What is surveillance?
Infection and Spread Testing and Contact Tracing
Shoshana Aronowitz, PhD FNP-BC
Meredith Matone Interview on Surveillance Our nerdy guest, Dr. Meredith Matone (Scientific Director, CHOP Policy Lab) helped us to understand the concept of surveillance.
Do I still need to wipe off my groceries?
Infection and Spread Staying Safe Uncertainty and Misinformation
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
A: Good news: you can stop wiping your groceries down with bleach. While you’re at it, you can stop quarantining your mail and Amazon boxes. As it turns out, you’re much more likely to fall ill from inhaling something that came straight out of the mouth or nose of the person standing next to you Read more…
Can I get RE-infected with COVID-19?
Biology/Immunity Infection and Spread
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: While we can’t say it is *impossible,* current scientific consensus is that re-infection is *unlikely.* There are various stories from doctors and patients alike making the rounds about individuals testing positive for COVID-19, perhaps having a mild case and recovering, and then a couple of months later falling ill and testing positive for COVID-19 Read more…
Can mosquitoes spread SARS-CoV-2?
Infection and Spread
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: Thankfully, NO! We’ll admit the Nerdy Girls had not even contemplated this SCARY prospect before an astute follower question, and it turns out you all aren’t the only ones to wonder. While infectious disease experts downplayed the risk since the virus is not present in significant infectious quantities in blood (as opposed to those Read more…
Should I just get it over with and go to a ‘COVID party’?
Infection and Spread Staying Safe Uncertainty and Misinformation
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
Edited on 7/24/2020: Thank you to one of our followers for bringing it to our attention that at least some of the reports of COVID parties were later debunked. We are leaving the post up with a note, because the main message is legit. Please, for the love of peanut butter and jelly, do not Read more…
How might we use information from studies of Covid-19 outbreaks in nursing homes and summer camps to inform the reopening of schools?
Families/Kids Infection and Spread School Staying Safe
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: Let’s consider nursing homes and summer camps. While these environments are different from schools for a host of reasons, the knowledge gained from these settings does inform the critical decisions being made about educating children in the fall. A recent study of Covid-19 spread in nursing homes led by Dr. Elizabeth White found that Read more…
What do you make of the recent news that 1 in 3 kids in Florida tested positive for COVID-19?
Data and Metrics Data Literacy Infection and Spread
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
A: Let’s be sure we know what these numbers are telling us, and what they are not. The Florida Sun Sentinel recently reported that “Nearly one-in-three children tested for the new coronavirus in Florida has been positive.” Specifically, that’s 17,000 total positive tests among children. What’s more, 4 Florida children have died of COVID-19. What Read more…
Ugh, what’s the deal with this new study from South Korea about kids transmitting COVID-19?
Families/Kids Infection and Spread Reopening
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
Does this mean going back to school is more dangerous than we thought? A: As you’ve noticed by now, headlines are often more sensational than the underlying facts. This is a large, solidly conducted study but doesn’t move the needle on what we already know: younger children seem less likely to contract and spread SARS-CoV-2, Read more…
What is the timeline from exposure to viral shedding to symptoms? When do people stop being contagious? When can I get out of quarantine? When is a PCR test accurate?
Infection and Spread Testing and Contact Tracing
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
For today’s #ThrowbackThursday, we revisit a post from May 4th about the timeline of infection. A: This timeline, which we adapted from several sources, visualizes the incubation period and infectious period (also called contagious period), along with the timeline for seeing symptoms, timing for a reliable PCR test, and the typical timeline to hospitalization and Read more…
Do masks work?
Infection and Spread Masks Staying Safe
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: Signs point to YES! As we’ve been heard to say, “absence of evidence is not evidence of absence.” While our gold standard randomized controlled trials are not very practical for testing the efficacy of masks during a pandemic (how would YOU like to be in that placebo group?!), accumulating evidence from different types of Read more…
I’m still confused about the “Is the virus airborne?” debate. Practical take-aways, please.
Infection and Spread Staying Safe
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
A: Individuals: Avoid poorly ventilated, crowded indoor spaces to the extent possible. Building owners/tenants: Beef up air filtration, especially in older buildings. Background: A very loud squabble emerged last week around the classification of SARS-CoV-2 in the scientific taxonomy. Nerdy Girl Alison wrote a wonderful post walking through the science discussing what an “airborne” classification Read more…
When should I get tested?
Infection and Spread Testing and Contact Tracing
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Introducing Nerdy Guest Ajay Sethi, PhD, MHS. Dr. Sethi is a leading infectious disease epidemiologist at UW-Madison’s School of Medicine and Public Health. (@AjayKSethi on Twitter!) ____________________________________________ Q: When should I get tested? When I’m sick? When I have specific symptoms? When I’m sick and not getting better after several days? When a family member Read more…
Doctors discuss COVID-19 and what they have learned
Clinical Symptoms Families/Kids Infection and Spread Staying Safe Videos
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Drs. Vineet Arora and Eve Bloomgarden, MDs and co-founders of IMPACT, discuss what they’ve learned these last few months about how COVID-19 impacts physicians and patients with Dear Pandemic Nerdy Girls Malia Jones, PhD, MPH and Lindsey Leininger, PhD. Link to original FB post
How do I choose the best face mask?
Infection and Spread Masks Staying Safe
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: Awesome job wearing a mask! We know it’s a new habit and not always comfortable. Masks are effective in trapping droplets capable of spreading Covid-19. If we all wear one, we can greatly reduce the spread of the virus. Step one is committing to mask wearing. They all provide some level of protection. Step Read more…
What steps should families who want to visit relatives who are older and/or more vulnerable to complications of COVID-19 take to protect their loved ones?
Families/Kids Infection and Spread Staying Safe Travel
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: We all miss our families (yes, us too!) and while navigating how to keep loved ones safe can feel overwhelming, the Nerdy Girls are here to help you make the best decisions possible based on the best information available! Luckily there are some key things (as highlighted in the NPR article below) you can Read more…
Is it true that Covid-19 symptoms can last for months?
Clinical Symptoms Infection and Spread
Alison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
Introducing Nerdy Guest Michelle L. Frisco, PhD, who joins us to talk about “Covid long haulers”. Dr. Frisco is Associate Professor of Sociology & Demography at Penn State University. She studies population health. A: Yes. Some people who contract Covid-19 seem to deal with consistent or recurring symptoms for a long time. Q: How common Read more…
Talk to me about going to the dentist.
Infection and Spread Staying Safe
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
A: Here are a few factors to consider: (1) Your individual risk/benefit tradeoff; (2) The amount of circulating disease in your community; (3) The dentist’s infection control protocols. Heading back to the dentist safely is top of mind for the Nerdy Girls, as several of us have logged some serious time in the dental chair Read more…
Will temperature checks actually work? What else can schools and businesses do to quickly scan for potentially infectious people?
Clinical Symptoms Infection and Spread Reopening School
Lauren Hale, PhD MA
A: There’s reason to be skeptical about temperature checks. COVID-19 is infectious for several days before symptoms appear. Scanning folks as they enter a building for a fever won’t do much to prevent people who are pre-symptomatic from entering and spewing infectious droplets all over the place. Gross. At this point, we need to embrace Read more…
What is the real risk of death from COVID-19? Is it actually worse than the flu?
Biology/Immunity Infection and Spread Uncertainty and Misinformation
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: It’s complicated…. but YES! As a demographer and epidemiologist, mortality rates are in my wheelhouse so to speak, but getting a handle on COVID-19 has challenged us all. First some definitions: Case Fatality Rate (CFR): % of confirmed cases who die. In the U.S., the estimated CFR is currently 4.33% In the U.K., the Read more…
What’s happening in refugee camps?
Infection and Spread Social and Racial Justice
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Introducing Nerdy Guest Dr. Paula Tavrow, who joins us to talk to us about what’s happening with COVID-19 in refugee camps. Dr. Tavrow is an adjunct professor of Community Health Sciences at UCLA’s Fielding School of Public Health. She has been working on African public health issues since 1984. *** A: I can speak to Read more…
Meredith Matone Interview on Surveillance Our nerdy guest, Dr. Meredith Matone (Scientific Director, CHOP Policy Lab) helped us to understand the concept of surveillance.
Do I still need to wipe off my groceries?
Infection and Spread Staying Safe Uncertainty and MisinformationMalia Jones, PhD MPH
A: Good news: you can stop wiping your groceries down with bleach. While you’re at it, you can stop quarantining your mail and Amazon boxes. As it turns out, you’re much more likely to fall ill from inhaling something that came straight out of the mouth or nose of the person standing next to you Read more…
Can I get RE-infected with COVID-19?
Biology/Immunity Infection and Spread
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: While we can’t say it is *impossible,* current scientific consensus is that re-infection is *unlikely.* There are various stories from doctors and patients alike making the rounds about individuals testing positive for COVID-19, perhaps having a mild case and recovering, and then a couple of months later falling ill and testing positive for COVID-19 Read more…
Can mosquitoes spread SARS-CoV-2?
Infection and Spread
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: Thankfully, NO! We’ll admit the Nerdy Girls had not even contemplated this SCARY prospect before an astute follower question, and it turns out you all aren’t the only ones to wonder. While infectious disease experts downplayed the risk since the virus is not present in significant infectious quantities in blood (as opposed to those Read more…
Should I just get it over with and go to a ‘COVID party’?
Infection and Spread Staying Safe Uncertainty and Misinformation
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
Edited on 7/24/2020: Thank you to one of our followers for bringing it to our attention that at least some of the reports of COVID parties were later debunked. We are leaving the post up with a note, because the main message is legit. Please, for the love of peanut butter and jelly, do not Read more…
How might we use information from studies of Covid-19 outbreaks in nursing homes and summer camps to inform the reopening of schools?
Families/Kids Infection and Spread School Staying Safe
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: Let’s consider nursing homes and summer camps. While these environments are different from schools for a host of reasons, the knowledge gained from these settings does inform the critical decisions being made about educating children in the fall. A recent study of Covid-19 spread in nursing homes led by Dr. Elizabeth White found that Read more…
What do you make of the recent news that 1 in 3 kids in Florida tested positive for COVID-19?
Data and Metrics Data Literacy Infection and Spread
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
A: Let’s be sure we know what these numbers are telling us, and what they are not. The Florida Sun Sentinel recently reported that “Nearly one-in-three children tested for the new coronavirus in Florida has been positive.” Specifically, that’s 17,000 total positive tests among children. What’s more, 4 Florida children have died of COVID-19. What Read more…
Ugh, what’s the deal with this new study from South Korea about kids transmitting COVID-19?
Families/Kids Infection and Spread Reopening
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
Does this mean going back to school is more dangerous than we thought? A: As you’ve noticed by now, headlines are often more sensational than the underlying facts. This is a large, solidly conducted study but doesn’t move the needle on what we already know: younger children seem less likely to contract and spread SARS-CoV-2, Read more…
What is the timeline from exposure to viral shedding to symptoms? When do people stop being contagious? When can I get out of quarantine? When is a PCR test accurate?
Infection and Spread Testing and Contact Tracing
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
For today’s #ThrowbackThursday, we revisit a post from May 4th about the timeline of infection. A: This timeline, which we adapted from several sources, visualizes the incubation period and infectious period (also called contagious period), along with the timeline for seeing symptoms, timing for a reliable PCR test, and the typical timeline to hospitalization and Read more…
Do masks work?
