My husband is working at a place where everyone wears masks. I am higher risk & retired… Should he be sleeping in a separate room from me?
Families/Kids Infection and Spread Staying Safe
Lauren Hale, PhD MA
A: When bed partners have varying degrees of risk of exposure and vulnerability to the disease, it’s worth discussing sleeping in separate spaces. The Nerdy Girls call this COVID Bed Spread. Here are some benefits to sleeping apart from other household members: 1.) REDUCED RISK OF VIRAL EXPOSURE (in both directions). Spending six or more Read more…
¿Cómo me mantengo seguro cuando vaya a votar en persona?
Posts en Español Staying Safe
Daisey Velazquez, Spanish Translation
R: ¡La preparación es clave! Puede protegerse a sí mismo y los demás mientras ejerce su derecho al voto. Si planea votar en persona el día de las elecciones o por adelantado, lea a continuación los consejos sobre cómo prepararse y cómo mantenerse seguro cuando esté en su lugar de votación. Aunque el riesgo no Read more…
Dear Pandemic COVID Q&A
Socializing Staying Safe Videos
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Drs. Grainger and Parkinson take your COVID questions! Today we tackled: ➡️ Intro + Halloween plans (:00 – 4:40) ➡️ Lightning round! (4:45 – 10:55) ➡️ Is it OK to have surgery? (11:00 – 16:30) ➡️ Hard truths re: Turkey Day (16:40 – 22:25) ➡️ Restaurants’ outdoor “dining domes” (22:30 – 27:39) ➡️ Risk-taking and Read more…
What can I do about my own anxiety when it seems like everyone is anxious right now?
Mental Health
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
A: Focus on what you can control and take it from there. There is a lot to feel anxious about right now. A recent survey from the American Psychiatric Association (APA) suggests that nearly 2 in 3 respondents reported more anxiety this year than at the same time last year. And experts believe that uncertainty Read more…
¿Cómo celebrar el Día de los Muertos de manera segura?
Posts en Español Staying Safe
Tita Smyth Escobedo, PM-IT
R: Como muchas cosas, el Día de los Muertos va a ser diferente este año, pero con un poco de creatividad si podremos celebrar de manera segura. Esta es una tradición muy celebrada en la población latina y afortunadamente las recomendaciones son compatibles con la reducción de daños de COVID: usar una mascarilla, mantenerse al Read more…
What’s the risk of transmission if I’m sharing indoor space with an infected person? What can I do to reduce my risk?
Infection and Spread
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: Because the virus can travel in small aerosols that accumulate indoors, transmission risk is strongly related to crowded, poorly ventilated rooms with loud talking and no masks for long durations of time. This means you can greatly reduce your risk by following the Nerdy Girls #StaySMART principles: SPACE – Keep your distance (more than Read more…
My college-age son and several of his friends had COVID19 while they were away at school.
Families/Kids Infection and Spread
Q: Is it safe to allow them to spend a few days at our house over Thanksgiving? Can they still spread the virus? A: So long as your son (and friends) have been fever-free for 24 hours, it’s been at least 10 days since he was diagnosed, and his symptoms are getting better then you Read more…
Does the new CDC guidance about avoiding 15 minutes cumulative contact mean with masks or without masks?
Infection and Spread Masks Testing and Contact Tracing
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: In the community setting, someone who meets the criteria for being a close contact to a case of COVID-19, meets the criteria REGARDLESS of whether or not they or the case had on a mask. Why is someone considered a close contact regardless of whether they had on a mask? While cloth masks are Read more…
¿Es seguro dar o recibir abrazos?
Families/Kids Posts en Español Staying Safe
Daisey Velazquez, Spanish Translation
R: Los abrazos traen muchos beneficios psicológicos y se pueden dar con un riesgo relativamente bajo. Como puede adivinar las precauciones de la pandemia todavía aplican. Si planea dar abrazos, su “eSMART kit de herramientas” ayuda a maximizar los beneficios de los abrazos que incluye hormonas de felicidad y alivio de estrés mientras minimiza Read more…
Preferiría votar en persona ¿Cuáles son mis opciones?
Posts en Español Staying Safe
Tita Smyth Escobedo, PM-IT
P: Preferiría votar en persona, pero me preocupan las largas filas y la aglomeración de gente el día de las elecciones. ¿Cuáles son mis opciones? R: Depende del estado donde viva. Como recordatorio, el día de las elecciones en los EE. UU. es este martes 3 de noviembre pero en muchos estados se puede votar Read more…
What are the hallmarks of high-quality reporting?
Uncertainty and Misinformation
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
A: Look for the ABCs of ethical journalism: Accountability; Balance; and Credibility Background: At its best, news reporting serves as an honest umpire, dispassionately calling the balls and strikes of current events.* But let’s get real: It can be hard to spot an honest ump right now. Anyone with a keyboard can become a self-styled Read more…
How do I safely take off, store, and reapply my mask?
Masks Staying Safe
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: Designate a CLEAN SIDE/DIRTY SIDE for your mask, USE THE STRINGS to put on and take off, and SANITIZE your hands and mask often. Evidence indicates wearing a mask reduces the transmission of SARS-CoV-2. Developing routines around mask wearing will help improve your practice of this useful harm reduction strategy. *CLEAN SIDE/DIRTY SIDE* The Read more…
How can I stay safe while voting in person?
Staying Safe
Rebecca Doyle, Graduate Assistant
A: Preparation is key! You CAN protect yourself and others while still exercising your right to vote. Whether you’re voting in person on or before Election Day, read on for what to prepare and how to stay safe while you’re there. While it is not ZERO risk, a few safety protocols can go a long Read more…
¿Cómo ayudo a mis seres queridos a mantenerse seguros durante la pandemia?
Posts en Español Staying Safe
Sandra Albrecht, PhD MPH
R. ¡Manténgase eSMART! Las científicas de Querida Pandemia estamos encantadas de asociarnos con la organización IMPACT (una coalición de médicos y profesionales de la salud en el estado de Illinois en EE.UU.) para ofrecer este infográfico que le ayudará a recordar 5 sencillas reglas para reducir el riesgo de transmisión de COVID-19: eS: Espacio – Read more…
What do we currently know about SARS-CoV-2 re-infection?
Biology/Immunity Infection and Spread
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: So far it seems that short-term re-infection with SARS-CoV-2 is possible, but (hopefully) rare. A key question from the beginning of the pandemic has been what is the duration of immunity for SARS-CoV-2. Viruses like measles can provide lifelong immunity, but immunity to seasonal coronaviruses has generally been short-lived (around 12 months). One challenge Read more…
I heard somewhere that doctors and hospitals are falsely claiming deaths are due to COVID-19 and incorrectly increasing the case counts. Is that true?
Data and Metrics Data Literacy Uncertainty and Misinformation
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
A: No. There is no evidence that healthcare professionals are inflating the numbers of COVID-19 cases. Understanding the role of death certificates and how they are completed can help you get to the bottom of it. There has been increased circulation of a false claim that clinicians and hospitals are inflating the number of COVID-19 Read more…
¿Se han cancelado las celebraciones de Halloween?
Families/Kids Posts en Español Staying Safe
Daisey Velazquez, Spanish Translation
R: ¡No! La celebración de Halloween no se ha cancelado. Como muchas cosas, Halloween va a ser diferente este año, pero con un poco de creatividad si podremos celebrar de una manera segura. Afortunadamente, muchas de las tradiciones de Halloween en los EE.UU. son compatibles con los conceptos básicos de reducción de daños de COVID: Read more…
How do I have a SMART Halloween?
Families/Kids Socializing Staying Safe
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
A: Good news!! Traditional Halloween activities in the United States are pretty easy to adapt to a COVID world! With a few modifications, we can trick-or-treat, dress up, visit friends outdoors, and go to pumpkin patches safely. Just keep the invitation list to a minimum, wear a mask, and skip the indoor activities. With Halloween Read more…
I can’t help but notice how well Maine is controlling COVID-19. What’s their secret? Rural state? Rich state? Not many older people?
Data and Metrics Infection and Spread Testing and Contact Tracing
Alison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
A: Nope to those three, but yes to leadership, preparation, testing & tracing, and calm, science-based communication. It’s true: Maine is doing very well by almost all metrics used to track the epidemic. While 21 states had their highest daily case counts in the last 3 weeks, Maine’s single day record cases happened way back Read more…
Do I need to wear a mask when I am alone outside?
Masks Staying Safe
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: There are scenarios where you should wear a mask outside, even when you are alone. To illustrate a few common outdoor mask wearing questions, we will use a comparison to operating the lights on your car. Think about your nose and mouth like the high beam lights on your car. High beam lights are Read more…
A: When bed partners have varying degrees of risk of exposure and vulnerability to the disease, it’s worth discussing sleeping in separate spaces. The Nerdy Girls call this COVID Bed Spread. Here are some benefits to sleeping apart from other household members: 1.) REDUCED RISK OF VIRAL EXPOSURE (in both directions). Spending six or more Read more…
¿Cómo me mantengo seguro cuando vaya a votar en persona?
Posts en Español Staying SafeDaisey Velazquez, Spanish Translation
R: ¡La preparación es clave! Puede protegerse a sí mismo y los demás mientras ejerce su derecho al voto. Si planea votar en persona el día de las elecciones o por adelantado, lea a continuación los consejos sobre cómo prepararse y cómo mantenerse seguro cuando esté en su lugar de votación. Aunque el riesgo no Read more…
Dear Pandemic COVID Q&A
Socializing Staying Safe Videos
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Drs. Grainger and Parkinson take your COVID questions! Today we tackled: ➡️ Intro + Halloween plans (:00 – 4:40) ➡️ Lightning round! (4:45 – 10:55) ➡️ Is it OK to have surgery? (11:00 – 16:30) ➡️ Hard truths re: Turkey Day (16:40 – 22:25) ➡️ Restaurants’ outdoor “dining domes” (22:30 – 27:39) ➡️ Risk-taking and Read more…
What can I do about my own anxiety when it seems like everyone is anxious right now?
Mental Health
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
A: Focus on what you can control and take it from there. There is a lot to feel anxious about right now. A recent survey from the American Psychiatric Association (APA) suggests that nearly 2 in 3 respondents reported more anxiety this year than at the same time last year. And experts believe that uncertainty Read more…
¿Cómo celebrar el Día de los Muertos de manera segura?
Posts en Español Staying Safe
Tita Smyth Escobedo, PM-IT
R: Como muchas cosas, el Día de los Muertos va a ser diferente este año, pero con un poco de creatividad si podremos celebrar de manera segura. Esta es una tradición muy celebrada en la población latina y afortunadamente las recomendaciones son compatibles con la reducción de daños de COVID: usar una mascarilla, mantenerse al Read more…
What’s the risk of transmission if I’m sharing indoor space with an infected person? What can I do to reduce my risk?
Infection and Spread
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: Because the virus can travel in small aerosols that accumulate indoors, transmission risk is strongly related to crowded, poorly ventilated rooms with loud talking and no masks for long durations of time. This means you can greatly reduce your risk by following the Nerdy Girls #StaySMART principles: SPACE – Keep your distance (more than Read more…
My college-age son and several of his friends had COVID19 while they were away at school.
