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…
September 2, 2021
California Classroom Outbreak Explained
COVID Variants Infection and Spread School
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A recent CDC outbreak investigation found that an unvaccinated teacher infected twelve elementary school students out of a class of 24 students in California. All students were too young to be eligible for the vaccine. Key take-aways: ➡️ GET VACCINATED ➡️ KEEP YOUR MASK ON WHILE TALKING!! ➡️ STAY HOME WHEN SICK ➡️ GET VACCINATED Read more…
September 1, 2021
“Endemic” Explainer
Infection and Spread Uncertainty and Misinformation
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
“We’re moving from pandemic to endemic.” We’re hearing this phrase tossed around more and more. In certain anti-science twitter circles, the hashtag #endemic is used as shorthand for the opinion that COVID-19 is overhyped, we’ve all been duped by the media into a hysteria over the pandemic; the vaccine is unnecessary; and everything should return Read more…
August 8, 2021
Are vaccinated people infected with Delta *really* as contagious as the unvaccinated?
COVID Variants Infection and Spread
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: Probably not. And when you count the reduction in getting infected in the first place, vaccinated people are much less likely to transmit the virus. 💥 TL;DR: Vaccinated people likely *can* transmit the virus, but this risk is NOT the same as the unvaccinated. Among growing concerns about Delta, recent news that vaccinated people Read more…
August 3, 2021
What should I make of the “leaked” CDC slides last week? Is Delta worse than we thought?!
COVID Variants Data and Metrics Infection and Spread
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: KEEP CALM AND VAX ON. Just when we thought our summer might be more relaxing than last year, SARS-CoV-2 is humbling us again. But despite the emotionally amped up headlines (which are, after all, designed to make you click), we’re here to reassure you that in countries with access to vaccinations, the trajectory is Read more…
July 15, 2021
Should contact lens wearers take special precautions to avoid getting COVID-19?
General Health Infection and Spread
Verdena Jennings, DO
A: There is no evidence that the 45 million contact lens wearers in the US are at greater risk of getting COVID-19 than eyeglass wearers. Because the virus that causes COVID-19 is spread from person-to-person by respiratory droplets, there is little risk of spreading it by touching your eyes. The likelihood of getting COVID-19 by Read more…
July 8, 2021
Can I get COVID-19 through blood transfusion?
Infection and Spread
Verdena Jennings, DO
A: Many viruses can be transmitted by blood transfusion. However there are no reported cases of people getting COVID-19 by blood transfusion so far. Let’s look at the details. In 1628, British physician William Harvey reported the first description of blood circulation in Western medical literature. Soon after, transfusions were attempted. However, it was not Read more…
June 21, 2021
What is pandemic fatigue and what can I do about it?
Infection and Spread Mental Health
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
A: Pandemic fatigue can be defined as being in a fight or flight state for an extended period of time. This can cause a stress like reaction, which eventually leads to behavioral fatigue. In other words, initially many of us were fearful of the new virus and abided by restrictions such as limiting gatherings, avoiding Read more…
June 18, 2021
What’s the link between COVID-19 and air pollution?
Infection and Spread Travel
Lauren Hale, PhD MA
A. TL;DR. The relationship between COVID-19 and air pollution likely goes in both directions. First, air pollution is linked with higher COVID-19 mortality risk. Second, the lockdowns associated with the pandemic initially resulted in a large reduction in air pollution in some regions, with more modest and temporary reductions in other regions. The Nerdy Girls Read more…
June 15, 2021
So who’s getting COVID-19 these days?
Data and Metrics Infection and Spread Vaccines
Alison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
A: Unvaccinated people, for the most part. Q: Will the “delta” variant change that? A: Not likely. As new cases of COVID-19 continue to decline in the US 🇺🇸and Canada 🇨🇦, but are rising steeply elsewhere (UK 🇬🇧and South Africa🇿🇦, we see you 🤗💕!), you might be wondering who is bearing the burden of new Read more…
June 8, 2021
What’s going on with the “Delta” variant in the U.K.?
COVID Variants Data and Metrics Infection and Spread
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: Cases are rising quickly, possibly due to the variant formerly known as B.1617.2 ➡️ The Delta variant MAY be more transmissible and cause more severe infection, but the jury is still out. ↗️ The steep rise in cases in the U.K. in December and January was fueled by what was then known as the Read more…
June 7, 2021
Do the COVID-19 vaccines reduce transmission?
Infection and Spread Vaccines
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: YES! Evidence continues to mount that the vaccines REDUCE BOTH ASYMPTOMATIC INFECTIONS AND TRANSMISSION. ➡️ While the Nerdy Girls are still dreaming of a world where transmission was explicitly tested in the clinical trials (☎️ call us next time), the data pouring in from around the world strongly suggests that the vaccines are very Read more…
Get a discounted subscriber rate until Sept 11
Please become a Paid Subscriber to our twice-weekly Substack email newsletter. Enjoy a 10% discount on the $50 yearly rate until September 11, 2026.
Be part of the movement to ensure Those Nerdy Girls can continue to be a trusted messenger of health information for all. We need you in order to sustain the work.
😷 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…
September 2, 2021
California Classroom Outbreak Explained
COVID Variants Infection and Spread School
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A recent CDC outbreak investigation found that an unvaccinated teacher infected twelve elementary school students out of a class of 24 students in California. All students were too young to be eligible for the vaccine. Key take-aways: ➡️ GET VACCINATED ➡️ KEEP YOUR MASK ON WHILE TALKING!! ➡️ STAY HOME WHEN SICK ➡️ GET VACCINATED Read more…
September 1, 2021
“Endemic” Explainer
Infection and Spread Uncertainty and Misinformation
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
“We’re moving from pandemic to endemic.” We’re hearing this phrase tossed around more and more. In certain anti-science twitter circles, the hashtag #endemic is used as shorthand for the opinion that COVID-19 is overhyped, we’ve all been duped by the media into a hysteria over the pandemic; the vaccine is unnecessary; and everything should return Read more…
August 8, 2021
Are vaccinated people infected with Delta *really* as contagious as the unvaccinated?
