A Nerdy Girl and her family get COVID-19!
Families/Kids
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
Yes- even Those Nerdy Girls are not invincible to the wrath of COVID-19. Dr. Ashley Ritter, Dear Pandemic’s Chief Nerd, here to share my family’s experience with COVID-19 infection. The moral of the story: Unvaccinated children can spread COVID-19 in their household, even among vaccinated housemates. Adults and kids 5 and older – GO GET Read more…
Deer in the U.S. have the virus that causes COVID-19.
Uncategorized
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
ETA: Trigger warning: this post contains real bad news and it also mentions deer hunting. *************** 🦌⚠️🦌 Deer Pandemic?! 🦌⚠️🦌 Scientists recently learned that TONS of white-tailed deer in the United States have SARS-CoV-2. More than a few curse words were spoken by infectious disease epidemiologists upon hearing this news. It is very important and Read more…
How do COVID-19 mRNA vaccines work?
Vaccines
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: A picture (or video) truly is worth a thousand words. (See link below.) Thanks to The Vaccine Makers Project (VMP) for this beautiful visualization of the miracle of science. VMP is the classroom-based program of the Vaccine Education Center at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. The VMP is committed to public education about vaccine Read more…
Can kids get “Long Covid?”
Clinical Symptoms Families/Kids Long COVID
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
A: Sadly, yes. Though we don’t know exactly how many kids who had COVID-19 will have prolonged symptoms (often called Long Covid), Long Covid is possible even in kids who had mild or asymptomatic infections. You might hear it called “Long Covid,” “Long Haul Covid,” or “Post-Covid Conditions.” All these names are talking about the Read more…
Pfizer-BioNTech’s FDA-approved vaccine, Comirnaty, *IS* available in the United States.
Uncertainty and Misinformation
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Have you heard the latest social media rumor? Pfizer-BioNTech’s FDA-approved vaccine, Comirnaty, is not available in the United States/your state yet. True or false?! You guessed it–this is not true. And next time you run across something that smells a little fishy, don’t get caught! 🎣 Just google it followed by the words “fact check” Read more…
The FDA is underestimating the benefits of COVID vaccines for kids.
Families/Kids Vaccines
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Many of us nerdy girls tuned in to watch the live feeds of the recent FDA and CDC advisory committee meetings, during which two different panels of experts discussed the lower-dose Pfizer vaccine against COVID-19 for kids ages 5-11. The FDA and CDC panels both evaluate risks and benefits of vaccines, but they take very Read more…
The CDC recommends the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for kids age 5-11!
Families/Kids Vaccines
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (@CDC) is recommending the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for ALL KIDS age 5 to 11 following their Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) meeting on November 2nd. Big picture: The vaccine is safe and effective for these kids and clinicians are gearing up to start giving the vaccine Read more…
If my child is almost 12 years old, should I wait for the higher dose when the Pfizer vaccine for 5-11s is approved?
Families/Kids Vaccines
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: Don’t wait. Get the vaccine authorized for kids aged 5-11 years. TL; DR The lower dose produces a strong immune response in kids and may have fewer side effects. Here’s why getting the dose for kids that is based on their current age is recommended: 1. The immune response in kids is easily stimulated Read more…
¿Qué debo hacer si pierdo mi tarjeta de vacunación de COVID-19?
Posts en Español Uncategorized
Tita Smyth Escobedo, PM-IT
Póngase en contacto con el profesional sanitario que le puso💉 la vacuna 💉. La mayoría de los proveedores mantienen un registro y pueden proporcionarle una tarjeta de vacunación de reemplazo. 🏥 Si se vacunó en un centro de vacunación masiva que ya no está abierto, póngase en contacto con el departamento de salud de su Read more…
Are you 1 in 5?
Mental Health
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
➡️ 1 in 5 people live with a mental health condition in any year. Having a mental health condition not only increases the risk of having a physical illness, it also increases the risk of worse outcomes like hospitalization, complications from the illness, and death. This can happen with illnesses like COVID-19. The CDC has Read more…
Can I take an antibody test to see if I need a booster shot?
Biology/Immunity Vaccines
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: Unfortunately, no. TL;DR: 💥Our current antibody tests can’t tell us how well someone is protected from COVID-19 infection or disease. Whether you have been previously infected, vaccinated, or a combination of the two, the recent authorization of booster shots in many countries has people wondering if they need one yet. While it would be Read more…
My kid has a runny nose. Should we get tested?
Testing and Contact Tracing
Chana Davis, PhD
A) Runny noses are tricky. On one hand, they’re a common symptom of COVID-19. On the other hand, they are usually due to some other bug. Getting tested is the only way to know for sure what you’ve got. Whether or not you test, be kind and spare others not just from the sniffles, but Read more…
💥 FINALLY…some new MIX AND MATCH DATA💥
Vaccines
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
On the eve of the US FDA meetings some long awaited results from the US Mix and Match booster trial. TL;DR: ➡️ A boost of ANY vaccine raised antibodies a lot, no matter your first type of vaccine. ➡️ Boosting with an mRNA vaccine (Moderna or Pfizer) after an original Johnson & Johnson vaccine produced Read more…
¿Qué puedo hacer para detener la desinformación sobre salud?
Posts en Español Uncertainty and Misinformation
Tita Smyth Escobedo, PM-IT
El Cirujano General de los Estados Unidos emitió un Aviso 📄 que describe los pasos de acción que cualquier persona debe tomar para detener la propagación de desinformación. Por ejemplo, usted puede: ✅ Aprender a identificar y evitar compartir desinformación sobre la salud. ✅ Integrarse con sus amigos y familiares sobre el problema de la Read more…
Should I get tested after X (fill in the blank)?
Testing and Contact Tracing
Chana Davis, PhD
A) To test or not to test? When in doubt, test. If testing access is limited, prioritize testing after riskier activities and when you pose a high risk to others. Continue using SMARTS layers of protection on top of testing. Read on for the TL;DR on when testing adds the most value and how to Read more…
Scientists recently did something pretty cool (okay, *Nerdy* cool).
Infection and Spread
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
They put COVID-19 infected people in a room and measured how much virus was in the air under different conditions. ❓What did they find? TL;DR: ➡️ The more virus the person had in their nose, the more was in the room (shocker!) ➡️ HEPA FILTRATION reduced viral load in the air the most ➡️ Increased Read more…
I’ve been exposed to COVID-19! When should I get tested?
Testing and Contact Tracing
Chana Davis, PhD
Help! 🙋I’ve been exposed to COVID-19! 🙋 When should I get tested? Is test timing different for the Delta variant? The short answer: Get tested at the right time and repeat if needed. The details: The sweet spot for COVID-19 testing is 3-5 days after a known exposure, or when you begin to feel symptoms. Read more…
J&J Vaccine: Real-world effectiveness and booster update
Vaccines
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
If you received the one-dose vaccine from Johnson & Johnson, we have some mostly good news. Johnson & Johnson/Janssen issued data recently showing that in the real world, a single dose of the J&J vaccine was 77-80% effective for preventing moderate symptomatic infections and 79-84% effective for preventing hospitalization after several months. This was a Read more…
Should I take a COVID-19 rapid antigen test? Part 1 in a Series
Testing and Contact Tracing
Chana Davis, PhD
Should I take a rapid antigen test before visiting a vulnerable person (e.g. an immunocompromised parent)? What about before hosting a gathering or attending a big event? The short answer: Yes, yes, and yes! ⌛ Shortest post ever. JK. There is always nuance to consider when we talk about testing, because no test is perfect. Read more…
Masks can be worn safely by most children.
Families/Kids Infection and Spread Masks School Staying Safe
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
😷 Reminder: Masks can be worn safely by most children. There are very few reasons for children to be exempt from wearing a mask in school. 😶🌫️ There is a lot of confusion around who can qualify for a medical exemption from a mask, especially as children are getting back to school. Many hospitals and Read more…
Yes- even Those Nerdy Girls are not invincible to the wrath of COVID-19. Dr. Ashley Ritter, Dear Pandemic’s Chief Nerd, here to share my family’s experience with COVID-19 infection. The moral of the story: Unvaccinated children can spread COVID-19 in their household, even among vaccinated housemates. Adults and kids 5 and older – GO GET Read more…
Deer in the U.S. have the virus that causes COVID-19.
UncategorizedMalia Jones, PhD MPH
ETA: Trigger warning: this post contains real bad news and it also mentions deer hunting. *************** 🦌⚠️🦌 Deer Pandemic?! 🦌⚠️🦌 Scientists recently learned that TONS of white-tailed deer in the United States have SARS-CoV-2. More than a few curse words were spoken by infectious disease epidemiologists upon hearing this news. It is very important and Read more…
How do COVID-19 mRNA vaccines work?
Vaccines
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: A picture (or video) truly is worth a thousand words. (See link below.) Thanks to The Vaccine Makers Project (VMP) for this beautiful visualization of the miracle of science. VMP is the classroom-based program of the Vaccine Education Center at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. The VMP is committed to public education about vaccine Read more…
Can kids get “Long Covid?”
