data Literacy
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: The death toll has been HIGH (specifics below), -We are likely UNDER counting deaths due to COVID-19. -While some deaths attributed to COVID-19 would have occurred during this period anyway, we can calculate “EXCESS MORTALITY” – the number of deaths above and beyond those that would have been expected based on previous years. Deaths Read more…
What is the timeline from exposure to viral shedding to symptoms? When do people stop being contagious? When can I get out of quarantine? When is a PCR test accurate?
Infection and Spread Testing and Contact Tracing
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
For today’s #ThrowbackThursday, we revisit a post from May 4th about the timeline of infection. A: This timeline, which we adapted from several sources, visualizes the incubation period and infectious period (also called contagious period), along with the timeline for seeing symptoms, timing for a reliable PCR test, and the typical timeline to hospitalization and Read more…
Do you have any other tips to help kids get used to wearing masks?
Masks Staying Safe
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: We get it, many of us have young children and are actively working on mask use with them as well! We previously posted some useful ideas for encouraging kids to wear masks and a video for kids by the fabulous Nerdy Girl, Dr. Aparna Kumar, explaining how and why they should wear them and we Read more…
Will a gaiter protect me from coronavirus?
Masks Staying Safe
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: Let’s discuss. The gaiters we are referring to are facial coverings that go around your neck and extend from above your nose down your neck. They are commonly used to protect against the sun, inhalation of dust, or during very cold outdoor activities like fishing, hiking, and skiing. Gaiters, to our knowledge, were not Read more…
Do masks work?
Infection and Spread Masks Staying Safe
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: Signs point to YES! As we’ve been heard to say, “absence of evidence is not evidence of absence.” While our gold standard randomized controlled trials are not very practical for testing the efficacy of masks during a pandemic (how would YOU like to be in that placebo group?!), accumulating evidence from different types of Read more…
With so much talk about schools and reopening, what factors are important to consider when weighing risks/benefits of doing so?
Families/Kids Reopening School Staying Safe
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
As nerdy girls, parents, and educators, we want so much to have clarity around school reopening. But, we just don’t yet know everything we need to know (and may not in 6 weeks!). So our best offering to you, our dear followers, is to share our ideas about how to assess the issue. We hope Read more…
I’m still confused about the “Is the virus airborne?” debate. Practical take-aways, please.
Infection and Spread Staying Safe
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
A: Individuals: Avoid poorly ventilated, crowded indoor spaces to the extent possible. Building owners/tenants: Beef up air filtration, especially in older buildings. Background: A very loud squabble emerged last week around the classification of SARS-CoV-2 in the scientific taxonomy. Nerdy Girl Alison wrote a wonderful post walking through the science discussing what an “airborne” classification Read more…
When should I get tested?
Infection and Spread Testing and Contact Tracing
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Introducing Nerdy Guest Ajay Sethi, PhD, MHS. Dr. Sethi is a leading infectious disease epidemiologist at UW-Madison’s School of Medicine and Public Health. (@AjayKSethi on Twitter!) ____________________________________________ Q: When should I get tested? When I’m sick? When I have specific symptoms? When I’m sick and not getting better after several days? When a family member Read more…
What is pool testing?
Testing and Contact Tracing
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
A: In simple terms, pool testing (also referred to as “group testing” or “batch testing”) combines many tests into one sample. The benefit is that it can facilitate an increase in testing capabilities as well as result in cost/resource savings (when supplies are low). This is not a new strategy to test individuals for infectious Read more…
Malia Jones as Dr. Fauci We really couldn’t have said it better… thanks, Dr. Fauci! You can trust us. We love facts. Link to original FB post
What is the real death toll due to COVID-19? Are we OVER or UNDER counting deaths? Wouldn’t a lot of these people have died anyway?
Data and Metrics Data LiteracyJennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: The death toll has been HIGH (specifics below), -We are likely UNDER counting deaths due to COVID-19. -While some deaths attributed to COVID-19 would have occurred during this period anyway, we can calculate “EXCESS MORTALITY” – the number of deaths above and beyond those that would have been expected based on previous years. Deaths Read more…
What is the timeline from exposure to viral shedding to symptoms? When do people stop being contagious? When can I get out of quarantine? When is a PCR test accurate?