Families/Kids Infection and Spread
Q: Is it safe to allow them to spend a few days at our house over Thanksgiving? Can they still spread the virus? A: So long as your son (and friends) have been fever-free for 24 hours, it’s been at least 10 days since he was diagnosed, and his symptoms are getting better then you Read more…
Does the new CDC guidance about avoiding 15 minutes cumulative contact mean with masks or without masks?
Infection and Spread Masks Testing and Contact Tracing
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: In the community setting, someone who meets the criteria for being a close contact to a case of COVID-19, meets the criteria REGARDLESS of whether or not they or the case had on a mask. Why is someone considered a close contact regardless of whether they had on a mask? While cloth masks are Read more…
¿Es seguro dar o recibir abrazos?
Families/Kids Posts en Español Staying Safe
Daisey Velazquez, Spanish Translation
R: Los abrazos traen muchos beneficios psicológicos y se pueden dar con un riesgo relativamente bajo. Como puede adivinar las precauciones de la pandemia todavía aplican. Si planea dar abrazos, su “eSMART kit de herramientas” ayuda a maximizar los beneficios de los abrazos que incluye hormonas de felicidad y alivio de estrés mientras minimiza Read more…
Preferiría votar en persona ¿Cuáles son mis opciones?
Posts en Español Staying Safe
Tita Smyth Escobedo, PM-IT
P: Preferiría votar en persona, pero me preocupan las largas filas y la aglomeración de gente el día de las elecciones. ¿Cuáles son mis opciones? R: Depende del estado donde viva. Como recordatorio, el día de las elecciones en los EE. UU. es este martes 3 de noviembre pero en muchos estados se puede votar Read more…
What are the hallmarks of high-quality reporting?
Uncertainty and Misinformation
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
A: Look for the ABCs of ethical journalism: Accountability; Balance; and Credibility Background: At its best, news reporting serves as an honest umpire, dispassionately calling the balls and strikes of current events.* But let’s get real: It can be hard to spot an honest ump right now. Anyone with a keyboard can become a self-styled Read more…
How do I safely take off, store, and reapply my mask?
Masks Staying Safe
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: Designate a CLEAN SIDE/DIRTY SIDE for your mask, USE THE STRINGS to put on and take off, and SANITIZE your hands and mask often. Evidence indicates wearing a mask reduces the transmission of SARS-CoV-2. Developing routines around mask wearing will help improve your practice of this useful harm reduction strategy. *CLEAN SIDE/DIRTY SIDE* The Read more…
How can I stay safe while voting in person?
Staying Safe
Rebecca Doyle, Graduate Assistant
A: Preparation is key! You CAN protect yourself and others while still exercising your right to vote. Whether you’re voting in person on or before Election Day, read on for what to prepare and how to stay safe while you’re there. While it is not ZERO risk, a few safety protocols can go a long Read more…
¿Cómo ayudo a mis seres queridos a mantenerse seguros durante la pandemia?
Posts en Español Staying Safe
Sandra Albrecht, PhD MPH
R. ¡Manténgase eSMART! Las científicas de Querida Pandemia estamos encantadas de asociarnos con la organización IMPACT (una coalición de médicos y profesionales de la salud en el estado de Illinois en EE.UU.) para ofrecer este infográfico que le ayudará a recordar 5 sencillas reglas para reducir el riesgo de transmisión de COVID-19: eS: Espacio – Read more…
What do we currently know about SARS-CoV-2 re-infection?
Biology/Immunity Infection and Spread
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: So far it seems that short-term re-infection with SARS-CoV-2 is possible, but (hopefully) rare. A key question from the beginning of the pandemic has been what is the duration of immunity for SARS-CoV-2. Viruses like measles can provide lifelong immunity, but immunity to seasonal coronaviruses has generally been short-lived (around 12 months). One challenge Read more…
I heard somewhere that doctors and hospitals are falsely claiming deaths are due to COVID-19 and incorrectly increasing the case counts. Is that true?
Data and Metrics Data Literacy Uncertainty and Misinformation
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
A: No. There is no evidence that healthcare professionals are inflating the numbers of COVID-19 cases. Understanding the role of death certificates and how they are completed can help you get to the bottom of it. There has been increased circulation of a false claim that clinicians and hospitals are inflating the number of COVID-19 Read more…
¿Se han cancelado las celebraciones de Halloween?
Families/Kids Posts en Español Staying Safe
Daisey Velazquez, Spanish Translation
R: ¡No! La celebración de Halloween no se ha cancelado. Como muchas cosas, Halloween va a ser diferente este año, pero con un poco de creatividad si podremos celebrar de una manera segura. Afortunadamente, muchas de las tradiciones de Halloween en los EE.UU. son compatibles con los conceptos básicos de reducción de daños de COVID: Read more…
How do I have a SMART Halloween?
Families/Kids Socializing Staying Safe
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
A: Good news!! Traditional Halloween activities in the United States are pretty easy to adapt to a COVID world! With a few modifications, we can trick-or-treat, dress up, visit friends outdoors, and go to pumpkin patches safely. Just keep the invitation list to a minimum, wear a mask, and skip the indoor activities. With Halloween Read more…
I can’t help but notice how well Maine is controlling COVID-19. What’s their secret? Rural state? Rich state? Not many older people?
Data and Metrics Infection and Spread Testing and Contact Tracing
Alison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
A: Nope to those three, but yes to leadership, preparation, testing & tracing, and calm, science-based communication. It’s true: Maine is doing very well by almost all metrics used to track the epidemic. While 21 states had their highest daily case counts in the last 3 weeks, Maine’s single day record cases happened way back Read more…
Do I need to wear a mask when I am alone outside?
Masks Staying Safe
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: There are scenarios where you should wear a mask outside, even when you are alone. To illustrate a few common outdoor mask wearing questions, we will use a comparison to operating the lights on your car. Think about your nose and mouth like the high beam lights on your car. High beam lights are Read more…
R: ¡La preparación es clave! Puede protegerse a sí mismo y los demás mientras ejerce su derecho al voto. Si planea votar en persona el día de las elecciones o por adelantado, lea a continuación los consejos sobre cómo prepararse y cómo mantenerse seguro cuando esté en su lugar de votación. Aunque el riesgo no Read more…
Dear Pandemic COVID Q&A
Socializing Staying Safe VideosMalia Jones, PhD MPH
Drs. Grainger and Parkinson take your COVID questions! Today we tackled: ➡️ Intro + Halloween plans (:00 – 4:40) ➡️ Lightning round! (4:45 – 10:55) ➡️ Is it OK to have surgery? (11:00 – 16:30) ➡️ Hard truths re: Turkey Day (16:40 – 22:25) ➡️ Restaurants’ outdoor “dining domes” (22:30 – 27:39) ➡️ Risk-taking and Read more…
What can I do about my own anxiety when it seems like everyone is anxious right now?
Mental Health
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
A: Focus on what you can control and take it from there. There is a lot to feel anxious about right now. A recent survey from the American Psychiatric Association (APA) suggests that nearly 2 in 3 respondents reported more anxiety this year than at the same time last year. And experts believe that uncertainty Read more…
¿Cómo celebrar el Día de los Muertos de manera segura?
Posts en Español Staying Safe
Tita Smyth Escobedo, PM-IT
R: Como muchas cosas, el Día de los Muertos va a ser diferente este año, pero con un poco de creatividad si podremos celebrar de manera segura. Esta es una tradición muy celebrada en la población latina y afortunadamente las recomendaciones son compatibles con la reducción de daños de COVID: usar una mascarilla, mantenerse al Read more…
What’s the risk of transmission if I’m sharing indoor space with an infected person? What can I do to reduce my risk?
Infection and Spread
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: Because the virus can travel in small aerosols that accumulate indoors, transmission risk is strongly related to crowded, poorly ventilated rooms with loud talking and no masks for long durations of time. This means you can greatly reduce your risk by following the Nerdy Girls #StaySMART principles: SPACE – Keep your distance (more than Read more…
My college-age son and several of his friends had COVID19 while they were away at school.
Families/Kids Infection and Spread
Q: Is it safe to allow them to spend a few days at our house over Thanksgiving? Can they still spread the virus? A: So long as your son (and friends) have been fever-free for 24 hours, it’s been at least 10 days since he was diagnosed, and his symptoms are getting better then you Read more…
Does the new CDC guidance about avoiding 15 minutes cumulative contact mean with masks or without masks?
Infection and Spread Masks Testing and Contact Tracing
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: In the community setting, someone who meets the criteria for being a close contact to a case of COVID-19, meets the criteria REGARDLESS of whether or not they or the case had on a mask. Why is someone considered a close contact regardless of whether they had on a mask? While cloth masks are Read more…
¿Es seguro dar o recibir abrazos?
Families/Kids Posts en Español Staying Safe
Daisey Velazquez, Spanish Translation
R: Los abrazos traen muchos beneficios psicológicos y se pueden dar con un riesgo relativamente bajo. Como puede adivinar las precauciones de la pandemia todavía aplican. Si planea dar abrazos, su “eSMART kit de herramientas” ayuda a maximizar los beneficios de los abrazos que incluye hormonas de felicidad y alivio de estrés mientras minimiza Read more…
Preferiría votar en persona ¿Cuáles son mis opciones?
Posts en Español Staying Safe
Tita Smyth Escobedo, PM-IT
P: Preferiría votar en persona, pero me preocupan las largas filas y la aglomeración de gente el día de las elecciones. ¿Cuáles son mis opciones? R: Depende del estado donde viva. Como recordatorio, el día de las elecciones en los EE. UU. es este martes 3 de noviembre pero en muchos estados se puede votar Read more…
What are the hallmarks of high-quality reporting?
Uncertainty and Misinformation
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
A: Look for the ABCs of ethical journalism: Accountability; Balance; and Credibility Background: At its best, news reporting serves as an honest umpire, dispassionately calling the balls and strikes of current events.* But let’s get real: It can be hard to spot an honest ump right now. Anyone with a keyboard can become a self-styled Read more…
How do I safely take off, store, and reapply my mask?
Masks Staying Safe
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: Designate a CLEAN SIDE/DIRTY SIDE for your mask, USE THE STRINGS to put on and take off, and SANITIZE your hands and mask often. Evidence indicates wearing a mask reduces the transmission of SARS-CoV-2. Developing routines around mask wearing will help improve your practice of this useful harm reduction strategy. *CLEAN SIDE/DIRTY SIDE* The Read more…
How can I stay safe while voting in person?
Staying Safe
Rebecca Doyle, Graduate Assistant
A: Preparation is key! You CAN protect yourself and others while still exercising your right to vote. Whether you’re voting in person on or before Election Day, read on for what to prepare and how to stay safe while you’re there. While it is not ZERO risk, a few safety protocols can go a long Read more…
¿Cómo ayudo a mis seres queridos a mantenerse seguros durante la pandemia?
Posts en Español Staying Safe
Sandra Albrecht, PhD MPH
R. ¡Manténgase eSMART! Las científicas de Querida Pandemia estamos encantadas de asociarnos con la organización IMPACT (una coalición de médicos y profesionales de la salud en el estado de Illinois en EE.UU.) para ofrecer este infográfico que le ayudará a recordar 5 sencillas reglas para reducir el riesgo de transmisión de COVID-19: eS: Espacio – Read more…
What do we currently know about SARS-CoV-2 re-infection?