COVID Variants Infection and Spread
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: Probably not. And when you count the reduction in getting infected in the first place, vaccinated people are much less likely to transmit the virus. 💥 TL;DR: Vaccinated people likely *can* transmit the virus, but this risk is NOT the same as the unvaccinated. Among growing concerns about Delta, recent news that vaccinated people Read more…
August 3, 2021
What should I make of the “leaked” CDC slides last week? Is Delta worse than we thought?!
COVID Variants Data and Metrics Infection and Spread
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: KEEP CALM AND VAX ON. Just when we thought our summer might be more relaxing than last year, SARS-CoV-2 is humbling us again. But despite the emotionally amped up headlines (which are, after all, designed to make you click), we’re here to reassure you that in countries with access to vaccinations, the trajectory is Read more…
July 15, 2021
Should contact lens wearers take special precautions to avoid getting COVID-19?
General Health Infection and Spread
Verdena Jennings, DO
A: There is no evidence that the 45 million contact lens wearers in the US are at greater risk of getting COVID-19 than eyeglass wearers. Because the virus that causes COVID-19 is spread from person-to-person by respiratory droplets, there is little risk of spreading it by touching your eyes. The likelihood of getting COVID-19 by Read more…
July 8, 2021
Can I get COVID-19 through blood transfusion?
Infection and Spread
Verdena Jennings, DO
A: Many viruses can be transmitted by blood transfusion. However there are no reported cases of people getting COVID-19 by blood transfusion so far. Let’s look at the details. In 1628, British physician William Harvey reported the first description of blood circulation in Western medical literature. Soon after, transfusions were attempted. However, it was not Read more…
June 21, 2021
What is pandemic fatigue and what can I do about it?
Infection and Spread Mental Health
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
A: Pandemic fatigue can be defined as being in a fight or flight state for an extended period of time. This can cause a stress like reaction, which eventually leads to behavioral fatigue. In other words, initially many of us were fearful of the new virus and abided by restrictions such as limiting gatherings, avoiding Read more…
June 18, 2021
What’s the link between COVID-19 and air pollution?
Infection and Spread Travel
Lauren Hale, PhD MA
A. TL;DR. The relationship between COVID-19 and air pollution likely goes in both directions. First, air pollution is linked with higher COVID-19 mortality risk. Second, the lockdowns associated with the pandemic initially resulted in a large reduction in air pollution in some regions, with more modest and temporary reductions in other regions. The Nerdy Girls Read more…
June 15, 2021
So who’s getting COVID-19 these days?
Data and Metrics Infection and Spread Vaccines
Alison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
A: Unvaccinated people, for the most part. Q: Will the “delta” variant change that? A: Not likely. As new cases of COVID-19 continue to decline in the US 🇺🇸and Canada 🇨🇦, but are rising steeply elsewhere (UK 🇬🇧and South Africa🇿🇦, we see you 🤗💕!), you might be wondering who is bearing the burden of new Read more…
June 8, 2021
What’s going on with the “Delta” variant in the U.K.?
COVID Variants Data and Metrics Infection and Spread
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: Cases are rising quickly, possibly due to the variant formerly known as B.1617.2 ➡️ The Delta variant MAY be more transmissible and cause more severe infection, but the jury is still out. ↗️ The steep rise in cases in the U.K. in December and January was fueled by what was then known as the Read more…
June 7, 2021
Do the COVID-19 vaccines reduce transmission?
Infection and Spread Vaccines
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: YES! Evidence continues to mount that the vaccines REDUCE BOTH ASYMPTOMATIC INFECTIONS AND TRANSMISSION. ➡️ While the Nerdy Girls are still dreaming of a world where transmission was explicitly tested in the clinical trials (☎️ call us next time), the data pouring in from around the world strongly suggests that the vaccines are very Read more…
Get a discounted subscriber rate until Sept 11
Please become a Paid Subscriber to our twice-weekly Substack email newsletter. Enjoy a 10% discount on the $50 yearly rate until September 11, 2026.
Be part of the movement to ensure Those Nerdy Girls can continue to be a trusted messenger of health information for all. We need you in order to sustain the work.
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…
California Classroom Outbreak Explained
COVID Variants Infection and Spread School
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A recent CDC outbreak investigation found that an unvaccinated teacher infected twelve elementary school students out of a class of 24 students in California. All students were too young to be eligible for the vaccine. Key take-aways: ➡️ GET VACCINATED ➡️ KEEP YOUR MASK ON WHILE TALKING!! ➡️ STAY HOME WHEN SICK ➡️ GET VACCINATED Read more…
September 1, 2021
“Endemic” Explainer
Infection and Spread Uncertainty and Misinformation
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
“We’re moving from pandemic to endemic.” We’re hearing this phrase tossed around more and more. In certain anti-science twitter circles, the hashtag #endemic is used as shorthand for the opinion that COVID-19 is overhyped, we’ve all been duped by the media into a hysteria over the pandemic; the vaccine is unnecessary; and everything should return Read more…
August 8, 2021
Are vaccinated people infected with Delta *really* as contagious as the unvaccinated?
