I found out I was exposed to COVID-19. How long do I have to quarantine?
Infection and Spread Staying Safe
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
QUARANTINE is not the same as isolation. Quarantine is what we do after we find out that someone we shared air with ended up being positive for COVID-19. You’re feeling fine and haven’t tested positive, but you’re in a waiting period–waiting to see if you’ll get sick. CDC’s guidance for quarantining after you have been Read more…
January 25, 2022
If more than one person in a household tests positive for COVID-19, do the positive people need to isolate from each other?
Families/Kids Infection and Spread
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
A: Isolation is meant to keep others from getting infected. If multiple people in a household are positive, it is OK for them to isolate together. It gets a little more complicated when some people are infected, and others aren’t. Read on for tips and tricks to help you navigate this tricky situation. Many folks Read more…
January 19, 2022
Does a positive COVID test mean that I’m contagious?
Infection and Spread Testing and Contact Tracing
Chana Davis, PhD
If you get a positive antigen rapid test, it’s best to assume that you are contagious. A positive PCR test doesn’t tell you whether you’re contagious, because PCR can be positive for weeks after the infectious period. Neither PCR nor rapid tests directly measure contagiousness, but they both shed light on what’s going on inside Read more…
January 10, 2022
Welp, I have COVID. When can I stop worrying about giving it to other people?
Infection and Spread Staying Safe
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
The short answer is: 10 days after you first felt sick or tested positive, assuming you’re feeling better by then. If you’re not better, consult your clinician about ending your isolation period. There have been lots of updates to these guidelines for the time periods around COVID-19 exposures and infections, and reading them can feel Read more…
January 4, 2022
If everyone is going to get Omicron, what’s the point in avoiding it?
Infection and Spread Staying Safe
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
Can’t we just go back to normal now?! A: Not yet. Slowing the spread is still important. TL;DR: Delaying infections buys time for improved treatments, more vaccinations, and protects health care availability for all. We hear your frustrations. Tensions are high as Omicron screamed through our social networks and ruined a lot of holidays. We’ve Read more…
December 30, 2021
Case numbers are jumping QUICK! What should I be doing?
Infection and Spread Staying Safe
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
Share your gifts without sharing COVID. Helpful gestures come in many shapes. One HUGE help: Cancel non-essential plans with other people. Unfortunately, this includes New Year’s Eve plans. The perfect storm of a new variant and holiday get-togethers is hitting communities and health care settings with FORCE! Testing is in short supply. Health care is Read more…
December 29, 2021
The CDC’s Updated Guidance on Isolation
Infection and Spread Staying Safe Testing and Contact Tracing
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
The one certainty in this pandemic is CHANGE….. And in science, changing evidence means that we learn more about what we are studying. And that means that we update based on new knowledge. This is sort of, kind of, what happened this week. See Dr. Lindsey’s earlier post on this…..and the WHY….https://tinyurl.com/d9tyjs5s Before diving in, Read more…
December 17, 2021
I just got my third vaccine dose, but I tested positive for COVID19…..Now what?
Infection and Spread Testing and Contact Tracing
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
Positively confusing! I just got my third vaccine dose, but I tested positive for COVID19…..Now what? QUICK ANSWER: ➡️ Tell your healthcare provider you have had a positive test result right away. ➡️ Isolate for 10 days after symptoms appeared or after your positive test if you never had symptoms. ➡️ Make sure you don’t Read more…
December 16, 2021
POSTCARDS FROM THE UK: Buckle up America (and everywhere else).
COVID Variants Data and Metrics Infection and Spread
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
And by buckle up, I mean BOOST-UP. And take other sensible precautions, especially leading up to the holidays. Nerdy Girl Jenn (🇺🇸 in 🇬🇧 ) writing from not-so-sunny England, home of the strangest shaped epidemic curve ever seen (Figure 1). Delta has been raging here since June and never went away. Omicron has a significant Read more…
October 29, 2021
Do vaccines reduce the transmission of COVID-19?
Infection and Spread Vaccines Videos
See the answer in this video by Dr. Chana Davis from Fueled by Science . DP Links: Do the COVID-19 vaccines reduce transmission? References: Outbreak Associated with SARS-CoV-2 B.1.617.2 (Delta) Variant in an Elementary School — Marin County, California, May–June 2021 Pfizer Vaccine Efficacy (Ages 5-11). Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee October 26, Read more…
October 28, 2021
If I have been potentially exposed to COVID-19, should I sleep in a different room from my spouse?
General Health Infection and Spread
Lauren Hale, PhD MA
A: When bed partners have varying degrees of risk exposure and vulnerability to the disease, it’s worth discussing sleeping in separate spaces. The Nerdy Girls call this COVID Bed Spread. Here are some benefits to sleeping apart from other household members: 1.) REDUCED RISK OF VIRAL EXPOSURE (in both directions). Spending six or more hours Read more…
October 20, 2021
How can I inquire about indoor air quality at my workplace and my child’s school?
Infection and Spread
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
A: Two priorities: ventilation and filtration. See six key diligence questions below. First, two definitions for those who might want a “refresher” (ha ha…pun intended ;)) ➡️ VENTILATION – the provision of *fresh air* to indoor spaces; and ➡️ FILTRATION – the removal of disease-causing particles from indoor air Now onto the six key questions….. Read more…
October 4, 2021
Scientists recently did something pretty cool (okay, *Nerdy* cool).
Infection and Spread
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
They put COVID-19 infected people in a room and measured how much virus was in the air under different conditions. ❓What did they find? TL;DR: ➡️ The more virus the person had in their nose, the more was in the room (shocker!) ➡️ HEPA FILTRATION reduced viral load in the air the most ➡️ Increased Read more…
September 23, 2021
Masks can be worn safely by most children.
Families/Kids Infection and Spread Masks School Staying Safe
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
😷 Reminder: Masks can be worn safely by most children. There are very few reasons for children to be exempt from wearing a mask in school. 😶🌫️ There is a lot of confusion around who can qualify for a medical exemption from a mask, especially as children are getting back to school. Many hospitals and Read more…
September 18, 2021
What counts as being exposed to COVID-19?
Infection and Spread Testing and Contact Tracing
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
If my mom went to the hair salon on Thursday (hair stylist was masked, mom wasn’t) and her hair stylist developed COVID-19 symptoms on Saturday, then I saw my mom (outside, not distanced or masked) on Sunday, am I exposed and should I get tested? A: We get it, figuring out when and if to Read more…
QUARANTINE is not the same as isolation. Quarantine is what we do after we find out that someone we shared air with ended up being positive for COVID-19. You’re feeling fine and haven’t tested positive, but you’re in a waiting period–waiting to see if you’ll get sick. CDC’s guidance for quarantining after you have been Read more…
If more than one person in a household tests positive for COVID-19, do the positive people need to isolate from each other?
