Is it true that new research shows that COVID-19 vaccine spike protein could cause cardiovascular damage just as the COVID -19 virus spike does?
Vaccines
Vijaya Knight, MD PhD (D)ABMLI
A: No. The spike protein delivered by the COVID-19 vaccines does not cause cardiovascular damage. 🤔 Let’s start by taking a look at the role of the spike protein in SARS-CoV-2 infection. The virus can enter our bodies when we breathe in droplets breathed out by an infected person. The virus then gets into lung Read more…
What are COVID nails?
Clinical Symptoms
Lauren Hale, PhD MA
A. TL;DR. Some COVID-19 survivors have noticed that their fingernails have developed horizontal grooves. While these nail markings do not occur in all COVID-19 patients, they could be caused by a temporary interruption in nail growth. These changes are not permanent and nothing to worry about. We continue to learn new things about COVID-19, which Read more…
Coronaviruses are so small. Why does my mask help?
Masks Staying Safe
Verdena Jennings, DO
A: Because size really does matter. Here is the “Keep It Simple, Scientist” version of relative particle size. Many infections like COVID-19, the common cold, and flu are spread from person-to-person by respiratory droplets. That’s why it is good to cover your cough or sneeze. The spray that hits you when someone near you sneezes Read more…
Series Finale of FB Nerdy Girl Live Broadcasts
Uncategorized
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
Join us on Saturday for the SERIES FINALE of our LIVE show featuring Dr. Malia Jones and Dr. Alison Buttenheim. Don’t miss this opportunity to hear about the journey of the last year and next steps as Those Nerdy Girls begin to transition out of pandemic only mode. This is our last live hurrah for Read more…
¿Son efectivas las vacunas contra las nuevas variantes?
Posts en Español Vaccines
Tita Smyth Escobedo, PM-IT
R: Las señales apuntan a que SÍ especialmente para las vacunas de ARNm para las que hay más datos disponibles. Si bien algunas variantes emergentes del SARS-CoV-2 son más preocupantes que otras, hasta ahora todas las vacunas siguen siendo efectivas para prevenir enfermedades y la muerte. Esto significa que, si bien las nuevas “variantes aterradoras” Read more…
I’m stressing out about gaining weight. What can I do?
General Health
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
A: As summer approaches, people start putting a lot of weight on their weight. But your health is more than just a number. Here are some ideas to help you focus on what really matters. Maybe you have noticed that your clothes aren’t fitting the same. Maybe your eating and exercise patterns have changed a Read more…
How can I stand up for science on social media?
Uncertainty and Misinformation
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
A: Be civil. Focus on finding common ground. Choose your battles: You have greatest influence with those you know offline. Don’t waste your time on trolls. Good news: The science of science communication (yes, that’s a thing!) convincingly confirms that we all can help battle misinformation online. So what does the evidence say about the Read more…
¿Qué debo saber sobre las nuevas pautas de los CDC que dicen que las personas completamente vacunadas puedan dejar de usar la mascarilla?
Infection and Spread Posts en Español Staying Safe Vaccines
Sandra Albrecht, PhD MPH
R: Las nuevas recomendaciones por los CDC aplican solamente a las personas completamente vacunadas en EE.UU. Este cambio de política a nivel individual tiene implicaciones complicadas para la salud de la población. Como gran parte de los últimos 15 meses, nada está escrito en piedra. Lea esta publicación para conocer algunos detalles importantes. Según la Read more…
Did a “lab leak” start the COVID-19 pandemic?
Biology/Immunity Uncertainty and Misinformation
A: The origin of the COVID-19 pandemic is still being unraveled. The leading theory is that SARS-CoV-2 jumped naturally from bats to humans (possibly through an intermediate species), as other viruses have done for ages. The lab-leak theory – an accidental spill from a research lab – is the underdog. It’s far less likely but Read more…
¿ El ‘brazo COVID’ es algo real? ¿Me debería preocupar?
Clinical Symptoms Posts en Español Vaccines
Tita Smyth Escobedo, PM-IT
R: Sí, ‘brazo COVID’ es algo real. El brazo COVID es una reacción alérgica leve a los ingredientes de la vacuna y se ve como un sarpullido rojo con picazón que generalmente se encuentra alrededor de donde la aguja entró en su brazo. Este tipo de reacción alérgica no lo descarta para su segunda dosis. Read more…
Can COVID-19 cause erectile dysfunction (ED) or affect sperm? (Updated 5/24/21)
Biology/Immunity Clinical Symptoms
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: It’s possible. #VaxUpToGetItUp TL;DR: Due to its impact on inflammation and the vascular system, it is biologically plausible that COVID-19 contributes to erectile dysfunction. But as with much COVID-19 research more, ahem, hard data is needed. COVID-19 infection HAS been associated with a reduction in sperm counts in early research. A recent study found Read more…
How does increased screen time affect our lives?
Mental Health
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
Let’s talk a moment to talk about screens (and yes, we realize that you are reading this on a screen right now 😂). Still, all this screen time is changing the way we live and almost all of us are spending too much time on our screens (phones, computers, laptops, and others). Here are a Read more…
Nerdy Kids Get Vaccinated!
Families/Kids Vaccines
Joanna Dreifus, MPH
Two Nerdy Girls on the team took their kids 🚸 in the 12-15 year old age group to be vaccinated last week after the Pfizer vaccine 💉 was granted emergency use authorization-we asked them and their kids a few questions ❓about why they did and how it went! What was your main reason for vaccinating Read more…
¿Tendré una respuesta “hiperinmune” si estoy expuesto a variantes actuales o n
Biology/Immunity Posts en Español Vaccines
Sandra Albrecht, PhD MPH
R: No. No hay evidencia de que las personas vacunadas contra COVID-19 tengan una respuesta hiperinmune si son expuestas al virus. En resumen: La exposición al SARS-CoV-2 después de haber recibido la vacuna contra COVID-19 no resulta en una respuesta inmune exagerada o peligrosa. Cientos de millones de personas en todo el mundo ya han Read more…
Dear Pandemic COVID Q&A
Biology/Immunity Families/Kids Infection and Spread Vaccines Videos
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Malia Jones will be live with Dear Pandemic contributor Dr. Chana Davis! Dr. Davis is a geneticist by training and has experience in cancer research, personalized medicine, and nutrition. She’s also the author of Fueled by Science, a blog and podcast. We’ll be talking about mix-and-match vaccines, origins of the COVID-19 virus, and more! ➡️ Read more…
Is there any information on the immune response to COVID-19 vaccines in people on Remicade?
Vaccines
Vijaya Knight, MD PhD (D)ABMLI
Q: My daughter has Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) and is on Remicade. Is there any information on the immune response to COVID-19 vaccines in people on Remicade? A: People on some immunosuppressive medicines are showing weaker responses to COVID-19 vaccines. Remicade is one of many immunosuppressive medicines. People who are on immunosuppressive treatment may have Read more…
¿Por qué el Covid-19 es menos riesgoso y menos grave en los niños que en los adultos?
Clinical Symptoms Families/Kids Posts en Español
Sandra Albrecht, PhD MPH
R: El virus SARS-CoV2 que causa el COVID-19 se introduce en el cuerpo utilizando una “puerta” a través de una proteína en las células llamada Enzima Convertidora de Angiotensina 2 (ECA2). Los niños tienen menos ECA2 que los adultos, por lo que al virus le cuesta más “entrar” en el cuerpo de los niños que Read more…
Has the COVID pandemic helped increase animal adoptions?
Families/Kids Reopening
Gretchen Peterson, Chief Operations Officer
A: TL;DR. Yes, initially, pet adoptions increased substantially. However, as many people are returning to their regularly scheduled routines of in-person school and office, there’s been an increase in the return of recently rescued pets. While some folks are regularly checking the charts for daily new COVID-19 cases and deaths, employees at animal shelters have Read more…
Do COVID-19 vaccinations work to prevent infections in nursing homes?
Vaccines
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: YES! The mRNA vaccines REALLY work, even in this high risk population. A new study shows real-world success of mRNA vaccines in reducing infection among nursing home residents. People with multiple chronic illnesses and older people are often not included in clinical trials. It can be difficult to understand how medical treatments tested in Read more…
¿Necesito vacunarme contra COVID-19 si ya me he infectado con COVID-19? ¿No es mejor la inmunidad natural?
Posts en Español Vaccines
Sandra Albrecht, PhD MPH
R: Las vacunas producen una respuesta de anticuerpos más fuerte y más consistente que una infección natural, lo que significa que TODOS pueden beneficiarse de la protección. ¡No rechace su vacuna! A medida que más personas se vuelven elegibles para la vacuna contra COVID-19 en los EE.UU., hemos escuchado que algunas personas que ya han Read more…
A: No. The spike protein delivered by the COVID-19 vaccines does not cause cardiovascular damage. 🤔 Let’s start by taking a look at the role of the spike protein in SARS-CoV-2 infection. The virus can enter our bodies when we breathe in droplets breathed out by an infected person. The virus then gets into lung Read more…
What are COVID nails?
Clinical SymptomsLauren Hale, PhD MA
A. TL;DR. Some COVID-19 survivors have noticed that their fingernails have developed horizontal grooves. While these nail markings do not occur in all COVID-19 patients, they could be caused by a temporary interruption in nail growth. These changes are not permanent and nothing to worry about. We continue to learn new things about COVID-19, which Read more…
Coronaviruses are so small. Why does my mask help?
Masks Staying Safe
Verdena Jennings, DO
A: Because size really does matter. Here is the “Keep It Simple, Scientist” version of relative particle size. Many infections like COVID-19, the common cold, and flu are spread from person-to-person by respiratory droplets. That’s why it is good to cover your cough or sneeze. The spray that hits you when someone near you sneezes Read more…
Series Finale of FB Nerdy Girl Live Broadcasts
Uncategorized
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
Join us on Saturday for the SERIES FINALE of our LIVE show featuring Dr. Malia Jones and Dr. Alison Buttenheim. Don’t miss this opportunity to hear about the journey of the last year and next steps as Those Nerdy Girls begin to transition out of pandemic only mode. This is our last live hurrah for Read more…
¿Son efectivas las vacunas contra las nuevas variantes?
Posts en Español Vaccines
Tita Smyth Escobedo, PM-IT
R: Las señales apuntan a que SÍ especialmente para las vacunas de ARNm para las que hay más datos disponibles. Si bien algunas variantes emergentes del SARS-CoV-2 son más preocupantes que otras, hasta ahora todas las vacunas siguen siendo efectivas para prevenir enfermedades y la muerte. Esto significa que, si bien las nuevas “variantes aterradoras” Read more…
I’m stressing out about gaining weight. What can I do?
General Health
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
A: As summer approaches, people start putting a lot of weight on their weight. But your health is more than just a number. Here are some ideas to help you focus on what really matters. Maybe you have noticed that your clothes aren’t fitting the same. Maybe your eating and exercise patterns have changed a Read more…
How can I stand up for science on social media?
Uncertainty and Misinformation
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
A: Be civil. Focus on finding common ground. Choose your battles: You have greatest influence with those you know offline. Don’t waste your time on trolls. Good news: The science of science communication (yes, that’s a thing!) convincingly confirms that we all can help battle misinformation online. So what does the evidence say about the Read more…
¿Qué debo saber sobre las nuevas pautas de los CDC que dicen que las personas completamente vacunadas puedan dejar de usar la mascarilla?
Infection and Spread Posts en Español Staying Safe Vaccines
Sandra Albrecht, PhD MPH
R: Las nuevas recomendaciones por los CDC aplican solamente a las personas completamente vacunadas en EE.UU. Este cambio de política a nivel individual tiene implicaciones complicadas para la salud de la población. Como gran parte de los últimos 15 meses, nada está escrito en piedra. Lea esta publicación para conocer algunos detalles importantes. Según la Read more…
Did a “lab leak” start the COVID-19 pandemic?