COVID Variants Infection and Spread
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: Probably not. And when you count the reduction in getting infected in the first place, vaccinated people are much less likely to transmit the virus. 💥 TL;DR: Vaccinated people likely *can* transmit the virus, but this risk is NOT the same as the unvaccinated. Among growing concerns about Delta, recent news that vaccinated people Read more…
August 3, 2021
What should I make of the “leaked” CDC slides last week? Is Delta worse than we thought?!
COVID Variants Data and Metrics Infection and Spread
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: KEEP CALM AND VAX ON. Just when we thought our summer might be more relaxing than last year, SARS-CoV-2 is humbling us again. But despite the emotionally amped up headlines (which are, after all, designed to make you click), we’re here to reassure you that in countries with access to vaccinations, the trajectory is Read more…
July 15, 2021
Should contact lens wearers take special precautions to avoid getting COVID-19?
General Health Infection and Spread
Verdena Jennings, DO
A: There is no evidence that the 45 million contact lens wearers in the US are at greater risk of getting COVID-19 than eyeglass wearers. Because the virus that causes COVID-19 is spread from person-to-person by respiratory droplets, there is little risk of spreading it by touching your eyes. The likelihood of getting COVID-19 by Read more…
July 8, 2021
Can I get COVID-19 through blood transfusion?
Infection and Spread
Verdena Jennings, DO
A: Many viruses can be transmitted by blood transfusion. However there are no reported cases of people getting COVID-19 by blood transfusion so far. Let’s look at the details. In 1628, British physician William Harvey reported the first description of blood circulation in Western medical literature. Soon after, transfusions were attempted. However, it was not Read more…
June 21, 2021
What is pandemic fatigue and what can I do about it?
Infection and Spread Mental Health
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
A: Pandemic fatigue can be defined as being in a fight or flight state for an extended period of time. This can cause a stress like reaction, which eventually leads to behavioral fatigue. In other words, initially many of us were fearful of the new virus and abided by restrictions such as limiting gatherings, avoiding Read more…
June 18, 2021
What’s the link between COVID-19 and air pollution?
Infection and Spread Travel
Lauren Hale, PhD MA
A. TL;DR. The relationship between COVID-19 and air pollution likely goes in both directions. First, air pollution is linked with higher COVID-19 mortality risk. Second, the lockdowns associated with the pandemic initially resulted in a large reduction in air pollution in some regions, with more modest and temporary reductions in other regions. The Nerdy Girls Read more…
June 15, 2021
So who’s getting COVID-19 these days?
Data and Metrics Infection and Spread Vaccines
Alison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
A: Unvaccinated people, for the most part. Q: Will the “delta” variant change that? A: Not likely. As new cases of COVID-19 continue to decline in the US 🇺🇸and Canada 🇨🇦, but are rising steeply elsewhere (UK 🇬🇧and South Africa🇿🇦, we see you 🤗💕!), you might be wondering who is bearing the burden of new Read more…
June 8, 2021
What’s going on with the “Delta” variant in the U.K.?
COVID Variants Data and Metrics Infection and Spread
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: Cases are rising quickly, possibly due to the variant formerly known as B.1617.2 ➡️ The Delta variant MAY be more transmissible and cause more severe infection, but the jury is still out. ↗️ The steep rise in cases in the U.K. in December and January was fueled by what was then known as the Read more…
June 7, 2021
Do the COVID-19 vaccines reduce transmission?
Infection and Spread Vaccines
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: YES! Evidence continues to mount that the vaccines REDUCE BOTH ASYMPTOMATIC INFECTIONS AND TRANSMISSION. ➡️ While the Nerdy Girls are still dreaming of a world where transmission was explicitly tested in the clinical trials (☎️ call us next time), the data pouring in from around the world strongly suggests that the vaccines are very Read more…
Get a discounted subscriber rate until Sept 11
Please become a Paid Subscriber to our twice-weekly Substack email newsletter. Enjoy a 10% discount on the $50 yearly rate until September 11, 2026.
Be part of the movement to ensure Those Nerdy Girls can continue to be a trusted messenger of health information for all. We need you in order to sustain the work.
A recent CDC outbreak investigation found that an unvaccinated teacher infected twelve elementary school students out of a class of 24 students in California. All students were too young to be eligible for the vaccine. Key take-aways: ➡️ GET VACCINATED ➡️ KEEP YOUR MASK ON WHILE TALKING!! ➡️ STAY HOME WHEN SICK ➡️ GET VACCINATED Read more…
“Endemic” Explainer
Infection and Spread Uncertainty and Misinformation
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
“We’re moving from pandemic to endemic.” We’re hearing this phrase tossed around more and more. In certain anti-science twitter circles, the hashtag #endemic is used as shorthand for the opinion that COVID-19 is overhyped, we’ve all been duped by the media into a hysteria over the pandemic; the vaccine is unnecessary; and everything should return Read more…
August 8, 2021
Are vaccinated people infected with Delta *really* as contagious as the unvaccinated?
COVID Variants Infection and Spread
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: Probably not. And when you count the reduction in getting infected in the first place, vaccinated people are much less likely to transmit the virus. 💥 TL;DR: Vaccinated people likely *can* transmit the virus, but this risk is NOT the same as the unvaccinated. Among growing concerns about Delta, recent news that vaccinated people Read more…
August 3, 2021
What should I make of the “leaked” CDC slides last week? Is Delta worse than we thought?!
COVID Variants Data and Metrics Infection and Spread
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: KEEP CALM AND VAX ON. Just when we thought our summer might be more relaxing than last year, SARS-CoV-2 is humbling us again. But despite the emotionally amped up headlines (which are, after all, designed to make you click), we’re here to reassure you that in countries with access to vaccinations, the trajectory is Read more…
July 15, 2021
Should contact lens wearers take special precautions to avoid getting COVID-19?