Families/Kids Infection and Spread
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
A: Isolation is meant to keep others from getting infected. If multiple people in a household are positive, it is OK for them to isolate together. It gets a little more complicated when some people are infected, and others aren’t. Read on for tips and tricks to help you navigate this tricky situation. Many folks Read more…
January 19, 2022
Does a positive COVID test mean that I’m contagious?
Infection and Spread Testing and Contact Tracing
Chana Davis, PhD
If you get a positive antigen rapid test, it’s best to assume that you are contagious. A positive PCR test doesn’t tell you whether you’re contagious, because PCR can be positive for weeks after the infectious period. Neither PCR nor rapid tests directly measure contagiousness, but they both shed light on what’s going on inside Read more…
January 10, 2022
Welp, I have COVID. When can I stop worrying about giving it to other people?
Infection and Spread Staying Safe
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
The short answer is: 10 days after you first felt sick or tested positive, assuming you’re feeling better by then. If you’re not better, consult your clinician about ending your isolation period. There have been lots of updates to these guidelines for the time periods around COVID-19 exposures and infections, and reading them can feel Read more…
January 4, 2022
If everyone is going to get Omicron, what’s the point in avoiding it?
Infection and Spread Staying Safe
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
Can’t we just go back to normal now?! A: Not yet. Slowing the spread is still important. TL;DR: Delaying infections buys time for improved treatments, more vaccinations, and protects health care availability for all. We hear your frustrations. Tensions are high as Omicron screamed through our social networks and ruined a lot of holidays. We’ve Read more…
December 30, 2021
Case numbers are jumping QUICK! What should I be doing?
Infection and Spread Staying Safe
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
Share your gifts without sharing COVID. Helpful gestures come in many shapes. One HUGE help: Cancel non-essential plans with other people. Unfortunately, this includes New Year’s Eve plans. The perfect storm of a new variant and holiday get-togethers is hitting communities and health care settings with FORCE! Testing is in short supply. Health care is Read more…
December 29, 2021
The CDC’s Updated Guidance on Isolation
Infection and Spread Staying Safe Testing and Contact Tracing
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
The one certainty in this pandemic is CHANGE….. And in science, changing evidence means that we learn more about what we are studying. And that means that we update based on new knowledge. This is sort of, kind of, what happened this week. See Dr. Lindsey’s earlier post on this…..and the WHY….https://tinyurl.com/d9tyjs5s Before diving in, Read more…
December 17, 2021
I just got my third vaccine dose, but I tested positive for COVID19…..Now what?
Infection and Spread Testing and Contact Tracing
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
Positively confusing! I just got my third vaccine dose, but I tested positive for COVID19…..Now what? QUICK ANSWER: ➡️ Tell your healthcare provider you have had a positive test result right away. ➡️ Isolate for 10 days after symptoms appeared or after your positive test if you never had symptoms. ➡️ Make sure you don’t Read more…
December 16, 2021
POSTCARDS FROM THE UK: Buckle up America (and everywhere else).
COVID Variants Data and Metrics Infection and Spread
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
And by buckle up, I mean BOOST-UP. And take other sensible precautions, especially leading up to the holidays. Nerdy Girl Jenn (🇺🇸 in 🇬🇧 ) writing from not-so-sunny England, home of the strangest shaped epidemic curve ever seen (Figure 1). Delta has been raging here since June and never went away. Omicron has a significant Read more…
October 29, 2021
Do vaccines reduce the transmission of COVID-19?
Infection and Spread Vaccines Videos
See the answer in this video by Dr. Chana Davis from Fueled by Science . DP Links: Do the COVID-19 vaccines reduce transmission? References: Outbreak Associated with SARS-CoV-2 B.1.617.2 (Delta) Variant in an Elementary School — Marin County, California, May–June 2021 Pfizer Vaccine Efficacy (Ages 5-11). Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee October 26, Read more…
October 28, 2021
If I have been potentially exposed to COVID-19, should I sleep in a different room from my spouse?
General Health Infection and Spread
Lauren Hale, PhD MA
A: When bed partners have varying degrees of risk exposure and vulnerability to the disease, it’s worth discussing sleeping in separate spaces. The Nerdy Girls call this COVID Bed Spread. Here are some benefits to sleeping apart from other household members: 1.) REDUCED RISK OF VIRAL EXPOSURE (in both directions). Spending six or more hours Read more…
October 20, 2021
How can I inquire about indoor air quality at my workplace and my child’s school?
Infection and Spread
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
A: Two priorities: ventilation and filtration. See six key diligence questions below. First, two definitions for those who might want a “refresher” (ha ha…pun intended ;)) ➡️ VENTILATION – the provision of *fresh air* to indoor spaces; and ➡️ FILTRATION – the removal of disease-causing particles from indoor air Now onto the six key questions….. Read more…
October 4, 2021
Scientists recently did something pretty cool (okay, *Nerdy* cool).
Infection and Spread
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
They put COVID-19 infected people in a room and measured how much virus was in the air under different conditions. ❓What did they find? TL;DR: ➡️ The more virus the person had in their nose, the more was in the room (shocker!) ➡️ HEPA FILTRATION reduced viral load in the air the most ➡️ Increased Read more…
September 23, 2021
Masks can be worn safely by most children.
Families/Kids Infection and Spread Masks School Staying Safe
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
😷 Reminder: Masks can be worn safely by most children. There are very few reasons for children to be exempt from wearing a mask in school. 😶🌫️ There is a lot of confusion around who can qualify for a medical exemption from a mask, especially as children are getting back to school. Many hospitals and Read more…
September 18, 2021
What counts as being exposed to COVID-19?
Infection and Spread Testing and Contact Tracing
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
If my mom went to the hair salon on Thursday (hair stylist was masked, mom wasn’t) and her hair stylist developed COVID-19 symptoms on Saturday, then I saw my mom (outside, not distanced or masked) on Sunday, am I exposed and should I get tested? A: We get it, figuring out when and if to Read more…
A: Isolation is meant to keep others from getting infected. If multiple people in a household are positive, it is OK for them to isolate together. It gets a little more complicated when some people are infected, and others aren’t. Read on for tips and tricks to help you navigate this tricky situation. Many folks Read more…
Does a positive COVID test mean that I’m contagious?
Infection and Spread Testing and Contact Tracing
Chana Davis, PhD
If you get a positive antigen rapid test, it’s best to assume that you are contagious. A positive PCR test doesn’t tell you whether you’re contagious, because PCR can be positive for weeks after the infectious period. Neither PCR nor rapid tests directly measure contagiousness, but they both shed light on what’s going on inside Read more…
January 10, 2022
Welp, I have COVID. When can I stop worrying about giving it to other people?
