Are usual precautions effective against new strain of COVID-19?
Infection and Spread Staying Safe
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
Q: The new coronavirus strain is more transmissible than the older strain. Does this mean our usual precautions (masks, 6 foot distance, being outside) are less effective? A: Luckily, no. Virus mutations still don’t defy the laws of physics. But we need to be more vigilant about existing precautions. The new variant is transmitted the Read more…
Reframing Christmas 2020
Families/Kids Socializing Staying Safe Videos
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
On this Christmas Eve Eve, we offer up a clip from our weekend Q&A from Dr. Emily Smith, Epidemiologist at Baylor University & your Friendly Neighbor Epidemiologist. Dr. Smith is also the spouse of a Christian minister and offers a faith perspective on this COVID-19 Christmas Eve. Some highlights: 🎄Christmas is not cancelled, we need Read more…
Dear Pandemic COVID Q&A
Families/Kids Socializing Staying Safe Vaccines Videos
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
Today on the Live Q&A, we welcome Dr. Emily Smith of sister COVID info page, Friendly Neighbor Epidemiologist! We’ll be doing a bit of a Christmas theme today–don’t miss it! ➡️ Welcome to Dr. Emily Smith! (0:00 – 8:25) Related link ➡️ Safe Advent & Xmas celebrations (8:50 – 14:47) Related link ➡️ Public health Read more…
How safe would a contactless cookie exchange be this holiday season?
Staying Safe
A: We LOVE this idea. A cookie exchange CAN be done safely, and in fact, it’s just the kind of creativity we need to spread joy in this year’s unique holiday season. We know that many of our holiday traditions are too risky this year. From loud, boisterous meals to crowding our loved ones around Read more…
How do I celebrate Christmas with my religious community? It’s not negotiable. We will be celebrating.
Staying Safe
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
A: We liked this simple advice from another COVID info page by Your Friendly Neighborhood Epidemiologist to TAKE CARE: T 🎄 Take holiday celebrations outside or online. A 🎄 Avoid indoor gatherings. K 🎄 Keep visits brief. E 🎄 Explore creative ways to celebrate safety. C 🎄 Cover your mouth and nose with a mask. Read more…
What can I do to “improve ventilation” in my house or my office? What does that even mean?
Staying Safe
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
A: We recently talked to environmental strategist and air quality expert Dr. Tim McAuley, founder and CEO of CHANGE Environmental, LLC. Dr. McAuley told us that the best thing we can do to protect ourselves is to create cleaner indoor air *in general*. Ventilation–exchanging indoor air for outdoor air–is just one part of cleaner indoor Read more…
Is there really a risk of COVID-19 transmission at the gym?
Infection and Spread Staying Safe
A: Unfortunately, yes. While we appreciate the importance of exercise for our physical and mental health, there HAVE been documented instances of COVID-19 spread in gyms and fitness studios, and they are home to one of the conditions that makes transmission easier: a lot of shared indoor air. In the infographic below from Fraser Health Read more…
If I traveled over the holiday weekend, should I be taking any steps to protect others around me?
Infection and Spread Staying Safe Travel
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: Yes. If you traveled and/or spent time in close contact with others outside your household over the holiday weekend, it is safest to assume you were exposed and minimize contact with others for at least the next 7 days with a negative test and ideally for 2 weeks. While no specific guidelines for what Read more…
Dear Pandemic COVID Q&A
Biology/Immunity Clinical Symptoms Infection and Spread Staying Safe Uncertainty and Misinformation Videos
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Drs. Lindsey Leininger and Malia Jones take your thorny COVID questions in this Live Q&A! If you have a question, submit it at our website! www.dearpandemic.org. This week we discuss: ➡️ Intro…with TV show rec’s! (0:00 – 3:00) Related link ➡️ The latest on quarantine timelines (3:35 – 8:40) Related link ➡️ Handling conspiracy theories Read more…
Has my COVID bubble gotten out of control? How can I tell?
Families/Kids Infection and Spread School Socializing Staying Safe Testing and Contact Tracing
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
A: Your “bubble” might be far bigger than you think. To figure out exactly how big and who you might be sharing germs with, think like a contact tracer and sketch out your contact network. 🖧 If you need to pull out a piece of paper to figure this out, that’s a whole lot of Read more…
Why does it seem like COVID-19 infections go up so quickly?
Infection and Spread Staying Safe
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
A: TL; DR Exponential math (think curved line like a J shape graph). Let’s assume that each person infected will infect two other people (in other words, the number of people infected doubles every two weeks). If we start with one case on Week 1 and each individual passes the virus to two other people, Read more…
How can I avoid one of those “superspreader” events I keep hearing about?