General Health Infection and Spread
Verdena Jennings, DO
A: There is no evidence that the 45 million contact lens wearers in the US are at greater risk of getting COVID-19 than eyeglass wearers. Because the virus that causes COVID-19 is spread from person-to-person by respiratory droplets, there is little risk of spreading it by touching your eyes. The likelihood of getting COVID-19 by Read more…
July 8, 2021
Can I get COVID-19 through blood transfusion?
Infection and Spread
Verdena Jennings, DO
A: Many viruses can be transmitted by blood transfusion. However there are no reported cases of people getting COVID-19 by blood transfusion so far. Let’s look at the details. In 1628, British physician William Harvey reported the first description of blood circulation in Western medical literature. Soon after, transfusions were attempted. However, it was not Read more…
June 21, 2021
What is pandemic fatigue and what can I do about it?
Infection and Spread Mental Health
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
A: Pandemic fatigue can be defined as being in a fight or flight state for an extended period of time. This can cause a stress like reaction, which eventually leads to behavioral fatigue. In other words, initially many of us were fearful of the new virus and abided by restrictions such as limiting gatherings, avoiding Read more…
June 18, 2021
What’s the link between COVID-19 and air pollution?
Infection and Spread Travel
Lauren Hale, PhD MA
A. TL;DR. The relationship between COVID-19 and air pollution likely goes in both directions. First, air pollution is linked with higher COVID-19 mortality risk. Second, the lockdowns associated with the pandemic initially resulted in a large reduction in air pollution in some regions, with more modest and temporary reductions in other regions. The Nerdy Girls Read more…
June 15, 2021
So who’s getting COVID-19 these days?
Data and Metrics Infection and Spread Vaccines
Alison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
A: Unvaccinated people, for the most part. Q: Will the “delta” variant change that? A: Not likely. As new cases of COVID-19 continue to decline in the US 🇺🇸and Canada 🇨🇦, but are rising steeply elsewhere (UK 🇬🇧and South Africa🇿🇦, we see you 🤗💕!), you might be wondering who is bearing the burden of new Read more…
June 8, 2021
What’s going on with the “Delta” variant in the U.K.?
COVID Variants Data and Metrics Infection and Spread
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: Cases are rising quickly, possibly due to the variant formerly known as B.1617.2 ➡️ The Delta variant MAY be more transmissible and cause more severe infection, but the jury is still out. ↗️ The steep rise in cases in the U.K. in December and January was fueled by what was then known as the Read more…
June 7, 2021
Do the COVID-19 vaccines reduce transmission?
Infection and Spread Vaccines
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: YES! Evidence continues to mount that the vaccines REDUCE BOTH ASYMPTOMATIC INFECTIONS AND TRANSMISSION. ➡️ While the Nerdy Girls are still dreaming of a world where transmission was explicitly tested in the clinical trials (☎️ call us next time), the data pouring in from around the world strongly suggests that the vaccines are very Read more…
Get a discounted subscriber rate until Sept 11
Please become a Paid Subscriber to our twice-weekly Substack email newsletter. Enjoy a 10% discount on the $50 yearly rate until September 11, 2026.
Be part of the movement to ensure Those Nerdy Girls can continue to be a trusted messenger of health information for all. We need you in order to sustain the work.
“We’re moving from pandemic to endemic.” We’re hearing this phrase tossed around more and more. In certain anti-science twitter circles, the hashtag #endemic is used as shorthand for the opinion that COVID-19 is overhyped, we’ve all been duped by the media into a hysteria over the pandemic; the vaccine is unnecessary; and everything should return Read more…
Are vaccinated people infected with Delta *really* as contagious as the unvaccinated?
COVID Variants Infection and Spread
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: Probably not. And when you count the reduction in getting infected in the first place, vaccinated people are much less likely to transmit the virus. 💥 TL;DR: Vaccinated people likely *can* transmit the virus, but this risk is NOT the same as the unvaccinated. Among growing concerns about Delta, recent news that vaccinated people Read more…
August 3, 2021
What should I make of the “leaked” CDC slides last week? Is Delta worse than we thought?!
COVID Variants Data and Metrics Infection and Spread
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: KEEP CALM AND VAX ON. Just when we thought our summer might be more relaxing than last year, SARS-CoV-2 is humbling us again. But despite the emotionally amped up headlines (which are, after all, designed to make you click), we’re here to reassure you that in countries with access to vaccinations, the trajectory is Read more…
July 15, 2021
Should contact lens wearers take special precautions to avoid getting COVID-19?
General Health Infection and Spread
Verdena Jennings, DO
A: There is no evidence that the 45 million contact lens wearers in the US are at greater risk of getting COVID-19 than eyeglass wearers. Because the virus that causes COVID-19 is spread from person-to-person by respiratory droplets, there is little risk of spreading it by touching your eyes. The likelihood of getting COVID-19 by Read more…
July 8, 2021
Can I get COVID-19 through blood transfusion?
Infection and Spread
Verdena Jennings, DO
A: Many viruses can be transmitted by blood transfusion. However there are no reported cases of people getting COVID-19 by blood transfusion so far. Let’s look at the details. In 1628, British physician William Harvey reported the first description of blood circulation in Western medical literature. Soon after, transfusions were attempted. However, it was not Read more…
June 21, 2021
What is pandemic fatigue and what can I do about it?
Infection and Spread Mental Health
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
A: Pandemic fatigue can be defined as being in a fight or flight state for an extended period of time. This can cause a stress like reaction, which eventually leads to behavioral fatigue. In other words, initially many of us were fearful of the new virus and abided by restrictions such as limiting gatherings, avoiding Read more…
June 18, 2021
What’s the link between COVID-19 and air pollution?
