Free COVID Tests Available Again Starting Today
Testing and Contact Tracing
Gretchen Peterson, Chief Operations Officer
Free COVID-19 tests will once again be available in the US starting Monday, Sept 25, from covidtests.gov. Each household can receive four tests. With cases rising, it’s always a good idea to have tests on hand. Please share to spread the word to your friends, families, and communities. Stay safe. Stay well. Test as needed. Read more…
September 11, 2023
Can rapid antigen tests detect asymptomatic COVID-19 cases?
Testing and Contact Tracing
Chana Davis, PhD
Rapid antigen tests (RATs) can detect some asymptomatic (symptom-free) COVID-19 cases, but they are far from perfect, and should be interpreted with caution. TL:DR; A positive RAT is almost always right, but a negative result isn’t a guarantee that you are COVID-free. Best practice after a COVID exposure is to wait 5 days before testing, Read more…
June 22, 2023
Nerdy Girls Live 06/22/23
COVID Variants Infection and Spread Staying Safe Testing and Contact Tracing Vaccines Videos
Those Nerdy Girls discuss COVID-19 risks, precautions, and boosters. Hosted by: – Jenn Dowd, PhD: TNG Editor in Chief & Founding Member – Chana Davis, PhD: TNG Contributing Writer & Founder of Fueled by Science ➡️ Hello and Introductions (00:00-01:12) ➡️ Current COVID-19 risk level (What is it and how is it measured?) (1:13-5:13) ➡️ Read more…
April 19, 2023
Are you truly a COVID-19 virgin?
Data and Metrics Testing and Contact Tracing
Chana Davis, PhD
Maybe …or maybe not. Recent studies suggest that many people are unaware of their past COVID-19 infections. A Canadian study found that, in people with antibodies showing previous infection, roughly half of them thought they were COVID-19 virgins. This study used blood samples from roughly 15,000 Canadian adults surveyed across the country from April 2022 Read more…
January 21, 2023
Is it OK to use Flonase, allergy sprays, saline mist, or Neti pots before I take a COVID-19 rapid test or will it change my results?
Testing and Contact Tracing
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
Great question from Leah!* The answer: Yes, it is OK! We don’t have evidence that using nose sprays or Neti pots will change your COVID-19 rapid test results! TL; DR: The SARS CoV-2 rapid antigen tests (aka COVID-19 rapid tests) become positive if they find a lot of the protein that that comes from SARS Read more…
January 18, 2023
Dear Pandemic Live Q&A 01-18-23
COVID Variants Infectious Diseases Masks Socializing Staying Safe Testing and Contact Tracing Videos
Chana Davis, PhD
Those Nerdy Girls deliver a New Year’s message from our CEO Dr. Ashley Ritter and also share advice on staying healthy during the tripledemic, including testing, masking, and more. Hosted by Those Nerdy Girls with: – Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD:TNG CEO & Founding Member – Chana Davis, PhD: TNG Contributing Writer & Founder at Fueled Read more…
January 18, 2023
Do rapid antigen tests detect the latest COVID-19 variants?
Testing and Contact Tracing
Chana Davis, PhD
Rapid antigen tests can detect the latest COVID-19 variants, but their performance may be weaker than it was with the original SARS-CoV-2 strains. There is a good chance that you will have to test more than once to get your first positive test. The answer to the question “how well do antigen tests work?” is Read more…
January 10, 2023
Does getting COVID-19 rapid tests covered by your insurance require you to pay out-of-pocket and then get reimbursed?
Testing and Contact Tracing
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
Not always! In many cases you can walk into a pharmacy, provide your insurance card, and walk out with 8 free tests! No paperwork or reimbursement required. If you have health insurance in the U.S. (via your employer, Medicare Part B, Medicaid, or the Affordable Care Act marketplace) **EACH PERSON** in your family covered on Read more…
December 22, 2022
When should I be testing for Covid-19 with so many other respiratory viruses going around?
Testing and Contact Tracing
Megan Madsen, DO
A: It’s still a good idea to test if you have cold symptoms, know you were exposed, or are visiting anyone vulnerable to severe COVID disease. If it feels like everyone you know has had a cold or upper respiratory illness in the last 3 months, Those Nerdy Girls are right there with you. The Read more…
December 15, 2022
FREE COVID-19 RAPID TESTS ARE BACK
Testing and Contact Tracing
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
Starting *today*, U.S. households can order 4 *FREE* rapid tests!!! The steps are easy: 🌟 Visit https://www.covid.gov/tests 🌟 Enter your name and address (and email if you want shipping notifications) 🌟 Tests will start shipping next week Order now to get tests you can use before holiday and new year’s gatherings! 🎉🎉🎉 P.S. If you Read more…
November 21, 2022
Dear Pandemic Live Q&A 11-21-22
Families/Kids Infection and Spread Infectious Diseases Socializing Staying Safe Testing and Contact Tracing Uncertainty and Misinformation Videos
Those Nerdy Girls offer advice on staying well during a “triple threat” holiday season and insights into science denial – why it happens and how to navigate tricky conversations. Hosted by Those Nerdy Girls with: * Sara Gorman, PhD, MPH: Co-Founder of Critica, Author of Denying to the Grave & Contributing Writer at TNG * Read more…
October 11, 2022
Can the COVID-19 vaccine or booster cause me to get a false positive COVID-19 test result?
Testing and Contact Tracing Vaccines
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: No. Totally impossible. TL; DR: COVID-19 tests detect presence of the actual virus, which is not contained in any COVID-19 vaccine, and the vaccines cannot cause a false positive result on these tests. COVID-19 vaccines *do not* contain any SARS-CoV-2 virus, they just teach our immune system to make antibodies against the *spike protein* Read more…
September 15, 2022
Should I throw out my “expired” COVID-19 rapid antigen tests?