Clinical Symptoms Families/Kids Long COVID
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
A: Sadly, yes. Though we don’t know exactly how many kids who had COVID-19 will have prolonged symptoms (often called Long Covid), Long Covid is possible even in kids who had mild or asymptomatic infections. You might hear it called “Long Covid,” “Long Haul Covid,” or “Post-Covid Conditions.” All these names are talking about the Read more…
Pfizer-BioNTech’s FDA-approved vaccine, Comirnaty, *IS* available in the United States.
Uncertainty and Misinformation
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Have you heard the latest social media rumor? Pfizer-BioNTech’s FDA-approved vaccine, Comirnaty, is not available in the United States/your state yet. True or false?! You guessed it–this is not true. And next time you run across something that smells a little fishy, don’t get caught! 🎣 Just google it followed by the words “fact check” Read more…
The FDA is underestimating the benefits of COVID vaccines for kids.
Families/Kids Vaccines
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Many of us nerdy girls tuned in to watch the live feeds of the recent FDA and CDC advisory committee meetings, during which two different panels of experts discussed the lower-dose Pfizer vaccine against COVID-19 for kids ages 5-11. The FDA and CDC panels both evaluate risks and benefits of vaccines, but they take very Read more…
The CDC recommends the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for kids age 5-11!
Families/Kids Vaccines
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (@CDC) is recommending the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for ALL KIDS age 5 to 11 following their Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) meeting on November 2nd. Big picture: The vaccine is safe and effective for these kids and clinicians are gearing up to start giving the vaccine Read more…
If my child is almost 12 years old, should I wait for the higher dose when the Pfizer vaccine for 5-11s is approved?
Families/Kids Vaccines
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: Don’t wait. Get the vaccine authorized for kids aged 5-11 years. TL; DR The lower dose produces a strong immune response in kids and may have fewer side effects. Here’s why getting the dose for kids that is based on their current age is recommended: 1. The immune response in kids is easily stimulated Read more…
¿Qué debo hacer si pierdo mi tarjeta de vacunación de COVID-19?
Posts en Español Uncategorized
Tita Smyth Escobedo, PM-IT
Póngase en contacto con el profesional sanitario que le puso💉 la vacuna 💉. La mayoría de los proveedores mantienen un registro y pueden proporcionarle una tarjeta de vacunación de reemplazo. 🏥 Si se vacunó en un centro de vacunación masiva que ya no está abierto, póngase en contacto con el departamento de salud de su Read more…
Are you 1 in 5?
Mental Health
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
➡️ 1 in 5 people live with a mental health condition in any year. Having a mental health condition not only increases the risk of having a physical illness, it also increases the risk of worse outcomes like hospitalization, complications from the illness, and death. This can happen with illnesses like COVID-19. The CDC has Read more…
Can I take an antibody test to see if I need a booster shot?
Biology/Immunity Vaccines
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: Unfortunately, no. TL;DR: 💥Our current antibody tests can’t tell us how well someone is protected from COVID-19 infection or disease. Whether you have been previously infected, vaccinated, or a combination of the two, the recent authorization of booster shots in many countries has people wondering if they need one yet. While it would be Read more…
My kid has a runny nose. Should we get tested?
Testing and Contact Tracing
Chana Davis, PhD
A) Runny noses are tricky. On one hand, they’re a common symptom of COVID-19. On the other hand, they are usually due to some other bug. Getting tested is the only way to know for sure what you’ve got. Whether or not you test, be kind and spare others not just from the sniffles, but Read more…
💥 FINALLY…some new MIX AND MATCH DATA💥
Vaccines
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
On the eve of the US FDA meetings some long awaited results from the US Mix and Match booster trial. TL;DR: ➡️ A boost of ANY vaccine raised antibodies a lot, no matter your first type of vaccine. ➡️ Boosting with an mRNA vaccine (Moderna or Pfizer) after an original Johnson & Johnson vaccine produced Read more…
¿Qué puedo hacer para detener la desinformación sobre salud?
Posts en Español Uncertainty and Misinformation
Tita Smyth Escobedo, PM-IT
El Cirujano General de los Estados Unidos emitió un Aviso 📄 que describe los pasos de acción que cualquier persona debe tomar para detener la propagación de desinformación. Por ejemplo, usted puede: ✅ Aprender a identificar y evitar compartir desinformación sobre la salud. ✅ Integrarse con sus amigos y familiares sobre el problema de la Read more…
Should I get tested after X (fill in the blank)?
Testing and Contact Tracing
Chana Davis, PhD
A) To test or not to test? When in doubt, test. If testing access is limited, prioritize testing after riskier activities and when you pose a high risk to others. Continue using SMARTS layers of protection on top of testing. Read on for the TL;DR on when testing adds the most value and how to Read more…
Scientists recently did something pretty cool (okay, *Nerdy* cool).
Infection and Spread
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
They put COVID-19 infected people in a room and measured how much virus was in the air under different conditions. ❓What did they find? TL;DR: ➡️ The more virus the person had in their nose, the more was in the room (shocker!) ➡️ HEPA FILTRATION reduced viral load in the air the most ➡️ Increased Read more…
I’ve been exposed to COVID-19! When should I get tested?
Testing and Contact Tracing
Chana Davis, PhD
Help! 🙋I’ve been exposed to COVID-19! 🙋 When should I get tested? Is test timing different for the Delta variant? The short answer: Get tested at the right time and repeat if needed. The details: The sweet spot for COVID-19 testing is 3-5 days after a known exposure, or when you begin to feel symptoms. Read more…
J&J Vaccine: Real-world effectiveness and booster update
Vaccines
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
If you received the one-dose vaccine from Johnson & Johnson, we have some mostly good news. Johnson & Johnson/Janssen issued data recently showing that in the real world, a single dose of the J&J vaccine was 77-80% effective for preventing moderate symptomatic infections and 79-84% effective for preventing hospitalization after several months. This was a Read more…
Should I take a COVID-19 rapid antigen test? Part 1 in a Series
Testing and Contact Tracing
Chana Davis, PhD
Should I take a rapid antigen test before visiting a vulnerable person (e.g. an immunocompromised parent)? What about before hosting a gathering or attending a big event? The short answer: Yes, yes, and yes! ⌛ Shortest post ever. JK. There is always nuance to consider when we talk about testing, because no test is perfect. Read more…
Masks can be worn safely by most children.
Families/Kids Infection and Spread Masks School Staying Safe
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
😷 Reminder: Masks can be worn safely by most children. There are very few reasons for children to be exempt from wearing a mask in school. 😶🌫️ There is a lot of confusion around who can qualify for a medical exemption from a mask, especially as children are getting back to school. Many hospitals and Read more…
ETA: Trigger warning: this post contains real bad news and it also mentions deer hunting. *************** 🦌⚠️🦌 Deer Pandemic?! 🦌⚠️🦌 Scientists recently learned that TONS of white-tailed deer in the United States have SARS-CoV-2. More than a few curse words were spoken by infectious disease epidemiologists upon hearing this news. It is very important and Read more…
How do COVID-19 mRNA vaccines work?
VaccinesJennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: A picture (or video) truly is worth a thousand words. (See link below.) Thanks to The Vaccine Makers Project (VMP) for this beautiful visualization of the miracle of science. VMP is the classroom-based program of the Vaccine Education Center at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. The VMP is committed to public education about vaccine Read more…
Can kids get “Long Covid?”
Clinical Symptoms Families/Kids Long COVID
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
A: Sadly, yes. Though we don’t know exactly how many kids who had COVID-19 will have prolonged symptoms (often called Long Covid), Long Covid is possible even in kids who had mild or asymptomatic infections. You might hear it called “Long Covid,” “Long Haul Covid,” or “Post-Covid Conditions.” All these names are talking about the Read more…
Pfizer-BioNTech’s FDA-approved vaccine, Comirnaty, *IS* available in the United States.
Uncertainty and Misinformation
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Have you heard the latest social media rumor? Pfizer-BioNTech’s FDA-approved vaccine, Comirnaty, is not available in the United States/your state yet. True or false?! You guessed it–this is not true. And next time you run across something that smells a little fishy, don’t get caught! 🎣 Just google it followed by the words “fact check” Read more…
The FDA is underestimating the benefits of COVID vaccines for kids.
Families/Kids Vaccines
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Many of us nerdy girls tuned in to watch the live feeds of the recent FDA and CDC advisory committee meetings, during which two different panels of experts discussed the lower-dose Pfizer vaccine against COVID-19 for kids ages 5-11. The FDA and CDC panels both evaluate risks and benefits of vaccines, but they take very Read more…
The CDC recommends the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for kids age 5-11!