Infection and Spread Travel
Lauren Hale, PhD MA
A. TL;DR. The relationship between COVID-19 and air pollution likely goes in both directions. First, air pollution is linked with higher COVID-19 mortality risk. Second, the lockdowns associated with the pandemic initially resulted in a large reduction in air pollution in some regions, with more modest and temporary reductions in other regions. The Nerdy Girls Read more…
June 15, 2021
So who’s getting COVID-19 these days?
Data and Metrics Infection and Spread Vaccines
Alison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
A: Unvaccinated people, for the most part. Q: Will the “delta” variant change that? A: Not likely. As new cases of COVID-19 continue to decline in the US 🇺🇸and Canada 🇨🇦, but are rising steeply elsewhere (UK 🇬🇧and South Africa🇿🇦, we see you 🤗💕!), you might be wondering who is bearing the burden of new Read more…
June 8, 2021
What’s going on with the “Delta” variant in the U.K.?
COVID Variants Data and Metrics Infection and Spread
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: Cases are rising quickly, possibly due to the variant formerly known as B.1617.2 ➡️ The Delta variant MAY be more transmissible and cause more severe infection, but the jury is still out. ↗️ The steep rise in cases in the U.K. in December and January was fueled by what was then known as the Read more…
June 7, 2021
Do the COVID-19 vaccines reduce transmission?
Infection and Spread Vaccines
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: YES! Evidence continues to mount that the vaccines REDUCE BOTH ASYMPTOMATIC INFECTIONS AND TRANSMISSION. ➡️ While the Nerdy Girls are still dreaming of a world where transmission was explicitly tested in the clinical trials (☎️ call us next time), the data pouring in from around the world strongly suggests that the vaccines are very Read more…
Get a discounted subscriber rate until Sept 11
Please become a Paid Subscriber to our twice-weekly Substack email newsletter. Enjoy a 10% discount on the $50 yearly rate until September 11, 2026.
Be part of the movement to ensure Those Nerdy Girls can continue to be a trusted messenger of health information for all. We need you in order to sustain the work.
A: Probably not. And when you count the reduction in getting infected in the first place, vaccinated people are much less likely to transmit the virus. 💥 TL;DR: Vaccinated people likely *can* transmit the virus, but this risk is NOT the same as the unvaccinated. Among growing concerns about Delta, recent news that vaccinated people Read more…
What should I make of the “leaked” CDC slides last week? Is Delta worse than we thought?!
COVID Variants Data and Metrics Infection and Spread
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: KEEP CALM AND VAX ON. Just when we thought our summer might be more relaxing than last year, SARS-CoV-2 is humbling us again. But despite the emotionally amped up headlines (which are, after all, designed to make you click), we’re here to reassure you that in countries with access to vaccinations, the trajectory is Read more…
July 15, 2021
Should contact lens wearers take special precautions to avoid getting COVID-19?
General Health Infection and Spread
Verdena Jennings, DO
A: There is no evidence that the 45 million contact lens wearers in the US are at greater risk of getting COVID-19 than eyeglass wearers. Because the virus that causes COVID-19 is spread from person-to-person by respiratory droplets, there is little risk of spreading it by touching your eyes. The likelihood of getting COVID-19 by Read more…
July 8, 2021
Can I get COVID-19 through blood transfusion?
Infection and Spread
Verdena Jennings, DO
A: Many viruses can be transmitted by blood transfusion. However there are no reported cases of people getting COVID-19 by blood transfusion so far. Let’s look at the details. In 1628, British physician William Harvey reported the first description of blood circulation in Western medical literature. Soon after, transfusions were attempted. However, it was not Read more…
June 21, 2021
What is pandemic fatigue and what can I do about it?
Infection and Spread Mental Health
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
A: Pandemic fatigue can be defined as being in a fight or flight state for an extended period of time. This can cause a stress like reaction, which eventually leads to behavioral fatigue. In other words, initially many of us were fearful of the new virus and abided by restrictions such as limiting gatherings, avoiding Read more…
June 18, 2021
What’s the link between COVID-19 and air pollution?
Infection and Spread Travel
Lauren Hale, PhD MA
A. TL;DR. The relationship between COVID-19 and air pollution likely goes in both directions. First, air pollution is linked with higher COVID-19 mortality risk. Second, the lockdowns associated with the pandemic initially resulted in a large reduction in air pollution in some regions, with more modest and temporary reductions in other regions. The Nerdy Girls Read more…
June 15, 2021
So who’s getting COVID-19 these days?
Data and Metrics Infection and Spread Vaccines
Alison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
A: Unvaccinated people, for the most part. Q: Will the “delta” variant change that? A: Not likely. As new cases of COVID-19 continue to decline in the US 🇺🇸and Canada 🇨🇦, but are rising steeply elsewhere (UK 🇬🇧and South Africa🇿🇦, we see you 🤗💕!), you might be wondering who is bearing the burden of new Read more…
June 8, 2021
What’s going on with the “Delta” variant in the U.K.?
COVID Variants Data and Metrics Infection and Spread
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: Cases are rising quickly, possibly due to the variant formerly known as B.1617.2 ➡️ The Delta variant MAY be more transmissible and cause more severe infection, but the jury is still out. ↗️ The steep rise in cases in the U.K. in December and January was fueled by what was then known as the Read more…
June 7, 2021
Do the COVID-19 vaccines reduce transmission?