Biology/Immunity Uncertainty and Misinformation
A: The origin of the COVID-19 pandemic is still being unraveled. The leading theory is that SARS-CoV-2 jumped naturally from bats to humans (possibly through an intermediate species), as other viruses have done for ages. The lab-leak theory – an accidental spill from a research lab – is the underdog. It’s far less likely but Read more…
¿ El ‘brazo COVID’ es algo real? ¿Me debería preocupar?
Clinical Symptoms Posts en Español Vaccines
Tita Smyth Escobedo, PM-IT
R: Sí, ‘brazo COVID’ es algo real. El brazo COVID es una reacción alérgica leve a los ingredientes de la vacuna y se ve como un sarpullido rojo con picazón que generalmente se encuentra alrededor de donde la aguja entró en su brazo. Este tipo de reacción alérgica no lo descarta para su segunda dosis. Read more…
Can COVID-19 cause erectile dysfunction (ED) or affect sperm? (Updated 5/24/21)
Biology/Immunity Clinical Symptoms
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: It’s possible. #VaxUpToGetItUp TL;DR: Due to its impact on inflammation and the vascular system, it is biologically plausible that COVID-19 contributes to erectile dysfunction. But as with much COVID-19 research more, ahem, hard data is needed. COVID-19 infection HAS been associated with a reduction in sperm counts in early research. A recent study found Read more…
How does increased screen time affect our lives?
Mental Health
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
Let’s talk a moment to talk about screens (and yes, we realize that you are reading this on a screen right now 😂). Still, all this screen time is changing the way we live and almost all of us are spending too much time on our screens (phones, computers, laptops, and others). Here are a Read more…
Nerdy Kids Get Vaccinated!
Families/Kids Vaccines
Joanna Dreifus, MPH
Two Nerdy Girls on the team took their kids 🚸 in the 12-15 year old age group to be vaccinated last week after the Pfizer vaccine 💉 was granted emergency use authorization-we asked them and their kids a few questions ❓about why they did and how it went! What was your main reason for vaccinating Read more…
¿Tendré una respuesta “hiperinmune” si estoy expuesto a variantes actuales o n
Biology/Immunity Posts en Español Vaccines
Sandra Albrecht, PhD MPH
R: No. No hay evidencia de que las personas vacunadas contra COVID-19 tengan una respuesta hiperinmune si son expuestas al virus. En resumen: La exposición al SARS-CoV-2 después de haber recibido la vacuna contra COVID-19 no resulta en una respuesta inmune exagerada o peligrosa. Cientos de millones de personas en todo el mundo ya han Read more…
Dear Pandemic COVID Q&A
Biology/Immunity Families/Kids Infection and Spread Vaccines Videos
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Malia Jones will be live with Dear Pandemic contributor Dr. Chana Davis! Dr. Davis is a geneticist by training and has experience in cancer research, personalized medicine, and nutrition. She’s also the author of Fueled by Science, a blog and podcast. We’ll be talking about mix-and-match vaccines, origins of the COVID-19 virus, and more! ➡️ Read more…
Is there any information on the immune response to COVID-19 vaccines in people on Remicade?
Vaccines
Vijaya Knight, MD PhD (D)ABMLI
Q: My daughter has Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) and is on Remicade. Is there any information on the immune response to COVID-19 vaccines in people on Remicade? A: People on some immunosuppressive medicines are showing weaker responses to COVID-19 vaccines. Remicade is one of many immunosuppressive medicines. People who are on immunosuppressive treatment may have Read more…
¿Por qué el Covid-19 es menos riesgoso y menos grave en los niños que en los adultos?
Clinical Symptoms Families/Kids Posts en Español
Sandra Albrecht, PhD MPH
R: El virus SARS-CoV2 que causa el COVID-19 se introduce en el cuerpo utilizando una “puerta” a través de una proteína en las células llamada Enzima Convertidora de Angiotensina 2 (ECA2). Los niños tienen menos ECA2 que los adultos, por lo que al virus le cuesta más “entrar” en el cuerpo de los niños que Read more…
Has the COVID pandemic helped increase animal adoptions?
Families/Kids Reopening
Gretchen Peterson, Chief Operations Officer
A: TL;DR. Yes, initially, pet adoptions increased substantially. However, as many people are returning to their regularly scheduled routines of in-person school and office, there’s been an increase in the return of recently rescued pets. While some folks are regularly checking the charts for daily new COVID-19 cases and deaths, employees at animal shelters have Read more…
Do COVID-19 vaccinations work to prevent infections in nursing homes?
Vaccines
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: YES! The mRNA vaccines REALLY work, even in this high risk population. A new study shows real-world success of mRNA vaccines in reducing infection among nursing home residents. People with multiple chronic illnesses and older people are often not included in clinical trials. It can be difficult to understand how medical treatments tested in Read more…
¿Necesito vacunarme contra COVID-19 si ya me he infectado con COVID-19? ¿No es mejor la inmunidad natural?
Posts en Español Vaccines
Sandra Albrecht, PhD MPH
R: Las vacunas producen una respuesta de anticuerpos más fuerte y más consistente que una infección natural, lo que significa que TODOS pueden beneficiarse de la protección. ¡No rechace su vacuna! A medida que más personas se vuelven elegibles para la vacuna contra COVID-19 en los EE.UU., hemos escuchado que algunas personas que ya han Read more…
A. TL;DR. Some COVID-19 survivors have noticed that their fingernails have developed horizontal grooves. While these nail markings do not occur in all COVID-19 patients, they could be caused by a temporary interruption in nail growth. These changes are not permanent and nothing to worry about. We continue to learn new things about COVID-19, which Read more…
Coronaviruses are so small. Why does my mask help?
Masks Staying SafeVerdena Jennings, DO
A: Because size really does matter. Here is the “Keep It Simple, Scientist” version of relative particle size. Many infections like COVID-19, the common cold, and flu are spread from person-to-person by respiratory droplets. That’s why it is good to cover your cough or sneeze. The spray that hits you when someone near you sneezes Read more…
Series Finale of FB Nerdy Girl Live Broadcasts
Uncategorized
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
Join us on Saturday for the SERIES FINALE of our LIVE show featuring Dr. Malia Jones and Dr. Alison Buttenheim. Don’t miss this opportunity to hear about the journey of the last year and next steps as Those Nerdy Girls begin to transition out of pandemic only mode. This is our last live hurrah for Read more…
¿Son efectivas las vacunas contra las nuevas variantes?
Posts en Español Vaccines
Tita Smyth Escobedo, PM-IT
R: Las señales apuntan a que SÍ especialmente para las vacunas de ARNm para las que hay más datos disponibles. Si bien algunas variantes emergentes del SARS-CoV-2 son más preocupantes que otras, hasta ahora todas las vacunas siguen siendo efectivas para prevenir enfermedades y la muerte. Esto significa que, si bien las nuevas “variantes aterradoras” Read more…
I’m stressing out about gaining weight. What can I do?
General Health
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
A: As summer approaches, people start putting a lot of weight on their weight. But your health is more than just a number. Here are some ideas to help you focus on what really matters. Maybe you have noticed that your clothes aren’t fitting the same. Maybe your eating and exercise patterns have changed a Read more…
How can I stand up for science on social media?
Uncertainty and Misinformation
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
A: Be civil. Focus on finding common ground. Choose your battles: You have greatest influence with those you know offline. Don’t waste your time on trolls. Good news: The science of science communication (yes, that’s a thing!) convincingly confirms that we all can help battle misinformation online. So what does the evidence say about the Read more…
¿Qué debo saber sobre las nuevas pautas de los CDC que dicen que las personas completamente vacunadas puedan dejar de usar la mascarilla?
Infection and Spread Posts en Español Staying Safe Vaccines
Sandra Albrecht, PhD MPH
R: Las nuevas recomendaciones por los CDC aplican solamente a las personas completamente vacunadas en EE.UU. Este cambio de política a nivel individual tiene implicaciones complicadas para la salud de la población. Como gran parte de los últimos 15 meses, nada está escrito en piedra. Lea esta publicación para conocer algunos detalles importantes. Según la Read more…
Did a “lab leak” start the COVID-19 pandemic?
Biology/Immunity Uncertainty and Misinformation
A: The origin of the COVID-19 pandemic is still being unraveled. The leading theory is that SARS-CoV-2 jumped naturally from bats to humans (possibly through an intermediate species), as other viruses have done for ages. The lab-leak theory – an accidental spill from a research lab – is the underdog. It’s far less likely but Read more…
¿ El ‘brazo COVID’ es algo real? ¿Me debería preocupar?
Clinical Symptoms Posts en Español Vaccines
Tita Smyth Escobedo, PM-IT
R: Sí, ‘brazo COVID’ es algo real. El brazo COVID es una reacción alérgica leve a los ingredientes de la vacuna y se ve como un sarpullido rojo con picazón que generalmente se encuentra alrededor de donde la aguja entró en su brazo. Este tipo de reacción alérgica no lo descarta para su segunda dosis. Read more…
Can COVID-19 cause erectile dysfunction (ED) or affect sperm? (Updated 5/24/21)
Biology/Immunity Clinical Symptoms
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: It’s possible. #VaxUpToGetItUp TL;DR: Due to its impact on inflammation and the vascular system, it is biologically plausible that COVID-19 contributes to erectile dysfunction. But as with much COVID-19 research more, ahem, hard data is needed. COVID-19 infection HAS been associated with a reduction in sperm counts in early research. A recent study found Read more…
How does increased screen time affect our lives?
Mental Health
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
Let’s talk a moment to talk about screens (and yes, we realize that you are reading this on a screen right now 😂). Still, all this screen time is changing the way we live and almost all of us are spending too much time on our screens (phones, computers, laptops, and others). Here are a Read more…
Nerdy Kids Get Vaccinated!
Families/Kids Vaccines
Joanna Dreifus, MPH
Two Nerdy Girls on the team took their kids 🚸 in the 12-15 year old age group to be vaccinated last week after the Pfizer vaccine 💉 was granted emergency use authorization-we asked them and their kids a few questions ❓about why they did and how it went! What was your main reason for vaccinating Read more…
¿Tendré una respuesta “hiperinmune” si estoy expuesto a variantes actuales o n
Biology/Immunity Posts en Español Vaccines
Sandra Albrecht, PhD MPH
R: No. No hay evidencia de que las personas vacunadas contra COVID-19 tengan una respuesta hiperinmune si son expuestas al virus. En resumen: La exposición al SARS-CoV-2 después de haber recibido la vacuna contra COVID-19 no resulta en una respuesta inmune exagerada o peligrosa. Cientos de millones de personas en todo el mundo ya han Read more…
Dear Pandemic COVID Q&A
Biology/Immunity Families/Kids Infection and Spread Vaccines Videos
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Malia Jones will be live with Dear Pandemic contributor Dr. Chana Davis! Dr. Davis is a geneticist by training and has experience in cancer research, personalized medicine, and nutrition. She’s also the author of Fueled by Science, a blog and podcast. We’ll be talking about mix-and-match vaccines, origins of the COVID-19 virus, and more! ➡️ Read more…
Is there any information on the immune response to COVID-19 vaccines in people on Remicade?
Vaccines
Vijaya Knight, MD PhD (D)ABMLI
Q: My daughter has Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) and is on Remicade. Is there any information on the immune response to COVID-19 vaccines in people on Remicade? A: People on some immunosuppressive medicines are showing weaker responses to COVID-19 vaccines. Remicade is one of many immunosuppressive medicines. People who are on immunosuppressive treatment may have Read more…
¿Por qué el Covid-19 es menos riesgoso y menos grave en los niños que en los adultos?