Biology/Immunity Infection and Spread
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: So far it seems that short-term re-infection with SARS-CoV-2 is possible, but (hopefully) rare. A key question from the beginning of the pandemic has been what is the duration of immunity for SARS-CoV-2. Viruses like measles can provide lifelong immunity, but immunity to seasonal coronaviruses has generally been short-lived (around 12 months). One challenge Read more…
I heard somewhere that doctors and hospitals are falsely claiming deaths are due to COVID-19 and incorrectly increasing the case counts. Is that true?
Data and Metrics Data Literacy Uncertainty and Misinformation
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
A: No. There is no evidence that healthcare professionals are inflating the numbers of COVID-19 cases. Understanding the role of death certificates and how they are completed can help you get to the bottom of it. There has been increased circulation of a false claim that clinicians and hospitals are inflating the number of COVID-19 Read more…
¿Se han cancelado las celebraciones de Halloween?
Families/Kids Posts en Español Staying Safe
Daisey Velazquez, Spanish Translation
R: ¡No! La celebración de Halloween no se ha cancelado. Como muchas cosas, Halloween va a ser diferente este año, pero con un poco de creatividad si podremos celebrar de una manera segura. Afortunadamente, muchas de las tradiciones de Halloween en los EE.UU. son compatibles con los conceptos básicos de reducción de daños de COVID: Read more…
How do I have a SMART Halloween?
Families/Kids Socializing Staying Safe
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
A: Good news!! Traditional Halloween activities in the United States are pretty easy to adapt to a COVID world! With a few modifications, we can trick-or-treat, dress up, visit friends outdoors, and go to pumpkin patches safely. Just keep the invitation list to a minimum, wear a mask, and skip the indoor activities. With Halloween Read more…
I can’t help but notice how well Maine is controlling COVID-19. What’s their secret? Rural state? Rich state? Not many older people?
Data and Metrics Infection and Spread Testing and Contact Tracing
Alison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
A: Nope to those three, but yes to leadership, preparation, testing & tracing, and calm, science-based communication. It’s true: Maine is doing very well by almost all metrics used to track the epidemic. While 21 states had their highest daily case counts in the last 3 weeks, Maine’s single day record cases happened way back Read more…
Do I need to wear a mask when I am alone outside?
Masks Staying Safe
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: There are scenarios where you should wear a mask outside, even when you are alone. To illustrate a few common outdoor mask wearing questions, we will use a comparison to operating the lights on your car. Think about your nose and mouth like the high beam lights on your car. High beam lights are Read more…
Drs. Grainger and Parkinson take your COVID questions! Today we tackled: ➡️ Intro + Halloween plans (:00 – 4:40) ➡️ Lightning round! (4:45 – 10:55) ➡️ Is it OK to have surgery? (11:00 – 16:30) ➡️ Hard truths re: Turkey Day (16:40 – 22:25) ➡️ Restaurants’ outdoor “dining domes” (22:30 – 27:39) ➡️ Risk-taking and Read more…
What can I do about my own anxiety when it seems like everyone is anxious right now?
Mental HealthAparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
A: Focus on what you can control and take it from there. There is a lot to feel anxious about right now. A recent survey from the American Psychiatric Association (APA) suggests that nearly 2 in 3 respondents reported more anxiety this year than at the same time last year. And experts believe that uncertainty Read more…
¿Cómo celebrar el Día de los Muertos de manera segura?
Posts en Español Staying Safe
Tita Smyth Escobedo, PM-IT
R: Como muchas cosas, el Día de los Muertos va a ser diferente este año, pero con un poco de creatividad si podremos celebrar de manera segura. Esta es una tradición muy celebrada en la población latina y afortunadamente las recomendaciones son compatibles con la reducción de daños de COVID: usar una mascarilla, mantenerse al Read more…
What’s the risk of transmission if I’m sharing indoor space with an infected person? What can I do to reduce my risk?
Infection and Spread
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: Because the virus can travel in small aerosols that accumulate indoors, transmission risk is strongly related to crowded, poorly ventilated rooms with loud talking and no masks for long durations of time. This means you can greatly reduce your risk by following the Nerdy Girls #StaySMART principles: SPACE – Keep your distance (more than Read more…
My college-age son and several of his friends had COVID19 while they were away at school.
Families/Kids Infection and Spread
Q: Is it safe to allow them to spend a few days at our house over Thanksgiving? Can they still spread the virus? A: So long as your son (and friends) have been fever-free for 24 hours, it’s been at least 10 days since he was diagnosed, and his symptoms are getting better then you Read more…
Does the new CDC guidance about avoiding 15 minutes cumulative contact mean with masks or without masks?
Infection and Spread Masks Testing and Contact Tracing
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: In the community setting, someone who meets the criteria for being a close contact to a case of COVID-19, meets the criteria REGARDLESS of whether or not they or the case had on a mask. Why is someone considered a close contact regardless of whether they had on a mask? While cloth masks are Read more…
¿Es seguro dar o recibir abrazos?
Families/Kids Posts en Español Staying Safe
Daisey Velazquez, Spanish Translation
R: Los abrazos traen muchos beneficios psicológicos y se pueden dar con un riesgo relativamente bajo. Como puede adivinar las precauciones de la pandemia todavía aplican. Si planea dar abrazos, su “eSMART kit de herramientas” ayuda a maximizar los beneficios de los abrazos que incluye hormonas de felicidad y alivio de estrés mientras minimiza Read more…
Preferiría votar en persona ¿Cuáles son mis opciones?
Posts en Español Staying Safe
Tita Smyth Escobedo, PM-IT
P: Preferiría votar en persona, pero me preocupan las largas filas y la aglomeración de gente el día de las elecciones. ¿Cuáles son mis opciones? R: Depende del estado donde viva. Como recordatorio, el día de las elecciones en los EE. UU. es este martes 3 de noviembre pero en muchos estados se puede votar Read more…
What are the hallmarks of high-quality reporting?
Uncertainty and Misinformation
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
A: Look for the ABCs of ethical journalism: Accountability; Balance; and Credibility Background: At its best, news reporting serves as an honest umpire, dispassionately calling the balls and strikes of current events.* But let’s get real: It can be hard to spot an honest ump right now. Anyone with a keyboard can become a self-styled Read more…
How do I safely take off, store, and reapply my mask?
Masks Staying Safe
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: Designate a CLEAN SIDE/DIRTY SIDE for your mask, USE THE STRINGS to put on and take off, and SANITIZE your hands and mask often. Evidence indicates wearing a mask reduces the transmission of SARS-CoV-2. Developing routines around mask wearing will help improve your practice of this useful harm reduction strategy. *CLEAN SIDE/DIRTY SIDE* The Read more…
How can I stay safe while voting in person?
Staying Safe
Rebecca Doyle, Graduate Assistant
A: Preparation is key! You CAN protect yourself and others while still exercising your right to vote. Whether you’re voting in person on or before Election Day, read on for what to prepare and how to stay safe while you’re there. While it is not ZERO risk, a few safety protocols can go a long Read more…
¿Cómo ayudo a mis seres queridos a mantenerse seguros durante la pandemia?
Posts en Español Staying Safe
Sandra Albrecht, PhD MPH
R. ¡Manténgase eSMART! Las científicas de Querida Pandemia estamos encantadas de asociarnos con la organización IMPACT (una coalición de médicos y profesionales de la salud en el estado de Illinois en EE.UU.) para ofrecer este infográfico que le ayudará a recordar 5 sencillas reglas para reducir el riesgo de transmisión de COVID-19: eS: Espacio – Read more…
What do we currently know about SARS-CoV-2 re-infection?
Biology/Immunity Infection and Spread
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: So far it seems that short-term re-infection with SARS-CoV-2 is possible, but (hopefully) rare. A key question from the beginning of the pandemic has been what is the duration of immunity for SARS-CoV-2. Viruses like measles can provide lifelong immunity, but immunity to seasonal coronaviruses has generally been short-lived (around 12 months). One challenge Read more…
I heard somewhere that doctors and hospitals are falsely claiming deaths are due to COVID-19 and incorrectly increasing the case counts. Is that true?
Data and Metrics Data Literacy Uncertainty and Misinformation
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
A: No. There is no evidence that healthcare professionals are inflating the numbers of COVID-19 cases. Understanding the role of death certificates and how they are completed can help you get to the bottom of it. There has been increased circulation of a false claim that clinicians and hospitals are inflating the number of COVID-19 Read more…
¿Se han cancelado las celebraciones de Halloween?
Families/Kids Posts en Español Staying Safe
Daisey Velazquez, Spanish Translation
R: ¡No! La celebración de Halloween no se ha cancelado. Como muchas cosas, Halloween va a ser diferente este año, pero con un poco de creatividad si podremos celebrar de una manera segura. Afortunadamente, muchas de las tradiciones de Halloween en los EE.UU. son compatibles con los conceptos básicos de reducción de daños de COVID: Read more…
How do I have a SMART Halloween?
Families/Kids Socializing Staying Safe
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
A: Good news!! Traditional Halloween activities in the United States are pretty easy to adapt to a COVID world! With a few modifications, we can trick-or-treat, dress up, visit friends outdoors, and go to pumpkin patches safely. Just keep the invitation list to a minimum, wear a mask, and skip the indoor activities. With Halloween Read more…
I can’t help but notice how well Maine is controlling COVID-19. What’s their secret? Rural state? Rich state? Not many older people?
Data and Metrics Infection and Spread Testing and Contact Tracing
Alison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
A: Nope to those three, but yes to leadership, preparation, testing & tracing, and calm, science-based communication. It’s true: Maine is doing very well by almost all metrics used to track the epidemic. While 21 states had their highest daily case counts in the last 3 weeks, Maine’s single day record cases happened way back Read more…
Do I need to wear a mask when I am alone outside?
Masks Staying Safe
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: There are scenarios where you should wear a mask outside, even when you are alone. To illustrate a few common outdoor mask wearing questions, we will use a comparison to operating the lights on your car. Think about your nose and mouth like the high beam lights on your car. High beam lights are Read more…
A: Focus on what you can control and take it from there. There is a lot to feel anxious about right now. A recent survey from the American Psychiatric Association (APA) suggests that nearly 2 in 3 respondents reported more anxiety this year than at the same time last year. And experts believe that uncertainty Read more…
¿Cómo celebrar el Día de los Muertos de manera segura?
Posts en Español Staying SafeTita Smyth Escobedo, PM-IT
R: Como muchas cosas, el Día de los Muertos va a ser diferente este año, pero con un poco de creatividad si podremos celebrar de manera segura. Esta es una tradición muy celebrada en la población latina y afortunadamente las recomendaciones son compatibles con la reducción de daños de COVID: usar una mascarilla, mantenerse al Read more…
What’s the risk of transmission if I’m sharing indoor space with an infected person? What can I do to reduce my risk?