Families/Kids Vaccines
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (@CDC) is recommending the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for ALL KIDS age 5 to 11 following their Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) meeting on November 2nd. Big picture: The vaccine is safe and effective for these kids and clinicians are gearing up to start giving the vaccine Read more…
If my child is almost 12 years old, should I wait for the higher dose when the Pfizer vaccine for 5-11s is approved?
Families/Kids Vaccines
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: Don’t wait. Get the vaccine authorized for kids aged 5-11 years. TL; DR The lower dose produces a strong immune response in kids and may have fewer side effects. Here’s why getting the dose for kids that is based on their current age is recommended: 1. The immune response in kids is easily stimulated Read more…
¿Qué debo hacer si pierdo mi tarjeta de vacunación de COVID-19?
Posts en Español Uncategorized
Tita Smyth Escobedo, PM-IT
Póngase en contacto con el profesional sanitario que le puso💉 la vacuna 💉. La mayoría de los proveedores mantienen un registro y pueden proporcionarle una tarjeta de vacunación de reemplazo. 🏥 Si se vacunó en un centro de vacunación masiva que ya no está abierto, póngase en contacto con el departamento de salud de su Read more…
Are you 1 in 5?
Mental Health
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
➡️ 1 in 5 people live with a mental health condition in any year. Having a mental health condition not only increases the risk of having a physical illness, it also increases the risk of worse outcomes like hospitalization, complications from the illness, and death. This can happen with illnesses like COVID-19. The CDC has Read more…
Can I take an antibody test to see if I need a booster shot?
Biology/Immunity Vaccines
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: Unfortunately, no. TL;DR: 💥Our current antibody tests can’t tell us how well someone is protected from COVID-19 infection or disease. Whether you have been previously infected, vaccinated, or a combination of the two, the recent authorization of booster shots in many countries has people wondering if they need one yet. While it would be Read more…
My kid has a runny nose. Should we get tested?
Testing and Contact Tracing
Chana Davis, PhD
A) Runny noses are tricky. On one hand, they’re a common symptom of COVID-19. On the other hand, they are usually due to some other bug. Getting tested is the only way to know for sure what you’ve got. Whether or not you test, be kind and spare others not just from the sniffles, but Read more…
💥 FINALLY…some new MIX AND MATCH DATA💥
Vaccines
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
On the eve of the US FDA meetings some long awaited results from the US Mix and Match booster trial. TL;DR: ➡️ A boost of ANY vaccine raised antibodies a lot, no matter your first type of vaccine. ➡️ Boosting with an mRNA vaccine (Moderna or Pfizer) after an original Johnson & Johnson vaccine produced Read more…
¿Qué puedo hacer para detener la desinformación sobre salud?
Posts en Español Uncertainty and Misinformation
Tita Smyth Escobedo, PM-IT
El Cirujano General de los Estados Unidos emitió un Aviso 📄 que describe los pasos de acción que cualquier persona debe tomar para detener la propagación de desinformación. Por ejemplo, usted puede: ✅ Aprender a identificar y evitar compartir desinformación sobre la salud. ✅ Integrarse con sus amigos y familiares sobre el problema de la Read more…
Should I get tested after X (fill in the blank)?
Testing and Contact Tracing
Chana Davis, PhD
A) To test or not to test? When in doubt, test. If testing access is limited, prioritize testing after riskier activities and when you pose a high risk to others. Continue using SMARTS layers of protection on top of testing. Read on for the TL;DR on when testing adds the most value and how to Read more…
Scientists recently did something pretty cool (okay, *Nerdy* cool).
Infection and Spread
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
They put COVID-19 infected people in a room and measured how much virus was in the air under different conditions. ❓What did they find? TL;DR: ➡️ The more virus the person had in their nose, the more was in the room (shocker!) ➡️ HEPA FILTRATION reduced viral load in the air the most ➡️ Increased Read more…
I’ve been exposed to COVID-19! When should I get tested?
Testing and Contact Tracing
Chana Davis, PhD
Help! 🙋I’ve been exposed to COVID-19! 🙋 When should I get tested? Is test timing different for the Delta variant? The short answer: Get tested at the right time and repeat if needed. The details: The sweet spot for COVID-19 testing is 3-5 days after a known exposure, or when you begin to feel symptoms. Read more…
J&J Vaccine: Real-world effectiveness and booster update
Vaccines
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
If you received the one-dose vaccine from Johnson & Johnson, we have some mostly good news. Johnson & Johnson/Janssen issued data recently showing that in the real world, a single dose of the J&J vaccine was 77-80% effective for preventing moderate symptomatic infections and 79-84% effective for preventing hospitalization after several months. This was a Read more…
Should I take a COVID-19 rapid antigen test? Part 1 in a Series
Testing and Contact Tracing
Chana Davis, PhD
Should I take a rapid antigen test before visiting a vulnerable person (e.g. an immunocompromised parent)? What about before hosting a gathering or attending a big event? The short answer: Yes, yes, and yes! ⌛ Shortest post ever. JK. There is always nuance to consider when we talk about testing, because no test is perfect. Read more…
Masks can be worn safely by most children.
Families/Kids Infection and Spread Masks School Staying Safe
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
😷 Reminder: Masks can be worn safely by most children. There are very few reasons for children to be exempt from wearing a mask in school. 😶🌫️ There is a lot of confusion around who can qualify for a medical exemption from a mask, especially as children are getting back to school. Many hospitals and Read more…
A: A picture (or video) truly is worth a thousand words. (See link below.) Thanks to The Vaccine Makers Project (VMP) for this beautiful visualization of the miracle of science. VMP is the classroom-based program of the Vaccine Education Center at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. The VMP is committed to public education about vaccine Read more…
Can kids get “Long Covid?”
Clinical Symptoms Families/Kids Long COVIDSarah Whitley Coles, MD
A: Sadly, yes. Though we don’t know exactly how many kids who had COVID-19 will have prolonged symptoms (often called Long Covid), Long Covid is possible even in kids who had mild or asymptomatic infections. You might hear it called “Long Covid,” “Long Haul Covid,” or “Post-Covid Conditions.” All these names are talking about the Read more…
Pfizer-BioNTech’s FDA-approved vaccine, Comirnaty, *IS* available in the United States.
Uncertainty and Misinformation
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Have you heard the latest social media rumor? Pfizer-BioNTech’s FDA-approved vaccine, Comirnaty, is not available in the United States/your state yet. True or false?! You guessed it–this is not true. And next time you run across something that smells a little fishy, don’t get caught! 🎣 Just google it followed by the words “fact check” Read more…
The FDA is underestimating the benefits of COVID vaccines for kids.
Families/Kids Vaccines
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Many of us nerdy girls tuned in to watch the live feeds of the recent FDA and CDC advisory committee meetings, during which two different panels of experts discussed the lower-dose Pfizer vaccine against COVID-19 for kids ages 5-11. The FDA and CDC panels both evaluate risks and benefits of vaccines, but they take very Read more…
The CDC recommends the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for kids age 5-11!
Families/Kids Vaccines
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (@CDC) is recommending the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for ALL KIDS age 5 to 11 following their Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) meeting on November 2nd. Big picture: The vaccine is safe and effective for these kids and clinicians are gearing up to start giving the vaccine Read more…
If my child is almost 12 years old, should I wait for the higher dose when the Pfizer vaccine for 5-11s is approved?
Families/Kids Vaccines
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: Don’t wait. Get the vaccine authorized for kids aged 5-11 years. TL; DR The lower dose produces a strong immune response in kids and may have fewer side effects. Here’s why getting the dose for kids that is based on their current age is recommended: 1. The immune response in kids is easily stimulated Read more…
¿Qué debo hacer si pierdo mi tarjeta de vacunación de COVID-19?
Posts en Español Uncategorized
Tita Smyth Escobedo, PM-IT
Póngase en contacto con el profesional sanitario que le puso💉 la vacuna 💉. La mayoría de los proveedores mantienen un registro y pueden proporcionarle una tarjeta de vacunación de reemplazo. 🏥 Si se vacunó en un centro de vacunación masiva que ya no está abierto, póngase en contacto con el departamento de salud de su Read more…
Are you 1 in 5?
Mental Health
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
➡️ 1 in 5 people live with a mental health condition in any year. Having a mental health condition not only increases the risk of having a physical illness, it also increases the risk of worse outcomes like hospitalization, complications from the illness, and death. This can happen with illnesses like COVID-19. The CDC has Read more…
Can I take an antibody test to see if I need a booster shot?
Biology/Immunity Vaccines
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: Unfortunately, no. TL;DR: 💥Our current antibody tests can’t tell us how well someone is protected from COVID-19 infection or disease. Whether you have been previously infected, vaccinated, or a combination of the two, the recent authorization of booster shots in many countries has people wondering if they need one yet. While it would be Read more…
My kid has a runny nose. Should we get tested?