Infection and Spread Staying Safe
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
The short answer is: 10 days after you first felt sick or tested positive, assuming you’re feeling better by then. If you’re not better, consult your clinician about ending your isolation period. There have been lots of updates to these guidelines for the time periods around COVID-19 exposures and infections, and reading them can feel Read more…
January 4, 2022
If everyone is going to get Omicron, what’s the point in avoiding it?
Infection and Spread Staying Safe
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
Can’t we just go back to normal now?! A: Not yet. Slowing the spread is still important. TL;DR: Delaying infections buys time for improved treatments, more vaccinations, and protects health care availability for all. We hear your frustrations. Tensions are high as Omicron screamed through our social networks and ruined a lot of holidays. We’ve Read more…
December 30, 2021
Case numbers are jumping QUICK! What should I be doing?
Infection and Spread Staying Safe
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
Share your gifts without sharing COVID. Helpful gestures come in many shapes. One HUGE help: Cancel non-essential plans with other people. Unfortunately, this includes New Year’s Eve plans. The perfect storm of a new variant and holiday get-togethers is hitting communities and health care settings with FORCE! Testing is in short supply. Health care is Read more…
December 29, 2021
The CDC’s Updated Guidance on Isolation
Infection and Spread Staying Safe Testing and Contact Tracing
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
The one certainty in this pandemic is CHANGE….. And in science, changing evidence means that we learn more about what we are studying. And that means that we update based on new knowledge. This is sort of, kind of, what happened this week. See Dr. Lindsey’s earlier post on this…..and the WHY….https://tinyurl.com/d9tyjs5s Before diving in, Read more…
December 17, 2021
I just got my third vaccine dose, but I tested positive for COVID19…..Now what?
Infection and Spread Testing and Contact Tracing
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
Positively confusing! I just got my third vaccine dose, but I tested positive for COVID19…..Now what? QUICK ANSWER: ➡️ Tell your healthcare provider you have had a positive test result right away. ➡️ Isolate for 10 days after symptoms appeared or after your positive test if you never had symptoms. ➡️ Make sure you don’t Read more…
December 16, 2021
POSTCARDS FROM THE UK: Buckle up America (and everywhere else).
COVID Variants Data and Metrics Infection and Spread
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
And by buckle up, I mean BOOST-UP. And take other sensible precautions, especially leading up to the holidays. Nerdy Girl Jenn (🇺🇸 in 🇬🇧 ) writing from not-so-sunny England, home of the strangest shaped epidemic curve ever seen (Figure 1). Delta has been raging here since June and never went away. Omicron has a significant Read more…
October 29, 2021
Do vaccines reduce the transmission of COVID-19?
Infection and Spread Vaccines Videos
See the answer in this video by Dr. Chana Davis from Fueled by Science . DP Links: Do the COVID-19 vaccines reduce transmission? References: Outbreak Associated with SARS-CoV-2 B.1.617.2 (Delta) Variant in an Elementary School — Marin County, California, May–June 2021 Pfizer Vaccine Efficacy (Ages 5-11). Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee October 26, Read more…
October 28, 2021
If I have been potentially exposed to COVID-19, should I sleep in a different room from my spouse?
General Health Infection and Spread
Lauren Hale, PhD MA
A: When bed partners have varying degrees of risk exposure and vulnerability to the disease, it’s worth discussing sleeping in separate spaces. The Nerdy Girls call this COVID Bed Spread. Here are some benefits to sleeping apart from other household members: 1.) REDUCED RISK OF VIRAL EXPOSURE (in both directions). Spending six or more hours Read more…
October 20, 2021
How can I inquire about indoor air quality at my workplace and my child’s school?
Infection and Spread
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
A: Two priorities: ventilation and filtration. See six key diligence questions below. First, two definitions for those who might want a “refresher” (ha ha…pun intended ;)) ➡️ VENTILATION – the provision of *fresh air* to indoor spaces; and ➡️ FILTRATION – the removal of disease-causing particles from indoor air Now onto the six key questions….. Read more…
October 4, 2021
Scientists recently did something pretty cool (okay, *Nerdy* cool).
Infection and Spread
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
They put COVID-19 infected people in a room and measured how much virus was in the air under different conditions. ❓What did they find? TL;DR: ➡️ The more virus the person had in their nose, the more was in the room (shocker!) ➡️ HEPA FILTRATION reduced viral load in the air the most ➡️ Increased Read more…
September 23, 2021
Masks can be worn safely by most children.
Families/Kids Infection and Spread Masks School Staying Safe
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
😷 Reminder: Masks can be worn safely by most children. There are very few reasons for children to be exempt from wearing a mask in school. 😶🌫️ There is a lot of confusion around who can qualify for a medical exemption from a mask, especially as children are getting back to school. Many hospitals and Read more…
September 18, 2021
What counts as being exposed to COVID-19?
Infection and Spread Testing and Contact Tracing
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
If my mom went to the hair salon on Thursday (hair stylist was masked, mom wasn’t) and her hair stylist developed COVID-19 symptoms on Saturday, then I saw my mom (outside, not distanced or masked) on Sunday, am I exposed and should I get tested? A: We get it, figuring out when and if to Read more…
If you get a positive antigen rapid test, it’s best to assume that you are contagious. A positive PCR test doesn’t tell you whether you’re contagious, because PCR can be positive for weeks after the infectious period. Neither PCR nor rapid tests directly measure contagiousness, but they both shed light on what’s going on inside Read more…
Welp, I have COVID. When can I stop worrying about giving it to other people?
Infection and Spread Staying Safe
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
The short answer is: 10 days after you first felt sick or tested positive, assuming you’re feeling better by then. If you’re not better, consult your clinician about ending your isolation period. There have been lots of updates to these guidelines for the time periods around COVID-19 exposures and infections, and reading them can feel Read more…
January 4, 2022
If everyone is going to get Omicron, what’s the point in avoiding it?
Infection and Spread Staying Safe
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
Can’t we just go back to normal now?! A: Not yet. Slowing the spread is still important. TL;DR: Delaying infections buys time for improved treatments, more vaccinations, and protects health care availability for all. We hear your frustrations. Tensions are high as Omicron screamed through our social networks and ruined a lot of holidays. We’ve Read more…
December 30, 2021
Case numbers are jumping QUICK! What should I be doing?
