If mom is vaccinated while pregnant, does it help her baby’s immunity after birth?
Families/Kids Vaccines
Megan Madsen, DO
New data point toward yes! We already knew that moms vaccinated during pregnancy pass on anti-spike protein antibodies to their unborn babies that last up to 6 months after birth, and that these antibodies are found in breast milk as well. We also know that vaccinated moms pass on higher amounts of antibodies than moms Read more…
Q&A Special: COVID-19 Vaccines for Kids Under 5
Families/Kids Vaccines Videos
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Q&A Special: COVID-19 Vaccines for Kids Under 5 Featuring: Dr. Malia Jones of Dear Pandemic And Dr. Katelyn Jetelina of Your Local Epidemiologist https://youtu.be/KcdaToQR8wk
Does your risk of long COVID differ by variant?
Long COVID
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: Two recent studies point to yes. TL:DR; Among vaccinated people, the odds of reporting long COVID were lower for the Omicron BA.1 variant compared to Delta, but higher for Omicron BA.2 compared to BA.1. Study #1 In the UK, researchers identified ~56K people newly diagnosed with COVID-19 during the Omicron BA.1 wave and ~41K Read more…
******Conoce a las Nerdy Girls – Maggie Hayes******
Posts en Español Women in STEM
Sandra Albrecht, PhD MPH
En esta edición de la serie de “Conoce a las Nerdy Girls”, les presentamos a Maggie Hayes. Maggie es nuestra becaria del lenguaje español y las comunicaciones científicas y ella nos ayuda con las operaciones, traducciones, y interacciones comunitarias aquí en Querida Pandemia. Maggie es una estudiante en la Universidad de Wisconsin-Madison en EE.UU. estudiando Read more…
HELP! I can’t focus. Do I have ADHD?
Health & Wellness Mental Health
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
Maybe. Maybe not. A lot of people have been asking this question during the pandemic. Some of this is because more people are working from home or having changes to their work schedules and routines. And this has made people aware of distractibility, changes in work habits, or difficulty adjusting to the demands of home Read more…
Latest hepatitis headlines don’t tell the whole story!
Infectious Diseases
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
A new CDC analysis concludes that “the number of children hospitalized for hepatitis of unknown cause *has not increased* compared to before the COVID-19 pandemic.” (Emphasis in the original.) Great–but this study is full of important limitations. The real takeaway here is “We couldn’t find any difference, but that could have been because of data Read more…
Get the Facts on Predatory Publishing and Fake Scientific Journals
Uncertainty and Misinformation
Kristen Panthagani, MD, PhD
Misinformation Alert Predatory scientific publishing is a thing. There is an entire industry of essentially fake, for-profit “journals” that will publish just about anything for a fee. Academics get “invitations” to publish in these journals all the time. Most often they have humorous flaws like odd salutations “Greetings of the day, Respected Doctor!” or other Read more…
Why is my PCR test still positive if I’ve taken Paxlovid, isolated and have been asymptomatic for many days?
Testing and Contact Tracing
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
Constance from Astoria, NY asks: “I tested positive for COVID-19, took Paxlovid, and isolated for 12 days. My symptoms are gone. Why does my PCR test show I’m positive?” Great question, Constance! PCR tests are very sensitive, picking up even old fragments of viral RNA that may be leftover in your body but not capable Read more…
Dear Pandemic Live Q&A 06-06-22
COVID Variants Families/Kids Infectious Diseases Testing and Contact Tracing Vaccines Videos
Chana Davis, PhD
Live COVID Q&A with Those Nerdy Girls of Dear Pandemic Those Nerdy Girls answer your latest questions about COVID and beyond. This month’s topics include: * Monkeypox * Shingles & the shingles vaccine * The SIDS study that went viral * Variant-specific COVID vaccines There’s also a speed round with quick answers to common questions Read more…
Evaluating Medical Literature: Patient Oriented Evidence vs. Disease Oriented Evidence
Data and Metrics Data Literacy
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
Results of medical studies are often reported in the news. You may have seen headlines like “What vegetable on your dinner plate is killing you?” or “New study shows Medicine X causes memory loss!” You are, very likely and very appropriately, highly skeptical of these headlines but it can be really tricky to sort out Read more…
What options exist for birth control?
Health & Wellness
Megan Madsen, DO
Reproductive rights are in the news these days, which has this Nerdy Girl thinking – this is a nice time to take a quick break to review options to prevent pregnancy. Babies are wonderful and it’s also pretty great to be able to choose if and when you become a parent. Luckily you have many Read more…
¿Por qué hay algunas personas que no se infectan con COVID-19 cuando todos a su alrededor están infectados?
Infection and Spread Posts en Español
Tita Smyth Escobedo, PM-IT
Aunque el COVID-19 es MUY transmisible, todos conocen los casos donde personas viajan juntas en un carro y una de ellas está infectada, pero los otros nunca se infectan ni dan positivo en el test. ¿Cómo puede pasar? ¡Es una buenísima pregunta! Para que un virus se transmita entre las personas, bastantes partículas virales deben Read more…
Progress Being Made on Potential mRNA Vaccine for HIV
Vaccines
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Earlier this year, Moderna started a small human trial of a vaccine against HIV infection using the same mRNA technology that led to the success and rapid availability of COVID-19 vaccines. They expect to have safety data (and some hints about effectiveness) in 2023. mRNA technology has been in development for decades, and we can Read more…
Those Nerdy Girls chosen as a case study by WHO
Women in STEM
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
🎉 Those Nerdy Girls were recently honored to be chosen as a case study by the World Health Organization (WHO) for innovative science communication during the COVID-19 pandemic! “The COVID-19 pandemic has emphasized the importance of translating science in a timely and accessible manner to different audiences. As the pandemic progressed, the evidence evolved and Read more…
Frequently Asked Questions about when to BOOST
Vaccines
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
The recent guidance from the CDC is straightforward: Anyone 5 or older should receive a booster 5 months after their last dose. People over the age of 50 and children 12 or older who are immunocompromised are eligible for a second booster 4 months after their last dose. Here are answers to a few more Read more…
Meet Those Nerdy Girls: Maggie Hayes
Women in STEM
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Today we get to introduce another one of Those Nerdy Girls, Maggie Hayes. Maggie is our Spanish language science communications intern, and she helps with operations, translation, and community engagement on our Spanish-language channel, Querida Pandemia. Maggie is a UW-Madison undergraduate majoring in Spanish and Sociology with a certificate in Chicana and Latina Studies. She Read more…
Is it safe to . . .?!
Staying Safe
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
“How risky is being indoors with our 10-year-old granddaughter without masks? We have plans to have birthday tea together. Are we safe?” That question, from a woman named Debby in California, is just one of hundreds I’ve received from concerned people who are worried about COVID-19. I’m an epidemiologist and one of the women behind Read more…
Did you know you can get 8 more *FREE* COVID-19 rapid tests sent directly to your house?
Testing and Contact Tracing
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: It’s true! Even if your household already received free tests before! In the U.S. only though. Visit here and order yours today: https://www.covid.gov/tests. All you need to do is enter your name and a shipping address…THAT’S IT! You can also call here to order instead: 1-800-232-0233 (TTY 1-888-720-7489).
Why do some people not get COVID when everyone around them has it?
Biology/Immunity Infection and Spread
Guest Author Jessica Williams-Nguyen, PhD
TLDR; Many things impact infection risk, including vaccination status, prior exposures, genetics, and the specific details of one’s contact with infected people. Even when conditions seem ideal for transmission, it’s not a done deal. This is why, if COVID comes to your home, it’s worth trying to limit spread. And sometimes, you just get lucky. Read more…
What is sensitivity and specificity, and why should I care?
Data and Metrics Data Literacy
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
A: Good question! Sensitivity and specificity are characteristics of a medical test that help us determine how useful that test is and how to interpret the result. BUT, they aren’t the be all and end all. We also want to know the positive and negative predictive value. Strap in for the ride and let’s talk Read more…
New data point toward yes! We already knew that moms vaccinated during pregnancy pass on anti-spike protein antibodies to their unborn babies that last up to 6 months after birth, and that these antibodies are found in breast milk as well. We also know that vaccinated moms pass on higher amounts of antibodies than moms Read more…
Q&A Special: COVID-19 Vaccines for Kids Under 5
Families/Kids Vaccines VideosMalia Jones, PhD MPH
Q&A Special: COVID-19 Vaccines for Kids Under 5 Featuring: Dr. Malia Jones of Dear Pandemic And Dr. Katelyn Jetelina of Your Local Epidemiologist https://youtu.be/KcdaToQR8wk
Does your risk of long COVID differ by variant?
Long COVID
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: Two recent studies point to yes. TL:DR; Among vaccinated people, the odds of reporting long COVID were lower for the Omicron BA.1 variant compared to Delta, but higher for Omicron BA.2 compared to BA.1. Study #1 In the UK, researchers identified ~56K people newly diagnosed with COVID-19 during the Omicron BA.1 wave and ~41K Read more…
******Conoce a las Nerdy Girls – Maggie Hayes******
Posts en Español Women in STEM
Sandra Albrecht, PhD MPH
En esta edición de la serie de “Conoce a las Nerdy Girls”, les presentamos a Maggie Hayes. Maggie es nuestra becaria del lenguaje español y las comunicaciones científicas y ella nos ayuda con las operaciones, traducciones, y interacciones comunitarias aquí en Querida Pandemia. Maggie es una estudiante en la Universidad de Wisconsin-Madison en EE.UU. estudiando Read more…
HELP! I can’t focus. Do I have ADHD?
Health & Wellness Mental Health
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
Maybe. Maybe not. A lot of people have been asking this question during the pandemic. Some of this is because more people are working from home or having changes to their work schedules and routines. And this has made people aware of distractibility, changes in work habits, or difficulty adjusting to the demands of home Read more…
Latest hepatitis headlines don’t tell the whole story!
Infectious Diseases
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
A new CDC analysis concludes that “the number of children hospitalized for hepatitis of unknown cause *has not increased* compared to before the COVID-19 pandemic.” (Emphasis in the original.) Great–but this study is full of important limitations. The real takeaway here is “We couldn’t find any difference, but that could have been because of data Read more…
Get the Facts on Predatory Publishing and Fake Scientific Journals
Uncertainty and Misinformation
Kristen Panthagani, MD, PhD
Misinformation Alert Predatory scientific publishing is a thing. There is an entire industry of essentially fake, for-profit “journals” that will publish just about anything for a fee. Academics get “invitations” to publish in these journals all the time. Most often they have humorous flaws like odd salutations “Greetings of the day, Respected Doctor!” or other Read more…
Why is my PCR test still positive if I’ve taken Paxlovid, isolated and have been asymptomatic for many days?
