I’m still confused about the “Is the virus airborne?” debate. Practical take-aways, please.
Infection and Spread Staying Safe
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
A: Individuals: Avoid poorly ventilated, crowded indoor spaces to the extent possible. Building owners/tenants: Beef up air filtration, especially in older buildings. Background: A very loud squabble emerged last week around the classification of SARS-CoV-2 in the scientific taxonomy. Nerdy Girl Alison wrote a wonderful post walking through the science discussing what an “airborne” classification Read more…
July 13, 2020
When should I get tested?
Infection and Spread Testing and Contact Tracing
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Introducing Nerdy Guest Ajay Sethi, PhD, MHS. Dr. Sethi is a leading infectious disease epidemiologist at UW-Madison’s School of Medicine and Public Health. (@AjayKSethi on Twitter!) ____________________________________________ Q: When should I get tested? When I’m sick? When I have specific symptoms? When I’m sick and not getting better after several days? When a family member Read more…
July 13, 2020
What is pool testing?
Testing and Contact Tracing
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
A: In simple terms, pool testing (also referred to as “group testing” or “batch testing”) combines many tests into one sample. The benefit is that it can facilitate an increase in testing capabilities as well as result in cost/resource savings (when supplies are low). This is not a new strategy to test individuals for infectious Read more…
July 12, 2020
Doctors discuss COVID-19 and what they have learned
Clinical Symptoms Families/Kids Infection and Spread Staying Safe Videos
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Drs. Vineet Arora and Eve Bloomgarden, MDs and co-founders of IMPACT, discuss what they’ve learned these last few months about how COVID-19 impacts physicians and patients with Dear Pandemic Nerdy Girls Malia Jones, PhD, MPH and Lindsey Leininger, PhD. Link to original FB post
July 12, 2020
How do I choose the best face mask?
Infection and Spread Masks Staying Safe
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: Awesome job wearing a mask! We know it’s a new habit and not always comfortable. Masks are effective in trapping droplets capable of spreading Covid-19. If we all wear one, we can greatly reduce the spread of the virus. Step one is committing to mask wearing. They all provide some level of protection. Step Read more…
July 12, 2020
What steps should families who want to visit relatives who are older and/or more vulnerable to complications of COVID-19 take to protect their loved ones?
Families/Kids Infection and Spread Staying Safe Travel
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: We all miss our families (yes, us too!) and while navigating how to keep loved ones safe can feel overwhelming, the Nerdy Girls are here to help you make the best decisions possible based on the best information available! Luckily there are some key things (as highlighted in the NPR article below) you can Read more…
July 11, 2020
Is it true that Covid-19 symptoms can last for months?
Clinical Symptoms Infection and Spread
Alison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
Introducing Nerdy Guest Michelle L. Frisco, PhD, who joins us to talk about “Covid long haulers”. Dr. Frisco is Associate Professor of Sociology & Demography at Penn State University. She studies population health. A: Yes. Some people who contract Covid-19 seem to deal with consistent or recurring symptoms for a long time. Q: How common Read more…
July 11, 2020
Talk to me about going to the dentist.
Infection and Spread Staying Safe
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
A: Here are a few factors to consider: (1) Your individual risk/benefit tradeoff; (2) The amount of circulating disease in your community; (3) The dentist’s infection control protocols. Heading back to the dentist safely is top of mind for the Nerdy Girls, as several of us have logged some serious time in the dental chair Read more…
July 11, 2020
Will temperature checks actually work? What else can schools and businesses do to quickly scan for potentially infectious people?
Clinical Symptoms Infection and Spread Reopening School
Lauren Hale, PhD MA
A: There’s reason to be skeptical about temperature checks. COVID-19 is infectious for several days before symptoms appear. Scanning folks as they enter a building for a fever won’t do much to prevent people who are pre-symptomatic from entering and spewing infectious droplets all over the place. Gross. At this point, we need to embrace Read more…
July 10, 2020
What is the real risk of death from COVID-19? Is it actually worse than the flu?
Biology/Immunity Infection and Spread Uncertainty and Misinformation
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: It’s complicated…. but YES! As a demographer and epidemiologist, mortality rates are in my wheelhouse so to speak, but getting a handle on COVID-19 has challenged us all. First some definitions: Case Fatality Rate (CFR): % of confirmed cases who die. In the U.S., the estimated CFR is currently 4.33% In the U.K., the Read more…
July 10, 2020
What’s happening in refugee camps?
Infection and Spread Social and Racial Justice
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Introducing Nerdy Guest Dr. Paula Tavrow, who joins us to talk to us about what’s happening with COVID-19 in refugee camps. Dr. Tavrow is an adjunct professor of Community Health Sciences at UCLA’s Fielding School of Public Health. She has been working on African public health issues since 1984. *** A: I can speak to Read more…
July 10, 2020
“What’s my risk when I’m doing _____?”
Families/Kids Infection and Spread Staying Safe Videos
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Why we can’t answer questions like “What’s my risk when I’m doing _____?” What is your risk when you’re doing _____? You may have noticed we won’t give you a straight answer to this question. Dr. Malia Jones chats about why. She shows the relationship between individual and community risk using her toy model COVID Read more…
July 9, 2020
How do I help fight the “infodemic?”
Uncertainty and Misinformation
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
A: Kindness + curiosity + scientific skepticism. Our second installment of Throwback Thursday is a re-share of “Lindsey’s Laws” for determining whether a piece of news is SOLID or SENSATIONAL. As the pandemic rages on, so does the ensuing whiplash from navigating splashy headlines and attention-grabbing claims. Some good news: We can all play a Read more…
July 9, 2020
Nerdy Guest chat with Dr. Valerie Paz-Soldan
Infection and Spread Videos
Alison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
We chat with Tulane professor, social scientist and public health researcher Dr. Valerie Paz Soldan about the COVID-19 pandemic in Peru. Charlamos con la Dra. Valerie Paz Soldan, profesora en la Universidad de Tulane, científica social e investigadora de salud pública, sobre la pandemia de COVID-19 en Perú See Less Link to original FB post
July 8, 2020
I am confused about my mask. COVID-19 poem
Masks Staying Safe Videos
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Poem inspired by Green Eggs & Ham about wearing masks during the COVID-19 Pandemic written and performed by Those Nerdy Girls of Dear Pandemic. Link to original FB post
July 8, 2020
So is the virus airborne? Yes or no?!?
Infection and Spread Staying Safe
Alison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
A: It depends what you mean by airborne. Fortunately, the guidance for avoiding the virus in your day-to-day life is the same either way. On July 4th, a New York Times article reported that 239 scientists from 32 countries had sent an open letter to the World Health Organization (WHO) asserting that “airborne transmission of Read more…
July 8, 2020
Hay información en español sobre los riesgos de ciertas actividades para prevenir la propagación del COVID-19?
Posts en Español
Sandra Albrecht, PhD MPH
Ahora sí y por fin! Tres expertos se unieron para crear esta infografía para el publico y luego la organización Superchivas la tradujo en español. Esta infografía demuestra las actividades de bajo a alto riesgo. El nivel de riesgo de cada actividad varía basado en los siguientes factores: 1. ESPACIOS CERRADOS: las actividades que ocurren adentro Read more…
July 8, 2020
How can it be that COVID-19 cases are increasing but deaths are decreasing in the U.S.?
Data and Metrics Data Literacy Infection and Spread
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: Timing, timing, timing. And some other factors too. As this Vox article notes, “The sinking death rates reflect the state of the pandemic a month or more ago, experts say, when the original hot spots had been contained and other states had only just begun to open up restaurants and other businesses.” We have Read more…
July 7, 2020
What Would Those Nerdy Girls Do (WWTNGD)?!
Staying Safe
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: Never mind us, What Would Fauci Do?! We get asked a lot of practical questions about how to live our daily lives as safely as possible amid this pandemic. While we will continue to answer for ourselves on our FB Q&As, we wanted to share this excellent Q&A from six public health/infectious disease experts Read more…
July 7, 2020
What can I do to continue to help the children in my life cope with the realities of the pandemic?
Families/Kids Mental Health Staying Safe
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
A: Provide children with a sense of control. Keep them informed. Get them engaged. The basic rules: 1. Answer children’s questions in a developmentally appropriate manner (using stories or play is a great way to do this for younger children). 2. Stick to routine and schedule (this is harder to do so many months into Read more…
A: Individuals: Avoid poorly ventilated, crowded indoor spaces to the extent possible. Building owners/tenants: Beef up air filtration, especially in older buildings. Background: A very loud squabble emerged last week around the classification of SARS-CoV-2 in the scientific taxonomy. Nerdy Girl Alison wrote a wonderful post walking through the science discussing what an “airborne” classification Read more…
When should I get tested?
Infection and Spread Testing and Contact Tracing
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Introducing Nerdy Guest Ajay Sethi, PhD, MHS. Dr. Sethi is a leading infectious disease epidemiologist at UW-Madison’s School of Medicine and Public Health. (@AjayKSethi on Twitter!) ____________________________________________ Q: When should I get tested? When I’m sick? When I have specific symptoms? When I’m sick and not getting better after several days? When a family member Read more…
July 13, 2020
What is pool testing?
Testing and Contact Tracing
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
A: In simple terms, pool testing (also referred to as “group testing” or “batch testing”) combines many tests into one sample. The benefit is that it can facilitate an increase in testing capabilities as well as result in cost/resource savings (when supplies are low). This is not a new strategy to test individuals for infectious Read more…
July 12, 2020
Doctors discuss COVID-19 and what they have learned
Clinical Symptoms Families/Kids Infection and Spread Staying Safe Videos
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Drs. Vineet Arora and Eve Bloomgarden, MDs and co-founders of IMPACT, discuss what they’ve learned these last few months about how COVID-19 impacts physicians and patients with Dear Pandemic Nerdy Girls Malia Jones, PhD, MPH and Lindsey Leininger, PhD. Link to original FB post
July 12, 2020
How do I choose the best face mask?
Infection and Spread Masks Staying Safe
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: Awesome job wearing a mask! We know it’s a new habit and not always comfortable. Masks are effective in trapping droplets capable of spreading Covid-19. If we all wear one, we can greatly reduce the spread of the virus. Step one is committing to mask wearing. They all provide some level of protection. Step Read more…
July 12, 2020
What steps should families who want to visit relatives who are older and/or more vulnerable to complications of COVID-19 take to protect their loved ones?
Families/Kids Infection and Spread Staying Safe Travel
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: We all miss our families (yes, us too!) and while navigating how to keep loved ones safe can feel overwhelming, the Nerdy Girls are here to help you make the best decisions possible based on the best information available! Luckily there are some key things (as highlighted in the NPR article below) you can Read more…
July 11, 2020
Is it true that Covid-19 symptoms can last for months?
Clinical Symptoms Infection and Spread
Alison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
Introducing Nerdy Guest Michelle L. Frisco, PhD, who joins us to talk about “Covid long haulers”. Dr. Frisco is Associate Professor of Sociology & Demography at Penn State University. She studies population health. A: Yes. Some people who contract Covid-19 seem to deal with consistent or recurring symptoms for a long time. Q: How common Read more…
July 11, 2020
Talk to me about going to the dentist.
Infection and Spread Staying Safe
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
A: Here are a few factors to consider: (1) Your individual risk/benefit tradeoff; (2) The amount of circulating disease in your community; (3) The dentist’s infection control protocols. Heading back to the dentist safely is top of mind for the Nerdy Girls, as several of us have logged some serious time in the dental chair Read more…
July 11, 2020
Will temperature checks actually work? What else can schools and businesses do to quickly scan for potentially infectious people?