Infection and Spread Testing and Contact Tracing
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
For today’s #ThrowbackThursday, we revisit a post from May 4th about the timeline of infection. A: This timeline, which we adapted from several sources, visualizes the incubation period and infectious period (also called contagious period), along with the timeline for seeing symptoms, timing for a reliable PCR test, and the typical timeline to hospitalization and Read more…
Do you have any other tips to help kids get used to wearing masks?
Masks Staying Safe
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: We get it, many of us have young children and are actively working on mask use with them as well! We previously posted some useful ideas for encouraging kids to wear masks and a video for kids by the fabulous Nerdy Girl, Dr. Aparna Kumar, explaining how and why they should wear them and we Read more…
Will a gaiter protect me from coronavirus?
Masks Staying Safe
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: Let’s discuss. The gaiters we are referring to are facial coverings that go around your neck and extend from above your nose down your neck. They are commonly used to protect against the sun, inhalation of dust, or during very cold outdoor activities like fishing, hiking, and skiing. Gaiters, to our knowledge, were not Read more…
Do masks work?
Infection and Spread Masks Staying Safe
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: Signs point to YES! As we’ve been heard to say, “absence of evidence is not evidence of absence.” While our gold standard randomized controlled trials are not very practical for testing the efficacy of masks during a pandemic (how would YOU like to be in that placebo group?!), accumulating evidence from different types of Read more…
With so much talk about schools and reopening, what factors are important to consider when weighing risks/benefits of doing so?
Families/Kids Reopening School Staying Safe
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
As nerdy girls, parents, and educators, we want so much to have clarity around school reopening. But, we just don’t yet know everything we need to know (and may not in 6 weeks!). So our best offering to you, our dear followers, is to share our ideas about how to assess the issue. We hope Read more…
I’m still confused about the “Is the virus airborne?” debate. Practical take-aways, please.
Infection and Spread Staying Safe
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
A: Individuals: Avoid poorly ventilated, crowded indoor spaces to the extent possible. Building owners/tenants: Beef up air filtration, especially in older buildings. Background: A very loud squabble emerged last week around the classification of SARS-CoV-2 in the scientific taxonomy. Nerdy Girl Alison wrote a wonderful post walking through the science discussing what an “airborne” classification Read more…
When should I get tested?
Infection and Spread Testing and Contact Tracing
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Introducing Nerdy Guest Ajay Sethi, PhD, MHS. Dr. Sethi is a leading infectious disease epidemiologist at UW-Madison’s School of Medicine and Public Health. (@AjayKSethi on Twitter!) ____________________________________________ Q: When should I get tested? When I’m sick? When I have specific symptoms? When I’m sick and not getting better after several days? When a family member Read more…
What is pool testing?
Testing and Contact Tracing
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
A: In simple terms, pool testing (also referred to as “group testing” or “batch testing”) combines many tests into one sample. The benefit is that it can facilitate an increase in testing capabilities as well as result in cost/resource savings (when supplies are low). This is not a new strategy to test individuals for infectious Read more…
A: The death toll has been HIGH (specifics below), -We are likely UNDER counting deaths due to COVID-19. -While some deaths attributed to COVID-19 would have occurred during this period anyway, we can calculate “EXCESS MORTALITY” – the number of deaths above and beyond those that would have been expected based on previous years. Deaths Read more…
What is the timeline from exposure to viral shedding to symptoms? When do people stop being contagious? When can I get out of quarantine? When is a PCR test accurate?
Infection and Spread Testing and Contact TracingMalia Jones, PhD MPH
For today’s #ThrowbackThursday, we revisit a post from May 4th about the timeline of infection. A: This timeline, which we adapted from several sources, visualizes the incubation period and infectious period (also called contagious period), along with the timeline for seeing symptoms, timing for a reliable PCR test, and the typical timeline to hospitalization and Read more…
Do you have any other tips to help kids get used to wearing masks?