Testing and Contact Tracing
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
Constance from Astoria, NY asks: “I tested positive for COVID-19, took Paxlovid, and isolated for 12 days. My symptoms are gone. Why does my PCR test show I’m positive?” Great question, Constance! PCR tests are very sensitive, picking up even old fragments of viral RNA that may be leftover in your body but not capable Read more…
Dear Pandemic Live Q&A 06-06-22
COVID Variants Families/Kids Infectious Diseases Testing and Contact Tracing Vaccines Videos
Chana Davis, PhD
Live COVID Q&A with Those Nerdy Girls of Dear Pandemic Those Nerdy Girls answer your latest questions about COVID and beyond. This month’s topics include: * Monkeypox * Shingles & the shingles vaccine * The SIDS study that went viral * Variant-specific COVID vaccines There’s also a speed round with quick answers to common questions Read more…
Evaluating Medical Literature: Patient Oriented Evidence vs. Disease Oriented Evidence
Data and Metrics Data Literacy
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
Results of medical studies are often reported in the news. You may have seen headlines like “What vegetable on your dinner plate is killing you?” or “New study shows Medicine X causes memory loss!” You are, very likely and very appropriately, highly skeptical of these headlines but it can be really tricky to sort out Read more…
What options exist for birth control?
Health & Wellness
Megan Madsen, DO
Reproductive rights are in the news these days, which has this Nerdy Girl thinking – this is a nice time to take a quick break to review options to prevent pregnancy. Babies are wonderful and it’s also pretty great to be able to choose if and when you become a parent. Luckily you have many Read more…
¿Por qué hay algunas personas que no se infectan con COVID-19 cuando todos a su alrededor están infectados?
Infection and Spread Posts en Español
Tita Smyth Escobedo, PM-IT
Aunque el COVID-19 es MUY transmisible, todos conocen los casos donde personas viajan juntas en un carro y una de ellas está infectada, pero los otros nunca se infectan ni dan positivo en el test. ¿Cómo puede pasar? ¡Es una buenísima pregunta! Para que un virus se transmita entre las personas, bastantes partículas virales deben Read more…
Progress Being Made on Potential mRNA Vaccine for HIV
Vaccines
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Earlier this year, Moderna started a small human trial of a vaccine against HIV infection using the same mRNA technology that led to the success and rapid availability of COVID-19 vaccines. They expect to have safety data (and some hints about effectiveness) in 2023. mRNA technology has been in development for decades, and we can Read more…
Those Nerdy Girls chosen as a case study by WHO
Women in STEM
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
🎉 Those Nerdy Girls were recently honored to be chosen as a case study by the World Health Organization (WHO) for innovative science communication during the COVID-19 pandemic! “The COVID-19 pandemic has emphasized the importance of translating science in a timely and accessible manner to different audiences. As the pandemic progressed, the evidence evolved and Read more…
Frequently Asked Questions about when to BOOST
Vaccines
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
The recent guidance from the CDC is straightforward: Anyone 5 or older should receive a booster 5 months after their last dose. People over the age of 50 and children 12 or older who are immunocompromised are eligible for a second booster 4 months after their last dose. Here are answers to a few more Read more…
Meet Those Nerdy Girls: Maggie Hayes
Women in STEM
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Today we get to introduce another one of Those Nerdy Girls, Maggie Hayes. Maggie is our Spanish language science communications intern, and she helps with operations, translation, and community engagement on our Spanish-language channel, Querida Pandemia. Maggie is a UW-Madison undergraduate majoring in Spanish and Sociology with a certificate in Chicana and Latina Studies. She Read more…
Is it safe to . . .?!
Staying Safe
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
“How risky is being indoors with our 10-year-old granddaughter without masks? We have plans to have birthday tea together. Are we safe?” That question, from a woman named Debby in California, is just one of hundreds I’ve received from concerned people who are worried about COVID-19. I’m an epidemiologist and one of the women behind Read more…
Did you know you can get 8 more *FREE* COVID-19 rapid tests sent directly to your house?
Testing and Contact Tracing
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: It’s true! Even if your household already received free tests before! In the U.S. only though. Visit here and order yours today: https://www.covid.gov/tests. All you need to do is enter your name and a shipping address…THAT’S IT! You can also call here to order instead: 1-800-232-0233 (TTY 1-888-720-7489).
Why do some people not get COVID when everyone around them has it?
Biology/Immunity Infection and Spread
Guest Author Jessica Williams-Nguyen, PhD
TLDR; Many things impact infection risk, including vaccination status, prior exposures, genetics, and the specific details of one’s contact with infected people. Even when conditions seem ideal for transmission, it’s not a done deal. This is why, if COVID comes to your home, it’s worth trying to limit spread. And sometimes, you just get lucky. Read more…
What is sensitivity and specificity, and why should I care?
Data and Metrics Data Literacy
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
A: Good question! Sensitivity and specificity are characteristics of a medical test that help us determine how useful that test is and how to interpret the result. BUT, they aren’t the be all and end all. We also want to know the positive and negative predictive value. Strap in for the ride and let’s talk Read more…
Q&A Special: COVID-19 Vaccines for Kids Under 5 Featuring: Dr. Malia Jones of Dear Pandemic And Dr. Katelyn Jetelina of Your Local Epidemiologist https://youtu.be/KcdaToQR8wk
Does your risk of long COVID differ by variant?
Long COVIDAmanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: Two recent studies point to yes. TL:DR; Among vaccinated people, the odds of reporting long COVID were lower for the Omicron BA.1 variant compared to Delta, but higher for Omicron BA.2 compared to BA.1. Study #1 In the UK, researchers identified ~56K people newly diagnosed with COVID-19 during the Omicron BA.1 wave and ~41K Read more…
******Conoce a las Nerdy Girls – Maggie Hayes******
Posts en Español Women in STEM
Sandra Albrecht, PhD MPH
En esta edición de la serie de “Conoce a las Nerdy Girls”, les presentamos a Maggie Hayes. Maggie es nuestra becaria del lenguaje español y las comunicaciones científicas y ella nos ayuda con las operaciones, traducciones, y interacciones comunitarias aquí en Querida Pandemia. Maggie es una estudiante en la Universidad de Wisconsin-Madison en EE.UU. estudiando Read more…
HELP! I can’t focus. Do I have ADHD?
Health & Wellness Mental Health
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
Maybe. Maybe not. A lot of people have been asking this question during the pandemic. Some of this is because more people are working from home or having changes to their work schedules and routines. And this has made people aware of distractibility, changes in work habits, or difficulty adjusting to the demands of home Read more…
Latest hepatitis headlines don’t tell the whole story!
Infectious Diseases
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
A new CDC analysis concludes that “the number of children hospitalized for hepatitis of unknown cause *has not increased* compared to before the COVID-19 pandemic.” (Emphasis in the original.) Great–but this study is full of important limitations. The real takeaway here is “We couldn’t find any difference, but that could have been because of data Read more…
Get the Facts on Predatory Publishing and Fake Scientific Journals
Uncertainty and Misinformation
Kristen Panthagani, MD, PhD
Misinformation Alert Predatory scientific publishing is a thing. There is an entire industry of essentially fake, for-profit “journals” that will publish just about anything for a fee. Academics get “invitations” to publish in these journals all the time. Most often they have humorous flaws like odd salutations “Greetings of the day, Respected Doctor!” or other Read more…
Why is my PCR test still positive if I’ve taken Paxlovid, isolated and have been asymptomatic for many days?
Testing and Contact Tracing
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
Constance from Astoria, NY asks: “I tested positive for COVID-19, took Paxlovid, and isolated for 12 days. My symptoms are gone. Why does my PCR test show I’m positive?” Great question, Constance! PCR tests are very sensitive, picking up even old fragments of viral RNA that may be leftover in your body but not capable Read more…
Dear Pandemic Live Q&A 06-06-22
COVID Variants Families/Kids Infectious Diseases Testing and Contact Tracing Vaccines Videos
Chana Davis, PhD
Live COVID Q&A with Those Nerdy Girls of Dear Pandemic Those Nerdy Girls answer your latest questions about COVID and beyond. This month’s topics include: * Monkeypox * Shingles & the shingles vaccine * The SIDS study that went viral * Variant-specific COVID vaccines There’s also a speed round with quick answers to common questions Read more…
Evaluating Medical Literature: Patient Oriented Evidence vs. Disease Oriented Evidence
Data and Metrics Data Literacy
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
Results of medical studies are often reported in the news. You may have seen headlines like “What vegetable on your dinner plate is killing you?” or “New study shows Medicine X causes memory loss!” You are, very likely and very appropriately, highly skeptical of these headlines but it can be really tricky to sort out Read more…
What options exist for birth control?
Health & Wellness
Megan Madsen, DO
Reproductive rights are in the news these days, which has this Nerdy Girl thinking – this is a nice time to take a quick break to review options to prevent pregnancy. Babies are wonderful and it’s also pretty great to be able to choose if and when you become a parent. Luckily you have many Read more…
¿Por qué hay algunas personas que no se infectan con COVID-19 cuando todos a su alrededor están infectados?
Infection and Spread Posts en Español
Tita Smyth Escobedo, PM-IT
Aunque el COVID-19 es MUY transmisible, todos conocen los casos donde personas viajan juntas en un carro y una de ellas está infectada, pero los otros nunca se infectan ni dan positivo en el test. ¿Cómo puede pasar? ¡Es una buenísima pregunta! Para que un virus se transmita entre las personas, bastantes partículas virales deben Read more…
Progress Being Made on Potential mRNA Vaccine for HIV
Vaccines
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Earlier this year, Moderna started a small human trial of a vaccine against HIV infection using the same mRNA technology that led to the success and rapid availability of COVID-19 vaccines. They expect to have safety data (and some hints about effectiveness) in 2023. mRNA technology has been in development for decades, and we can Read more…
Those Nerdy Girls chosen as a case study by WHO
Women in STEM
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
🎉 Those Nerdy Girls were recently honored to be chosen as a case study by the World Health Organization (WHO) for innovative science communication during the COVID-19 pandemic! “The COVID-19 pandemic has emphasized the importance of translating science in a timely and accessible manner to different audiences. As the pandemic progressed, the evidence evolved and Read more…
Frequently Asked Questions about when to BOOST
Vaccines
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
The recent guidance from the CDC is straightforward: Anyone 5 or older should receive a booster 5 months after their last dose. People over the age of 50 and children 12 or older who are immunocompromised are eligible for a second booster 4 months after their last dose. Here are answers to a few more Read more…
Meet Those Nerdy Girls: Maggie Hayes
Women in STEM
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Today we get to introduce another one of Those Nerdy Girls, Maggie Hayes. Maggie is our Spanish language science communications intern, and she helps with operations, translation, and community engagement on our Spanish-language channel, Querida Pandemia. Maggie is a UW-Madison undergraduate majoring in Spanish and Sociology with a certificate in Chicana and Latina Studies. She Read more…
Is it safe to . . .?!
Staying Safe
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
“How risky is being indoors with our 10-year-old granddaughter without masks? We have plans to have birthday tea together. Are we safe?” That question, from a woman named Debby in California, is just one of hundreds I’ve received from concerned people who are worried about COVID-19. I’m an epidemiologist and one of the women behind Read more…
Did you know you can get 8 more *FREE* COVID-19 rapid tests sent directly to your house?