Infection and Spread Staying Safe
A: Avoid sharing indoor air with anyone outside your household, ESPECIALLY in large groups. Even a medium-sized gathering, like an extended family trip to a cabin, can be a recipe for aerosol transmission of COVID-19 with people spending a long time together in poor ventilation. A superspreader event is one in which many people are Read more…
I love going for long walks with my dog. But, I heard that my dog can give me COVID-19! Is this true?
Infection and Spread Mental Health Staying Safe
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
A: Possible, but not likely (and remember, SARS-CoV-2 is the virus, COVID-19 is the disease in humans). So put on your mask, grab your hand sanitizer, and … keep walking your dog! Here’s the longer version. Over the past week, several news outlets have claimed that people who walk dogs are more likely to have Read more…
As winter approaches and many of us are facing unprecedented levels of COVID-19 in our communities, how can we stay safe AND stay sane over the next few months?
Mental Health Socializing Staying Safe
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: The reality is that despite cooling temperatures outside we all need to be thinking about how to reduce the time we spend indoors with those not in our household. The good news is this won’t last forever and we know what steps to take. Indeed, re-upping the strategies we know work to stop the Read more…
Q: The new coronavirus strain is more transmissible than the older strain. Does this mean our usual precautions (masks, 6 foot distance, being outside) are less effective? A: Luckily, no. Virus mutations still don’t defy the laws of physics. But we need to be more vigilant about existing precautions. The new variant is transmitted the Read more…
Reframing Christmas 2020
Families/Kids Socializing Staying Safe VideosJennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
On this Christmas Eve Eve, we offer up a clip from our weekend Q&A from Dr. Emily Smith, Epidemiologist at Baylor University & your Friendly Neighbor Epidemiologist. Dr. Smith is also the spouse of a Christian minister and offers a faith perspective on this COVID-19 Christmas Eve. Some highlights: 🎄Christmas is not cancelled, we need Read more…
Dear Pandemic COVID Q&A
Families/Kids Socializing Staying Safe Vaccines Videos
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
Today on the Live Q&A, we welcome Dr. Emily Smith of sister COVID info page, Friendly Neighbor Epidemiologist! We’ll be doing a bit of a Christmas theme today–don’t miss it! ➡️ Welcome to Dr. Emily Smith! (0:00 – 8:25) Related link ➡️ Safe Advent & Xmas celebrations (8:50 – 14:47) Related link ➡️ Public health Read more…
How safe would a contactless cookie exchange be this holiday season?
Staying Safe
A: We LOVE this idea. A cookie exchange CAN be done safely, and in fact, it’s just the kind of creativity we need to spread joy in this year’s unique holiday season. We know that many of our holiday traditions are too risky this year. From loud, boisterous meals to crowding our loved ones around Read more…
How do I celebrate Christmas with my religious community? It’s not negotiable. We will be celebrating.
Staying Safe
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
A: We liked this simple advice from another COVID info page by Your Friendly Neighborhood Epidemiologist to TAKE CARE: T 🎄 Take holiday celebrations outside or online. A 🎄 Avoid indoor gatherings. K 🎄 Keep visits brief. E 🎄 Explore creative ways to celebrate safety. C 🎄 Cover your mouth and nose with a mask. Read more…
What can I do to “improve ventilation” in my house or my office? What does that even mean?
Staying Safe
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
A: We recently talked to environmental strategist and air quality expert Dr. Tim McAuley, founder and CEO of CHANGE Environmental, LLC. Dr. McAuley told us that the best thing we can do to protect ourselves is to create cleaner indoor air *in general*. Ventilation–exchanging indoor air for outdoor air–is just one part of cleaner indoor Read more…
Is there really a risk of COVID-19 transmission at the gym?
Infection and Spread Staying Safe
A: Unfortunately, yes. While we appreciate the importance of exercise for our physical and mental health, there HAVE been documented instances of COVID-19 spread in gyms and fitness studios, and they are home to one of the conditions that makes transmission easier: a lot of shared indoor air. In the infographic below from Fraser Health Read more…
If I traveled over the holiday weekend, should I be taking any steps to protect others around me?
Infection and Spread Staying Safe Travel
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: Yes. If you traveled and/or spent time in close contact with others outside your household over the holiday weekend, it is safest to assume you were exposed and minimize contact with others for at least the next 7 days with a negative test and ideally for 2 weeks. While no specific guidelines for what Read more…
Dear Pandemic COVID Q&A
Biology/Immunity Clinical Symptoms Infection and Spread Staying Safe Uncertainty and Misinformation Videos
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Drs. Lindsey Leininger and Malia Jones take your thorny COVID questions in this Live Q&A! If you have a question, submit it at our website! www.dearpandemic.org. This week we discuss: ➡️ Intro…with TV show rec’s! (0:00 – 3:00) Related link ➡️ The latest on quarantine timelines (3:35 – 8:40) Related link ➡️ Handling conspiracy theories Read more…
Has my COVID bubble gotten out of control? How can I tell?