Clinical Symptoms Families/Kids Posts en Español
Sandra Albrecht, PhD MPH
R: El virus SARS-CoV2 que causa el COVID-19 se introduce en el cuerpo utilizando una “puerta” a través de una proteína en las células llamada Enzima Convertidora de Angiotensina 2 (ECA2). Los niños tienen menos ECA2 que los adultos, por lo que al virus le cuesta más “entrar” en el cuerpo de los niños que Read more…
Has the COVID pandemic helped increase animal adoptions?
Families/Kids Reopening
Gretchen Peterson, Chief Operations Officer
A: TL;DR. Yes, initially, pet adoptions increased substantially. However, as many people are returning to their regularly scheduled routines of in-person school and office, there’s been an increase in the return of recently rescued pets. While some folks are regularly checking the charts for daily new COVID-19 cases and deaths, employees at animal shelters have Read more…
Do COVID-19 vaccinations work to prevent infections in nursing homes?
Vaccines
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: YES! The mRNA vaccines REALLY work, even in this high risk population. A new study shows real-world success of mRNA vaccines in reducing infection among nursing home residents. People with multiple chronic illnesses and older people are often not included in clinical trials. It can be difficult to understand how medical treatments tested in Read more…
¿Necesito vacunarme contra COVID-19 si ya me he infectado con COVID-19? ¿No es mejor la inmunidad natural?
Posts en Español Vaccines
Sandra Albrecht, PhD MPH
R: Las vacunas producen una respuesta de anticuerpos más fuerte y más consistente que una infección natural, lo que significa que TODOS pueden beneficiarse de la protección. ¡No rechace su vacuna! A medida que más personas se vuelven elegibles para la vacuna contra COVID-19 en los EE.UU., hemos escuchado que algunas personas que ya han Read more…
A: Because size really does matter. Here is the “Keep It Simple, Scientist” version of relative particle size. Many infections like COVID-19, the common cold, and flu are spread from person-to-person by respiratory droplets. That’s why it is good to cover your cough or sneeze. The spray that hits you when someone near you sneezes Read more…
Series Finale of FB Nerdy Girl Live Broadcasts
UncategorizedAshley Ritter, APRN, PhD
Join us on Saturday for the SERIES FINALE of our LIVE show featuring Dr. Malia Jones and Dr. Alison Buttenheim. Don’t miss this opportunity to hear about the journey of the last year and next steps as Those Nerdy Girls begin to transition out of pandemic only mode. This is our last live hurrah for Read more…
¿Son efectivas las vacunas contra las nuevas variantes?
Posts en Español Vaccines
Tita Smyth Escobedo, PM-IT
R: Las señales apuntan a que SÍ especialmente para las vacunas de ARNm para las que hay más datos disponibles. Si bien algunas variantes emergentes del SARS-CoV-2 son más preocupantes que otras, hasta ahora todas las vacunas siguen siendo efectivas para prevenir enfermedades y la muerte. Esto significa que, si bien las nuevas “variantes aterradoras” Read more…
I’m stressing out about gaining weight. What can I do?
General Health
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
A: As summer approaches, people start putting a lot of weight on their weight. But your health is more than just a number. Here are some ideas to help you focus on what really matters. Maybe you have noticed that your clothes aren’t fitting the same. Maybe your eating and exercise patterns have changed a Read more…
How can I stand up for science on social media?
Uncertainty and Misinformation
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
A: Be civil. Focus on finding common ground. Choose your battles: You have greatest influence with those you know offline. Don’t waste your time on trolls. Good news: The science of science communication (yes, that’s a thing!) convincingly confirms that we all can help battle misinformation online. So what does the evidence say about the Read more…
¿Qué debo saber sobre las nuevas pautas de los CDC que dicen que las personas completamente vacunadas puedan dejar de usar la mascarilla?
Infection and Spread Posts en Español Staying Safe Vaccines
Sandra Albrecht, PhD MPH
R: Las nuevas recomendaciones por los CDC aplican solamente a las personas completamente vacunadas en EE.UU. Este cambio de política a nivel individual tiene implicaciones complicadas para la salud de la población. Como gran parte de los últimos 15 meses, nada está escrito en piedra. Lea esta publicación para conocer algunos detalles importantes. Según la Read more…
Did a “lab leak” start the COVID-19 pandemic?
Biology/Immunity Uncertainty and Misinformation
A: The origin of the COVID-19 pandemic is still being unraveled. The leading theory is that SARS-CoV-2 jumped naturally from bats to humans (possibly through an intermediate species), as other viruses have done for ages. The lab-leak theory – an accidental spill from a research lab – is the underdog. It’s far less likely but Read more…
¿ El ‘brazo COVID’ es algo real? ¿Me debería preocupar?
Clinical Symptoms Posts en Español Vaccines
Tita Smyth Escobedo, PM-IT
R: Sí, ‘brazo COVID’ es algo real. El brazo COVID es una reacción alérgica leve a los ingredientes de la vacuna y se ve como un sarpullido rojo con picazón que generalmente se encuentra alrededor de donde la aguja entró en su brazo. Este tipo de reacción alérgica no lo descarta para su segunda dosis. Read more…
Can COVID-19 cause erectile dysfunction (ED) or affect sperm? (Updated 5/24/21)
Biology/Immunity Clinical Symptoms
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: It’s possible. #VaxUpToGetItUp TL;DR: Due to its impact on inflammation and the vascular system, it is biologically plausible that COVID-19 contributes to erectile dysfunction. But as with much COVID-19 research more, ahem, hard data is needed. COVID-19 infection HAS been associated with a reduction in sperm counts in early research. A recent study found Read more…
How does increased screen time affect our lives?
Mental Health
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
Let’s talk a moment to talk about screens (and yes, we realize that you are reading this on a screen right now 😂). Still, all this screen time is changing the way we live and almost all of us are spending too much time on our screens (phones, computers, laptops, and others). Here are a Read more…
Nerdy Kids Get Vaccinated!
Families/Kids Vaccines
Joanna Dreifus, MPH
Two Nerdy Girls on the team took their kids 🚸 in the 12-15 year old age group to be vaccinated last week after the Pfizer vaccine 💉 was granted emergency use authorization-we asked them and their kids a few questions ❓about why they did and how it went! What was your main reason for vaccinating Read more…
¿Tendré una respuesta “hiperinmune” si estoy expuesto a variantes actuales o n
Biology/Immunity Posts en Español Vaccines
Sandra Albrecht, PhD MPH
R: No. No hay evidencia de que las personas vacunadas contra COVID-19 tengan una respuesta hiperinmune si son expuestas al virus. En resumen: La exposición al SARS-CoV-2 después de haber recibido la vacuna contra COVID-19 no resulta en una respuesta inmune exagerada o peligrosa. Cientos de millones de personas en todo el mundo ya han Read more…
Dear Pandemic COVID Q&A
Biology/Immunity Families/Kids Infection and Spread Vaccines Videos
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Malia Jones will be live with Dear Pandemic contributor Dr. Chana Davis! Dr. Davis is a geneticist by training and has experience in cancer research, personalized medicine, and nutrition. She’s also the author of Fueled by Science, a blog and podcast. We’ll be talking about mix-and-match vaccines, origins of the COVID-19 virus, and more! ➡️ Read more…
Is there any information on the immune response to COVID-19 vaccines in people on Remicade?
Vaccines
Vijaya Knight, MD PhD (D)ABMLI
Q: My daughter has Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) and is on Remicade. Is there any information on the immune response to COVID-19 vaccines in people on Remicade? A: People on some immunosuppressive medicines are showing weaker responses to COVID-19 vaccines. Remicade is one of many immunosuppressive medicines. People who are on immunosuppressive treatment may have Read more…
¿Por qué el Covid-19 es menos riesgoso y menos grave en los niños que en los adultos?
Clinical Symptoms Families/Kids Posts en Español
Sandra Albrecht, PhD MPH
R: El virus SARS-CoV2 que causa el COVID-19 se introduce en el cuerpo utilizando una “puerta” a través de una proteína en las células llamada Enzima Convertidora de Angiotensina 2 (ECA2). Los niños tienen menos ECA2 que los adultos, por lo que al virus le cuesta más “entrar” en el cuerpo de los niños que Read more…
Has the COVID pandemic helped increase animal adoptions?
Families/Kids Reopening
Gretchen Peterson, Chief Operations Officer
A: TL;DR. Yes, initially, pet adoptions increased substantially. However, as many people are returning to their regularly scheduled routines of in-person school and office, there’s been an increase in the return of recently rescued pets. While some folks are regularly checking the charts for daily new COVID-19 cases and deaths, employees at animal shelters have Read more…
Do COVID-19 vaccinations work to prevent infections in nursing homes?
Vaccines
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: YES! The mRNA vaccines REALLY work, even in this high risk population. A new study shows real-world success of mRNA vaccines in reducing infection among nursing home residents. People with multiple chronic illnesses and older people are often not included in clinical trials. It can be difficult to understand how medical treatments tested in Read more…
¿Necesito vacunarme contra COVID-19 si ya me he infectado con COVID-19? ¿No es mejor la inmunidad natural?
Posts en Español Vaccines
Sandra Albrecht, PhD MPH
R: Las vacunas producen una respuesta de anticuerpos más fuerte y más consistente que una infección natural, lo que significa que TODOS pueden beneficiarse de la protección. ¡No rechace su vacuna! A medida que más personas se vuelven elegibles para la vacuna contra COVID-19 en los EE.UU., hemos escuchado que algunas personas que ya han Read more…
Join us on Saturday for the SERIES FINALE of our LIVE show featuring Dr. Malia Jones and Dr. Alison Buttenheim. Don’t miss this opportunity to hear about the journey of the last year and next steps as Those Nerdy Girls begin to transition out of pandemic only mode. This is our last live hurrah for Read more…
¿Son efectivas las vacunas contra las nuevas variantes?
Posts en Español VaccinesTita Smyth Escobedo, PM-IT
R: Las señales apuntan a que SÍ especialmente para las vacunas de ARNm para las que hay más datos disponibles. Si bien algunas variantes emergentes del SARS-CoV-2 son más preocupantes que otras, hasta ahora todas las vacunas siguen siendo efectivas para prevenir enfermedades y la muerte. Esto significa que, si bien las nuevas “variantes aterradoras” Read more…
I’m stressing out about gaining weight. What can I do?
General Health
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
A: As summer approaches, people start putting a lot of weight on their weight. But your health is more than just a number. Here are some ideas to help you focus on what really matters. Maybe you have noticed that your clothes aren’t fitting the same. Maybe your eating and exercise patterns have changed a Read more…
How can I stand up for science on social media?
Uncertainty and Misinformation
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
A: Be civil. Focus on finding common ground. Choose your battles: You have greatest influence with those you know offline. Don’t waste your time on trolls. Good news: The science of science communication (yes, that’s a thing!) convincingly confirms that we all can help battle misinformation online. So what does the evidence say about the Read more…
¿Qué debo saber sobre las nuevas pautas de los CDC que dicen que las personas completamente vacunadas puedan dejar de usar la mascarilla?
Infection and Spread Posts en Español Staying Safe Vaccines
Sandra Albrecht, PhD MPH
R: Las nuevas recomendaciones por los CDC aplican solamente a las personas completamente vacunadas en EE.UU. Este cambio de política a nivel individual tiene implicaciones complicadas para la salud de la población. Como gran parte de los últimos 15 meses, nada está escrito en piedra. Lea esta publicación para conocer algunos detalles importantes. Según la Read more…
Did a “lab leak” start the COVID-19 pandemic?