Testing and Contact Tracing
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: It’s true! Even if your household already received free tests before! In the U.S. only though. Visit here and order yours today: https://www.covid.gov/tests. All you need to do is enter your name and a shipping address…THAT’S IT! You can also call here to order instead: 1-800-232-0233 (TTY 1-888-720-7489).
Why do some people not get COVID when everyone around them has it?
Biology/Immunity Infection and Spread
Guest Author Jessica Williams-Nguyen, PhD
TLDR; Many things impact infection risk, including vaccination status, prior exposures, genetics, and the specific details of one’s contact with infected people. Even when conditions seem ideal for transmission, it’s not a done deal. This is why, if COVID comes to your home, it’s worth trying to limit spread. And sometimes, you just get lucky. Read more…
What is sensitivity and specificity, and why should I care?
Data and Metrics Data Literacy
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
A: Good question! Sensitivity and specificity are characteristics of a medical test that help us determine how useful that test is and how to interpret the result. BUT, they aren’t the be all and end all. We also want to know the positive and negative predictive value. Strap in for the ride and let’s talk Read more…
A: Two recent studies point to yes. TL:DR; Among vaccinated people, the odds of reporting long COVID were lower for the Omicron BA.1 variant compared to Delta, but higher for Omicron BA.2 compared to BA.1. Study #1 In the UK, researchers identified ~56K people newly diagnosed with COVID-19 during the Omicron BA.1 wave and ~41K Read more…
******Conoce a las Nerdy Girls – Maggie Hayes******
Posts en Español Women in STEMSandra Albrecht, PhD MPH
En esta edición de la serie de “Conoce a las Nerdy Girls”, les presentamos a Maggie Hayes. Maggie es nuestra becaria del lenguaje español y las comunicaciones científicas y ella nos ayuda con las operaciones, traducciones, y interacciones comunitarias aquí en Querida Pandemia. Maggie es una estudiante en la Universidad de Wisconsin-Madison en EE.UU. estudiando Read more…
HELP! I can’t focus. Do I have ADHD?
Health & Wellness Mental Health
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
Maybe. Maybe not. A lot of people have been asking this question during the pandemic. Some of this is because more people are working from home or having changes to their work schedules and routines. And this has made people aware of distractibility, changes in work habits, or difficulty adjusting to the demands of home Read more…
Latest hepatitis headlines don’t tell the whole story!
Infectious Diseases
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
A new CDC analysis concludes that “the number of children hospitalized for hepatitis of unknown cause *has not increased* compared to before the COVID-19 pandemic.” (Emphasis in the original.) Great–but this study is full of important limitations. The real takeaway here is “We couldn’t find any difference, but that could have been because of data Read more…
Get the Facts on Predatory Publishing and Fake Scientific Journals
Uncertainty and Misinformation
Kristen Panthagani, MD, PhD
Misinformation Alert Predatory scientific publishing is a thing. There is an entire industry of essentially fake, for-profit “journals” that will publish just about anything for a fee. Academics get “invitations” to publish in these journals all the time. Most often they have humorous flaws like odd salutations “Greetings of the day, Respected Doctor!” or other Read more…
Why is my PCR test still positive if I’ve taken Paxlovid, isolated and have been asymptomatic for many days?
Testing and Contact Tracing
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
Constance from Astoria, NY asks: “I tested positive for COVID-19, took Paxlovid, and isolated for 12 days. My symptoms are gone. Why does my PCR test show I’m positive?” Great question, Constance! PCR tests are very sensitive, picking up even old fragments of viral RNA that may be leftover in your body but not capable Read more…
Dear Pandemic Live Q&A 06-06-22
COVID Variants Families/Kids Infectious Diseases Testing and Contact Tracing Vaccines Videos
Chana Davis, PhD
Live COVID Q&A with Those Nerdy Girls of Dear Pandemic Those Nerdy Girls answer your latest questions about COVID and beyond. This month’s topics include: * Monkeypox * Shingles & the shingles vaccine * The SIDS study that went viral * Variant-specific COVID vaccines There’s also a speed round with quick answers to common questions Read more…
Evaluating Medical Literature: Patient Oriented Evidence vs. Disease Oriented Evidence
Data and Metrics Data Literacy
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
Results of medical studies are often reported in the news. You may have seen headlines like “What vegetable on your dinner plate is killing you?” or “New study shows Medicine X causes memory loss!” You are, very likely and very appropriately, highly skeptical of these headlines but it can be really tricky to sort out Read more…
What options exist for birth control?
Health & Wellness
Megan Madsen, DO
Reproductive rights are in the news these days, which has this Nerdy Girl thinking – this is a nice time to take a quick break to review options to prevent pregnancy. Babies are wonderful and it’s also pretty great to be able to choose if and when you become a parent. Luckily you have many Read more…
¿Por qué hay algunas personas que no se infectan con COVID-19 cuando todos a su alrededor están infectados?
Infection and Spread Posts en Español
Tita Smyth Escobedo, PM-IT
Aunque el COVID-19 es MUY transmisible, todos conocen los casos donde personas viajan juntas en un carro y una de ellas está infectada, pero los otros nunca se infectan ni dan positivo en el test. ¿Cómo puede pasar? ¡Es una buenísima pregunta! Para que un virus se transmita entre las personas, bastantes partículas virales deben Read more…
Progress Being Made on Potential mRNA Vaccine for HIV
Vaccines
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Earlier this year, Moderna started a small human trial of a vaccine against HIV infection using the same mRNA technology that led to the success and rapid availability of COVID-19 vaccines. They expect to have safety data (and some hints about effectiveness) in 2023. mRNA technology has been in development for decades, and we can Read more…
Those Nerdy Girls chosen as a case study by WHO
Women in STEM
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
🎉 Those Nerdy Girls were recently honored to be chosen as a case study by the World Health Organization (WHO) for innovative science communication during the COVID-19 pandemic! “The COVID-19 pandemic has emphasized the importance of translating science in a timely and accessible manner to different audiences. As the pandemic progressed, the evidence evolved and Read more…
Frequently Asked Questions about when to BOOST
Vaccines
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
The recent guidance from the CDC is straightforward: Anyone 5 or older should receive a booster 5 months after their last dose. People over the age of 50 and children 12 or older who are immunocompromised are eligible for a second booster 4 months after their last dose. Here are answers to a few more Read more…
Meet Those Nerdy Girls: Maggie Hayes
Women in STEM
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Today we get to introduce another one of Those Nerdy Girls, Maggie Hayes. Maggie is our Spanish language science communications intern, and she helps with operations, translation, and community engagement on our Spanish-language channel, Querida Pandemia. Maggie is a UW-Madison undergraduate majoring in Spanish and Sociology with a certificate in Chicana and Latina Studies. She Read more…
Is it safe to . . .?!
Staying Safe
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
“How risky is being indoors with our 10-year-old granddaughter without masks? We have plans to have birthday tea together. Are we safe?” That question, from a woman named Debby in California, is just one of hundreds I’ve received from concerned people who are worried about COVID-19. I’m an epidemiologist and one of the women behind Read more…
Did you know you can get 8 more *FREE* COVID-19 rapid tests sent directly to your house?
Testing and Contact Tracing
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: It’s true! Even if your household already received free tests before! In the U.S. only though. Visit here and order yours today: https://www.covid.gov/tests. All you need to do is enter your name and a shipping address…THAT’S IT! You can also call here to order instead: 1-800-232-0233 (TTY 1-888-720-7489).
Why do some people not get COVID when everyone around them has it?
Biology/Immunity Infection and Spread
Guest Author Jessica Williams-Nguyen, PhD
TLDR; Many things impact infection risk, including vaccination status, prior exposures, genetics, and the specific details of one’s contact with infected people. Even when conditions seem ideal for transmission, it’s not a done deal. This is why, if COVID comes to your home, it’s worth trying to limit spread. And sometimes, you just get lucky. Read more…
What is sensitivity and specificity, and why should I care?
Data and Metrics Data Literacy
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
A: Good question! Sensitivity and specificity are characteristics of a medical test that help us determine how useful that test is and how to interpret the result. BUT, they aren’t the be all and end all. We also want to know the positive and negative predictive value. Strap in for the ride and let’s talk Read more…
En esta edición de la serie de “Conoce a las Nerdy Girls”, les presentamos a Maggie Hayes. Maggie es nuestra becaria del lenguaje español y las comunicaciones científicas y ella nos ayuda con las operaciones, traducciones, y interacciones comunitarias aquí en Querida Pandemia. Maggie es una estudiante en la Universidad de Wisconsin-Madison en EE.UU. estudiando Read more…
HELP! I can’t focus. Do I have ADHD?
Health & Wellness Mental HealthAparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
Maybe. Maybe not. A lot of people have been asking this question during the pandemic. Some of this is because more people are working from home or having changes to their work schedules and routines. And this has made people aware of distractibility, changes in work habits, or difficulty adjusting to the demands of home Read more…
Latest hepatitis headlines don’t tell the whole story!
Infectious Diseases
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
A new CDC analysis concludes that “the number of children hospitalized for hepatitis of unknown cause *has not increased* compared to before the COVID-19 pandemic.” (Emphasis in the original.) Great–but this study is full of important limitations. The real takeaway here is “We couldn’t find any difference, but that could have been because of data Read more…
Get the Facts on Predatory Publishing and Fake Scientific Journals
Uncertainty and Misinformation
Kristen Panthagani, MD, PhD
Misinformation Alert Predatory scientific publishing is a thing. There is an entire industry of essentially fake, for-profit “journals” that will publish just about anything for a fee. Academics get “invitations” to publish in these journals all the time. Most often they have humorous flaws like odd salutations “Greetings of the day, Respected Doctor!” or other Read more…
Why is my PCR test still positive if I’ve taken Paxlovid, isolated and have been asymptomatic for many days?
Testing and Contact Tracing
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
Constance from Astoria, NY asks: “I tested positive for COVID-19, took Paxlovid, and isolated for 12 days. My symptoms are gone. Why does my PCR test show I’m positive?” Great question, Constance! PCR tests are very sensitive, picking up even old fragments of viral RNA that may be leftover in your body but not capable Read more…
Dear Pandemic Live Q&A 06-06-22
COVID Variants Families/Kids Infectious Diseases Testing and Contact Tracing Vaccines Videos
Chana Davis, PhD
Live COVID Q&A with Those Nerdy Girls of Dear Pandemic Those Nerdy Girls answer your latest questions about COVID and beyond. This month’s topics include: * Monkeypox * Shingles & the shingles vaccine * The SIDS study that went viral * Variant-specific COVID vaccines There’s also a speed round with quick answers to common questions Read more…
Evaluating Medical Literature: Patient Oriented Evidence vs. Disease Oriented Evidence
Data and Metrics Data Literacy
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
Results of medical studies are often reported in the news. You may have seen headlines like “What vegetable on your dinner plate is killing you?” or “New study shows Medicine X causes memory loss!” You are, very likely and very appropriately, highly skeptical of these headlines but it can be really tricky to sort out Read more…
What options exist for birth control?