Families/Kids Infection and Spread School Socializing Staying Safe Testing and Contact Tracing
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
A: Your “bubble” might be far bigger than you think. To figure out exactly how big and who you might be sharing germs with, think like a contact tracer and sketch out your contact network. 🖧 If you need to pull out a piece of paper to figure this out, that’s a whole lot of Read more…
Why does it seem like COVID-19 infections go up so quickly?
Infection and Spread Staying Safe
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
A: TL; DR Exponential math (think curved line like a J shape graph). Let’s assume that each person infected will infect two other people (in other words, the number of people infected doubles every two weeks). If we start with one case on Week 1 and each individual passes the virus to two other people, Read more…
How can I avoid one of those “superspreader” events I keep hearing about?
Infection and Spread Staying Safe
A: Avoid sharing indoor air with anyone outside your household, ESPECIALLY in large groups. Even a medium-sized gathering, like an extended family trip to a cabin, can be a recipe for aerosol transmission of COVID-19 with people spending a long time together in poor ventilation. A superspreader event is one in which many people are Read more…
I love going for long walks with my dog. But, I heard that my dog can give me COVID-19! Is this true?
Infection and Spread Mental Health Staying Safe
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
A: Possible, but not likely (and remember, SARS-CoV-2 is the virus, COVID-19 is the disease in humans). So put on your mask, grab your hand sanitizer, and … keep walking your dog! Here’s the longer version. Over the past week, several news outlets have claimed that people who walk dogs are more likely to have Read more…
As winter approaches and many of us are facing unprecedented levels of COVID-19 in our communities, how can we stay safe AND stay sane over the next few months?
Mental Health Socializing Staying Safe
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: The reality is that despite cooling temperatures outside we all need to be thinking about how to reduce the time we spend indoors with those not in our household. The good news is this won’t last forever and we know what steps to take. Indeed, re-upping the strategies we know work to stop the Read more…
On this Christmas Eve Eve, we offer up a clip from our weekend Q&A from Dr. Emily Smith, Epidemiologist at Baylor University & your Friendly Neighbor Epidemiologist. Dr. Smith is also the spouse of a Christian minister and offers a faith perspective on this COVID-19 Christmas Eve. Some highlights: 🎄Christmas is not cancelled, we need Read more…
Dear Pandemic COVID Q&A
Families/Kids Socializing Staying Safe Vaccines VideosLindsey Leininger, PhD MA
Today on the Live Q&A, we welcome Dr. Emily Smith of sister COVID info page, Friendly Neighbor Epidemiologist! We’ll be doing a bit of a Christmas theme today–don’t miss it! ➡️ Welcome to Dr. Emily Smith! (0:00 – 8:25) Related link ➡️ Safe Advent & Xmas celebrations (8:50 – 14:47) Related link ➡️ Public health Read more…
How safe would a contactless cookie exchange be this holiday season?
Staying Safe
A: We LOVE this idea. A cookie exchange CAN be done safely, and in fact, it’s just the kind of creativity we need to spread joy in this year’s unique holiday season. We know that many of our holiday traditions are too risky this year. From loud, boisterous meals to crowding our loved ones around Read more…
How do I celebrate Christmas with my religious community? It’s not negotiable. We will be celebrating.
Staying Safe
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
A: We liked this simple advice from another COVID info page by Your Friendly Neighborhood Epidemiologist to TAKE CARE: T 🎄 Take holiday celebrations outside or online. A 🎄 Avoid indoor gatherings. K 🎄 Keep visits brief. E 🎄 Explore creative ways to celebrate safety. C 🎄 Cover your mouth and nose with a mask. Read more…
What can I do to “improve ventilation” in my house or my office? What does that even mean?
Staying Safe
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
A: We recently talked to environmental strategist and air quality expert Dr. Tim McAuley, founder and CEO of CHANGE Environmental, LLC. Dr. McAuley told us that the best thing we can do to protect ourselves is to create cleaner indoor air *in general*. Ventilation–exchanging indoor air for outdoor air–is just one part of cleaner indoor Read more…
Is there really a risk of COVID-19 transmission at the gym?
Infection and Spread Staying Safe
A: Unfortunately, yes. While we appreciate the importance of exercise for our physical and mental health, there HAVE been documented instances of COVID-19 spread in gyms and fitness studios, and they are home to one of the conditions that makes transmission easier: a lot of shared indoor air. In the infographic below from Fraser Health Read more…
If I traveled over the holiday weekend, should I be taking any steps to protect others around me?