Biology/Immunity Uncertainty and Misinformation
A: The origin of the COVID-19 pandemic is still being unraveled. The leading theory is that SARS-CoV-2 jumped naturally from bats to humans (possibly through an intermediate species), as other viruses have done for ages. The lab-leak theory – an accidental spill from a research lab – is the underdog. It’s far less likely but Read more…
¿ El ‘brazo COVID’ es algo real? ¿Me debería preocupar?
Clinical Symptoms Posts en Español Vaccines
Tita Smyth Escobedo, PM-IT
R: Sí, ‘brazo COVID’ es algo real. El brazo COVID es una reacción alérgica leve a los ingredientes de la vacuna y se ve como un sarpullido rojo con picazón que generalmente se encuentra alrededor de donde la aguja entró en su brazo. Este tipo de reacción alérgica no lo descarta para su segunda dosis. Read more…
Can COVID-19 cause erectile dysfunction (ED) or affect sperm? (Updated 5/24/21)
Biology/Immunity Clinical Symptoms
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: It’s possible. #VaxUpToGetItUp TL;DR: Due to its impact on inflammation and the vascular system, it is biologically plausible that COVID-19 contributes to erectile dysfunction. But as with much COVID-19 research more, ahem, hard data is needed. COVID-19 infection HAS been associated with a reduction in sperm counts in early research. A recent study found Read more…
How does increased screen time affect our lives?
Mental Health
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
Let’s talk a moment to talk about screens (and yes, we realize that you are reading this on a screen right now 😂). Still, all this screen time is changing the way we live and almost all of us are spending too much time on our screens (phones, computers, laptops, and others). Here are a Read more…
Nerdy Kids Get Vaccinated!
Families/Kids Vaccines
Joanna Dreifus, MPH
Two Nerdy Girls on the team took their kids 🚸 in the 12-15 year old age group to be vaccinated last week after the Pfizer vaccine 💉 was granted emergency use authorization-we asked them and their kids a few questions ❓about why they did and how it went! What was your main reason for vaccinating Read more…
¿Tendré una respuesta “hiperinmune” si estoy expuesto a variantes actuales o n
Biology/Immunity Posts en Español Vaccines
Sandra Albrecht, PhD MPH
R: No. No hay evidencia de que las personas vacunadas contra COVID-19 tengan una respuesta hiperinmune si son expuestas al virus. En resumen: La exposición al SARS-CoV-2 después de haber recibido la vacuna contra COVID-19 no resulta en una respuesta inmune exagerada o peligrosa. Cientos de millones de personas en todo el mundo ya han Read more…
Dear Pandemic COVID Q&A
Biology/Immunity Families/Kids Infection and Spread Vaccines Videos
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Malia Jones will be live with Dear Pandemic contributor Dr. Chana Davis! Dr. Davis is a geneticist by training and has experience in cancer research, personalized medicine, and nutrition. She’s also the author of Fueled by Science, a blog and podcast. We’ll be talking about mix-and-match vaccines, origins of the COVID-19 virus, and more! ➡️ Read more…
Is there any information on the immune response to COVID-19 vaccines in people on Remicade?
Vaccines
Vijaya Knight, MD PhD (D)ABMLI
Q: My daughter has Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) and is on Remicade. Is there any information on the immune response to COVID-19 vaccines in people on Remicade? A: People on some immunosuppressive medicines are showing weaker responses to COVID-19 vaccines. Remicade is one of many immunosuppressive medicines. People who are on immunosuppressive treatment may have Read more…
¿Por qué el Covid-19 es menos riesgoso y menos grave en los niños que en los adultos?
Clinical Symptoms Families/Kids Posts en Español
Sandra Albrecht, PhD MPH
R: El virus SARS-CoV2 que causa el COVID-19 se introduce en el cuerpo utilizando una “puerta” a través de una proteína en las células llamada Enzima Convertidora de Angiotensina 2 (ECA2). Los niños tienen menos ECA2 que los adultos, por lo que al virus le cuesta más “entrar” en el cuerpo de los niños que Read more…
Has the COVID pandemic helped increase animal adoptions?
Families/Kids Reopening
Gretchen Peterson, Chief Operations Officer
A: TL;DR. Yes, initially, pet adoptions increased substantially. However, as many people are returning to their regularly scheduled routines of in-person school and office, there’s been an increase in the return of recently rescued pets. While some folks are regularly checking the charts for daily new COVID-19 cases and deaths, employees at animal shelters have Read more…
Do COVID-19 vaccinations work to prevent infections in nursing homes?
Vaccines
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: YES! The mRNA vaccines REALLY work, even in this high risk population. A new study shows real-world success of mRNA vaccines in reducing infection among nursing home residents. People with multiple chronic illnesses and older people are often not included in clinical trials. It can be difficult to understand how medical treatments tested in Read more…
¿Necesito vacunarme contra COVID-19 si ya me he infectado con COVID-19? ¿No es mejor la inmunidad natural?
Posts en Español Vaccines
Sandra Albrecht, PhD MPH
R: Las vacunas producen una respuesta de anticuerpos más fuerte y más consistente que una infección natural, lo que significa que TODOS pueden beneficiarse de la protección. ¡No rechace su vacuna! A medida que más personas se vuelven elegibles para la vacuna contra COVID-19 en los EE.UU., hemos escuchado que algunas personas que ya han Read more…
R: Las señales apuntan a que SÍ especialmente para las vacunas de ARNm para las que hay más datos disponibles. Si bien algunas variantes emergentes del SARS-CoV-2 son más preocupantes que otras, hasta ahora todas las vacunas siguen siendo efectivas para prevenir enfermedades y la muerte. Esto significa que, si bien las nuevas “variantes aterradoras” Read more…
I’m stressing out about gaining weight. What can I do?
General HealthSarah Whitley Coles, MD
A: As summer approaches, people start putting a lot of weight on their weight. But your health is more than just a number. Here are some ideas to help you focus on what really matters. Maybe you have noticed that your clothes aren’t fitting the same. Maybe your eating and exercise patterns have changed a Read more…
How can I stand up for science on social media?
Uncertainty and Misinformation
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
A: Be civil. Focus on finding common ground. Choose your battles: You have greatest influence with those you know offline. Don’t waste your time on trolls. Good news: The science of science communication (yes, that’s a thing!) convincingly confirms that we all can help battle misinformation online. So what does the evidence say about the Read more…
¿Qué debo saber sobre las nuevas pautas de los CDC que dicen que las personas completamente vacunadas puedan dejar de usar la mascarilla?
Infection and Spread Posts en Español Staying Safe Vaccines
Sandra Albrecht, PhD MPH
R: Las nuevas recomendaciones por los CDC aplican solamente a las personas completamente vacunadas en EE.UU. Este cambio de política a nivel individual tiene implicaciones complicadas para la salud de la población. Como gran parte de los últimos 15 meses, nada está escrito en piedra. Lea esta publicación para conocer algunos detalles importantes. Según la Read more…
Did a “lab leak” start the COVID-19 pandemic?
Biology/Immunity Uncertainty and Misinformation
A: The origin of the COVID-19 pandemic is still being unraveled. The leading theory is that SARS-CoV-2 jumped naturally from bats to humans (possibly through an intermediate species), as other viruses have done for ages. The lab-leak theory – an accidental spill from a research lab – is the underdog. It’s far less likely but Read more…
¿ El ‘brazo COVID’ es algo real? ¿Me debería preocupar?
Clinical Symptoms Posts en Español Vaccines
Tita Smyth Escobedo, PM-IT
R: Sí, ‘brazo COVID’ es algo real. El brazo COVID es una reacción alérgica leve a los ingredientes de la vacuna y se ve como un sarpullido rojo con picazón que generalmente se encuentra alrededor de donde la aguja entró en su brazo. Este tipo de reacción alérgica no lo descarta para su segunda dosis. Read more…
Can COVID-19 cause erectile dysfunction (ED) or affect sperm? (Updated 5/24/21)
Biology/Immunity Clinical Symptoms
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: It’s possible. #VaxUpToGetItUp TL;DR: Due to its impact on inflammation and the vascular system, it is biologically plausible that COVID-19 contributes to erectile dysfunction. But as with much COVID-19 research more, ahem, hard data is needed. COVID-19 infection HAS been associated with a reduction in sperm counts in early research. A recent study found Read more…
How does increased screen time affect our lives?
Mental Health
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
Let’s talk a moment to talk about screens (and yes, we realize that you are reading this on a screen right now 😂). Still, all this screen time is changing the way we live and almost all of us are spending too much time on our screens (phones, computers, laptops, and others). Here are a Read more…
Nerdy Kids Get Vaccinated!
Families/Kids Vaccines
Joanna Dreifus, MPH
Two Nerdy Girls on the team took their kids 🚸 in the 12-15 year old age group to be vaccinated last week after the Pfizer vaccine 💉 was granted emergency use authorization-we asked them and their kids a few questions ❓about why they did and how it went! What was your main reason for vaccinating Read more…
¿Tendré una respuesta “hiperinmune” si estoy expuesto a variantes actuales o n
Biology/Immunity Posts en Español Vaccines
Sandra Albrecht, PhD MPH
R: No. No hay evidencia de que las personas vacunadas contra COVID-19 tengan una respuesta hiperinmune si son expuestas al virus. En resumen: La exposición al SARS-CoV-2 después de haber recibido la vacuna contra COVID-19 no resulta en una respuesta inmune exagerada o peligrosa. Cientos de millones de personas en todo el mundo ya han Read more…
Dear Pandemic COVID Q&A
Biology/Immunity Families/Kids Infection and Spread Vaccines Videos
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Malia Jones will be live with Dear Pandemic contributor Dr. Chana Davis! Dr. Davis is a geneticist by training and has experience in cancer research, personalized medicine, and nutrition. She’s also the author of Fueled by Science, a blog and podcast. We’ll be talking about mix-and-match vaccines, origins of the COVID-19 virus, and more! ➡️ Read more…
Is there any information on the immune response to COVID-19 vaccines in people on Remicade?
Vaccines
Vijaya Knight, MD PhD (D)ABMLI
Q: My daughter has Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) and is on Remicade. Is there any information on the immune response to COVID-19 vaccines in people on Remicade? A: People on some immunosuppressive medicines are showing weaker responses to COVID-19 vaccines. Remicade is one of many immunosuppressive medicines. People who are on immunosuppressive treatment may have Read more…
¿Por qué el Covid-19 es menos riesgoso y menos grave en los niños que en los adultos?
Clinical Symptoms Families/Kids Posts en Español
Sandra Albrecht, PhD MPH
R: El virus SARS-CoV2 que causa el COVID-19 se introduce en el cuerpo utilizando una “puerta” a través de una proteína en las células llamada Enzima Convertidora de Angiotensina 2 (ECA2). Los niños tienen menos ECA2 que los adultos, por lo que al virus le cuesta más “entrar” en el cuerpo de los niños que Read more…
Has the COVID pandemic helped increase animal adoptions?
Families/Kids Reopening
Gretchen Peterson, Chief Operations Officer
A: TL;DR. Yes, initially, pet adoptions increased substantially. However, as many people are returning to their regularly scheduled routines of in-person school and office, there’s been an increase in the return of recently rescued pets. While some folks are regularly checking the charts for daily new COVID-19 cases and deaths, employees at animal shelters have Read more…
Do COVID-19 vaccinations work to prevent infections in nursing homes?
Vaccines
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: YES! The mRNA vaccines REALLY work, even in this high risk population. A new study shows real-world success of mRNA vaccines in reducing infection among nursing home residents. People with multiple chronic illnesses and older people are often not included in clinical trials. It can be difficult to understand how medical treatments tested in Read more…
¿Necesito vacunarme contra COVID-19 si ya me he infectado con COVID-19? ¿No es mejor la inmunidad natural?