Infection and Spread
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: Because the virus can travel in small aerosols that accumulate indoors, transmission risk is strongly related to crowded, poorly ventilated rooms with loud talking and no masks for long durations of time. This means you can greatly reduce your risk by following the Nerdy Girls #StaySMART principles: SPACE – Keep your distance (more than Read more…
My college-age son and several of his friends had COVID19 while they were away at school.
Families/Kids Infection and Spread
Q: Is it safe to allow them to spend a few days at our house over Thanksgiving? Can they still spread the virus? A: So long as your son (and friends) have been fever-free for 24 hours, it’s been at least 10 days since he was diagnosed, and his symptoms are getting better then you Read more…
Does the new CDC guidance about avoiding 15 minutes cumulative contact mean with masks or without masks?
Infection and Spread Masks Testing and Contact Tracing
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: In the community setting, someone who meets the criteria for being a close contact to a case of COVID-19, meets the criteria REGARDLESS of whether or not they or the case had on a mask. Why is someone considered a close contact regardless of whether they had on a mask? While cloth masks are Read more…
¿Es seguro dar o recibir abrazos?
Families/Kids Posts en Español Staying Safe
Daisey Velazquez, Spanish Translation
R: Los abrazos traen muchos beneficios psicológicos y se pueden dar con un riesgo relativamente bajo. Como puede adivinar las precauciones de la pandemia todavía aplican. Si planea dar abrazos, su “eSMART kit de herramientas” ayuda a maximizar los beneficios de los abrazos que incluye hormonas de felicidad y alivio de estrés mientras minimiza Read more…
Preferiría votar en persona ¿Cuáles son mis opciones?
Posts en Español Staying Safe
Tita Smyth Escobedo, PM-IT
P: Preferiría votar en persona, pero me preocupan las largas filas y la aglomeración de gente el día de las elecciones. ¿Cuáles son mis opciones? R: Depende del estado donde viva. Como recordatorio, el día de las elecciones en los EE. UU. es este martes 3 de noviembre pero en muchos estados se puede votar Read more…
What are the hallmarks of high-quality reporting?
Uncertainty and Misinformation
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
A: Look for the ABCs of ethical journalism: Accountability; Balance; and Credibility Background: At its best, news reporting serves as an honest umpire, dispassionately calling the balls and strikes of current events.* But let’s get real: It can be hard to spot an honest ump right now. Anyone with a keyboard can become a self-styled Read more…
How do I safely take off, store, and reapply my mask?
Masks Staying Safe
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: Designate a CLEAN SIDE/DIRTY SIDE for your mask, USE THE STRINGS to put on and take off, and SANITIZE your hands and mask often. Evidence indicates wearing a mask reduces the transmission of SARS-CoV-2. Developing routines around mask wearing will help improve your practice of this useful harm reduction strategy. *CLEAN SIDE/DIRTY SIDE* The Read more…
How can I stay safe while voting in person?
Staying Safe
Rebecca Doyle, Graduate Assistant
A: Preparation is key! You CAN protect yourself and others while still exercising your right to vote. Whether you’re voting in person on or before Election Day, read on for what to prepare and how to stay safe while you’re there. While it is not ZERO risk, a few safety protocols can go a long Read more…
¿Cómo ayudo a mis seres queridos a mantenerse seguros durante la pandemia?
Posts en Español Staying Safe
Sandra Albrecht, PhD MPH
R. ¡Manténgase eSMART! Las científicas de Querida Pandemia estamos encantadas de asociarnos con la organización IMPACT (una coalición de médicos y profesionales de la salud en el estado de Illinois en EE.UU.) para ofrecer este infográfico que le ayudará a recordar 5 sencillas reglas para reducir el riesgo de transmisión de COVID-19: eS: Espacio – Read more…
What do we currently know about SARS-CoV-2 re-infection?
Biology/Immunity Infection and Spread
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: So far it seems that short-term re-infection with SARS-CoV-2 is possible, but (hopefully) rare. A key question from the beginning of the pandemic has been what is the duration of immunity for SARS-CoV-2. Viruses like measles can provide lifelong immunity, but immunity to seasonal coronaviruses has generally been short-lived (around 12 months). One challenge Read more…
I heard somewhere that doctors and hospitals are falsely claiming deaths are due to COVID-19 and incorrectly increasing the case counts. Is that true?
Data and Metrics Data Literacy Uncertainty and Misinformation
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
A: No. There is no evidence that healthcare professionals are inflating the numbers of COVID-19 cases. Understanding the role of death certificates and how they are completed can help you get to the bottom of it. There has been increased circulation of a false claim that clinicians and hospitals are inflating the number of COVID-19 Read more…
¿Se han cancelado las celebraciones de Halloween?
Families/Kids Posts en Español Staying Safe
Daisey Velazquez, Spanish Translation
R: ¡No! La celebración de Halloween no se ha cancelado. Como muchas cosas, Halloween va a ser diferente este año, pero con un poco de creatividad si podremos celebrar de una manera segura. Afortunadamente, muchas de las tradiciones de Halloween en los EE.UU. son compatibles con los conceptos básicos de reducción de daños de COVID: Read more…
How do I have a SMART Halloween?
Families/Kids Socializing Staying Safe
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
A: Good news!! Traditional Halloween activities in the United States are pretty easy to adapt to a COVID world! With a few modifications, we can trick-or-treat, dress up, visit friends outdoors, and go to pumpkin patches safely. Just keep the invitation list to a minimum, wear a mask, and skip the indoor activities. With Halloween Read more…
I can’t help but notice how well Maine is controlling COVID-19. What’s their secret? Rural state? Rich state? Not many older people?
Data and Metrics Infection and Spread Testing and Contact Tracing
Alison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
A: Nope to those three, but yes to leadership, preparation, testing & tracing, and calm, science-based communication. It’s true: Maine is doing very well by almost all metrics used to track the epidemic. While 21 states had their highest daily case counts in the last 3 weeks, Maine’s single day record cases happened way back Read more…
Do I need to wear a mask when I am alone outside?
Masks Staying Safe
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: There are scenarios where you should wear a mask outside, even when you are alone. To illustrate a few common outdoor mask wearing questions, we will use a comparison to operating the lights on your car. Think about your nose and mouth like the high beam lights on your car. High beam lights are Read more…
R: Como muchas cosas, el Día de los Muertos va a ser diferente este año, pero con un poco de creatividad si podremos celebrar de manera segura. Esta es una tradición muy celebrada en la población latina y afortunadamente las recomendaciones son compatibles con la reducción de daños de COVID: usar una mascarilla, mantenerse al Read more…
What’s the risk of transmission if I’m sharing indoor space with an infected person? What can I do to reduce my risk?
Infection and SpreadJennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: Because the virus can travel in small aerosols that accumulate indoors, transmission risk is strongly related to crowded, poorly ventilated rooms with loud talking and no masks for long durations of time. This means you can greatly reduce your risk by following the Nerdy Girls #StaySMART principles: SPACE – Keep your distance (more than Read more…
My college-age son and several of his friends had COVID19 while they were away at school.
Families/Kids Infection and Spread
Q: Is it safe to allow them to spend a few days at our house over Thanksgiving? Can they still spread the virus? A: So long as your son (and friends) have been fever-free for 24 hours, it’s been at least 10 days since he was diagnosed, and his symptoms are getting better then you Read more…
Does the new CDC guidance about avoiding 15 minutes cumulative contact mean with masks or without masks?
Infection and Spread Masks Testing and Contact Tracing
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: In the community setting, someone who meets the criteria for being a close contact to a case of COVID-19, meets the criteria REGARDLESS of whether or not they or the case had on a mask. Why is someone considered a close contact regardless of whether they had on a mask? While cloth masks are Read more…
¿Es seguro dar o recibir abrazos?
Families/Kids Posts en Español Staying Safe
Daisey Velazquez, Spanish Translation
R: Los abrazos traen muchos beneficios psicológicos y se pueden dar con un riesgo relativamente bajo. Como puede adivinar las precauciones de la pandemia todavía aplican. Si planea dar abrazos, su “eSMART kit de herramientas” ayuda a maximizar los beneficios de los abrazos que incluye hormonas de felicidad y alivio de estrés mientras minimiza Read more…
Preferiría votar en persona ¿Cuáles son mis opciones?
Posts en Español Staying Safe
Tita Smyth Escobedo, PM-IT
P: Preferiría votar en persona, pero me preocupan las largas filas y la aglomeración de gente el día de las elecciones. ¿Cuáles son mis opciones? R: Depende del estado donde viva. Como recordatorio, el día de las elecciones en los EE. UU. es este martes 3 de noviembre pero en muchos estados se puede votar Read more…
What are the hallmarks of high-quality reporting?
Uncertainty and Misinformation
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
A: Look for the ABCs of ethical journalism: Accountability; Balance; and Credibility Background: At its best, news reporting serves as an honest umpire, dispassionately calling the balls and strikes of current events.* But let’s get real: It can be hard to spot an honest ump right now. Anyone with a keyboard can become a self-styled Read more…
How do I safely take off, store, and reapply my mask?
Masks Staying Safe
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: Designate a CLEAN SIDE/DIRTY SIDE for your mask, USE THE STRINGS to put on and take off, and SANITIZE your hands and mask often. Evidence indicates wearing a mask reduces the transmission of SARS-CoV-2. Developing routines around mask wearing will help improve your practice of this useful harm reduction strategy. *CLEAN SIDE/DIRTY SIDE* The Read more…
How can I stay safe while voting in person?
Staying Safe
Rebecca Doyle, Graduate Assistant
A: Preparation is key! You CAN protect yourself and others while still exercising your right to vote. Whether you’re voting in person on or before Election Day, read on for what to prepare and how to stay safe while you’re there. While it is not ZERO risk, a few safety protocols can go a long Read more…
¿Cómo ayudo a mis seres queridos a mantenerse seguros durante la pandemia?
Posts en Español Staying Safe
Sandra Albrecht, PhD MPH
R. ¡Manténgase eSMART! Las científicas de Querida Pandemia estamos encantadas de asociarnos con la organización IMPACT (una coalición de médicos y profesionales de la salud en el estado de Illinois en EE.UU.) para ofrecer este infográfico que le ayudará a recordar 5 sencillas reglas para reducir el riesgo de transmisión de COVID-19: eS: Espacio – Read more…
What do we currently know about SARS-CoV-2 re-infection?
Biology/Immunity Infection and Spread
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: So far it seems that short-term re-infection with SARS-CoV-2 is possible, but (hopefully) rare. A key question from the beginning of the pandemic has been what is the duration of immunity for SARS-CoV-2. Viruses like measles can provide lifelong immunity, but immunity to seasonal coronaviruses has generally been short-lived (around 12 months). One challenge Read more…
I heard somewhere that doctors and hospitals are falsely claiming deaths are due to COVID-19 and incorrectly increasing the case counts. Is that true?
Data and Metrics Data Literacy Uncertainty and Misinformation
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
A: No. There is no evidence that healthcare professionals are inflating the numbers of COVID-19 cases. Understanding the role of death certificates and how they are completed can help you get to the bottom of it. There has been increased circulation of a false claim that clinicians and hospitals are inflating the number of COVID-19 Read more…
¿Se han cancelado las celebraciones de Halloween?