Clinical Symptoms Infection and Spread Reopening School
Lauren Hale, PhD MA
A: There’s reason to be skeptical about temperature checks. COVID-19 is infectious for several days before symptoms appear. Scanning folks as they enter a building for a fever won’t do much to prevent people who are pre-symptomatic from entering and spewing infectious droplets all over the place. Gross. At this point, we need to embrace Read more…
July 10, 2020
What is the real risk of death from COVID-19? Is it actually worse than the flu?
Biology/Immunity Infection and Spread Uncertainty and Misinformation
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: It’s complicated…. but YES! As a demographer and epidemiologist, mortality rates are in my wheelhouse so to speak, but getting a handle on COVID-19 has challenged us all. First some definitions: Case Fatality Rate (CFR): % of confirmed cases who die. In the U.S., the estimated CFR is currently 4.33% In the U.K., the Read more…
July 10, 2020
What’s happening in refugee camps?
Infection and Spread Social and Racial Justice
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Introducing Nerdy Guest Dr. Paula Tavrow, who joins us to talk to us about what’s happening with COVID-19 in refugee camps. Dr. Tavrow is an adjunct professor of Community Health Sciences at UCLA’s Fielding School of Public Health. She has been working on African public health issues since 1984. *** A: I can speak to Read more…
July 10, 2020
“What’s my risk when I’m doing _____?”
Families/Kids Infection and Spread Staying Safe Videos
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Why we can’t answer questions like “What’s my risk when I’m doing _____?” What is your risk when you’re doing _____? You may have noticed we won’t give you a straight answer to this question. Dr. Malia Jones chats about why. She shows the relationship between individual and community risk using her toy model COVID Read more…
July 9, 2020
How do I help fight the “infodemic?”
Uncertainty and Misinformation
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
A: Kindness + curiosity + scientific skepticism. Our second installment of Throwback Thursday is a re-share of “Lindsey’s Laws” for determining whether a piece of news is SOLID or SENSATIONAL. As the pandemic rages on, so does the ensuing whiplash from navigating splashy headlines and attention-grabbing claims. Some good news: We can all play a Read more…
July 9, 2020
Nerdy Guest chat with Dr. Valerie Paz-Soldan
Infection and Spread Videos
Alison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
We chat with Tulane professor, social scientist and public health researcher Dr. Valerie Paz Soldan about the COVID-19 pandemic in Peru. Charlamos con la Dra. Valerie Paz Soldan, profesora en la Universidad de Tulane, científica social e investigadora de salud pública, sobre la pandemia de COVID-19 en Perú See Less Link to original FB post
July 8, 2020
I am confused about my mask. COVID-19 poem
Masks Staying Safe Videos
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Poem inspired by Green Eggs & Ham about wearing masks during the COVID-19 Pandemic written and performed by Those Nerdy Girls of Dear Pandemic. Link to original FB post
July 8, 2020
So is the virus airborne? Yes or no?!?
Infection and Spread Staying Safe
Alison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
A: It depends what you mean by airborne. Fortunately, the guidance for avoiding the virus in your day-to-day life is the same either way. On July 4th, a New York Times article reported that 239 scientists from 32 countries had sent an open letter to the World Health Organization (WHO) asserting that “airborne transmission of Read more…
July 8, 2020
Hay información en español sobre los riesgos de ciertas actividades para prevenir la propagación del COVID-19?
Posts en Español
Sandra Albrecht, PhD MPH
Ahora sí y por fin! Tres expertos se unieron para crear esta infografía para el publico y luego la organización Superchivas la tradujo en español. Esta infografía demuestra las actividades de bajo a alto riesgo. El nivel de riesgo de cada actividad varía basado en los siguientes factores: 1. ESPACIOS CERRADOS: las actividades que ocurren adentro Read more…
July 8, 2020
How can it be that COVID-19 cases are increasing but deaths are decreasing in the U.S.?
Data and Metrics Data Literacy Infection and Spread
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: Timing, timing, timing. And some other factors too. As this Vox article notes, “The sinking death rates reflect the state of the pandemic a month or more ago, experts say, when the original hot spots had been contained and other states had only just begun to open up restaurants and other businesses.” We have Read more…
July 7, 2020
What Would Those Nerdy Girls Do (WWTNGD)?!
Staying Safe
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: Never mind us, What Would Fauci Do?! We get asked a lot of practical questions about how to live our daily lives as safely as possible amid this pandemic. While we will continue to answer for ourselves on our FB Q&As, we wanted to share this excellent Q&A from six public health/infectious disease experts Read more…
July 7, 2020
What can I do to continue to help the children in my life cope with the realities of the pandemic?
Families/Kids Mental Health Staying Safe
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
A: Provide children with a sense of control. Keep them informed. Get them engaged. The basic rules: 1. Answer children’s questions in a developmentally appropriate manner (using stories or play is a great way to do this for younger children). 2. Stick to routine and schedule (this is harder to do so many months into Read more…
Introducing Nerdy Guest Ajay Sethi, PhD, MHS. Dr. Sethi is a leading infectious disease epidemiologist at UW-Madison’s School of Medicine and Public Health. (@AjayKSethi on Twitter!) ____________________________________________ Q: When should I get tested? When I’m sick? When I have specific symptoms? When I’m sick and not getting better after several days? When a family member Read more…
What is pool testing?
Testing and Contact Tracing
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
A: In simple terms, pool testing (also referred to as “group testing” or “batch testing”) combines many tests into one sample. The benefit is that it can facilitate an increase in testing capabilities as well as result in cost/resource savings (when supplies are low). This is not a new strategy to test individuals for infectious Read more…
July 12, 2020
Doctors discuss COVID-19 and what they have learned
Clinical Symptoms Families/Kids Infection and Spread Staying Safe Videos
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Drs. Vineet Arora and Eve Bloomgarden, MDs and co-founders of IMPACT, discuss what they’ve learned these last few months about how COVID-19 impacts physicians and patients with Dear Pandemic Nerdy Girls Malia Jones, PhD, MPH and Lindsey Leininger, PhD. Link to original FB post
July 12, 2020
How do I choose the best face mask?
Infection and Spread Masks Staying Safe
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: Awesome job wearing a mask! We know it’s a new habit and not always comfortable. Masks are effective in trapping droplets capable of spreading Covid-19. If we all wear one, we can greatly reduce the spread of the virus. Step one is committing to mask wearing. They all provide some level of protection. Step Read more…
July 12, 2020
What steps should families who want to visit relatives who are older and/or more vulnerable to complications of COVID-19 take to protect their loved ones?
Families/Kids Infection and Spread Staying Safe Travel
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: We all miss our families (yes, us too!) and while navigating how to keep loved ones safe can feel overwhelming, the Nerdy Girls are here to help you make the best decisions possible based on the best information available! Luckily there are some key things (as highlighted in the NPR article below) you can Read more…
July 11, 2020
Is it true that Covid-19 symptoms can last for months?
Clinical Symptoms Infection and Spread
Alison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
Introducing Nerdy Guest Michelle L. Frisco, PhD, who joins us to talk about “Covid long haulers”. Dr. Frisco is Associate Professor of Sociology & Demography at Penn State University. She studies population health. A: Yes. Some people who contract Covid-19 seem to deal with consistent or recurring symptoms for a long time. Q: How common Read more…
July 11, 2020
Talk to me about going to the dentist.
Infection and Spread Staying Safe
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
A: Here are a few factors to consider: (1) Your individual risk/benefit tradeoff; (2) The amount of circulating disease in your community; (3) The dentist’s infection control protocols. Heading back to the dentist safely is top of mind for the Nerdy Girls, as several of us have logged some serious time in the dental chair Read more…
July 11, 2020
Will temperature checks actually work? What else can schools and businesses do to quickly scan for potentially infectious people?
Clinical Symptoms Infection and Spread Reopening School
Lauren Hale, PhD MA
A: There’s reason to be skeptical about temperature checks. COVID-19 is infectious for several days before symptoms appear. Scanning folks as they enter a building for a fever won’t do much to prevent people who are pre-symptomatic from entering and spewing infectious droplets all over the place. Gross. At this point, we need to embrace Read more…
July 10, 2020
What is the real risk of death from COVID-19? Is it actually worse than the flu?
Biology/Immunity Infection and Spread Uncertainty and Misinformation
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: It’s complicated…. but YES! As a demographer and epidemiologist, mortality rates are in my wheelhouse so to speak, but getting a handle on COVID-19 has challenged us all. First some definitions: Case Fatality Rate (CFR): % of confirmed cases who die. In the U.S., the estimated CFR is currently 4.33% In the U.K., the Read more…
July 10, 2020
What’s happening in refugee camps?
Infection and Spread Social and Racial Justice
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Introducing Nerdy Guest Dr. Paula Tavrow, who joins us to talk to us about what’s happening with COVID-19 in refugee camps. Dr. Tavrow is an adjunct professor of Community Health Sciences at UCLA’s Fielding School of Public Health. She has been working on African public health issues since 1984. *** A: I can speak to Read more…
July 10, 2020
“What’s my risk when I’m doing _____?”
Families/Kids Infection and Spread Staying Safe Videos
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Why we can’t answer questions like “What’s my risk when I’m doing _____?” What is your risk when you’re doing _____? You may have noticed we won’t give you a straight answer to this question. Dr. Malia Jones chats about why. She shows the relationship between individual and community risk using her toy model COVID Read more…
July 9, 2020
How do I help fight the “infodemic?”
Uncertainty and Misinformation
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
A: Kindness + curiosity + scientific skepticism. Our second installment of Throwback Thursday is a re-share of “Lindsey’s Laws” for determining whether a piece of news is SOLID or SENSATIONAL. As the pandemic rages on, so does the ensuing whiplash from navigating splashy headlines and attention-grabbing claims. Some good news: We can all play a Read more…
July 9, 2020
Nerdy Guest chat with Dr. Valerie Paz-Soldan
Infection and Spread Videos
Alison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
We chat with Tulane professor, social scientist and public health researcher Dr. Valerie Paz Soldan about the COVID-19 pandemic in Peru. Charlamos con la Dra. Valerie Paz Soldan, profesora en la Universidad de Tulane, científica social e investigadora de salud pública, sobre la pandemia de COVID-19 en Perú See Less Link to original FB post
July 8, 2020
I am confused about my mask. COVID-19 poem
Masks Staying Safe Videos
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Poem inspired by Green Eggs & Ham about wearing masks during the COVID-19 Pandemic written and performed by Those Nerdy Girls of Dear Pandemic. Link to original FB post
July 8, 2020
So is the virus airborne? Yes or no?!?
Infection and Spread Staying Safe
Alison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
A: It depends what you mean by airborne. Fortunately, the guidance for avoiding the virus in your day-to-day life is the same either way. On July 4th, a New York Times article reported that 239 scientists from 32 countries had sent an open letter to the World Health Organization (WHO) asserting that “airborne transmission of Read more…
July 8, 2020
Hay información en español sobre los riesgos de ciertas actividades para prevenir la propagación del COVID-19?