Testing and Contact Tracing
Chana Davis, PhD
A) Runny noses are tricky. On one hand, they’re a common symptom of COVID-19. On the other hand, they are usually due to some other bug. Getting tested is the only way to know for sure what you’ve got. Whether or not you test, be kind and spare others not just from the sniffles, but Read more…
💥 FINALLY…some new MIX AND MATCH DATA💥
Vaccines
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
On the eve of the US FDA meetings some long awaited results from the US Mix and Match booster trial. TL;DR: ➡️ A boost of ANY vaccine raised antibodies a lot, no matter your first type of vaccine. ➡️ Boosting with an mRNA vaccine (Moderna or Pfizer) after an original Johnson & Johnson vaccine produced Read more…
¿Qué puedo hacer para detener la desinformación sobre salud?
Posts en Español Uncertainty and Misinformation
Tita Smyth Escobedo, PM-IT
El Cirujano General de los Estados Unidos emitió un Aviso 📄 que describe los pasos de acción que cualquier persona debe tomar para detener la propagación de desinformación. Por ejemplo, usted puede: ✅ Aprender a identificar y evitar compartir desinformación sobre la salud. ✅ Integrarse con sus amigos y familiares sobre el problema de la Read more…
Should I get tested after X (fill in the blank)?
Testing and Contact Tracing
Chana Davis, PhD
A) To test or not to test? When in doubt, test. If testing access is limited, prioritize testing after riskier activities and when you pose a high risk to others. Continue using SMARTS layers of protection on top of testing. Read on for the TL;DR on when testing adds the most value and how to Read more…
Scientists recently did something pretty cool (okay, *Nerdy* cool).
Infection and Spread
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
They put COVID-19 infected people in a room and measured how much virus was in the air under different conditions. ❓What did they find? TL;DR: ➡️ The more virus the person had in their nose, the more was in the room (shocker!) ➡️ HEPA FILTRATION reduced viral load in the air the most ➡️ Increased Read more…
I’ve been exposed to COVID-19! When should I get tested?
Testing and Contact Tracing
Chana Davis, PhD
Help! 🙋I’ve been exposed to COVID-19! 🙋 When should I get tested? Is test timing different for the Delta variant? The short answer: Get tested at the right time and repeat if needed. The details: The sweet spot for COVID-19 testing is 3-5 days after a known exposure, or when you begin to feel symptoms. Read more…
J&J Vaccine: Real-world effectiveness and booster update
Vaccines
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
If you received the one-dose vaccine from Johnson & Johnson, we have some mostly good news. Johnson & Johnson/Janssen issued data recently showing that in the real world, a single dose of the J&J vaccine was 77-80% effective for preventing moderate symptomatic infections and 79-84% effective for preventing hospitalization after several months. This was a Read more…
Should I take a COVID-19 rapid antigen test? Part 1 in a Series
Testing and Contact Tracing
Chana Davis, PhD
Should I take a rapid antigen test before visiting a vulnerable person (e.g. an immunocompromised parent)? What about before hosting a gathering or attending a big event? The short answer: Yes, yes, and yes! ⌛ Shortest post ever. JK. There is always nuance to consider when we talk about testing, because no test is perfect. Read more…
Masks can be worn safely by most children.
Families/Kids Infection and Spread Masks School Staying Safe
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
😷 Reminder: Masks can be worn safely by most children. There are very few reasons for children to be exempt from wearing a mask in school. 😶🌫️ There is a lot of confusion around who can qualify for a medical exemption from a mask, especially as children are getting back to school. Many hospitals and Read more…
A: Sadly, yes. Though we don’t know exactly how many kids who had COVID-19 will have prolonged symptoms (often called Long Covid), Long Covid is possible even in kids who had mild or asymptomatic infections. You might hear it called “Long Covid,” “Long Haul Covid,” or “Post-Covid Conditions.” All these names are talking about the Read more…
Pfizer-BioNTech’s FDA-approved vaccine, Comirnaty, *IS* available in the United States.
Uncertainty and MisinformationMalia Jones, PhD MPH
Have you heard the latest social media rumor? Pfizer-BioNTech’s FDA-approved vaccine, Comirnaty, is not available in the United States/your state yet. True or false?! You guessed it–this is not true. And next time you run across something that smells a little fishy, don’t get caught! 🎣 Just google it followed by the words “fact check” Read more…
The FDA is underestimating the benefits of COVID vaccines for kids.
Families/Kids Vaccines
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Many of us nerdy girls tuned in to watch the live feeds of the recent FDA and CDC advisory committee meetings, during which two different panels of experts discussed the lower-dose Pfizer vaccine against COVID-19 for kids ages 5-11. The FDA and CDC panels both evaluate risks and benefits of vaccines, but they take very Read more…
The CDC recommends the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for kids age 5-11!
Families/Kids Vaccines
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (@CDC) is recommending the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for ALL KIDS age 5 to 11 following their Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) meeting on November 2nd. Big picture: The vaccine is safe and effective for these kids and clinicians are gearing up to start giving the vaccine Read more…
If my child is almost 12 years old, should I wait for the higher dose when the Pfizer vaccine for 5-11s is approved?
Families/Kids Vaccines
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: Don’t wait. Get the vaccine authorized for kids aged 5-11 years. TL; DR The lower dose produces a strong immune response in kids and may have fewer side effects. Here’s why getting the dose for kids that is based on their current age is recommended: 1. The immune response in kids is easily stimulated Read more…
¿Qué debo hacer si pierdo mi tarjeta de vacunación de COVID-19?
Posts en Español Uncategorized
Tita Smyth Escobedo, PM-IT
Póngase en contacto con el profesional sanitario que le puso💉 la vacuna 💉. La mayoría de los proveedores mantienen un registro y pueden proporcionarle una tarjeta de vacunación de reemplazo. 🏥 Si se vacunó en un centro de vacunación masiva que ya no está abierto, póngase en contacto con el departamento de salud de su Read more…
Are you 1 in 5?
Mental Health
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
➡️ 1 in 5 people live with a mental health condition in any year. Having a mental health condition not only increases the risk of having a physical illness, it also increases the risk of worse outcomes like hospitalization, complications from the illness, and death. This can happen with illnesses like COVID-19. The CDC has Read more…
Can I take an antibody test to see if I need a booster shot?
Biology/Immunity Vaccines
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: Unfortunately, no. TL;DR: 💥Our current antibody tests can’t tell us how well someone is protected from COVID-19 infection or disease. Whether you have been previously infected, vaccinated, or a combination of the two, the recent authorization of booster shots in many countries has people wondering if they need one yet. While it would be Read more…
My kid has a runny nose. Should we get tested?
Testing and Contact Tracing
Chana Davis, PhD
A) Runny noses are tricky. On one hand, they’re a common symptom of COVID-19. On the other hand, they are usually due to some other bug. Getting tested is the only way to know for sure what you’ve got. Whether or not you test, be kind and spare others not just from the sniffles, but Read more…
💥 FINALLY…some new MIX AND MATCH DATA💥
Vaccines
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
On the eve of the US FDA meetings some long awaited results from the US Mix and Match booster trial. TL;DR: ➡️ A boost of ANY vaccine raised antibodies a lot, no matter your first type of vaccine. ➡️ Boosting with an mRNA vaccine (Moderna or Pfizer) after an original Johnson & Johnson vaccine produced Read more…
¿Qué puedo hacer para detener la desinformación sobre salud?
Posts en Español Uncertainty and Misinformation
Tita Smyth Escobedo, PM-IT
El Cirujano General de los Estados Unidos emitió un Aviso 📄 que describe los pasos de acción que cualquier persona debe tomar para detener la propagación de desinformación. Por ejemplo, usted puede: ✅ Aprender a identificar y evitar compartir desinformación sobre la salud. ✅ Integrarse con sus amigos y familiares sobre el problema de la Read more…
Should I get tested after X (fill in the blank)?
Testing and Contact Tracing
Chana Davis, PhD
A) To test or not to test? When in doubt, test. If testing access is limited, prioritize testing after riskier activities and when you pose a high risk to others. Continue using SMARTS layers of protection on top of testing. Read on for the TL;DR on when testing adds the most value and how to Read more…
Scientists recently did something pretty cool (okay, *Nerdy* cool).
Infection and Spread
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
They put COVID-19 infected people in a room and measured how much virus was in the air under different conditions. ❓What did they find? TL;DR: ➡️ The more virus the person had in their nose, the more was in the room (shocker!) ➡️ HEPA FILTRATION reduced viral load in the air the most ➡️ Increased Read more…
I’ve been exposed to COVID-19! When should I get tested?