Health & Wellness
Megan Madsen, DO
Reproductive rights are in the news these days, which has this Nerdy Girl thinking – this is a nice time to take a quick break to review options to prevent pregnancy. Babies are wonderful and it’s also pretty great to be able to choose if and when you become a parent. Luckily you have many Read more…
¿Por qué hay algunas personas que no se infectan con COVID-19 cuando todos a su alrededor están infectados?
Infection and Spread Posts en Español
Tita Smyth Escobedo, PM-IT
Aunque el COVID-19 es MUY transmisible, todos conocen los casos donde personas viajan juntas en un carro y una de ellas está infectada, pero los otros nunca se infectan ni dan positivo en el test. ¿Cómo puede pasar? ¡Es una buenísima pregunta! Para que un virus se transmita entre las personas, bastantes partículas virales deben Read more…
Progress Being Made on Potential mRNA Vaccine for HIV
Vaccines
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Earlier this year, Moderna started a small human trial of a vaccine against HIV infection using the same mRNA technology that led to the success and rapid availability of COVID-19 vaccines. They expect to have safety data (and some hints about effectiveness) in 2023. mRNA technology has been in development for decades, and we can Read more…
Those Nerdy Girls chosen as a case study by WHO
Women in STEM
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
🎉 Those Nerdy Girls were recently honored to be chosen as a case study by the World Health Organization (WHO) for innovative science communication during the COVID-19 pandemic! “The COVID-19 pandemic has emphasized the importance of translating science in a timely and accessible manner to different audiences. As the pandemic progressed, the evidence evolved and Read more…
Frequently Asked Questions about when to BOOST
Vaccines
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
The recent guidance from the CDC is straightforward: Anyone 5 or older should receive a booster 5 months after their last dose. People over the age of 50 and children 12 or older who are immunocompromised are eligible for a second booster 4 months after their last dose. Here are answers to a few more Read more…
Meet Those Nerdy Girls: Maggie Hayes
Women in STEM
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Today we get to introduce another one of Those Nerdy Girls, Maggie Hayes. Maggie is our Spanish language science communications intern, and she helps with operations, translation, and community engagement on our Spanish-language channel, Querida Pandemia. Maggie is a UW-Madison undergraduate majoring in Spanish and Sociology with a certificate in Chicana and Latina Studies. She Read more…
Is it safe to . . .?!
Staying Safe
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
“How risky is being indoors with our 10-year-old granddaughter without masks? We have plans to have birthday tea together. Are we safe?” That question, from a woman named Debby in California, is just one of hundreds I’ve received from concerned people who are worried about COVID-19. I’m an epidemiologist and one of the women behind Read more…
Did you know you can get 8 more *FREE* COVID-19 rapid tests sent directly to your house?
Testing and Contact Tracing
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: It’s true! Even if your household already received free tests before! In the U.S. only though. Visit here and order yours today: https://www.covid.gov/tests. All you need to do is enter your name and a shipping address…THAT’S IT! You can also call here to order instead: 1-800-232-0233 (TTY 1-888-720-7489).
Why do some people not get COVID when everyone around them has it?
Biology/Immunity Infection and Spread
Guest Author Jessica Williams-Nguyen, PhD
TLDR; Many things impact infection risk, including vaccination status, prior exposures, genetics, and the specific details of one’s contact with infected people. Even when conditions seem ideal for transmission, it’s not a done deal. This is why, if COVID comes to your home, it’s worth trying to limit spread. And sometimes, you just get lucky. Read more…
What is sensitivity and specificity, and why should I care?
Data and Metrics Data Literacy
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
A: Good question! Sensitivity and specificity are characteristics of a medical test that help us determine how useful that test is and how to interpret the result. BUT, they aren’t the be all and end all. We also want to know the positive and negative predictive value. Strap in for the ride and let’s talk Read more…
Maybe. Maybe not. A lot of people have been asking this question during the pandemic. Some of this is because more people are working from home or having changes to their work schedules and routines. And this has made people aware of distractibility, changes in work habits, or difficulty adjusting to the demands of home Read more…
Latest hepatitis headlines don’t tell the whole story!
Infectious DiseasesMalia Jones, PhD MPH
A new CDC analysis concludes that “the number of children hospitalized for hepatitis of unknown cause *has not increased* compared to before the COVID-19 pandemic.” (Emphasis in the original.) Great–but this study is full of important limitations. The real takeaway here is “We couldn’t find any difference, but that could have been because of data Read more…
Get the Facts on Predatory Publishing and Fake Scientific Journals
Uncertainty and Misinformation
Kristen Panthagani, MD, PhD
Misinformation Alert Predatory scientific publishing is a thing. There is an entire industry of essentially fake, for-profit “journals” that will publish just about anything for a fee. Academics get “invitations” to publish in these journals all the time. Most often they have humorous flaws like odd salutations “Greetings of the day, Respected Doctor!” or other Read more…
Why is my PCR test still positive if I’ve taken Paxlovid, isolated and have been asymptomatic for many days?
Testing and Contact Tracing
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
Constance from Astoria, NY asks: “I tested positive for COVID-19, took Paxlovid, and isolated for 12 days. My symptoms are gone. Why does my PCR test show I’m positive?” Great question, Constance! PCR tests are very sensitive, picking up even old fragments of viral RNA that may be leftover in your body but not capable Read more…
Dear Pandemic Live Q&A 06-06-22
COVID Variants Families/Kids Infectious Diseases Testing and Contact Tracing Vaccines Videos
Chana Davis, PhD
Live COVID Q&A with Those Nerdy Girls of Dear Pandemic Those Nerdy Girls answer your latest questions about COVID and beyond. This month’s topics include: * Monkeypox * Shingles & the shingles vaccine * The SIDS study that went viral * Variant-specific COVID vaccines There’s also a speed round with quick answers to common questions Read more…
Evaluating Medical Literature: Patient Oriented Evidence vs. Disease Oriented Evidence
Data and Metrics Data Literacy
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
Results of medical studies are often reported in the news. You may have seen headlines like “What vegetable on your dinner plate is killing you?” or “New study shows Medicine X causes memory loss!” You are, very likely and very appropriately, highly skeptical of these headlines but it can be really tricky to sort out Read more…
What options exist for birth control?
Health & Wellness
Megan Madsen, DO
Reproductive rights are in the news these days, which has this Nerdy Girl thinking – this is a nice time to take a quick break to review options to prevent pregnancy. Babies are wonderful and it’s also pretty great to be able to choose if and when you become a parent. Luckily you have many Read more…
¿Por qué hay algunas personas que no se infectan con COVID-19 cuando todos a su alrededor están infectados?
Infection and Spread Posts en Español
Tita Smyth Escobedo, PM-IT
Aunque el COVID-19 es MUY transmisible, todos conocen los casos donde personas viajan juntas en un carro y una de ellas está infectada, pero los otros nunca se infectan ni dan positivo en el test. ¿Cómo puede pasar? ¡Es una buenísima pregunta! Para que un virus se transmita entre las personas, bastantes partículas virales deben Read more…
Progress Being Made on Potential mRNA Vaccine for HIV
Vaccines
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Earlier this year, Moderna started a small human trial of a vaccine against HIV infection using the same mRNA technology that led to the success and rapid availability of COVID-19 vaccines. They expect to have safety data (and some hints about effectiveness) in 2023. mRNA technology has been in development for decades, and we can Read more…
Those Nerdy Girls chosen as a case study by WHO
Women in STEM
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
🎉 Those Nerdy Girls were recently honored to be chosen as a case study by the World Health Organization (WHO) for innovative science communication during the COVID-19 pandemic! “The COVID-19 pandemic has emphasized the importance of translating science in a timely and accessible manner to different audiences. As the pandemic progressed, the evidence evolved and Read more…
Frequently Asked Questions about when to BOOST
Vaccines
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
The recent guidance from the CDC is straightforward: Anyone 5 or older should receive a booster 5 months after their last dose. People over the age of 50 and children 12 or older who are immunocompromised are eligible for a second booster 4 months after their last dose. Here are answers to a few more Read more…
Meet Those Nerdy Girls: Maggie Hayes
Women in STEM
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Today we get to introduce another one of Those Nerdy Girls, Maggie Hayes. Maggie is our Spanish language science communications intern, and she helps with operations, translation, and community engagement on our Spanish-language channel, Querida Pandemia. Maggie is a UW-Madison undergraduate majoring in Spanish and Sociology with a certificate in Chicana and Latina Studies. She Read more…
Is it safe to . . .?!
Staying Safe
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
“How risky is being indoors with our 10-year-old granddaughter without masks? We have plans to have birthday tea together. Are we safe?” That question, from a woman named Debby in California, is just one of hundreds I’ve received from concerned people who are worried about COVID-19. I’m an epidemiologist and one of the women behind Read more…
Did you know you can get 8 more *FREE* COVID-19 rapid tests sent directly to your house?
Testing and Contact Tracing
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: It’s true! Even if your household already received free tests before! In the U.S. only though. Visit here and order yours today: https://www.covid.gov/tests. All you need to do is enter your name and a shipping address…THAT’S IT! You can also call here to order instead: 1-800-232-0233 (TTY 1-888-720-7489).
Why do some people not get COVID when everyone around them has it?
Biology/Immunity Infection and Spread
Guest Author Jessica Williams-Nguyen, PhD
TLDR; Many things impact infection risk, including vaccination status, prior exposures, genetics, and the specific details of one’s contact with infected people. Even when conditions seem ideal for transmission, it’s not a done deal. This is why, if COVID comes to your home, it’s worth trying to limit spread. And sometimes, you just get lucky. Read more…
What is sensitivity and specificity, and why should I care?
Data and Metrics Data Literacy
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
A: Good question! Sensitivity and specificity are characteristics of a medical test that help us determine how useful that test is and how to interpret the result. BUT, they aren’t the be all and end all. We also want to know the positive and negative predictive value. Strap in for the ride and let’s talk Read more…
A new CDC analysis concludes that “the number of children hospitalized for hepatitis of unknown cause *has not increased* compared to before the COVID-19 pandemic.” (Emphasis in the original.) Great–but this study is full of important limitations. The real takeaway here is “We couldn’t find any difference, but that could have been because of data Read more…
Get the Facts on Predatory Publishing and Fake Scientific Journals
Uncertainty and MisinformationKristen Panthagani, MD, PhD
Misinformation Alert Predatory scientific publishing is a thing. There is an entire industry of essentially fake, for-profit “journals” that will publish just about anything for a fee. Academics get “invitations” to publish in these journals all the time. Most often they have humorous flaws like odd salutations “Greetings of the day, Respected Doctor!” or other Read more…
Why is my PCR test still positive if I’ve taken Paxlovid, isolated and have been asymptomatic for many days?