Testing and Contact Tracing
Chana Davis, PhD
A) Not so fast!🛑 Before you toss those tests, check online for an expiration date extension. There’s a good chance that the true expiration date is well beyond the date printed on the box. To hunt down extended expiration dates and understand why they can be moving targets, read on: In the United States, 13 Read more…
September 8, 2022
Q: What’s the update on COVID-sniffing dogs?
Testing and Contact Tracing Travel
Lauren Hale, PhD MA
A: TL;DR. Dogs have proven their awesome ability to identify the smell of COVID-19 patients, but the logistics and cost are slowing down widespread implementation. As we’ve reported in prior posts, medical detection dogs have the miraculous capacity to sniff out COVID-19 patients from their sweat, saliva, or urine. This super sniffing power may allow Read more…
Free COVID-19 tests will once again be available in the US starting Monday, Sept 25, from covidtests.gov. Each household can receive four tests. With cases rising, it’s always a good idea to have tests on hand. Please share to spread the word to your friends, families, and communities. Stay safe. Stay well. Test as needed. Read more…
Can rapid antigen tests detect asymptomatic COVID-19 cases?
Testing and Contact Tracing
Chana Davis, PhD
Rapid antigen tests (RATs) can detect some asymptomatic (symptom-free) COVID-19 cases, but they are far from perfect, and should be interpreted with caution. TL:DR; A positive RAT is almost always right, but a negative result isn’t a guarantee that you are COVID-free. Best practice after a COVID exposure is to wait 5 days before testing, Read more…
June 22, 2023
Nerdy Girls Live 06/22/23
COVID Variants Infection and Spread Staying Safe Testing and Contact Tracing Vaccines Videos
Those Nerdy Girls discuss COVID-19 risks, precautions, and boosters. Hosted by: – Jenn Dowd, PhD: TNG Editor in Chief & Founding Member – Chana Davis, PhD: TNG Contributing Writer & Founder of Fueled by Science ➡️ Hello and Introductions (00:00-01:12) ➡️ Current COVID-19 risk level (What is it and how is it measured?) (1:13-5:13) ➡️ Read more…
April 19, 2023
Are you truly a COVID-19 virgin?
Data and Metrics Testing and Contact Tracing
Chana Davis, PhD
Maybe …or maybe not. Recent studies suggest that many people are unaware of their past COVID-19 infections. A Canadian study found that, in people with antibodies showing previous infection, roughly half of them thought they were COVID-19 virgins. This study used blood samples from roughly 15,000 Canadian adults surveyed across the country from April 2022 Read more…
January 21, 2023
Is it OK to use Flonase, allergy sprays, saline mist, or Neti pots before I take a COVID-19 rapid test or will it change my results?
Testing and Contact Tracing
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
Great question from Leah!* The answer: Yes, it is OK! We don’t have evidence that using nose sprays or Neti pots will change your COVID-19 rapid test results! TL; DR: The SARS CoV-2 rapid antigen tests (aka COVID-19 rapid tests) become positive if they find a lot of the protein that that comes from SARS Read more…
January 18, 2023
Dear Pandemic Live Q&A 01-18-23
COVID Variants Infectious Diseases Masks Socializing Staying Safe Testing and Contact Tracing Videos
Chana Davis, PhD
Those Nerdy Girls deliver a New Year’s message from our CEO Dr. Ashley Ritter and also share advice on staying healthy during the tripledemic, including testing, masking, and more. Hosted by Those Nerdy Girls with: – Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD:TNG CEO & Founding Member – Chana Davis, PhD: TNG Contributing Writer & Founder at Fueled Read more…
January 18, 2023
Do rapid antigen tests detect the latest COVID-19 variants?
Testing and Contact Tracing
Chana Davis, PhD
Rapid antigen tests can detect the latest COVID-19 variants, but their performance may be weaker than it was with the original SARS-CoV-2 strains. There is a good chance that you will have to test more than once to get your first positive test. The answer to the question “how well do antigen tests work?” is Read more…
January 10, 2023
Does getting COVID-19 rapid tests covered by your insurance require you to pay out-of-pocket and then get reimbursed?
Testing and Contact Tracing
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
Not always! In many cases you can walk into a pharmacy, provide your insurance card, and walk out with 8 free tests! No paperwork or reimbursement required. If you have health insurance in the U.S. (via your employer, Medicare Part B, Medicaid, or the Affordable Care Act marketplace) **EACH PERSON** in your family covered on Read more…
December 22, 2022
When should I be testing for Covid-19 with so many other respiratory viruses going around?
Testing and Contact Tracing
Megan Madsen, DO
A: It’s still a good idea to test if you have cold symptoms, know you were exposed, or are visiting anyone vulnerable to severe COVID disease. If it feels like everyone you know has had a cold or upper respiratory illness in the last 3 months, Those Nerdy Girls are right there with you. The Read more…
December 15, 2022
FREE COVID-19 RAPID TESTS ARE BACK
Testing and Contact Tracing
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
Starting *today*, U.S. households can order 4 *FREE* rapid tests!!! The steps are easy: 🌟 Visit https://www.covid.gov/tests 🌟 Enter your name and address (and email if you want shipping notifications) 🌟 Tests will start shipping next week Order now to get tests you can use before holiday and new year’s gatherings! 🎉🎉🎉 P.S. If you Read more…
November 21, 2022
Dear Pandemic Live Q&A 11-21-22
Families/Kids Infection and Spread Infectious Diseases Socializing Staying Safe Testing and Contact Tracing Uncertainty and Misinformation Videos
Those Nerdy Girls offer advice on staying well during a “triple threat” holiday season and insights into science denial – why it happens and how to navigate tricky conversations. Hosted by Those Nerdy Girls with: * Sara Gorman, PhD, MPH: Co-Founder of Critica, Author of Denying to the Grave & Contributing Writer at TNG * Read more…
October 11, 2022
Can the COVID-19 vaccine or booster cause me to get a false positive COVID-19 test result?