Infection and Spread Masks Staying Safe
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: Signs point to YES! As we’ve been heard to say, “absence of evidence is not evidence of absence.” While our gold standard randomized controlled trials are not very practical for testing the efficacy of masks during a pandemic (how would YOU like to be in that placebo group?!), accumulating evidence from different types of Read more…
I’m still confused about the “Is the virus airborne?” debate. Practical take-aways, please.
Infection and Spread Staying Safe
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
A: Individuals: Avoid poorly ventilated, crowded indoor spaces to the extent possible. Building owners/tenants: Beef up air filtration, especially in older buildings. Background: A very loud squabble emerged last week around the classification of SARS-CoV-2 in the scientific taxonomy. Nerdy Girl Alison wrote a wonderful post walking through the science discussing what an “airborne” classification Read more…
When should I get tested?
Infection and Spread Testing and Contact Tracing
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Introducing Nerdy Guest Ajay Sethi, PhD, MHS. Dr. Sethi is a leading infectious disease epidemiologist at UW-Madison’s School of Medicine and Public Health. (@AjayKSethi on Twitter!) ____________________________________________ Q: When should I get tested? When I’m sick? When I have specific symptoms? When I’m sick and not getting better after several days? When a family member Read more…
Doctors discuss COVID-19 and what they have learned
Clinical Symptoms Families/Kids Infection and Spread Staying Safe Videos
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Drs. Vineet Arora and Eve Bloomgarden, MDs and co-founders of IMPACT, discuss what they’ve learned these last few months about how COVID-19 impacts physicians and patients with Dear Pandemic Nerdy Girls Malia Jones, PhD, MPH and Lindsey Leininger, PhD. Link to original FB post
How do I choose the best face mask?
Infection and Spread Masks Staying Safe
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: Awesome job wearing a mask! We know it’s a new habit and not always comfortable. Masks are effective in trapping droplets capable of spreading Covid-19. If we all wear one, we can greatly reduce the spread of the virus. Step one is committing to mask wearing. They all provide some level of protection. Step Read more…
What steps should families who want to visit relatives who are older and/or more vulnerable to complications of COVID-19 take to protect their loved ones?
Families/Kids Infection and Spread Staying Safe Travel
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: We all miss our families (yes, us too!) and while navigating how to keep loved ones safe can feel overwhelming, the Nerdy Girls are here to help you make the best decisions possible based on the best information available! Luckily there are some key things (as highlighted in the NPR article below) you can Read more…
Is it true that Covid-19 symptoms can last for months?
Clinical Symptoms Infection and Spread
Alison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
Introducing Nerdy Guest Michelle L. Frisco, PhD, who joins us to talk about “Covid long haulers”. Dr. Frisco is Associate Professor of Sociology & Demography at Penn State University. She studies population health. A: Yes. Some people who contract Covid-19 seem to deal with consistent or recurring symptoms for a long time. Q: How common Read more…
Talk to me about going to the dentist.
Infection and Spread Staying Safe
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
A: Here are a few factors to consider: (1) Your individual risk/benefit tradeoff; (2) The amount of circulating disease in your community; (3) The dentist’s infection control protocols. Heading back to the dentist safely is top of mind for the Nerdy Girls, as several of us have logged some serious time in the dental chair Read more…
Will temperature checks actually work? What else can schools and businesses do to quickly scan for potentially infectious people?
Clinical Symptoms Infection and Spread Reopening School
Lauren Hale, PhD MA
A: There’s reason to be skeptical about temperature checks. COVID-19 is infectious for several days before symptoms appear. Scanning folks as they enter a building for a fever won’t do much to prevent people who are pre-symptomatic from entering and spewing infectious droplets all over the place. Gross. At this point, we need to embrace Read more…
What is the real risk of death from COVID-19? Is it actually worse than the flu?
Biology/Immunity Infection and Spread Uncertainty and Misinformation
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: It’s complicated…. but YES! As a demographer and epidemiologist, mortality rates are in my wheelhouse so to speak, but getting a handle on COVID-19 has challenged us all. First some definitions: Case Fatality Rate (CFR): % of confirmed cases who die. In the U.S., the estimated CFR is currently 4.33% In the U.K., the Read more…
What’s happening in refugee camps?
Infection and Spread Social and Racial Justice
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Introducing Nerdy Guest Dr. Paula Tavrow, who joins us to talk to us about what’s happening with COVID-19 in refugee camps. Dr. Tavrow is an adjunct professor of Community Health Sciences at UCLA’s Fielding School of Public Health. She has been working on African public health issues since 1984. *** A: I can speak to Read more…
A: Good news: you can stop wiping your groceries down with bleach. While you’re at it, you can stop quarantining your mail and Amazon boxes. As it turns out, you’re much more likely to fall ill from inhaling something that came straight out of the mouth or nose of the person standing next to you Read more…
Can I get RE-infected with COVID-19?
Biology/Immunity Infection and SpreadJennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: While we can’t say it is *impossible,* current scientific consensus is that re-infection is *unlikely.* There are various stories from doctors and patients alike making the rounds about individuals testing positive for COVID-19, perhaps having a mild case and recovering, and then a couple of months later falling ill and testing positive for COVID-19 Read more…
Can mosquitoes spread SARS-CoV-2?
Infection and Spread
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: Thankfully, NO! We’ll admit the Nerdy Girls had not even contemplated this SCARY prospect before an astute follower question, and it turns out you all aren’t the only ones to wonder. While infectious disease experts downplayed the risk since the virus is not present in significant infectious quantities in blood (as opposed to those Read more…
Should I just get it over with and go to a ‘COVID party’?
Infection and Spread Staying Safe Uncertainty and Misinformation
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
Edited on 7/24/2020: Thank you to one of our followers for bringing it to our attention that at least some of the reports of COVID parties were later debunked. We are leaving the post up with a note, because the main message is legit. Please, for the love of peanut butter and jelly, do not Read more…
How might we use information from studies of Covid-19 outbreaks in nursing homes and summer camps to inform the reopening of schools?
Families/Kids Infection and Spread School Staying Safe
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: Let’s consider nursing homes and summer camps. While these environments are different from schools for a host of reasons, the knowledge gained from these settings does inform the critical decisions being made about educating children in the fall. A recent study of Covid-19 spread in nursing homes led by Dr. Elizabeth White found that Read more…
What do you make of the recent news that 1 in 3 kids in Florida tested positive for COVID-19?
Data and Metrics Data Literacy Infection and Spread
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
A: Let’s be sure we know what these numbers are telling us, and what they are not. The Florida Sun Sentinel recently reported that “Nearly one-in-three children tested for the new coronavirus in Florida has been positive.” Specifically, that’s 17,000 total positive tests among children. What’s more, 4 Florida children have died of COVID-19. What Read more…
Ugh, what’s the deal with this new study from South Korea about kids transmitting COVID-19?
Families/Kids Infection and Spread Reopening
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
Does this mean going back to school is more dangerous than we thought? A: As you’ve noticed by now, headlines are often more sensational than the underlying facts. This is a large, solidly conducted study but doesn’t move the needle on what we already know: younger children seem less likely to contract and spread SARS-CoV-2, Read more…
What is the timeline from exposure to viral shedding to symptoms? When do people stop being contagious? When can I get out of quarantine? When is a PCR test accurate?
Infection and Spread Testing and Contact Tracing
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
For today’s #ThrowbackThursday, we revisit a post from May 4th about the timeline of infection. A: This timeline, which we adapted from several sources, visualizes the incubation period and infectious period (also called contagious period), along with the timeline for seeing symptoms, timing for a reliable PCR test, and the typical timeline to hospitalization and Read more…
Do masks work?
Infection and Spread Masks Staying Safe
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: Signs point to YES! As we’ve been heard to say, “absence of evidence is not evidence of absence.” While our gold standard randomized controlled trials are not very practical for testing the efficacy of masks during a pandemic (how would YOU like to be in that placebo group?!), accumulating evidence from different types of Read more…
I’m still confused about the “Is the virus airborne?” debate. Practical take-aways, please.
Infection and Spread Staying Safe
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
A: Individuals: Avoid poorly ventilated, crowded indoor spaces to the extent possible. Building owners/tenants: Beef up air filtration, especially in older buildings. Background: A very loud squabble emerged last week around the classification of SARS-CoV-2 in the scientific taxonomy. Nerdy Girl Alison wrote a wonderful post walking through the science discussing what an “airborne” classification Read more…
When should I get tested?
Infection and Spread Testing and Contact Tracing
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Introducing Nerdy Guest Ajay Sethi, PhD, MHS. Dr. Sethi is a leading infectious disease epidemiologist at UW-Madison’s School of Medicine and Public Health. (@AjayKSethi on Twitter!) ____________________________________________ Q: When should I get tested? When I’m sick? When I have specific symptoms? When I’m sick and not getting better after several days? When a family member Read more…
Doctors discuss COVID-19 and what they have learned
Clinical Symptoms Families/Kids Infection and Spread Staying Safe Videos
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Drs. Vineet Arora and Eve Bloomgarden, MDs and co-founders of IMPACT, discuss what they’ve learned these last few months about how COVID-19 impacts physicians and patients with Dear Pandemic Nerdy Girls Malia Jones, PhD, MPH and Lindsey Leininger, PhD. Link to original FB post
How do I choose the best face mask?
Infection and Spread Masks Staying Safe
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: Awesome job wearing a mask! We know it’s a new habit and not always comfortable. Masks are effective in trapping droplets capable of spreading Covid-19. If we all wear one, we can greatly reduce the spread of the virus. Step one is committing to mask wearing. They all provide some level of protection. Step Read more…
What steps should families who want to visit relatives who are older and/or more vulnerable to complications of COVID-19 take to protect their loved ones?
Families/Kids Infection and Spread Staying Safe Travel
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: We all miss our families (yes, us too!) and while navigating how to keep loved ones safe can feel overwhelming, the Nerdy Girls are here to help you make the best decisions possible based on the best information available! Luckily there are some key things (as highlighted in the NPR article below) you can Read more…
Is it true that Covid-19 symptoms can last for months?
Clinical Symptoms Infection and Spread
Alison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
Introducing Nerdy Guest Michelle L. Frisco, PhD, who joins us to talk about “Covid long haulers”. Dr. Frisco is Associate Professor of Sociology & Demography at Penn State University. She studies population health. A: Yes. Some people who contract Covid-19 seem to deal with consistent or recurring symptoms for a long time. Q: How common Read more…
Talk to me about going to the dentist.
Infection and Spread Staying Safe
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
A: Here are a few factors to consider: (1) Your individual risk/benefit tradeoff; (2) The amount of circulating disease in your community; (3) The dentist’s infection control protocols. Heading back to the dentist safely is top of mind for the Nerdy Girls, as several of us have logged some serious time in the dental chair Read more…
Will temperature checks actually work? What else can schools and businesses do to quickly scan for potentially infectious people?
Clinical Symptoms Infection and Spread Reopening School
Lauren Hale, PhD MA
A: There’s reason to be skeptical about temperature checks. COVID-19 is infectious for several days before symptoms appear. Scanning folks as they enter a building for a fever won’t do much to prevent people who are pre-symptomatic from entering and spewing infectious droplets all over the place. Gross. At this point, we need to embrace Read more…
What is the real risk of death from COVID-19? Is it actually worse than the flu?
Biology/Immunity Infection and Spread Uncertainty and Misinformation
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: It’s complicated…. but YES! As a demographer and epidemiologist, mortality rates are in my wheelhouse so to speak, but getting a handle on COVID-19 has challenged us all. First some definitions: Case Fatality Rate (CFR): % of confirmed cases who die. In the U.S., the estimated CFR is currently 4.33% In the U.K., the Read more…
What’s happening in refugee camps?