Posts en Español Vaccines
Sandra Albrecht, PhD MPH
R: Las vacunas producen una respuesta de anticuerpos más fuerte y más consistente que una infección natural, lo que significa que TODOS pueden beneficiarse de la protección. ¡No rechace su vacuna! A medida que más personas se vuelven elegibles para la vacuna contra COVID-19 en los EE.UU., hemos escuchado que algunas personas que ya han Read more…
A: As summer approaches, people start putting a lot of weight on their weight. But your health is more than just a number. Here are some ideas to help you focus on what really matters. Maybe you have noticed that your clothes aren’t fitting the same. Maybe your eating and exercise patterns have changed a Read more…
How can I stand up for science on social media?
Uncertainty and MisinformationLindsey Leininger, PhD MA
A: Be civil. Focus on finding common ground. Choose your battles: You have greatest influence with those you know offline. Don’t waste your time on trolls. Good news: The science of science communication (yes, that’s a thing!) convincingly confirms that we all can help battle misinformation online. So what does the evidence say about the Read more…
¿Qué debo saber sobre las nuevas pautas de los CDC que dicen que las personas completamente vacunadas puedan dejar de usar la mascarilla?
Infection and Spread Posts en Español Staying Safe Vaccines
Sandra Albrecht, PhD MPH
R: Las nuevas recomendaciones por los CDC aplican solamente a las personas completamente vacunadas en EE.UU. Este cambio de política a nivel individual tiene implicaciones complicadas para la salud de la población. Como gran parte de los últimos 15 meses, nada está escrito en piedra. Lea esta publicación para conocer algunos detalles importantes. Según la Read more…
Did a “lab leak” start the COVID-19 pandemic?
Biology/Immunity Uncertainty and Misinformation
A: The origin of the COVID-19 pandemic is still being unraveled. The leading theory is that SARS-CoV-2 jumped naturally from bats to humans (possibly through an intermediate species), as other viruses have done for ages. The lab-leak theory – an accidental spill from a research lab – is the underdog. It’s far less likely but Read more…
¿ El ‘brazo COVID’ es algo real? ¿Me debería preocupar?
Clinical Symptoms Posts en Español Vaccines
Tita Smyth Escobedo, PM-IT
R: Sí, ‘brazo COVID’ es algo real. El brazo COVID es una reacción alérgica leve a los ingredientes de la vacuna y se ve como un sarpullido rojo con picazón que generalmente se encuentra alrededor de donde la aguja entró en su brazo. Este tipo de reacción alérgica no lo descarta para su segunda dosis. Read more…
Can COVID-19 cause erectile dysfunction (ED) or affect sperm? (Updated 5/24/21)
Biology/Immunity Clinical Symptoms
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: It’s possible. #VaxUpToGetItUp TL;DR: Due to its impact on inflammation and the vascular system, it is biologically plausible that COVID-19 contributes to erectile dysfunction. But as with much COVID-19 research more, ahem, hard data is needed. COVID-19 infection HAS been associated with a reduction in sperm counts in early research. A recent study found Read more…
How does increased screen time affect our lives?
Mental Health
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
Let’s talk a moment to talk about screens (and yes, we realize that you are reading this on a screen right now 😂). Still, all this screen time is changing the way we live and almost all of us are spending too much time on our screens (phones, computers, laptops, and others). Here are a Read more…
Nerdy Kids Get Vaccinated!
Families/Kids Vaccines
Joanna Dreifus, MPH
Two Nerdy Girls on the team took their kids 🚸 in the 12-15 year old age group to be vaccinated last week after the Pfizer vaccine 💉 was granted emergency use authorization-we asked them and their kids a few questions ❓about why they did and how it went! What was your main reason for vaccinating Read more…
¿Tendré una respuesta “hiperinmune” si estoy expuesto a variantes actuales o n
Biology/Immunity Posts en Español Vaccines
Sandra Albrecht, PhD MPH
R: No. No hay evidencia de que las personas vacunadas contra COVID-19 tengan una respuesta hiperinmune si son expuestas al virus. En resumen: La exposición al SARS-CoV-2 después de haber recibido la vacuna contra COVID-19 no resulta en una respuesta inmune exagerada o peligrosa. Cientos de millones de personas en todo el mundo ya han Read more…
Dear Pandemic COVID Q&A
Biology/Immunity Families/Kids Infection and Spread Vaccines Videos
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Malia Jones will be live with Dear Pandemic contributor Dr. Chana Davis! Dr. Davis is a geneticist by training and has experience in cancer research, personalized medicine, and nutrition. She’s also the author of Fueled by Science, a blog and podcast. We’ll be talking about mix-and-match vaccines, origins of the COVID-19 virus, and more! ➡️ Read more…
Is there any information on the immune response to COVID-19 vaccines in people on Remicade?
Vaccines
Vijaya Knight, MD PhD (D)ABMLI
Q: My daughter has Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) and is on Remicade. Is there any information on the immune response to COVID-19 vaccines in people on Remicade? A: People on some immunosuppressive medicines are showing weaker responses to COVID-19 vaccines. Remicade is one of many immunosuppressive medicines. People who are on immunosuppressive treatment may have Read more…
¿Por qué el Covid-19 es menos riesgoso y menos grave en los niños que en los adultos?
Clinical Symptoms Families/Kids Posts en Español
Sandra Albrecht, PhD MPH
R: El virus SARS-CoV2 que causa el COVID-19 se introduce en el cuerpo utilizando una “puerta” a través de una proteína en las células llamada Enzima Convertidora de Angiotensina 2 (ECA2). Los niños tienen menos ECA2 que los adultos, por lo que al virus le cuesta más “entrar” en el cuerpo de los niños que Read more…
Has the COVID pandemic helped increase animal adoptions?
Families/Kids Reopening
Gretchen Peterson, Chief Operations Officer
A: TL;DR. Yes, initially, pet adoptions increased substantially. However, as many people are returning to their regularly scheduled routines of in-person school and office, there’s been an increase in the return of recently rescued pets. While some folks are regularly checking the charts for daily new COVID-19 cases and deaths, employees at animal shelters have Read more…
Do COVID-19 vaccinations work to prevent infections in nursing homes?
Vaccines
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: YES! The mRNA vaccines REALLY work, even in this high risk population. A new study shows real-world success of mRNA vaccines in reducing infection among nursing home residents. People with multiple chronic illnesses and older people are often not included in clinical trials. It can be difficult to understand how medical treatments tested in Read more…
¿Necesito vacunarme contra COVID-19 si ya me he infectado con COVID-19? ¿No es mejor la inmunidad natural?
Posts en Español Vaccines
Sandra Albrecht, PhD MPH
R: Las vacunas producen una respuesta de anticuerpos más fuerte y más consistente que una infección natural, lo que significa que TODOS pueden beneficiarse de la protección. ¡No rechace su vacuna! A medida que más personas se vuelven elegibles para la vacuna contra COVID-19 en los EE.UU., hemos escuchado que algunas personas que ya han Read more…
A: Be civil. Focus on finding common ground. Choose your battles: You have greatest influence with those you know offline. Don’t waste your time on trolls. Good news: The science of science communication (yes, that’s a thing!) convincingly confirms that we all can help battle misinformation online. So what does the evidence say about the Read more…
¿Qué debo saber sobre las nuevas pautas de los CDC que dicen que las personas completamente vacunadas puedan dejar de usar la mascarilla?
Infection and Spread Posts en Español Staying Safe VaccinesSandra Albrecht, PhD MPH
R: Las nuevas recomendaciones por los CDC aplican solamente a las personas completamente vacunadas en EE.UU. Este cambio de política a nivel individual tiene implicaciones complicadas para la salud de la población. Como gran parte de los últimos 15 meses, nada está escrito en piedra. Lea esta publicación para conocer algunos detalles importantes. Según la Read more…
Did a “lab leak” start the COVID-19 pandemic?
Biology/Immunity Uncertainty and Misinformation
A: The origin of the COVID-19 pandemic is still being unraveled. The leading theory is that SARS-CoV-2 jumped naturally from bats to humans (possibly through an intermediate species), as other viruses have done for ages. The lab-leak theory – an accidental spill from a research lab – is the underdog. It’s far less likely but Read more…
¿ El ‘brazo COVID’ es algo real? ¿Me debería preocupar?
Clinical Symptoms Posts en Español Vaccines
Tita Smyth Escobedo, PM-IT
R: Sí, ‘brazo COVID’ es algo real. El brazo COVID es una reacción alérgica leve a los ingredientes de la vacuna y se ve como un sarpullido rojo con picazón que generalmente se encuentra alrededor de donde la aguja entró en su brazo. Este tipo de reacción alérgica no lo descarta para su segunda dosis. Read more…
Can COVID-19 cause erectile dysfunction (ED) or affect sperm? (Updated 5/24/21)
Biology/Immunity Clinical Symptoms
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: It’s possible. #VaxUpToGetItUp TL;DR: Due to its impact on inflammation and the vascular system, it is biologically plausible that COVID-19 contributes to erectile dysfunction. But as with much COVID-19 research more, ahem, hard data is needed. COVID-19 infection HAS been associated with a reduction in sperm counts in early research. A recent study found Read more…
How does increased screen time affect our lives?
Mental Health
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
Let’s talk a moment to talk about screens (and yes, we realize that you are reading this on a screen right now 😂). Still, all this screen time is changing the way we live and almost all of us are spending too much time on our screens (phones, computers, laptops, and others). Here are a Read more…
Nerdy Kids Get Vaccinated!
Families/Kids Vaccines
Joanna Dreifus, MPH
Two Nerdy Girls on the team took their kids 🚸 in the 12-15 year old age group to be vaccinated last week after the Pfizer vaccine 💉 was granted emergency use authorization-we asked them and their kids a few questions ❓about why they did and how it went! What was your main reason for vaccinating Read more…
¿Tendré una respuesta “hiperinmune” si estoy expuesto a variantes actuales o n
Biology/Immunity Posts en Español Vaccines
Sandra Albrecht, PhD MPH
R: No. No hay evidencia de que las personas vacunadas contra COVID-19 tengan una respuesta hiperinmune si son expuestas al virus. En resumen: La exposición al SARS-CoV-2 después de haber recibido la vacuna contra COVID-19 no resulta en una respuesta inmune exagerada o peligrosa. Cientos de millones de personas en todo el mundo ya han Read more…
Dear Pandemic COVID Q&A
Biology/Immunity Families/Kids Infection and Spread Vaccines Videos
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Malia Jones will be live with Dear Pandemic contributor Dr. Chana Davis! Dr. Davis is a geneticist by training and has experience in cancer research, personalized medicine, and nutrition. She’s also the author of Fueled by Science, a blog and podcast. We’ll be talking about mix-and-match vaccines, origins of the COVID-19 virus, and more! ➡️ Read more…
Is there any information on the immune response to COVID-19 vaccines in people on Remicade?
Vaccines
Vijaya Knight, MD PhD (D)ABMLI
Q: My daughter has Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) and is on Remicade. Is there any information on the immune response to COVID-19 vaccines in people on Remicade? A: People on some immunosuppressive medicines are showing weaker responses to COVID-19 vaccines. Remicade is one of many immunosuppressive medicines. People who are on immunosuppressive treatment may have Read more…
¿Por qué el Covid-19 es menos riesgoso y menos grave en los niños que en los adultos?
Clinical Symptoms Families/Kids Posts en Español
Sandra Albrecht, PhD MPH
R: El virus SARS-CoV2 que causa el COVID-19 se introduce en el cuerpo utilizando una “puerta” a través de una proteína en las células llamada Enzima Convertidora de Angiotensina 2 (ECA2). Los niños tienen menos ECA2 que los adultos, por lo que al virus le cuesta más “entrar” en el cuerpo de los niños que Read more…
Has the COVID pandemic helped increase animal adoptions?