Infection and Spread Staying Safe Travel
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: Yes. If you traveled and/or spent time in close contact with others outside your household over the holiday weekend, it is safest to assume you were exposed and minimize contact with others for at least the next 7 days with a negative test and ideally for 2 weeks. While no specific guidelines for what Read more…
Dear Pandemic COVID Q&A
Biology/Immunity Clinical Symptoms Infection and Spread Staying Safe Uncertainty and Misinformation Videos
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Drs. Lindsey Leininger and Malia Jones take your thorny COVID questions in this Live Q&A! If you have a question, submit it at our website! www.dearpandemic.org. This week we discuss: ➡️ Intro…with TV show rec’s! (0:00 – 3:00) Related link ➡️ The latest on quarantine timelines (3:35 – 8:40) Related link ➡️ Handling conspiracy theories Read more…
Has my COVID bubble gotten out of control? How can I tell?
Families/Kids Infection and Spread School Socializing Staying Safe Testing and Contact Tracing
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
A: Your “bubble” might be far bigger than you think. To figure out exactly how big and who you might be sharing germs with, think like a contact tracer and sketch out your contact network. 🖧 If you need to pull out a piece of paper to figure this out, that’s a whole lot of Read more…
Why does it seem like COVID-19 infections go up so quickly?
Infection and Spread Staying Safe
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
A: TL; DR Exponential math (think curved line like a J shape graph). Let’s assume that each person infected will infect two other people (in other words, the number of people infected doubles every two weeks). If we start with one case on Week 1 and each individual passes the virus to two other people, Read more…
How can I avoid one of those “superspreader” events I keep hearing about?
Infection and Spread Staying Safe
A: Avoid sharing indoor air with anyone outside your household, ESPECIALLY in large groups. Even a medium-sized gathering, like an extended family trip to a cabin, can be a recipe for aerosol transmission of COVID-19 with people spending a long time together in poor ventilation. A superspreader event is one in which many people are Read more…
I love going for long walks with my dog. But, I heard that my dog can give me COVID-19! Is this true?
Infection and Spread Mental Health Staying Safe
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
A: Possible, but not likely (and remember, SARS-CoV-2 is the virus, COVID-19 is the disease in humans). So put on your mask, grab your hand sanitizer, and … keep walking your dog! Here’s the longer version. Over the past week, several news outlets have claimed that people who walk dogs are more likely to have Read more…
As winter approaches and many of us are facing unprecedented levels of COVID-19 in our communities, how can we stay safe AND stay sane over the next few months?
Mental Health Socializing Staying Safe
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: The reality is that despite cooling temperatures outside we all need to be thinking about how to reduce the time we spend indoors with those not in our household. The good news is this won’t last forever and we know what steps to take. Indeed, re-upping the strategies we know work to stop the Read more…
Today on the Live Q&A, we welcome Dr. Emily Smith of sister COVID info page, Friendly Neighbor Epidemiologist! We’ll be doing a bit of a Christmas theme today–don’t miss it! ➡️ Welcome to Dr. Emily Smith! (0:00 – 8:25) Related link ➡️ Safe Advent & Xmas celebrations (8:50 – 14:47) Related link ➡️ Public health Read more…
How safe would a contactless cookie exchange be this holiday season?
Staying SafeA: We LOVE this idea. A cookie exchange CAN be done safely, and in fact, it’s just the kind of creativity we need to spread joy in this year’s unique holiday season. We know that many of our holiday traditions are too risky this year. From loud, boisterous meals to crowding our loved ones around Read more…
How do I celebrate Christmas with my religious community? It’s not negotiable. We will be celebrating.
Staying SafeMalia Jones, PhD MPH
A: We liked this simple advice from another COVID info page by Your Friendly Neighborhood Epidemiologist to TAKE CARE: T 🎄 Take holiday celebrations outside or online. A 🎄 Avoid indoor gatherings. K 🎄 Keep visits brief. E 🎄 Explore creative ways to celebrate safety. C 🎄 Cover your mouth and nose with a mask. Read more…
What can I do to “improve ventilation” in my house or my office? What does that even mean?
Staying Safe
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
A: We recently talked to environmental strategist and air quality expert Dr. Tim McAuley, founder and CEO of CHANGE Environmental, LLC. Dr. McAuley told us that the best thing we can do to protect ourselves is to create cleaner indoor air *in general*. Ventilation–exchanging indoor air for outdoor air–is just one part of cleaner indoor Read more…
Is there really a risk of COVID-19 transmission at the gym?
Infection and Spread Staying Safe
A: Unfortunately, yes. While we appreciate the importance of exercise for our physical and mental health, there HAVE been documented instances of COVID-19 spread in gyms and fitness studios, and they are home to one of the conditions that makes transmission easier: a lot of shared indoor air. In the infographic below from Fraser Health Read more…
If I traveled over the holiday weekend, should I be taking any steps to protect others around me?