Families/Kids Posts en Español Staying Safe
Daisey Velazquez, Spanish Translation
R: ¡No! La celebración de Halloween no se ha cancelado. Como muchas cosas, Halloween va a ser diferente este año, pero con un poco de creatividad si podremos celebrar de una manera segura. Afortunadamente, muchas de las tradiciones de Halloween en los EE.UU. son compatibles con los conceptos básicos de reducción de daños de COVID: Read more…
How do I have a SMART Halloween?
Families/Kids Socializing Staying Safe
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
A: Good news!! Traditional Halloween activities in the United States are pretty easy to adapt to a COVID world! With a few modifications, we can trick-or-treat, dress up, visit friends outdoors, and go to pumpkin patches safely. Just keep the invitation list to a minimum, wear a mask, and skip the indoor activities. With Halloween Read more…
I can’t help but notice how well Maine is controlling COVID-19. What’s their secret? Rural state? Rich state? Not many older people?
Data and Metrics Infection and Spread Testing and Contact Tracing
Alison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
A: Nope to those three, but yes to leadership, preparation, testing & tracing, and calm, science-based communication. It’s true: Maine is doing very well by almost all metrics used to track the epidemic. While 21 states had their highest daily case counts in the last 3 weeks, Maine’s single day record cases happened way back Read more…
Do I need to wear a mask when I am alone outside?
Masks Staying Safe
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: There are scenarios where you should wear a mask outside, even when you are alone. To illustrate a few common outdoor mask wearing questions, we will use a comparison to operating the lights on your car. Think about your nose and mouth like the high beam lights on your car. High beam lights are Read more…
A: Because the virus can travel in small aerosols that accumulate indoors, transmission risk is strongly related to crowded, poorly ventilated rooms with loud talking and no masks for long durations of time. This means you can greatly reduce your risk by following the Nerdy Girls #StaySMART principles: SPACE – Keep your distance (more than Read more…
My college-age son and several of his friends had COVID19 while they were away at school.
Families/Kids Infection and SpreadQ: Is it safe to allow them to spend a few days at our house over Thanksgiving? Can they still spread the virus? A: So long as your son (and friends) have been fever-free for 24 hours, it’s been at least 10 days since he was diagnosed, and his symptoms are getting better then you Read more…
Does the new CDC guidance about avoiding 15 minutes cumulative contact mean with masks or without masks?
Infection and Spread Masks Testing and Contact TracingAmanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: In the community setting, someone who meets the criteria for being a close contact to a case of COVID-19, meets the criteria REGARDLESS of whether or not they or the case had on a mask. Why is someone considered a close contact regardless of whether they had on a mask? While cloth masks are Read more…
¿Es seguro dar o recibir abrazos?
Families/Kids Posts en Español Staying Safe
Daisey Velazquez, Spanish Translation
R: Los abrazos traen muchos beneficios psicológicos y se pueden dar con un riesgo relativamente bajo. Como puede adivinar las precauciones de la pandemia todavía aplican. Si planea dar abrazos, su “eSMART kit de herramientas” ayuda a maximizar los beneficios de los abrazos que incluye hormonas de felicidad y alivio de estrés mientras minimiza Read more…
Preferiría votar en persona ¿Cuáles son mis opciones?
Posts en Español Staying Safe
Tita Smyth Escobedo, PM-IT
P: Preferiría votar en persona, pero me preocupan las largas filas y la aglomeración de gente el día de las elecciones. ¿Cuáles son mis opciones? R: Depende del estado donde viva. Como recordatorio, el día de las elecciones en los EE. UU. es este martes 3 de noviembre pero en muchos estados se puede votar Read more…
What are the hallmarks of high-quality reporting?
Uncertainty and Misinformation
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
A: Look for the ABCs of ethical journalism: Accountability; Balance; and Credibility Background: At its best, news reporting serves as an honest umpire, dispassionately calling the balls and strikes of current events.* But let’s get real: It can be hard to spot an honest ump right now. Anyone with a keyboard can become a self-styled Read more…
How do I safely take off, store, and reapply my mask?
Masks Staying Safe
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: Designate a CLEAN SIDE/DIRTY SIDE for your mask, USE THE STRINGS to put on and take off, and SANITIZE your hands and mask often. Evidence indicates wearing a mask reduces the transmission of SARS-CoV-2. Developing routines around mask wearing will help improve your practice of this useful harm reduction strategy. *CLEAN SIDE/DIRTY SIDE* The Read more…
How can I stay safe while voting in person?
Staying Safe
Rebecca Doyle, Graduate Assistant
A: Preparation is key! You CAN protect yourself and others while still exercising your right to vote. Whether you’re voting in person on or before Election Day, read on for what to prepare and how to stay safe while you’re there. While it is not ZERO risk, a few safety protocols can go a long Read more…
¿Cómo ayudo a mis seres queridos a mantenerse seguros durante la pandemia?
Posts en Español Staying Safe
Sandra Albrecht, PhD MPH
R. ¡Manténgase eSMART! Las científicas de Querida Pandemia estamos encantadas de asociarnos con la organización IMPACT (una coalición de médicos y profesionales de la salud en el estado de Illinois en EE.UU.) para ofrecer este infográfico que le ayudará a recordar 5 sencillas reglas para reducir el riesgo de transmisión de COVID-19: eS: Espacio – Read more…
What do we currently know about SARS-CoV-2 re-infection?
Biology/Immunity Infection and Spread
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: So far it seems that short-term re-infection with SARS-CoV-2 is possible, but (hopefully) rare. A key question from the beginning of the pandemic has been what is the duration of immunity for SARS-CoV-2. Viruses like measles can provide lifelong immunity, but immunity to seasonal coronaviruses has generally been short-lived (around 12 months). One challenge Read more…
I heard somewhere that doctors and hospitals are falsely claiming deaths are due to COVID-19 and incorrectly increasing the case counts. Is that true?
Data and Metrics Data Literacy Uncertainty and Misinformation
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
A: No. There is no evidence that healthcare professionals are inflating the numbers of COVID-19 cases. Understanding the role of death certificates and how they are completed can help you get to the bottom of it. There has been increased circulation of a false claim that clinicians and hospitals are inflating the number of COVID-19 Read more…
¿Se han cancelado las celebraciones de Halloween?
Families/Kids Posts en Español Staying Safe
Daisey Velazquez, Spanish Translation
R: ¡No! La celebración de Halloween no se ha cancelado. Como muchas cosas, Halloween va a ser diferente este año, pero con un poco de creatividad si podremos celebrar de una manera segura. Afortunadamente, muchas de las tradiciones de Halloween en los EE.UU. son compatibles con los conceptos básicos de reducción de daños de COVID: Read more…
How do I have a SMART Halloween?
Families/Kids Socializing Staying Safe
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
A: Good news!! Traditional Halloween activities in the United States are pretty easy to adapt to a COVID world! With a few modifications, we can trick-or-treat, dress up, visit friends outdoors, and go to pumpkin patches safely. Just keep the invitation list to a minimum, wear a mask, and skip the indoor activities. With Halloween Read more…
I can’t help but notice how well Maine is controlling COVID-19. What’s their secret? Rural state? Rich state? Not many older people?
Data and Metrics Infection and Spread Testing and Contact Tracing
Alison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
A: Nope to those three, but yes to leadership, preparation, testing & tracing, and calm, science-based communication. It’s true: Maine is doing very well by almost all metrics used to track the epidemic. While 21 states had their highest daily case counts in the last 3 weeks, Maine’s single day record cases happened way back Read more…
Do I need to wear a mask when I am alone outside?
Masks Staying Safe
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: There are scenarios where you should wear a mask outside, even when you are alone. To illustrate a few common outdoor mask wearing questions, we will use a comparison to operating the lights on your car. Think about your nose and mouth like the high beam lights on your car. High beam lights are Read more…
A: In the community setting, someone who meets the criteria for being a close contact to a case of COVID-19, meets the criteria REGARDLESS of whether or not they or the case had on a mask. Why is someone considered a close contact regardless of whether they had on a mask? While cloth masks are Read more…
¿Es seguro dar o recibir abrazos?
Families/Kids Posts en Español Staying SafeDaisey Velazquez, Spanish Translation
R: Los abrazos traen muchos beneficios psicológicos y se pueden dar con un riesgo relativamente bajo. Como puede adivinar las precauciones de la pandemia todavía aplican. Si planea dar abrazos, su “eSMART kit de herramientas” ayuda a maximizar los beneficios de los abrazos que incluye hormonas de felicidad y alivio de estrés mientras minimiza Read more…
Preferiría votar en persona ¿Cuáles son mis opciones?
Posts en Español Staying Safe
Tita Smyth Escobedo, PM-IT
P: Preferiría votar en persona, pero me preocupan las largas filas y la aglomeración de gente el día de las elecciones. ¿Cuáles son mis opciones? R: Depende del estado donde viva. Como recordatorio, el día de las elecciones en los EE. UU. es este martes 3 de noviembre pero en muchos estados se puede votar Read more…
What are the hallmarks of high-quality reporting?
Uncertainty and Misinformation
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
A: Look for the ABCs of ethical journalism: Accountability; Balance; and Credibility Background: At its best, news reporting serves as an honest umpire, dispassionately calling the balls and strikes of current events.* But let’s get real: It can be hard to spot an honest ump right now. Anyone with a keyboard can become a self-styled Read more…
How do I safely take off, store, and reapply my mask?
Masks Staying Safe
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: Designate a CLEAN SIDE/DIRTY SIDE for your mask, USE THE STRINGS to put on and take off, and SANITIZE your hands and mask often. Evidence indicates wearing a mask reduces the transmission of SARS-CoV-2. Developing routines around mask wearing will help improve your practice of this useful harm reduction strategy. *CLEAN SIDE/DIRTY SIDE* The Read more…
How can I stay safe while voting in person?
Staying Safe
Rebecca Doyle, Graduate Assistant
A: Preparation is key! You CAN protect yourself and others while still exercising your right to vote. Whether you’re voting in person on or before Election Day, read on for what to prepare and how to stay safe while you’re there. While it is not ZERO risk, a few safety protocols can go a long Read more…
¿Cómo ayudo a mis seres queridos a mantenerse seguros durante la pandemia?
Posts en Español Staying Safe
Sandra Albrecht, PhD MPH
R. ¡Manténgase eSMART! Las científicas de Querida Pandemia estamos encantadas de asociarnos con la organización IMPACT (una coalición de médicos y profesionales de la salud en el estado de Illinois en EE.UU.) para ofrecer este infográfico que le ayudará a recordar 5 sencillas reglas para reducir el riesgo de transmisión de COVID-19: eS: Espacio – Read more…
What do we currently know about SARS-CoV-2 re-infection?
Biology/Immunity Infection and Spread
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: So far it seems that short-term re-infection with SARS-CoV-2 is possible, but (hopefully) rare. A key question from the beginning of the pandemic has been what is the duration of immunity for SARS-CoV-2. Viruses like measles can provide lifelong immunity, but immunity to seasonal coronaviruses has generally been short-lived (around 12 months). One challenge Read more…
I heard somewhere that doctors and hospitals are falsely claiming deaths are due to COVID-19 and incorrectly increasing the case counts. Is that true?