Testing and Contact Tracing
Chana Davis, PhD
Help! 🙋I’ve been exposed to COVID-19! 🙋 When should I get tested? Is test timing different for the Delta variant? The short answer: Get tested at the right time and repeat if needed. The details: The sweet spot for COVID-19 testing is 3-5 days after a known exposure, or when you begin to feel symptoms. Read more…
J&J Vaccine: Real-world effectiveness and booster update
Vaccines
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
If you received the one-dose vaccine from Johnson & Johnson, we have some mostly good news. Johnson & Johnson/Janssen issued data recently showing that in the real world, a single dose of the J&J vaccine was 77-80% effective for preventing moderate symptomatic infections and 79-84% effective for preventing hospitalization after several months. This was a Read more…
Should I take a COVID-19 rapid antigen test? Part 1 in a Series
Testing and Contact Tracing
Chana Davis, PhD
Should I take a rapid antigen test before visiting a vulnerable person (e.g. an immunocompromised parent)? What about before hosting a gathering or attending a big event? The short answer: Yes, yes, and yes! ⌛ Shortest post ever. JK. There is always nuance to consider when we talk about testing, because no test is perfect. Read more…
Masks can be worn safely by most children.
Families/Kids Infection and Spread Masks School Staying Safe
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
😷 Reminder: Masks can be worn safely by most children. There are very few reasons for children to be exempt from wearing a mask in school. 😶🌫️ There is a lot of confusion around who can qualify for a medical exemption from a mask, especially as children are getting back to school. Many hospitals and Read more…
Have you heard the latest social media rumor? Pfizer-BioNTech’s FDA-approved vaccine, Comirnaty, is not available in the United States/your state yet. True or false?! You guessed it–this is not true. And next time you run across something that smells a little fishy, don’t get caught! 🎣 Just google it followed by the words “fact check” Read more…
The FDA is underestimating the benefits of COVID vaccines for kids.
Families/Kids VaccinesMalia Jones, PhD MPH
Many of us nerdy girls tuned in to watch the live feeds of the recent FDA and CDC advisory committee meetings, during which two different panels of experts discussed the lower-dose Pfizer vaccine against COVID-19 for kids ages 5-11. The FDA and CDC panels both evaluate risks and benefits of vaccines, but they take very Read more…
The CDC recommends the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for kids age 5-11!
Families/Kids Vaccines
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (@CDC) is recommending the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for ALL KIDS age 5 to 11 following their Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) meeting on November 2nd. Big picture: The vaccine is safe and effective for these kids and clinicians are gearing up to start giving the vaccine Read more…
If my child is almost 12 years old, should I wait for the higher dose when the Pfizer vaccine for 5-11s is approved?
Families/Kids Vaccines
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: Don’t wait. Get the vaccine authorized for kids aged 5-11 years. TL; DR The lower dose produces a strong immune response in kids and may have fewer side effects. Here’s why getting the dose for kids that is based on their current age is recommended: 1. The immune response in kids is easily stimulated Read more…
¿Qué debo hacer si pierdo mi tarjeta de vacunación de COVID-19?
Posts en Español Uncategorized
Tita Smyth Escobedo, PM-IT
Póngase en contacto con el profesional sanitario que le puso💉 la vacuna 💉. La mayoría de los proveedores mantienen un registro y pueden proporcionarle una tarjeta de vacunación de reemplazo. 🏥 Si se vacunó en un centro de vacunación masiva que ya no está abierto, póngase en contacto con el departamento de salud de su Read more…
Are you 1 in 5?
Mental Health
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
➡️ 1 in 5 people live with a mental health condition in any year. Having a mental health condition not only increases the risk of having a physical illness, it also increases the risk of worse outcomes like hospitalization, complications from the illness, and death. This can happen with illnesses like COVID-19. The CDC has Read more…
Can I take an antibody test to see if I need a booster shot?
Biology/Immunity Vaccines
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: Unfortunately, no. TL;DR: 💥Our current antibody tests can’t tell us how well someone is protected from COVID-19 infection or disease. Whether you have been previously infected, vaccinated, or a combination of the two, the recent authorization of booster shots in many countries has people wondering if they need one yet. While it would be Read more…
My kid has a runny nose. Should we get tested?
Testing and Contact Tracing
Chana Davis, PhD
A) Runny noses are tricky. On one hand, they’re a common symptom of COVID-19. On the other hand, they are usually due to some other bug. Getting tested is the only way to know for sure what you’ve got. Whether or not you test, be kind and spare others not just from the sniffles, but Read more…
💥 FINALLY…some new MIX AND MATCH DATA💥
Vaccines
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
On the eve of the US FDA meetings some long awaited results from the US Mix and Match booster trial. TL;DR: ➡️ A boost of ANY vaccine raised antibodies a lot, no matter your first type of vaccine. ➡️ Boosting with an mRNA vaccine (Moderna or Pfizer) after an original Johnson & Johnson vaccine produced Read more…
¿Qué puedo hacer para detener la desinformación sobre salud?
Posts en Español Uncertainty and Misinformation
Tita Smyth Escobedo, PM-IT
El Cirujano General de los Estados Unidos emitió un Aviso 📄 que describe los pasos de acción que cualquier persona debe tomar para detener la propagación de desinformación. Por ejemplo, usted puede: ✅ Aprender a identificar y evitar compartir desinformación sobre la salud. ✅ Integrarse con sus amigos y familiares sobre el problema de la Read more…
Should I get tested after X (fill in the blank)?
Testing and Contact Tracing
Chana Davis, PhD
A) To test or not to test? When in doubt, test. If testing access is limited, prioritize testing after riskier activities and when you pose a high risk to others. Continue using SMARTS layers of protection on top of testing. Read on for the TL;DR on when testing adds the most value and how to Read more…
Scientists recently did something pretty cool (okay, *Nerdy* cool).
Infection and Spread
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
They put COVID-19 infected people in a room and measured how much virus was in the air under different conditions. ❓What did they find? TL;DR: ➡️ The more virus the person had in their nose, the more was in the room (shocker!) ➡️ HEPA FILTRATION reduced viral load in the air the most ➡️ Increased Read more…
I’ve been exposed to COVID-19! When should I get tested?
Testing and Contact Tracing
Chana Davis, PhD
Help! 🙋I’ve been exposed to COVID-19! 🙋 When should I get tested? Is test timing different for the Delta variant? The short answer: Get tested at the right time and repeat if needed. The details: The sweet spot for COVID-19 testing is 3-5 days after a known exposure, or when you begin to feel symptoms. Read more…
J&J Vaccine: Real-world effectiveness and booster update
Vaccines
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
If you received the one-dose vaccine from Johnson & Johnson, we have some mostly good news. Johnson & Johnson/Janssen issued data recently showing that in the real world, a single dose of the J&J vaccine was 77-80% effective for preventing moderate symptomatic infections and 79-84% effective for preventing hospitalization after several months. This was a Read more…
Should I take a COVID-19 rapid antigen test? Part 1 in a Series
Testing and Contact Tracing
Chana Davis, PhD
Should I take a rapid antigen test before visiting a vulnerable person (e.g. an immunocompromised parent)? What about before hosting a gathering or attending a big event? The short answer: Yes, yes, and yes! ⌛ Shortest post ever. JK. There is always nuance to consider when we talk about testing, because no test is perfect. Read more…
Masks can be worn safely by most children.
Families/Kids Infection and Spread Masks School Staying Safe
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
😷 Reminder: Masks can be worn safely by most children. There are very few reasons for children to be exempt from wearing a mask in school. 😶🌫️ There is a lot of confusion around who can qualify for a medical exemption from a mask, especially as children are getting back to school. Many hospitals and Read more…
Many of us nerdy girls tuned in to watch the live feeds of the recent FDA and CDC advisory committee meetings, during which two different panels of experts discussed the lower-dose Pfizer vaccine against COVID-19 for kids ages 5-11. The FDA and CDC panels both evaluate risks and benefits of vaccines, but they take very Read more…
The CDC recommends the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for kids age 5-11!
Families/Kids VaccinesSarah Whitley Coles, MD
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (@CDC) is recommending the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for ALL KIDS age 5 to 11 following their Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) meeting on November 2nd. Big picture: The vaccine is safe and effective for these kids and clinicians are gearing up to start giving the vaccine Read more…
If my child is almost 12 years old, should I wait for the higher dose when the Pfizer vaccine for 5-11s is approved?
Families/Kids Vaccines
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: Don’t wait. Get the vaccine authorized for kids aged 5-11 years. TL; DR The lower dose produces a strong immune response in kids and may have fewer side effects. Here’s why getting the dose for kids that is based on their current age is recommended: 1. The immune response in kids is easily stimulated Read more…
¿Qué debo hacer si pierdo mi tarjeta de vacunación de COVID-19?
Posts en Español Uncategorized
Tita Smyth Escobedo, PM-IT
Póngase en contacto con el profesional sanitario que le puso💉 la vacuna 💉. La mayoría de los proveedores mantienen un registro y pueden proporcionarle una tarjeta de vacunación de reemplazo. 🏥 Si se vacunó en un centro de vacunación masiva que ya no está abierto, póngase en contacto con el departamento de salud de su Read more…
Are you 1 in 5?
Mental Health
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
➡️ 1 in 5 people live with a mental health condition in any year. Having a mental health condition not only increases the risk of having a physical illness, it also increases the risk of worse outcomes like hospitalization, complications from the illness, and death. This can happen with illnesses like COVID-19. The CDC has Read more…
Can I take an antibody test to see if I need a booster shot?