Infection and Spread Staying Safe Travel
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: Yes. If you traveled and/or spent time in close contact with others outside your household over the holiday weekend, it is safest to assume you were exposed and minimize contact with others for at least the next 7 days with a negative test and ideally for 2 weeks. While no specific guidelines for what Read more…
Dear Pandemic COVID Q&A
Biology/Immunity Clinical Symptoms Infection and Spread Staying Safe Uncertainty and Misinformation Videos
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Drs. Lindsey Leininger and Malia Jones take your thorny COVID questions in this Live Q&A! If you have a question, submit it at our website! www.dearpandemic.org. This week we discuss: ➡️ Intro…with TV show rec’s! (0:00 – 3:00) Related link ➡️ The latest on quarantine timelines (3:35 – 8:40) Related link ➡️ Handling conspiracy theories Read more…
Has my COVID bubble gotten out of control? How can I tell?
Families/Kids Infection and Spread School Socializing Staying Safe Testing and Contact Tracing
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
A: Your “bubble” might be far bigger than you think. To figure out exactly how big and who you might be sharing germs with, think like a contact tracer and sketch out your contact network. 🖧 If you need to pull out a piece of paper to figure this out, that’s a whole lot of Read more…
Why does it seem like COVID-19 infections go up so quickly?
Infection and Spread Staying Safe
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
A: TL; DR Exponential math (think curved line like a J shape graph). Let’s assume that each person infected will infect two other people (in other words, the number of people infected doubles every two weeks). If we start with one case on Week 1 and each individual passes the virus to two other people, Read more…
How can I avoid one of those “superspreader” events I keep hearing about?
Infection and Spread Staying Safe
A: Avoid sharing indoor air with anyone outside your household, ESPECIALLY in large groups. Even a medium-sized gathering, like an extended family trip to a cabin, can be a recipe for aerosol transmission of COVID-19 with people spending a long time together in poor ventilation. A superspreader event is one in which many people are Read more…
I love going for long walks with my dog. But, I heard that my dog can give me COVID-19! Is this true?
Infection and Spread Mental Health Staying Safe
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
A: Possible, but not likely (and remember, SARS-CoV-2 is the virus, COVID-19 is the disease in humans). So put on your mask, grab your hand sanitizer, and … keep walking your dog! Here’s the longer version. Over the past week, several news outlets have claimed that people who walk dogs are more likely to have Read more…
As winter approaches and many of us are facing unprecedented levels of COVID-19 in our communities, how can we stay safe AND stay sane over the next few months?
Mental Health Socializing Staying Safe
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: The reality is that despite cooling temperatures outside we all need to be thinking about how to reduce the time we spend indoors with those not in our household. The good news is this won’t last forever and we know what steps to take. Indeed, re-upping the strategies we know work to stop the Read more…
A: We liked this simple advice from another COVID info page by Your Friendly Neighborhood Epidemiologist to TAKE CARE: T 🎄 Take holiday celebrations outside or online. A 🎄 Avoid indoor gatherings. K 🎄 Keep visits brief. E 🎄 Explore creative ways to celebrate safety. C 🎄 Cover your mouth and nose with a mask. Read more…
What can I do to “improve ventilation” in my house or my office? What does that even mean?
Staying SafeMalia Jones, PhD MPH
A: We recently talked to environmental strategist and air quality expert Dr. Tim McAuley, founder and CEO of CHANGE Environmental, LLC. Dr. McAuley told us that the best thing we can do to protect ourselves is to create cleaner indoor air *in general*. Ventilation–exchanging indoor air for outdoor air–is just one part of cleaner indoor Read more…
Is there really a risk of COVID-19 transmission at the gym?
Infection and Spread Staying Safe
A: Unfortunately, yes. While we appreciate the importance of exercise for our physical and mental health, there HAVE been documented instances of COVID-19 spread in gyms and fitness studios, and they are home to one of the conditions that makes transmission easier: a lot of shared indoor air. In the infographic below from Fraser Health Read more…
If I traveled over the holiday weekend, should I be taking any steps to protect others around me?
Infection and Spread Staying Safe Travel
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: Yes. If you traveled and/or spent time in close contact with others outside your household over the holiday weekend, it is safest to assume you were exposed and minimize contact with others for at least the next 7 days with a negative test and ideally for 2 weeks. While no specific guidelines for what Read more…
Dear Pandemic COVID Q&A
Biology/Immunity Clinical Symptoms Infection and Spread Staying Safe Uncertainty and Misinformation Videos
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Drs. Lindsey Leininger and Malia Jones take your thorny COVID questions in this Live Q&A! If you have a question, submit it at our website! www.dearpandemic.org. This week we discuss: ➡️ Intro…with TV show rec’s! (0:00 – 3:00) Related link ➡️ The latest on quarantine timelines (3:35 – 8:40) Related link ➡️ Handling conspiracy theories Read more…
Has my COVID bubble gotten out of control? How can I tell?
Families/Kids Infection and Spread School Socializing Staying Safe Testing and Contact Tracing
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
A: Your “bubble” might be far bigger than you think. To figure out exactly how big and who you might be sharing germs with, think like a contact tracer and sketch out your contact network. 🖧 If you need to pull out a piece of paper to figure this out, that’s a whole lot of Read more…
Why does it seem like COVID-19 infections go up so quickly?