Data and Metrics Data Literacy Uncertainty and Misinformation
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
A: No. There is no evidence that healthcare professionals are inflating the numbers of COVID-19 cases. Understanding the role of death certificates and how they are completed can help you get to the bottom of it. There has been increased circulation of a false claim that clinicians and hospitals are inflating the number of COVID-19 Read more…
¿Se han cancelado las celebraciones de Halloween?
Families/Kids Posts en Español Staying Safe
Daisey Velazquez, Spanish Translation
R: ¡No! La celebración de Halloween no se ha cancelado. Como muchas cosas, Halloween va a ser diferente este año, pero con un poco de creatividad si podremos celebrar de una manera segura. Afortunadamente, muchas de las tradiciones de Halloween en los EE.UU. son compatibles con los conceptos básicos de reducción de daños de COVID: Read more…
How do I have a SMART Halloween?
Families/Kids Socializing Staying Safe
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
A: Good news!! Traditional Halloween activities in the United States are pretty easy to adapt to a COVID world! With a few modifications, we can trick-or-treat, dress up, visit friends outdoors, and go to pumpkin patches safely. Just keep the invitation list to a minimum, wear a mask, and skip the indoor activities. With Halloween Read more…
I can’t help but notice how well Maine is controlling COVID-19. What’s their secret? Rural state? Rich state? Not many older people?
Data and Metrics Infection and Spread Testing and Contact Tracing
Alison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
A: Nope to those three, but yes to leadership, preparation, testing & tracing, and calm, science-based communication. It’s true: Maine is doing very well by almost all metrics used to track the epidemic. While 21 states had their highest daily case counts in the last 3 weeks, Maine’s single day record cases happened way back Read more…
Do I need to wear a mask when I am alone outside?
Masks Staying Safe
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: There are scenarios where you should wear a mask outside, even when you are alone. To illustrate a few common outdoor mask wearing questions, we will use a comparison to operating the lights on your car. Think about your nose and mouth like the high beam lights on your car. High beam lights are Read more…
R: Los abrazos traen muchos beneficios psicológicos y se pueden dar con un riesgo relativamente bajo. Como puede adivinar las precauciones de la pandemia todavía aplican. Si planea dar abrazos, su “eSMART kit de herramientas” ayuda a maximizar los beneficios de los abrazos que incluye hormonas de felicidad y alivio de estrés mientras minimiza Read more…
Preferiría votar en persona ¿Cuáles son mis opciones?
Posts en Español Staying SafeTita Smyth Escobedo, PM-IT
P: Preferiría votar en persona, pero me preocupan las largas filas y la aglomeración de gente el día de las elecciones. ¿Cuáles son mis opciones? R: Depende del estado donde viva. Como recordatorio, el día de las elecciones en los EE. UU. es este martes 3 de noviembre pero en muchos estados se puede votar Read more…
What are the hallmarks of high-quality reporting?
Uncertainty and Misinformation
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
A: Look for the ABCs of ethical journalism: Accountability; Balance; and Credibility Background: At its best, news reporting serves as an honest umpire, dispassionately calling the balls and strikes of current events.* But let’s get real: It can be hard to spot an honest ump right now. Anyone with a keyboard can become a self-styled Read more…
How do I safely take off, store, and reapply my mask?
Masks Staying Safe
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: Designate a CLEAN SIDE/DIRTY SIDE for your mask, USE THE STRINGS to put on and take off, and SANITIZE your hands and mask often. Evidence indicates wearing a mask reduces the transmission of SARS-CoV-2. Developing routines around mask wearing will help improve your practice of this useful harm reduction strategy. *CLEAN SIDE/DIRTY SIDE* The Read more…
How can I stay safe while voting in person?
Staying Safe
Rebecca Doyle, Graduate Assistant
A: Preparation is key! You CAN protect yourself and others while still exercising your right to vote. Whether you’re voting in person on or before Election Day, read on for what to prepare and how to stay safe while you’re there. While it is not ZERO risk, a few safety protocols can go a long Read more…
¿Cómo ayudo a mis seres queridos a mantenerse seguros durante la pandemia?
Posts en Español Staying Safe
Sandra Albrecht, PhD MPH
R. ¡Manténgase eSMART! Las científicas de Querida Pandemia estamos encantadas de asociarnos con la organización IMPACT (una coalición de médicos y profesionales de la salud en el estado de Illinois en EE.UU.) para ofrecer este infográfico que le ayudará a recordar 5 sencillas reglas para reducir el riesgo de transmisión de COVID-19: eS: Espacio – Read more…
What do we currently know about SARS-CoV-2 re-infection?
Biology/Immunity Infection and Spread
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: So far it seems that short-term re-infection with SARS-CoV-2 is possible, but (hopefully) rare. A key question from the beginning of the pandemic has been what is the duration of immunity for SARS-CoV-2. Viruses like measles can provide lifelong immunity, but immunity to seasonal coronaviruses has generally been short-lived (around 12 months). One challenge Read more…
I heard somewhere that doctors and hospitals are falsely claiming deaths are due to COVID-19 and incorrectly increasing the case counts. Is that true?
Data and Metrics Data Literacy Uncertainty and Misinformation
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
A: No. There is no evidence that healthcare professionals are inflating the numbers of COVID-19 cases. Understanding the role of death certificates and how they are completed can help you get to the bottom of it. There has been increased circulation of a false claim that clinicians and hospitals are inflating the number of COVID-19 Read more…
¿Se han cancelado las celebraciones de Halloween?
Families/Kids Posts en Español Staying Safe
Daisey Velazquez, Spanish Translation
R: ¡No! La celebración de Halloween no se ha cancelado. Como muchas cosas, Halloween va a ser diferente este año, pero con un poco de creatividad si podremos celebrar de una manera segura. Afortunadamente, muchas de las tradiciones de Halloween en los EE.UU. son compatibles con los conceptos básicos de reducción de daños de COVID: Read more…
How do I have a SMART Halloween?
Families/Kids Socializing Staying Safe
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
A: Good news!! Traditional Halloween activities in the United States are pretty easy to adapt to a COVID world! With a few modifications, we can trick-or-treat, dress up, visit friends outdoors, and go to pumpkin patches safely. Just keep the invitation list to a minimum, wear a mask, and skip the indoor activities. With Halloween Read more…
I can’t help but notice how well Maine is controlling COVID-19. What’s their secret? Rural state? Rich state? Not many older people?
Data and Metrics Infection and Spread Testing and Contact Tracing
Alison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
A: Nope to those three, but yes to leadership, preparation, testing & tracing, and calm, science-based communication. It’s true: Maine is doing very well by almost all metrics used to track the epidemic. While 21 states had their highest daily case counts in the last 3 weeks, Maine’s single day record cases happened way back Read more…
Do I need to wear a mask when I am alone outside?
Masks Staying Safe
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: There are scenarios where you should wear a mask outside, even when you are alone. To illustrate a few common outdoor mask wearing questions, we will use a comparison to operating the lights on your car. Think about your nose and mouth like the high beam lights on your car. High beam lights are Read more…
P: Preferiría votar en persona, pero me preocupan las largas filas y la aglomeración de gente el día de las elecciones. ¿Cuáles son mis opciones? R: Depende del estado donde viva. Como recordatorio, el día de las elecciones en los EE. UU. es este martes 3 de noviembre pero en muchos estados se puede votar Read more…
What are the hallmarks of high-quality reporting?
Uncertainty and MisinformationLindsey Leininger, PhD MA
A: Look for the ABCs of ethical journalism: Accountability; Balance; and Credibility Background: At its best, news reporting serves as an honest umpire, dispassionately calling the balls and strikes of current events.* But let’s get real: It can be hard to spot an honest ump right now. Anyone with a keyboard can become a self-styled Read more…
How do I safely take off, store, and reapply my mask?
Masks Staying Safe
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: Designate a CLEAN SIDE/DIRTY SIDE for your mask, USE THE STRINGS to put on and take off, and SANITIZE your hands and mask often. Evidence indicates wearing a mask reduces the transmission of SARS-CoV-2. Developing routines around mask wearing will help improve your practice of this useful harm reduction strategy. *CLEAN SIDE/DIRTY SIDE* The Read more…
How can I stay safe while voting in person?
Staying Safe
Rebecca Doyle, Graduate Assistant
A: Preparation is key! You CAN protect yourself and others while still exercising your right to vote. Whether you’re voting in person on or before Election Day, read on for what to prepare and how to stay safe while you’re there. While it is not ZERO risk, a few safety protocols can go a long Read more…
¿Cómo ayudo a mis seres queridos a mantenerse seguros durante la pandemia?
Posts en Español Staying Safe
Sandra Albrecht, PhD MPH
R. ¡Manténgase eSMART! Las científicas de Querida Pandemia estamos encantadas de asociarnos con la organización IMPACT (una coalición de médicos y profesionales de la salud en el estado de Illinois en EE.UU.) para ofrecer este infográfico que le ayudará a recordar 5 sencillas reglas para reducir el riesgo de transmisión de COVID-19: eS: Espacio – Read more…
What do we currently know about SARS-CoV-2 re-infection?
Biology/Immunity Infection and Spread
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: So far it seems that short-term re-infection with SARS-CoV-2 is possible, but (hopefully) rare. A key question from the beginning of the pandemic has been what is the duration of immunity for SARS-CoV-2. Viruses like measles can provide lifelong immunity, but immunity to seasonal coronaviruses has generally been short-lived (around 12 months). One challenge Read more…
I heard somewhere that doctors and hospitals are falsely claiming deaths are due to COVID-19 and incorrectly increasing the case counts. Is that true?
Data and Metrics Data Literacy Uncertainty and Misinformation
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
A: No. There is no evidence that healthcare professionals are inflating the numbers of COVID-19 cases. Understanding the role of death certificates and how they are completed can help you get to the bottom of it. There has been increased circulation of a false claim that clinicians and hospitals are inflating the number of COVID-19 Read more…
¿Se han cancelado las celebraciones de Halloween?
Families/Kids Posts en Español Staying Safe
Daisey Velazquez, Spanish Translation
R: ¡No! La celebración de Halloween no se ha cancelado. Como muchas cosas, Halloween va a ser diferente este año, pero con un poco de creatividad si podremos celebrar de una manera segura. Afortunadamente, muchas de las tradiciones de Halloween en los EE.UU. son compatibles con los conceptos básicos de reducción de daños de COVID: Read more…
How do I have a SMART Halloween?
Families/Kids Socializing Staying Safe
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
A: Good news!! Traditional Halloween activities in the United States are pretty easy to adapt to a COVID world! With a few modifications, we can trick-or-treat, dress up, visit friends outdoors, and go to pumpkin patches safely. Just keep the invitation list to a minimum, wear a mask, and skip the indoor activities. With Halloween Read more…
I can’t help but notice how well Maine is controlling COVID-19. What’s their secret? Rural state? Rich state? Not many older people?
Data and Metrics Infection and Spread Testing and Contact Tracing
Alison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
A: Nope to those three, but yes to leadership, preparation, testing & tracing, and calm, science-based communication. It’s true: Maine is doing very well by almost all metrics used to track the epidemic. While 21 states had their highest daily case counts in the last 3 weeks, Maine’s single day record cases happened way back Read more…
Do I need to wear a mask when I am alone outside?