Infection and Spread Staying Safe
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
Share your gifts without sharing COVID. Helpful gestures come in many shapes. One HUGE help: Cancel non-essential plans with other people. Unfortunately, this includes New Year’s Eve plans. The perfect storm of a new variant and holiday get-togethers is hitting communities and health care settings with FORCE! Testing is in short supply. Health care is Read more…
December 29, 2021
The CDC’s Updated Guidance on Isolation
Infection and Spread Staying Safe Testing and Contact Tracing
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
The one certainty in this pandemic is CHANGE….. And in science, changing evidence means that we learn more about what we are studying. And that means that we update based on new knowledge. This is sort of, kind of, what happened this week. See Dr. Lindsey’s earlier post on this…..and the WHY….https://tinyurl.com/d9tyjs5s Before diving in, Read more…
December 17, 2021
I just got my third vaccine dose, but I tested positive for COVID19…..Now what?
Infection and Spread Testing and Contact Tracing
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
Positively confusing! I just got my third vaccine dose, but I tested positive for COVID19…..Now what? QUICK ANSWER: ➡️ Tell your healthcare provider you have had a positive test result right away. ➡️ Isolate for 10 days after symptoms appeared or after your positive test if you never had symptoms. ➡️ Make sure you don’t Read more…
December 16, 2021
POSTCARDS FROM THE UK: Buckle up America (and everywhere else).
COVID Variants Data and Metrics Infection and Spread
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
And by buckle up, I mean BOOST-UP. And take other sensible precautions, especially leading up to the holidays. Nerdy Girl Jenn (🇺🇸 in 🇬🇧 ) writing from not-so-sunny England, home of the strangest shaped epidemic curve ever seen (Figure 1). Delta has been raging here since June and never went away. Omicron has a significant Read more…
October 29, 2021
Do vaccines reduce the transmission of COVID-19?
Infection and Spread Vaccines Videos
See the answer in this video by Dr. Chana Davis from Fueled by Science . DP Links: Do the COVID-19 vaccines reduce transmission? References: Outbreak Associated with SARS-CoV-2 B.1.617.2 (Delta) Variant in an Elementary School — Marin County, California, May–June 2021 Pfizer Vaccine Efficacy (Ages 5-11). Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee October 26, Read more…
October 28, 2021
If I have been potentially exposed to COVID-19, should I sleep in a different room from my spouse?
General Health Infection and Spread
Lauren Hale, PhD MA
A: When bed partners have varying degrees of risk exposure and vulnerability to the disease, it’s worth discussing sleeping in separate spaces. The Nerdy Girls call this COVID Bed Spread. Here are some benefits to sleeping apart from other household members: 1.) REDUCED RISK OF VIRAL EXPOSURE (in both directions). Spending six or more hours Read more…
October 20, 2021
How can I inquire about indoor air quality at my workplace and my child’s school?
Infection and Spread
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
A: Two priorities: ventilation and filtration. See six key diligence questions below. First, two definitions for those who might want a “refresher” (ha ha…pun intended ;)) ➡️ VENTILATION – the provision of *fresh air* to indoor spaces; and ➡️ FILTRATION – the removal of disease-causing particles from indoor air Now onto the six key questions….. Read more…
October 4, 2021
Scientists recently did something pretty cool (okay, *Nerdy* cool).
Infection and Spread
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
They put COVID-19 infected people in a room and measured how much virus was in the air under different conditions. ❓What did they find? TL;DR: ➡️ The more virus the person had in their nose, the more was in the room (shocker!) ➡️ HEPA FILTRATION reduced viral load in the air the most ➡️ Increased Read more…
September 23, 2021
Masks can be worn safely by most children.
Families/Kids Infection and Spread Masks School Staying Safe
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
😷 Reminder: Masks can be worn safely by most children. There are very few reasons for children to be exempt from wearing a mask in school. 😶🌫️ There is a lot of confusion around who can qualify for a medical exemption from a mask, especially as children are getting back to school. Many hospitals and Read more…
September 18, 2021
What counts as being exposed to COVID-19?
Infection and Spread Testing and Contact Tracing
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
If my mom went to the hair salon on Thursday (hair stylist was masked, mom wasn’t) and her hair stylist developed COVID-19 symptoms on Saturday, then I saw my mom (outside, not distanced or masked) on Sunday, am I exposed and should I get tested? A: We get it, figuring out when and if to Read more…
The short answer is: 10 days after you first felt sick or tested positive, assuming you’re feeling better by then. If you’re not better, consult your clinician about ending your isolation period. There have been lots of updates to these guidelines for the time periods around COVID-19 exposures and infections, and reading them can feel Read more…
If everyone is going to get Omicron, what’s the point in avoiding it?
Infection and Spread Staying Safe
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
Can’t we just go back to normal now?! A: Not yet. Slowing the spread is still important. TL;DR: Delaying infections buys time for improved treatments, more vaccinations, and protects health care availability for all. We hear your frustrations. Tensions are high as Omicron screamed through our social networks and ruined a lot of holidays. We’ve Read more…
December 30, 2021
Case numbers are jumping QUICK! What should I be doing?
Infection and Spread Staying Safe
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
Share your gifts without sharing COVID. Helpful gestures come in many shapes. One HUGE help: Cancel non-essential plans with other people. Unfortunately, this includes New Year’s Eve plans. The perfect storm of a new variant and holiday get-togethers is hitting communities and health care settings with FORCE! Testing is in short supply. Health care is Read more…
December 29, 2021
The CDC’s Updated Guidance on Isolation
Infection and Spread Staying Safe Testing and Contact Tracing
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
The one certainty in this pandemic is CHANGE….. And in science, changing evidence means that we learn more about what we are studying. And that means that we update based on new knowledge. This is sort of, kind of, what happened this week. See Dr. Lindsey’s earlier post on this…..and the WHY….https://tinyurl.com/d9tyjs5s Before diving in, Read more…
December 17, 2021
I just got my third vaccine dose, but I tested positive for COVID19…..Now what?
Infection and Spread Testing and Contact Tracing
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
Positively confusing! I just got my third vaccine dose, but I tested positive for COVID19…..Now what? QUICK ANSWER: ➡️ Tell your healthcare provider you have had a positive test result right away. ➡️ Isolate for 10 days after symptoms appeared or after your positive test if you never had symptoms. ➡️ Make sure you don’t Read more…
December 16, 2021
POSTCARDS FROM THE UK: Buckle up America (and everywhere else).
COVID Variants Data and Metrics Infection and Spread
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
And by buckle up, I mean BOOST-UP. And take other sensible precautions, especially leading up to the holidays. Nerdy Girl Jenn (🇺🇸 in 🇬🇧 ) writing from not-so-sunny England, home of the strangest shaped epidemic curve ever seen (Figure 1). Delta has been raging here since June and never went away. Omicron has a significant Read more…
October 29, 2021
Do vaccines reduce the transmission of COVID-19?