Masks Staying Safe
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: We get it, many of us have young children and are actively working on mask use with them as well! We previously posted some useful ideas for encouraging kids to wear masks and a video for kids by the fabulous Nerdy Girl, Dr. Aparna Kumar, explaining how and why they should wear them and we Read more…
Will a gaiter protect me from coronavirus?
Masks Staying Safe
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: Let’s discuss. The gaiters we are referring to are facial coverings that go around your neck and extend from above your nose down your neck. They are commonly used to protect against the sun, inhalation of dust, or during very cold outdoor activities like fishing, hiking, and skiing. Gaiters, to our knowledge, were not Read more…
Do masks work?
Infection and Spread Masks Staying Safe
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: Signs point to YES! As we’ve been heard to say, “absence of evidence is not evidence of absence.” While our gold standard randomized controlled trials are not very practical for testing the efficacy of masks during a pandemic (how would YOU like to be in that placebo group?!), accumulating evidence from different types of Read more…
With so much talk about schools and reopening, what factors are important to consider when weighing risks/benefits of doing so?
Families/Kids Reopening School Staying Safe
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
As nerdy girls, parents, and educators, we want so much to have clarity around school reopening. But, we just don’t yet know everything we need to know (and may not in 6 weeks!). So our best offering to you, our dear followers, is to share our ideas about how to assess the issue. We hope Read more…
I’m still confused about the “Is the virus airborne?” debate. Practical take-aways, please.
Infection and Spread Staying Safe
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
A: Individuals: Avoid poorly ventilated, crowded indoor spaces to the extent possible. Building owners/tenants: Beef up air filtration, especially in older buildings. Background: A very loud squabble emerged last week around the classification of SARS-CoV-2 in the scientific taxonomy. Nerdy Girl Alison wrote a wonderful post walking through the science discussing what an “airborne” classification Read more…
When should I get tested?
Infection and Spread Testing and Contact Tracing
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Introducing Nerdy Guest Ajay Sethi, PhD, MHS. Dr. Sethi is a leading infectious disease epidemiologist at UW-Madison’s School of Medicine and Public Health. (@AjayKSethi on Twitter!) ____________________________________________ Q: When should I get tested? When I’m sick? When I have specific symptoms? When I’m sick and not getting better after several days? When a family member Read more…
What is pool testing?
Testing and Contact Tracing
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
A: In simple terms, pool testing (also referred to as “group testing” or “batch testing”) combines many tests into one sample. The benefit is that it can facilitate an increase in testing capabilities as well as result in cost/resource savings (when supplies are low). This is not a new strategy to test individuals for infectious Read more…
For today’s #ThrowbackThursday, we revisit a post from May 4th about the timeline of infection. A: This timeline, which we adapted from several sources, visualizes the incubation period and infectious period (also called contagious period), along with the timeline for seeing symptoms, timing for a reliable PCR test, and the typical timeline to hospitalization and Read more…
Do you have any other tips to help kids get used to wearing masks?
Masks Staying SafeAmanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: We get it, many of us have young children and are actively working on mask use with them as well! We previously posted some useful ideas for encouraging kids to wear masks and a video for kids by the fabulous Nerdy Girl, Dr. Aparna Kumar, explaining how and why they should wear them and we Read more…
Will a gaiter protect me from coronavirus?
Masks Staying Safe
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: Let’s discuss. The gaiters we are referring to are facial coverings that go around your neck and extend from above your nose down your neck. They are commonly used to protect against the sun, inhalation of dust, or during very cold outdoor activities like fishing, hiking, and skiing. Gaiters, to our knowledge, were not Read more…
Do masks work?
Infection and Spread Masks Staying Safe
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: Signs point to YES! As we’ve been heard to say, “absence of evidence is not evidence of absence.” While our gold standard randomized controlled trials are not very practical for testing the efficacy of masks during a pandemic (how would YOU like to be in that placebo group?!), accumulating evidence from different types of Read more…
With so much talk about schools and reopening, what factors are important to consider when weighing risks/benefits of doing so?