Infection and Spread Social and Racial Justice
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Introducing Nerdy Guest Dr. Paula Tavrow, who joins us to talk to us about what’s happening with COVID-19 in refugee camps. Dr. Tavrow is an adjunct professor of Community Health Sciences at UCLA’s Fielding School of Public Health. She has been working on African public health issues since 1984. *** A: I can speak to Read more…
A: While we can’t say it is *impossible,* current scientific consensus is that re-infection is *unlikely.* There are various stories from doctors and patients alike making the rounds about individuals testing positive for COVID-19, perhaps having a mild case and recovering, and then a couple of months later falling ill and testing positive for COVID-19 Read more…
Can mosquitoes spread SARS-CoV-2?
Infection and SpreadJennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: Thankfully, NO! We’ll admit the Nerdy Girls had not even contemplated this SCARY prospect before an astute follower question, and it turns out you all aren’t the only ones to wonder. While infectious disease experts downplayed the risk since the virus is not present in significant infectious quantities in blood (as opposed to those Read more…
Should I just get it over with and go to a ‘COVID party’?
Infection and Spread Staying Safe Uncertainty and Misinformation
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
Edited on 7/24/2020: Thank you to one of our followers for bringing it to our attention that at least some of the reports of COVID parties were later debunked. We are leaving the post up with a note, because the main message is legit. Please, for the love of peanut butter and jelly, do not Read more…
How might we use information from studies of Covid-19 outbreaks in nursing homes and summer camps to inform the reopening of schools?
Families/Kids Infection and Spread School Staying Safe
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: Let’s consider nursing homes and summer camps. While these environments are different from schools for a host of reasons, the knowledge gained from these settings does inform the critical decisions being made about educating children in the fall. A recent study of Covid-19 spread in nursing homes led by Dr. Elizabeth White found that Read more…
What do you make of the recent news that 1 in 3 kids in Florida tested positive for COVID-19?
Data and Metrics Data Literacy Infection and Spread
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
A: Let’s be sure we know what these numbers are telling us, and what they are not. The Florida Sun Sentinel recently reported that “Nearly one-in-three children tested for the new coronavirus in Florida has been positive.” Specifically, that’s 17,000 total positive tests among children. What’s more, 4 Florida children have died of COVID-19. What Read more…
Ugh, what’s the deal with this new study from South Korea about kids transmitting COVID-19?
Families/Kids Infection and Spread Reopening
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
Does this mean going back to school is more dangerous than we thought? A: As you’ve noticed by now, headlines are often more sensational than the underlying facts. This is a large, solidly conducted study but doesn’t move the needle on what we already know: younger children seem less likely to contract and spread SARS-CoV-2, Read more…
What is the timeline from exposure to viral shedding to symptoms? When do people stop being contagious? When can I get out of quarantine? When is a PCR test accurate?
Infection and Spread Testing and Contact Tracing
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
For today’s #ThrowbackThursday, we revisit a post from May 4th about the timeline of infection. A: This timeline, which we adapted from several sources, visualizes the incubation period and infectious period (also called contagious period), along with the timeline for seeing symptoms, timing for a reliable PCR test, and the typical timeline to hospitalization and Read more…
Do masks work?
Infection and Spread Masks Staying Safe
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: Signs point to YES! As we’ve been heard to say, “absence of evidence is not evidence of absence.” While our gold standard randomized controlled trials are not very practical for testing the efficacy of masks during a pandemic (how would YOU like to be in that placebo group?!), accumulating evidence from different types of Read more…
I’m still confused about the “Is the virus airborne?” debate. Practical take-aways, please.
Infection and Spread Staying Safe
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
A: Individuals: Avoid poorly ventilated, crowded indoor spaces to the extent possible. Building owners/tenants: Beef up air filtration, especially in older buildings. Background: A very loud squabble emerged last week around the classification of SARS-CoV-2 in the scientific taxonomy. Nerdy Girl Alison wrote a wonderful post walking through the science discussing what an “airborne” classification Read more…
When should I get tested?
Infection and Spread Testing and Contact Tracing
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Introducing Nerdy Guest Ajay Sethi, PhD, MHS. Dr. Sethi is a leading infectious disease epidemiologist at UW-Madison’s School of Medicine and Public Health. (@AjayKSethi on Twitter!) ____________________________________________ Q: When should I get tested? When I’m sick? When I have specific symptoms? When I’m sick and not getting better after several days? When a family member Read more…
Doctors discuss COVID-19 and what they have learned
Clinical Symptoms Families/Kids Infection and Spread Staying Safe Videos
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Drs. Vineet Arora and Eve Bloomgarden, MDs and co-founders of IMPACT, discuss what they’ve learned these last few months about how COVID-19 impacts physicians and patients with Dear Pandemic Nerdy Girls Malia Jones, PhD, MPH and Lindsey Leininger, PhD. Link to original FB post
How do I choose the best face mask?
Infection and Spread Masks Staying Safe
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: Awesome job wearing a mask! We know it’s a new habit and not always comfortable. Masks are effective in trapping droplets capable of spreading Covid-19. If we all wear one, we can greatly reduce the spread of the virus. Step one is committing to mask wearing. They all provide some level of protection. Step Read more…
What steps should families who want to visit relatives who are older and/or more vulnerable to complications of COVID-19 take to protect their loved ones?
Families/Kids Infection and Spread Staying Safe Travel
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: We all miss our families (yes, us too!) and while navigating how to keep loved ones safe can feel overwhelming, the Nerdy Girls are here to help you make the best decisions possible based on the best information available! Luckily there are some key things (as highlighted in the NPR article below) you can Read more…
Is it true that Covid-19 symptoms can last for months?
Clinical Symptoms Infection and Spread
Alison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
Introducing Nerdy Guest Michelle L. Frisco, PhD, who joins us to talk about “Covid long haulers”. Dr. Frisco is Associate Professor of Sociology & Demography at Penn State University. She studies population health. A: Yes. Some people who contract Covid-19 seem to deal with consistent or recurring symptoms for a long time. Q: How common Read more…
Talk to me about going to the dentist.
Infection and Spread Staying Safe
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
A: Here are a few factors to consider: (1) Your individual risk/benefit tradeoff; (2) The amount of circulating disease in your community; (3) The dentist’s infection control protocols. Heading back to the dentist safely is top of mind for the Nerdy Girls, as several of us have logged some serious time in the dental chair Read more…
Will temperature checks actually work? What else can schools and businesses do to quickly scan for potentially infectious people?
Clinical Symptoms Infection and Spread Reopening School
Lauren Hale, PhD MA
A: There’s reason to be skeptical about temperature checks. COVID-19 is infectious for several days before symptoms appear. Scanning folks as they enter a building for a fever won’t do much to prevent people who are pre-symptomatic from entering and spewing infectious droplets all over the place. Gross. At this point, we need to embrace Read more…
What is the real risk of death from COVID-19? Is it actually worse than the flu?
Biology/Immunity Infection and Spread Uncertainty and Misinformation
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: It’s complicated…. but YES! As a demographer and epidemiologist, mortality rates are in my wheelhouse so to speak, but getting a handle on COVID-19 has challenged us all. First some definitions: Case Fatality Rate (CFR): % of confirmed cases who die. In the U.S., the estimated CFR is currently 4.33% In the U.K., the Read more…
What’s happening in refugee camps?
Infection and Spread Social and Racial Justice
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Introducing Nerdy Guest Dr. Paula Tavrow, who joins us to talk to us about what’s happening with COVID-19 in refugee camps. Dr. Tavrow is an adjunct professor of Community Health Sciences at UCLA’s Fielding School of Public Health. She has been working on African public health issues since 1984. *** A: I can speak to Read more…
A: Thankfully, NO! We’ll admit the Nerdy Girls had not even contemplated this SCARY prospect before an astute follower question, and it turns out you all aren’t the only ones to wonder. While infectious disease experts downplayed the risk since the virus is not present in significant infectious quantities in blood (as opposed to those Read more…
Should I just get it over with and go to a ‘COVID party’?
Infection and Spread Staying Safe Uncertainty and MisinformationAmanda Simanek, PhD MPH
Edited on 7/24/2020: Thank you to one of our followers for bringing it to our attention that at least some of the reports of COVID parties were later debunked. We are leaving the post up with a note, because the main message is legit. Please, for the love of peanut butter and jelly, do not Read more…
How might we use information from studies of Covid-19 outbreaks in nursing homes and summer camps to inform the reopening of schools?
Families/Kids Infection and Spread School Staying Safe
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: Let’s consider nursing homes and summer camps. While these environments are different from schools for a host of reasons, the knowledge gained from these settings does inform the critical decisions being made about educating children in the fall. A recent study of Covid-19 spread in nursing homes led by Dr. Elizabeth White found that Read more…
What do you make of the recent news that 1 in 3 kids in Florida tested positive for COVID-19?
Data and Metrics Data Literacy Infection and Spread
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
A: Let’s be sure we know what these numbers are telling us, and what they are not. The Florida Sun Sentinel recently reported that “Nearly one-in-three children tested for the new coronavirus in Florida has been positive.” Specifically, that’s 17,000 total positive tests among children. What’s more, 4 Florida children have died of COVID-19. What Read more…
Ugh, what’s the deal with this new study from South Korea about kids transmitting COVID-19?
Families/Kids Infection and Spread Reopening
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
Does this mean going back to school is more dangerous than we thought? A: As you’ve noticed by now, headlines are often more sensational than the underlying facts. This is a large, solidly conducted study but doesn’t move the needle on what we already know: younger children seem less likely to contract and spread SARS-CoV-2, Read more…
What is the timeline from exposure to viral shedding to symptoms? When do people stop being contagious? When can I get out of quarantine? When is a PCR test accurate?
Infection and Spread Testing and Contact Tracing
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
For today’s #ThrowbackThursday, we revisit a post from May 4th about the timeline of infection. A: This timeline, which we adapted from several sources, visualizes the incubation period and infectious period (also called contagious period), along with the timeline for seeing symptoms, timing for a reliable PCR test, and the typical timeline to hospitalization and Read more…
Do masks work?
Infection and Spread Masks Staying Safe
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: Signs point to YES! As we’ve been heard to say, “absence of evidence is not evidence of absence.” While our gold standard randomized controlled trials are not very practical for testing the efficacy of masks during a pandemic (how would YOU like to be in that placebo group?!), accumulating evidence from different types of Read more…
I’m still confused about the “Is the virus airborne?” debate. Practical take-aways, please.
Infection and Spread Staying Safe
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
A: Individuals: Avoid poorly ventilated, crowded indoor spaces to the extent possible. Building owners/tenants: Beef up air filtration, especially in older buildings. Background: A very loud squabble emerged last week around the classification of SARS-CoV-2 in the scientific taxonomy. Nerdy Girl Alison wrote a wonderful post walking through the science discussing what an “airborne” classification Read more…
When should I get tested?
Infection and Spread Testing and Contact Tracing
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Introducing Nerdy Guest Ajay Sethi, PhD, MHS. Dr. Sethi is a leading infectious disease epidemiologist at UW-Madison’s School of Medicine and Public Health. (@AjayKSethi on Twitter!) ____________________________________________ Q: When should I get tested? When I’m sick? When I have specific symptoms? When I’m sick and not getting better after several days? When a family member Read more…
Doctors discuss COVID-19 and what they have learned
Clinical Symptoms Families/Kids Infection and Spread Staying Safe Videos
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Drs. Vineet Arora and Eve Bloomgarden, MDs and co-founders of IMPACT, discuss what they’ve learned these last few months about how COVID-19 impacts physicians and patients with Dear Pandemic Nerdy Girls Malia Jones, PhD, MPH and Lindsey Leininger, PhD. Link to original FB post
How do I choose the best face mask?