Testing and Contact Tracing Vaccines
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: No. Totally impossible. TL; DR: COVID-19 tests detect presence of the actual virus, which is not contained in any COVID-19 vaccine, and the vaccines cannot cause a false positive result on these tests. COVID-19 vaccines *do not* contain any SARS-CoV-2 virus, they just teach our immune system to make antibodies against the *spike protein* Read more…
September 15, 2022
Should I throw out my “expired” COVID-19 rapid antigen tests?
Testing and Contact Tracing
Chana Davis, PhD
A) Not so fast!🛑 Before you toss those tests, check online for an expiration date extension. There’s a good chance that the true expiration date is well beyond the date printed on the box. To hunt down extended expiration dates and understand why they can be moving targets, read on: In the United States, 13 Read more…
September 8, 2022
Q: What’s the update on COVID-sniffing dogs?
Testing and Contact Tracing Travel
Lauren Hale, PhD MA
A: TL;DR. Dogs have proven their awesome ability to identify the smell of COVID-19 patients, but the logistics and cost are slowing down widespread implementation. As we’ve reported in prior posts, medical detection dogs have the miraculous capacity to sniff out COVID-19 patients from their sweat, saliva, or urine. This super sniffing power may allow Read more…
Rapid antigen tests (RATs) can detect some asymptomatic (symptom-free) COVID-19 cases, but they are far from perfect, and should be interpreted with caution. TL:DR; A positive RAT is almost always right, but a negative result isn’t a guarantee that you are COVID-free. Best practice after a COVID exposure is to wait 5 days before testing, Read more…
Nerdy Girls Live 06/22/23
COVID Variants Infection and Spread Staying Safe Testing and Contact Tracing Vaccines VideosThose Nerdy Girls discuss COVID-19 risks, precautions, and boosters. Hosted by: – Jenn Dowd, PhD: TNG Editor in Chief & Founding Member – Chana Davis, PhD: TNG Contributing Writer & Founder of Fueled by Science ➡️ Hello and Introductions (00:00-01:12) ➡️ Current COVID-19 risk level (What is it and how is it measured?) (1:13-5:13) ➡️ Read more…
Are you truly a COVID-19 virgin?
Data and Metrics Testing and Contact Tracing
Chana Davis, PhD
Maybe …or maybe not. Recent studies suggest that many people are unaware of their past COVID-19 infections. A Canadian study found that, in people with antibodies showing previous infection, roughly half of them thought they were COVID-19 virgins. This study used blood samples from roughly 15,000 Canadian adults surveyed across the country from April 2022 Read more…
January 21, 2023
Is it OK to use Flonase, allergy sprays, saline mist, or Neti pots before I take a COVID-19 rapid test or will it change my results?
Testing and Contact Tracing
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
Great question from Leah!* The answer: Yes, it is OK! We don’t have evidence that using nose sprays or Neti pots will change your COVID-19 rapid test results! TL; DR: The SARS CoV-2 rapid antigen tests (aka COVID-19 rapid tests) become positive if they find a lot of the protein that that comes from SARS Read more…
January 18, 2023
Dear Pandemic Live Q&A 01-18-23
COVID Variants Infectious Diseases Masks Socializing Staying Safe Testing and Contact Tracing Videos
Chana Davis, PhD
Those Nerdy Girls deliver a New Year’s message from our CEO Dr. Ashley Ritter and also share advice on staying healthy during the tripledemic, including testing, masking, and more. Hosted by Those Nerdy Girls with: – Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD:TNG CEO & Founding Member – Chana Davis, PhD: TNG Contributing Writer & Founder at Fueled Read more…
January 18, 2023
Do rapid antigen tests detect the latest COVID-19 variants?
Testing and Contact Tracing
Chana Davis, PhD
Rapid antigen tests can detect the latest COVID-19 variants, but their performance may be weaker than it was with the original SARS-CoV-2 strains. There is a good chance that you will have to test more than once to get your first positive test. The answer to the question “how well do antigen tests work?” is Read more…
January 10, 2023
Does getting COVID-19 rapid tests covered by your insurance require you to pay out-of-pocket and then get reimbursed?
Testing and Contact Tracing
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
Not always! In many cases you can walk into a pharmacy, provide your insurance card, and walk out with 8 free tests! No paperwork or reimbursement required. If you have health insurance in the U.S. (via your employer, Medicare Part B, Medicaid, or the Affordable Care Act marketplace) **EACH PERSON** in your family covered on Read more…
December 22, 2022
When should I be testing for Covid-19 with so many other respiratory viruses going around?
Testing and Contact Tracing
Megan Madsen, DO
A: It’s still a good idea to test if you have cold symptoms, know you were exposed, or are visiting anyone vulnerable to severe COVID disease. If it feels like everyone you know has had a cold or upper respiratory illness in the last 3 months, Those Nerdy Girls are right there with you. The Read more…
December 15, 2022
FREE COVID-19 RAPID TESTS ARE BACK
Testing and Contact Tracing
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
Starting *today*, U.S. households can order 4 *FREE* rapid tests!!! The steps are easy: 🌟 Visit https://www.covid.gov/tests 🌟 Enter your name and address (and email if you want shipping notifications) 🌟 Tests will start shipping next week Order now to get tests you can use before holiday and new year’s gatherings! 🎉🎉🎉 P.S. If you Read more…
November 21, 2022
Dear Pandemic Live Q&A 11-21-22
Families/Kids Infection and Spread Infectious Diseases Socializing Staying Safe Testing and Contact Tracing Uncertainty and Misinformation Videos
Those Nerdy Girls offer advice on staying well during a “triple threat” holiday season and insights into science denial – why it happens and how to navigate tricky conversations. Hosted by Those Nerdy Girls with: * Sara Gorman, PhD, MPH: Co-Founder of Critica, Author of Denying to the Grave & Contributing Writer at TNG * Read more…
October 11, 2022
Can the COVID-19 vaccine or booster cause me to get a false positive COVID-19 test result?