Families/Kids Reopening School Staying Safe
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
As nerdy girls, parents, and educators, we want so much to have clarity around school reopening. But, we just don’t yet know everything we need to know (and may not in 6 weeks!). So our best offering to you, our dear followers, is to share our ideas about how to assess the issue. We hope Read more…
I’m still confused about the “Is the virus airborne?” debate. Practical take-aways, please.
Infection and Spread Staying Safe
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
A: Individuals: Avoid poorly ventilated, crowded indoor spaces to the extent possible. Building owners/tenants: Beef up air filtration, especially in older buildings. Background: A very loud squabble emerged last week around the classification of SARS-CoV-2 in the scientific taxonomy. Nerdy Girl Alison wrote a wonderful post walking through the science discussing what an “airborne” classification Read more…
When should I get tested?
Infection and Spread Testing and Contact Tracing
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Introducing Nerdy Guest Ajay Sethi, PhD, MHS. Dr. Sethi is a leading infectious disease epidemiologist at UW-Madison’s School of Medicine and Public Health. (@AjayKSethi on Twitter!) ____________________________________________ Q: When should I get tested? When I’m sick? When I have specific symptoms? When I’m sick and not getting better after several days? When a family member Read more…
What is pool testing?
Testing and Contact Tracing
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
A: In simple terms, pool testing (also referred to as “group testing” or “batch testing”) combines many tests into one sample. The benefit is that it can facilitate an increase in testing capabilities as well as result in cost/resource savings (when supplies are low). This is not a new strategy to test individuals for infectious Read more…
A: We get it, many of us have young children and are actively working on mask use with them as well! We previously posted some useful ideas for encouraging kids to wear masks and a video for kids by the fabulous Nerdy Girl, Dr. Aparna Kumar, explaining how and why they should wear them and we Read more…
Will a gaiter protect me from coronavirus?
Masks Staying SafeAshley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: Let’s discuss. The gaiters we are referring to are facial coverings that go around your neck and extend from above your nose down your neck. They are commonly used to protect against the sun, inhalation of dust, or during very cold outdoor activities like fishing, hiking, and skiing. Gaiters, to our knowledge, were not Read more…
Do masks work?
Infection and Spread Masks Staying Safe
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: Signs point to YES! As we’ve been heard to say, “absence of evidence is not evidence of absence.” While our gold standard randomized controlled trials are not very practical for testing the efficacy of masks during a pandemic (how would YOU like to be in that placebo group?!), accumulating evidence from different types of Read more…
With so much talk about schools and reopening, what factors are important to consider when weighing risks/benefits of doing so?
Families/Kids Reopening School Staying Safe
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
As nerdy girls, parents, and educators, we want so much to have clarity around school reopening. But, we just don’t yet know everything we need to know (and may not in 6 weeks!). So our best offering to you, our dear followers, is to share our ideas about how to assess the issue. We hope Read more…
I’m still confused about the “Is the virus airborne?” debate. Practical take-aways, please.
Infection and Spread Staying Safe
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
A: Individuals: Avoid poorly ventilated, crowded indoor spaces to the extent possible. Building owners/tenants: Beef up air filtration, especially in older buildings. Background: A very loud squabble emerged last week around the classification of SARS-CoV-2 in the scientific taxonomy. Nerdy Girl Alison wrote a wonderful post walking through the science discussing what an “airborne” classification Read more…
When should I get tested?
Infection and Spread Testing and Contact Tracing
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Introducing Nerdy Guest Ajay Sethi, PhD, MHS. Dr. Sethi is a leading infectious disease epidemiologist at UW-Madison’s School of Medicine and Public Health. (@AjayKSethi on Twitter!) ____________________________________________ Q: When should I get tested? When I’m sick? When I have specific symptoms? When I’m sick and not getting better after several days? When a family member Read more…
What is pool testing?