Infection and Spread Vaccines
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: YES! Evidence continues to mount that the vaccines REDUCE BOTH ASYMPTOMATIC INFECTIONS AND TRANSMISSION. ➡️ While the Nerdy Girls are still dreaming of a world where transmission was explicitly tested in the clinical trials (☎️ call us next time), the data pouring in from around the world strongly suggests that the vaccines are very Read more…
Get a discounted subscriber rate until Sept 11
Please become a Paid Subscriber to our twice-weekly Substack email newsletter. Enjoy a 10% discount on the $50 yearly rate until September 11, 2026.
Be part of the movement to ensure Those Nerdy Girls can continue to be a trusted messenger of health information for all. We need you in order to sustain the work.
A: KEEP CALM AND VAX ON. Just when we thought our summer might be more relaxing than last year, SARS-CoV-2 is humbling us again. But despite the emotionally amped up headlines (which are, after all, designed to make you click), we’re here to reassure you that in countries with access to vaccinations, the trajectory is Read more…
Should contact lens wearers take special precautions to avoid getting COVID-19?
General Health Infection and Spread
Verdena Jennings, DO
A: There is no evidence that the 45 million contact lens wearers in the US are at greater risk of getting COVID-19 than eyeglass wearers. Because the virus that causes COVID-19 is spread from person-to-person by respiratory droplets, there is little risk of spreading it by touching your eyes. The likelihood of getting COVID-19 by Read more…
July 8, 2021
Can I get COVID-19 through blood transfusion?
Infection and Spread
Verdena Jennings, DO
A: Many viruses can be transmitted by blood transfusion. However there are no reported cases of people getting COVID-19 by blood transfusion so far. Let’s look at the details. In 1628, British physician William Harvey reported the first description of blood circulation in Western medical literature. Soon after, transfusions were attempted. However, it was not Read more…
June 21, 2021
What is pandemic fatigue and what can I do about it?
Infection and Spread Mental Health
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
A: Pandemic fatigue can be defined as being in a fight or flight state for an extended period of time. This can cause a stress like reaction, which eventually leads to behavioral fatigue. In other words, initially many of us were fearful of the new virus and abided by restrictions such as limiting gatherings, avoiding Read more…
June 18, 2021
What’s the link between COVID-19 and air pollution?
Infection and Spread Travel
Lauren Hale, PhD MA
A. TL;DR. The relationship between COVID-19 and air pollution likely goes in both directions. First, air pollution is linked with higher COVID-19 mortality risk. Second, the lockdowns associated with the pandemic initially resulted in a large reduction in air pollution in some regions, with more modest and temporary reductions in other regions. The Nerdy Girls Read more…
June 15, 2021
So who’s getting COVID-19 these days?
Data and Metrics Infection and Spread Vaccines
Alison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
A: Unvaccinated people, for the most part. Q: Will the “delta” variant change that? A: Not likely. As new cases of COVID-19 continue to decline in the US 🇺🇸and Canada 🇨🇦, but are rising steeply elsewhere (UK 🇬🇧and South Africa🇿🇦, we see you 🤗💕!), you might be wondering who is bearing the burden of new Read more…
June 8, 2021
What’s going on with the “Delta” variant in the U.K.?
COVID Variants Data and Metrics Infection and Spread
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: Cases are rising quickly, possibly due to the variant formerly known as B.1617.2 ➡️ The Delta variant MAY be more transmissible and cause more severe infection, but the jury is still out. ↗️ The steep rise in cases in the U.K. in December and January was fueled by what was then known as the Read more…
June 7, 2021
Do the COVID-19 vaccines reduce transmission?
Infection and Spread Vaccines
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: YES! Evidence continues to mount that the vaccines REDUCE BOTH ASYMPTOMATIC INFECTIONS AND TRANSMISSION. ➡️ While the Nerdy Girls are still dreaming of a world where transmission was explicitly tested in the clinical trials (☎️ call us next time), the data pouring in from around the world strongly suggests that the vaccines are very Read more…
Get a discounted subscriber rate until Sept 11
Please become a Paid Subscriber to our twice-weekly Substack email newsletter. Enjoy a 10% discount on the $50 yearly rate until September 11, 2026.
Be part of the movement to ensure Those Nerdy Girls can continue to be a trusted messenger of health information for all. We need you in order to sustain the work.
A: There is no evidence that the 45 million contact lens wearers in the US are at greater risk of getting COVID-19 than eyeglass wearers. Because the virus that causes COVID-19 is spread from person-to-person by respiratory droplets, there is little risk of spreading it by touching your eyes. The likelihood of getting COVID-19 by Read more…
Can I get COVID-19 through blood transfusion?
Infection and Spread
Verdena Jennings, DO
A: Many viruses can be transmitted by blood transfusion. However there are no reported cases of people getting COVID-19 by blood transfusion so far. Let’s look at the details. In 1628, British physician William Harvey reported the first description of blood circulation in Western medical literature. Soon after, transfusions were attempted. However, it was not Read more…
June 21, 2021
What is pandemic fatigue and what can I do about it?
Infection and Spread Mental Health
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
A: Pandemic fatigue can be defined as being in a fight or flight state for an extended period of time. This can cause a stress like reaction, which eventually leads to behavioral fatigue. In other words, initially many of us were fearful of the new virus and abided by restrictions such as limiting gatherings, avoiding Read more…
June 18, 2021
What’s the link between COVID-19 and air pollution?
Infection and Spread Travel
Lauren Hale, PhD MA
A. TL;DR. The relationship between COVID-19 and air pollution likely goes in both directions. First, air pollution is linked with higher COVID-19 mortality risk. Second, the lockdowns associated with the pandemic initially resulted in a large reduction in air pollution in some regions, with more modest and temporary reductions in other regions. The Nerdy Girls Read more…
June 15, 2021
So who’s getting COVID-19 these days?