Posts en Español
Sandra Albrecht, PhD MPH
Ahora sí y por fin! Tres expertos se unieron para crear esta infografía para el publico y luego la organización Superchivas la tradujo en español. Esta infografía demuestra las actividades de bajo a alto riesgo. El nivel de riesgo de cada actividad varía basado en los siguientes factores: 1. ESPACIOS CERRADOS: las actividades que ocurren adentro Read more…
July 8, 2020
How can it be that COVID-19 cases are increasing but deaths are decreasing in the U.S.?
Data and Metrics Data Literacy Infection and Spread
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: Timing, timing, timing. And some other factors too. As this Vox article notes, “The sinking death rates reflect the state of the pandemic a month or more ago, experts say, when the original hot spots had been contained and other states had only just begun to open up restaurants and other businesses.” We have Read more…
July 7, 2020
What Would Those Nerdy Girls Do (WWTNGD)?!
Staying Safe
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: Never mind us, What Would Fauci Do?! We get asked a lot of practical questions about how to live our daily lives as safely as possible amid this pandemic. While we will continue to answer for ourselves on our FB Q&As, we wanted to share this excellent Q&A from six public health/infectious disease experts Read more…
July 7, 2020
What can I do to continue to help the children in my life cope with the realities of the pandemic?
Families/Kids Mental Health Staying Safe
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
A: Provide children with a sense of control. Keep them informed. Get them engaged. The basic rules: 1. Answer children’s questions in a developmentally appropriate manner (using stories or play is a great way to do this for younger children). 2. Stick to routine and schedule (this is harder to do so many months into Read more…
A: In simple terms, pool testing (also referred to as “group testing” or “batch testing”) combines many tests into one sample. The benefit is that it can facilitate an increase in testing capabilities as well as result in cost/resource savings (when supplies are low). This is not a new strategy to test individuals for infectious Read more…
Doctors discuss COVID-19 and what they have learned
Clinical Symptoms Families/Kids Infection and Spread Staying Safe Videos
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Drs. Vineet Arora and Eve Bloomgarden, MDs and co-founders of IMPACT, discuss what they’ve learned these last few months about how COVID-19 impacts physicians and patients with Dear Pandemic Nerdy Girls Malia Jones, PhD, MPH and Lindsey Leininger, PhD. Link to original FB post
July 12, 2020
How do I choose the best face mask?
Infection and Spread Masks Staying Safe
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: Awesome job wearing a mask! We know it’s a new habit and not always comfortable. Masks are effective in trapping droplets capable of spreading Covid-19. If we all wear one, we can greatly reduce the spread of the virus. Step one is committing to mask wearing. They all provide some level of protection. Step Read more…
July 12, 2020
What steps should families who want to visit relatives who are older and/or more vulnerable to complications of COVID-19 take to protect their loved ones?
Families/Kids Infection and Spread Staying Safe Travel
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: We all miss our families (yes, us too!) and while navigating how to keep loved ones safe can feel overwhelming, the Nerdy Girls are here to help you make the best decisions possible based on the best information available! Luckily there are some key things (as highlighted in the NPR article below) you can Read more…
July 11, 2020
Is it true that Covid-19 symptoms can last for months?
Clinical Symptoms Infection and Spread
Alison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
Introducing Nerdy Guest Michelle L. Frisco, PhD, who joins us to talk about “Covid long haulers”. Dr. Frisco is Associate Professor of Sociology & Demography at Penn State University. She studies population health. A: Yes. Some people who contract Covid-19 seem to deal with consistent or recurring symptoms for a long time. Q: How common Read more…
July 11, 2020
Talk to me about going to the dentist.
Infection and Spread Staying Safe
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
A: Here are a few factors to consider: (1) Your individual risk/benefit tradeoff; (2) The amount of circulating disease in your community; (3) The dentist’s infection control protocols. Heading back to the dentist safely is top of mind for the Nerdy Girls, as several of us have logged some serious time in the dental chair Read more…
July 11, 2020
Will temperature checks actually work? What else can schools and businesses do to quickly scan for potentially infectious people?
Clinical Symptoms Infection and Spread Reopening School
Lauren Hale, PhD MA
A: There’s reason to be skeptical about temperature checks. COVID-19 is infectious for several days before symptoms appear. Scanning folks as they enter a building for a fever won’t do much to prevent people who are pre-symptomatic from entering and spewing infectious droplets all over the place. Gross. At this point, we need to embrace Read more…
July 10, 2020
What is the real risk of death from COVID-19? Is it actually worse than the flu?
Biology/Immunity Infection and Spread Uncertainty and Misinformation
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: It’s complicated…. but YES! As a demographer and epidemiologist, mortality rates are in my wheelhouse so to speak, but getting a handle on COVID-19 has challenged us all. First some definitions: Case Fatality Rate (CFR): % of confirmed cases who die. In the U.S., the estimated CFR is currently 4.33% In the U.K., the Read more…
July 10, 2020
What’s happening in refugee camps?
Infection and Spread Social and Racial Justice
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Introducing Nerdy Guest Dr. Paula Tavrow, who joins us to talk to us about what’s happening with COVID-19 in refugee camps. Dr. Tavrow is an adjunct professor of Community Health Sciences at UCLA’s Fielding School of Public Health. She has been working on African public health issues since 1984. *** A: I can speak to Read more…
July 10, 2020
“What’s my risk when I’m doing _____?”
Families/Kids Infection and Spread Staying Safe Videos
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Why we can’t answer questions like “What’s my risk when I’m doing _____?” What is your risk when you’re doing _____? You may have noticed we won’t give you a straight answer to this question. Dr. Malia Jones chats about why. She shows the relationship between individual and community risk using her toy model COVID Read more…
July 9, 2020
How do I help fight the “infodemic?”
Uncertainty and Misinformation
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
A: Kindness + curiosity + scientific skepticism. Our second installment of Throwback Thursday is a re-share of “Lindsey’s Laws” for determining whether a piece of news is SOLID or SENSATIONAL. As the pandemic rages on, so does the ensuing whiplash from navigating splashy headlines and attention-grabbing claims. Some good news: We can all play a Read more…
July 9, 2020
Nerdy Guest chat with Dr. Valerie Paz-Soldan
Infection and Spread Videos
Alison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
We chat with Tulane professor, social scientist and public health researcher Dr. Valerie Paz Soldan about the COVID-19 pandemic in Peru. Charlamos con la Dra. Valerie Paz Soldan, profesora en la Universidad de Tulane, científica social e investigadora de salud pública, sobre la pandemia de COVID-19 en Perú See Less Link to original FB post
July 8, 2020
I am confused about my mask. COVID-19 poem
Masks Staying Safe Videos
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Poem inspired by Green Eggs & Ham about wearing masks during the COVID-19 Pandemic written and performed by Those Nerdy Girls of Dear Pandemic. Link to original FB post
July 8, 2020
So is the virus airborne? Yes or no?!?
Infection and Spread Staying Safe
Alison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
A: It depends what you mean by airborne. Fortunately, the guidance for avoiding the virus in your day-to-day life is the same either way. On July 4th, a New York Times article reported that 239 scientists from 32 countries had sent an open letter to the World Health Organization (WHO) asserting that “airborne transmission of Read more…
July 8, 2020
Hay información en español sobre los riesgos de ciertas actividades para prevenir la propagación del COVID-19?
Posts en Español
Sandra Albrecht, PhD MPH
Ahora sí y por fin! Tres expertos se unieron para crear esta infografía para el publico y luego la organización Superchivas la tradujo en español. Esta infografía demuestra las actividades de bajo a alto riesgo. El nivel de riesgo de cada actividad varía basado en los siguientes factores: 1. ESPACIOS CERRADOS: las actividades que ocurren adentro Read more…
July 8, 2020
How can it be that COVID-19 cases are increasing but deaths are decreasing in the U.S.?
Data and Metrics Data Literacy Infection and Spread
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: Timing, timing, timing. And some other factors too. As this Vox article notes, “The sinking death rates reflect the state of the pandemic a month or more ago, experts say, when the original hot spots had been contained and other states had only just begun to open up restaurants and other businesses.” We have Read more…
July 7, 2020
What Would Those Nerdy Girls Do (WWTNGD)?!
Staying Safe
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: Never mind us, What Would Fauci Do?! We get asked a lot of practical questions about how to live our daily lives as safely as possible amid this pandemic. While we will continue to answer for ourselves on our FB Q&As, we wanted to share this excellent Q&A from six public health/infectious disease experts Read more…
July 7, 2020
What can I do to continue to help the children in my life cope with the realities of the pandemic?
Families/Kids Mental Health Staying Safe
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
A: Provide children with a sense of control. Keep them informed. Get them engaged. The basic rules: 1. Answer children’s questions in a developmentally appropriate manner (using stories or play is a great way to do this for younger children). 2. Stick to routine and schedule (this is harder to do so many months into Read more…
Drs. Vineet Arora and Eve Bloomgarden, MDs and co-founders of IMPACT, discuss what they’ve learned these last few months about how COVID-19 impacts physicians and patients with Dear Pandemic Nerdy Girls Malia Jones, PhD, MPH and Lindsey Leininger, PhD. Link to original FB post
How do I choose the best face mask?
Infection and Spread Masks Staying Safe
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: Awesome job wearing a mask! We know it’s a new habit and not always comfortable. Masks are effective in trapping droplets capable of spreading Covid-19. If we all wear one, we can greatly reduce the spread of the virus. Step one is committing to mask wearing. They all provide some level of protection. Step Read more…
July 12, 2020
What steps should families who want to visit relatives who are older and/or more vulnerable to complications of COVID-19 take to protect their loved ones?
Families/Kids Infection and Spread Staying Safe Travel
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: We all miss our families (yes, us too!) and while navigating how to keep loved ones safe can feel overwhelming, the Nerdy Girls are here to help you make the best decisions possible based on the best information available! Luckily there are some key things (as highlighted in the NPR article below) you can Read more…
July 11, 2020
Is it true that Covid-19 symptoms can last for months?
Clinical Symptoms Infection and Spread
Alison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
Introducing Nerdy Guest Michelle L. Frisco, PhD, who joins us to talk about “Covid long haulers”. Dr. Frisco is Associate Professor of Sociology & Demography at Penn State University. She studies population health. A: Yes. Some people who contract Covid-19 seem to deal with consistent or recurring symptoms for a long time. Q: How common Read more…
July 11, 2020
Talk to me about going to the dentist.
Infection and Spread Staying Safe
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
A: Here are a few factors to consider: (1) Your individual risk/benefit tradeoff; (2) The amount of circulating disease in your community; (3) The dentist’s infection control protocols. Heading back to the dentist safely is top of mind for the Nerdy Girls, as several of us have logged some serious time in the dental chair Read more…
July 11, 2020
Will temperature checks actually work? What else can schools and businesses do to quickly scan for potentially infectious people?
Clinical Symptoms Infection and Spread Reopening School
Lauren Hale, PhD MA
A: There’s reason to be skeptical about temperature checks. COVID-19 is infectious for several days before symptoms appear. Scanning folks as they enter a building for a fever won’t do much to prevent people who are pre-symptomatic from entering and spewing infectious droplets all over the place. Gross. At this point, we need to embrace Read more…
July 10, 2020
What is the real risk of death from COVID-19? Is it actually worse than the flu?
Biology/Immunity Infection and Spread Uncertainty and Misinformation
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: It’s complicated…. but YES! As a demographer and epidemiologist, mortality rates are in my wheelhouse so to speak, but getting a handle on COVID-19 has challenged us all. First some definitions: Case Fatality Rate (CFR): % of confirmed cases who die. In the U.S., the estimated CFR is currently 4.33% In the U.K., the Read more…
July 10, 2020
What’s happening in refugee camps?