Testing and Contact Tracing Vaccines
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: No. Totally impossible. TL; DR: COVID-19 tests detect presence of the actual virus, which is not contained in any COVID-19 vaccine, and the vaccines cannot cause a false positive result on these tests. COVID-19 vaccines *do not* contain any SARS-CoV-2 virus, they just teach our immune system to make antibodies against the *spike protein* Read more…
September 15, 2022
Should I throw out my “expired” COVID-19 rapid antigen tests?
Testing and Contact Tracing
Chana Davis, PhD
A) Not so fast!🛑 Before you toss those tests, check online for an expiration date extension. There’s a good chance that the true expiration date is well beyond the date printed on the box. To hunt down extended expiration dates and understand why they can be moving targets, read on: In the United States, 13 Read more…
September 8, 2022
Q: What’s the update on COVID-sniffing dogs?
Testing and Contact Tracing Travel
Lauren Hale, PhD MA
A: TL;DR. Dogs have proven their awesome ability to identify the smell of COVID-19 patients, but the logistics and cost are slowing down widespread implementation. As we’ve reported in prior posts, medical detection dogs have the miraculous capacity to sniff out COVID-19 patients from their sweat, saliva, or urine. This super sniffing power may allow Read more…
Maybe …or maybe not. Recent studies suggest that many people are unaware of their past COVID-19 infections. A Canadian study found that, in people with antibodies showing previous infection, roughly half of them thought they were COVID-19 virgins. This study used blood samples from roughly 15,000 Canadian adults surveyed across the country from April 2022 Read more…
Is it OK to use Flonase, allergy sprays, saline mist, or Neti pots before I take a COVID-19 rapid test or will it change my results?
Testing and Contact Tracing
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
Great question from Leah!* The answer: Yes, it is OK! We don’t have evidence that using nose sprays or Neti pots will change your COVID-19 rapid test results! TL; DR: The SARS CoV-2 rapid antigen tests (aka COVID-19 rapid tests) become positive if they find a lot of the protein that that comes from SARS Read more…
January 18, 2023
Dear Pandemic Live Q&A 01-18-23
COVID Variants Infectious Diseases Masks Socializing Staying Safe Testing and Contact Tracing Videos
Chana Davis, PhD
Those Nerdy Girls deliver a New Year’s message from our CEO Dr. Ashley Ritter and also share advice on staying healthy during the tripledemic, including testing, masking, and more. Hosted by Those Nerdy Girls with: – Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD:TNG CEO & Founding Member – Chana Davis, PhD: TNG Contributing Writer & Founder at Fueled Read more…
January 18, 2023
Do rapid antigen tests detect the latest COVID-19 variants?
Testing and Contact Tracing
Chana Davis, PhD
Rapid antigen tests can detect the latest COVID-19 variants, but their performance may be weaker than it was with the original SARS-CoV-2 strains. There is a good chance that you will have to test more than once to get your first positive test. The answer to the question “how well do antigen tests work?” is Read more…
January 10, 2023
Does getting COVID-19 rapid tests covered by your insurance require you to pay out-of-pocket and then get reimbursed?
Testing and Contact Tracing
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
Not always! In many cases you can walk into a pharmacy, provide your insurance card, and walk out with 8 free tests! No paperwork or reimbursement required. If you have health insurance in the U.S. (via your employer, Medicare Part B, Medicaid, or the Affordable Care Act marketplace) **EACH PERSON** in your family covered on Read more…
December 22, 2022
When should I be testing for Covid-19 with so many other respiratory viruses going around?
Testing and Contact Tracing
Megan Madsen, DO
A: It’s still a good idea to test if you have cold symptoms, know you were exposed, or are visiting anyone vulnerable to severe COVID disease. If it feels like everyone you know has had a cold or upper respiratory illness in the last 3 months, Those Nerdy Girls are right there with you. The Read more…
December 15, 2022
FREE COVID-19 RAPID TESTS ARE BACK
Testing and Contact Tracing
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
Starting *today*, U.S. households can order 4 *FREE* rapid tests!!! The steps are easy: 🌟 Visit https://www.covid.gov/tests 🌟 Enter your name and address (and email if you want shipping notifications) 🌟 Tests will start shipping next week Order now to get tests you can use before holiday and new year’s gatherings! 🎉🎉🎉 P.S. If you Read more…
November 21, 2022
Dear Pandemic Live Q&A 11-21-22
Families/Kids Infection and Spread Infectious Diseases Socializing Staying Safe Testing and Contact Tracing Uncertainty and Misinformation Videos
Those Nerdy Girls offer advice on staying well during a “triple threat” holiday season and insights into science denial – why it happens and how to navigate tricky conversations. Hosted by Those Nerdy Girls with: * Sara Gorman, PhD, MPH: Co-Founder of Critica, Author of Denying to the Grave & Contributing Writer at TNG * Read more…
October 11, 2022
Can the COVID-19 vaccine or booster cause me to get a false positive COVID-19 test result?
Testing and Contact Tracing Vaccines
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: No. Totally impossible. TL; DR: COVID-19 tests detect presence of the actual virus, which is not contained in any COVID-19 vaccine, and the vaccines cannot cause a false positive result on these tests. COVID-19 vaccines *do not* contain any SARS-CoV-2 virus, they just teach our immune system to make antibodies against the *spike protein* Read more…
September 15, 2022
Should I throw out my “expired” COVID-19 rapid antigen tests?