Families/Kids Reopening
Gretchen Peterson, Chief Operations Officer
A: TL;DR. Yes, initially, pet adoptions increased substantially. However, as many people are returning to their regularly scheduled routines of in-person school and office, there’s been an increase in the return of recently rescued pets. While some folks are regularly checking the charts for daily new COVID-19 cases and deaths, employees at animal shelters have Read more…
Do COVID-19 vaccinations work to prevent infections in nursing homes?
Vaccines
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: YES! The mRNA vaccines REALLY work, even in this high risk population. A new study shows real-world success of mRNA vaccines in reducing infection among nursing home residents. People with multiple chronic illnesses and older people are often not included in clinical trials. It can be difficult to understand how medical treatments tested in Read more…
¿Necesito vacunarme contra COVID-19 si ya me he infectado con COVID-19? ¿No es mejor la inmunidad natural?
Posts en Español Vaccines
Sandra Albrecht, PhD MPH
R: Las vacunas producen una respuesta de anticuerpos más fuerte y más consistente que una infección natural, lo que significa que TODOS pueden beneficiarse de la protección. ¡No rechace su vacuna! A medida que más personas se vuelven elegibles para la vacuna contra COVID-19 en los EE.UU., hemos escuchado que algunas personas que ya han Read more…
R: Las nuevas recomendaciones por los CDC aplican solamente a las personas completamente vacunadas en EE.UU. Este cambio de política a nivel individual tiene implicaciones complicadas para la salud de la población. Como gran parte de los últimos 15 meses, nada está escrito en piedra. Lea esta publicación para conocer algunos detalles importantes. Según la Read more…
Did a “lab leak” start the COVID-19 pandemic?
Biology/Immunity Uncertainty and MisinformationA: The origin of the COVID-19 pandemic is still being unraveled. The leading theory is that SARS-CoV-2 jumped naturally from bats to humans (possibly through an intermediate species), as other viruses have done for ages. The lab-leak theory – an accidental spill from a research lab – is the underdog. It’s far less likely but Read more…
¿ El ‘brazo COVID’ es algo real? ¿Me debería preocupar?
Clinical Symptoms Posts en Español VaccinesTita Smyth Escobedo, PM-IT
R: Sí, ‘brazo COVID’ es algo real. El brazo COVID es una reacción alérgica leve a los ingredientes de la vacuna y se ve como un sarpullido rojo con picazón que generalmente se encuentra alrededor de donde la aguja entró en su brazo. Este tipo de reacción alérgica no lo descarta para su segunda dosis. Read more…
Can COVID-19 cause erectile dysfunction (ED) or affect sperm? (Updated 5/24/21)
Biology/Immunity Clinical Symptoms
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: It’s possible. #VaxUpToGetItUp TL;DR: Due to its impact on inflammation and the vascular system, it is biologically plausible that COVID-19 contributes to erectile dysfunction. But as with much COVID-19 research more, ahem, hard data is needed. COVID-19 infection HAS been associated with a reduction in sperm counts in early research. A recent study found Read more…
How does increased screen time affect our lives?
Mental Health
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
Let’s talk a moment to talk about screens (and yes, we realize that you are reading this on a screen right now 😂). Still, all this screen time is changing the way we live and almost all of us are spending too much time on our screens (phones, computers, laptops, and others). Here are a Read more…
Nerdy Kids Get Vaccinated!
Families/Kids Vaccines
Joanna Dreifus, MPH
Two Nerdy Girls on the team took their kids 🚸 in the 12-15 year old age group to be vaccinated last week after the Pfizer vaccine 💉 was granted emergency use authorization-we asked them and their kids a few questions ❓about why they did and how it went! What was your main reason for vaccinating Read more…
¿Tendré una respuesta “hiperinmune” si estoy expuesto a variantes actuales o n
Biology/Immunity Posts en Español Vaccines
Sandra Albrecht, PhD MPH
R: No. No hay evidencia de que las personas vacunadas contra COVID-19 tengan una respuesta hiperinmune si son expuestas al virus. En resumen: La exposición al SARS-CoV-2 después de haber recibido la vacuna contra COVID-19 no resulta en una respuesta inmune exagerada o peligrosa. Cientos de millones de personas en todo el mundo ya han Read more…
Dear Pandemic COVID Q&A
Biology/Immunity Families/Kids Infection and Spread Vaccines Videos
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Malia Jones will be live with Dear Pandemic contributor Dr. Chana Davis! Dr. Davis is a geneticist by training and has experience in cancer research, personalized medicine, and nutrition. She’s also the author of Fueled by Science, a blog and podcast. We’ll be talking about mix-and-match vaccines, origins of the COVID-19 virus, and more! ➡️ Read more…
Is there any information on the immune response to COVID-19 vaccines in people on Remicade?
Vaccines
Vijaya Knight, MD PhD (D)ABMLI
Q: My daughter has Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) and is on Remicade. Is there any information on the immune response to COVID-19 vaccines in people on Remicade? A: People on some immunosuppressive medicines are showing weaker responses to COVID-19 vaccines. Remicade is one of many immunosuppressive medicines. People who are on immunosuppressive treatment may have Read more…
¿Por qué el Covid-19 es menos riesgoso y menos grave en los niños que en los adultos?
Clinical Symptoms Families/Kids Posts en Español
Sandra Albrecht, PhD MPH
R: El virus SARS-CoV2 que causa el COVID-19 se introduce en el cuerpo utilizando una “puerta” a través de una proteína en las células llamada Enzima Convertidora de Angiotensina 2 (ECA2). Los niños tienen menos ECA2 que los adultos, por lo que al virus le cuesta más “entrar” en el cuerpo de los niños que Read more…
Has the COVID pandemic helped increase animal adoptions?
Families/Kids Reopening
Gretchen Peterson, Chief Operations Officer
A: TL;DR. Yes, initially, pet adoptions increased substantially. However, as many people are returning to their regularly scheduled routines of in-person school and office, there’s been an increase in the return of recently rescued pets. While some folks are regularly checking the charts for daily new COVID-19 cases and deaths, employees at animal shelters have Read more…
Do COVID-19 vaccinations work to prevent infections in nursing homes?
Vaccines
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: YES! The mRNA vaccines REALLY work, even in this high risk population. A new study shows real-world success of mRNA vaccines in reducing infection among nursing home residents. People with multiple chronic illnesses and older people are often not included in clinical trials. It can be difficult to understand how medical treatments tested in Read more…
¿Necesito vacunarme contra COVID-19 si ya me he infectado con COVID-19? ¿No es mejor la inmunidad natural?
Posts en Español Vaccines
Sandra Albrecht, PhD MPH
R: Las vacunas producen una respuesta de anticuerpos más fuerte y más consistente que una infección natural, lo que significa que TODOS pueden beneficiarse de la protección. ¡No rechace su vacuna! A medida que más personas se vuelven elegibles para la vacuna contra COVID-19 en los EE.UU., hemos escuchado que algunas personas que ya han Read more…
R: Sí, ‘brazo COVID’ es algo real. El brazo COVID es una reacción alérgica leve a los ingredientes de la vacuna y se ve como un sarpullido rojo con picazón que generalmente se encuentra alrededor de donde la aguja entró en su brazo. Este tipo de reacción alérgica no lo descarta para su segunda dosis. Read more…
Can COVID-19 cause erectile dysfunction (ED) or affect sperm? (Updated 5/24/21)
Biology/Immunity Clinical SymptomsJennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: It’s possible. #VaxUpToGetItUp TL;DR: Due to its impact on inflammation and the vascular system, it is biologically plausible that COVID-19 contributes to erectile dysfunction. But as with much COVID-19 research more, ahem, hard data is needed. COVID-19 infection HAS been associated with a reduction in sperm counts in early research. A recent study found Read more…
How does increased screen time affect our lives?
Mental Health
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
Let’s talk a moment to talk about screens (and yes, we realize that you are reading this on a screen right now 😂). Still, all this screen time is changing the way we live and almost all of us are spending too much time on our screens (phones, computers, laptops, and others). Here are a Read more…
Nerdy Kids Get Vaccinated!
Families/Kids Vaccines
Joanna Dreifus, MPH
Two Nerdy Girls on the team took their kids 🚸 in the 12-15 year old age group to be vaccinated last week after the Pfizer vaccine 💉 was granted emergency use authorization-we asked them and their kids a few questions ❓about why they did and how it went! What was your main reason for vaccinating Read more…
¿Tendré una respuesta “hiperinmune” si estoy expuesto a variantes actuales o n
Biology/Immunity Posts en Español Vaccines
Sandra Albrecht, PhD MPH
R: No. No hay evidencia de que las personas vacunadas contra COVID-19 tengan una respuesta hiperinmune si son expuestas al virus. En resumen: La exposición al SARS-CoV-2 después de haber recibido la vacuna contra COVID-19 no resulta en una respuesta inmune exagerada o peligrosa. Cientos de millones de personas en todo el mundo ya han Read more…
Dear Pandemic COVID Q&A
Biology/Immunity Families/Kids Infection and Spread Vaccines Videos
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Malia Jones will be live with Dear Pandemic contributor Dr. Chana Davis! Dr. Davis is a geneticist by training and has experience in cancer research, personalized medicine, and nutrition. She’s also the author of Fueled by Science, a blog and podcast. We’ll be talking about mix-and-match vaccines, origins of the COVID-19 virus, and more! ➡️ Read more…
Is there any information on the immune response to COVID-19 vaccines in people on Remicade?
Vaccines
Vijaya Knight, MD PhD (D)ABMLI
Q: My daughter has Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) and is on Remicade. Is there any information on the immune response to COVID-19 vaccines in people on Remicade? A: People on some immunosuppressive medicines are showing weaker responses to COVID-19 vaccines. Remicade is one of many immunosuppressive medicines. People who are on immunosuppressive treatment may have Read more…
¿Por qué el Covid-19 es menos riesgoso y menos grave en los niños que en los adultos?
Clinical Symptoms Families/Kids Posts en Español
Sandra Albrecht, PhD MPH
R: El virus SARS-CoV2 que causa el COVID-19 se introduce en el cuerpo utilizando una “puerta” a través de una proteína en las células llamada Enzima Convertidora de Angiotensina 2 (ECA2). Los niños tienen menos ECA2 que los adultos, por lo que al virus le cuesta más “entrar” en el cuerpo de los niños que Read more…
Has the COVID pandemic helped increase animal adoptions?
Families/Kids Reopening
Gretchen Peterson, Chief Operations Officer
A: TL;DR. Yes, initially, pet adoptions increased substantially. However, as many people are returning to their regularly scheduled routines of in-person school and office, there’s been an increase in the return of recently rescued pets. While some folks are regularly checking the charts for daily new COVID-19 cases and deaths, employees at animal shelters have Read more…
Do COVID-19 vaccinations work to prevent infections in nursing homes?
Vaccines
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: YES! The mRNA vaccines REALLY work, even in this high risk population. A new study shows real-world success of mRNA vaccines in reducing infection among nursing home residents. People with multiple chronic illnesses and older people are often not included in clinical trials. It can be difficult to understand how medical treatments tested in Read more…
¿Necesito vacunarme contra COVID-19 si ya me he infectado con COVID-19? ¿No es mejor la inmunidad natural?
Posts en Español Vaccines
Sandra Albrecht, PhD MPH
R: Las vacunas producen una respuesta de anticuerpos más fuerte y más consistente que una infección natural, lo que significa que TODOS pueden beneficiarse de la protección. ¡No rechace su vacuna! A medida que más personas se vuelven elegibles para la vacuna contra COVID-19 en los EE.UU., hemos escuchado que algunas personas que ya han Read more…
A: It’s possible. #VaxUpToGetItUp TL;DR: Due to its impact on inflammation and the vascular system, it is biologically plausible that COVID-19 contributes to erectile dysfunction. But as with much COVID-19 research more, ahem, hard data is needed. COVID-19 infection HAS been associated with a reduction in sperm counts in early research. A recent study found Read more…
How does increased screen time affect our lives?