Infection and Spread Masks Staying Safe
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: Awesome job wearing a mask! We know it’s a new habit and not always comfortable. Masks are effective in trapping droplets capable of spreading Covid-19. If we all wear one, we can greatly reduce the spread of the virus. Step one is committing to mask wearing. They all provide some level of protection. Step Read more…
What steps should families who want to visit relatives who are older and/or more vulnerable to complications of COVID-19 take to protect their loved ones?
Families/Kids Infection and Spread Staying Safe Travel
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: We all miss our families (yes, us too!) and while navigating how to keep loved ones safe can feel overwhelming, the Nerdy Girls are here to help you make the best decisions possible based on the best information available! Luckily there are some key things (as highlighted in the NPR article below) you can Read more…
Is it true that Covid-19 symptoms can last for months?
Clinical Symptoms Infection and Spread
Alison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
Introducing Nerdy Guest Michelle L. Frisco, PhD, who joins us to talk about “Covid long haulers”. Dr. Frisco is Associate Professor of Sociology & Demography at Penn State University. She studies population health. A: Yes. Some people who contract Covid-19 seem to deal with consistent or recurring symptoms for a long time. Q: How common Read more…
Talk to me about going to the dentist.
Infection and Spread Staying Safe
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
A: Here are a few factors to consider: (1) Your individual risk/benefit tradeoff; (2) The amount of circulating disease in your community; (3) The dentist’s infection control protocols. Heading back to the dentist safely is top of mind for the Nerdy Girls, as several of us have logged some serious time in the dental chair Read more…
Will temperature checks actually work? What else can schools and businesses do to quickly scan for potentially infectious people?
Clinical Symptoms Infection and Spread Reopening School
Lauren Hale, PhD MA
A: There’s reason to be skeptical about temperature checks. COVID-19 is infectious for several days before symptoms appear. Scanning folks as they enter a building for a fever won’t do much to prevent people who are pre-symptomatic from entering and spewing infectious droplets all over the place. Gross. At this point, we need to embrace Read more…
What is the real risk of death from COVID-19? Is it actually worse than the flu?
Biology/Immunity Infection and Spread Uncertainty and Misinformation
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: It’s complicated…. but YES! As a demographer and epidemiologist, mortality rates are in my wheelhouse so to speak, but getting a handle on COVID-19 has challenged us all. First some definitions: Case Fatality Rate (CFR): % of confirmed cases who die. In the U.S., the estimated CFR is currently 4.33% In the U.K., the Read more…
What’s happening in refugee camps?
Infection and Spread Social and Racial Justice
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Introducing Nerdy Guest Dr. Paula Tavrow, who joins us to talk to us about what’s happening with COVID-19 in refugee camps. Dr. Tavrow is an adjunct professor of Community Health Sciences at UCLA’s Fielding School of Public Health. She has been working on African public health issues since 1984. *** A: I can speak to Read more…
Edited on 7/24/2020: Thank you to one of our followers for bringing it to our attention that at least some of the reports of COVID parties were later debunked. We are leaving the post up with a note, because the main message is legit. Please, for the love of peanut butter and jelly, do not Read more…
How might we use information from studies of Covid-19 outbreaks in nursing homes and summer camps to inform the reopening of schools?
Families/Kids Infection and Spread School Staying SafeAshley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: Let’s consider nursing homes and summer camps. While these environments are different from schools for a host of reasons, the knowledge gained from these settings does inform the critical decisions being made about educating children in the fall. A recent study of Covid-19 spread in nursing homes led by Dr. Elizabeth White found that Read more…
What do you make of the recent news that 1 in 3 kids in Florida tested positive for COVID-19?
Data and Metrics Data Literacy Infection and Spread
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
A: Let’s be sure we know what these numbers are telling us, and what they are not. The Florida Sun Sentinel recently reported that “Nearly one-in-three children tested for the new coronavirus in Florida has been positive.” Specifically, that’s 17,000 total positive tests among children. What’s more, 4 Florida children have died of COVID-19. What Read more…
Ugh, what’s the deal with this new study from South Korea about kids transmitting COVID-19?
Families/Kids Infection and Spread Reopening
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
Does this mean going back to school is more dangerous than we thought? A: As you’ve noticed by now, headlines are often more sensational than the underlying facts. This is a large, solidly conducted study but doesn’t move the needle on what we already know: younger children seem less likely to contract and spread SARS-CoV-2, Read more…
What is the timeline from exposure to viral shedding to symptoms? When do people stop being contagious? When can I get out of quarantine? When is a PCR test accurate?
Infection and Spread Testing and Contact Tracing
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
For today’s #ThrowbackThursday, we revisit a post from May 4th about the timeline of infection. A: This timeline, which we adapted from several sources, visualizes the incubation period and infectious period (also called contagious period), along with the timeline for seeing symptoms, timing for a reliable PCR test, and the typical timeline to hospitalization and Read more…
Do masks work?
Infection and Spread Masks Staying Safe
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: Signs point to YES! As we’ve been heard to say, “absence of evidence is not evidence of absence.” While our gold standard randomized controlled trials are not very practical for testing the efficacy of masks during a pandemic (how would YOU like to be in that placebo group?!), accumulating evidence from different types of Read more…
I’m still confused about the “Is the virus airborne?” debate. Practical take-aways, please.
Infection and Spread Staying Safe
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
A: Individuals: Avoid poorly ventilated, crowded indoor spaces to the extent possible. Building owners/tenants: Beef up air filtration, especially in older buildings. Background: A very loud squabble emerged last week around the classification of SARS-CoV-2 in the scientific taxonomy. Nerdy Girl Alison wrote a wonderful post walking through the science discussing what an “airborne” classification Read more…
When should I get tested?
Infection and Spread Testing and Contact Tracing
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Introducing Nerdy Guest Ajay Sethi, PhD, MHS. Dr. Sethi is a leading infectious disease epidemiologist at UW-Madison’s School of Medicine and Public Health. (@AjayKSethi on Twitter!) ____________________________________________ Q: When should I get tested? When I’m sick? When I have specific symptoms? When I’m sick and not getting better after several days? When a family member Read more…
Doctors discuss COVID-19 and what they have learned
Clinical Symptoms Families/Kids Infection and Spread Staying Safe Videos
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Drs. Vineet Arora and Eve Bloomgarden, MDs and co-founders of IMPACT, discuss what they’ve learned these last few months about how COVID-19 impacts physicians and patients with Dear Pandemic Nerdy Girls Malia Jones, PhD, MPH and Lindsey Leininger, PhD. Link to original FB post
How do I choose the best face mask?
Infection and Spread Masks Staying Safe
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: Awesome job wearing a mask! We know it’s a new habit and not always comfortable. Masks are effective in trapping droplets capable of spreading Covid-19. If we all wear one, we can greatly reduce the spread of the virus. Step one is committing to mask wearing. They all provide some level of protection. Step Read more…
What steps should families who want to visit relatives who are older and/or more vulnerable to complications of COVID-19 take to protect their loved ones?
Families/Kids Infection and Spread Staying Safe Travel
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: We all miss our families (yes, us too!) and while navigating how to keep loved ones safe can feel overwhelming, the Nerdy Girls are here to help you make the best decisions possible based on the best information available! Luckily there are some key things (as highlighted in the NPR article below) you can Read more…
Is it true that Covid-19 symptoms can last for months?
Clinical Symptoms Infection and Spread
Alison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
Introducing Nerdy Guest Michelle L. Frisco, PhD, who joins us to talk about “Covid long haulers”. Dr. Frisco is Associate Professor of Sociology & Demography at Penn State University. She studies population health. A: Yes. Some people who contract Covid-19 seem to deal with consistent or recurring symptoms for a long time. Q: How common Read more…
Talk to me about going to the dentist.
Infection and Spread Staying Safe
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
A: Here are a few factors to consider: (1) Your individual risk/benefit tradeoff; (2) The amount of circulating disease in your community; (3) The dentist’s infection control protocols. Heading back to the dentist safely is top of mind for the Nerdy Girls, as several of us have logged some serious time in the dental chair Read more…
Will temperature checks actually work? What else can schools and businesses do to quickly scan for potentially infectious people?
Clinical Symptoms Infection and Spread Reopening School
Lauren Hale, PhD MA
A: There’s reason to be skeptical about temperature checks. COVID-19 is infectious for several days before symptoms appear. Scanning folks as they enter a building for a fever won’t do much to prevent people who are pre-symptomatic from entering and spewing infectious droplets all over the place. Gross. At this point, we need to embrace Read more…
What is the real risk of death from COVID-19? Is it actually worse than the flu?
Biology/Immunity Infection and Spread Uncertainty and Misinformation
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: It’s complicated…. but YES! As a demographer and epidemiologist, mortality rates are in my wheelhouse so to speak, but getting a handle on COVID-19 has challenged us all. First some definitions: Case Fatality Rate (CFR): % of confirmed cases who die. In the U.S., the estimated CFR is currently 4.33% In the U.K., the Read more…
What’s happening in refugee camps?
Infection and Spread Social and Racial Justice
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Introducing Nerdy Guest Dr. Paula Tavrow, who joins us to talk to us about what’s happening with COVID-19 in refugee camps. Dr. Tavrow is an adjunct professor of Community Health Sciences at UCLA’s Fielding School of Public Health. She has been working on African public health issues since 1984. *** A: I can speak to Read more…
A: Let’s consider nursing homes and summer camps. While these environments are different from schools for a host of reasons, the knowledge gained from these settings does inform the critical decisions being made about educating children in the fall. A recent study of Covid-19 spread in nursing homes led by Dr. Elizabeth White found that Read more…
What do you make of the recent news that 1 in 3 kids in Florida tested positive for COVID-19?
Data and Metrics Data Literacy Infection and SpreadMalia Jones, PhD MPH
A: Let’s be sure we know what these numbers are telling us, and what they are not. The Florida Sun Sentinel recently reported that “Nearly one-in-three children tested for the new coronavirus in Florida has been positive.” Specifically, that’s 17,000 total positive tests among children. What’s more, 4 Florida children have died of COVID-19. What Read more…
Ugh, what’s the deal with this new study from South Korea about kids transmitting COVID-19?
Families/Kids Infection and Spread Reopening
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
Does this mean going back to school is more dangerous than we thought? A: As you’ve noticed by now, headlines are often more sensational than the underlying facts. This is a large, solidly conducted study but doesn’t move the needle on what we already know: younger children seem less likely to contract and spread SARS-CoV-2, Read more…
What is the timeline from exposure to viral shedding to symptoms? When do people stop being contagious? When can I get out of quarantine? When is a PCR test accurate?
Infection and Spread Testing and Contact Tracing
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
For today’s #ThrowbackThursday, we revisit a post from May 4th about the timeline of infection. A: This timeline, which we adapted from several sources, visualizes the incubation period and infectious period (also called contagious period), along with the timeline for seeing symptoms, timing for a reliable PCR test, and the typical timeline to hospitalization and Read more…
Do masks work?
Infection and Spread Masks Staying Safe
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: Signs point to YES! As we’ve been heard to say, “absence of evidence is not evidence of absence.” While our gold standard randomized controlled trials are not very practical for testing the efficacy of masks during a pandemic (how would YOU like to be in that placebo group?!), accumulating evidence from different types of Read more…
I’m still confused about the “Is the virus airborne?” debate. Practical take-aways, please.