Testing and Contact Tracing
Chana Davis, PhD
A) Not so fast!🛑 Before you toss those tests, check online for an expiration date extension. There’s a good chance that the true expiration date is well beyond the date printed on the box. To hunt down extended expiration dates and understand why they can be moving targets, read on: In the United States, 13 Read more…
September 8, 2022
Q: What’s the update on COVID-sniffing dogs?
Testing and Contact Tracing Travel
Lauren Hale, PhD MA
A: TL;DR. Dogs have proven their awesome ability to identify the smell of COVID-19 patients, but the logistics and cost are slowing down widespread implementation. As we’ve reported in prior posts, medical detection dogs have the miraculous capacity to sniff out COVID-19 patients from their sweat, saliva, or urine. This super sniffing power may allow Read more…
Great question from Leah!* The answer: Yes, it is OK! We don’t have evidence that using nose sprays or Neti pots will change your COVID-19 rapid test results! TL; DR: The SARS CoV-2 rapid antigen tests (aka COVID-19 rapid tests) become positive if they find a lot of the protein that that comes from SARS Read more…
Dear Pandemic Live Q&A 01-18-23
COVID Variants Infectious Diseases Masks Socializing Staying Safe Testing and Contact Tracing Videos
Chana Davis, PhD
Those Nerdy Girls deliver a New Year’s message from our CEO Dr. Ashley Ritter and also share advice on staying healthy during the tripledemic, including testing, masking, and more. Hosted by Those Nerdy Girls with: – Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD:TNG CEO & Founding Member – Chana Davis, PhD: TNG Contributing Writer & Founder at Fueled Read more…
January 18, 2023
Do rapid antigen tests detect the latest COVID-19 variants?
Testing and Contact Tracing
Chana Davis, PhD
Rapid antigen tests can detect the latest COVID-19 variants, but their performance may be weaker than it was with the original SARS-CoV-2 strains. There is a good chance that you will have to test more than once to get your first positive test. The answer to the question “how well do antigen tests work?” is Read more…
January 10, 2023
Does getting COVID-19 rapid tests covered by your insurance require you to pay out-of-pocket and then get reimbursed?
Testing and Contact Tracing
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
Not always! In many cases you can walk into a pharmacy, provide your insurance card, and walk out with 8 free tests! No paperwork or reimbursement required. If you have health insurance in the U.S. (via your employer, Medicare Part B, Medicaid, or the Affordable Care Act marketplace) **EACH PERSON** in your family covered on Read more…
December 22, 2022
When should I be testing for Covid-19 with so many other respiratory viruses going around?
Testing and Contact Tracing
Megan Madsen, DO
A: It’s still a good idea to test if you have cold symptoms, know you were exposed, or are visiting anyone vulnerable to severe COVID disease. If it feels like everyone you know has had a cold or upper respiratory illness in the last 3 months, Those Nerdy Girls are right there with you. The Read more…
December 15, 2022
FREE COVID-19 RAPID TESTS ARE BACK
Testing and Contact Tracing
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
Starting *today*, U.S. households can order 4 *FREE* rapid tests!!! The steps are easy: 🌟 Visit https://www.covid.gov/tests 🌟 Enter your name and address (and email if you want shipping notifications) 🌟 Tests will start shipping next week Order now to get tests you can use before holiday and new year’s gatherings! 🎉🎉🎉 P.S. If you Read more…
November 21, 2022
Dear Pandemic Live Q&A 11-21-22
Families/Kids Infection and Spread Infectious Diseases Socializing Staying Safe Testing and Contact Tracing Uncertainty and Misinformation Videos
Those Nerdy Girls offer advice on staying well during a “triple threat” holiday season and insights into science denial – why it happens and how to navigate tricky conversations. Hosted by Those Nerdy Girls with: * Sara Gorman, PhD, MPH: Co-Founder of Critica, Author of Denying to the Grave & Contributing Writer at TNG * Read more…
October 11, 2022
Can the COVID-19 vaccine or booster cause me to get a false positive COVID-19 test result?
Testing and Contact Tracing Vaccines
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: No. Totally impossible. TL; DR: COVID-19 tests detect presence of the actual virus, which is not contained in any COVID-19 vaccine, and the vaccines cannot cause a false positive result on these tests. COVID-19 vaccines *do not* contain any SARS-CoV-2 virus, they just teach our immune system to make antibodies against the *spike protein* Read more…
September 15, 2022
Should I throw out my “expired” COVID-19 rapid antigen tests?
Testing and Contact Tracing
Chana Davis, PhD
A) Not so fast!🛑 Before you toss those tests, check online for an expiration date extension. There’s a good chance that the true expiration date is well beyond the date printed on the box. To hunt down extended expiration dates and understand why they can be moving targets, read on: In the United States, 13 Read more…
September 8, 2022
Q: What’s the update on COVID-sniffing dogs?
Testing and Contact Tracing Travel
Lauren Hale, PhD MA
A: TL;DR. Dogs have proven their awesome ability to identify the smell of COVID-19 patients, but the logistics and cost are slowing down widespread implementation. As we’ve reported in prior posts, medical detection dogs have the miraculous capacity to sniff out COVID-19 patients from their sweat, saliva, or urine. This super sniffing power may allow Read more…
Those Nerdy Girls deliver a New Year’s message from our CEO Dr. Ashley Ritter and also share advice on staying healthy during the tripledemic, including testing, masking, and more. Hosted by Those Nerdy Girls with: – Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD:TNG CEO & Founding Member – Chana Davis, PhD: TNG Contributing Writer & Founder at Fueled Read more…
Do rapid antigen tests detect the latest COVID-19 variants?