Infection and Spread Vaccines Videos
See the answer in this video by Dr. Chana Davis from Fueled by Science . DP Links: Do the COVID-19 vaccines reduce transmission? References: Outbreak Associated with SARS-CoV-2 B.1.617.2 (Delta) Variant in an Elementary School — Marin County, California, May–June 2021 Pfizer Vaccine Efficacy (Ages 5-11). Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee October 26, Read more…
October 28, 2021
If I have been potentially exposed to COVID-19, should I sleep in a different room from my spouse?
General Health Infection and Spread
Lauren Hale, PhD MA
A: When bed partners have varying degrees of risk exposure and vulnerability to the disease, it’s worth discussing sleeping in separate spaces. The Nerdy Girls call this COVID Bed Spread. Here are some benefits to sleeping apart from other household members: 1.) REDUCED RISK OF VIRAL EXPOSURE (in both directions). Spending six or more hours Read more…
October 20, 2021
How can I inquire about indoor air quality at my workplace and my child’s school?
Infection and Spread
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
A: Two priorities: ventilation and filtration. See six key diligence questions below. First, two definitions for those who might want a “refresher” (ha ha…pun intended ;)) ➡️ VENTILATION – the provision of *fresh air* to indoor spaces; and ➡️ FILTRATION – the removal of disease-causing particles from indoor air Now onto the six key questions….. Read more…
October 4, 2021
Scientists recently did something pretty cool (okay, *Nerdy* cool).
Infection and Spread
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
They put COVID-19 infected people in a room and measured how much virus was in the air under different conditions. ❓What did they find? TL;DR: ➡️ The more virus the person had in their nose, the more was in the room (shocker!) ➡️ HEPA FILTRATION reduced viral load in the air the most ➡️ Increased Read more…
September 23, 2021
Masks can be worn safely by most children.
Families/Kids Infection and Spread Masks School Staying Safe
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
😷 Reminder: Masks can be worn safely by most children. There are very few reasons for children to be exempt from wearing a mask in school. 😶🌫️ There is a lot of confusion around who can qualify for a medical exemption from a mask, especially as children are getting back to school. Many hospitals and Read more…
September 18, 2021
What counts as being exposed to COVID-19?
Infection and Spread Testing and Contact Tracing
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
If my mom went to the hair salon on Thursday (hair stylist was masked, mom wasn’t) and her hair stylist developed COVID-19 symptoms on Saturday, then I saw my mom (outside, not distanced or masked) on Sunday, am I exposed and should I get tested? A: We get it, figuring out when and if to Read more…
Can’t we just go back to normal now?! A: Not yet. Slowing the spread is still important. TL;DR: Delaying infections buys time for improved treatments, more vaccinations, and protects health care availability for all. We hear your frustrations. Tensions are high as Omicron screamed through our social networks and ruined a lot of holidays. We’ve Read more…
Case numbers are jumping QUICK! What should I be doing?
Infection and Spread Staying Safe
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
Share your gifts without sharing COVID. Helpful gestures come in many shapes. One HUGE help: Cancel non-essential plans with other people. Unfortunately, this includes New Year’s Eve plans. The perfect storm of a new variant and holiday get-togethers is hitting communities and health care settings with FORCE! Testing is in short supply. Health care is Read more…
December 29, 2021
The CDC’s Updated Guidance on Isolation
Infection and Spread Staying Safe Testing and Contact Tracing
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
The one certainty in this pandemic is CHANGE….. And in science, changing evidence means that we learn more about what we are studying. And that means that we update based on new knowledge. This is sort of, kind of, what happened this week. See Dr. Lindsey’s earlier post on this…..and the WHY….https://tinyurl.com/d9tyjs5s Before diving in, Read more…
December 17, 2021
I just got my third vaccine dose, but I tested positive for COVID19…..Now what?
Infection and Spread Testing and Contact Tracing
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
Positively confusing! I just got my third vaccine dose, but I tested positive for COVID19…..Now what? QUICK ANSWER: ➡️ Tell your healthcare provider you have had a positive test result right away. ➡️ Isolate for 10 days after symptoms appeared or after your positive test if you never had symptoms. ➡️ Make sure you don’t Read more…
December 16, 2021
POSTCARDS FROM THE UK: Buckle up America (and everywhere else).
COVID Variants Data and Metrics Infection and Spread
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
And by buckle up, I mean BOOST-UP. And take other sensible precautions, especially leading up to the holidays. Nerdy Girl Jenn (🇺🇸 in 🇬🇧 ) writing from not-so-sunny England, home of the strangest shaped epidemic curve ever seen (Figure 1). Delta has been raging here since June and never went away. Omicron has a significant Read more…
October 29, 2021
Do vaccines reduce the transmission of COVID-19?
Infection and Spread Vaccines Videos
See the answer in this video by Dr. Chana Davis from Fueled by Science . DP Links: Do the COVID-19 vaccines reduce transmission? References: Outbreak Associated with SARS-CoV-2 B.1.617.2 (Delta) Variant in an Elementary School — Marin County, California, May–June 2021 Pfizer Vaccine Efficacy (Ages 5-11). Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee October 26, Read more…
October 28, 2021
If I have been potentially exposed to COVID-19, should I sleep in a different room from my spouse?
General Health Infection and Spread
Lauren Hale, PhD MA
A: When bed partners have varying degrees of risk exposure and vulnerability to the disease, it’s worth discussing sleeping in separate spaces. The Nerdy Girls call this COVID Bed Spread. Here are some benefits to sleeping apart from other household members: 1.) REDUCED RISK OF VIRAL EXPOSURE (in both directions). Spending six or more hours Read more…
October 20, 2021
How can I inquire about indoor air quality at my workplace and my child’s school?
Infection and Spread
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
A: Two priorities: ventilation and filtration. See six key diligence questions below. First, two definitions for those who might want a “refresher” (ha ha…pun intended ;)) ➡️ VENTILATION – the provision of *fresh air* to indoor spaces; and ➡️ FILTRATION – the removal of disease-causing particles from indoor air Now onto the six key questions….. Read more…
October 4, 2021
Scientists recently did something pretty cool (okay, *Nerdy* cool).
Infection and Spread
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
They put COVID-19 infected people in a room and measured how much virus was in the air under different conditions. ❓What did they find? TL;DR: ➡️ The more virus the person had in their nose, the more was in the room (shocker!) ➡️ HEPA FILTRATION reduced viral load in the air the most ➡️ Increased Read more…
September 23, 2021
Masks can be worn safely by most children.
Families/Kids Infection and Spread Masks School Staying Safe
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
😷 Reminder: Masks can be worn safely by most children. There are very few reasons for children to be exempt from wearing a mask in school. 😶🌫️ There is a lot of confusion around who can qualify for a medical exemption from a mask, especially as children are getting back to school. Many hospitals and Read more…
September 18, 2021
What counts as being exposed to COVID-19?
