Families/Kids Archives

March 25, 2021

Based on information gathered from Emily Oster’s recent article in The Atlantic, can I consider it safe for children to travel and have unmasked/indoor playdates, especially looking ahead to summer?

Malia Jones, PhD MPH and Verdena Jennings, DO

A: No. Dr. Oster’s article did not suggest that it’s safe for children to have unmasked playdates and return to 100% normal life this summer. As science journalist Tara Haelle put it, “it’s fine for your unvaccinated kids to go on a road trip and hug their vaccinated grandmas. It’s just not okay to pretend Read more…

March 24, 2021

Why is Covid-19 less risky and less severe in children than adults?

Biology/Immunity Families/Kids

Michelle Kinder, PhD

A: The SARS-CoV2 virus that causes COVID-19 gets into your body using a protein door on your cells called ACE2. Children have less ACE2 than adults so the virus has a harder time getting into children’s bodies than adult bodies. There are other reasons why children are more protected than adults. Older adults can have Read more…

March 20, 2021

I’m fully vaccinated, but my kids are not. What does the new United States CDC guidance for fully vaccinated people say about our situation? I am so confused.

Families/Kids Staying Safe Vaccines

Malia Jones, PhD MPH

A: This question is on many minds. If you’re confused about this, you’re not alone! The CDC guidance allows us to do away with wearing masks and physical distancing if everyone at your upcoming private get-together is either 1️⃣ fully vaccinated OR 2️⃣ ALL of these: unvaccinated, not high-risk for severe COVID-19, doesn’t live with Read more…

March 20, 2021

Dear Pandemic COVID Q&A

Data and Metrics Families/Kids Infection and Spread Socializing Vaccines Videos

Malia Jones, PhD MPH

In this live Q&A, Dr. Malia Jones and Dr. Lauren Hale will be tackling questions about vaccines, takeout food, daylight savings time, and the ways in which kids are (and are not) like vaccinated grandmas. ➡️ Welcome and Intros (0:00-0:55) Related Link to Data Hero Awards ➡️ Sleep and the effects of Daylight Saving Time on Read more…

March 19, 2021

What’s the latest on the vaccine timeline for kids?

Families/Kids Vaccines

Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA

A: Best-case scenario: late summer/fall 2021 for older kids (12+); early 2022 for younger kids. All the usual pandemic-era caveats about uncertain timelines apply! We dedicate today’s TGIF post to all of the children and teens volunteering for vaccine clinical trials. Hooray and thank you! And thank you to all of the (adult) scientists who Read more…

March 18, 2021

Any update on safety of the COVID-19 mRNA vaccines in pregnancy?

Families/Kids Vaccines

Sarah Whitley Coles, MD

A: Preliminary data presented to the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) are reassuring. Pregnant persons who received the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna vaccines did not have increased risk of side effects from the vaccines or bad outcomes (like preeclampsia, miscarriage, preterm birth, neonatal death, or congenital anomalies). More studies and safety monitoring are ongoing, but Read more…

March 12, 2021

Once I’m vaccinated, can I pass on the antibodies to my baby by breastfeeding?

Families/Kids Vaccines

Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH

Q: I’ve had the vaccine and am nursing. Can I pass the antibodies along to my newborn? Would post-vaccine frozen breastmilk also benefit other family members? A: We are so glad you asked! Yes, we do have limited preliminary evidence that breastmilk can confer some protection against SARS CoV-2 to your newborn. Sadly, we don’t Read more…

March 12, 2021

Has there been a COVID-19 baby boom?

Data and Metrics Families/Kids

Lauren Hale, PhD MA

A: No. So far being cooped up at home has NOT led to more babies. Nerdy Guest Dr. Alison Gemmill answered a few questions about fertility during COVID. Dr. Gemmill (Assistant Professor; Department of Population, Family and Reproductive Health; Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health) is a demographer who studies fertility and women’s and Read more…

March 3, 2021

What are the rules for family get-togethers with vaccinated adults and unvaccinated kids?