Infection and Spread Social and Racial Justice
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Introducing Nerdy Guest Dr. Paula Tavrow, who joins us to talk to us about what’s happening with COVID-19 in refugee camps. Dr. Tavrow is an adjunct professor of Community Health Sciences at UCLA’s Fielding School of Public Health. She has been working on African public health issues since 1984. *** A: I can speak to Read more…
July 10, 2020
“What’s my risk when I’m doing _____?”
Families/Kids Infection and Spread Staying Safe Videos
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Why we can’t answer questions like “What’s my risk when I’m doing _____?” What is your risk when you’re doing _____? You may have noticed we won’t give you a straight answer to this question. Dr. Malia Jones chats about why. She shows the relationship between individual and community risk using her toy model COVID Read more…
July 9, 2020
How do I help fight the “infodemic?”
Uncertainty and Misinformation
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
A: Kindness + curiosity + scientific skepticism. Our second installment of Throwback Thursday is a re-share of “Lindsey’s Laws” for determining whether a piece of news is SOLID or SENSATIONAL. As the pandemic rages on, so does the ensuing whiplash from navigating splashy headlines and attention-grabbing claims. Some good news: We can all play a Read more…
July 9, 2020
Nerdy Guest chat with Dr. Valerie Paz-Soldan
Infection and Spread Videos
Alison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
We chat with Tulane professor, social scientist and public health researcher Dr. Valerie Paz Soldan about the COVID-19 pandemic in Peru. Charlamos con la Dra. Valerie Paz Soldan, profesora en la Universidad de Tulane, científica social e investigadora de salud pública, sobre la pandemia de COVID-19 en Perú See Less Link to original FB post
July 8, 2020
I am confused about my mask. COVID-19 poem
Masks Staying Safe Videos
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Poem inspired by Green Eggs & Ham about wearing masks during the COVID-19 Pandemic written and performed by Those Nerdy Girls of Dear Pandemic. Link to original FB post
July 8, 2020
So is the virus airborne? Yes or no?!?
Infection and Spread Staying Safe
Alison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
A: It depends what you mean by airborne. Fortunately, the guidance for avoiding the virus in your day-to-day life is the same either way. On July 4th, a New York Times article reported that 239 scientists from 32 countries had sent an open letter to the World Health Organization (WHO) asserting that “airborne transmission of Read more…
July 8, 2020
Hay información en español sobre los riesgos de ciertas actividades para prevenir la propagación del COVID-19?
Posts en Español
Sandra Albrecht, PhD MPH
Ahora sí y por fin! Tres expertos se unieron para crear esta infografía para el publico y luego la organización Superchivas la tradujo en español. Esta infografía demuestra las actividades de bajo a alto riesgo. El nivel de riesgo de cada actividad varía basado en los siguientes factores: 1. ESPACIOS CERRADOS: las actividades que ocurren adentro Read more…
July 8, 2020
How can it be that COVID-19 cases are increasing but deaths are decreasing in the U.S.?
Data and Metrics Data Literacy Infection and Spread
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: Timing, timing, timing. And some other factors too. As this Vox article notes, “The sinking death rates reflect the state of the pandemic a month or more ago, experts say, when the original hot spots had been contained and other states had only just begun to open up restaurants and other businesses.” We have Read more…
July 7, 2020
What Would Those Nerdy Girls Do (WWTNGD)?!
Staying Safe
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: Never mind us, What Would Fauci Do?! We get asked a lot of practical questions about how to live our daily lives as safely as possible amid this pandemic. While we will continue to answer for ourselves on our FB Q&As, we wanted to share this excellent Q&A from six public health/infectious disease experts Read more…
July 7, 2020
What can I do to continue to help the children in my life cope with the realities of the pandemic?
Families/Kids Mental Health Staying Safe
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
A: Provide children with a sense of control. Keep them informed. Get them engaged. The basic rules: 1. Answer children’s questions in a developmentally appropriate manner (using stories or play is a great way to do this for younger children). 2. Stick to routine and schedule (this is harder to do so many months into Read more…
A: Awesome job wearing a mask! We know it’s a new habit and not always comfortable. Masks are effective in trapping droplets capable of spreading Covid-19. If we all wear one, we can greatly reduce the spread of the virus. Step one is committing to mask wearing. They all provide some level of protection. Step Read more…
What steps should families who want to visit relatives who are older and/or more vulnerable to complications of COVID-19 take to protect their loved ones?
Families/Kids Infection and Spread Staying Safe Travel
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: We all miss our families (yes, us too!) and while navigating how to keep loved ones safe can feel overwhelming, the Nerdy Girls are here to help you make the best decisions possible based on the best information available! Luckily there are some key things (as highlighted in the NPR article below) you can Read more…
July 11, 2020
Is it true that Covid-19 symptoms can last for months?
Clinical Symptoms Infection and Spread
Alison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
Introducing Nerdy Guest Michelle L. Frisco, PhD, who joins us to talk about “Covid long haulers”. Dr. Frisco is Associate Professor of Sociology & Demography at Penn State University. She studies population health. A: Yes. Some people who contract Covid-19 seem to deal with consistent or recurring symptoms for a long time. Q: How common Read more…
July 11, 2020
Talk to me about going to the dentist.
Infection and Spread Staying Safe
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
A: Here are a few factors to consider: (1) Your individual risk/benefit tradeoff; (2) The amount of circulating disease in your community; (3) The dentist’s infection control protocols. Heading back to the dentist safely is top of mind for the Nerdy Girls, as several of us have logged some serious time in the dental chair Read more…
July 11, 2020
Will temperature checks actually work? What else can schools and businesses do to quickly scan for potentially infectious people?
Clinical Symptoms Infection and Spread Reopening School
Lauren Hale, PhD MA
A: There’s reason to be skeptical about temperature checks. COVID-19 is infectious for several days before symptoms appear. Scanning folks as they enter a building for a fever won’t do much to prevent people who are pre-symptomatic from entering and spewing infectious droplets all over the place. Gross. At this point, we need to embrace Read more…
July 10, 2020
What is the real risk of death from COVID-19? Is it actually worse than the flu?
Biology/Immunity Infection and Spread Uncertainty and Misinformation
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: It’s complicated…. but YES! As a demographer and epidemiologist, mortality rates are in my wheelhouse so to speak, but getting a handle on COVID-19 has challenged us all. First some definitions: Case Fatality Rate (CFR): % of confirmed cases who die. In the U.S., the estimated CFR is currently 4.33% In the U.K., the Read more…
July 10, 2020
What’s happening in refugee camps?
Infection and Spread Social and Racial Justice
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Introducing Nerdy Guest Dr. Paula Tavrow, who joins us to talk to us about what’s happening with COVID-19 in refugee camps. Dr. Tavrow is an adjunct professor of Community Health Sciences at UCLA’s Fielding School of Public Health. She has been working on African public health issues since 1984. *** A: I can speak to Read more…
July 10, 2020
“What’s my risk when I’m doing _____?”
Families/Kids Infection and Spread Staying Safe Videos
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Why we can’t answer questions like “What’s my risk when I’m doing _____?” What is your risk when you’re doing _____? You may have noticed we won’t give you a straight answer to this question. Dr. Malia Jones chats about why. She shows the relationship between individual and community risk using her toy model COVID Read more…
July 9, 2020
How do I help fight the “infodemic?”
Uncertainty and Misinformation
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
A: Kindness + curiosity + scientific skepticism. Our second installment of Throwback Thursday is a re-share of “Lindsey’s Laws” for determining whether a piece of news is SOLID or SENSATIONAL. As the pandemic rages on, so does the ensuing whiplash from navigating splashy headlines and attention-grabbing claims. Some good news: We can all play a Read more…
July 9, 2020
Nerdy Guest chat with Dr. Valerie Paz-Soldan
Infection and Spread Videos
Alison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
We chat with Tulane professor, social scientist and public health researcher Dr. Valerie Paz Soldan about the COVID-19 pandemic in Peru. Charlamos con la Dra. Valerie Paz Soldan, profesora en la Universidad de Tulane, científica social e investigadora de salud pública, sobre la pandemia de COVID-19 en Perú See Less Link to original FB post
July 8, 2020
I am confused about my mask. COVID-19 poem
Masks Staying Safe Videos
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Poem inspired by Green Eggs & Ham about wearing masks during the COVID-19 Pandemic written and performed by Those Nerdy Girls of Dear Pandemic. Link to original FB post
July 8, 2020
So is the virus airborne? Yes or no?!?
Infection and Spread Staying Safe
Alison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
A: It depends what you mean by airborne. Fortunately, the guidance for avoiding the virus in your day-to-day life is the same either way. On July 4th, a New York Times article reported that 239 scientists from 32 countries had sent an open letter to the World Health Organization (WHO) asserting that “airborne transmission of Read more…
July 8, 2020
Hay información en español sobre los riesgos de ciertas actividades para prevenir la propagación del COVID-19?
Posts en Español
Sandra Albrecht, PhD MPH
Ahora sí y por fin! Tres expertos se unieron para crear esta infografía para el publico y luego la organización Superchivas la tradujo en español. Esta infografía demuestra las actividades de bajo a alto riesgo. El nivel de riesgo de cada actividad varía basado en los siguientes factores: 1. ESPACIOS CERRADOS: las actividades que ocurren adentro Read more…
July 8, 2020
How can it be that COVID-19 cases are increasing but deaths are decreasing in the U.S.?
Data and Metrics Data Literacy Infection and Spread
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: Timing, timing, timing. And some other factors too. As this Vox article notes, “The sinking death rates reflect the state of the pandemic a month or more ago, experts say, when the original hot spots had been contained and other states had only just begun to open up restaurants and other businesses.” We have Read more…
July 7, 2020
What Would Those Nerdy Girls Do (WWTNGD)?!
Staying Safe
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: Never mind us, What Would Fauci Do?! We get asked a lot of practical questions about how to live our daily lives as safely as possible amid this pandemic. While we will continue to answer for ourselves on our FB Q&As, we wanted to share this excellent Q&A from six public health/infectious disease experts Read more…
July 7, 2020
What can I do to continue to help the children in my life cope with the realities of the pandemic?
Families/Kids Mental Health Staying Safe
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
A: Provide children with a sense of control. Keep them informed. Get them engaged. The basic rules: 1. Answer children’s questions in a developmentally appropriate manner (using stories or play is a great way to do this for younger children). 2. Stick to routine and schedule (this is harder to do so many months into Read more…
A: We all miss our families (yes, us too!) and while navigating how to keep loved ones safe can feel overwhelming, the Nerdy Girls are here to help you make the best decisions possible based on the best information available! Luckily there are some key things (as highlighted in the NPR article below) you can Read more…
Is it true that Covid-19 symptoms can last for months?
Clinical Symptoms Infection and Spread
Alison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
Introducing Nerdy Guest Michelle L. Frisco, PhD, who joins us to talk about “Covid long haulers”. Dr. Frisco is Associate Professor of Sociology & Demography at Penn State University. She studies population health. A: Yes. Some people who contract Covid-19 seem to deal with consistent or recurring symptoms for a long time. Q: How common Read more…
July 11, 2020
Talk to me about going to the dentist.