Testing and Contact Tracing
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
Constance from Astoria, NY asks: “I tested positive for COVID-19, took Paxlovid, and isolated for 12 days. My symptoms are gone. Why does my PCR test show I’m positive?” Great question, Constance! PCR tests are very sensitive, picking up even old fragments of viral RNA that may be leftover in your body but not capable Read more…
Dear Pandemic Live Q&A 06-06-22
COVID Variants Families/Kids Infectious Diseases Testing and Contact Tracing Vaccines Videos
Chana Davis, PhD
Live COVID Q&A with Those Nerdy Girls of Dear Pandemic Those Nerdy Girls answer your latest questions about COVID and beyond. This month’s topics include: * Monkeypox * Shingles & the shingles vaccine * The SIDS study that went viral * Variant-specific COVID vaccines There’s also a speed round with quick answers to common questions Read more…
Evaluating Medical Literature: Patient Oriented Evidence vs. Disease Oriented Evidence
Data and Metrics Data Literacy
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
Results of medical studies are often reported in the news. You may have seen headlines like “What vegetable on your dinner plate is killing you?” or “New study shows Medicine X causes memory loss!” You are, very likely and very appropriately, highly skeptical of these headlines but it can be really tricky to sort out Read more…
What options exist for birth control?
Health & Wellness
Megan Madsen, DO
Reproductive rights are in the news these days, which has this Nerdy Girl thinking – this is a nice time to take a quick break to review options to prevent pregnancy. Babies are wonderful and it’s also pretty great to be able to choose if and when you become a parent. Luckily you have many Read more…
¿Por qué hay algunas personas que no se infectan con COVID-19 cuando todos a su alrededor están infectados?
Infection and Spread Posts en Español
Tita Smyth Escobedo, PM-IT
Aunque el COVID-19 es MUY transmisible, todos conocen los casos donde personas viajan juntas en un carro y una de ellas está infectada, pero los otros nunca se infectan ni dan positivo en el test. ¿Cómo puede pasar? ¡Es una buenísima pregunta! Para que un virus se transmita entre las personas, bastantes partículas virales deben Read more…
Progress Being Made on Potential mRNA Vaccine for HIV
Vaccines
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Earlier this year, Moderna started a small human trial of a vaccine against HIV infection using the same mRNA technology that led to the success and rapid availability of COVID-19 vaccines. They expect to have safety data (and some hints about effectiveness) in 2023. mRNA technology has been in development for decades, and we can Read more…
Those Nerdy Girls chosen as a case study by WHO
Women in STEM
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
🎉 Those Nerdy Girls were recently honored to be chosen as a case study by the World Health Organization (WHO) for innovative science communication during the COVID-19 pandemic! “The COVID-19 pandemic has emphasized the importance of translating science in a timely and accessible manner to different audiences. As the pandemic progressed, the evidence evolved and Read more…
Frequently Asked Questions about when to BOOST
Vaccines
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
The recent guidance from the CDC is straightforward: Anyone 5 or older should receive a booster 5 months after their last dose. People over the age of 50 and children 12 or older who are immunocompromised are eligible for a second booster 4 months after their last dose. Here are answers to a few more Read more…
Meet Those Nerdy Girls: Maggie Hayes
Women in STEM
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Today we get to introduce another one of Those Nerdy Girls, Maggie Hayes. Maggie is our Spanish language science communications intern, and she helps with operations, translation, and community engagement on our Spanish-language channel, Querida Pandemia. Maggie is a UW-Madison undergraduate majoring in Spanish and Sociology with a certificate in Chicana and Latina Studies. She Read more…
Is it safe to . . .?!
Staying Safe
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
“How risky is being indoors with our 10-year-old granddaughter without masks? We have plans to have birthday tea together. Are we safe?” That question, from a woman named Debby in California, is just one of hundreds I’ve received from concerned people who are worried about COVID-19. I’m an epidemiologist and one of the women behind Read more…
Did you know you can get 8 more *FREE* COVID-19 rapid tests sent directly to your house?
Testing and Contact Tracing
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: It’s true! Even if your household already received free tests before! In the U.S. only though. Visit here and order yours today: https://www.covid.gov/tests. All you need to do is enter your name and a shipping address…THAT’S IT! You can also call here to order instead: 1-800-232-0233 (TTY 1-888-720-7489).
Why do some people not get COVID when everyone around them has it?
Biology/Immunity Infection and Spread
Guest Author Jessica Williams-Nguyen, PhD
TLDR; Many things impact infection risk, including vaccination status, prior exposures, genetics, and the specific details of one’s contact with infected people. Even when conditions seem ideal for transmission, it’s not a done deal. This is why, if COVID comes to your home, it’s worth trying to limit spread. And sometimes, you just get lucky. Read more…
What is sensitivity and specificity, and why should I care?
Data and Metrics Data Literacy
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
A: Good question! Sensitivity and specificity are characteristics of a medical test that help us determine how useful that test is and how to interpret the result. BUT, they aren’t the be all and end all. We also want to know the positive and negative predictive value. Strap in for the ride and let’s talk Read more…
Misinformation Alert Predatory scientific publishing is a thing. There is an entire industry of essentially fake, for-profit “journals” that will publish just about anything for a fee. Academics get “invitations” to publish in these journals all the time. Most often they have humorous flaws like odd salutations “Greetings of the day, Respected Doctor!” or other Read more…
Why is my PCR test still positive if I’ve taken Paxlovid, isolated and have been asymptomatic for many days?
Testing and Contact TracingJennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
Constance from Astoria, NY asks: “I tested positive for COVID-19, took Paxlovid, and isolated for 12 days. My symptoms are gone. Why does my PCR test show I’m positive?” Great question, Constance! PCR tests are very sensitive, picking up even old fragments of viral RNA that may be leftover in your body but not capable Read more…
Dear Pandemic Live Q&A 06-06-22
COVID Variants Families/Kids Infectious Diseases Testing and Contact Tracing Vaccines Videos
Chana Davis, PhD
Live COVID Q&A with Those Nerdy Girls of Dear Pandemic Those Nerdy Girls answer your latest questions about COVID and beyond. This month’s topics include: * Monkeypox * Shingles & the shingles vaccine * The SIDS study that went viral * Variant-specific COVID vaccines There’s also a speed round with quick answers to common questions Read more…
Evaluating Medical Literature: Patient Oriented Evidence vs. Disease Oriented Evidence
Data and Metrics Data Literacy
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
Results of medical studies are often reported in the news. You may have seen headlines like “What vegetable on your dinner plate is killing you?” or “New study shows Medicine X causes memory loss!” You are, very likely and very appropriately, highly skeptical of these headlines but it can be really tricky to sort out Read more…
What options exist for birth control?
Health & Wellness
Megan Madsen, DO
Reproductive rights are in the news these days, which has this Nerdy Girl thinking – this is a nice time to take a quick break to review options to prevent pregnancy. Babies are wonderful and it’s also pretty great to be able to choose if and when you become a parent. Luckily you have many Read more…
¿Por qué hay algunas personas que no se infectan con COVID-19 cuando todos a su alrededor están infectados?
Infection and Spread Posts en Español
Tita Smyth Escobedo, PM-IT
Aunque el COVID-19 es MUY transmisible, todos conocen los casos donde personas viajan juntas en un carro y una de ellas está infectada, pero los otros nunca se infectan ni dan positivo en el test. ¿Cómo puede pasar? ¡Es una buenísima pregunta! Para que un virus se transmita entre las personas, bastantes partículas virales deben Read more…
Progress Being Made on Potential mRNA Vaccine for HIV
Vaccines
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Earlier this year, Moderna started a small human trial of a vaccine against HIV infection using the same mRNA technology that led to the success and rapid availability of COVID-19 vaccines. They expect to have safety data (and some hints about effectiveness) in 2023. mRNA technology has been in development for decades, and we can Read more…
Those Nerdy Girls chosen as a case study by WHO
Women in STEM
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
🎉 Those Nerdy Girls were recently honored to be chosen as a case study by the World Health Organization (WHO) for innovative science communication during the COVID-19 pandemic! “The COVID-19 pandemic has emphasized the importance of translating science in a timely and accessible manner to different audiences. As the pandemic progressed, the evidence evolved and Read more…
Frequently Asked Questions about when to BOOST
Vaccines
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
The recent guidance from the CDC is straightforward: Anyone 5 or older should receive a booster 5 months after their last dose. People over the age of 50 and children 12 or older who are immunocompromised are eligible for a second booster 4 months after their last dose. Here are answers to a few more Read more…
Meet Those Nerdy Girls: Maggie Hayes
Women in STEM
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Today we get to introduce another one of Those Nerdy Girls, Maggie Hayes. Maggie is our Spanish language science communications intern, and she helps with operations, translation, and community engagement on our Spanish-language channel, Querida Pandemia. Maggie is a UW-Madison undergraduate majoring in Spanish and Sociology with a certificate in Chicana and Latina Studies. She Read more…
Is it safe to . . .?!
Staying Safe
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
“How risky is being indoors with our 10-year-old granddaughter without masks? We have plans to have birthday tea together. Are we safe?” That question, from a woman named Debby in California, is just one of hundreds I’ve received from concerned people who are worried about COVID-19. I’m an epidemiologist and one of the women behind Read more…
Did you know you can get 8 more *FREE* COVID-19 rapid tests sent directly to your house?
Testing and Contact Tracing
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: It’s true! Even if your household already received free tests before! In the U.S. only though. Visit here and order yours today: https://www.covid.gov/tests. All you need to do is enter your name and a shipping address…THAT’S IT! You can also call here to order instead: 1-800-232-0233 (TTY 1-888-720-7489).
Why do some people not get COVID when everyone around them has it?
Biology/Immunity Infection and Spread
Guest Author Jessica Williams-Nguyen, PhD
TLDR; Many things impact infection risk, including vaccination status, prior exposures, genetics, and the specific details of one’s contact with infected people. Even when conditions seem ideal for transmission, it’s not a done deal. This is why, if COVID comes to your home, it’s worth trying to limit spread. And sometimes, you just get lucky. Read more…
What is sensitivity and specificity, and why should I care?