Testing and Contact Tracing
Chana Davis, PhD
Rapid antigen tests can detect the latest COVID-19 variants, but their performance may be weaker than it was with the original SARS-CoV-2 strains. There is a good chance that you will have to test more than once to get your first positive test. The answer to the question “how well do antigen tests work?” is Read more…
January 10, 2023
Does getting COVID-19 rapid tests covered by your insurance require you to pay out-of-pocket and then get reimbursed?
Testing and Contact Tracing
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
Not always! In many cases you can walk into a pharmacy, provide your insurance card, and walk out with 8 free tests! No paperwork or reimbursement required. If you have health insurance in the U.S. (via your employer, Medicare Part B, Medicaid, or the Affordable Care Act marketplace) **EACH PERSON** in your family covered on Read more…
December 22, 2022
When should I be testing for Covid-19 with so many other respiratory viruses going around?
Testing and Contact Tracing
Megan Madsen, DO
A: It’s still a good idea to test if you have cold symptoms, know you were exposed, or are visiting anyone vulnerable to severe COVID disease. If it feels like everyone you know has had a cold or upper respiratory illness in the last 3 months, Those Nerdy Girls are right there with you. The Read more…
December 15, 2022
FREE COVID-19 RAPID TESTS ARE BACK
Testing and Contact Tracing
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
Starting *today*, U.S. households can order 4 *FREE* rapid tests!!! The steps are easy: 🌟 Visit https://www.covid.gov/tests 🌟 Enter your name and address (and email if you want shipping notifications) 🌟 Tests will start shipping next week Order now to get tests you can use before holiday and new year’s gatherings! 🎉🎉🎉 P.S. If you Read more…
November 21, 2022
Dear Pandemic Live Q&A 11-21-22
Families/Kids Infection and Spread Infectious Diseases Socializing Staying Safe Testing and Contact Tracing Uncertainty and Misinformation Videos
Those Nerdy Girls offer advice on staying well during a “triple threat” holiday season and insights into science denial – why it happens and how to navigate tricky conversations. Hosted by Those Nerdy Girls with: * Sara Gorman, PhD, MPH: Co-Founder of Critica, Author of Denying to the Grave & Contributing Writer at TNG * Read more…
October 11, 2022
Can the COVID-19 vaccine or booster cause me to get a false positive COVID-19 test result?
Testing and Contact Tracing Vaccines
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: No. Totally impossible. TL; DR: COVID-19 tests detect presence of the actual virus, which is not contained in any COVID-19 vaccine, and the vaccines cannot cause a false positive result on these tests. COVID-19 vaccines *do not* contain any SARS-CoV-2 virus, they just teach our immune system to make antibodies against the *spike protein* Read more…
September 15, 2022
Should I throw out my “expired” COVID-19 rapid antigen tests?
Testing and Contact Tracing
Chana Davis, PhD
A) Not so fast!🛑 Before you toss those tests, check online for an expiration date extension. There’s a good chance that the true expiration date is well beyond the date printed on the box. To hunt down extended expiration dates and understand why they can be moving targets, read on: In the United States, 13 Read more…
September 8, 2022
Q: What’s the update on COVID-sniffing dogs?
Testing and Contact Tracing Travel
Lauren Hale, PhD MA
A: TL;DR. Dogs have proven their awesome ability to identify the smell of COVID-19 patients, but the logistics and cost are slowing down widespread implementation. As we’ve reported in prior posts, medical detection dogs have the miraculous capacity to sniff out COVID-19 patients from their sweat, saliva, or urine. This super sniffing power may allow Read more…
Rapid antigen tests can detect the latest COVID-19 variants, but their performance may be weaker than it was with the original SARS-CoV-2 strains. There is a good chance that you will have to test more than once to get your first positive test. The answer to the question “how well do antigen tests work?” is Read more…
Does getting COVID-19 rapid tests covered by your insurance require you to pay out-of-pocket and then get reimbursed?
Testing and Contact Tracing
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
Not always! In many cases you can walk into a pharmacy, provide your insurance card, and walk out with 8 free tests! No paperwork or reimbursement required. If you have health insurance in the U.S. (via your employer, Medicare Part B, Medicaid, or the Affordable Care Act marketplace) **EACH PERSON** in your family covered on Read more…
December 22, 2022
When should I be testing for Covid-19 with so many other respiratory viruses going around?
Testing and Contact Tracing
Megan Madsen, DO
A: It’s still a good idea to test if you have cold symptoms, know you were exposed, or are visiting anyone vulnerable to severe COVID disease. If it feels like everyone you know has had a cold or upper respiratory illness in the last 3 months, Those Nerdy Girls are right there with you. The Read more…
December 15, 2022
FREE COVID-19 RAPID TESTS ARE BACK
Testing and Contact Tracing
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
Starting *today*, U.S. households can order 4 *FREE* rapid tests!!! The steps are easy: 🌟 Visit https://www.covid.gov/tests 🌟 Enter your name and address (and email if you want shipping notifications) 🌟 Tests will start shipping next week Order now to get tests you can use before holiday and new year’s gatherings! 🎉🎉🎉 P.S. If you Read more…
November 21, 2022
Dear Pandemic Live Q&A 11-21-22
Families/Kids Infection and Spread Infectious Diseases Socializing Staying Safe Testing and Contact Tracing Uncertainty and Misinformation Videos
Those Nerdy Girls offer advice on staying well during a “triple threat” holiday season and insights into science denial – why it happens and how to navigate tricky conversations. Hosted by Those Nerdy Girls with: * Sara Gorman, PhD, MPH: Co-Founder of Critica, Author of Denying to the Grave & Contributing Writer at TNG * Read more…
October 11, 2022
Can the COVID-19 vaccine or booster cause me to get a false positive COVID-19 test result?