Biology/Immunity Vaccines
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: Unfortunately, no. TL;DR: 💥Our current antibody tests can’t tell us how well someone is protected from COVID-19 infection or disease. Whether you have been previously infected, vaccinated, or a combination of the two, the recent authorization of booster shots in many countries has people wondering if they need one yet. While it would be Read more…
My kid has a runny nose. Should we get tested?
Testing and Contact Tracing
Chana Davis, PhD
A) Runny noses are tricky. On one hand, they’re a common symptom of COVID-19. On the other hand, they are usually due to some other bug. Getting tested is the only way to know for sure what you’ve got. Whether or not you test, be kind and spare others not just from the sniffles, but Read more…
💥 FINALLY…some new MIX AND MATCH DATA💥
Vaccines
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
On the eve of the US FDA meetings some long awaited results from the US Mix and Match booster trial. TL;DR: ➡️ A boost of ANY vaccine raised antibodies a lot, no matter your first type of vaccine. ➡️ Boosting with an mRNA vaccine (Moderna or Pfizer) after an original Johnson & Johnson vaccine produced Read more…
¿Qué puedo hacer para detener la desinformación sobre salud?
Posts en Español Uncertainty and Misinformation
Tita Smyth Escobedo, PM-IT
El Cirujano General de los Estados Unidos emitió un Aviso 📄 que describe los pasos de acción que cualquier persona debe tomar para detener la propagación de desinformación. Por ejemplo, usted puede: ✅ Aprender a identificar y evitar compartir desinformación sobre la salud. ✅ Integrarse con sus amigos y familiares sobre el problema de la Read more…
Should I get tested after X (fill in the blank)?
Testing and Contact Tracing
Chana Davis, PhD
A) To test or not to test? When in doubt, test. If testing access is limited, prioritize testing after riskier activities and when you pose a high risk to others. Continue using SMARTS layers of protection on top of testing. Read on for the TL;DR on when testing adds the most value and how to Read more…
Scientists recently did something pretty cool (okay, *Nerdy* cool).
Infection and Spread
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
They put COVID-19 infected people in a room and measured how much virus was in the air under different conditions. ❓What did they find? TL;DR: ➡️ The more virus the person had in their nose, the more was in the room (shocker!) ➡️ HEPA FILTRATION reduced viral load in the air the most ➡️ Increased Read more…
I’ve been exposed to COVID-19! When should I get tested?
Testing and Contact Tracing
Chana Davis, PhD
Help! 🙋I’ve been exposed to COVID-19! 🙋 When should I get tested? Is test timing different for the Delta variant? The short answer: Get tested at the right time and repeat if needed. The details: The sweet spot for COVID-19 testing is 3-5 days after a known exposure, or when you begin to feel symptoms. Read more…
J&J Vaccine: Real-world effectiveness and booster update
Vaccines
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
If you received the one-dose vaccine from Johnson & Johnson, we have some mostly good news. Johnson & Johnson/Janssen issued data recently showing that in the real world, a single dose of the J&J vaccine was 77-80% effective for preventing moderate symptomatic infections and 79-84% effective for preventing hospitalization after several months. This was a Read more…
Should I take a COVID-19 rapid antigen test? Part 1 in a Series
Testing and Contact Tracing
Chana Davis, PhD
Should I take a rapid antigen test before visiting a vulnerable person (e.g. an immunocompromised parent)? What about before hosting a gathering or attending a big event? The short answer: Yes, yes, and yes! ⌛ Shortest post ever. JK. There is always nuance to consider when we talk about testing, because no test is perfect. Read more…
Masks can be worn safely by most children.
Families/Kids Infection and Spread Masks School Staying Safe
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
😷 Reminder: Masks can be worn safely by most children. There are very few reasons for children to be exempt from wearing a mask in school. 😶🌫️ There is a lot of confusion around who can qualify for a medical exemption from a mask, especially as children are getting back to school. Many hospitals and Read more…
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (@CDC) is recommending the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for ALL KIDS age 5 to 11 following their Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) meeting on November 2nd. Big picture: The vaccine is safe and effective for these kids and clinicians are gearing up to start giving the vaccine Read more…
If my child is almost 12 years old, should I wait for the higher dose when the Pfizer vaccine for 5-11s is approved?
Families/Kids VaccinesAmanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: Don’t wait. Get the vaccine authorized for kids aged 5-11 years. TL; DR The lower dose produces a strong immune response in kids and may have fewer side effects. Here’s why getting the dose for kids that is based on their current age is recommended: 1. The immune response in kids is easily stimulated Read more…
¿Qué debo hacer si pierdo mi tarjeta de vacunación de COVID-19?
Posts en Español Uncategorized
Tita Smyth Escobedo, PM-IT
Póngase en contacto con el profesional sanitario que le puso💉 la vacuna 💉. La mayoría de los proveedores mantienen un registro y pueden proporcionarle una tarjeta de vacunación de reemplazo. 🏥 Si se vacunó en un centro de vacunación masiva que ya no está abierto, póngase en contacto con el departamento de salud de su Read more…
Are you 1 in 5?
Mental Health
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
➡️ 1 in 5 people live with a mental health condition in any year. Having a mental health condition not only increases the risk of having a physical illness, it also increases the risk of worse outcomes like hospitalization, complications from the illness, and death. This can happen with illnesses like COVID-19. The CDC has Read more…
Can I take an antibody test to see if I need a booster shot?
Biology/Immunity Vaccines
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: Unfortunately, no. TL;DR: 💥Our current antibody tests can’t tell us how well someone is protected from COVID-19 infection or disease. Whether you have been previously infected, vaccinated, or a combination of the two, the recent authorization of booster shots in many countries has people wondering if they need one yet. While it would be Read more…
My kid has a runny nose. Should we get tested?
Testing and Contact Tracing
Chana Davis, PhD
A) Runny noses are tricky. On one hand, they’re a common symptom of COVID-19. On the other hand, they are usually due to some other bug. Getting tested is the only way to know for sure what you’ve got. Whether or not you test, be kind and spare others not just from the sniffles, but Read more…
💥 FINALLY…some new MIX AND MATCH DATA💥
Vaccines
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
On the eve of the US FDA meetings some long awaited results from the US Mix and Match booster trial. TL;DR: ➡️ A boost of ANY vaccine raised antibodies a lot, no matter your first type of vaccine. ➡️ Boosting with an mRNA vaccine (Moderna or Pfizer) after an original Johnson & Johnson vaccine produced Read more…
¿Qué puedo hacer para detener la desinformación sobre salud?
Posts en Español Uncertainty and Misinformation
Tita Smyth Escobedo, PM-IT
El Cirujano General de los Estados Unidos emitió un Aviso 📄 que describe los pasos de acción que cualquier persona debe tomar para detener la propagación de desinformación. Por ejemplo, usted puede: ✅ Aprender a identificar y evitar compartir desinformación sobre la salud. ✅ Integrarse con sus amigos y familiares sobre el problema de la Read more…
Should I get tested after X (fill in the blank)?
Testing and Contact Tracing
Chana Davis, PhD
A) To test or not to test? When in doubt, test. If testing access is limited, prioritize testing after riskier activities and when you pose a high risk to others. Continue using SMARTS layers of protection on top of testing. Read on for the TL;DR on when testing adds the most value and how to Read more…
Scientists recently did something pretty cool (okay, *Nerdy* cool).
Infection and Spread
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
They put COVID-19 infected people in a room and measured how much virus was in the air under different conditions. ❓What did they find? TL;DR: ➡️ The more virus the person had in their nose, the more was in the room (shocker!) ➡️ HEPA FILTRATION reduced viral load in the air the most ➡️ Increased Read more…
I’ve been exposed to COVID-19! When should I get tested?
Testing and Contact Tracing
Chana Davis, PhD
Help! 🙋I’ve been exposed to COVID-19! 🙋 When should I get tested? Is test timing different for the Delta variant? The short answer: Get tested at the right time and repeat if needed. The details: The sweet spot for COVID-19 testing is 3-5 days after a known exposure, or when you begin to feel symptoms. Read more…
J&J Vaccine: Real-world effectiveness and booster update
Vaccines
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
If you received the one-dose vaccine from Johnson & Johnson, we have some mostly good news. Johnson & Johnson/Janssen issued data recently showing that in the real world, a single dose of the J&J vaccine was 77-80% effective for preventing moderate symptomatic infections and 79-84% effective for preventing hospitalization after several months. This was a Read more…
Should I take a COVID-19 rapid antigen test? Part 1 in a Series
Testing and Contact Tracing
Chana Davis, PhD
Should I take a rapid antigen test before visiting a vulnerable person (e.g. an immunocompromised parent)? What about before hosting a gathering or attending a big event? The short answer: Yes, yes, and yes! ⌛ Shortest post ever. JK. There is always nuance to consider when we talk about testing, because no test is perfect. Read more…
Masks can be worn safely by most children.