Data and Metrics Data Literacy
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
A: Good question! Sensitivity and specificity are characteristics of a medical test that help us determine how useful that test is and how to interpret the result. BUT, they aren’t the be all and end all. We also want to know the positive and negative predictive value. Strap in for the ride and let’s talk Read more…
Constance from Astoria, NY asks: “I tested positive for COVID-19, took Paxlovid, and isolated for 12 days. My symptoms are gone. Why does my PCR test show I’m positive?” Great question, Constance! PCR tests are very sensitive, picking up even old fragments of viral RNA that may be leftover in your body but not capable Read more…
Dear Pandemic Live Q&A 06-06-22
COVID Variants Families/Kids Infectious Diseases Testing and Contact Tracing Vaccines VideosChana Davis, PhD
Live COVID Q&A with Those Nerdy Girls of Dear Pandemic Those Nerdy Girls answer your latest questions about COVID and beyond. This month’s topics include: * Monkeypox * Shingles & the shingles vaccine * The SIDS study that went viral * Variant-specific COVID vaccines There’s also a speed round with quick answers to common questions Read more…
Evaluating Medical Literature: Patient Oriented Evidence vs. Disease Oriented Evidence
Data and Metrics Data Literacy
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
Results of medical studies are often reported in the news. You may have seen headlines like “What vegetable on your dinner plate is killing you?” or “New study shows Medicine X causes memory loss!” You are, very likely and very appropriately, highly skeptical of these headlines but it can be really tricky to sort out Read more…
What options exist for birth control?
Health & Wellness
Megan Madsen, DO
Reproductive rights are in the news these days, which has this Nerdy Girl thinking – this is a nice time to take a quick break to review options to prevent pregnancy. Babies are wonderful and it’s also pretty great to be able to choose if and when you become a parent. Luckily you have many Read more…
¿Por qué hay algunas personas que no se infectan con COVID-19 cuando todos a su alrededor están infectados?
Infection and Spread Posts en Español
Tita Smyth Escobedo, PM-IT
Aunque el COVID-19 es MUY transmisible, todos conocen los casos donde personas viajan juntas en un carro y una de ellas está infectada, pero los otros nunca se infectan ni dan positivo en el test. ¿Cómo puede pasar? ¡Es una buenísima pregunta! Para que un virus se transmita entre las personas, bastantes partículas virales deben Read more…
Progress Being Made on Potential mRNA Vaccine for HIV
Vaccines
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Earlier this year, Moderna started a small human trial of a vaccine against HIV infection using the same mRNA technology that led to the success and rapid availability of COVID-19 vaccines. They expect to have safety data (and some hints about effectiveness) in 2023. mRNA technology has been in development for decades, and we can Read more…
Those Nerdy Girls chosen as a case study by WHO
Women in STEM
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
🎉 Those Nerdy Girls were recently honored to be chosen as a case study by the World Health Organization (WHO) for innovative science communication during the COVID-19 pandemic! “The COVID-19 pandemic has emphasized the importance of translating science in a timely and accessible manner to different audiences. As the pandemic progressed, the evidence evolved and Read more…
Frequently Asked Questions about when to BOOST
Vaccines
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
The recent guidance from the CDC is straightforward: Anyone 5 or older should receive a booster 5 months after their last dose. People over the age of 50 and children 12 or older who are immunocompromised are eligible for a second booster 4 months after their last dose. Here are answers to a few more Read more…
Meet Those Nerdy Girls: Maggie Hayes
Women in STEM
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Today we get to introduce another one of Those Nerdy Girls, Maggie Hayes. Maggie is our Spanish language science communications intern, and she helps with operations, translation, and community engagement on our Spanish-language channel, Querida Pandemia. Maggie is a UW-Madison undergraduate majoring in Spanish and Sociology with a certificate in Chicana and Latina Studies. She Read more…
Is it safe to . . .?!
Staying Safe
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
“How risky is being indoors with our 10-year-old granddaughter without masks? We have plans to have birthday tea together. Are we safe?” That question, from a woman named Debby in California, is just one of hundreds I’ve received from concerned people who are worried about COVID-19. I’m an epidemiologist and one of the women behind Read more…
Did you know you can get 8 more *FREE* COVID-19 rapid tests sent directly to your house?
Testing and Contact Tracing
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: It’s true! Even if your household already received free tests before! In the U.S. only though. Visit here and order yours today: https://www.covid.gov/tests. All you need to do is enter your name and a shipping address…THAT’S IT! You can also call here to order instead: 1-800-232-0233 (TTY 1-888-720-7489).
Why do some people not get COVID when everyone around them has it?
Biology/Immunity Infection and Spread
Guest Author Jessica Williams-Nguyen, PhD
TLDR; Many things impact infection risk, including vaccination status, prior exposures, genetics, and the specific details of one’s contact with infected people. Even when conditions seem ideal for transmission, it’s not a done deal. This is why, if COVID comes to your home, it’s worth trying to limit spread. And sometimes, you just get lucky. Read more…
What is sensitivity and specificity, and why should I care?
Data and Metrics Data Literacy
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
A: Good question! Sensitivity and specificity are characteristics of a medical test that help us determine how useful that test is and how to interpret the result. BUT, they aren’t the be all and end all. We also want to know the positive and negative predictive value. Strap in for the ride and let’s talk Read more…
Live COVID Q&A with Those Nerdy Girls of Dear Pandemic Those Nerdy Girls answer your latest questions about COVID and beyond. This month’s topics include: * Monkeypox * Shingles & the shingles vaccine * The SIDS study that went viral * Variant-specific COVID vaccines There’s also a speed round with quick answers to common questions Read more…
Evaluating Medical Literature: Patient Oriented Evidence vs. Disease Oriented Evidence
Data and Metrics Data LiteracySarah Whitley Coles, MD
Results of medical studies are often reported in the news. You may have seen headlines like “What vegetable on your dinner plate is killing you?” or “New study shows Medicine X causes memory loss!” You are, very likely and very appropriately, highly skeptical of these headlines but it can be really tricky to sort out Read more…
What options exist for birth control?
Health & Wellness
Megan Madsen, DO
Reproductive rights are in the news these days, which has this Nerdy Girl thinking – this is a nice time to take a quick break to review options to prevent pregnancy. Babies are wonderful and it’s also pretty great to be able to choose if and when you become a parent. Luckily you have many Read more…
¿Por qué hay algunas personas que no se infectan con COVID-19 cuando todos a su alrededor están infectados?
Infection and Spread Posts en Español
Tita Smyth Escobedo, PM-IT
Aunque el COVID-19 es MUY transmisible, todos conocen los casos donde personas viajan juntas en un carro y una de ellas está infectada, pero los otros nunca se infectan ni dan positivo en el test. ¿Cómo puede pasar? ¡Es una buenísima pregunta! Para que un virus se transmita entre las personas, bastantes partículas virales deben Read more…
Progress Being Made on Potential mRNA Vaccine for HIV
Vaccines
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Earlier this year, Moderna started a small human trial of a vaccine against HIV infection using the same mRNA technology that led to the success and rapid availability of COVID-19 vaccines. They expect to have safety data (and some hints about effectiveness) in 2023. mRNA technology has been in development for decades, and we can Read more…
Those Nerdy Girls chosen as a case study by WHO
Women in STEM
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
🎉 Those Nerdy Girls were recently honored to be chosen as a case study by the World Health Organization (WHO) for innovative science communication during the COVID-19 pandemic! “The COVID-19 pandemic has emphasized the importance of translating science in a timely and accessible manner to different audiences. As the pandemic progressed, the evidence evolved and Read more…
Frequently Asked Questions about when to BOOST
Vaccines
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
The recent guidance from the CDC is straightforward: Anyone 5 or older should receive a booster 5 months after their last dose. People over the age of 50 and children 12 or older who are immunocompromised are eligible for a second booster 4 months after their last dose. Here are answers to a few more Read more…
Meet Those Nerdy Girls: Maggie Hayes
Women in STEM
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Today we get to introduce another one of Those Nerdy Girls, Maggie Hayes. Maggie is our Spanish language science communications intern, and she helps with operations, translation, and community engagement on our Spanish-language channel, Querida Pandemia. Maggie is a UW-Madison undergraduate majoring in Spanish and Sociology with a certificate in Chicana and Latina Studies. She Read more…
Is it safe to . . .?!
Staying Safe
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
“How risky is being indoors with our 10-year-old granddaughter without masks? We have plans to have birthday tea together. Are we safe?” That question, from a woman named Debby in California, is just one of hundreds I’ve received from concerned people who are worried about COVID-19. I’m an epidemiologist and one of the women behind Read more…
Did you know you can get 8 more *FREE* COVID-19 rapid tests sent directly to your house?
Testing and Contact Tracing
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: It’s true! Even if your household already received free tests before! In the U.S. only though. Visit here and order yours today: https://www.covid.gov/tests. All you need to do is enter your name and a shipping address…THAT’S IT! You can also call here to order instead: 1-800-232-0233 (TTY 1-888-720-7489).
Why do some people not get COVID when everyone around them has it?
Biology/Immunity Infection and Spread
Guest Author Jessica Williams-Nguyen, PhD
TLDR; Many things impact infection risk, including vaccination status, prior exposures, genetics, and the specific details of one’s contact with infected people. Even when conditions seem ideal for transmission, it’s not a done deal. This is why, if COVID comes to your home, it’s worth trying to limit spread. And sometimes, you just get lucky. Read more…
What is sensitivity and specificity, and why should I care?
Data and Metrics Data Literacy
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
A: Good question! Sensitivity and specificity are characteristics of a medical test that help us determine how useful that test is and how to interpret the result. BUT, they aren’t the be all and end all. We also want to know the positive and negative predictive value. Strap in for the ride and let’s talk Read more…
Results of medical studies are often reported in the news. You may have seen headlines like “What vegetable on your dinner plate is killing you?” or “New study shows Medicine X causes memory loss!” You are, very likely and very appropriately, highly skeptical of these headlines but it can be really tricky to sort out Read more…
What options exist for birth control?
Health & WellnessMegan Madsen, DO
Reproductive rights are in the news these days, which has this Nerdy Girl thinking – this is a nice time to take a quick break to review options to prevent pregnancy. Babies are wonderful and it’s also pretty great to be able to choose if and when you become a parent. Luckily you have many Read more…
¿Por qué hay algunas personas que no se infectan con COVID-19 cuando todos a su alrededor están infectados?
Infection and Spread Posts en Español
Tita Smyth Escobedo, PM-IT
Aunque el COVID-19 es MUY transmisible, todos conocen los casos donde personas viajan juntas en un carro y una de ellas está infectada, pero los otros nunca se infectan ni dan positivo en el test. ¿Cómo puede pasar? ¡Es una buenísima pregunta! Para que un virus se transmita entre las personas, bastantes partículas virales deben Read more…
Progress Being Made on Potential mRNA Vaccine for HIV
Vaccines
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Earlier this year, Moderna started a small human trial of a vaccine against HIV infection using the same mRNA technology that led to the success and rapid availability of COVID-19 vaccines. They expect to have safety data (and some hints about effectiveness) in 2023. mRNA technology has been in development for decades, and we can Read more…
Those Nerdy Girls chosen as a case study by WHO
Women in STEM
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
🎉 Those Nerdy Girls were recently honored to be chosen as a case study by the World Health Organization (WHO) for innovative science communication during the COVID-19 pandemic! “The COVID-19 pandemic has emphasized the importance of translating science in a timely and accessible manner to different audiences. As the pandemic progressed, the evidence evolved and Read more…
Frequently Asked Questions about when to BOOST
Vaccines
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
The recent guidance from the CDC is straightforward: Anyone 5 or older should receive a booster 5 months after their last dose. People over the age of 50 and children 12 or older who are immunocompromised are eligible for a second booster 4 months after their last dose. Here are answers to a few more Read more…
Meet Those Nerdy Girls: Maggie Hayes
Women in STEM
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Today we get to introduce another one of Those Nerdy Girls, Maggie Hayes. Maggie is our Spanish language science communications intern, and she helps with operations, translation, and community engagement on our Spanish-language channel, Querida Pandemia. Maggie is a UW-Madison undergraduate majoring in Spanish and Sociology with a certificate in Chicana and Latina Studies. She Read more…
Is it safe to . . .?!