Testing and Contact Tracing Vaccines
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: No. Totally impossible. TL; DR: COVID-19 tests detect presence of the actual virus, which is not contained in any COVID-19 vaccine, and the vaccines cannot cause a false positive result on these tests. COVID-19 vaccines *do not* contain any SARS-CoV-2 virus, they just teach our immune system to make antibodies against the *spike protein* Read more…
September 15, 2022
Should I throw out my “expired” COVID-19 rapid antigen tests?
Testing and Contact Tracing
Chana Davis, PhD
A) Not so fast!🛑 Before you toss those tests, check online for an expiration date extension. There’s a good chance that the true expiration date is well beyond the date printed on the box. To hunt down extended expiration dates and understand why they can be moving targets, read on: In the United States, 13 Read more…
September 8, 2022
Q: What’s the update on COVID-sniffing dogs?
Testing and Contact Tracing Travel
Lauren Hale, PhD MA
A: TL;DR. Dogs have proven their awesome ability to identify the smell of COVID-19 patients, but the logistics and cost are slowing down widespread implementation. As we’ve reported in prior posts, medical detection dogs have the miraculous capacity to sniff out COVID-19 patients from their sweat, saliva, or urine. This super sniffing power may allow Read more…
Not always! In many cases you can walk into a pharmacy, provide your insurance card, and walk out with 8 free tests! No paperwork or reimbursement required. If you have health insurance in the U.S. (via your employer, Medicare Part B, Medicaid, or the Affordable Care Act marketplace) **EACH PERSON** in your family covered on Read more…
When should I be testing for Covid-19 with so many other respiratory viruses going around?
Testing and Contact Tracing
Megan Madsen, DO
A: It’s still a good idea to test if you have cold symptoms, know you were exposed, or are visiting anyone vulnerable to severe COVID disease. If it feels like everyone you know has had a cold or upper respiratory illness in the last 3 months, Those Nerdy Girls are right there with you. The Read more…
December 15, 2022
FREE COVID-19 RAPID TESTS ARE BACK
Testing and Contact Tracing
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
Starting *today*, U.S. households can order 4 *FREE* rapid tests!!! The steps are easy: 🌟 Visit https://www.covid.gov/tests 🌟 Enter your name and address (and email if you want shipping notifications) 🌟 Tests will start shipping next week Order now to get tests you can use before holiday and new year’s gatherings! 🎉🎉🎉 P.S. If you Read more…
November 21, 2022
Dear Pandemic Live Q&A 11-21-22
Families/Kids Infection and Spread Infectious Diseases Socializing Staying Safe Testing and Contact Tracing Uncertainty and Misinformation Videos
Those Nerdy Girls offer advice on staying well during a “triple threat” holiday season and insights into science denial – why it happens and how to navigate tricky conversations. Hosted by Those Nerdy Girls with: * Sara Gorman, PhD, MPH: Co-Founder of Critica, Author of Denying to the Grave & Contributing Writer at TNG * Read more…
October 11, 2022
Can the COVID-19 vaccine or booster cause me to get a false positive COVID-19 test result?
Testing and Contact Tracing Vaccines
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: No. Totally impossible. TL; DR: COVID-19 tests detect presence of the actual virus, which is not contained in any COVID-19 vaccine, and the vaccines cannot cause a false positive result on these tests. COVID-19 vaccines *do not* contain any SARS-CoV-2 virus, they just teach our immune system to make antibodies against the *spike protein* Read more…
September 15, 2022
Should I throw out my “expired” COVID-19 rapid antigen tests?
Testing and Contact Tracing
Chana Davis, PhD
A) Not so fast!🛑 Before you toss those tests, check online for an expiration date extension. There’s a good chance that the true expiration date is well beyond the date printed on the box. To hunt down extended expiration dates and understand why they can be moving targets, read on: In the United States, 13 Read more…
September 8, 2022
Q: What’s the update on COVID-sniffing dogs?
Testing and Contact Tracing Travel
Lauren Hale, PhD MA
A: TL;DR. Dogs have proven their awesome ability to identify the smell of COVID-19 patients, but the logistics and cost are slowing down widespread implementation. As we’ve reported in prior posts, medical detection dogs have the miraculous capacity to sniff out COVID-19 patients from their sweat, saliva, or urine. This super sniffing power may allow Read more…
A: It’s still a good idea to test if you have cold symptoms, know you were exposed, or are visiting anyone vulnerable to severe COVID disease. If it feels like everyone you know has had a cold or upper respiratory illness in the last 3 months, Those Nerdy Girls are right there with you. The Read more…
FREE COVID-19 RAPID TESTS ARE BACK
Testing and Contact Tracing
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
Starting *today*, U.S. households can order 4 *FREE* rapid tests!!! The steps are easy: 🌟 Visit https://www.covid.gov/tests 🌟 Enter your name and address (and email if you want shipping notifications) 🌟 Tests will start shipping next week Order now to get tests you can use before holiday and new year’s gatherings! 🎉🎉🎉 P.S. If you Read more…
November 21, 2022
Dear Pandemic Live Q&A 11-21-22
Families/Kids Infection and Spread Infectious Diseases Socializing Staying Safe Testing and Contact Tracing Uncertainty and Misinformation Videos
Those Nerdy Girls offer advice on staying well during a “triple threat” holiday season and insights into science denial – why it happens and how to navigate tricky conversations. Hosted by Those Nerdy Girls with: * Sara Gorman, PhD, MPH: Co-Founder of Critica, Author of Denying to the Grave & Contributing Writer at TNG * Read more…
October 11, 2022
Can the COVID-19 vaccine or booster cause me to get a false positive COVID-19 test result?