Infection and Spread Testing and Contact Tracing
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
If my mom went to the hair salon on Thursday (hair stylist was masked, mom wasn’t) and her hair stylist developed COVID-19 symptoms on Saturday, then I saw my mom (outside, not distanced or masked) on Sunday, am I exposed and should I get tested? A: We get it, figuring out when and if to Read more…
Share your gifts without sharing COVID. Helpful gestures come in many shapes. One HUGE help: Cancel non-essential plans with other people. Unfortunately, this includes New Year’s Eve plans. The perfect storm of a new variant and holiday get-togethers is hitting communities and health care settings with FORCE! Testing is in short supply. Health care is Read more…
The CDC’s Updated Guidance on Isolation
Infection and Spread Staying Safe Testing and Contact Tracing
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
The one certainty in this pandemic is CHANGE….. And in science, changing evidence means that we learn more about what we are studying. And that means that we update based on new knowledge. This is sort of, kind of, what happened this week. See Dr. Lindsey’s earlier post on this…..and the WHY….https://tinyurl.com/d9tyjs5s Before diving in, Read more…
December 17, 2021
I just got my third vaccine dose, but I tested positive for COVID19…..Now what?
Infection and Spread Testing and Contact Tracing
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
Positively confusing! I just got my third vaccine dose, but I tested positive for COVID19…..Now what? QUICK ANSWER: ➡️ Tell your healthcare provider you have had a positive test result right away. ➡️ Isolate for 10 days after symptoms appeared or after your positive test if you never had symptoms. ➡️ Make sure you don’t Read more…
December 16, 2021
POSTCARDS FROM THE UK: Buckle up America (and everywhere else).
COVID Variants Data and Metrics Infection and Spread
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
And by buckle up, I mean BOOST-UP. And take other sensible precautions, especially leading up to the holidays. Nerdy Girl Jenn (🇺🇸 in 🇬🇧 ) writing from not-so-sunny England, home of the strangest shaped epidemic curve ever seen (Figure 1). Delta has been raging here since June and never went away. Omicron has a significant Read more…
October 29, 2021
Do vaccines reduce the transmission of COVID-19?
Infection and Spread Vaccines Videos
See the answer in this video by Dr. Chana Davis from Fueled by Science . DP Links: Do the COVID-19 vaccines reduce transmission? References: Outbreak Associated with SARS-CoV-2 B.1.617.2 (Delta) Variant in an Elementary School — Marin County, California, May–June 2021 Pfizer Vaccine Efficacy (Ages 5-11). Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee October 26, Read more…
October 28, 2021
If I have been potentially exposed to COVID-19, should I sleep in a different room from my spouse?
General Health Infection and Spread
Lauren Hale, PhD MA
A: When bed partners have varying degrees of risk exposure and vulnerability to the disease, it’s worth discussing sleeping in separate spaces. The Nerdy Girls call this COVID Bed Spread. Here are some benefits to sleeping apart from other household members: 1.) REDUCED RISK OF VIRAL EXPOSURE (in both directions). Spending six or more hours Read more…
October 20, 2021
How can I inquire about indoor air quality at my workplace and my child’s school?
Infection and Spread
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
A: Two priorities: ventilation and filtration. See six key diligence questions below. First, two definitions for those who might want a “refresher” (ha ha…pun intended ;)) ➡️ VENTILATION – the provision of *fresh air* to indoor spaces; and ➡️ FILTRATION – the removal of disease-causing particles from indoor air Now onto the six key questions….. Read more…
October 4, 2021
Scientists recently did something pretty cool (okay, *Nerdy* cool).
Infection and Spread
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
They put COVID-19 infected people in a room and measured how much virus was in the air under different conditions. ❓What did they find? TL;DR: ➡️ The more virus the person had in their nose, the more was in the room (shocker!) ➡️ HEPA FILTRATION reduced viral load in the air the most ➡️ Increased Read more…
September 23, 2021
Masks can be worn safely by most children.
Families/Kids Infection and Spread Masks School Staying Safe
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
😷 Reminder: Masks can be worn safely by most children. There are very few reasons for children to be exempt from wearing a mask in school. 😶🌫️ There is a lot of confusion around who can qualify for a medical exemption from a mask, especially as children are getting back to school. Many hospitals and Read more…
September 18, 2021
What counts as being exposed to COVID-19?
Infection and Spread Testing and Contact Tracing
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
If my mom went to the hair salon on Thursday (hair stylist was masked, mom wasn’t) and her hair stylist developed COVID-19 symptoms on Saturday, then I saw my mom (outside, not distanced or masked) on Sunday, am I exposed and should I get tested? A: We get it, figuring out when and if to Read more…
The one certainty in this pandemic is CHANGE….. And in science, changing evidence means that we learn more about what we are studying. And that means that we update based on new knowledge. This is sort of, kind of, what happened this week. See Dr. Lindsey’s earlier post on this…..and the WHY….https://tinyurl.com/d9tyjs5s Before diving in, Read more…
I just got my third vaccine dose, but I tested positive for COVID19…..Now what?
Infection and Spread Testing and Contact Tracing
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
Positively confusing! I just got my third vaccine dose, but I tested positive for COVID19…..Now what? QUICK ANSWER: ➡️ Tell your healthcare provider you have had a positive test result right away. ➡️ Isolate for 10 days after symptoms appeared or after your positive test if you never had symptoms. ➡️ Make sure you don’t Read more…
December 16, 2021
POSTCARDS FROM THE UK: Buckle up America (and everywhere else).
COVID Variants Data and Metrics Infection and Spread
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
And by buckle up, I mean BOOST-UP. And take other sensible precautions, especially leading up to the holidays. Nerdy Girl Jenn (🇺🇸 in 🇬🇧 ) writing from not-so-sunny England, home of the strangest shaped epidemic curve ever seen (Figure 1). Delta has been raging here since June and never went away. Omicron has a significant Read more…
October 29, 2021
Do vaccines reduce the transmission of COVID-19?
Infection and Spread Vaccines Videos
See the answer in this video by Dr. Chana Davis from Fueled by Science . DP Links: Do the COVID-19 vaccines reduce transmission? References: Outbreak Associated with SARS-CoV-2 B.1.617.2 (Delta) Variant in an Elementary School — Marin County, California, May–June 2021 Pfizer Vaccine Efficacy (Ages 5-11). Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee October 26, Read more…
October 28, 2021
If I have been potentially exposed to COVID-19, should I sleep in a different room from my spouse?