Staying Safe
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
“How risky is being indoors with our 10-year-old granddaughter without masks? We have plans to have birthday tea together. Are we safe?” That question, from a woman named Debby in California, is just one of hundreds I’ve received from concerned people who are worried about COVID-19. I’m an epidemiologist and one of the women behind Read more…
Did you know you can get 8 more *FREE* COVID-19 rapid tests sent directly to your house?
Testing and Contact Tracing
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: It’s true! Even if your household already received free tests before! In the U.S. only though. Visit here and order yours today: https://www.covid.gov/tests. All you need to do is enter your name and a shipping address…THAT’S IT! You can also call here to order instead: 1-800-232-0233 (TTY 1-888-720-7489).
Why do some people not get COVID when everyone around them has it?
Biology/Immunity Infection and Spread
Guest Author Jessica Williams-Nguyen, PhD
TLDR; Many things impact infection risk, including vaccination status, prior exposures, genetics, and the specific details of one’s contact with infected people. Even when conditions seem ideal for transmission, it’s not a done deal. This is why, if COVID comes to your home, it’s worth trying to limit spread. And sometimes, you just get lucky. Read more…
What is sensitivity and specificity, and why should I care?
Data and Metrics Data Literacy
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
A: Good question! Sensitivity and specificity are characteristics of a medical test that help us determine how useful that test is and how to interpret the result. BUT, they aren’t the be all and end all. We also want to know the positive and negative predictive value. Strap in for the ride and let’s talk Read more…
Reproductive rights are in the news these days, which has this Nerdy Girl thinking – this is a nice time to take a quick break to review options to prevent pregnancy. Babies are wonderful and it’s also pretty great to be able to choose if and when you become a parent. Luckily you have many Read more…
¿Por qué hay algunas personas que no se infectan con COVID-19 cuando todos a su alrededor están infectados?
Infection and Spread Posts en EspañolTita Smyth Escobedo, PM-IT
Aunque el COVID-19 es MUY transmisible, todos conocen los casos donde personas viajan juntas en un carro y una de ellas está infectada, pero los otros nunca se infectan ni dan positivo en el test. ¿Cómo puede pasar? ¡Es una buenísima pregunta! Para que un virus se transmita entre las personas, bastantes partículas virales deben Read more…
Progress Being Made on Potential mRNA Vaccine for HIV
Vaccines
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Earlier this year, Moderna started a small human trial of a vaccine against HIV infection using the same mRNA technology that led to the success and rapid availability of COVID-19 vaccines. They expect to have safety data (and some hints about effectiveness) in 2023. mRNA technology has been in development for decades, and we can Read more…
Those Nerdy Girls chosen as a case study by WHO
Women in STEM
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
🎉 Those Nerdy Girls were recently honored to be chosen as a case study by the World Health Organization (WHO) for innovative science communication during the COVID-19 pandemic! “The COVID-19 pandemic has emphasized the importance of translating science in a timely and accessible manner to different audiences. As the pandemic progressed, the evidence evolved and Read more…
Frequently Asked Questions about when to BOOST
Vaccines
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
The recent guidance from the CDC is straightforward: Anyone 5 or older should receive a booster 5 months after their last dose. People over the age of 50 and children 12 or older who are immunocompromised are eligible for a second booster 4 months after their last dose. Here are answers to a few more Read more…
Meet Those Nerdy Girls: Maggie Hayes
Women in STEM
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Today we get to introduce another one of Those Nerdy Girls, Maggie Hayes. Maggie is our Spanish language science communications intern, and she helps with operations, translation, and community engagement on our Spanish-language channel, Querida Pandemia. Maggie is a UW-Madison undergraduate majoring in Spanish and Sociology with a certificate in Chicana and Latina Studies. She Read more…
Is it safe to . . .?!
Staying Safe
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
“How risky is being indoors with our 10-year-old granddaughter without masks? We have plans to have birthday tea together. Are we safe?” That question, from a woman named Debby in California, is just one of hundreds I’ve received from concerned people who are worried about COVID-19. I’m an epidemiologist and one of the women behind Read more…
Did you know you can get 8 more *FREE* COVID-19 rapid tests sent directly to your house?
Testing and Contact Tracing
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: It’s true! Even if your household already received free tests before! In the U.S. only though. Visit here and order yours today: https://www.covid.gov/tests. All you need to do is enter your name and a shipping address…THAT’S IT! You can also call here to order instead: 1-800-232-0233 (TTY 1-888-720-7489).
Why do some people not get COVID when everyone around them has it?
Biology/Immunity Infection and Spread
Guest Author Jessica Williams-Nguyen, PhD
TLDR; Many things impact infection risk, including vaccination status, prior exposures, genetics, and the specific details of one’s contact with infected people. Even when conditions seem ideal for transmission, it’s not a done deal. This is why, if COVID comes to your home, it’s worth trying to limit spread. And sometimes, you just get lucky. Read more…
What is sensitivity and specificity, and why should I care?
Data and Metrics Data Literacy
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
A: Good question! Sensitivity and specificity are characteristics of a medical test that help us determine how useful that test is and how to interpret the result. BUT, they aren’t the be all and end all. We also want to know the positive and negative predictive value. Strap in for the ride and let’s talk Read more…
Aunque el COVID-19 es MUY transmisible, todos conocen los casos donde personas viajan juntas en un carro y una de ellas está infectada, pero los otros nunca se infectan ni dan positivo en el test. ¿Cómo puede pasar? ¡Es una buenísima pregunta! Para que un virus se transmita entre las personas, bastantes partículas virales deben Read more…
Progress Being Made on Potential mRNA Vaccine for HIV
VaccinesMalia Jones, PhD MPH
Earlier this year, Moderna started a small human trial of a vaccine against HIV infection using the same mRNA technology that led to the success and rapid availability of COVID-19 vaccines. They expect to have safety data (and some hints about effectiveness) in 2023. mRNA technology has been in development for decades, and we can Read more…
Those Nerdy Girls chosen as a case study by WHO
Women in STEM
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
🎉 Those Nerdy Girls were recently honored to be chosen as a case study by the World Health Organization (WHO) for innovative science communication during the COVID-19 pandemic! “The COVID-19 pandemic has emphasized the importance of translating science in a timely and accessible manner to different audiences. As the pandemic progressed, the evidence evolved and Read more…
Frequently Asked Questions about when to BOOST
Vaccines
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
The recent guidance from the CDC is straightforward: Anyone 5 or older should receive a booster 5 months after their last dose. People over the age of 50 and children 12 or older who are immunocompromised are eligible for a second booster 4 months after their last dose. Here are answers to a few more Read more…
Meet Those Nerdy Girls: Maggie Hayes
Women in STEM
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Today we get to introduce another one of Those Nerdy Girls, Maggie Hayes. Maggie is our Spanish language science communications intern, and she helps with operations, translation, and community engagement on our Spanish-language channel, Querida Pandemia. Maggie is a UW-Madison undergraduate majoring in Spanish and Sociology with a certificate in Chicana and Latina Studies. She Read more…
Is it safe to . . .?!
Staying Safe
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
“How risky is being indoors with our 10-year-old granddaughter without masks? We have plans to have birthday tea together. Are we safe?” That question, from a woman named Debby in California, is just one of hundreds I’ve received from concerned people who are worried about COVID-19. I’m an epidemiologist and one of the women behind Read more…
Did you know you can get 8 more *FREE* COVID-19 rapid tests sent directly to your house?
Testing and Contact Tracing
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: It’s true! Even if your household already received free tests before! In the U.S. only though. Visit here and order yours today: https://www.covid.gov/tests. All you need to do is enter your name and a shipping address…THAT’S IT! You can also call here to order instead: 1-800-232-0233 (TTY 1-888-720-7489).
Why do some people not get COVID when everyone around them has it?
Biology/Immunity Infection and Spread
Guest Author Jessica Williams-Nguyen, PhD
TLDR; Many things impact infection risk, including vaccination status, prior exposures, genetics, and the specific details of one’s contact with infected people. Even when conditions seem ideal for transmission, it’s not a done deal. This is why, if COVID comes to your home, it’s worth trying to limit spread. And sometimes, you just get lucky. Read more…
What is sensitivity and specificity, and why should I care?
Data and Metrics Data Literacy
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
A: Good question! Sensitivity and specificity are characteristics of a medical test that help us determine how useful that test is and how to interpret the result. BUT, they aren’t the be all and end all. We also want to know the positive and negative predictive value. Strap in for the ride and let’s talk Read more…
Earlier this year, Moderna started a small human trial of a vaccine against HIV infection using the same mRNA technology that led to the success and rapid availability of COVID-19 vaccines. They expect to have safety data (and some hints about effectiveness) in 2023. mRNA technology has been in development for decades, and we can Read more…
Those Nerdy Girls chosen as a case study by WHO
Women in STEMJennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
🎉 Those Nerdy Girls were recently honored to be chosen as a case study by the World Health Organization (WHO) for innovative science communication during the COVID-19 pandemic! “The COVID-19 pandemic has emphasized the importance of translating science in a timely and accessible manner to different audiences. As the pandemic progressed, the evidence evolved and Read more…
Frequently Asked Questions about when to BOOST
Vaccines
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
The recent guidance from the CDC is straightforward: Anyone 5 or older should receive a booster 5 months after their last dose. People over the age of 50 and children 12 or older who are immunocompromised are eligible for a second booster 4 months after their last dose. Here are answers to a few more Read more…
Meet Those Nerdy Girls: Maggie Hayes
Women in STEM
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Today we get to introduce another one of Those Nerdy Girls, Maggie Hayes. Maggie is our Spanish language science communications intern, and she helps with operations, translation, and community engagement on our Spanish-language channel, Querida Pandemia. Maggie is a UW-Madison undergraduate majoring in Spanish and Sociology with a certificate in Chicana and Latina Studies. She Read more…
Is it safe to . . .?!
Staying Safe
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
“How risky is being indoors with our 10-year-old granddaughter without masks? We have plans to have birthday tea together. Are we safe?” That question, from a woman named Debby in California, is just one of hundreds I’ve received from concerned people who are worried about COVID-19. I’m an epidemiologist and one of the women behind Read more…
Did you know you can get 8 more *FREE* COVID-19 rapid tests sent directly to your house?