Testing and Contact Tracing Vaccines
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: No. Totally impossible. TL; DR: COVID-19 tests detect presence of the actual virus, which is not contained in any COVID-19 vaccine, and the vaccines cannot cause a false positive result on these tests. COVID-19 vaccines *do not* contain any SARS-CoV-2 virus, they just teach our immune system to make antibodies against the *spike protein* Read more…
September 15, 2022
Should I throw out my “expired” COVID-19 rapid antigen tests?
Testing and Contact Tracing
Chana Davis, PhD
A) Not so fast!🛑 Before you toss those tests, check online for an expiration date extension. There’s a good chance that the true expiration date is well beyond the date printed on the box. To hunt down extended expiration dates and understand why they can be moving targets, read on: In the United States, 13 Read more…
September 8, 2022
Q: What’s the update on COVID-sniffing dogs?
Testing and Contact Tracing Travel
Lauren Hale, PhD MA
A: TL;DR. Dogs have proven their awesome ability to identify the smell of COVID-19 patients, but the logistics and cost are slowing down widespread implementation. As we’ve reported in prior posts, medical detection dogs have the miraculous capacity to sniff out COVID-19 patients from their sweat, saliva, or urine. This super sniffing power may allow Read more…
Starting *today*, U.S. households can order 4 *FREE* rapid tests!!! The steps are easy: 🌟 Visit https://www.covid.gov/tests 🌟 Enter your name and address (and email if you want shipping notifications) 🌟 Tests will start shipping next week Order now to get tests you can use before holiday and new year’s gatherings! 🎉🎉🎉 P.S. If you Read more…
Dear Pandemic Live Q&A 11-21-22
Families/Kids Infection and Spread Infectious Diseases Socializing Staying Safe Testing and Contact Tracing Uncertainty and Misinformation VideosThose Nerdy Girls offer advice on staying well during a “triple threat” holiday season and insights into science denial – why it happens and how to navigate tricky conversations. Hosted by Those Nerdy Girls with: * Sara Gorman, PhD, MPH: Co-Founder of Critica, Author of Denying to the Grave & Contributing Writer at TNG * Read more…
Can the COVID-19 vaccine or booster cause me to get a false positive COVID-19 test result?
Testing and Contact Tracing Vaccines
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: No. Totally impossible. TL; DR: COVID-19 tests detect presence of the actual virus, which is not contained in any COVID-19 vaccine, and the vaccines cannot cause a false positive result on these tests. COVID-19 vaccines *do not* contain any SARS-CoV-2 virus, they just teach our immune system to make antibodies against the *spike protein* Read more…
September 15, 2022
Should I throw out my “expired” COVID-19 rapid antigen tests?
Testing and Contact Tracing
Chana Davis, PhD
A) Not so fast!🛑 Before you toss those tests, check online for an expiration date extension. There’s a good chance that the true expiration date is well beyond the date printed on the box. To hunt down extended expiration dates and understand why they can be moving targets, read on: In the United States, 13 Read more…
September 8, 2022
Q: What’s the update on COVID-sniffing dogs?
Testing and Contact Tracing Travel
Lauren Hale, PhD MA
A: TL;DR. Dogs have proven their awesome ability to identify the smell of COVID-19 patients, but the logistics and cost are slowing down widespread implementation. As we’ve reported in prior posts, medical detection dogs have the miraculous capacity to sniff out COVID-19 patients from their sweat, saliva, or urine. This super sniffing power may allow Read more…
A: No. Totally impossible. TL; DR: COVID-19 tests detect presence of the actual virus, which is not contained in any COVID-19 vaccine, and the vaccines cannot cause a false positive result on these tests. COVID-19 vaccines *do not* contain any SARS-CoV-2 virus, they just teach our immune system to make antibodies against the *spike protein* Read more…
Should I throw out my “expired” COVID-19 rapid antigen tests?
Testing and Contact Tracing
Chana Davis, PhD
A) Not so fast!🛑 Before you toss those tests, check online for an expiration date extension. There’s a good chance that the true expiration date is well beyond the date printed on the box. To hunt down extended expiration dates and understand why they can be moving targets, read on: In the United States, 13 Read more…
September 8, 2022
Q: What’s the update on COVID-sniffing dogs?
Testing and Contact Tracing Travel
Lauren Hale, PhD MA
A: TL;DR. Dogs have proven their awesome ability to identify the smell of COVID-19 patients, but the logistics and cost are slowing down widespread implementation. As we’ve reported in prior posts, medical detection dogs have the miraculous capacity to sniff out COVID-19 patients from their sweat, saliva, or urine. This super sniffing power may allow Read more…
A) Not so fast!🛑 Before you toss those tests, check online for an expiration date extension. There’s a good chance that the true expiration date is well beyond the date printed on the box. To hunt down extended expiration dates and understand why they can be moving targets, read on: In the United States, 13 Read more…
Q: What’s the update on COVID-sniffing dogs?
Testing and Contact Tracing Travel
Lauren Hale, PhD MA
A: TL;DR. Dogs have proven their awesome ability to identify the smell of COVID-19 patients, but the logistics and cost are slowing down widespread implementation. As we’ve reported in prior posts, medical detection dogs have the miraculous capacity to sniff out COVID-19 patients from their sweat, saliva, or urine. This super sniffing power may allow Read more…
A: TL;DR. Dogs have proven their awesome ability to identify the smell of COVID-19 patients, but the logistics and cost are slowing down widespread implementation. As we’ve reported in prior posts, medical detection dogs have the miraculous capacity to sniff out COVID-19 patients from their sweat, saliva, or urine. This super sniffing power may allow Read more…