Masks Staying Safe
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: There are scenarios where you should wear a mask outside, even when you are alone. To illustrate a few common outdoor mask wearing questions, we will use a comparison to operating the lights on your car. Think about your nose and mouth like the high beam lights on your car. High beam lights are Read more…
A: Look for the ABCs of ethical journalism: Accountability; Balance; and Credibility Background: At its best, news reporting serves as an honest umpire, dispassionately calling the balls and strikes of current events.* But let’s get real: It can be hard to spot an honest ump right now. Anyone with a keyboard can become a self-styled Read more…
How do I safely take off, store, and reapply my mask?
Masks Staying SafeAshley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: Designate a CLEAN SIDE/DIRTY SIDE for your mask, USE THE STRINGS to put on and take off, and SANITIZE your hands and mask often. Evidence indicates wearing a mask reduces the transmission of SARS-CoV-2. Developing routines around mask wearing will help improve your practice of this useful harm reduction strategy. *CLEAN SIDE/DIRTY SIDE* The Read more…
How can I stay safe while voting in person?
Staying Safe
Rebecca Doyle, Graduate Assistant
A: Preparation is key! You CAN protect yourself and others while still exercising your right to vote. Whether you’re voting in person on or before Election Day, read on for what to prepare and how to stay safe while you’re there. While it is not ZERO risk, a few safety protocols can go a long Read more…
¿Cómo ayudo a mis seres queridos a mantenerse seguros durante la pandemia?
Posts en Español Staying Safe
Sandra Albrecht, PhD MPH
R. ¡Manténgase eSMART! Las científicas de Querida Pandemia estamos encantadas de asociarnos con la organización IMPACT (una coalición de médicos y profesionales de la salud en el estado de Illinois en EE.UU.) para ofrecer este infográfico que le ayudará a recordar 5 sencillas reglas para reducir el riesgo de transmisión de COVID-19: eS: Espacio – Read more…
What do we currently know about SARS-CoV-2 re-infection?
Biology/Immunity Infection and Spread
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: So far it seems that short-term re-infection with SARS-CoV-2 is possible, but (hopefully) rare. A key question from the beginning of the pandemic has been what is the duration of immunity for SARS-CoV-2. Viruses like measles can provide lifelong immunity, but immunity to seasonal coronaviruses has generally been short-lived (around 12 months). One challenge Read more…
I heard somewhere that doctors and hospitals are falsely claiming deaths are due to COVID-19 and incorrectly increasing the case counts. Is that true?
Data and Metrics Data Literacy Uncertainty and Misinformation
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
A: No. There is no evidence that healthcare professionals are inflating the numbers of COVID-19 cases. Understanding the role of death certificates and how they are completed can help you get to the bottom of it. There has been increased circulation of a false claim that clinicians and hospitals are inflating the number of COVID-19 Read more…
¿Se han cancelado las celebraciones de Halloween?
Families/Kids Posts en Español Staying Safe
Daisey Velazquez, Spanish Translation
R: ¡No! La celebración de Halloween no se ha cancelado. Como muchas cosas, Halloween va a ser diferente este año, pero con un poco de creatividad si podremos celebrar de una manera segura. Afortunadamente, muchas de las tradiciones de Halloween en los EE.UU. son compatibles con los conceptos básicos de reducción de daños de COVID: Read more…
How do I have a SMART Halloween?
Families/Kids Socializing Staying Safe
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
A: Good news!! Traditional Halloween activities in the United States are pretty easy to adapt to a COVID world! With a few modifications, we can trick-or-treat, dress up, visit friends outdoors, and go to pumpkin patches safely. Just keep the invitation list to a minimum, wear a mask, and skip the indoor activities. With Halloween Read more…
I can’t help but notice how well Maine is controlling COVID-19. What’s their secret? Rural state? Rich state? Not many older people?
Data and Metrics Infection and Spread Testing and Contact Tracing
Alison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
A: Nope to those three, but yes to leadership, preparation, testing & tracing, and calm, science-based communication. It’s true: Maine is doing very well by almost all metrics used to track the epidemic. While 21 states had their highest daily case counts in the last 3 weeks, Maine’s single day record cases happened way back Read more…
Do I need to wear a mask when I am alone outside?
Masks Staying Safe
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: There are scenarios where you should wear a mask outside, even when you are alone. To illustrate a few common outdoor mask wearing questions, we will use a comparison to operating the lights on your car. Think about your nose and mouth like the high beam lights on your car. High beam lights are Read more…
A: Designate a CLEAN SIDE/DIRTY SIDE for your mask, USE THE STRINGS to put on and take off, and SANITIZE your hands and mask often. Evidence indicates wearing a mask reduces the transmission of SARS-CoV-2. Developing routines around mask wearing will help improve your practice of this useful harm reduction strategy. *CLEAN SIDE/DIRTY SIDE* The Read more…
How can I stay safe while voting in person?
Staying SafeRebecca Doyle, Graduate Assistant
A: Preparation is key! You CAN protect yourself and others while still exercising your right to vote. Whether you’re voting in person on or before Election Day, read on for what to prepare and how to stay safe while you’re there. While it is not ZERO risk, a few safety protocols can go a long Read more…
¿Cómo ayudo a mis seres queridos a mantenerse seguros durante la pandemia?
Posts en Español Staying Safe
Sandra Albrecht, PhD MPH
R. ¡Manténgase eSMART! Las científicas de Querida Pandemia estamos encantadas de asociarnos con la organización IMPACT (una coalición de médicos y profesionales de la salud en el estado de Illinois en EE.UU.) para ofrecer este infográfico que le ayudará a recordar 5 sencillas reglas para reducir el riesgo de transmisión de COVID-19: eS: Espacio – Read more…
What do we currently know about SARS-CoV-2 re-infection?
Biology/Immunity Infection and Spread
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: So far it seems that short-term re-infection with SARS-CoV-2 is possible, but (hopefully) rare. A key question from the beginning of the pandemic has been what is the duration of immunity for SARS-CoV-2. Viruses like measles can provide lifelong immunity, but immunity to seasonal coronaviruses has generally been short-lived (around 12 months). One challenge Read more…
I heard somewhere that doctors and hospitals are falsely claiming deaths are due to COVID-19 and incorrectly increasing the case counts. Is that true?
Data and Metrics Data Literacy Uncertainty and Misinformation
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
A: No. There is no evidence that healthcare professionals are inflating the numbers of COVID-19 cases. Understanding the role of death certificates and how they are completed can help you get to the bottom of it. There has been increased circulation of a false claim that clinicians and hospitals are inflating the number of COVID-19 Read more…
¿Se han cancelado las celebraciones de Halloween?
Families/Kids Posts en Español Staying Safe
Daisey Velazquez, Spanish Translation
R: ¡No! La celebración de Halloween no se ha cancelado. Como muchas cosas, Halloween va a ser diferente este año, pero con un poco de creatividad si podremos celebrar de una manera segura. Afortunadamente, muchas de las tradiciones de Halloween en los EE.UU. son compatibles con los conceptos básicos de reducción de daños de COVID: Read more…
How do I have a SMART Halloween?
Families/Kids Socializing Staying Safe
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
A: Good news!! Traditional Halloween activities in the United States are pretty easy to adapt to a COVID world! With a few modifications, we can trick-or-treat, dress up, visit friends outdoors, and go to pumpkin patches safely. Just keep the invitation list to a minimum, wear a mask, and skip the indoor activities. With Halloween Read more…
I can’t help but notice how well Maine is controlling COVID-19. What’s their secret? Rural state? Rich state? Not many older people?
Data and Metrics Infection and Spread Testing and Contact Tracing
Alison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
A: Nope to those three, but yes to leadership, preparation, testing & tracing, and calm, science-based communication. It’s true: Maine is doing very well by almost all metrics used to track the epidemic. While 21 states had their highest daily case counts in the last 3 weeks, Maine’s single day record cases happened way back Read more…
Do I need to wear a mask when I am alone outside?
Masks Staying Safe
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: There are scenarios where you should wear a mask outside, even when you are alone. To illustrate a few common outdoor mask wearing questions, we will use a comparison to operating the lights on your car. Think about your nose and mouth like the high beam lights on your car. High beam lights are Read more…
A: Preparation is key! You CAN protect yourself and others while still exercising your right to vote. Whether you’re voting in person on or before Election Day, read on for what to prepare and how to stay safe while you’re there. While it is not ZERO risk, a few safety protocols can go a long Read more…
¿Cómo ayudo a mis seres queridos a mantenerse seguros durante la pandemia?
Posts en Español Staying SafeSandra Albrecht, PhD MPH
R. ¡Manténgase eSMART! Las científicas de Querida Pandemia estamos encantadas de asociarnos con la organización IMPACT (una coalición de médicos y profesionales de la salud en el estado de Illinois en EE.UU.) para ofrecer este infográfico que le ayudará a recordar 5 sencillas reglas para reducir el riesgo de transmisión de COVID-19: eS: Espacio – Read more…
What do we currently know about SARS-CoV-2 re-infection?
Biology/Immunity Infection and Spread
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: So far it seems that short-term re-infection with SARS-CoV-2 is possible, but (hopefully) rare. A key question from the beginning of the pandemic has been what is the duration of immunity for SARS-CoV-2. Viruses like measles can provide lifelong immunity, but immunity to seasonal coronaviruses has generally been short-lived (around 12 months). One challenge Read more…
I heard somewhere that doctors and hospitals are falsely claiming deaths are due to COVID-19 and incorrectly increasing the case counts. Is that true?
Data and Metrics Data Literacy Uncertainty and Misinformation
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
A: No. There is no evidence that healthcare professionals are inflating the numbers of COVID-19 cases. Understanding the role of death certificates and how they are completed can help you get to the bottom of it. There has been increased circulation of a false claim that clinicians and hospitals are inflating the number of COVID-19 Read more…
¿Se han cancelado las celebraciones de Halloween?
Families/Kids Posts en Español Staying Safe
Daisey Velazquez, Spanish Translation
R: ¡No! La celebración de Halloween no se ha cancelado. Como muchas cosas, Halloween va a ser diferente este año, pero con un poco de creatividad si podremos celebrar de una manera segura. Afortunadamente, muchas de las tradiciones de Halloween en los EE.UU. son compatibles con los conceptos básicos de reducción de daños de COVID: Read more…
How do I have a SMART Halloween?
Families/Kids Socializing Staying Safe
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
A: Good news!! Traditional Halloween activities in the United States are pretty easy to adapt to a COVID world! With a few modifications, we can trick-or-treat, dress up, visit friends outdoors, and go to pumpkin patches safely. Just keep the invitation list to a minimum, wear a mask, and skip the indoor activities. With Halloween Read more…
I can’t help but notice how well Maine is controlling COVID-19. What’s their secret? Rural state? Rich state? Not many older people?
