We have an opportunity for you to contribute to our scientific understanding of the pandemic and the role of social media! The most important part of #scicomm is the audience, and the most important part of public health is the public. That’s why we are delighted to invite YOU to participate in this survey designed Read more…
A: A doctor in Florida named Gregory Michael recently died from a hemorrhagic stroke related to extremely low platelets two weeks after receiving his first dose of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine. Whether his death is linked to the vaccine or not–which is under investigation by appropriate safety monitoring systems–doesn’t change the fact that the vaccines Read more…
A: Trust in our health system is influenced by our beliefs about its benefits and consequences to ourselves and others. Low trust can derail the best of public health and medical treatments. Trust in the US health system is complicated by experiences and historical events that non-majority communities. People need time, reliable information, and repeated Read more…
In this live Q&A, Drs. Malia Jones & Ashley Ritter will be tackling pandemic questions from our readers. Today’s we’re answering questions from readers about whether you should get the vaccine if you’ve already had COVID and much more! 
Welcome and NG Ashley gets her vax! (0:00-3:07) Vaccination info for those who have Read more…
A. So far, we still have no evidence from well-designed randomized clinical trials (RCTs) that ivermectin is safe and effective for the prevention or treatment of COVID-19. However, several RCTs are currently underway which will hopefully provide us with an answer to this important question. What is ivermectin? Ivermectin (Iv) is a drug FDA-approved for Read more…
A: Personal beliefs and experiences inform varying levels of acceptance of the Covid-19 vaccine now becoming available to essential workers in healthcare settings. Listen to the reasons for concern, respond with compassion and facts, and make it easy to take actionable steps forward. REALLY LISTEN. Not all vaccine hesitancy stems from the same concerns. Creating Read more…
A: Like a healthy democracy, a healthy data system relies on a sophisticated set of checks and balances. The FDA’s system is highly protective against data hanky-panky.* Today an FDA advisory panel meets to discuss Moderna’s vaccine data – with an eye towards recommending emergency use authorization. Your Nerdy Girls look forward to watching all Read more…
A: No. There is no truth to this rumor. There is nothing in the human genome that is similar to the spike protein that each of the vaccines are targeting to prevent COVID-19. 
First of all, rumors about similarity between the placenta proteins and spike protein just do not pass the sniff test. Remember: extraordinary Read more…
A: Science is a method, not a fixed set of findings. Beware the scientist who does NOT change her mind. As cheekily characterized by the Wall Street Journal, science is merely a fancy way to “guess-and-test.” So why is it such a powerful force in the world? Our brains are biologically wired to seek patterns; Read more…
A: Lead with love, then with facts. Share your enthusiasm and commitment. Make it easy and fun. Acknowledge past hurts. We already know that hesitancy about the Covid-19 vaccine is running high. Recent survey data (linked below) show that anywhere from 20-40% of US residents report being “unlikely” or “very unlikely” to get the vaccine. Read more…
A: Use the 3D’s to slay disinformation: Detect; document; and debunk. “Sandwich” the myth between buns of truth. “Everywhere you see the spread of germs for the last few thousand years, you see right behind it the spread of lies.” Oh boy how these wise words from medical sociologist Dr. Nicholas Christakis resonate. We Nerdy Read more…
A: The interventions we use to reduce COVID-19 transmission–such as wearing masks, improving ventilation, and keeping physical distance from other people–don’t target the common cold as well. Unlike the virus that causes COVID-19, which is transmitted through sharing air with infected people, most of the many viruses that cause the common cold–called rhinoviruses–love to hang 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…
A. TL,DR: Mouthwash won’t prevent or cure COVID-19. Consistent with several prior studies, a recent laboratory-based study out of Cardiff University found that over-the-counter mouthwash (with active ingredient cetylpyridinium chloride [CPC]) will inactivate 90-99% of the coronavirus after a mere 30 seconds. Sounds exciting! …but don’t get your hopes up. The clinical relevance of mouthwash Read more…
On Saturday’s live Q&A, Malia said she would share her mom’s “pumpkin” pie recipe–which has a secret ingredient. Well, here it is! The secret is that there’s no pumpkin at all–the recipe uses fresh butternut squash instead. You’ll never know it’s not a pumpkin pie except that it’s the best-tasting pumpkin pie you’ve ever made. Read more…
Your Nerdy Girls: · Love (!) the Dear Pandemic community · Celebrate your kindness and commitment to science · Are so very grateful for your help in fighting the “infodemic” Our October “Lab Notes” report is dedicated to YOU, the amazing Dear Pandemic community. #FightLikeANerdyGirl Link to original FB post
It is the day after Election Day in the United States and perhaps many of you are feeling what we feel too: Uncertainty. For our families, for our friends and neighbors, and for our futures. Amidst this uncertainty, let us recommit to you and the work ahead. We are scientists, researchers, clinicians, leaders, and family Read more…