Infection and Spread Staying Safe
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
A: Here are a few factors to consider: (1) Your individual risk/benefit tradeoff; (2) The amount of circulating disease in your community; (3) The dentist’s infection control protocols. Heading back to the dentist safely is top of mind for the Nerdy Girls, as several of us have logged some serious time in the dental chair Read more…
July 11, 2020
Will temperature checks actually work? What else can schools and businesses do to quickly scan for potentially infectious people?
Clinical Symptoms Infection and Spread Reopening School
Lauren Hale, PhD MA
A: There’s reason to be skeptical about temperature checks. COVID-19 is infectious for several days before symptoms appear. Scanning folks as they enter a building for a fever won’t do much to prevent people who are pre-symptomatic from entering and spewing infectious droplets all over the place. Gross. At this point, we need to embrace Read more…
July 10, 2020
What is the real risk of death from COVID-19? Is it actually worse than the flu?
Biology/Immunity Infection and Spread Uncertainty and Misinformation
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: It’s complicated…. but YES! As a demographer and epidemiologist, mortality rates are in my wheelhouse so to speak, but getting a handle on COVID-19 has challenged us all. First some definitions: Case Fatality Rate (CFR): % of confirmed cases who die. In the U.S., the estimated CFR is currently 4.33% In the U.K., the Read more…
July 10, 2020
What’s happening in refugee camps?
Infection and Spread Social and Racial Justice
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Introducing Nerdy Guest Dr. Paula Tavrow, who joins us to talk to us about what’s happening with COVID-19 in refugee camps. Dr. Tavrow is an adjunct professor of Community Health Sciences at UCLA’s Fielding School of Public Health. She has been working on African public health issues since 1984. *** A: I can speak to Read more…
July 10, 2020
“What’s my risk when I’m doing _____?”
Families/Kids Infection and Spread Staying Safe Videos
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Why we can’t answer questions like “What’s my risk when I’m doing _____?” What is your risk when you’re doing _____? You may have noticed we won’t give you a straight answer to this question. Dr. Malia Jones chats about why. She shows the relationship between individual and community risk using her toy model COVID Read more…
July 9, 2020
How do I help fight the “infodemic?”
Uncertainty and Misinformation
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
A: Kindness + curiosity + scientific skepticism. Our second installment of Throwback Thursday is a re-share of “Lindsey’s Laws” for determining whether a piece of news is SOLID or SENSATIONAL. As the pandemic rages on, so does the ensuing whiplash from navigating splashy headlines and attention-grabbing claims. Some good news: We can all play a Read more…
July 9, 2020
Nerdy Guest chat with Dr. Valerie Paz-Soldan
Infection and Spread Videos
Alison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
We chat with Tulane professor, social scientist and public health researcher Dr. Valerie Paz Soldan about the COVID-19 pandemic in Peru. Charlamos con la Dra. Valerie Paz Soldan, profesora en la Universidad de Tulane, científica social e investigadora de salud pública, sobre la pandemia de COVID-19 en Perú See Less Link to original FB post
July 8, 2020
I am confused about my mask. COVID-19 poem
Masks Staying Safe Videos
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Poem inspired by Green Eggs & Ham about wearing masks during the COVID-19 Pandemic written and performed by Those Nerdy Girls of Dear Pandemic. Link to original FB post
July 8, 2020
So is the virus airborne? Yes or no?!?
Infection and Spread Staying Safe
Alison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
A: It depends what you mean by airborne. Fortunately, the guidance for avoiding the virus in your day-to-day life is the same either way. On July 4th, a New York Times article reported that 239 scientists from 32 countries had sent an open letter to the World Health Organization (WHO) asserting that “airborne transmission of Read more…
July 8, 2020
Hay información en español sobre los riesgos de ciertas actividades para prevenir la propagación del COVID-19?
Posts en Español
Sandra Albrecht, PhD MPH
Ahora sí y por fin! Tres expertos se unieron para crear esta infografía para el publico y luego la organización Superchivas la tradujo en español. Esta infografía demuestra las actividades de bajo a alto riesgo. El nivel de riesgo de cada actividad varía basado en los siguientes factores: 1. ESPACIOS CERRADOS: las actividades que ocurren adentro Read more…
July 8, 2020
How can it be that COVID-19 cases are increasing but deaths are decreasing in the U.S.?
Data and Metrics Data Literacy Infection and Spread
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: Timing, timing, timing. And some other factors too. As this Vox article notes, “The sinking death rates reflect the state of the pandemic a month or more ago, experts say, when the original hot spots had been contained and other states had only just begun to open up restaurants and other businesses.” We have Read more…
July 7, 2020
What Would Those Nerdy Girls Do (WWTNGD)?!
Staying Safe
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: Never mind us, What Would Fauci Do?! We get asked a lot of practical questions about how to live our daily lives as safely as possible amid this pandemic. While we will continue to answer for ourselves on our FB Q&As, we wanted to share this excellent Q&A from six public health/infectious disease experts Read more…
July 7, 2020
What can I do to continue to help the children in my life cope with the realities of the pandemic?
Families/Kids Mental Health Staying Safe
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
A: Provide children with a sense of control. Keep them informed. Get them engaged. The basic rules: 1. Answer children’s questions in a developmentally appropriate manner (using stories or play is a great way to do this for younger children). 2. Stick to routine and schedule (this is harder to do so many months into Read more…
Introducing Nerdy Guest Michelle L. Frisco, PhD, who joins us to talk about “Covid long haulers”. Dr. Frisco is Associate Professor of Sociology & Demography at Penn State University. She studies population health. A: Yes. Some people who contract Covid-19 seem to deal with consistent or recurring symptoms for a long time. Q: How common Read more…
Talk to me about going to the dentist.
Infection and Spread Staying Safe
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
A: Here are a few factors to consider: (1) Your individual risk/benefit tradeoff; (2) The amount of circulating disease in your community; (3) The dentist’s infection control protocols. Heading back to the dentist safely is top of mind for the Nerdy Girls, as several of us have logged some serious time in the dental chair Read more…
July 11, 2020
Will temperature checks actually work? What else can schools and businesses do to quickly scan for potentially infectious people?
Clinical Symptoms Infection and Spread Reopening School
Lauren Hale, PhD MA
A: There’s reason to be skeptical about temperature checks. COVID-19 is infectious for several days before symptoms appear. Scanning folks as they enter a building for a fever won’t do much to prevent people who are pre-symptomatic from entering and spewing infectious droplets all over the place. Gross. At this point, we need to embrace Read more…
July 10, 2020
What is the real risk of death from COVID-19? Is it actually worse than the flu?
Biology/Immunity Infection and Spread Uncertainty and Misinformation
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: It’s complicated…. but YES! As a demographer and epidemiologist, mortality rates are in my wheelhouse so to speak, but getting a handle on COVID-19 has challenged us all. First some definitions: Case Fatality Rate (CFR): % of confirmed cases who die. In the U.S., the estimated CFR is currently 4.33% In the U.K., the Read more…
July 10, 2020
What’s happening in refugee camps?
Infection and Spread Social and Racial Justice
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Introducing Nerdy Guest Dr. Paula Tavrow, who joins us to talk to us about what’s happening with COVID-19 in refugee camps. Dr. Tavrow is an adjunct professor of Community Health Sciences at UCLA’s Fielding School of Public Health. She has been working on African public health issues since 1984. *** A: I can speak to Read more…
July 10, 2020
“What’s my risk when I’m doing _____?”
Families/Kids Infection and Spread Staying Safe Videos
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Why we can’t answer questions like “What’s my risk when I’m doing _____?” What is your risk when you’re doing _____? You may have noticed we won’t give you a straight answer to this question. Dr. Malia Jones chats about why. She shows the relationship between individual and community risk using her toy model COVID Read more…
July 9, 2020
How do I help fight the “infodemic?”
Uncertainty and Misinformation
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
A: Kindness + curiosity + scientific skepticism. Our second installment of Throwback Thursday is a re-share of “Lindsey’s Laws” for determining whether a piece of news is SOLID or SENSATIONAL. As the pandemic rages on, so does the ensuing whiplash from navigating splashy headlines and attention-grabbing claims. Some good news: We can all play a Read more…
July 9, 2020
Nerdy Guest chat with Dr. Valerie Paz-Soldan
Infection and Spread Videos
Alison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
We chat with Tulane professor, social scientist and public health researcher Dr. Valerie Paz Soldan about the COVID-19 pandemic in Peru. Charlamos con la Dra. Valerie Paz Soldan, profesora en la Universidad de Tulane, científica social e investigadora de salud pública, sobre la pandemia de COVID-19 en Perú See Less Link to original FB post
July 8, 2020
I am confused about my mask. COVID-19 poem
Masks Staying Safe Videos
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Poem inspired by Green Eggs & Ham about wearing masks during the COVID-19 Pandemic written and performed by Those Nerdy Girls of Dear Pandemic. Link to original FB post
July 8, 2020
So is the virus airborne? Yes or no?!?
Infection and Spread Staying Safe
Alison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
A: It depends what you mean by airborne. Fortunately, the guidance for avoiding the virus in your day-to-day life is the same either way. On July 4th, a New York Times article reported that 239 scientists from 32 countries had sent an open letter to the World Health Organization (WHO) asserting that “airborne transmission of Read more…
July 8, 2020
Hay información en español sobre los riesgos de ciertas actividades para prevenir la propagación del COVID-19?
Posts en Español
Sandra Albrecht, PhD MPH
Ahora sí y por fin! Tres expertos se unieron para crear esta infografía para el publico y luego la organización Superchivas la tradujo en español. Esta infografía demuestra las actividades de bajo a alto riesgo. El nivel de riesgo de cada actividad varía basado en los siguientes factores: 1. ESPACIOS CERRADOS: las actividades que ocurren adentro Read more…
July 8, 2020
How can it be that COVID-19 cases are increasing but deaths are decreasing in the U.S.?
Data and Metrics Data Literacy Infection and Spread
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: Timing, timing, timing. And some other factors too. As this Vox article notes, “The sinking death rates reflect the state of the pandemic a month or more ago, experts say, when the original hot spots had been contained and other states had only just begun to open up restaurants and other businesses.” We have Read more…
July 7, 2020
What Would Those Nerdy Girls Do (WWTNGD)?!
Staying Safe
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: Never mind us, What Would Fauci Do?! We get asked a lot of practical questions about how to live our daily lives as safely as possible amid this pandemic. While we will continue to answer for ourselves on our FB Q&As, we wanted to share this excellent Q&A from six public health/infectious disease experts Read more…
July 7, 2020
What can I do to continue to help the children in my life cope with the realities of the pandemic?
Families/Kids Mental Health Staying Safe
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
A: Provide children with a sense of control. Keep them informed. Get them engaged. The basic rules: 1. Answer children’s questions in a developmentally appropriate manner (using stories or play is a great way to do this for younger children). 2. Stick to routine and schedule (this is harder to do so many months into Read more…
A: Here are a few factors to consider: (1) Your individual risk/benefit tradeoff; (2) The amount of circulating disease in your community; (3) The dentist’s infection control protocols. Heading back to the dentist safely is top of mind for the Nerdy Girls, as several of us have logged some serious time in the dental chair Read more…
Will temperature checks actually work? What else can schools and businesses do to quickly scan for potentially infectious people?
Clinical Symptoms Infection and Spread Reopening School
Lauren Hale, PhD MA
A: There’s reason to be skeptical about temperature checks. COVID-19 is infectious for several days before symptoms appear. Scanning folks as they enter a building for a fever won’t do much to prevent people who are pre-symptomatic from entering and spewing infectious droplets all over the place. Gross. At this point, we need to embrace Read more…
July 10, 2020
What is the real risk of death from COVID-19? Is it actually worse than the flu?