Data and Metrics Infection and Spread Vaccines
Alison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
A: Unvaccinated people, for the most part. Q: Will the “delta” variant change that? A: Not likely. As new cases of COVID-19 continue to decline in the US 🇺🇸and Canada 🇨🇦, but are rising steeply elsewhere (UK 🇬🇧and South Africa🇿🇦, we see you 🤗💕!), you might be wondering who is bearing the burden of new Read more…
June 8, 2021
What’s going on with the “Delta” variant in the U.K.?
COVID Variants Data and Metrics Infection and Spread
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: Cases are rising quickly, possibly due to the variant formerly known as B.1617.2 ➡️ The Delta variant MAY be more transmissible and cause more severe infection, but the jury is still out. ↗️ The steep rise in cases in the U.K. in December and January was fueled by what was then known as the Read more…
June 7, 2021
Do the COVID-19 vaccines reduce transmission?
Infection and Spread Vaccines
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: YES! Evidence continues to mount that the vaccines REDUCE BOTH ASYMPTOMATIC INFECTIONS AND TRANSMISSION. ➡️ While the Nerdy Girls are still dreaming of a world where transmission was explicitly tested in the clinical trials (☎️ call us next time), the data pouring in from around the world strongly suggests that the vaccines are very Read more…
Get a discounted subscriber rate until Sept 11
Please become a Paid Subscriber to our twice-weekly Substack email newsletter. Enjoy a 10% discount on the $50 yearly rate until September 11, 2026.
Be part of the movement to ensure Those Nerdy Girls can continue to be a trusted messenger of health information for all. We need you in order to sustain the work.
A: Many viruses can be transmitted by blood transfusion. However there are no reported cases of people getting COVID-19 by blood transfusion so far. Let’s look at the details. In 1628, British physician William Harvey reported the first description of blood circulation in Western medical literature. Soon after, transfusions were attempted. However, it was not Read more…
What is pandemic fatigue and what can I do about it?
Infection and Spread Mental Health
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
A: Pandemic fatigue can be defined as being in a fight or flight state for an extended period of time. This can cause a stress like reaction, which eventually leads to behavioral fatigue. In other words, initially many of us were fearful of the new virus and abided by restrictions such as limiting gatherings, avoiding Read more…
June 18, 2021
What’s the link between COVID-19 and air pollution?
Infection and Spread Travel
Lauren Hale, PhD MA
A. TL;DR. The relationship between COVID-19 and air pollution likely goes in both directions. First, air pollution is linked with higher COVID-19 mortality risk. Second, the lockdowns associated with the pandemic initially resulted in a large reduction in air pollution in some regions, with more modest and temporary reductions in other regions. The Nerdy Girls Read more…
June 15, 2021
So who’s getting COVID-19 these days?
Data and Metrics Infection and Spread Vaccines
Alison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
A: Unvaccinated people, for the most part. Q: Will the “delta” variant change that? A: Not likely. As new cases of COVID-19 continue to decline in the US 🇺🇸and Canada 🇨🇦, but are rising steeply elsewhere (UK 🇬🇧and South Africa🇿🇦, we see you 🤗💕!), you might be wondering who is bearing the burden of new Read more…
June 8, 2021
What’s going on with the “Delta” variant in the U.K.?
COVID Variants Data and Metrics Infection and Spread
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: Cases are rising quickly, possibly due to the variant formerly known as B.1617.2 ➡️ The Delta variant MAY be more transmissible and cause more severe infection, but the jury is still out. ↗️ The steep rise in cases in the U.K. in December and January was fueled by what was then known as the Read more…
June 7, 2021
Do the COVID-19 vaccines reduce transmission?
Infection and Spread Vaccines
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: YES! Evidence continues to mount that the vaccines REDUCE BOTH ASYMPTOMATIC INFECTIONS AND TRANSMISSION. ➡️ While the Nerdy Girls are still dreaming of a world where transmission was explicitly tested in the clinical trials (☎️ call us next time), the data pouring in from around the world strongly suggests that the vaccines are very Read more…
Get a discounted subscriber rate until Sept 11
Please become a Paid Subscriber to our twice-weekly Substack email newsletter. Enjoy a 10% discount on the $50 yearly rate until September 11, 2026.
Be part of the movement to ensure Those Nerdy Girls can continue to be a trusted messenger of health information for all. We need you in order to sustain the work.
A: Pandemic fatigue can be defined as being in a fight or flight state for an extended period of time. This can cause a stress like reaction, which eventually leads to behavioral fatigue. In other words, initially many of us were fearful of the new virus and abided by restrictions such as limiting gatherings, avoiding Read more…
What’s the link between COVID-19 and air pollution?
Infection and Spread Travel
Lauren Hale, PhD MA
A. TL;DR. The relationship between COVID-19 and air pollution likely goes in both directions. First, air pollution is linked with higher COVID-19 mortality risk. Second, the lockdowns associated with the pandemic initially resulted in a large reduction in air pollution in some regions, with more modest and temporary reductions in other regions. The Nerdy Girls Read more…
June 15, 2021
So who’s getting COVID-19 these days?
Data and Metrics Infection and Spread Vaccines
Alison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
A: Unvaccinated people, for the most part. Q: Will the “delta” variant change that? A: Not likely. As new cases of COVID-19 continue to decline in the US 🇺🇸and Canada 🇨🇦, but are rising steeply elsewhere (UK 🇬🇧and South Africa🇿🇦, we see you 🤗💕!), you might be wondering who is bearing the burden of new Read more…
June 8, 2021
What’s going on with the “Delta” variant in the U.K.?