Infection and Spread Staying Safe
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
A: Individuals: Avoid poorly ventilated, crowded indoor spaces to the extent possible. Building owners/tenants: Beef up air filtration, especially in older buildings. Background: A very loud squabble emerged last week around the classification of SARS-CoV-2 in the scientific taxonomy. Nerdy Girl Alison wrote a wonderful post walking through the science discussing what an “airborne” classification Read more…
When should I get tested?
Infection and Spread Testing and Contact Tracing
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Introducing Nerdy Guest Ajay Sethi, PhD, MHS. Dr. Sethi is a leading infectious disease epidemiologist at UW-Madison’s School of Medicine and Public Health. (@AjayKSethi on Twitter!) ____________________________________________ Q: When should I get tested? When I’m sick? When I have specific symptoms? When I’m sick and not getting better after several days? When a family member Read more…
Doctors discuss COVID-19 and what they have learned
Clinical Symptoms Families/Kids Infection and Spread Staying Safe Videos
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Drs. Vineet Arora and Eve Bloomgarden, MDs and co-founders of IMPACT, discuss what they’ve learned these last few months about how COVID-19 impacts physicians and patients with Dear Pandemic Nerdy Girls Malia Jones, PhD, MPH and Lindsey Leininger, PhD. Link to original FB post
How do I choose the best face mask?
Infection and Spread Masks Staying Safe
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: Awesome job wearing a mask! We know it’s a new habit and not always comfortable. Masks are effective in trapping droplets capable of spreading Covid-19. If we all wear one, we can greatly reduce the spread of the virus. Step one is committing to mask wearing. They all provide some level of protection. Step Read more…
What steps should families who want to visit relatives who are older and/or more vulnerable to complications of COVID-19 take to protect their loved ones?
Families/Kids Infection and Spread Staying Safe Travel
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: We all miss our families (yes, us too!) and while navigating how to keep loved ones safe can feel overwhelming, the Nerdy Girls are here to help you make the best decisions possible based on the best information available! Luckily there are some key things (as highlighted in the NPR article below) you can Read more…
Is it true that Covid-19 symptoms can last for months?
Clinical Symptoms Infection and Spread
Alison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
Introducing Nerdy Guest Michelle L. Frisco, PhD, who joins us to talk about “Covid long haulers”. Dr. Frisco is Associate Professor of Sociology & Demography at Penn State University. She studies population health. A: Yes. Some people who contract Covid-19 seem to deal with consistent or recurring symptoms for a long time. Q: How common Read more…
Talk to me about going to the dentist.
Infection and Spread Staying Safe
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
A: Here are a few factors to consider: (1) Your individual risk/benefit tradeoff; (2) The amount of circulating disease in your community; (3) The dentist’s infection control protocols. Heading back to the dentist safely is top of mind for the Nerdy Girls, as several of us have logged some serious time in the dental chair Read more…
Will temperature checks actually work? What else can schools and businesses do to quickly scan for potentially infectious people?
Clinical Symptoms Infection and Spread Reopening School
Lauren Hale, PhD MA
A: There’s reason to be skeptical about temperature checks. COVID-19 is infectious for several days before symptoms appear. Scanning folks as they enter a building for a fever won’t do much to prevent people who are pre-symptomatic from entering and spewing infectious droplets all over the place. Gross. At this point, we need to embrace Read more…
What is the real risk of death from COVID-19? Is it actually worse than the flu?
Biology/Immunity Infection and Spread Uncertainty and Misinformation
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: It’s complicated…. but YES! As a demographer and epidemiologist, mortality rates are in my wheelhouse so to speak, but getting a handle on COVID-19 has challenged us all. First some definitions: Case Fatality Rate (CFR): % of confirmed cases who die. In the U.S., the estimated CFR is currently 4.33% In the U.K., the Read more…
What’s happening in refugee camps?
Infection and Spread Social and Racial Justice
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Introducing Nerdy Guest Dr. Paula Tavrow, who joins us to talk to us about what’s happening with COVID-19 in refugee camps. Dr. Tavrow is an adjunct professor of Community Health Sciences at UCLA’s Fielding School of Public Health. She has been working on African public health issues since 1984. *** A: I can speak to Read more…
A: Let’s be sure we know what these numbers are telling us, and what they are not. The Florida Sun Sentinel recently reported that “Nearly one-in-three children tested for the new coronavirus in Florida has been positive.” Specifically, that’s 17,000 total positive tests among children. What’s more, 4 Florida children have died of COVID-19. What Read more…
Ugh, what’s the deal with this new study from South Korea about kids transmitting COVID-19?
Families/Kids Infection and Spread ReopeningJennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
Does this mean going back to school is more dangerous than we thought? A: As you’ve noticed by now, headlines are often more sensational than the underlying facts. This is a large, solidly conducted study but doesn’t move the needle on what we already know: younger children seem less likely to contract and spread SARS-CoV-2, Read more…
What is the timeline from exposure to viral shedding to symptoms? When do people stop being contagious? When can I get out of quarantine? When is a PCR test accurate?
Infection and Spread Testing and Contact Tracing
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
For today’s #ThrowbackThursday, we revisit a post from May 4th about the timeline of infection. A: This timeline, which we adapted from several sources, visualizes the incubation period and infectious period (also called contagious period), along with the timeline for seeing symptoms, timing for a reliable PCR test, and the typical timeline to hospitalization and Read more…
Do masks work?
Infection and Spread Masks Staying Safe
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: Signs point to YES! As we’ve been heard to say, “absence of evidence is not evidence of absence.” While our gold standard randomized controlled trials are not very practical for testing the efficacy of masks during a pandemic (how would YOU like to be in that placebo group?!), accumulating evidence from different types of Read more…
I’m still confused about the “Is the virus airborne?” debate. Practical take-aways, please.
Infection and Spread Staying Safe
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
A: Individuals: Avoid poorly ventilated, crowded indoor spaces to the extent possible. Building owners/tenants: Beef up air filtration, especially in older buildings. Background: A very loud squabble emerged last week around the classification of SARS-CoV-2 in the scientific taxonomy. Nerdy Girl Alison wrote a wonderful post walking through the science discussing what an “airborne” classification Read more…
When should I get tested?
Infection and Spread Testing and Contact Tracing
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Introducing Nerdy Guest Ajay Sethi, PhD, MHS. Dr. Sethi is a leading infectious disease epidemiologist at UW-Madison’s School of Medicine and Public Health. (@AjayKSethi on Twitter!) ____________________________________________ Q: When should I get tested? When I’m sick? When I have specific symptoms? When I’m sick and not getting better after several days? When a family member Read more…
Doctors discuss COVID-19 and what they have learned
Clinical Symptoms Families/Kids Infection and Spread Staying Safe Videos
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Drs. Vineet Arora and Eve Bloomgarden, MDs and co-founders of IMPACT, discuss what they’ve learned these last few months about how COVID-19 impacts physicians and patients with Dear Pandemic Nerdy Girls Malia Jones, PhD, MPH and Lindsey Leininger, PhD. Link to original FB post
How do I choose the best face mask?
Infection and Spread Masks Staying Safe
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: Awesome job wearing a mask! We know it’s a new habit and not always comfortable. Masks are effective in trapping droplets capable of spreading Covid-19. If we all wear one, we can greatly reduce the spread of the virus. Step one is committing to mask wearing. They all provide some level of protection. Step Read more…
What steps should families who want to visit relatives who are older and/or more vulnerable to complications of COVID-19 take to protect their loved ones?
Families/Kids Infection and Spread Staying Safe Travel
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: We all miss our families (yes, us too!) and while navigating how to keep loved ones safe can feel overwhelming, the Nerdy Girls are here to help you make the best decisions possible based on the best information available! Luckily there are some key things (as highlighted in the NPR article below) you can Read more…
Is it true that Covid-19 symptoms can last for months?
Clinical Symptoms Infection and Spread
Alison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
Introducing Nerdy Guest Michelle L. Frisco, PhD, who joins us to talk about “Covid long haulers”. Dr. Frisco is Associate Professor of Sociology & Demography at Penn State University. She studies population health. A: Yes. Some people who contract Covid-19 seem to deal with consistent or recurring symptoms for a long time. Q: How common Read more…
Talk to me about going to the dentist.
Infection and Spread Staying Safe
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
A: Here are a few factors to consider: (1) Your individual risk/benefit tradeoff; (2) The amount of circulating disease in your community; (3) The dentist’s infection control protocols. Heading back to the dentist safely is top of mind for the Nerdy Girls, as several of us have logged some serious time in the dental chair Read more…
Will temperature checks actually work? What else can schools and businesses do to quickly scan for potentially infectious people?
Clinical Symptoms Infection and Spread Reopening School
Lauren Hale, PhD MA
A: There’s reason to be skeptical about temperature checks. COVID-19 is infectious for several days before symptoms appear. Scanning folks as they enter a building for a fever won’t do much to prevent people who are pre-symptomatic from entering and spewing infectious droplets all over the place. Gross. At this point, we need to embrace Read more…
What is the real risk of death from COVID-19? Is it actually worse than the flu?
Biology/Immunity Infection and Spread Uncertainty and Misinformation
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: It’s complicated…. but YES! As a demographer and epidemiologist, mortality rates are in my wheelhouse so to speak, but getting a handle on COVID-19 has challenged us all. First some definitions: Case Fatality Rate (CFR): % of confirmed cases who die. In the U.S., the estimated CFR is currently 4.33% In the U.K., the Read more…
What’s happening in refugee camps?
Infection and Spread Social and Racial Justice
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Introducing Nerdy Guest Dr. Paula Tavrow, who joins us to talk to us about what’s happening with COVID-19 in refugee camps. Dr. Tavrow is an adjunct professor of Community Health Sciences at UCLA’s Fielding School of Public Health. She has been working on African public health issues since 1984. *** A: I can speak to Read more…
Does this mean going back to school is more dangerous than we thought? A: As you’ve noticed by now, headlines are often more sensational than the underlying facts. This is a large, solidly conducted study but doesn’t move the needle on what we already know: younger children seem less likely to contract and spread SARS-CoV-2, Read more…
What is the timeline from exposure to viral shedding to symptoms? When do people stop being contagious? When can I get out of quarantine? When is a PCR test accurate?
Infection and Spread Testing and Contact TracingMalia Jones, PhD MPH
For today’s #ThrowbackThursday, we revisit a post from May 4th about the timeline of infection. A: This timeline, which we adapted from several sources, visualizes the incubation period and infectious period (also called contagious period), along with the timeline for seeing symptoms, timing for a reliable PCR test, and the typical timeline to hospitalization and Read more…
Do masks work?
Infection and Spread Masks Staying Safe
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: Signs point to YES! As we’ve been heard to say, “absence of evidence is not evidence of absence.” While our gold standard randomized controlled trials are not very practical for testing the efficacy of masks during a pandemic (how would YOU like to be in that placebo group?!), accumulating evidence from different types of Read more…
I’m still confused about the “Is the virus airborne?” debate. Practical take-aways, please.
Infection and Spread Staying Safe
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
A: Individuals: Avoid poorly ventilated, crowded indoor spaces to the extent possible. Building owners/tenants: Beef up air filtration, especially in older buildings. Background: A very loud squabble emerged last week around the classification of SARS-CoV-2 in the scientific taxonomy. Nerdy Girl Alison wrote a wonderful post walking through the science discussing what an “airborne” classification Read more…
When should I get tested?