Families/Kids Infection and Spread Masks School Staying Safe
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
😷 Reminder: Masks can be worn safely by most children. There are very few reasons for children to be exempt from wearing a mask in school. 😶🌫️ There is a lot of confusion around who can qualify for a medical exemption from a mask, especially as children are getting back to school. Many hospitals and Read more…
A: Don’t wait. Get the vaccine authorized for kids aged 5-11 years. TL; DR The lower dose produces a strong immune response in kids and may have fewer side effects. Here’s why getting the dose for kids that is based on their current age is recommended: 1. The immune response in kids is easily stimulated Read more…
¿Qué debo hacer si pierdo mi tarjeta de vacunación de COVID-19?
Posts en Español UncategorizedTita Smyth Escobedo, PM-IT
Póngase en contacto con el profesional sanitario que le puso💉 la vacuna 💉. La mayoría de los proveedores mantienen un registro y pueden proporcionarle una tarjeta de vacunación de reemplazo. 🏥 Si se vacunó en un centro de vacunación masiva que ya no está abierto, póngase en contacto con el departamento de salud de su Read more…
Are you 1 in 5?
Mental Health
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
➡️ 1 in 5 people live with a mental health condition in any year. Having a mental health condition not only increases the risk of having a physical illness, it also increases the risk of worse outcomes like hospitalization, complications from the illness, and death. This can happen with illnesses like COVID-19. The CDC has Read more…
Can I take an antibody test to see if I need a booster shot?
Biology/Immunity Vaccines
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: Unfortunately, no. TL;DR: 💥Our current antibody tests can’t tell us how well someone is protected from COVID-19 infection or disease. Whether you have been previously infected, vaccinated, or a combination of the two, the recent authorization of booster shots in many countries has people wondering if they need one yet. While it would be Read more…
My kid has a runny nose. Should we get tested?
Testing and Contact Tracing
Chana Davis, PhD
A) Runny noses are tricky. On one hand, they’re a common symptom of COVID-19. On the other hand, they are usually due to some other bug. Getting tested is the only way to know for sure what you’ve got. Whether or not you test, be kind and spare others not just from the sniffles, but Read more…
💥 FINALLY…some new MIX AND MATCH DATA💥
Vaccines
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
On the eve of the US FDA meetings some long awaited results from the US Mix and Match booster trial. TL;DR: ➡️ A boost of ANY vaccine raised antibodies a lot, no matter your first type of vaccine. ➡️ Boosting with an mRNA vaccine (Moderna or Pfizer) after an original Johnson & Johnson vaccine produced Read more…
¿Qué puedo hacer para detener la desinformación sobre salud?
Posts en Español Uncertainty and Misinformation
Tita Smyth Escobedo, PM-IT
El Cirujano General de los Estados Unidos emitió un Aviso 📄 que describe los pasos de acción que cualquier persona debe tomar para detener la propagación de desinformación. Por ejemplo, usted puede: ✅ Aprender a identificar y evitar compartir desinformación sobre la salud. ✅ Integrarse con sus amigos y familiares sobre el problema de la Read more…
Should I get tested after X (fill in the blank)?
Testing and Contact Tracing
Chana Davis, PhD
A) To test or not to test? When in doubt, test. If testing access is limited, prioritize testing after riskier activities and when you pose a high risk to others. Continue using SMARTS layers of protection on top of testing. Read on for the TL;DR on when testing adds the most value and how to Read more…
Scientists recently did something pretty cool (okay, *Nerdy* cool).
Infection and Spread
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
They put COVID-19 infected people in a room and measured how much virus was in the air under different conditions. ❓What did they find? TL;DR: ➡️ The more virus the person had in their nose, the more was in the room (shocker!) ➡️ HEPA FILTRATION reduced viral load in the air the most ➡️ Increased Read more…
I’ve been exposed to COVID-19! When should I get tested?
Testing and Contact Tracing
Chana Davis, PhD
Help! 🙋I’ve been exposed to COVID-19! 🙋 When should I get tested? Is test timing different for the Delta variant? The short answer: Get tested at the right time and repeat if needed. The details: The sweet spot for COVID-19 testing is 3-5 days after a known exposure, or when you begin to feel symptoms. Read more…
J&J Vaccine: Real-world effectiveness and booster update
Vaccines
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
If you received the one-dose vaccine from Johnson & Johnson, we have some mostly good news. Johnson & Johnson/Janssen issued data recently showing that in the real world, a single dose of the J&J vaccine was 77-80% effective for preventing moderate symptomatic infections and 79-84% effective for preventing hospitalization after several months. This was a Read more…
Should I take a COVID-19 rapid antigen test? Part 1 in a Series
Testing and Contact Tracing
Chana Davis, PhD
Should I take a rapid antigen test before visiting a vulnerable person (e.g. an immunocompromised parent)? What about before hosting a gathering or attending a big event? The short answer: Yes, yes, and yes! ⌛ Shortest post ever. JK. There is always nuance to consider when we talk about testing, because no test is perfect. Read more…
Masks can be worn safely by most children.
Families/Kids Infection and Spread Masks School Staying Safe
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
😷 Reminder: Masks can be worn safely by most children. There are very few reasons for children to be exempt from wearing a mask in school. 😶🌫️ There is a lot of confusion around who can qualify for a medical exemption from a mask, especially as children are getting back to school. Many hospitals and Read more…
Póngase en contacto con el profesional sanitario que le puso💉 la vacuna 💉. La mayoría de los proveedores mantienen un registro y pueden proporcionarle una tarjeta de vacunación de reemplazo. 🏥 Si se vacunó en un centro de vacunación masiva que ya no está abierto, póngase en contacto con el departamento de salud de su Read more…
Are you 1 in 5?
Mental HealthAparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
➡️ 1 in 5 people live with a mental health condition in any year. Having a mental health condition not only increases the risk of having a physical illness, it also increases the risk of worse outcomes like hospitalization, complications from the illness, and death. This can happen with illnesses like COVID-19. The CDC has Read more…
Can I take an antibody test to see if I need a booster shot?
Biology/Immunity Vaccines
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: Unfortunately, no. TL;DR: 💥Our current antibody tests can’t tell us how well someone is protected from COVID-19 infection or disease. Whether you have been previously infected, vaccinated, or a combination of the two, the recent authorization of booster shots in many countries has people wondering if they need one yet. While it would be Read more…
My kid has a runny nose. Should we get tested?
Testing and Contact Tracing
Chana Davis, PhD
A) Runny noses are tricky. On one hand, they’re a common symptom of COVID-19. On the other hand, they are usually due to some other bug. Getting tested is the only way to know for sure what you’ve got. Whether or not you test, be kind and spare others not just from the sniffles, but Read more…
💥 FINALLY…some new MIX AND MATCH DATA💥
Vaccines
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
On the eve of the US FDA meetings some long awaited results from the US Mix and Match booster trial. TL;DR: ➡️ A boost of ANY vaccine raised antibodies a lot, no matter your first type of vaccine. ➡️ Boosting with an mRNA vaccine (Moderna or Pfizer) after an original Johnson & Johnson vaccine produced Read more…
¿Qué puedo hacer para detener la desinformación sobre salud?
Posts en Español Uncertainty and Misinformation
Tita Smyth Escobedo, PM-IT
El Cirujano General de los Estados Unidos emitió un Aviso 📄 que describe los pasos de acción que cualquier persona debe tomar para detener la propagación de desinformación. Por ejemplo, usted puede: ✅ Aprender a identificar y evitar compartir desinformación sobre la salud. ✅ Integrarse con sus amigos y familiares sobre el problema de la Read more…
Should I get tested after X (fill in the blank)?
Testing and Contact Tracing
Chana Davis, PhD
A) To test or not to test? When in doubt, test. If testing access is limited, prioritize testing after riskier activities and when you pose a high risk to others. Continue using SMARTS layers of protection on top of testing. Read on for the TL;DR on when testing adds the most value and how to Read more…
Scientists recently did something pretty cool (okay, *Nerdy* cool).
Infection and Spread
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
They put COVID-19 infected people in a room and measured how much virus was in the air under different conditions. ❓What did they find? TL;DR: ➡️ The more virus the person had in their nose, the more was in the room (shocker!) ➡️ HEPA FILTRATION reduced viral load in the air the most ➡️ Increased Read more…
I’ve been exposed to COVID-19! When should I get tested?