Infection and Spread Staying Safe
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
A: TL; DR Exponential math (think curved line like a J shape graph). Let’s assume that each person infected will infect two other people (in other words, the number of people infected doubles every two weeks). If we start with one case on Week 1 and each individual passes the virus to two other people, Read more…
How can I avoid one of those “superspreader” events I keep hearing about?
Infection and Spread Staying Safe
A: Avoid sharing indoor air with anyone outside your household, ESPECIALLY in large groups. Even a medium-sized gathering, like an extended family trip to a cabin, can be a recipe for aerosol transmission of COVID-19 with people spending a long time together in poor ventilation. A superspreader event is one in which many people are Read more…
I love going for long walks with my dog. But, I heard that my dog can give me COVID-19! Is this true?
Infection and Spread Mental Health Staying Safe
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
A: Possible, but not likely (and remember, SARS-CoV-2 is the virus, COVID-19 is the disease in humans). So put on your mask, grab your hand sanitizer, and … keep walking your dog! Here’s the longer version. Over the past week, several news outlets have claimed that people who walk dogs are more likely to have Read more…
As winter approaches and many of us are facing unprecedented levels of COVID-19 in our communities, how can we stay safe AND stay sane over the next few months?
Mental Health Socializing Staying Safe
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: The reality is that despite cooling temperatures outside we all need to be thinking about how to reduce the time we spend indoors with those not in our household. The good news is this won’t last forever and we know what steps to take. Indeed, re-upping the strategies we know work to stop the Read more…
A: We recently talked to environmental strategist and air quality expert Dr. Tim McAuley, founder and CEO of CHANGE Environmental, LLC. Dr. McAuley told us that the best thing we can do to protect ourselves is to create cleaner indoor air *in general*. Ventilation–exchanging indoor air for outdoor air–is just one part of cleaner indoor Read more…
Is there really a risk of COVID-19 transmission at the gym?
Infection and Spread Staying SafeA: Unfortunately, yes. While we appreciate the importance of exercise for our physical and mental health, there HAVE been documented instances of COVID-19 spread in gyms and fitness studios, and they are home to one of the conditions that makes transmission easier: a lot of shared indoor air. In the infographic below from Fraser Health Read more…
If I traveled over the holiday weekend, should I be taking any steps to protect others around me?
Infection and Spread Staying Safe TravelAmanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: Yes. If you traveled and/or spent time in close contact with others outside your household over the holiday weekend, it is safest to assume you were exposed and minimize contact with others for at least the next 7 days with a negative test and ideally for 2 weeks. While no specific guidelines for what Read more…
Dear Pandemic COVID Q&A
Biology/Immunity Clinical Symptoms Infection and Spread Staying Safe Uncertainty and Misinformation Videos
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Drs. Lindsey Leininger and Malia Jones take your thorny COVID questions in this Live Q&A! If you have a question, submit it at our website! www.dearpandemic.org. This week we discuss: ➡️ Intro…with TV show rec’s! (0:00 – 3:00) Related link ➡️ The latest on quarantine timelines (3:35 – 8:40) Related link ➡️ Handling conspiracy theories Read more…
Has my COVID bubble gotten out of control? How can I tell?
Families/Kids Infection and Spread School Socializing Staying Safe Testing and Contact Tracing
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
A: Your “bubble” might be far bigger than you think. To figure out exactly how big and who you might be sharing germs with, think like a contact tracer and sketch out your contact network. 🖧 If you need to pull out a piece of paper to figure this out, that’s a whole lot of Read more…
Why does it seem like COVID-19 infections go up so quickly?
Infection and Spread Staying Safe
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
A: TL; DR Exponential math (think curved line like a J shape graph). Let’s assume that each person infected will infect two other people (in other words, the number of people infected doubles every two weeks). If we start with one case on Week 1 and each individual passes the virus to two other people, Read more…
How can I avoid one of those “superspreader” events I keep hearing about?
Infection and Spread Staying Safe
A: Avoid sharing indoor air with anyone outside your household, ESPECIALLY in large groups. Even a medium-sized gathering, like an extended family trip to a cabin, can be a recipe for aerosol transmission of COVID-19 with people spending a long time together in poor ventilation. A superspreader event is one in which many people are Read more…
I love going for long walks with my dog. But, I heard that my dog can give me COVID-19! Is this true?
Infection and Spread Mental Health Staying Safe
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
A: Possible, but not likely (and remember, SARS-CoV-2 is the virus, COVID-19 is the disease in humans). So put on your mask, grab your hand sanitizer, and … keep walking your dog! Here’s the longer version. Over the past week, several news outlets have claimed that people who walk dogs are more likely to have Read more…
As winter approaches and many of us are facing unprecedented levels of COVID-19 in our communities, how can we stay safe AND stay sane over the next few months?