Data and Metrics Infection and Spread Testing and Contact Tracing
Alison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
A: Nope to those three, but yes to leadership, preparation, testing & tracing, and calm, science-based communication. It’s true: Maine is doing very well by almost all metrics used to track the epidemic. While 21 states had their highest daily case counts in the last 3 weeks, Maine’s single day record cases happened way back Read more…
Do I need to wear a mask when I am alone outside?
Masks Staying Safe
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: There are scenarios where you should wear a mask outside, even when you are alone. To illustrate a few common outdoor mask wearing questions, we will use a comparison to operating the lights on your car. Think about your nose and mouth like the high beam lights on your car. High beam lights are Read more…
R. ¡Manténgase eSMART! Las científicas de Querida Pandemia estamos encantadas de asociarnos con la organización IMPACT (una coalición de médicos y profesionales de la salud en el estado de Illinois en EE.UU.) para ofrecer este infográfico que le ayudará a recordar 5 sencillas reglas para reducir el riesgo de transmisión de COVID-19: eS: Espacio – Read more…
What do we currently know about SARS-CoV-2 re-infection?
Biology/Immunity Infection and SpreadJennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: So far it seems that short-term re-infection with SARS-CoV-2 is possible, but (hopefully) rare. A key question from the beginning of the pandemic has been what is the duration of immunity for SARS-CoV-2. Viruses like measles can provide lifelong immunity, but immunity to seasonal coronaviruses has generally been short-lived (around 12 months). One challenge Read more…
I heard somewhere that doctors and hospitals are falsely claiming deaths are due to COVID-19 and incorrectly increasing the case counts. Is that true?
Data and Metrics Data Literacy Uncertainty and Misinformation
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
A: No. There is no evidence that healthcare professionals are inflating the numbers of COVID-19 cases. Understanding the role of death certificates and how they are completed can help you get to the bottom of it. There has been increased circulation of a false claim that clinicians and hospitals are inflating the number of COVID-19 Read more…
¿Se han cancelado las celebraciones de Halloween?
Families/Kids Posts en Español Staying Safe
Daisey Velazquez, Spanish Translation
R: ¡No! La celebración de Halloween no se ha cancelado. Como muchas cosas, Halloween va a ser diferente este año, pero con un poco de creatividad si podremos celebrar de una manera segura. Afortunadamente, muchas de las tradiciones de Halloween en los EE.UU. son compatibles con los conceptos básicos de reducción de daños de COVID: Read more…
How do I have a SMART Halloween?
Families/Kids Socializing Staying Safe
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
A: Good news!! Traditional Halloween activities in the United States are pretty easy to adapt to a COVID world! With a few modifications, we can trick-or-treat, dress up, visit friends outdoors, and go to pumpkin patches safely. Just keep the invitation list to a minimum, wear a mask, and skip the indoor activities. With Halloween Read more…
I can’t help but notice how well Maine is controlling COVID-19. What’s their secret? Rural state? Rich state? Not many older people?
Data and Metrics Infection and Spread Testing and Contact Tracing
Alison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
A: Nope to those three, but yes to leadership, preparation, testing & tracing, and calm, science-based communication. It’s true: Maine is doing very well by almost all metrics used to track the epidemic. While 21 states had their highest daily case counts in the last 3 weeks, Maine’s single day record cases happened way back Read more…
Do I need to wear a mask when I am alone outside?
Masks Staying Safe
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: There are scenarios where you should wear a mask outside, even when you are alone. To illustrate a few common outdoor mask wearing questions, we will use a comparison to operating the lights on your car. Think about your nose and mouth like the high beam lights on your car. High beam lights are Read more…
A: So far it seems that short-term re-infection with SARS-CoV-2 is possible, but (hopefully) rare. A key question from the beginning of the pandemic has been what is the duration of immunity for SARS-CoV-2. Viruses like measles can provide lifelong immunity, but immunity to seasonal coronaviruses has generally been short-lived (around 12 months). One challenge Read more…
I heard somewhere that doctors and hospitals are falsely claiming deaths are due to COVID-19 and incorrectly increasing the case counts. Is that true?
Data and Metrics Data Literacy Uncertainty and MisinformationSarah Whitley Coles, MD
A: No. There is no evidence that healthcare professionals are inflating the numbers of COVID-19 cases. Understanding the role of death certificates and how they are completed can help you get to the bottom of it. There has been increased circulation of a false claim that clinicians and hospitals are inflating the number of COVID-19 Read more…
¿Se han cancelado las celebraciones de Halloween?
Families/Kids Posts en Español Staying Safe
Daisey Velazquez, Spanish Translation
R: ¡No! La celebración de Halloween no se ha cancelado. Como muchas cosas, Halloween va a ser diferente este año, pero con un poco de creatividad si podremos celebrar de una manera segura. Afortunadamente, muchas de las tradiciones de Halloween en los EE.UU. son compatibles con los conceptos básicos de reducción de daños de COVID: Read more…
How do I have a SMART Halloween?
Families/Kids Socializing Staying Safe
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
A: Good news!! Traditional Halloween activities in the United States are pretty easy to adapt to a COVID world! With a few modifications, we can trick-or-treat, dress up, visit friends outdoors, and go to pumpkin patches safely. Just keep the invitation list to a minimum, wear a mask, and skip the indoor activities. With Halloween Read more…
I can’t help but notice how well Maine is controlling COVID-19. What’s their secret? Rural state? Rich state? Not many older people?
Data and Metrics Infection and Spread Testing and Contact Tracing
Alison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
A: Nope to those three, but yes to leadership, preparation, testing & tracing, and calm, science-based communication. It’s true: Maine is doing very well by almost all metrics used to track the epidemic. While 21 states had their highest daily case counts in the last 3 weeks, Maine’s single day record cases happened way back Read more…
Do I need to wear a mask when I am alone outside?
Masks Staying Safe
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: There are scenarios where you should wear a mask outside, even when you are alone. To illustrate a few common outdoor mask wearing questions, we will use a comparison to operating the lights on your car. Think about your nose and mouth like the high beam lights on your car. High beam lights are Read more…
A: No. There is no evidence that healthcare professionals are inflating the numbers of COVID-19 cases. Understanding the role of death certificates and how they are completed can help you get to the bottom of it. There has been increased circulation of a false claim that clinicians and hospitals are inflating the number of COVID-19 Read more…
¿Se han cancelado las celebraciones de Halloween?
Families/Kids Posts en Español Staying SafeDaisey Velazquez, Spanish Translation
R: ¡No! La celebración de Halloween no se ha cancelado. Como muchas cosas, Halloween va a ser diferente este año, pero con un poco de creatividad si podremos celebrar de una manera segura. Afortunadamente, muchas de las tradiciones de Halloween en los EE.UU. son compatibles con los conceptos básicos de reducción de daños de COVID: Read more…
How do I have a SMART Halloween?
Families/Kids Socializing Staying Safe
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
A: Good news!! Traditional Halloween activities in the United States are pretty easy to adapt to a COVID world! With a few modifications, we can trick-or-treat, dress up, visit friends outdoors, and go to pumpkin patches safely. Just keep the invitation list to a minimum, wear a mask, and skip the indoor activities. With Halloween Read more…
I can’t help but notice how well Maine is controlling COVID-19. What’s their secret? Rural state? Rich state? Not many older people?
Data and Metrics Infection and Spread Testing and Contact Tracing
Alison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
A: Nope to those three, but yes to leadership, preparation, testing & tracing, and calm, science-based communication. It’s true: Maine is doing very well by almost all metrics used to track the epidemic. While 21 states had their highest daily case counts in the last 3 weeks, Maine’s single day record cases happened way back Read more…
Do I need to wear a mask when I am alone outside?
Masks Staying Safe
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: There are scenarios where you should wear a mask outside, even when you are alone. To illustrate a few common outdoor mask wearing questions, we will use a comparison to operating the lights on your car. Think about your nose and mouth like the high beam lights on your car. High beam lights are Read more…
R: ¡No! La celebración de Halloween no se ha cancelado. Como muchas cosas, Halloween va a ser diferente este año, pero con un poco de creatividad si podremos celebrar de una manera segura. Afortunadamente, muchas de las tradiciones de Halloween en los EE.UU. son compatibles con los conceptos básicos de reducción de daños de COVID: Read more…
How do I have a SMART Halloween?
Families/Kids Socializing Staying SafeMalia Jones, PhD MPH
A: Good news!! Traditional Halloween activities in the United States are pretty easy to adapt to a COVID world! With a few modifications, we can trick-or-treat, dress up, visit friends outdoors, and go to pumpkin patches safely. Just keep the invitation list to a minimum, wear a mask, and skip the indoor activities. With Halloween Read more…
I can’t help but notice how well Maine is controlling COVID-19. What’s their secret? Rural state? Rich state? Not many older people?
Data and Metrics Infection and Spread Testing and Contact Tracing
Alison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
A: Nope to those three, but yes to leadership, preparation, testing & tracing, and calm, science-based communication. It’s true: Maine is doing very well by almost all metrics used to track the epidemic. While 21 states had their highest daily case counts in the last 3 weeks, Maine’s single day record cases happened way back Read more…
Do I need to wear a mask when I am alone outside?
Masks Staying Safe
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: There are scenarios where you should wear a mask outside, even when you are alone. To illustrate a few common outdoor mask wearing questions, we will use a comparison to operating the lights on your car. Think about your nose and mouth like the high beam lights on your car. High beam lights are Read more…
A: Good news!! Traditional Halloween activities in the United States are pretty easy to adapt to a COVID world! With a few modifications, we can trick-or-treat, dress up, visit friends outdoors, and go to pumpkin patches safely. Just keep the invitation list to a minimum, wear a mask, and skip the indoor activities. With Halloween Read more…
I can’t help but notice how well Maine is controlling COVID-19. What’s their secret? Rural state? Rich state? Not many older people?
Data and Metrics Infection and Spread Testing and Contact TracingAlison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
A: Nope to those three, but yes to leadership, preparation, testing & tracing, and calm, science-based communication. It’s true: Maine is doing very well by almost all metrics used to track the epidemic. While 21 states had their highest daily case counts in the last 3 weeks, Maine’s single day record cases happened way back Read more…
Do I need to wear a mask when I am alone outside?
Masks Staying Safe
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: There are scenarios where you should wear a mask outside, even when you are alone. To illustrate a few common outdoor mask wearing questions, we will use a comparison to operating the lights on your car. Think about your nose and mouth like the high beam lights on your car. High beam lights are Read more…
A: Nope to those three, but yes to leadership, preparation, testing & tracing, and calm, science-based communication. It’s true: Maine is doing very well by almost all metrics used to track the epidemic. While 21 states had their highest daily case counts in the last 3 weeks, Maine’s single day record cases happened way back Read more…
Do I need to wear a mask when I am alone outside?
Masks Staying SafeAshley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: There are scenarios where you should wear a mask outside, even when you are alone. To illustrate a few common outdoor mask wearing questions, we will use a comparison to operating the lights on your car. Think about your nose and mouth like the high beam lights on your car. High beam lights are Read more…
A: There are scenarios where you should wear a mask outside, even when you are alone. To illustrate a few common outdoor mask wearing questions, we will use a comparison to operating the lights on your car. Think about your nose and mouth like the high beam lights on your car. High beam lights are Read more…