Infection and Spread Testing and Contact Tracing
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Introducing Nerdy Guest Ajay Sethi, PhD, MHS. Dr. Sethi is a leading infectious disease epidemiologist at UW-Madison’s School of Medicine and Public Health. (@AjayKSethi on Twitter!) ____________________________________________ Q: When should I get tested? When I’m sick? When I have specific symptoms? When I’m sick and not getting better after several days? When a family member Read more…
Doctors discuss COVID-19 and what they have learned
Clinical Symptoms Families/Kids Infection and Spread Staying Safe Videos
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Drs. Vineet Arora and Eve Bloomgarden, MDs and co-founders of IMPACT, discuss what they’ve learned these last few months about how COVID-19 impacts physicians and patients with Dear Pandemic Nerdy Girls Malia Jones, PhD, MPH and Lindsey Leininger, PhD. Link to original FB post
How do I choose the best face mask?
Infection and Spread Masks Staying Safe
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: Awesome job wearing a mask! We know it’s a new habit and not always comfortable. Masks are effective in trapping droplets capable of spreading Covid-19. If we all wear one, we can greatly reduce the spread of the virus. Step one is committing to mask wearing. They all provide some level of protection. Step Read more…
What steps should families who want to visit relatives who are older and/or more vulnerable to complications of COVID-19 take to protect their loved ones?
Families/Kids Infection and Spread Staying Safe Travel
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: We all miss our families (yes, us too!) and while navigating how to keep loved ones safe can feel overwhelming, the Nerdy Girls are here to help you make the best decisions possible based on the best information available! Luckily there are some key things (as highlighted in the NPR article below) you can Read more…
Is it true that Covid-19 symptoms can last for months?
Clinical Symptoms Infection and Spread
Alison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
Introducing Nerdy Guest Michelle L. Frisco, PhD, who joins us to talk about “Covid long haulers”. Dr. Frisco is Associate Professor of Sociology & Demography at Penn State University. She studies population health. A: Yes. Some people who contract Covid-19 seem to deal with consistent or recurring symptoms for a long time. Q: How common Read more…
Talk to me about going to the dentist.
Infection and Spread Staying Safe
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
A: Here are a few factors to consider: (1) Your individual risk/benefit tradeoff; (2) The amount of circulating disease in your community; (3) The dentist’s infection control protocols. Heading back to the dentist safely is top of mind for the Nerdy Girls, as several of us have logged some serious time in the dental chair Read more…
Will temperature checks actually work? What else can schools and businesses do to quickly scan for potentially infectious people?
Clinical Symptoms Infection and Spread Reopening School
Lauren Hale, PhD MA
A: There’s reason to be skeptical about temperature checks. COVID-19 is infectious for several days before symptoms appear. Scanning folks as they enter a building for a fever won’t do much to prevent people who are pre-symptomatic from entering and spewing infectious droplets all over the place. Gross. At this point, we need to embrace Read more…
What is the real risk of death from COVID-19? Is it actually worse than the flu?
Biology/Immunity Infection and Spread Uncertainty and Misinformation
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: It’s complicated…. but YES! As a demographer and epidemiologist, mortality rates are in my wheelhouse so to speak, but getting a handle on COVID-19 has challenged us all. First some definitions: Case Fatality Rate (CFR): % of confirmed cases who die. In the U.S., the estimated CFR is currently 4.33% In the U.K., the Read more…
What’s happening in refugee camps?
Infection and Spread Social and Racial Justice
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Introducing Nerdy Guest Dr. Paula Tavrow, who joins us to talk to us about what’s happening with COVID-19 in refugee camps. Dr. Tavrow is an adjunct professor of Community Health Sciences at UCLA’s Fielding School of Public Health. She has been working on African public health issues since 1984. *** A: I can speak to Read more…
For today’s #ThrowbackThursday, we revisit a post from May 4th about the timeline of infection. A: This timeline, which we adapted from several sources, visualizes the incubation period and infectious period (also called contagious period), along with the timeline for seeing symptoms, timing for a reliable PCR test, and the typical timeline to hospitalization and Read more…
Do masks work?
Infection and Spread Masks Staying SafeJennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: Signs point to YES! As we’ve been heard to say, “absence of evidence is not evidence of absence.” While our gold standard randomized controlled trials are not very practical for testing the efficacy of masks during a pandemic (how would YOU like to be in that placebo group?!), accumulating evidence from different types of Read more…
I’m still confused about the “Is the virus airborne?” debate. Practical take-aways, please.
Infection and Spread Staying Safe
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
A: Individuals: Avoid poorly ventilated, crowded indoor spaces to the extent possible. Building owners/tenants: Beef up air filtration, especially in older buildings. Background: A very loud squabble emerged last week around the classification of SARS-CoV-2 in the scientific taxonomy. Nerdy Girl Alison wrote a wonderful post walking through the science discussing what an “airborne” classification Read more…
When should I get tested?
Infection and Spread Testing and Contact Tracing
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Introducing Nerdy Guest Ajay Sethi, PhD, MHS. Dr. Sethi is a leading infectious disease epidemiologist at UW-Madison’s School of Medicine and Public Health. (@AjayKSethi on Twitter!) ____________________________________________ Q: When should I get tested? When I’m sick? When I have specific symptoms? When I’m sick and not getting better after several days? When a family member Read more…
Doctors discuss COVID-19 and what they have learned
Clinical Symptoms Families/Kids Infection and Spread Staying Safe Videos
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Drs. Vineet Arora and Eve Bloomgarden, MDs and co-founders of IMPACT, discuss what they’ve learned these last few months about how COVID-19 impacts physicians and patients with Dear Pandemic Nerdy Girls Malia Jones, PhD, MPH and Lindsey Leininger, PhD. Link to original FB post
How do I choose the best face mask?
Infection and Spread Masks Staying Safe
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: Awesome job wearing a mask! We know it’s a new habit and not always comfortable. Masks are effective in trapping droplets capable of spreading Covid-19. If we all wear one, we can greatly reduce the spread of the virus. Step one is committing to mask wearing. They all provide some level of protection. Step Read more…
What steps should families who want to visit relatives who are older and/or more vulnerable to complications of COVID-19 take to protect their loved ones?
Families/Kids Infection and Spread Staying Safe Travel
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: We all miss our families (yes, us too!) and while navigating how to keep loved ones safe can feel overwhelming, the Nerdy Girls are here to help you make the best decisions possible based on the best information available! Luckily there are some key things (as highlighted in the NPR article below) you can Read more…
Is it true that Covid-19 symptoms can last for months?
Clinical Symptoms Infection and Spread
Alison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
Introducing Nerdy Guest Michelle L. Frisco, PhD, who joins us to talk about “Covid long haulers”. Dr. Frisco is Associate Professor of Sociology & Demography at Penn State University. She studies population health. A: Yes. Some people who contract Covid-19 seem to deal with consistent or recurring symptoms for a long time. Q: How common Read more…
Talk to me about going to the dentist.
Infection and Spread Staying Safe
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
A: Here are a few factors to consider: (1) Your individual risk/benefit tradeoff; (2) The amount of circulating disease in your community; (3) The dentist’s infection control protocols. Heading back to the dentist safely is top of mind for the Nerdy Girls, as several of us have logged some serious time in the dental chair Read more…
Will temperature checks actually work? What else can schools and businesses do to quickly scan for potentially infectious people?
Clinical Symptoms Infection and Spread Reopening School
Lauren Hale, PhD MA
A: There’s reason to be skeptical about temperature checks. COVID-19 is infectious for several days before symptoms appear. Scanning folks as they enter a building for a fever won’t do much to prevent people who are pre-symptomatic from entering and spewing infectious droplets all over the place. Gross. At this point, we need to embrace Read more…
What is the real risk of death from COVID-19? Is it actually worse than the flu?
Biology/Immunity Infection and Spread Uncertainty and Misinformation
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: It’s complicated…. but YES! As a demographer and epidemiologist, mortality rates are in my wheelhouse so to speak, but getting a handle on COVID-19 has challenged us all. First some definitions: Case Fatality Rate (CFR): % of confirmed cases who die. In the U.S., the estimated CFR is currently 4.33% In the U.K., the Read more…
What’s happening in refugee camps?
Infection and Spread Social and Racial Justice
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Introducing Nerdy Guest Dr. Paula Tavrow, who joins us to talk to us about what’s happening with COVID-19 in refugee camps. Dr. Tavrow is an adjunct professor of Community Health Sciences at UCLA’s Fielding School of Public Health. She has been working on African public health issues since 1984. *** A: I can speak to Read more…
A: Signs point to YES! As we’ve been heard to say, “absence of evidence is not evidence of absence.” While our gold standard randomized controlled trials are not very practical for testing the efficacy of masks during a pandemic (how would YOU like to be in that placebo group?!), accumulating evidence from different types of Read more…
I’m still confused about the “Is the virus airborne?” debate. Practical take-aways, please.
Infection and Spread Staying SafeLindsey Leininger, PhD MA
A: Individuals: Avoid poorly ventilated, crowded indoor spaces to the extent possible. Building owners/tenants: Beef up air filtration, especially in older buildings. Background: A very loud squabble emerged last week around the classification of SARS-CoV-2 in the scientific taxonomy. Nerdy Girl Alison wrote a wonderful post walking through the science discussing what an “airborne” classification Read more…
When should I get tested?
Infection and Spread Testing and Contact Tracing
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Introducing Nerdy Guest Ajay Sethi, PhD, MHS. Dr. Sethi is a leading infectious disease epidemiologist at UW-Madison’s School of Medicine and Public Health. (@AjayKSethi on Twitter!) ____________________________________________ Q: When should I get tested? When I’m sick? When I have specific symptoms? When I’m sick and not getting better after several days? When a family member Read more…
Doctors discuss COVID-19 and what they have learned
Clinical Symptoms Families/Kids Infection and Spread Staying Safe Videos
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Drs. Vineet Arora and Eve Bloomgarden, MDs and co-founders of IMPACT, discuss what they’ve learned these last few months about how COVID-19 impacts physicians and patients with Dear Pandemic Nerdy Girls Malia Jones, PhD, MPH and Lindsey Leininger, PhD. Link to original FB post
How do I choose the best face mask?
Infection and Spread Masks Staying Safe
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: Awesome job wearing a mask! We know it’s a new habit and not always comfortable. Masks are effective in trapping droplets capable of spreading Covid-19. If we all wear one, we can greatly reduce the spread of the virus. Step one is committing to mask wearing. They all provide some level of protection. Step Read more…
What steps should families who want to visit relatives who are older and/or more vulnerable to complications of COVID-19 take to protect their loved ones?
Families/Kids Infection and Spread Staying Safe Travel
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: We all miss our families (yes, us too!) and while navigating how to keep loved ones safe can feel overwhelming, the Nerdy Girls are here to help you make the best decisions possible based on the best information available! Luckily there are some key things (as highlighted in the NPR article below) you can Read more…
Is it true that Covid-19 symptoms can last for months?
Clinical Symptoms Infection and Spread
Alison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
Introducing Nerdy Guest Michelle L. Frisco, PhD, who joins us to talk about “Covid long haulers”. Dr. Frisco is Associate Professor of Sociology & Demography at Penn State University. She studies population health. A: Yes. Some people who contract Covid-19 seem to deal with consistent or recurring symptoms for a long time. Q: How common Read more…
Talk to me about going to the dentist.
Infection and Spread Staying Safe
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
A: Here are a few factors to consider: (1) Your individual risk/benefit tradeoff; (2) The amount of circulating disease in your community; (3) The dentist’s infection control protocols. Heading back to the dentist safely is top of mind for the Nerdy Girls, as several of us have logged some serious time in the dental chair Read more…
Will temperature checks actually work? What else can schools and businesses do to quickly scan for potentially infectious people?