Mental Health Socializing Staying Safe
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: The reality is that despite cooling temperatures outside we all need to be thinking about how to reduce the time we spend indoors with those not in our household. The good news is this won’t last forever and we know what steps to take. Indeed, re-upping the strategies we know work to stop the Read more…
A: Yes. If you traveled and/or spent time in close contact with others outside your household over the holiday weekend, it is safest to assume you were exposed and minimize contact with others for at least the next 7 days with a negative test and ideally for 2 weeks. While no specific guidelines for what Read more…
Dear Pandemic COVID Q&A
Biology/Immunity Clinical Symptoms Infection and Spread Staying Safe Uncertainty and Misinformation VideosMalia Jones, PhD MPH
Drs. Lindsey Leininger and Malia Jones take your thorny COVID questions in this Live Q&A! If you have a question, submit it at our website! www.dearpandemic.org. This week we discuss: ➡️ Intro…with TV show rec’s! (0:00 – 3:00) Related link ➡️ The latest on quarantine timelines (3:35 – 8:40) Related link ➡️ Handling conspiracy theories Read more…
Has my COVID bubble gotten out of control? How can I tell?
Families/Kids Infection and Spread School Socializing Staying Safe Testing and Contact Tracing
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
A: Your “bubble” might be far bigger than you think. To figure out exactly how big and who you might be sharing germs with, think like a contact tracer and sketch out your contact network. 🖧 If you need to pull out a piece of paper to figure this out, that’s a whole lot of Read more…
Why does it seem like COVID-19 infections go up so quickly?
Infection and Spread Staying Safe
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
A: TL; DR Exponential math (think curved line like a J shape graph). Let’s assume that each person infected will infect two other people (in other words, the number of people infected doubles every two weeks). If we start with one case on Week 1 and each individual passes the virus to two other people, Read more…
How can I avoid one of those “superspreader” events I keep hearing about?
Infection and Spread Staying Safe
A: Avoid sharing indoor air with anyone outside your household, ESPECIALLY in large groups. Even a medium-sized gathering, like an extended family trip to a cabin, can be a recipe for aerosol transmission of COVID-19 with people spending a long time together in poor ventilation. A superspreader event is one in which many people are Read more…
I love going for long walks with my dog. But, I heard that my dog can give me COVID-19! Is this true?
Infection and Spread Mental Health Staying Safe
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
A: Possible, but not likely (and remember, SARS-CoV-2 is the virus, COVID-19 is the disease in humans). So put on your mask, grab your hand sanitizer, and … keep walking your dog! Here’s the longer version. Over the past week, several news outlets have claimed that people who walk dogs are more likely to have Read more…
As winter approaches and many of us are facing unprecedented levels of COVID-19 in our communities, how can we stay safe AND stay sane over the next few months?
Mental Health Socializing Staying Safe
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: The reality is that despite cooling temperatures outside we all need to be thinking about how to reduce the time we spend indoors with those not in our household. The good news is this won’t last forever and we know what steps to take. Indeed, re-upping the strategies we know work to stop the Read more…
Drs. Lindsey Leininger and Malia Jones take your thorny COVID questions in this Live Q&A! If you have a question, submit it at our website! www.dearpandemic.org. This week we discuss: ➡️ Intro…with TV show rec’s! (0:00 – 3:00) Related link ➡️ The latest on quarantine timelines (3:35 – 8:40) Related link ➡️ Handling conspiracy theories Read more…
Has my COVID bubble gotten out of control? How can I tell?
Families/Kids Infection and Spread School Socializing Staying Safe Testing and Contact TracingMalia Jones, PhD MPH
A: Your “bubble” might be far bigger than you think. To figure out exactly how big and who you might be sharing germs with, think like a contact tracer and sketch out your contact network. 🖧 If you need to pull out a piece of paper to figure this out, that’s a whole lot of Read more…
Why does it seem like COVID-19 infections go up so quickly?
Infection and Spread Staying Safe
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
A: TL; DR Exponential math (think curved line like a J shape graph). Let’s assume that each person infected will infect two other people (in other words, the number of people infected doubles every two weeks). If we start with one case on Week 1 and each individual passes the virus to two other people, Read more…
How can I avoid one of those “superspreader” events I keep hearing about?
Infection and Spread Staying Safe
A: Avoid sharing indoor air with anyone outside your household, ESPECIALLY in large groups. Even a medium-sized gathering, like an extended family trip to a cabin, can be a recipe for aerosol transmission of COVID-19 with people spending a long time together in poor ventilation. A superspreader event is one in which many people are Read more…
I love going for long walks with my dog. But, I heard that my dog can give me COVID-19! Is this true?