COVID Variants Data and Metrics Infection and Spread
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: Cases are rising quickly, possibly due to the variant formerly known as B.1617.2 ➡️ The Delta variant MAY be more transmissible and cause more severe infection, but the jury is still out. ↗️ The steep rise in cases in the U.K. in December and January was fueled by what was then known as the Read more…
June 7, 2021
Do the COVID-19 vaccines reduce transmission?
Infection and Spread Vaccines
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: YES! Evidence continues to mount that the vaccines REDUCE BOTH ASYMPTOMATIC INFECTIONS AND TRANSMISSION. ➡️ While the Nerdy Girls are still dreaming of a world where transmission was explicitly tested in the clinical trials (☎️ call us next time), the data pouring in from around the world strongly suggests that the vaccines are very Read more…
Get a discounted subscriber rate until Sept 11
Please become a Paid Subscriber to our twice-weekly Substack email newsletter. Enjoy a 10% discount on the $50 yearly rate until September 11, 2026.
Be part of the movement to ensure Those Nerdy Girls can continue to be a trusted messenger of health information for all. We need you in order to sustain the work.
A. TL;DR. The relationship between COVID-19 and air pollution likely goes in both directions. First, air pollution is linked with higher COVID-19 mortality risk. Second, the lockdowns associated with the pandemic initially resulted in a large reduction in air pollution in some regions, with more modest and temporary reductions in other regions. The Nerdy Girls Read more…
So who’s getting COVID-19 these days?
Data and Metrics Infection and Spread Vaccines
Alison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
A: Unvaccinated people, for the most part. Q: Will the “delta” variant change that? A: Not likely. As new cases of COVID-19 continue to decline in the US 🇺🇸and Canada 🇨🇦, but are rising steeply elsewhere (UK 🇬🇧and South Africa🇿🇦, we see you 🤗💕!), you might be wondering who is bearing the burden of new Read more…
June 8, 2021
What’s going on with the “Delta” variant in the U.K.?
COVID Variants Data and Metrics Infection and Spread
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: Cases are rising quickly, possibly due to the variant formerly known as B.1617.2 ➡️ The Delta variant MAY be more transmissible and cause more severe infection, but the jury is still out. ↗️ The steep rise in cases in the U.K. in December and January was fueled by what was then known as the Read more…
June 7, 2021
Do the COVID-19 vaccines reduce transmission?
Infection and Spread Vaccines
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: YES! Evidence continues to mount that the vaccines REDUCE BOTH ASYMPTOMATIC INFECTIONS AND TRANSMISSION. ➡️ While the Nerdy Girls are still dreaming of a world where transmission was explicitly tested in the clinical trials (☎️ call us next time), the data pouring in from around the world strongly suggests that the vaccines are very Read more…
Get a discounted subscriber rate until Sept 11
Please become a Paid Subscriber to our twice-weekly Substack email newsletter. Enjoy a 10% discount on the $50 yearly rate until September 11, 2026.
Be part of the movement to ensure Those Nerdy Girls can continue to be a trusted messenger of health information for all. We need you in order to sustain the work.
A: Unvaccinated people, for the most part. Q: Will the “delta” variant change that? A: Not likely. As new cases of COVID-19 continue to decline in the US 🇺🇸and Canada 🇨🇦, but are rising steeply elsewhere (UK 🇬🇧and South Africa🇿🇦, we see you 🤗💕!), you might be wondering who is bearing the burden of new Read more…
What’s going on with the “Delta” variant in the U.K.?
COVID Variants Data and Metrics Infection and Spread
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: Cases are rising quickly, possibly due to the variant formerly known as B.1617.2 ➡️ The Delta variant MAY be more transmissible and cause more severe infection, but the jury is still out. ↗️ The steep rise in cases in the U.K. in December and January was fueled by what was then known as the Read more…
June 7, 2021
Do the COVID-19 vaccines reduce transmission?
Infection and Spread Vaccines
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: YES! Evidence continues to mount that the vaccines REDUCE BOTH ASYMPTOMATIC INFECTIONS AND TRANSMISSION. ➡️ While the Nerdy Girls are still dreaming of a world where transmission was explicitly tested in the clinical trials (☎️ call us next time), the data pouring in from around the world strongly suggests that the vaccines are very Read more…
A: Cases are rising quickly, possibly due to the variant formerly known as B.1617.2 ➡️ The Delta variant MAY be more transmissible and cause more severe infection, but the jury is still out. ↗️ The steep rise in cases in the U.K. in December and January was fueled by what was then known as the Read more…
Do the COVID-19 vaccines reduce transmission?
Infection and Spread Vaccines
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: YES! Evidence continues to mount that the vaccines REDUCE BOTH ASYMPTOMATIC INFECTIONS AND TRANSMISSION. ➡️ While the Nerdy Girls are still dreaming of a world where transmission was explicitly tested in the clinical trials (☎️ call us next time), the data pouring in from around the world strongly suggests that the vaccines are very Read more…
A: YES! Evidence continues to mount that the vaccines REDUCE BOTH ASYMPTOMATIC INFECTIONS AND TRANSMISSION. ➡️ While the Nerdy Girls are still dreaming of a world where transmission was explicitly tested in the clinical trials (☎️ call us next time), the data pouring in from around the world strongly suggests that the vaccines are very Read more…
Get a discounted subscriber rate until Sept 11
Please become a Paid Subscriber to our twice-weekly Substack email newsletter. Enjoy a 10% discount on the $50 yearly rate until September 11, 2026.
Be part of the movement to ensure Those Nerdy Girls can continue to be a trusted messenger of health information for all. We need you in order to sustain the work.