Clinical Symptoms Infection and Spread Reopening School
Lauren Hale, PhD MA
A: There’s reason to be skeptical about temperature checks. COVID-19 is infectious for several days before symptoms appear. Scanning folks as they enter a building for a fever won’t do much to prevent people who are pre-symptomatic from entering and spewing infectious droplets all over the place. Gross. At this point, we need to embrace Read more…
What is the real risk of death from COVID-19? Is it actually worse than the flu?
Biology/Immunity Infection and Spread Uncertainty and Misinformation
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: It’s complicated…. but YES! As a demographer and epidemiologist, mortality rates are in my wheelhouse so to speak, but getting a handle on COVID-19 has challenged us all. First some definitions: Case Fatality Rate (CFR): % of confirmed cases who die. In the U.S., the estimated CFR is currently 4.33% In the U.K., the Read more…
What’s happening in refugee camps?
Infection and Spread Social and Racial Justice
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Introducing Nerdy Guest Dr. Paula Tavrow, who joins us to talk to us about what’s happening with COVID-19 in refugee camps. Dr. Tavrow is an adjunct professor of Community Health Sciences at UCLA’s Fielding School of Public Health. She has been working on African public health issues since 1984. *** A: I can speak to Read more…
A: Individuals: Avoid poorly ventilated, crowded indoor spaces to the extent possible. Building owners/tenants: Beef up air filtration, especially in older buildings. Background: A very loud squabble emerged last week around the classification of SARS-CoV-2 in the scientific taxonomy. Nerdy Girl Alison wrote a wonderful post walking through the science discussing what an “airborne” classification Read more…
When should I get tested?
Infection and Spread Testing and Contact TracingMalia Jones, PhD MPH
Introducing Nerdy Guest Ajay Sethi, PhD, MHS. Dr. Sethi is a leading infectious disease epidemiologist at UW-Madison’s School of Medicine and Public Health. (@AjayKSethi on Twitter!) ____________________________________________ Q: When should I get tested? When I’m sick? When I have specific symptoms? When I’m sick and not getting better after several days? When a family member Read more…
Doctors discuss COVID-19 and what they have learned
Clinical Symptoms Families/Kids Infection and Spread Staying Safe Videos
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Drs. Vineet Arora and Eve Bloomgarden, MDs and co-founders of IMPACT, discuss what they’ve learned these last few months about how COVID-19 impacts physicians and patients with Dear Pandemic Nerdy Girls Malia Jones, PhD, MPH and Lindsey Leininger, PhD. Link to original FB post
How do I choose the best face mask?
Infection and Spread Masks Staying Safe
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: Awesome job wearing a mask! We know it’s a new habit and not always comfortable. Masks are effective in trapping droplets capable of spreading Covid-19. If we all wear one, we can greatly reduce the spread of the virus. Step one is committing to mask wearing. They all provide some level of protection. Step Read more…
What steps should families who want to visit relatives who are older and/or more vulnerable to complications of COVID-19 take to protect their loved ones?
Families/Kids Infection and Spread Staying Safe Travel
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: We all miss our families (yes, us too!) and while navigating how to keep loved ones safe can feel overwhelming, the Nerdy Girls are here to help you make the best decisions possible based on the best information available! Luckily there are some key things (as highlighted in the NPR article below) you can Read more…
Is it true that Covid-19 symptoms can last for months?
Clinical Symptoms Infection and Spread
Alison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
Introducing Nerdy Guest Michelle L. Frisco, PhD, who joins us to talk about “Covid long haulers”. Dr. Frisco is Associate Professor of Sociology & Demography at Penn State University. She studies population health. A: Yes. Some people who contract Covid-19 seem to deal with consistent or recurring symptoms for a long time. Q: How common Read more…
Talk to me about going to the dentist.
Infection and Spread Staying Safe
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
A: Here are a few factors to consider: (1) Your individual risk/benefit tradeoff; (2) The amount of circulating disease in your community; (3) The dentist’s infection control protocols. Heading back to the dentist safely is top of mind for the Nerdy Girls, as several of us have logged some serious time in the dental chair Read more…
Will temperature checks actually work? What else can schools and businesses do to quickly scan for potentially infectious people?
Clinical Symptoms Infection and Spread Reopening School
Lauren Hale, PhD MA
A: There’s reason to be skeptical about temperature checks. COVID-19 is infectious for several days before symptoms appear. Scanning folks as they enter a building for a fever won’t do much to prevent people who are pre-symptomatic from entering and spewing infectious droplets all over the place. Gross. At this point, we need to embrace Read more…
What is the real risk of death from COVID-19? Is it actually worse than the flu?
Biology/Immunity Infection and Spread Uncertainty and Misinformation
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: It’s complicated…. but YES! As a demographer and epidemiologist, mortality rates are in my wheelhouse so to speak, but getting a handle on COVID-19 has challenged us all. First some definitions: Case Fatality Rate (CFR): % of confirmed cases who die. In the U.S., the estimated CFR is currently 4.33% In the U.K., the Read more…
What’s happening in refugee camps?
Infection and Spread Social and Racial Justice
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Introducing Nerdy Guest Dr. Paula Tavrow, who joins us to talk to us about what’s happening with COVID-19 in refugee camps. Dr. Tavrow is an adjunct professor of Community Health Sciences at UCLA’s Fielding School of Public Health. She has been working on African public health issues since 1984. *** A: I can speak to Read more…
Introducing Nerdy Guest Ajay Sethi, PhD, MHS. Dr. Sethi is a leading infectious disease epidemiologist at UW-Madison’s School of Medicine and Public Health. (@AjayKSethi on Twitter!) ____________________________________________ Q: When should I get tested? When I’m sick? When I have specific symptoms? When I’m sick and not getting better after several days? When a family member Read more…
Doctors discuss COVID-19 and what they have learned
Clinical Symptoms Families/Kids Infection and Spread Staying Safe VideosMalia Jones, PhD MPH
Drs. Vineet Arora and Eve Bloomgarden, MDs and co-founders of IMPACT, discuss what they’ve learned these last few months about how COVID-19 impacts physicians and patients with Dear Pandemic Nerdy Girls Malia Jones, PhD, MPH and Lindsey Leininger, PhD. Link to original FB post
How do I choose the best face mask?
Infection and Spread Masks Staying Safe
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: Awesome job wearing a mask! We know it’s a new habit and not always comfortable. Masks are effective in trapping droplets capable of spreading Covid-19. If we all wear one, we can greatly reduce the spread of the virus. Step one is committing to mask wearing. They all provide some level of protection. Step Read more…
What steps should families who want to visit relatives who are older and/or more vulnerable to complications of COVID-19 take to protect their loved ones?
Families/Kids Infection and Spread Staying Safe Travel
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: We all miss our families (yes, us too!) and while navigating how to keep loved ones safe can feel overwhelming, the Nerdy Girls are here to help you make the best decisions possible based on the best information available! Luckily there are some key things (as highlighted in the NPR article below) you can Read more…
Is it true that Covid-19 symptoms can last for months?
Clinical Symptoms Infection and Spread
Alison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
Introducing Nerdy Guest Michelle L. Frisco, PhD, who joins us to talk about “Covid long haulers”. Dr. Frisco is Associate Professor of Sociology & Demography at Penn State University. She studies population health. A: Yes. Some people who contract Covid-19 seem to deal with consistent or recurring symptoms for a long time. Q: How common Read more…
Talk to me about going to the dentist.
Infection and Spread Staying Safe
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
A: Here are a few factors to consider: (1) Your individual risk/benefit tradeoff; (2) The amount of circulating disease in your community; (3) The dentist’s infection control protocols. Heading back to the dentist safely is top of mind for the Nerdy Girls, as several of us have logged some serious time in the dental chair Read more…
Will temperature checks actually work? What else can schools and businesses do to quickly scan for potentially infectious people?
Clinical Symptoms Infection and Spread Reopening School
Lauren Hale, PhD MA
A: There’s reason to be skeptical about temperature checks. COVID-19 is infectious for several days before symptoms appear. Scanning folks as they enter a building for a fever won’t do much to prevent people who are pre-symptomatic from entering and spewing infectious droplets all over the place. Gross. At this point, we need to embrace Read more…
What is the real risk of death from COVID-19? Is it actually worse than the flu?
Biology/Immunity Infection and Spread Uncertainty and Misinformation
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: It’s complicated…. but YES! As a demographer and epidemiologist, mortality rates are in my wheelhouse so to speak, but getting a handle on COVID-19 has challenged us all. First some definitions: Case Fatality Rate (CFR): % of confirmed cases who die. In the U.S., the estimated CFR is currently 4.33% In the U.K., the Read more…
What’s happening in refugee camps?
Infection and Spread Social and Racial Justice
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Introducing Nerdy Guest Dr. Paula Tavrow, who joins us to talk to us about what’s happening with COVID-19 in refugee camps. Dr. Tavrow is an adjunct professor of Community Health Sciences at UCLA’s Fielding School of Public Health. She has been working on African public health issues since 1984. *** A: I can speak to Read more…
Drs. Vineet Arora and Eve Bloomgarden, MDs and co-founders of IMPACT, discuss what they’ve learned these last few months about how COVID-19 impacts physicians and patients with Dear Pandemic Nerdy Girls Malia Jones, PhD, MPH and Lindsey Leininger, PhD. Link to original FB post
How do I choose the best face mask?
Infection and Spread Masks Staying SafeAshley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: Awesome job wearing a mask! We know it’s a new habit and not always comfortable. Masks are effective in trapping droplets capable of spreading Covid-19. If we all wear one, we can greatly reduce the spread of the virus. Step one is committing to mask wearing. They all provide some level of protection. Step Read more…
What steps should families who want to visit relatives who are older and/or more vulnerable to complications of COVID-19 take to protect their loved ones?
Families/Kids Infection and Spread Staying Safe Travel
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: We all miss our families (yes, us too!) and while navigating how to keep loved ones safe can feel overwhelming, the Nerdy Girls are here to help you make the best decisions possible based on the best information available! Luckily there are some key things (as highlighted in the NPR article below) you can Read more…
Is it true that Covid-19 symptoms can last for months?
Clinical Symptoms Infection and Spread
Alison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
Introducing Nerdy Guest Michelle L. Frisco, PhD, who joins us to talk about “Covid long haulers”. Dr. Frisco is Associate Professor of Sociology & Demography at Penn State University. She studies population health. A: Yes. Some people who contract Covid-19 seem to deal with consistent or recurring symptoms for a long time. Q: How common Read more…
Talk to me about going to the dentist.
Infection and Spread Staying Safe
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
A: Here are a few factors to consider: (1) Your individual risk/benefit tradeoff; (2) The amount of circulating disease in your community; (3) The dentist’s infection control protocols. Heading back to the dentist safely is top of mind for the Nerdy Girls, as several of us have logged some serious time in the dental chair Read more…
Will temperature checks actually work? What else can schools and businesses do to quickly scan for potentially infectious people?
Clinical Symptoms Infection and Spread Reopening School
Lauren Hale, PhD MA
A: There’s reason to be skeptical about temperature checks. COVID-19 is infectious for several days before symptoms appear. Scanning folks as they enter a building for a fever won’t do much to prevent people who are pre-symptomatic from entering and spewing infectious droplets all over the place. Gross. At this point, we need to embrace Read more…
What is the real risk of death from COVID-19? Is it actually worse than the flu?