General Health Infection and Spread
Lauren Hale, PhD MA
A: When bed partners have varying degrees of risk exposure and vulnerability to the disease, it’s worth discussing sleeping in separate spaces. The Nerdy Girls call this COVID Bed Spread. Here are some benefits to sleeping apart from other household members: 1.) REDUCED RISK OF VIRAL EXPOSURE (in both directions). Spending six or more hours Read more…
October 20, 2021
How can I inquire about indoor air quality at my workplace and my child’s school?
Infection and Spread
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
A: Two priorities: ventilation and filtration. See six key diligence questions below. First, two definitions for those who might want a “refresher” (ha ha…pun intended ;)) ➡️ VENTILATION – the provision of *fresh air* to indoor spaces; and ➡️ FILTRATION – the removal of disease-causing particles from indoor air Now onto the six key questions….. Read more…
October 4, 2021
Scientists recently did something pretty cool (okay, *Nerdy* cool).
Infection and Spread
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
They put COVID-19 infected people in a room and measured how much virus was in the air under different conditions. ❓What did they find? TL;DR: ➡️ The more virus the person had in their nose, the more was in the room (shocker!) ➡️ HEPA FILTRATION reduced viral load in the air the most ➡️ Increased Read more…
September 23, 2021
Masks can be worn safely by most children.
Families/Kids Infection and Spread Masks School Staying Safe
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
😷 Reminder: Masks can be worn safely by most children. There are very few reasons for children to be exempt from wearing a mask in school. 😶🌫️ There is a lot of confusion around who can qualify for a medical exemption from a mask, especially as children are getting back to school. Many hospitals and Read more…
September 18, 2021
What counts as being exposed to COVID-19?
Infection and Spread Testing and Contact Tracing
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
If my mom went to the hair salon on Thursday (hair stylist was masked, mom wasn’t) and her hair stylist developed COVID-19 symptoms on Saturday, then I saw my mom (outside, not distanced or masked) on Sunday, am I exposed and should I get tested? A: We get it, figuring out when and if to Read more…
Positively confusing! I just got my third vaccine dose, but I tested positive for COVID19…..Now what? QUICK ANSWER: ➡️ Tell your healthcare provider you have had a positive test result right away. ➡️ Isolate for 10 days after symptoms appeared or after your positive test if you never had symptoms. ➡️ Make sure you don’t Read more…
POSTCARDS FROM THE UK: Buckle up America (and everywhere else).
COVID Variants Data and Metrics Infection and Spread
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
And by buckle up, I mean BOOST-UP. And take other sensible precautions, especially leading up to the holidays. Nerdy Girl Jenn (🇺🇸 in 🇬🇧 ) writing from not-so-sunny England, home of the strangest shaped epidemic curve ever seen (Figure 1). Delta has been raging here since June and never went away. Omicron has a significant Read more…
October 29, 2021
Do vaccines reduce the transmission of COVID-19?
Infection and Spread Vaccines Videos
See the answer in this video by Dr. Chana Davis from Fueled by Science . DP Links: Do the COVID-19 vaccines reduce transmission? References: Outbreak Associated with SARS-CoV-2 B.1.617.2 (Delta) Variant in an Elementary School — Marin County, California, May–June 2021 Pfizer Vaccine Efficacy (Ages 5-11). Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee October 26, Read more…
October 28, 2021
If I have been potentially exposed to COVID-19, should I sleep in a different room from my spouse?
General Health Infection and Spread
Lauren Hale, PhD MA
A: When bed partners have varying degrees of risk exposure and vulnerability to the disease, it’s worth discussing sleeping in separate spaces. The Nerdy Girls call this COVID Bed Spread. Here are some benefits to sleeping apart from other household members: 1.) REDUCED RISK OF VIRAL EXPOSURE (in both directions). Spending six or more hours Read more…
October 20, 2021
How can I inquire about indoor air quality at my workplace and my child’s school?
Infection and Spread
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
A: Two priorities: ventilation and filtration. See six key diligence questions below. First, two definitions for those who might want a “refresher” (ha ha…pun intended ;)) ➡️ VENTILATION – the provision of *fresh air* to indoor spaces; and ➡️ FILTRATION – the removal of disease-causing particles from indoor air Now onto the six key questions….. Read more…
October 4, 2021
Scientists recently did something pretty cool (okay, *Nerdy* cool).
Infection and Spread
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
They put COVID-19 infected people in a room and measured how much virus was in the air under different conditions. ❓What did they find? TL;DR: ➡️ The more virus the person had in their nose, the more was in the room (shocker!) ➡️ HEPA FILTRATION reduced viral load in the air the most ➡️ Increased Read more…
September 23, 2021
Masks can be worn safely by most children.
Families/Kids Infection and Spread Masks School Staying Safe
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
😷 Reminder: Masks can be worn safely by most children. There are very few reasons for children to be exempt from wearing a mask in school. 😶🌫️ There is a lot of confusion around who can qualify for a medical exemption from a mask, especially as children are getting back to school. Many hospitals and Read more…
September 18, 2021
What counts as being exposed to COVID-19?
Infection and Spread Testing and Contact Tracing
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
If my mom went to the hair salon on Thursday (hair stylist was masked, mom wasn’t) and her hair stylist developed COVID-19 symptoms on Saturday, then I saw my mom (outside, not distanced or masked) on Sunday, am I exposed and should I get tested? A: We get it, figuring out when and if to Read more…
And by buckle up, I mean BOOST-UP. And take other sensible precautions, especially leading up to the holidays. Nerdy Girl Jenn (🇺🇸 in 🇬🇧 ) writing from not-so-sunny England, home of the strangest shaped epidemic curve ever seen (Figure 1). Delta has been raging here since June and never went away. Omicron has a significant Read more…
Do vaccines reduce the transmission of COVID-19?
Infection and Spread Vaccines VideosSee the answer in this video by Dr. Chana Davis from Fueled by Science . DP Links: Do the COVID-19 vaccines reduce transmission? References: Outbreak Associated with SARS-CoV-2 B.1.617.2 (Delta) Variant in an Elementary School — Marin County, California, May–June 2021 Pfizer Vaccine Efficacy (Ages 5-11). Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee October 26, Read more…
If I have been potentially exposed to COVID-19, should I sleep in a different room from my spouse?
General Health Infection and Spread
Lauren Hale, PhD MA
A: When bed partners have varying degrees of risk exposure and vulnerability to the disease, it’s worth discussing sleeping in separate spaces. The Nerdy Girls call this COVID Bed Spread. Here are some benefits to sleeping apart from other household members: 1.) REDUCED RISK OF VIRAL EXPOSURE (in both directions). Spending six or more hours Read more…
October 20, 2021
How can I inquire about indoor air quality at my workplace and my child’s school?