Testing and Contact Tracing
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
A: In simple terms, pool testing (also referred to as “group testing” or “batch testing”) combines many tests into one sample. The benefit is that it can facilitate an increase in testing capabilities as well as result in cost/resource savings (when supplies are low). This is not a new strategy to test individuals for infectious Read more…
A: Let’s discuss. The gaiters we are referring to are facial coverings that go around your neck and extend from above your nose down your neck. They are commonly used to protect against the sun, inhalation of dust, or during very cold outdoor activities like fishing, hiking, and skiing. Gaiters, to our knowledge, were not Read more…
Do masks work?
Infection and Spread Masks Staying SafeJennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: Signs point to YES! As we’ve been heard to say, “absence of evidence is not evidence of absence.” While our gold standard randomized controlled trials are not very practical for testing the efficacy of masks during a pandemic (how would YOU like to be in that placebo group?!), accumulating evidence from different types of Read more…
With so much talk about schools and reopening, what factors are important to consider when weighing risks/benefits of doing so?
Families/Kids Reopening School Staying Safe
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
As nerdy girls, parents, and educators, we want so much to have clarity around school reopening. But, we just don’t yet know everything we need to know (and may not in 6 weeks!). So our best offering to you, our dear followers, is to share our ideas about how to assess the issue. We hope Read more…
I’m still confused about the “Is the virus airborne?” debate. Practical take-aways, please.
Infection and Spread Staying Safe
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
A: Individuals: Avoid poorly ventilated, crowded indoor spaces to the extent possible. Building owners/tenants: Beef up air filtration, especially in older buildings. Background: A very loud squabble emerged last week around the classification of SARS-CoV-2 in the scientific taxonomy. Nerdy Girl Alison wrote a wonderful post walking through the science discussing what an “airborne” classification Read more…
When should I get tested?
Infection and Spread Testing and Contact Tracing
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Introducing Nerdy Guest Ajay Sethi, PhD, MHS. Dr. Sethi is a leading infectious disease epidemiologist at UW-Madison’s School of Medicine and Public Health. (@AjayKSethi on Twitter!) ____________________________________________ Q: When should I get tested? When I’m sick? When I have specific symptoms? When I’m sick and not getting better after several days? When a family member Read more…
What is pool testing?
Testing and Contact Tracing
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
A: In simple terms, pool testing (also referred to as “group testing” or “batch testing”) combines many tests into one sample. The benefit is that it can facilitate an increase in testing capabilities as well as result in cost/resource savings (when supplies are low). This is not a new strategy to test individuals for infectious Read more…
A: Signs point to YES! As we’ve been heard to say, “absence of evidence is not evidence of absence.” While our gold standard randomized controlled trials are not very practical for testing the efficacy of masks during a pandemic (how would YOU like to be in that placebo group?!), accumulating evidence from different types of Read more…
With so much talk about schools and reopening, what factors are important to consider when weighing risks/benefits of doing so?
Families/Kids Reopening School Staying SafeAparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
As nerdy girls, parents, and educators, we want so much to have clarity around school reopening. But, we just don’t yet know everything we need to know (and may not in 6 weeks!). So our best offering to you, our dear followers, is to share our ideas about how to assess the issue. We hope Read more…
I’m still confused about the “Is the virus airborne?” debate. Practical take-aways, please.
Infection and Spread Staying Safe
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
A: Individuals: Avoid poorly ventilated, crowded indoor spaces to the extent possible. Building owners/tenants: Beef up air filtration, especially in older buildings. Background: A very loud squabble emerged last week around the classification of SARS-CoV-2 in the scientific taxonomy. Nerdy Girl Alison wrote a wonderful post walking through the science discussing what an “airborne” classification Read more…
When should I get tested?
Infection and Spread Testing and Contact Tracing
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Introducing Nerdy Guest Ajay Sethi, PhD, MHS. Dr. Sethi is a leading infectious disease epidemiologist at UW-Madison’s School of Medicine and Public Health. (@AjayKSethi on Twitter!) ____________________________________________ Q: When should I get tested? When I’m sick? When I have specific symptoms? When I’m sick and not getting better after several days? When a family member Read more…
What is pool testing?