Biology/Immunity Infection and Spread Uncertainty and Misinformation
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: It’s complicated…. but YES! As a demographer and epidemiologist, mortality rates are in my wheelhouse so to speak, but getting a handle on COVID-19 has challenged us all. First some definitions: Case Fatality Rate (CFR): % of confirmed cases who die. In the U.S., the estimated CFR is currently 4.33% In the U.K., the Read more…
July 10, 2020
What’s happening in refugee camps?
Infection and Spread Social and Racial Justice
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Introducing Nerdy Guest Dr. Paula Tavrow, who joins us to talk to us about what’s happening with COVID-19 in refugee camps. Dr. Tavrow is an adjunct professor of Community Health Sciences at UCLA’s Fielding School of Public Health. She has been working on African public health issues since 1984. *** A: I can speak to Read more…
July 10, 2020
“What’s my risk when I’m doing _____?”
Families/Kids Infection and Spread Staying Safe Videos
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Why we can’t answer questions like “What’s my risk when I’m doing _____?” What is your risk when you’re doing _____? You may have noticed we won’t give you a straight answer to this question. Dr. Malia Jones chats about why. She shows the relationship between individual and community risk using her toy model COVID Read more…
July 9, 2020
How do I help fight the “infodemic?”
Uncertainty and Misinformation
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
A: Kindness + curiosity + scientific skepticism. Our second installment of Throwback Thursday is a re-share of “Lindsey’s Laws” for determining whether a piece of news is SOLID or SENSATIONAL. As the pandemic rages on, so does the ensuing whiplash from navigating splashy headlines and attention-grabbing claims. Some good news: We can all play a Read more…
July 9, 2020
Nerdy Guest chat with Dr. Valerie Paz-Soldan
Infection and Spread Videos
Alison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
We chat with Tulane professor, social scientist and public health researcher Dr. Valerie Paz Soldan about the COVID-19 pandemic in Peru. Charlamos con la Dra. Valerie Paz Soldan, profesora en la Universidad de Tulane, científica social e investigadora de salud pública, sobre la pandemia de COVID-19 en Perú See Less Link to original FB post
July 8, 2020
I am confused about my mask. COVID-19 poem
Masks Staying Safe Videos
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Poem inspired by Green Eggs & Ham about wearing masks during the COVID-19 Pandemic written and performed by Those Nerdy Girls of Dear Pandemic. Link to original FB post
July 8, 2020
So is the virus airborne? Yes or no?!?
Infection and Spread Staying Safe
Alison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
A: It depends what you mean by airborne. Fortunately, the guidance for avoiding the virus in your day-to-day life is the same either way. On July 4th, a New York Times article reported that 239 scientists from 32 countries had sent an open letter to the World Health Organization (WHO) asserting that “airborne transmission of Read more…
July 8, 2020
Hay información en español sobre los riesgos de ciertas actividades para prevenir la propagación del COVID-19?
Posts en Español
Sandra Albrecht, PhD MPH
Ahora sí y por fin! Tres expertos se unieron para crear esta infografía para el publico y luego la organización Superchivas la tradujo en español. Esta infografía demuestra las actividades de bajo a alto riesgo. El nivel de riesgo de cada actividad varía basado en los siguientes factores: 1. ESPACIOS CERRADOS: las actividades que ocurren adentro Read more…
July 8, 2020
How can it be that COVID-19 cases are increasing but deaths are decreasing in the U.S.?
Data and Metrics Data Literacy Infection and Spread
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: Timing, timing, timing. And some other factors too. As this Vox article notes, “The sinking death rates reflect the state of the pandemic a month or more ago, experts say, when the original hot spots had been contained and other states had only just begun to open up restaurants and other businesses.” We have Read more…
July 7, 2020
What Would Those Nerdy Girls Do (WWTNGD)?!
Staying Safe
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: Never mind us, What Would Fauci Do?! We get asked a lot of practical questions about how to live our daily lives as safely as possible amid this pandemic. While we will continue to answer for ourselves on our FB Q&As, we wanted to share this excellent Q&A from six public health/infectious disease experts Read more…
July 7, 2020
What can I do to continue to help the children in my life cope with the realities of the pandemic?
Families/Kids Mental Health Staying Safe
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
A: Provide children with a sense of control. Keep them informed. Get them engaged. The basic rules: 1. Answer children’s questions in a developmentally appropriate manner (using stories or play is a great way to do this for younger children). 2. Stick to routine and schedule (this is harder to do so many months into Read more…
A: There’s reason to be skeptical about temperature checks. COVID-19 is infectious for several days before symptoms appear. Scanning folks as they enter a building for a fever won’t do much to prevent people who are pre-symptomatic from entering and spewing infectious droplets all over the place. Gross. At this point, we need to embrace Read more…
What is the real risk of death from COVID-19? Is it actually worse than the flu?
Biology/Immunity Infection and Spread Uncertainty and Misinformation
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: It’s complicated…. but YES! As a demographer and epidemiologist, mortality rates are in my wheelhouse so to speak, but getting a handle on COVID-19 has challenged us all. First some definitions: Case Fatality Rate (CFR): % of confirmed cases who die. In the U.S., the estimated CFR is currently 4.33% In the U.K., the Read more…
July 10, 2020
What’s happening in refugee camps?
Infection and Spread Social and Racial Justice
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Introducing Nerdy Guest Dr. Paula Tavrow, who joins us to talk to us about what’s happening with COVID-19 in refugee camps. Dr. Tavrow is an adjunct professor of Community Health Sciences at UCLA’s Fielding School of Public Health. She has been working on African public health issues since 1984. *** A: I can speak to Read more…
July 10, 2020
“What’s my risk when I’m doing _____?”
Families/Kids Infection and Spread Staying Safe Videos
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Why we can’t answer questions like “What’s my risk when I’m doing _____?” What is your risk when you’re doing _____? You may have noticed we won’t give you a straight answer to this question. Dr. Malia Jones chats about why. She shows the relationship between individual and community risk using her toy model COVID Read more…
July 9, 2020
How do I help fight the “infodemic?”
Uncertainty and Misinformation
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
A: Kindness + curiosity + scientific skepticism. Our second installment of Throwback Thursday is a re-share of “Lindsey’s Laws” for determining whether a piece of news is SOLID or SENSATIONAL. As the pandemic rages on, so does the ensuing whiplash from navigating splashy headlines and attention-grabbing claims. Some good news: We can all play a Read more…
July 9, 2020
Nerdy Guest chat with Dr. Valerie Paz-Soldan
Infection and Spread Videos
Alison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
We chat with Tulane professor, social scientist and public health researcher Dr. Valerie Paz Soldan about the COVID-19 pandemic in Peru. Charlamos con la Dra. Valerie Paz Soldan, profesora en la Universidad de Tulane, científica social e investigadora de salud pública, sobre la pandemia de COVID-19 en Perú See Less Link to original FB post
July 8, 2020
I am confused about my mask. COVID-19 poem
Masks Staying Safe Videos
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Poem inspired by Green Eggs & Ham about wearing masks during the COVID-19 Pandemic written and performed by Those Nerdy Girls of Dear Pandemic. Link to original FB post
July 8, 2020
So is the virus airborne? Yes or no?!?
Infection and Spread Staying Safe
Alison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
A: It depends what you mean by airborne. Fortunately, the guidance for avoiding the virus in your day-to-day life is the same either way. On July 4th, a New York Times article reported that 239 scientists from 32 countries had sent an open letter to the World Health Organization (WHO) asserting that “airborne transmission of Read more…
July 8, 2020
Hay información en español sobre los riesgos de ciertas actividades para prevenir la propagación del COVID-19?
Posts en Español
Sandra Albrecht, PhD MPH
Ahora sí y por fin! Tres expertos se unieron para crear esta infografía para el publico y luego la organización Superchivas la tradujo en español. Esta infografía demuestra las actividades de bajo a alto riesgo. El nivel de riesgo de cada actividad varía basado en los siguientes factores: 1. ESPACIOS CERRADOS: las actividades que ocurren adentro Read more…
July 8, 2020
How can it be that COVID-19 cases are increasing but deaths are decreasing in the U.S.?
Data and Metrics Data Literacy Infection and Spread
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: Timing, timing, timing. And some other factors too. As this Vox article notes, “The sinking death rates reflect the state of the pandemic a month or more ago, experts say, when the original hot spots had been contained and other states had only just begun to open up restaurants and other businesses.” We have Read more…
July 7, 2020
What Would Those Nerdy Girls Do (WWTNGD)?!
Staying Safe
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: Never mind us, What Would Fauci Do?! We get asked a lot of practical questions about how to live our daily lives as safely as possible amid this pandemic. While we will continue to answer for ourselves on our FB Q&As, we wanted to share this excellent Q&A from six public health/infectious disease experts Read more…
July 7, 2020
What can I do to continue to help the children in my life cope with the realities of the pandemic?
Families/Kids Mental Health Staying Safe
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
A: Provide children with a sense of control. Keep them informed. Get them engaged. The basic rules: 1. Answer children’s questions in a developmentally appropriate manner (using stories or play is a great way to do this for younger children). 2. Stick to routine and schedule (this is harder to do so many months into Read more…
A: It’s complicated…. but YES! As a demographer and epidemiologist, mortality rates are in my wheelhouse so to speak, but getting a handle on COVID-19 has challenged us all. First some definitions: Case Fatality Rate (CFR): % of confirmed cases who die. In the U.S., the estimated CFR is currently 4.33% In the U.K., the Read more…
What’s happening in refugee camps?
Infection and Spread Social and Racial Justice
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Introducing Nerdy Guest Dr. Paula Tavrow, who joins us to talk to us about what’s happening with COVID-19 in refugee camps. Dr. Tavrow is an adjunct professor of Community Health Sciences at UCLA’s Fielding School of Public Health. She has been working on African public health issues since 1984. *** A: I can speak to Read more…
July 10, 2020
“What’s my risk when I’m doing _____?”
Families/Kids Infection and Spread Staying Safe Videos
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Why we can’t answer questions like “What’s my risk when I’m doing _____?” What is your risk when you’re doing _____? You may have noticed we won’t give you a straight answer to this question. Dr. Malia Jones chats about why. She shows the relationship between individual and community risk using her toy model COVID Read more…
July 9, 2020
How do I help fight the “infodemic?”
Uncertainty and Misinformation
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
A: Kindness + curiosity + scientific skepticism. Our second installment of Throwback Thursday is a re-share of “Lindsey’s Laws” for determining whether a piece of news is SOLID or SENSATIONAL. As the pandemic rages on, so does the ensuing whiplash from navigating splashy headlines and attention-grabbing claims. Some good news: We can all play a Read more…
July 9, 2020
Nerdy Guest chat with Dr. Valerie Paz-Soldan
Infection and Spread Videos
Alison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
We chat with Tulane professor, social scientist and public health researcher Dr. Valerie Paz Soldan about the COVID-19 pandemic in Peru. Charlamos con la Dra. Valerie Paz Soldan, profesora en la Universidad de Tulane, científica social e investigadora de salud pública, sobre la pandemia de COVID-19 en Perú See Less Link to original FB post
July 8, 2020
I am confused about my mask. COVID-19 poem
Masks Staying Safe Videos
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Poem inspired by Green Eggs & Ham about wearing masks during the COVID-19 Pandemic written and performed by Those Nerdy Girls of Dear Pandemic. Link to original FB post
July 8, 2020
So is the virus airborne? Yes or no?!?