Mental HealthAparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
Let’s talk a moment to talk about screens (and yes, we realize that you are reading this on a screen right now 😂). Still, all this screen time is changing the way we live and almost all of us are spending too much time on our screens (phones, computers, laptops, and others). Here are a Read more…
Nerdy Kids Get Vaccinated!
Families/Kids Vaccines
Joanna Dreifus, MPH
Two Nerdy Girls on the team took their kids 🚸 in the 12-15 year old age group to be vaccinated last week after the Pfizer vaccine 💉 was granted emergency use authorization-we asked them and their kids a few questions ❓about why they did and how it went! What was your main reason for vaccinating Read more…
¿Tendré una respuesta “hiperinmune” si estoy expuesto a variantes actuales o n
Biology/Immunity Posts en Español Vaccines
Sandra Albrecht, PhD MPH
R: No. No hay evidencia de que las personas vacunadas contra COVID-19 tengan una respuesta hiperinmune si son expuestas al virus. En resumen: La exposición al SARS-CoV-2 después de haber recibido la vacuna contra COVID-19 no resulta en una respuesta inmune exagerada o peligrosa. Cientos de millones de personas en todo el mundo ya han Read more…
Dear Pandemic COVID Q&A
Biology/Immunity Families/Kids Infection and Spread Vaccines Videos
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Malia Jones will be live with Dear Pandemic contributor Dr. Chana Davis! Dr. Davis is a geneticist by training and has experience in cancer research, personalized medicine, and nutrition. She’s also the author of Fueled by Science, a blog and podcast. We’ll be talking about mix-and-match vaccines, origins of the COVID-19 virus, and more! ➡️ Read more…
Is there any information on the immune response to COVID-19 vaccines in people on Remicade?
Vaccines
Vijaya Knight, MD PhD (D)ABMLI
Q: My daughter has Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) and is on Remicade. Is there any information on the immune response to COVID-19 vaccines in people on Remicade? A: People on some immunosuppressive medicines are showing weaker responses to COVID-19 vaccines. Remicade is one of many immunosuppressive medicines. People who are on immunosuppressive treatment may have Read more…
¿Por qué el Covid-19 es menos riesgoso y menos grave en los niños que en los adultos?
Clinical Symptoms Families/Kids Posts en Español
Sandra Albrecht, PhD MPH
R: El virus SARS-CoV2 que causa el COVID-19 se introduce en el cuerpo utilizando una “puerta” a través de una proteína en las células llamada Enzima Convertidora de Angiotensina 2 (ECA2). Los niños tienen menos ECA2 que los adultos, por lo que al virus le cuesta más “entrar” en el cuerpo de los niños que Read more…
Has the COVID pandemic helped increase animal adoptions?
Families/Kids Reopening
Gretchen Peterson, Chief Operations Officer
A: TL;DR. Yes, initially, pet adoptions increased substantially. However, as many people are returning to their regularly scheduled routines of in-person school and office, there’s been an increase in the return of recently rescued pets. While some folks are regularly checking the charts for daily new COVID-19 cases and deaths, employees at animal shelters have Read more…
Do COVID-19 vaccinations work to prevent infections in nursing homes?
Vaccines
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: YES! The mRNA vaccines REALLY work, even in this high risk population. A new study shows real-world success of mRNA vaccines in reducing infection among nursing home residents. People with multiple chronic illnesses and older people are often not included in clinical trials. It can be difficult to understand how medical treatments tested in Read more…
¿Necesito vacunarme contra COVID-19 si ya me he infectado con COVID-19? ¿No es mejor la inmunidad natural?
Posts en Español Vaccines
Sandra Albrecht, PhD MPH
R: Las vacunas producen una respuesta de anticuerpos más fuerte y más consistente que una infección natural, lo que significa que TODOS pueden beneficiarse de la protección. ¡No rechace su vacuna! A medida que más personas se vuelven elegibles para la vacuna contra COVID-19 en los EE.UU., hemos escuchado que algunas personas que ya han Read more…
Let’s talk a moment to talk about screens (and yes, we realize that you are reading this on a screen right now 😂). Still, all this screen time is changing the way we live and almost all of us are spending too much time on our screens (phones, computers, laptops, and others). Here are a Read more…
Nerdy Kids Get Vaccinated!
Families/Kids VaccinesJoanna Dreifus, MPH
Two Nerdy Girls on the team took their kids 🚸 in the 12-15 year old age group to be vaccinated last week after the Pfizer vaccine 💉 was granted emergency use authorization-we asked them and their kids a few questions ❓about why they did and how it went! What was your main reason for vaccinating Read more…
¿Tendré una respuesta “hiperinmune” si estoy expuesto a variantes actuales o n
Biology/Immunity Posts en Español Vaccines
Sandra Albrecht, PhD MPH
R: No. No hay evidencia de que las personas vacunadas contra COVID-19 tengan una respuesta hiperinmune si son expuestas al virus. En resumen: La exposición al SARS-CoV-2 después de haber recibido la vacuna contra COVID-19 no resulta en una respuesta inmune exagerada o peligrosa. Cientos de millones de personas en todo el mundo ya han Read more…
Dear Pandemic COVID Q&A
Biology/Immunity Families/Kids Infection and Spread Vaccines Videos
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Malia Jones will be live with Dear Pandemic contributor Dr. Chana Davis! Dr. Davis is a geneticist by training and has experience in cancer research, personalized medicine, and nutrition. She’s also the author of Fueled by Science, a blog and podcast. We’ll be talking about mix-and-match vaccines, origins of the COVID-19 virus, and more! ➡️ Read more…
Is there any information on the immune response to COVID-19 vaccines in people on Remicade?
Vaccines
Vijaya Knight, MD PhD (D)ABMLI
Q: My daughter has Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) and is on Remicade. Is there any information on the immune response to COVID-19 vaccines in people on Remicade? A: People on some immunosuppressive medicines are showing weaker responses to COVID-19 vaccines. Remicade is one of many immunosuppressive medicines. People who are on immunosuppressive treatment may have Read more…
¿Por qué el Covid-19 es menos riesgoso y menos grave en los niños que en los adultos?
Clinical Symptoms Families/Kids Posts en Español
Sandra Albrecht, PhD MPH
R: El virus SARS-CoV2 que causa el COVID-19 se introduce en el cuerpo utilizando una “puerta” a través de una proteína en las células llamada Enzima Convertidora de Angiotensina 2 (ECA2). Los niños tienen menos ECA2 que los adultos, por lo que al virus le cuesta más “entrar” en el cuerpo de los niños que Read more…
Has the COVID pandemic helped increase animal adoptions?
Families/Kids Reopening
Gretchen Peterson, Chief Operations Officer
A: TL;DR. Yes, initially, pet adoptions increased substantially. However, as many people are returning to their regularly scheduled routines of in-person school and office, there’s been an increase in the return of recently rescued pets. While some folks are regularly checking the charts for daily new COVID-19 cases and deaths, employees at animal shelters have Read more…
Do COVID-19 vaccinations work to prevent infections in nursing homes?
Vaccines
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: YES! The mRNA vaccines REALLY work, even in this high risk population. A new study shows real-world success of mRNA vaccines in reducing infection among nursing home residents. People with multiple chronic illnesses and older people are often not included in clinical trials. It can be difficult to understand how medical treatments tested in Read more…
¿Necesito vacunarme contra COVID-19 si ya me he infectado con COVID-19? ¿No es mejor la inmunidad natural?
Posts en Español Vaccines
Sandra Albrecht, PhD MPH
R: Las vacunas producen una respuesta de anticuerpos más fuerte y más consistente que una infección natural, lo que significa que TODOS pueden beneficiarse de la protección. ¡No rechace su vacuna! A medida que más personas se vuelven elegibles para la vacuna contra COVID-19 en los EE.UU., hemos escuchado que algunas personas que ya han Read more…
Two Nerdy Girls on the team took their kids 🚸 in the 12-15 year old age group to be vaccinated last week after the Pfizer vaccine 💉 was granted emergency use authorization-we asked them and their kids a few questions ❓about why they did and how it went! What was your main reason for vaccinating Read more…
¿Tendré una respuesta “hiperinmune” si estoy expuesto a variantes actuales o n
Biology/Immunity Posts en Español VaccinesSandra Albrecht, PhD MPH
R: No. No hay evidencia de que las personas vacunadas contra COVID-19 tengan una respuesta hiperinmune si son expuestas al virus. En resumen: La exposición al SARS-CoV-2 después de haber recibido la vacuna contra COVID-19 no resulta en una respuesta inmune exagerada o peligrosa. Cientos de millones de personas en todo el mundo ya han Read more…
Dear Pandemic COVID Q&A
Biology/Immunity Families/Kids Infection and Spread Vaccines Videos
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Malia Jones will be live with Dear Pandemic contributor Dr. Chana Davis! Dr. Davis is a geneticist by training and has experience in cancer research, personalized medicine, and nutrition. She’s also the author of Fueled by Science, a blog and podcast. We’ll be talking about mix-and-match vaccines, origins of the COVID-19 virus, and more! ➡️ Read more…
Is there any information on the immune response to COVID-19 vaccines in people on Remicade?
Vaccines
Vijaya Knight, MD PhD (D)ABMLI
Q: My daughter has Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) and is on Remicade. Is there any information on the immune response to COVID-19 vaccines in people on Remicade? A: People on some immunosuppressive medicines are showing weaker responses to COVID-19 vaccines. Remicade is one of many immunosuppressive medicines. People who are on immunosuppressive treatment may have Read more…
¿Por qué el Covid-19 es menos riesgoso y menos grave en los niños que en los adultos?
Clinical Symptoms Families/Kids Posts en Español
Sandra Albrecht, PhD MPH
R: El virus SARS-CoV2 que causa el COVID-19 se introduce en el cuerpo utilizando una “puerta” a través de una proteína en las células llamada Enzima Convertidora de Angiotensina 2 (ECA2). Los niños tienen menos ECA2 que los adultos, por lo que al virus le cuesta más “entrar” en el cuerpo de los niños que Read more…
Has the COVID pandemic helped increase animal adoptions?
Families/Kids Reopening
Gretchen Peterson, Chief Operations Officer
A: TL;DR. Yes, initially, pet adoptions increased substantially. However, as many people are returning to their regularly scheduled routines of in-person school and office, there’s been an increase in the return of recently rescued pets. While some folks are regularly checking the charts for daily new COVID-19 cases and deaths, employees at animal shelters have Read more…
Do COVID-19 vaccinations work to prevent infections in nursing homes?
Vaccines
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: YES! The mRNA vaccines REALLY work, even in this high risk population. A new study shows real-world success of mRNA vaccines in reducing infection among nursing home residents. People with multiple chronic illnesses and older people are often not included in clinical trials. It can be difficult to understand how medical treatments tested in Read more…
¿Necesito vacunarme contra COVID-19 si ya me he infectado con COVID-19? ¿No es mejor la inmunidad natural?