Families/Kids Infection and Spread

Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD

A: We offer a few guiding principles. Severe complications of COVID-19 infection are significantly decreased among the vaccinated but infection risk is not zero. Unvaccinated people remain at risk of infection +/- complications. Determine what is important. Maintain as many risk mitigation strategies as realistic. This is not over yet. ☠️ Vaccination greatly decreases the Read more…

March 1, 2021

Baby Sleep Day

Families/Kids Mental Health

Lauren Hale, PhD MA

The Nerdy Girls over at Dear Pandemic are thrilled to participate in Baby Sleep Day (Visit Pediatric Sleep Council for live Q&A all day or Baby Sleep Day for the schedule of experts). Healthy sleep during a pandemic can be tough – especially for parents who spend a lot of energy balancing their family and Read more…

February 27, 2021

When do we expect pediatric vaccines to be available?

Families/Kids Vaccines

Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH

A: Best case estimate for availability of vaccines is still Fall 2021 for older kids (aged 12+ years) and late 2021 to early 2022 for younger kids (aged < 12 years). So far Pfizer and Moderna have started trials in kids (Pfizer trial including kids aged 12-15 years was fully enrolled in January and the Read more…

February 15, 2021

What can I do to support a caregiver?

Families/Kids Mental Health

Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD

A: Caregivers need a back-up plan, a much deserved recharge, and financial support. Caregiving during the COVID-19 pandemic has been further strained by disrupted child care, social isolation, unemployment, and a contagious and debilitating virus. If the caregivers fall, so does everything else. Caregivers come in many forms and are the backbone of daily life Read more…

February 13, 2021

Dear Pandemic COVID Q&A

Data and Metrics Families/Kids Masks Socializing Staying Safe Vaccines Videos

Malia Jones, PhD MPH

In this live Q&A, Dear Pandemic contributing scientists Drs. Ashley Ritter and Malia Jones will be taking questions about pantyhose, vaccine safety, herd immunity, & keeping kids safer. If you have a question, put it in our question box at www.dearpandemic.org. ➡️ Welcome, Intros, and Announcements (0:00-2:03) ➡️ Should we be wearing nylon pantyhose over Read more…

February 6, 2021

Dear Pandemic COVID Q&A

Families/Kids Mental Health Socializing Videos

Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH

In this live Q&A, Dear Pandemic contributing scientists Drs. Aparna Kumar and Christine Whelan will be joined by Lauren Ross, founder of Project Village! We’ll be tackling questions from our readers about mental health and community in the pandemic. If you have a question, put it in our question box at www.dearpandemic.org. ➡️ Welcome, Intros, Read more…

February 5, 2021

What effects does too much screen time have on our eyes?

Families/Kids School

Lauren Hale, PhD MA

Q.) My family is staring at screens all day now. What are the effects on our eyes? What can we do about it? A.) Eye doctors are indicating that increased time on screens is related to vision changes, dry eyes, blurry vision, eye fatigue, and headaches. Here are some ocular health tips for you and Read more…

February 3, 2021

How can I help my child understand “NO” in a kind way?

Families/Kids Mental Health

Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH

Q: With school closures and working from home, I feel as if I am always saying no to my young child. How can I help my child understand “NO” in a kind way? A: Acknowledge feelings, help meet your child’s needs, and use nonverbal communication. Dr. Carolyn Broudy of the Family Connections Center provides a Read more…

February 3, 2021

When can fully vaccinated older adults see family and friends again?

Families/Kids Socializing

A: Full vaccination status (2 doses + 1-2 weeks) provides an additional layer of protection, but is not a silver bullet. Thankfully, existing COVID-19 vaccines drastically reduces the risk of severe infection and death. It’s not clear yet how much the vaccines reduce asymptomatic infection or transmission. Risk mitigation strategies (maintain space, wear masks, outdoor Read more…

February 2, 2021

What’s the current advice on the COVID-19 vaccine and pregnancy?

Families/Kids Vaccines

Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD

A: Overall, there is no evidence that risks of vaccination would outweigh the benefits for pregnant women, but specific guidance varies by country. Why no clear guidance? As with almost all drug/vaccine trials, the current Phase III COVID-19 clinical trials did not include pregnant women (though some participants became pregnant during the Pfizer and Moderna Read more…

January 23, 2021

Is there a timeline for vaccinations for children? Do the “herd immunity” projections include children?

Biology/Immunity Families/Kids Vaccines

Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH

A: Trials for children 12+ are currently in progress for both the Moderna (ages 12-17; still enrolling!) and Pfizer (ages 12-15; done enrolling!) vaccines with the most optimistic timeline for vaccine approval in kids 12+ by the start of the 2021 school year. Children will need to be vaccinated for us to achieve herd immunity, Read more…

Nerdy Merch

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