Testing and Contact Tracing
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
A: In simple terms, pool testing (also referred to as “group testing” or “batch testing”) combines many tests into one sample. The benefit is that it can facilitate an increase in testing capabilities as well as result in cost/resource savings (when supplies are low). This is not a new strategy to test individuals for infectious Read more…
As nerdy girls, parents, and educators, we want so much to have clarity around school reopening. But, we just don’t yet know everything we need to know (and may not in 6 weeks!). So our best offering to you, our dear followers, is to share our ideas about how to assess the issue. We hope Read more…
I’m still confused about the “Is the virus airborne?” debate. Practical take-aways, please.
Infection and Spread Staying SafeLindsey Leininger, PhD MA
A: Individuals: Avoid poorly ventilated, crowded indoor spaces to the extent possible. Building owners/tenants: Beef up air filtration, especially in older buildings. Background: A very loud squabble emerged last week around the classification of SARS-CoV-2 in the scientific taxonomy. Nerdy Girl Alison wrote a wonderful post walking through the science discussing what an “airborne” classification Read more…
When should I get tested?
Infection and Spread Testing and Contact Tracing
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Introducing Nerdy Guest Ajay Sethi, PhD, MHS. Dr. Sethi is a leading infectious disease epidemiologist at UW-Madison’s School of Medicine and Public Health. (@AjayKSethi on Twitter!) ____________________________________________ Q: When should I get tested? When I’m sick? When I have specific symptoms? When I’m sick and not getting better after several days? When a family member Read more…
What is pool testing?
Testing and Contact Tracing
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
A: In simple terms, pool testing (also referred to as “group testing” or “batch testing”) combines many tests into one sample. The benefit is that it can facilitate an increase in testing capabilities as well as result in cost/resource savings (when supplies are low). This is not a new strategy to test individuals for infectious Read more…
A: Individuals: Avoid poorly ventilated, crowded indoor spaces to the extent possible. Building owners/tenants: Beef up air filtration, especially in older buildings. Background: A very loud squabble emerged last week around the classification of SARS-CoV-2 in the scientific taxonomy. Nerdy Girl Alison wrote a wonderful post walking through the science discussing what an “airborne” classification Read more…
When should I get tested?
Infection and Spread Testing and Contact TracingMalia Jones, PhD MPH
Introducing Nerdy Guest Ajay Sethi, PhD, MHS. Dr. Sethi is a leading infectious disease epidemiologist at UW-Madison’s School of Medicine and Public Health. (@AjayKSethi on Twitter!) ____________________________________________ Q: When should I get tested? When I’m sick? When I have specific symptoms? When I’m sick and not getting better after several days? When a family member Read more…
What is pool testing?
Testing and Contact Tracing
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
A: In simple terms, pool testing (also referred to as “group testing” or “batch testing”) combines many tests into one sample. The benefit is that it can facilitate an increase in testing capabilities as well as result in cost/resource savings (when supplies are low). This is not a new strategy to test individuals for infectious Read more…
Introducing Nerdy Guest Ajay Sethi, PhD, MHS. Dr. Sethi is a leading infectious disease epidemiologist at UW-Madison’s School of Medicine and Public Health. (@AjayKSethi on Twitter!) ____________________________________________ Q: When should I get tested? When I’m sick? When I have specific symptoms? When I’m sick and not getting better after several days? When a family member Read more…
What is pool testing?
Testing and Contact TracingAparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
A: In simple terms, pool testing (also referred to as “group testing” or “batch testing”) combines many tests into one sample. The benefit is that it can facilitate an increase in testing capabilities as well as result in cost/resource savings (when supplies are low). This is not a new strategy to test individuals for infectious Read more…
A: In simple terms, pool testing (also referred to as “group testing” or “batch testing”) combines many tests into one sample. The benefit is that it can facilitate an increase in testing capabilities as well as result in cost/resource savings (when supplies are low). This is not a new strategy to test individuals for infectious Read more…