Posts en Español Vaccines
Sandra Albrecht, PhD MPH
R: Las vacunas producen una respuesta de anticuerpos más fuerte y más consistente que una infección natural, lo que significa que TODOS pueden beneficiarse de la protección. ¡No rechace su vacuna! A medida que más personas se vuelven elegibles para la vacuna contra COVID-19 en los EE.UU., hemos escuchado que algunas personas que ya han Read more…
R: No. No hay evidencia de que las personas vacunadas contra COVID-19 tengan una respuesta hiperinmune si son expuestas al virus. En resumen: La exposición al SARS-CoV-2 después de haber recibido la vacuna contra COVID-19 no resulta en una respuesta inmune exagerada o peligrosa. Cientos de millones de personas en todo el mundo ya han Read more…
Dear Pandemic COVID Q&A
Biology/Immunity Families/Kids Infection and Spread Vaccines VideosMalia Jones, PhD MPH
Malia Jones will be live with Dear Pandemic contributor Dr. Chana Davis! Dr. Davis is a geneticist by training and has experience in cancer research, personalized medicine, and nutrition. She’s also the author of Fueled by Science, a blog and podcast. We’ll be talking about mix-and-match vaccines, origins of the COVID-19 virus, and more! ➡️ Read more…
Is there any information on the immune response to COVID-19 vaccines in people on Remicade?
Vaccines
Vijaya Knight, MD PhD (D)ABMLI
Q: My daughter has Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) and is on Remicade. Is there any information on the immune response to COVID-19 vaccines in people on Remicade? A: People on some immunosuppressive medicines are showing weaker responses to COVID-19 vaccines. Remicade is one of many immunosuppressive medicines. People who are on immunosuppressive treatment may have Read more…
¿Por qué el Covid-19 es menos riesgoso y menos grave en los niños que en los adultos?
Clinical Symptoms Families/Kids Posts en Español
Sandra Albrecht, PhD MPH
R: El virus SARS-CoV2 que causa el COVID-19 se introduce en el cuerpo utilizando una “puerta” a través de una proteína en las células llamada Enzima Convertidora de Angiotensina 2 (ECA2). Los niños tienen menos ECA2 que los adultos, por lo que al virus le cuesta más “entrar” en el cuerpo de los niños que Read more…
Has the COVID pandemic helped increase animal adoptions?
Families/Kids Reopening
Gretchen Peterson, Chief Operations Officer
A: TL;DR. Yes, initially, pet adoptions increased substantially. However, as many people are returning to their regularly scheduled routines of in-person school and office, there’s been an increase in the return of recently rescued pets. While some folks are regularly checking the charts for daily new COVID-19 cases and deaths, employees at animal shelters have Read more…
Do COVID-19 vaccinations work to prevent infections in nursing homes?
Vaccines
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: YES! The mRNA vaccines REALLY work, even in this high risk population. A new study shows real-world success of mRNA vaccines in reducing infection among nursing home residents. People with multiple chronic illnesses and older people are often not included in clinical trials. It can be difficult to understand how medical treatments tested in Read more…
¿Necesito vacunarme contra COVID-19 si ya me he infectado con COVID-19? ¿No es mejor la inmunidad natural?
Posts en Español Vaccines
Sandra Albrecht, PhD MPH
R: Las vacunas producen una respuesta de anticuerpos más fuerte y más consistente que una infección natural, lo que significa que TODOS pueden beneficiarse de la protección. ¡No rechace su vacuna! A medida que más personas se vuelven elegibles para la vacuna contra COVID-19 en los EE.UU., hemos escuchado que algunas personas que ya han Read more…
Malia Jones will be live with Dear Pandemic contributor Dr. Chana Davis! Dr. Davis is a geneticist by training and has experience in cancer research, personalized medicine, and nutrition. She’s also the author of Fueled by Science, a blog and podcast. We’ll be talking about mix-and-match vaccines, origins of the COVID-19 virus, and more! ➡️ Read more…
Is there any information on the immune response to COVID-19 vaccines in people on Remicade?
VaccinesVijaya Knight, MD PhD (D)ABMLI
Q: My daughter has Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) and is on Remicade. Is there any information on the immune response to COVID-19 vaccines in people on Remicade? A: People on some immunosuppressive medicines are showing weaker responses to COVID-19 vaccines. Remicade is one of many immunosuppressive medicines. People who are on immunosuppressive treatment may have Read more…
¿Por qué el Covid-19 es menos riesgoso y menos grave en los niños que en los adultos?
Clinical Symptoms Families/Kids Posts en Español
Sandra Albrecht, PhD MPH
R: El virus SARS-CoV2 que causa el COVID-19 se introduce en el cuerpo utilizando una “puerta” a través de una proteína en las células llamada Enzima Convertidora de Angiotensina 2 (ECA2). Los niños tienen menos ECA2 que los adultos, por lo que al virus le cuesta más “entrar” en el cuerpo de los niños que Read more…
Has the COVID pandemic helped increase animal adoptions?
Families/Kids Reopening
Gretchen Peterson, Chief Operations Officer
A: TL;DR. Yes, initially, pet adoptions increased substantially. However, as many people are returning to their regularly scheduled routines of in-person school and office, there’s been an increase in the return of recently rescued pets. While some folks are regularly checking the charts for daily new COVID-19 cases and deaths, employees at animal shelters have Read more…
Do COVID-19 vaccinations work to prevent infections in nursing homes?
Vaccines
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: YES! The mRNA vaccines REALLY work, even in this high risk population. A new study shows real-world success of mRNA vaccines in reducing infection among nursing home residents. People with multiple chronic illnesses and older people are often not included in clinical trials. It can be difficult to understand how medical treatments tested in Read more…
¿Necesito vacunarme contra COVID-19 si ya me he infectado con COVID-19? ¿No es mejor la inmunidad natural?
Posts en Español Vaccines
Sandra Albrecht, PhD MPH
R: Las vacunas producen una respuesta de anticuerpos más fuerte y más consistente que una infección natural, lo que significa que TODOS pueden beneficiarse de la protección. ¡No rechace su vacuna! A medida que más personas se vuelven elegibles para la vacuna contra COVID-19 en los EE.UU., hemos escuchado que algunas personas que ya han Read more…
Q: My daughter has Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) and is on Remicade. Is there any information on the immune response to COVID-19 vaccines in people on Remicade? A: People on some immunosuppressive medicines are showing weaker responses to COVID-19 vaccines. Remicade is one of many immunosuppressive medicines. People who are on immunosuppressive treatment may have Read more…
¿Por qué el Covid-19 es menos riesgoso y menos grave en los niños que en los adultos?
Clinical Symptoms Families/Kids Posts en EspañolSandra Albrecht, PhD MPH
R: El virus SARS-CoV2 que causa el COVID-19 se introduce en el cuerpo utilizando una “puerta” a través de una proteína en las células llamada Enzima Convertidora de Angiotensina 2 (ECA2). Los niños tienen menos ECA2 que los adultos, por lo que al virus le cuesta más “entrar” en el cuerpo de los niños que Read more…
Has the COVID pandemic helped increase animal adoptions?
Families/Kids Reopening
Gretchen Peterson, Chief Operations Officer
A: TL;DR. Yes, initially, pet adoptions increased substantially. However, as many people are returning to their regularly scheduled routines of in-person school and office, there’s been an increase in the return of recently rescued pets. While some folks are regularly checking the charts for daily new COVID-19 cases and deaths, employees at animal shelters have Read more…
Do COVID-19 vaccinations work to prevent infections in nursing homes?
Vaccines
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: YES! The mRNA vaccines REALLY work, even in this high risk population. A new study shows real-world success of mRNA vaccines in reducing infection among nursing home residents. People with multiple chronic illnesses and older people are often not included in clinical trials. It can be difficult to understand how medical treatments tested in Read more…
¿Necesito vacunarme contra COVID-19 si ya me he infectado con COVID-19? ¿No es mejor la inmunidad natural?
Posts en Español Vaccines
Sandra Albrecht, PhD MPH
R: Las vacunas producen una respuesta de anticuerpos más fuerte y más consistente que una infección natural, lo que significa que TODOS pueden beneficiarse de la protección. ¡No rechace su vacuna! A medida que más personas se vuelven elegibles para la vacuna contra COVID-19 en los EE.UU., hemos escuchado que algunas personas que ya han Read more…
R: El virus SARS-CoV2 que causa el COVID-19 se introduce en el cuerpo utilizando una “puerta” a través de una proteína en las células llamada Enzima Convertidora de Angiotensina 2 (ECA2). Los niños tienen menos ECA2 que los adultos, por lo que al virus le cuesta más “entrar” en el cuerpo de los niños que Read more…
Has the COVID pandemic helped increase animal adoptions?
Families/Kids ReopeningGretchen Peterson, Chief Operations Officer
A: TL;DR. Yes, initially, pet adoptions increased substantially. However, as many people are returning to their regularly scheduled routines of in-person school and office, there’s been an increase in the return of recently rescued pets. While some folks are regularly checking the charts for daily new COVID-19 cases and deaths, employees at animal shelters have Read more…
Do COVID-19 vaccinations work to prevent infections in nursing homes?
Vaccines
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: YES! The mRNA vaccines REALLY work, even in this high risk population. A new study shows real-world success of mRNA vaccines in reducing infection among nursing home residents. People with multiple chronic illnesses and older people are often not included in clinical trials. It can be difficult to understand how medical treatments tested in Read more…
¿Necesito vacunarme contra COVID-19 si ya me he infectado con COVID-19? ¿No es mejor la inmunidad natural?
Posts en Español Vaccines
Sandra Albrecht, PhD MPH
R: Las vacunas producen una respuesta de anticuerpos más fuerte y más consistente que una infección natural, lo que significa que TODOS pueden beneficiarse de la protección. ¡No rechace su vacuna! A medida que más personas se vuelven elegibles para la vacuna contra COVID-19 en los EE.UU., hemos escuchado que algunas personas que ya han Read more…
A: TL;DR. Yes, initially, pet adoptions increased substantially. However, as many people are returning to their regularly scheduled routines of in-person school and office, there’s been an increase in the return of recently rescued pets. While some folks are regularly checking the charts for daily new COVID-19 cases and deaths, employees at animal shelters have Read more…
Do COVID-19 vaccinations work to prevent infections in nursing homes?
VaccinesAshley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: YES! The mRNA vaccines REALLY work, even in this high risk population. A new study shows real-world success of mRNA vaccines in reducing infection among nursing home residents. People with multiple chronic illnesses and older people are often not included in clinical trials. It can be difficult to understand how medical treatments tested in Read more…
¿Necesito vacunarme contra COVID-19 si ya me he infectado con COVID-19? ¿No es mejor la inmunidad natural?
Posts en Español Vaccines
Sandra Albrecht, PhD MPH
R: Las vacunas producen una respuesta de anticuerpos más fuerte y más consistente que una infección natural, lo que significa que TODOS pueden beneficiarse de la protección. ¡No rechace su vacuna! A medida que más personas se vuelven elegibles para la vacuna contra COVID-19 en los EE.UU., hemos escuchado que algunas personas que ya han Read more…
A: YES! The mRNA vaccines REALLY work, even in this high risk population. A new study shows real-world success of mRNA vaccines in reducing infection among nursing home residents. People with multiple chronic illnesses and older people are often not included in clinical trials. It can be difficult to understand how medical treatments tested in Read more…
¿Necesito vacunarme contra COVID-19 si ya me he infectado con COVID-19? ¿No es mejor la inmunidad natural?
Posts en Español VaccinesSandra Albrecht, PhD MPH
R: Las vacunas producen una respuesta de anticuerpos más fuerte y más consistente que una infección natural, lo que significa que TODOS pueden beneficiarse de la protección. ¡No rechace su vacuna! A medida que más personas se vuelven elegibles para la vacuna contra COVID-19 en los EE.UU., hemos escuchado que algunas personas que ya han Read more…
R: Las vacunas producen una respuesta de anticuerpos más fuerte y más consistente que una infección natural, lo que significa que TODOS pueden beneficiarse de la protección. ¡No rechace su vacuna! A medida que más personas se vuelven elegibles para la vacuna contra COVID-19 en los EE.UU., hemos escuchado que algunas personas que ya han Read more…