Infection and Spread Mental Health Staying Safe
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
A: Possible, but not likely (and remember, SARS-CoV-2 is the virus, COVID-19 is the disease in humans). So put on your mask, grab your hand sanitizer, and … keep walking your dog! Here’s the longer version. Over the past week, several news outlets have claimed that people who walk dogs are more likely to have Read more…
As winter approaches and many of us are facing unprecedented levels of COVID-19 in our communities, how can we stay safe AND stay sane over the next few months?
Mental Health Socializing Staying Safe
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: The reality is that despite cooling temperatures outside we all need to be thinking about how to reduce the time we spend indoors with those not in our household. The good news is this won’t last forever and we know what steps to take. Indeed, re-upping the strategies we know work to stop the Read more…
A: Your “bubble” might be far bigger than you think. To figure out exactly how big and who you might be sharing germs with, think like a contact tracer and sketch out your contact network. 🖧 If you need to pull out a piece of paper to figure this out, that’s a whole lot of Read more…
Why does it seem like COVID-19 infections go up so quickly?
Infection and Spread Staying SafeAparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
A: TL; DR Exponential math (think curved line like a J shape graph). Let’s assume that each person infected will infect two other people (in other words, the number of people infected doubles every two weeks). If we start with one case on Week 1 and each individual passes the virus to two other people, Read more…
How can I avoid one of those “superspreader” events I keep hearing about?
Infection and Spread Staying Safe
A: Avoid sharing indoor air with anyone outside your household, ESPECIALLY in large groups. Even a medium-sized gathering, like an extended family trip to a cabin, can be a recipe for aerosol transmission of COVID-19 with people spending a long time together in poor ventilation. A superspreader event is one in which many people are Read more…
I love going for long walks with my dog. But, I heard that my dog can give me COVID-19! Is this true?
Infection and Spread Mental Health Staying Safe
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
A: Possible, but not likely (and remember, SARS-CoV-2 is the virus, COVID-19 is the disease in humans). So put on your mask, grab your hand sanitizer, and … keep walking your dog! Here’s the longer version. Over the past week, several news outlets have claimed that people who walk dogs are more likely to have Read more…
As winter approaches and many of us are facing unprecedented levels of COVID-19 in our communities, how can we stay safe AND stay sane over the next few months?
Mental Health Socializing Staying Safe
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: The reality is that despite cooling temperatures outside we all need to be thinking about how to reduce the time we spend indoors with those not in our household. The good news is this won’t last forever and we know what steps to take. Indeed, re-upping the strategies we know work to stop the Read more…
A: TL; DR Exponential math (think curved line like a J shape graph). Let’s assume that each person infected will infect two other people (in other words, the number of people infected doubles every two weeks). If we start with one case on Week 1 and each individual passes the virus to two other people, Read more…
How can I avoid one of those “superspreader” events I keep hearing about?
Infection and Spread Staying SafeA: Avoid sharing indoor air with anyone outside your household, ESPECIALLY in large groups. Even a medium-sized gathering, like an extended family trip to a cabin, can be a recipe for aerosol transmission of COVID-19 with people spending a long time together in poor ventilation. A superspreader event is one in which many people are Read more…
I love going for long walks with my dog. But, I heard that my dog can give me COVID-19! Is this true?
Infection and Spread Mental Health Staying SafeAparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
A: Possible, but not likely (and remember, SARS-CoV-2 is the virus, COVID-19 is the disease in humans). So put on your mask, grab your hand sanitizer, and … keep walking your dog! Here’s the longer version. Over the past week, several news outlets have claimed that people who walk dogs are more likely to have Read more…
As winter approaches and many of us are facing unprecedented levels of COVID-19 in our communities, how can we stay safe AND stay sane over the next few months?
Mental Health Socializing Staying Safe
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: The reality is that despite cooling temperatures outside we all need to be thinking about how to reduce the time we spend indoors with those not in our household. The good news is this won’t last forever and we know what steps to take. Indeed, re-upping the strategies we know work to stop the Read more…
A: Possible, but not likely (and remember, SARS-CoV-2 is the virus, COVID-19 is the disease in humans). So put on your mask, grab your hand sanitizer, and … keep walking your dog! Here’s the longer version. Over the past week, several news outlets have claimed that people who walk dogs are more likely to have Read more…
As winter approaches and many of us are facing unprecedented levels of COVID-19 in our communities, how can we stay safe AND stay sane over the next few months?
Mental Health Socializing Staying SafeAmanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: The reality is that despite cooling temperatures outside we all need to be thinking about how to reduce the time we spend indoors with those not in our household. The good news is this won’t last forever and we know what steps to take. Indeed, re-upping the strategies we know work to stop the Read more…
A: The reality is that despite cooling temperatures outside we all need to be thinking about how to reduce the time we spend indoors with those not in our household. The good news is this won’t last forever and we know what steps to take. Indeed, re-upping the strategies we know work to stop the Read more…