Infection and Spread
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
A: Two priorities: ventilation and filtration. See six key diligence questions below. First, two definitions for those who might want a “refresher” (ha ha…pun intended ;)) ➡️ VENTILATION – the provision of *fresh air* to indoor spaces; and ➡️ FILTRATION – the removal of disease-causing particles from indoor air Now onto the six key questions….. Read more…
October 4, 2021
Scientists recently did something pretty cool (okay, *Nerdy* cool).
Infection and Spread
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
They put COVID-19 infected people in a room and measured how much virus was in the air under different conditions. ❓What did they find? TL;DR: ➡️ The more virus the person had in their nose, the more was in the room (shocker!) ➡️ HEPA FILTRATION reduced viral load in the air the most ➡️ Increased Read more…
September 23, 2021
Masks can be worn safely by most children.
Families/Kids Infection and Spread Masks School Staying Safe
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
😷 Reminder: Masks can be worn safely by most children. There are very few reasons for children to be exempt from wearing a mask in school. 😶🌫️ There is a lot of confusion around who can qualify for a medical exemption from a mask, especially as children are getting back to school. Many hospitals and Read more…
September 18, 2021
What counts as being exposed to COVID-19?
Infection and Spread Testing and Contact Tracing
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
If my mom went to the hair salon on Thursday (hair stylist was masked, mom wasn’t) and her hair stylist developed COVID-19 symptoms on Saturday, then I saw my mom (outside, not distanced or masked) on Sunday, am I exposed and should I get tested? A: We get it, figuring out when and if to Read more…
A: When bed partners have varying degrees of risk exposure and vulnerability to the disease, it’s worth discussing sleeping in separate spaces. The Nerdy Girls call this COVID Bed Spread. Here are some benefits to sleeping apart from other household members: 1.) REDUCED RISK OF VIRAL EXPOSURE (in both directions). Spending six or more hours Read more…
How can I inquire about indoor air quality at my workplace and my child’s school?
Infection and Spread
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
A: Two priorities: ventilation and filtration. See six key diligence questions below. First, two definitions for those who might want a “refresher” (ha ha…pun intended ;)) ➡️ VENTILATION – the provision of *fresh air* to indoor spaces; and ➡️ FILTRATION – the removal of disease-causing particles from indoor air Now onto the six key questions….. Read more…
October 4, 2021
Scientists recently did something pretty cool (okay, *Nerdy* cool).
Infection and Spread
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
They put COVID-19 infected people in a room and measured how much virus was in the air under different conditions. ❓What did they find? TL;DR: ➡️ The more virus the person had in their nose, the more was in the room (shocker!) ➡️ HEPA FILTRATION reduced viral load in the air the most ➡️ Increased Read more…
September 23, 2021
Masks can be worn safely by most children.
Families/Kids Infection and Spread Masks School Staying Safe
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
😷 Reminder: Masks can be worn safely by most children. There are very few reasons for children to be exempt from wearing a mask in school. 😶🌫️ There is a lot of confusion around who can qualify for a medical exemption from a mask, especially as children are getting back to school. Many hospitals and Read more…
September 18, 2021
What counts as being exposed to COVID-19?
Infection and Spread Testing and Contact Tracing
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
If my mom went to the hair salon on Thursday (hair stylist was masked, mom wasn’t) and her hair stylist developed COVID-19 symptoms on Saturday, then I saw my mom (outside, not distanced or masked) on Sunday, am I exposed and should I get tested? A: We get it, figuring out when and if to Read more…
A: Two priorities: ventilation and filtration. See six key diligence questions below. First, two definitions for those who might want a “refresher” (ha ha…pun intended ;)) ➡️ VENTILATION – the provision of *fresh air* to indoor spaces; and ➡️ FILTRATION – the removal of disease-causing particles from indoor air Now onto the six key questions….. Read more…
Scientists recently did something pretty cool (okay, *Nerdy* cool).
Infection and Spread
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
They put COVID-19 infected people in a room and measured how much virus was in the air under different conditions. ❓What did they find? TL;DR: ➡️ The more virus the person had in their nose, the more was in the room (shocker!) ➡️ HEPA FILTRATION reduced viral load in the air the most ➡️ Increased Read more…
September 23, 2021
Masks can be worn safely by most children.
Families/Kids Infection and Spread Masks School Staying Safe
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
😷 Reminder: Masks can be worn safely by most children. There are very few reasons for children to be exempt from wearing a mask in school. 😶🌫️ There is a lot of confusion around who can qualify for a medical exemption from a mask, especially as children are getting back to school. Many hospitals and Read more…
September 18, 2021
What counts as being exposed to COVID-19?
Infection and Spread Testing and Contact Tracing
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
If my mom went to the hair salon on Thursday (hair stylist was masked, mom wasn’t) and her hair stylist developed COVID-19 symptoms on Saturday, then I saw my mom (outside, not distanced or masked) on Sunday, am I exposed and should I get tested? A: We get it, figuring out when and if to Read more…
They put COVID-19 infected people in a room and measured how much virus was in the air under different conditions. ❓What did they find? TL;DR: ➡️ The more virus the person had in their nose, the more was in the room (shocker!) ➡️ HEPA FILTRATION reduced viral load in the air the most ➡️ Increased Read more…
Masks can be worn safely by most children.
Families/Kids Infection and Spread Masks School Staying Safe
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
😷 Reminder: Masks can be worn safely by most children. There are very few reasons for children to be exempt from wearing a mask in school. 😶🌫️ There is a lot of confusion around who can qualify for a medical exemption from a mask, especially as children are getting back to school. Many hospitals and Read more…
September 18, 2021
What counts as being exposed to COVID-19?
Infection and Spread Testing and Contact Tracing
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
If my mom went to the hair salon on Thursday (hair stylist was masked, mom wasn’t) and her hair stylist developed COVID-19 symptoms on Saturday, then I saw my mom (outside, not distanced or masked) on Sunday, am I exposed and should I get tested? A: We get it, figuring out when and if to Read more…
😷 Reminder: Masks can be worn safely by most children. There are very few reasons for children to be exempt from wearing a mask in school. 😶🌫️ There is a lot of confusion around who can qualify for a medical exemption from a mask, especially as children are getting back to school. Many hospitals and Read more…
What counts as being exposed to COVID-19?
Infection and Spread Testing and Contact Tracing
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
If my mom went to the hair salon on Thursday (hair stylist was masked, mom wasn’t) and her hair stylist developed COVID-19 symptoms on Saturday, then I saw my mom (outside, not distanced or masked) on Sunday, am I exposed and should I get tested? A: We get it, figuring out when and if to Read more…
If my mom went to the hair salon on Thursday (hair stylist was masked, mom wasn’t) and her hair stylist developed COVID-19 symptoms on Saturday, then I saw my mom (outside, not distanced or masked) on Sunday, am I exposed and should I get tested? A: We get it, figuring out when and if to Read more…