Infection and Spread Staying Safe
Alison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
A: It depends what you mean by airborne. Fortunately, the guidance for avoiding the virus in your day-to-day life is the same either way. On July 4th, a New York Times article reported that 239 scientists from 32 countries had sent an open letter to the World Health Organization (WHO) asserting that “airborne transmission of Read more…
July 8, 2020
Hay información en español sobre los riesgos de ciertas actividades para prevenir la propagación del COVID-19?
Posts en Español
Sandra Albrecht, PhD MPH
Ahora sí y por fin! Tres expertos se unieron para crear esta infografía para el publico y luego la organización Superchivas la tradujo en español. Esta infografía demuestra las actividades de bajo a alto riesgo. El nivel de riesgo de cada actividad varía basado en los siguientes factores: 1. ESPACIOS CERRADOS: las actividades que ocurren adentro Read more…
July 8, 2020
How can it be that COVID-19 cases are increasing but deaths are decreasing in the U.S.?
Data and Metrics Data Literacy Infection and Spread
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: Timing, timing, timing. And some other factors too. As this Vox article notes, “The sinking death rates reflect the state of the pandemic a month or more ago, experts say, when the original hot spots had been contained and other states had only just begun to open up restaurants and other businesses.” We have Read more…
July 7, 2020
What Would Those Nerdy Girls Do (WWTNGD)?!
Staying Safe
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: Never mind us, What Would Fauci Do?! We get asked a lot of practical questions about how to live our daily lives as safely as possible amid this pandemic. While we will continue to answer for ourselves on our FB Q&As, we wanted to share this excellent Q&A from six public health/infectious disease experts Read more…
July 7, 2020
What can I do to continue to help the children in my life cope with the realities of the pandemic?
Families/Kids Mental Health Staying Safe
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
A: Provide children with a sense of control. Keep them informed. Get them engaged. The basic rules: 1. Answer children’s questions in a developmentally appropriate manner (using stories or play is a great way to do this for younger children). 2. Stick to routine and schedule (this is harder to do so many months into Read more…
Introducing Nerdy Guest Dr. Paula Tavrow, who joins us to talk to us about what’s happening with COVID-19 in refugee camps. Dr. Tavrow is an adjunct professor of Community Health Sciences at UCLA’s Fielding School of Public Health. She has been working on African public health issues since 1984. *** A: I can speak to Read more…
“What’s my risk when I’m doing _____?”
Families/Kids Infection and Spread Staying Safe Videos
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Why we can’t answer questions like “What’s my risk when I’m doing _____?” What is your risk when you’re doing _____? You may have noticed we won’t give you a straight answer to this question. Dr. Malia Jones chats about why. She shows the relationship between individual and community risk using her toy model COVID Read more…
July 9, 2020
How do I help fight the “infodemic?”
Uncertainty and Misinformation
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
A: Kindness + curiosity + scientific skepticism. Our second installment of Throwback Thursday is a re-share of “Lindsey’s Laws” for determining whether a piece of news is SOLID or SENSATIONAL. As the pandemic rages on, so does the ensuing whiplash from navigating splashy headlines and attention-grabbing claims. Some good news: We can all play a Read more…
July 9, 2020
Nerdy Guest chat with Dr. Valerie Paz-Soldan
Infection and Spread Videos
Alison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
We chat with Tulane professor, social scientist and public health researcher Dr. Valerie Paz Soldan about the COVID-19 pandemic in Peru. Charlamos con la Dra. Valerie Paz Soldan, profesora en la Universidad de Tulane, científica social e investigadora de salud pública, sobre la pandemia de COVID-19 en Perú See Less Link to original FB post
July 8, 2020
I am confused about my mask. COVID-19 poem
Masks Staying Safe Videos
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Poem inspired by Green Eggs & Ham about wearing masks during the COVID-19 Pandemic written and performed by Those Nerdy Girls of Dear Pandemic. Link to original FB post
July 8, 2020
So is the virus airborne? Yes or no?!?
Infection and Spread Staying Safe
Alison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
A: It depends what you mean by airborne. Fortunately, the guidance for avoiding the virus in your day-to-day life is the same either way. On July 4th, a New York Times article reported that 239 scientists from 32 countries had sent an open letter to the World Health Organization (WHO) asserting that “airborne transmission of Read more…
July 8, 2020
Hay información en español sobre los riesgos de ciertas actividades para prevenir la propagación del COVID-19?
Posts en Español
Sandra Albrecht, PhD MPH
Ahora sí y por fin! Tres expertos se unieron para crear esta infografía para el publico y luego la organización Superchivas la tradujo en español. Esta infografía demuestra las actividades de bajo a alto riesgo. El nivel de riesgo de cada actividad varía basado en los siguientes factores: 1. ESPACIOS CERRADOS: las actividades que ocurren adentro Read more…
July 8, 2020
How can it be that COVID-19 cases are increasing but deaths are decreasing in the U.S.?
Data and Metrics Data Literacy Infection and Spread
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: Timing, timing, timing. And some other factors too. As this Vox article notes, “The sinking death rates reflect the state of the pandemic a month or more ago, experts say, when the original hot spots had been contained and other states had only just begun to open up restaurants and other businesses.” We have Read more…
July 7, 2020
What Would Those Nerdy Girls Do (WWTNGD)?!
Staying Safe
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: Never mind us, What Would Fauci Do?! We get asked a lot of practical questions about how to live our daily lives as safely as possible amid this pandemic. While we will continue to answer for ourselves on our FB Q&As, we wanted to share this excellent Q&A from six public health/infectious disease experts Read more…
July 7, 2020
What can I do to continue to help the children in my life cope with the realities of the pandemic?
Families/Kids Mental Health Staying Safe
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
A: Provide children with a sense of control. Keep them informed. Get them engaged. The basic rules: 1. Answer children’s questions in a developmentally appropriate manner (using stories or play is a great way to do this for younger children). 2. Stick to routine and schedule (this is harder to do so many months into Read more…
Why we can’t answer questions like “What’s my risk when I’m doing _____?” What is your risk when you’re doing _____? You may have noticed we won’t give you a straight answer to this question. Dr. Malia Jones chats about why. She shows the relationship between individual and community risk using her toy model COVID Read more…
How do I help fight the “infodemic?”
Uncertainty and Misinformation
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
A: Kindness + curiosity + scientific skepticism. Our second installment of Throwback Thursday is a re-share of “Lindsey’s Laws” for determining whether a piece of news is SOLID or SENSATIONAL. As the pandemic rages on, so does the ensuing whiplash from navigating splashy headlines and attention-grabbing claims. Some good news: We can all play a Read more…
July 9, 2020
Nerdy Guest chat with Dr. Valerie Paz-Soldan
Infection and Spread Videos
Alison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
We chat with Tulane professor, social scientist and public health researcher Dr. Valerie Paz Soldan about the COVID-19 pandemic in Peru. Charlamos con la Dra. Valerie Paz Soldan, profesora en la Universidad de Tulane, científica social e investigadora de salud pública, sobre la pandemia de COVID-19 en Perú See Less Link to original FB post
July 8, 2020
I am confused about my mask. COVID-19 poem
Masks Staying Safe Videos
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Poem inspired by Green Eggs & Ham about wearing masks during the COVID-19 Pandemic written and performed by Those Nerdy Girls of Dear Pandemic. Link to original FB post
July 8, 2020
So is the virus airborne? Yes or no?!?
Infection and Spread Staying Safe
Alison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
A: It depends what you mean by airborne. Fortunately, the guidance for avoiding the virus in your day-to-day life is the same either way. On July 4th, a New York Times article reported that 239 scientists from 32 countries had sent an open letter to the World Health Organization (WHO) asserting that “airborne transmission of Read more…
July 8, 2020
Hay información en español sobre los riesgos de ciertas actividades para prevenir la propagación del COVID-19?
Posts en Español
Sandra Albrecht, PhD MPH
Ahora sí y por fin! Tres expertos se unieron para crear esta infografía para el publico y luego la organización Superchivas la tradujo en español. Esta infografía demuestra las actividades de bajo a alto riesgo. El nivel de riesgo de cada actividad varía basado en los siguientes factores: 1. ESPACIOS CERRADOS: las actividades que ocurren adentro Read more…
July 8, 2020
How can it be that COVID-19 cases are increasing but deaths are decreasing in the U.S.?
Data and Metrics Data Literacy Infection and Spread
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: Timing, timing, timing. And some other factors too. As this Vox article notes, “The sinking death rates reflect the state of the pandemic a month or more ago, experts say, when the original hot spots had been contained and other states had only just begun to open up restaurants and other businesses.” We have Read more…
July 7, 2020
What Would Those Nerdy Girls Do (WWTNGD)?!
Staying Safe
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: Never mind us, What Would Fauci Do?! We get asked a lot of practical questions about how to live our daily lives as safely as possible amid this pandemic. While we will continue to answer for ourselves on our FB Q&As, we wanted to share this excellent Q&A from six public health/infectious disease experts Read more…
July 7, 2020
What can I do to continue to help the children in my life cope with the realities of the pandemic?
Families/Kids Mental Health Staying Safe
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
A: Provide children with a sense of control. Keep them informed. Get them engaged. The basic rules: 1. Answer children’s questions in a developmentally appropriate manner (using stories or play is a great way to do this for younger children). 2. Stick to routine and schedule (this is harder to do so many months into Read more…
A: Kindness + curiosity + scientific skepticism. Our second installment of Throwback Thursday is a re-share of “Lindsey’s Laws” for determining whether a piece of news is SOLID or SENSATIONAL. As the pandemic rages on, so does the ensuing whiplash from navigating splashy headlines and attention-grabbing claims. Some good news: We can all play a Read more…
Nerdy Guest chat with Dr. Valerie Paz-Soldan
Infection and Spread Videos
Alison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
We chat with Tulane professor, social scientist and public health researcher Dr. Valerie Paz Soldan about the COVID-19 pandemic in Peru. Charlamos con la Dra. Valerie Paz Soldan, profesora en la Universidad de Tulane, científica social e investigadora de salud pública, sobre la pandemia de COVID-19 en Perú See Less Link to original FB post
July 8, 2020
I am confused about my mask. COVID-19 poem
Masks Staying Safe Videos
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Poem inspired by Green Eggs & Ham about wearing masks during the COVID-19 Pandemic written and performed by Those Nerdy Girls of Dear Pandemic. Link to original FB post
July 8, 2020
So is the virus airborne? Yes or no?!?
Infection and Spread Staying Safe
Alison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
A: It depends what you mean by airborne. Fortunately, the guidance for avoiding the virus in your day-to-day life is the same either way. On July 4th, a New York Times article reported that 239 scientists from 32 countries had sent an open letter to the World Health Organization (WHO) asserting that “airborne transmission of Read more…
July 8, 2020
Hay información en español sobre los riesgos de ciertas actividades para prevenir la propagación del COVID-19?
Posts en Español
Sandra Albrecht, PhD MPH
Ahora sí y por fin! Tres expertos se unieron para crear esta infografía para el publico y luego la organización Superchivas la tradujo en español. Esta infografía demuestra las actividades de bajo a alto riesgo. El nivel de riesgo de cada actividad varía basado en los siguientes factores: 1. ESPACIOS CERRADOS: las actividades que ocurren adentro Read more…
July 8, 2020
How can it be that COVID-19 cases are increasing but deaths are decreasing in the U.S.?