Biology/Immunity Infection and Spread Uncertainty and Misinformation
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: It’s complicated…. but YES! As a demographer and epidemiologist, mortality rates are in my wheelhouse so to speak, but getting a handle on COVID-19 has challenged us all. First some definitions: Case Fatality Rate (CFR): % of confirmed cases who die. In the U.S., the estimated CFR is currently 4.33% In the U.K., the Read more…
What’s happening in refugee camps?
Infection and Spread Social and Racial Justice
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Introducing Nerdy Guest Dr. Paula Tavrow, who joins us to talk to us about what’s happening with COVID-19 in refugee camps. Dr. Tavrow is an adjunct professor of Community Health Sciences at UCLA’s Fielding School of Public Health. She has been working on African public health issues since 1984. *** A: I can speak to Read more…
A: Awesome job wearing a mask! We know it’s a new habit and not always comfortable. Masks are effective in trapping droplets capable of spreading Covid-19. If we all wear one, we can greatly reduce the spread of the virus. Step one is committing to mask wearing. They all provide some level of protection. Step Read more…
What steps should families who want to visit relatives who are older and/or more vulnerable to complications of COVID-19 take to protect their loved ones?
Families/Kids Infection and Spread Staying Safe TravelAmanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: We all miss our families (yes, us too!) and while navigating how to keep loved ones safe can feel overwhelming, the Nerdy Girls are here to help you make the best decisions possible based on the best information available! Luckily there are some key things (as highlighted in the NPR article below) you can Read more…
Is it true that Covid-19 symptoms can last for months?
Clinical Symptoms Infection and Spread
Alison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
Introducing Nerdy Guest Michelle L. Frisco, PhD, who joins us to talk about “Covid long haulers”. Dr. Frisco is Associate Professor of Sociology & Demography at Penn State University. She studies population health. A: Yes. Some people who contract Covid-19 seem to deal with consistent or recurring symptoms for a long time. Q: How common Read more…
Talk to me about going to the dentist.
Infection and Spread Staying Safe
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
A: Here are a few factors to consider: (1) Your individual risk/benefit tradeoff; (2) The amount of circulating disease in your community; (3) The dentist’s infection control protocols. Heading back to the dentist safely is top of mind for the Nerdy Girls, as several of us have logged some serious time in the dental chair Read more…
Will temperature checks actually work? What else can schools and businesses do to quickly scan for potentially infectious people?
Clinical Symptoms Infection and Spread Reopening School
Lauren Hale, PhD MA
A: There’s reason to be skeptical about temperature checks. COVID-19 is infectious for several days before symptoms appear. Scanning folks as they enter a building for a fever won’t do much to prevent people who are pre-symptomatic from entering and spewing infectious droplets all over the place. Gross. At this point, we need to embrace Read more…
What is the real risk of death from COVID-19? Is it actually worse than the flu?
Biology/Immunity Infection and Spread Uncertainty and Misinformation
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: It’s complicated…. but YES! As a demographer and epidemiologist, mortality rates are in my wheelhouse so to speak, but getting a handle on COVID-19 has challenged us all. First some definitions: Case Fatality Rate (CFR): % of confirmed cases who die. In the U.S., the estimated CFR is currently 4.33% In the U.K., the Read more…
What’s happening in refugee camps?
Infection and Spread Social and Racial Justice
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Introducing Nerdy Guest Dr. Paula Tavrow, who joins us to talk to us about what’s happening with COVID-19 in refugee camps. Dr. Tavrow is an adjunct professor of Community Health Sciences at UCLA’s Fielding School of Public Health. She has been working on African public health issues since 1984. *** A: I can speak to Read more…
A: We all miss our families (yes, us too!) and while navigating how to keep loved ones safe can feel overwhelming, the Nerdy Girls are here to help you make the best decisions possible based on the best information available! Luckily there are some key things (as highlighted in the NPR article below) you can Read more…
Is it true that Covid-19 symptoms can last for months?
Clinical Symptoms Infection and SpreadAlison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
Introducing Nerdy Guest Michelle L. Frisco, PhD, who joins us to talk about “Covid long haulers”. Dr. Frisco is Associate Professor of Sociology & Demography at Penn State University. She studies population health. A: Yes. Some people who contract Covid-19 seem to deal with consistent or recurring symptoms for a long time. Q: How common Read more…
Talk to me about going to the dentist.
Infection and Spread Staying Safe
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
A: Here are a few factors to consider: (1) Your individual risk/benefit tradeoff; (2) The amount of circulating disease in your community; (3) The dentist’s infection control protocols. Heading back to the dentist safely is top of mind for the Nerdy Girls, as several of us have logged some serious time in the dental chair Read more…
Will temperature checks actually work? What else can schools and businesses do to quickly scan for potentially infectious people?
Clinical Symptoms Infection and Spread Reopening School
Lauren Hale, PhD MA
A: There’s reason to be skeptical about temperature checks. COVID-19 is infectious for several days before symptoms appear. Scanning folks as they enter a building for a fever won’t do much to prevent people who are pre-symptomatic from entering and spewing infectious droplets all over the place. Gross. At this point, we need to embrace Read more…
What is the real risk of death from COVID-19? Is it actually worse than the flu?
Biology/Immunity Infection and Spread Uncertainty and Misinformation
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: It’s complicated…. but YES! As a demographer and epidemiologist, mortality rates are in my wheelhouse so to speak, but getting a handle on COVID-19 has challenged us all. First some definitions: Case Fatality Rate (CFR): % of confirmed cases who die. In the U.S., the estimated CFR is currently 4.33% In the U.K., the Read more…
What’s happening in refugee camps?
Infection and Spread Social and Racial Justice
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Introducing Nerdy Guest Dr. Paula Tavrow, who joins us to talk to us about what’s happening with COVID-19 in refugee camps. Dr. Tavrow is an adjunct professor of Community Health Sciences at UCLA’s Fielding School of Public Health. She has been working on African public health issues since 1984. *** A: I can speak to Read more…
Introducing Nerdy Guest Michelle L. Frisco, PhD, who joins us to talk about “Covid long haulers”. Dr. Frisco is Associate Professor of Sociology & Demography at Penn State University. She studies population health. A: Yes. Some people who contract Covid-19 seem to deal with consistent or recurring symptoms for a long time. Q: How common Read more…
Talk to me about going to the dentist.
Infection and Spread Staying SafeLindsey Leininger, PhD MA
A: Here are a few factors to consider: (1) Your individual risk/benefit tradeoff; (2) The amount of circulating disease in your community; (3) The dentist’s infection control protocols. Heading back to the dentist safely is top of mind for the Nerdy Girls, as several of us have logged some serious time in the dental chair Read more…
Will temperature checks actually work? What else can schools and businesses do to quickly scan for potentially infectious people?
Clinical Symptoms Infection and Spread Reopening School
Lauren Hale, PhD MA
A: There’s reason to be skeptical about temperature checks. COVID-19 is infectious for several days before symptoms appear. Scanning folks as they enter a building for a fever won’t do much to prevent people who are pre-symptomatic from entering and spewing infectious droplets all over the place. Gross. At this point, we need to embrace Read more…
What is the real risk of death from COVID-19? Is it actually worse than the flu?
Biology/Immunity Infection and Spread Uncertainty and Misinformation
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: It’s complicated…. but YES! As a demographer and epidemiologist, mortality rates are in my wheelhouse so to speak, but getting a handle on COVID-19 has challenged us all. First some definitions: Case Fatality Rate (CFR): % of confirmed cases who die. In the U.S., the estimated CFR is currently 4.33% In the U.K., the Read more…
What’s happening in refugee camps?
Infection and Spread Social and Racial Justice
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Introducing Nerdy Guest Dr. Paula Tavrow, who joins us to talk to us about what’s happening with COVID-19 in refugee camps. Dr. Tavrow is an adjunct professor of Community Health Sciences at UCLA’s Fielding School of Public Health. She has been working on African public health issues since 1984. *** A: I can speak to Read more…
A: Here are a few factors to consider: (1) Your individual risk/benefit tradeoff; (2) The amount of circulating disease in your community; (3) The dentist’s infection control protocols. Heading back to the dentist safely is top of mind for the Nerdy Girls, as several of us have logged some serious time in the dental chair Read more…
Will temperature checks actually work? What else can schools and businesses do to quickly scan for potentially infectious people?
Clinical Symptoms Infection and Spread Reopening SchoolLauren Hale, PhD MA
A: There’s reason to be skeptical about temperature checks. COVID-19 is infectious for several days before symptoms appear. Scanning folks as they enter a building for a fever won’t do much to prevent people who are pre-symptomatic from entering and spewing infectious droplets all over the place. Gross. At this point, we need to embrace Read more…
What is the real risk of death from COVID-19? Is it actually worse than the flu?
Biology/Immunity Infection and Spread Uncertainty and Misinformation
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: It’s complicated…. but YES! As a demographer and epidemiologist, mortality rates are in my wheelhouse so to speak, but getting a handle on COVID-19 has challenged us all. First some definitions: Case Fatality Rate (CFR): % of confirmed cases who die. In the U.S., the estimated CFR is currently 4.33% In the U.K., the Read more…
What’s happening in refugee camps?
Infection and Spread Social and Racial Justice
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Introducing Nerdy Guest Dr. Paula Tavrow, who joins us to talk to us about what’s happening with COVID-19 in refugee camps. Dr. Tavrow is an adjunct professor of Community Health Sciences at UCLA’s Fielding School of Public Health. She has been working on African public health issues since 1984. *** A: I can speak to Read more…
A: There’s reason to be skeptical about temperature checks. COVID-19 is infectious for several days before symptoms appear. Scanning folks as they enter a building for a fever won’t do much to prevent people who are pre-symptomatic from entering and spewing infectious droplets all over the place. Gross. At this point, we need to embrace Read more…
What is the real risk of death from COVID-19? Is it actually worse than the flu?
Biology/Immunity Infection and Spread Uncertainty and MisinformationJennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: It’s complicated…. but YES! As a demographer and epidemiologist, mortality rates are in my wheelhouse so to speak, but getting a handle on COVID-19 has challenged us all. First some definitions: Case Fatality Rate (CFR): % of confirmed cases who die. In the U.S., the estimated CFR is currently 4.33% In the U.K., the Read more…
What’s happening in refugee camps?
Infection and Spread Social and Racial Justice
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Introducing Nerdy Guest Dr. Paula Tavrow, who joins us to talk to us about what’s happening with COVID-19 in refugee camps. Dr. Tavrow is an adjunct professor of Community Health Sciences at UCLA’s Fielding School of Public Health. She has been working on African public health issues since 1984. *** A: I can speak to Read more…
A: It’s complicated…. but YES! As a demographer and epidemiologist, mortality rates are in my wheelhouse so to speak, but getting a handle on COVID-19 has challenged us all. First some definitions: Case Fatality Rate (CFR): % of confirmed cases who die. In the U.S., the estimated CFR is currently 4.33% In the U.K., the Read more…
What’s happening in refugee camps?
Infection and Spread Social and Racial JusticeMalia Jones, PhD MPH
Introducing Nerdy Guest Dr. Paula Tavrow, who joins us to talk to us about what’s happening with COVID-19 in refugee camps. Dr. Tavrow is an adjunct professor of Community Health Sciences at UCLA’s Fielding School of Public Health. She has been working on African public health issues since 1984. *** A: I can speak to Read more…
Introducing Nerdy Guest Dr. Paula Tavrow, who joins us to talk to us about what’s happening with COVID-19 in refugee camps. Dr. Tavrow is an adjunct professor of Community Health Sciences at UCLA’s Fielding School of Public Health. She has been working on African public health issues since 1984. *** A: I can speak to Read more…