Testing and Contact Tracing
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: It’s true! Even if your household already received free tests before! In the U.S. only though. Visit here and order yours today: https://www.covid.gov/tests. All you need to do is enter your name and a shipping address…THAT’S IT! You can also call here to order instead: 1-800-232-0233 (TTY 1-888-720-7489).
Why do some people not get COVID when everyone around them has it?
Biology/Immunity Infection and Spread
Guest Author Jessica Williams-Nguyen, PhD
TLDR; Many things impact infection risk, including vaccination status, prior exposures, genetics, and the specific details of one’s contact with infected people. Even when conditions seem ideal for transmission, it’s not a done deal. This is why, if COVID comes to your home, it’s worth trying to limit spread. And sometimes, you just get lucky. Read more…
What is sensitivity and specificity, and why should I care?
Data and Metrics Data Literacy
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
A: Good question! Sensitivity and specificity are characteristics of a medical test that help us determine how useful that test is and how to interpret the result. BUT, they aren’t the be all and end all. We also want to know the positive and negative predictive value. Strap in for the ride and let’s talk Read more…
🎉 Those Nerdy Girls were recently honored to be chosen as a case study by the World Health Organization (WHO) for innovative science communication during the COVID-19 pandemic! “The COVID-19 pandemic has emphasized the importance of translating science in a timely and accessible manner to different audiences. As the pandemic progressed, the evidence evolved and Read more…
Frequently Asked Questions about when to BOOST
VaccinesAshley Ritter, APRN, PhD
The recent guidance from the CDC is straightforward: Anyone 5 or older should receive a booster 5 months after their last dose. People over the age of 50 and children 12 or older who are immunocompromised are eligible for a second booster 4 months after their last dose. Here are answers to a few more Read more…
Meet Those Nerdy Girls: Maggie Hayes
Women in STEM
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Today we get to introduce another one of Those Nerdy Girls, Maggie Hayes. Maggie is our Spanish language science communications intern, and she helps with operations, translation, and community engagement on our Spanish-language channel, Querida Pandemia. Maggie is a UW-Madison undergraduate majoring in Spanish and Sociology with a certificate in Chicana and Latina Studies. She Read more…
Is it safe to . . .?!
Staying Safe
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
“How risky is being indoors with our 10-year-old granddaughter without masks? We have plans to have birthday tea together. Are we safe?” That question, from a woman named Debby in California, is just one of hundreds I’ve received from concerned people who are worried about COVID-19. I’m an epidemiologist and one of the women behind Read more…
Did you know you can get 8 more *FREE* COVID-19 rapid tests sent directly to your house?
Testing and Contact Tracing
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: It’s true! Even if your household already received free tests before! In the U.S. only though. Visit here and order yours today: https://www.covid.gov/tests. All you need to do is enter your name and a shipping address…THAT’S IT! You can also call here to order instead: 1-800-232-0233 (TTY 1-888-720-7489).
Why do some people not get COVID when everyone around them has it?
Biology/Immunity Infection and Spread
Guest Author Jessica Williams-Nguyen, PhD
TLDR; Many things impact infection risk, including vaccination status, prior exposures, genetics, and the specific details of one’s contact with infected people. Even when conditions seem ideal for transmission, it’s not a done deal. This is why, if COVID comes to your home, it’s worth trying to limit spread. And sometimes, you just get lucky. Read more…
What is sensitivity and specificity, and why should I care?
Data and Metrics Data Literacy
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
A: Good question! Sensitivity and specificity are characteristics of a medical test that help us determine how useful that test is and how to interpret the result. BUT, they aren’t the be all and end all. We also want to know the positive and negative predictive value. Strap in for the ride and let’s talk Read more…
The recent guidance from the CDC is straightforward: Anyone 5 or older should receive a booster 5 months after their last dose. People over the age of 50 and children 12 or older who are immunocompromised are eligible for a second booster 4 months after their last dose. Here are answers to a few more Read more…
Meet Those Nerdy Girls: Maggie Hayes
Women in STEMMalia Jones, PhD MPH
Today we get to introduce another one of Those Nerdy Girls, Maggie Hayes. Maggie is our Spanish language science communications intern, and she helps with operations, translation, and community engagement on our Spanish-language channel, Querida Pandemia. Maggie is a UW-Madison undergraduate majoring in Spanish and Sociology with a certificate in Chicana and Latina Studies. She Read more…
Is it safe to . . .?!
Staying Safe
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
“How risky is being indoors with our 10-year-old granddaughter without masks? We have plans to have birthday tea together. Are we safe?” That question, from a woman named Debby in California, is just one of hundreds I’ve received from concerned people who are worried about COVID-19. I’m an epidemiologist and one of the women behind Read more…
Did you know you can get 8 more *FREE* COVID-19 rapid tests sent directly to your house?
Testing and Contact Tracing
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: It’s true! Even if your household already received free tests before! In the U.S. only though. Visit here and order yours today: https://www.covid.gov/tests. All you need to do is enter your name and a shipping address…THAT’S IT! You can also call here to order instead: 1-800-232-0233 (TTY 1-888-720-7489).
Why do some people not get COVID when everyone around them has it?
Biology/Immunity Infection and Spread
Guest Author Jessica Williams-Nguyen, PhD
TLDR; Many things impact infection risk, including vaccination status, prior exposures, genetics, and the specific details of one’s contact with infected people. Even when conditions seem ideal for transmission, it’s not a done deal. This is why, if COVID comes to your home, it’s worth trying to limit spread. And sometimes, you just get lucky. Read more…
What is sensitivity and specificity, and why should I care?
Data and Metrics Data Literacy
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
A: Good question! Sensitivity and specificity are characteristics of a medical test that help us determine how useful that test is and how to interpret the result. BUT, they aren’t the be all and end all. We also want to know the positive and negative predictive value. Strap in for the ride and let’s talk Read more…
Today we get to introduce another one of Those Nerdy Girls, Maggie Hayes. Maggie is our Spanish language science communications intern, and she helps with operations, translation, and community engagement on our Spanish-language channel, Querida Pandemia. Maggie is a UW-Madison undergraduate majoring in Spanish and Sociology with a certificate in Chicana and Latina Studies. She Read more…
Is it safe to . . .?!
Staying SafeMalia Jones, PhD MPH
“How risky is being indoors with our 10-year-old granddaughter without masks? We have plans to have birthday tea together. Are we safe?” That question, from a woman named Debby in California, is just one of hundreds I’ve received from concerned people who are worried about COVID-19. I’m an epidemiologist and one of the women behind Read more…
Did you know you can get 8 more *FREE* COVID-19 rapid tests sent directly to your house?
Testing and Contact Tracing
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: It’s true! Even if your household already received free tests before! In the U.S. only though. Visit here and order yours today: https://www.covid.gov/tests. All you need to do is enter your name and a shipping address…THAT’S IT! You can also call here to order instead: 1-800-232-0233 (TTY 1-888-720-7489).
Why do some people not get COVID when everyone around them has it?
Biology/Immunity Infection and Spread
Guest Author Jessica Williams-Nguyen, PhD
TLDR; Many things impact infection risk, including vaccination status, prior exposures, genetics, and the specific details of one’s contact with infected people. Even when conditions seem ideal for transmission, it’s not a done deal. This is why, if COVID comes to your home, it’s worth trying to limit spread. And sometimes, you just get lucky. Read more…
What is sensitivity and specificity, and why should I care?
Data and Metrics Data Literacy
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
A: Good question! Sensitivity and specificity are characteristics of a medical test that help us determine how useful that test is and how to interpret the result. BUT, they aren’t the be all and end all. We also want to know the positive and negative predictive value. Strap in for the ride and let’s talk Read more…
“How risky is being indoors with our 10-year-old granddaughter without masks? We have plans to have birthday tea together. Are we safe?” That question, from a woman named Debby in California, is just one of hundreds I’ve received from concerned people who are worried about COVID-19. I’m an epidemiologist and one of the women behind Read more…
Did you know you can get 8 more *FREE* COVID-19 rapid tests sent directly to your house?
Testing and Contact TracingAmanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: It’s true! Even if your household already received free tests before! In the U.S. only though. Visit here and order yours today: https://www.covid.gov/tests. All you need to do is enter your name and a shipping address…THAT’S IT! You can also call here to order instead: 1-800-232-0233 (TTY 1-888-720-7489).
Why do some people not get COVID when everyone around them has it?
Biology/Immunity Infection and Spread
Guest Author Jessica Williams-Nguyen, PhD
TLDR; Many things impact infection risk, including vaccination status, prior exposures, genetics, and the specific details of one’s contact with infected people. Even when conditions seem ideal for transmission, it’s not a done deal. This is why, if COVID comes to your home, it’s worth trying to limit spread. And sometimes, you just get lucky. Read more…
What is sensitivity and specificity, and why should I care?
Data and Metrics Data Literacy
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
A: Good question! Sensitivity and specificity are characteristics of a medical test that help us determine how useful that test is and how to interpret the result. BUT, they aren’t the be all and end all. We also want to know the positive and negative predictive value. Strap in for the ride and let’s talk Read more…
A: It’s true! Even if your household already received free tests before! In the U.S. only though. Visit here and order yours today: https://www.covid.gov/tests. All you need to do is enter your name and a shipping address…THAT’S IT! You can also call here to order instead: 1-800-232-0233 (TTY 1-888-720-7489).
Why do some people not get COVID when everyone around them has it?
Biology/Immunity Infection and SpreadGuest Author Jessica Williams-Nguyen, PhD
TLDR; Many things impact infection risk, including vaccination status, prior exposures, genetics, and the specific details of one’s contact with infected people. Even when conditions seem ideal for transmission, it’s not a done deal. This is why, if COVID comes to your home, it’s worth trying to limit spread. And sometimes, you just get lucky. Read more…
What is sensitivity and specificity, and why should I care?
Data and Metrics Data Literacy
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
A: Good question! Sensitivity and specificity are characteristics of a medical test that help us determine how useful that test is and how to interpret the result. BUT, they aren’t the be all and end all. We also want to know the positive and negative predictive value. Strap in for the ride and let’s talk Read more…
TLDR; Many things impact infection risk, including vaccination status, prior exposures, genetics, and the specific details of one’s contact with infected people. Even when conditions seem ideal for transmission, it’s not a done deal. This is why, if COVID comes to your home, it’s worth trying to limit spread. And sometimes, you just get lucky. Read more…
What is sensitivity and specificity, and why should I care?
Data and Metrics Data LiteracySarah Whitley Coles, MD
A: Good question! Sensitivity and specificity are characteristics of a medical test that help us determine how useful that test is and how to interpret the result. BUT, they aren’t the be all and end all. We also want to know the positive and negative predictive value. Strap in for the ride and let’s talk Read more…
A: Good question! Sensitivity and specificity are characteristics of a medical test that help us determine how useful that test is and how to interpret the result. BUT, they aren’t the be all and end all. We also want to know the positive and negative predictive value. Strap in for the ride and let’s talk Read more…