Data and Metrics Data Literacy Infection and Spread
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: Timing, timing, timing. And some other factors too. As this Vox article notes, “The sinking death rates reflect the state of the pandemic a month or more ago, experts say, when the original hot spots had been contained and other states had only just begun to open up restaurants and other businesses.” We have Read more…
July 7, 2020
What Would Those Nerdy Girls Do (WWTNGD)?!
Staying Safe
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: Never mind us, What Would Fauci Do?! We get asked a lot of practical questions about how to live our daily lives as safely as possible amid this pandemic. While we will continue to answer for ourselves on our FB Q&As, we wanted to share this excellent Q&A from six public health/infectious disease experts Read more…
July 7, 2020
What can I do to continue to help the children in my life cope with the realities of the pandemic?
Families/Kids Mental Health Staying Safe
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
A: Provide children with a sense of control. Keep them informed. Get them engaged. The basic rules: 1. Answer children’s questions in a developmentally appropriate manner (using stories or play is a great way to do this for younger children). 2. Stick to routine and schedule (this is harder to do so many months into Read more…
We chat with Tulane professor, social scientist and public health researcher Dr. Valerie Paz Soldan about the COVID-19 pandemic in Peru. Charlamos con la Dra. Valerie Paz Soldan, profesora en la Universidad de Tulane, científica social e investigadora de salud pública, sobre la pandemia de COVID-19 en Perú See Less Link to original FB post
I am confused about my mask. COVID-19 poem
Masks Staying Safe Videos
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Poem inspired by Green Eggs & Ham about wearing masks during the COVID-19 Pandemic written and performed by Those Nerdy Girls of Dear Pandemic. Link to original FB post
July 8, 2020
So is the virus airborne? Yes or no?!?
Infection and Spread Staying Safe
Alison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
A: It depends what you mean by airborne. Fortunately, the guidance for avoiding the virus in your day-to-day life is the same either way. On July 4th, a New York Times article reported that 239 scientists from 32 countries had sent an open letter to the World Health Organization (WHO) asserting that “airborne transmission of Read more…
July 8, 2020
Hay información en español sobre los riesgos de ciertas actividades para prevenir la propagación del COVID-19?
Posts en Español
Sandra Albrecht, PhD MPH
Ahora sí y por fin! Tres expertos se unieron para crear esta infografía para el publico y luego la organización Superchivas la tradujo en español. Esta infografía demuestra las actividades de bajo a alto riesgo. El nivel de riesgo de cada actividad varía basado en los siguientes factores: 1. ESPACIOS CERRADOS: las actividades que ocurren adentro Read more…
July 8, 2020
How can it be that COVID-19 cases are increasing but deaths are decreasing in the U.S.?
Data and Metrics Data Literacy Infection and Spread
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: Timing, timing, timing. And some other factors too. As this Vox article notes, “The sinking death rates reflect the state of the pandemic a month or more ago, experts say, when the original hot spots had been contained and other states had only just begun to open up restaurants and other businesses.” We have Read more…
July 7, 2020
What Would Those Nerdy Girls Do (WWTNGD)?!
Staying Safe
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: Never mind us, What Would Fauci Do?! We get asked a lot of practical questions about how to live our daily lives as safely as possible amid this pandemic. While we will continue to answer for ourselves on our FB Q&As, we wanted to share this excellent Q&A from six public health/infectious disease experts Read more…
July 7, 2020
What can I do to continue to help the children in my life cope with the realities of the pandemic?
Families/Kids Mental Health Staying Safe
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
A: Provide children with a sense of control. Keep them informed. Get them engaged. The basic rules: 1. Answer children’s questions in a developmentally appropriate manner (using stories or play is a great way to do this for younger children). 2. Stick to routine and schedule (this is harder to do so many months into Read more…
Poem inspired by Green Eggs & Ham about wearing masks during the COVID-19 Pandemic written and performed by Those Nerdy Girls of Dear Pandemic. Link to original FB post
So is the virus airborne? Yes or no?!?
Infection and Spread Staying Safe
Alison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
A: It depends what you mean by airborne. Fortunately, the guidance for avoiding the virus in your day-to-day life is the same either way. On July 4th, a New York Times article reported that 239 scientists from 32 countries had sent an open letter to the World Health Organization (WHO) asserting that “airborne transmission of Read more…
July 8, 2020
Hay información en español sobre los riesgos de ciertas actividades para prevenir la propagación del COVID-19?
Posts en Español
Sandra Albrecht, PhD MPH
Ahora sí y por fin! Tres expertos se unieron para crear esta infografía para el publico y luego la organización Superchivas la tradujo en español. Esta infografía demuestra las actividades de bajo a alto riesgo. El nivel de riesgo de cada actividad varía basado en los siguientes factores: 1. ESPACIOS CERRADOS: las actividades que ocurren adentro Read more…
July 8, 2020
How can it be that COVID-19 cases are increasing but deaths are decreasing in the U.S.?
Data and Metrics Data Literacy Infection and Spread
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: Timing, timing, timing. And some other factors too. As this Vox article notes, “The sinking death rates reflect the state of the pandemic a month or more ago, experts say, when the original hot spots had been contained and other states had only just begun to open up restaurants and other businesses.” We have Read more…
July 7, 2020
What Would Those Nerdy Girls Do (WWTNGD)?!
Staying Safe
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: Never mind us, What Would Fauci Do?! We get asked a lot of practical questions about how to live our daily lives as safely as possible amid this pandemic. While we will continue to answer for ourselves on our FB Q&As, we wanted to share this excellent Q&A from six public health/infectious disease experts Read more…
July 7, 2020
What can I do to continue to help the children in my life cope with the realities of the pandemic?
Families/Kids Mental Health Staying Safe
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
A: Provide children with a sense of control. Keep them informed. Get them engaged. The basic rules: 1. Answer children’s questions in a developmentally appropriate manner (using stories or play is a great way to do this for younger children). 2. Stick to routine and schedule (this is harder to do so many months into Read more…
A: It depends what you mean by airborne. Fortunately, the guidance for avoiding the virus in your day-to-day life is the same either way. On July 4th, a New York Times article reported that 239 scientists from 32 countries had sent an open letter to the World Health Organization (WHO) asserting that “airborne transmission of Read more…
Hay información en español sobre los riesgos de ciertas actividades para prevenir la propagación del COVID-19?
Posts en Español
Sandra Albrecht, PhD MPH
Ahora sí y por fin! Tres expertos se unieron para crear esta infografía para el publico y luego la organización Superchivas la tradujo en español. Esta infografía demuestra las actividades de bajo a alto riesgo. El nivel de riesgo de cada actividad varía basado en los siguientes factores: 1. ESPACIOS CERRADOS: las actividades que ocurren adentro Read more…
July 8, 2020
How can it be that COVID-19 cases are increasing but deaths are decreasing in the U.S.?
Data and Metrics Data Literacy Infection and Spread
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: Timing, timing, timing. And some other factors too. As this Vox article notes, “The sinking death rates reflect the state of the pandemic a month or more ago, experts say, when the original hot spots had been contained and other states had only just begun to open up restaurants and other businesses.” We have Read more…
July 7, 2020
What Would Those Nerdy Girls Do (WWTNGD)?!
Staying Safe
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: Never mind us, What Would Fauci Do?! We get asked a lot of practical questions about how to live our daily lives as safely as possible amid this pandemic. While we will continue to answer for ourselves on our FB Q&As, we wanted to share this excellent Q&A from six public health/infectious disease experts Read more…
July 7, 2020
What can I do to continue to help the children in my life cope with the realities of the pandemic?
Families/Kids Mental Health Staying Safe
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
A: Provide children with a sense of control. Keep them informed. Get them engaged. The basic rules: 1. Answer children’s questions in a developmentally appropriate manner (using stories or play is a great way to do this for younger children). 2. Stick to routine and schedule (this is harder to do so many months into Read more…
Ahora sí y por fin! Tres expertos se unieron para crear esta infografía para el publico y luego la organización Superchivas la tradujo en español. Esta infografía demuestra las actividades de bajo a alto riesgo. El nivel de riesgo de cada actividad varía basado en los siguientes factores: 1. ESPACIOS CERRADOS: las actividades que ocurren adentro Read more…
How can it be that COVID-19 cases are increasing but deaths are decreasing in the U.S.?
Data and Metrics Data Literacy Infection and Spread
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: Timing, timing, timing. And some other factors too. As this Vox article notes, “The sinking death rates reflect the state of the pandemic a month or more ago, experts say, when the original hot spots had been contained and other states had only just begun to open up restaurants and other businesses.” We have Read more…
July 7, 2020
What Would Those Nerdy Girls Do (WWTNGD)?!
Staying Safe
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: Never mind us, What Would Fauci Do?! We get asked a lot of practical questions about how to live our daily lives as safely as possible amid this pandemic. While we will continue to answer for ourselves on our FB Q&As, we wanted to share this excellent Q&A from six public health/infectious disease experts Read more…
July 7, 2020
What can I do to continue to help the children in my life cope with the realities of the pandemic?
Families/Kids Mental Health Staying Safe
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
A: Provide children with a sense of control. Keep them informed. Get them engaged. The basic rules: 1. Answer children’s questions in a developmentally appropriate manner (using stories or play is a great way to do this for younger children). 2. Stick to routine and schedule (this is harder to do so many months into Read more…
A: Timing, timing, timing. And some other factors too. As this Vox article notes, “The sinking death rates reflect the state of the pandemic a month or more ago, experts say, when the original hot spots had been contained and other states had only just begun to open up restaurants and other businesses.” We have Read more…
What Would Those Nerdy Girls Do (WWTNGD)?!
Staying Safe
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: Never mind us, What Would Fauci Do?! We get asked a lot of practical questions about how to live our daily lives as safely as possible amid this pandemic. While we will continue to answer for ourselves on our FB Q&As, we wanted to share this excellent Q&A from six public health/infectious disease experts Read more…
July 7, 2020
What can I do to continue to help the children in my life cope with the realities of the pandemic?
Families/Kids Mental Health Staying Safe
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
A: Provide children with a sense of control. Keep them informed. Get them engaged. The basic rules: 1. Answer children’s questions in a developmentally appropriate manner (using stories or play is a great way to do this for younger children). 2. Stick to routine and schedule (this is harder to do so many months into Read more…
A: Never mind us, What Would Fauci Do?! We get asked a lot of practical questions about how to live our daily lives as safely as possible amid this pandemic. While we will continue to answer for ourselves on our FB Q&As, we wanted to share this excellent Q&A from six public health/infectious disease experts Read more…
What can I do to continue to help the children in my life cope with the realities of the pandemic?
Families/Kids Mental Health Staying Safe
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
A: Provide children with a sense of control. Keep them informed. Get them engaged. The basic rules: 1. Answer children’s questions in a developmentally appropriate manner (using stories or play is a great way to do this for younger children). 2. Stick to routine and schedule (this is harder to do so many months into Read more…
A: Provide children with a sense of control. Keep them informed. Get them engaged. The basic rules: 1. Answer children’s questions in a developmentally appropriate manner (using stories or play is a great way to do this for younger children). 2. Stick to routine and schedule (this is harder to do so many months into Read more…