Testing and Contact Tracing
Chana Davis, PhD
Help! 🙋I’ve been exposed to COVID-19! 🙋 When should I get tested? Is test timing different for the Delta variant? The short answer: Get tested at the right time and repeat if needed. The details: The sweet spot for COVID-19 testing is 3-5 days after a known exposure, or when you begin to feel symptoms. Read more…
J&J Vaccine: Real-world effectiveness and booster update
Vaccines
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
If you received the one-dose vaccine from Johnson & Johnson, we have some mostly good news. Johnson & Johnson/Janssen issued data recently showing that in the real world, a single dose of the J&J vaccine was 77-80% effective for preventing moderate symptomatic infections and 79-84% effective for preventing hospitalization after several months. This was a Read more…
Should I take a COVID-19 rapid antigen test? Part 1 in a Series
Testing and Contact Tracing
Chana Davis, PhD
Should I take a rapid antigen test before visiting a vulnerable person (e.g. an immunocompromised parent)? What about before hosting a gathering or attending a big event? The short answer: Yes, yes, and yes! ⌛ Shortest post ever. JK. There is always nuance to consider when we talk about testing, because no test is perfect. Read more…
Masks can be worn safely by most children.
Families/Kids Infection and Spread Masks School Staying Safe
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
😷 Reminder: Masks can be worn safely by most children. There are very few reasons for children to be exempt from wearing a mask in school. 😶🌫️ There is a lot of confusion around who can qualify for a medical exemption from a mask, especially as children are getting back to school. Many hospitals and Read more…
➡️ 1 in 5 people live with a mental health condition in any year. Having a mental health condition not only increases the risk of having a physical illness, it also increases the risk of worse outcomes like hospitalization, complications from the illness, and death. This can happen with illnesses like COVID-19. The CDC has Read more…
Can I take an antibody test to see if I need a booster shot?
Biology/Immunity VaccinesJennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: Unfortunately, no. TL;DR: 💥Our current antibody tests can’t tell us how well someone is protected from COVID-19 infection or disease. Whether you have been previously infected, vaccinated, or a combination of the two, the recent authorization of booster shots in many countries has people wondering if they need one yet. While it would be Read more…
My kid has a runny nose. Should we get tested?
Testing and Contact Tracing
Chana Davis, PhD
A) Runny noses are tricky. On one hand, they’re a common symptom of COVID-19. On the other hand, they are usually due to some other bug. Getting tested is the only way to know for sure what you’ve got. Whether or not you test, be kind and spare others not just from the sniffles, but Read more…
💥 FINALLY…some new MIX AND MATCH DATA💥
Vaccines
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
On the eve of the US FDA meetings some long awaited results from the US Mix and Match booster trial. TL;DR: ➡️ A boost of ANY vaccine raised antibodies a lot, no matter your first type of vaccine. ➡️ Boosting with an mRNA vaccine (Moderna or Pfizer) after an original Johnson & Johnson vaccine produced Read more…
¿Qué puedo hacer para detener la desinformación sobre salud?
Posts en Español Uncertainty and Misinformation
Tita Smyth Escobedo, PM-IT
El Cirujano General de los Estados Unidos emitió un Aviso 📄 que describe los pasos de acción que cualquier persona debe tomar para detener la propagación de desinformación. Por ejemplo, usted puede: ✅ Aprender a identificar y evitar compartir desinformación sobre la salud. ✅ Integrarse con sus amigos y familiares sobre el problema de la Read more…
Should I get tested after X (fill in the blank)?
Testing and Contact Tracing
Chana Davis, PhD
A) To test or not to test? When in doubt, test. If testing access is limited, prioritize testing after riskier activities and when you pose a high risk to others. Continue using SMARTS layers of protection on top of testing. Read on for the TL;DR on when testing adds the most value and how to Read more…
Scientists recently did something pretty cool (okay, *Nerdy* cool).
Infection and Spread
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
They put COVID-19 infected people in a room and measured how much virus was in the air under different conditions. ❓What did they find? TL;DR: ➡️ The more virus the person had in their nose, the more was in the room (shocker!) ➡️ HEPA FILTRATION reduced viral load in the air the most ➡️ Increased Read more…
I’ve been exposed to COVID-19! When should I get tested?
Testing and Contact Tracing
Chana Davis, PhD
Help! 🙋I’ve been exposed to COVID-19! 🙋 When should I get tested? Is test timing different for the Delta variant? The short answer: Get tested at the right time and repeat if needed. The details: The sweet spot for COVID-19 testing is 3-5 days after a known exposure, or when you begin to feel symptoms. Read more…
J&J Vaccine: Real-world effectiveness and booster update
Vaccines
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
If you received the one-dose vaccine from Johnson & Johnson, we have some mostly good news. Johnson & Johnson/Janssen issued data recently showing that in the real world, a single dose of the J&J vaccine was 77-80% effective for preventing moderate symptomatic infections and 79-84% effective for preventing hospitalization after several months. This was a Read more…
Should I take a COVID-19 rapid antigen test? Part 1 in a Series
Testing and Contact Tracing
Chana Davis, PhD
Should I take a rapid antigen test before visiting a vulnerable person (e.g. an immunocompromised parent)? What about before hosting a gathering or attending a big event? The short answer: Yes, yes, and yes! ⌛ Shortest post ever. JK. There is always nuance to consider when we talk about testing, because no test is perfect. Read more…
Masks can be worn safely by most children.
Families/Kids Infection and Spread Masks School Staying Safe
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
😷 Reminder: Masks can be worn safely by most children. There are very few reasons for children to be exempt from wearing a mask in school. 😶🌫️ There is a lot of confusion around who can qualify for a medical exemption from a mask, especially as children are getting back to school. Many hospitals and Read more…
A: Unfortunately, no. TL;DR: 💥Our current antibody tests can’t tell us how well someone is protected from COVID-19 infection or disease. Whether you have been previously infected, vaccinated, or a combination of the two, the recent authorization of booster shots in many countries has people wondering if they need one yet. While it would be Read more…
My kid has a runny nose. Should we get tested?
Testing and Contact TracingChana Davis, PhD
A) Runny noses are tricky. On one hand, they’re a common symptom of COVID-19. On the other hand, they are usually due to some other bug. Getting tested is the only way to know for sure what you’ve got. Whether or not you test, be kind and spare others not just from the sniffles, but Read more…
💥 FINALLY…some new MIX AND MATCH DATA💥
Vaccines
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
On the eve of the US FDA meetings some long awaited results from the US Mix and Match booster trial. TL;DR: ➡️ A boost of ANY vaccine raised antibodies a lot, no matter your first type of vaccine. ➡️ Boosting with an mRNA vaccine (Moderna or Pfizer) after an original Johnson & Johnson vaccine produced Read more…
¿Qué puedo hacer para detener la desinformación sobre salud?
Posts en Español Uncertainty and Misinformation
Tita Smyth Escobedo, PM-IT
El Cirujano General de los Estados Unidos emitió un Aviso 📄 que describe los pasos de acción que cualquier persona debe tomar para detener la propagación de desinformación. Por ejemplo, usted puede: ✅ Aprender a identificar y evitar compartir desinformación sobre la salud. ✅ Integrarse con sus amigos y familiares sobre el problema de la Read more…
Should I get tested after X (fill in the blank)?
Testing and Contact Tracing
Chana Davis, PhD
A) To test or not to test? When in doubt, test. If testing access is limited, prioritize testing after riskier activities and when you pose a high risk to others. Continue using SMARTS layers of protection on top of testing. Read on for the TL;DR on when testing adds the most value and how to Read more…
Scientists recently did something pretty cool (okay, *Nerdy* cool).
Infection and Spread
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
They put COVID-19 infected people in a room and measured how much virus was in the air under different conditions. ❓What did they find? TL;DR: ➡️ The more virus the person had in their nose, the more was in the room (shocker!) ➡️ HEPA FILTRATION reduced viral load in the air the most ➡️ Increased Read more…
I’ve been exposed to COVID-19! When should I get tested?
Testing and Contact Tracing
Chana Davis, PhD
Help! 🙋I’ve been exposed to COVID-19! 🙋 When should I get tested? Is test timing different for the Delta variant? The short answer: Get tested at the right time and repeat if needed. The details: The sweet spot for COVID-19 testing is 3-5 days after a known exposure, or when you begin to feel symptoms. Read more…
J&J Vaccine: Real-world effectiveness and booster update
Vaccines
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
If you received the one-dose vaccine from Johnson & Johnson, we have some mostly good news. Johnson & Johnson/Janssen issued data recently showing that in the real world, a single dose of the J&J vaccine was 77-80% effective for preventing moderate symptomatic infections and 79-84% effective for preventing hospitalization after several months. This was a Read more…
Should I take a COVID-19 rapid antigen test? Part 1 in a Series
Testing and Contact Tracing
Chana Davis, PhD
Should I take a rapid antigen test before visiting a vulnerable person (e.g. an immunocompromised parent)? What about before hosting a gathering or attending a big event? The short answer: Yes, yes, and yes! ⌛ Shortest post ever. JK. There is always nuance to consider when we talk about testing, because no test is perfect. Read more…
Masks can be worn safely by most children.
Families/Kids Infection and Spread Masks School Staying Safe
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
😷 Reminder: Masks can be worn safely by most children. There are very few reasons for children to be exempt from wearing a mask in school. 😶🌫️ There is a lot of confusion around who can qualify for a medical exemption from a mask, especially as children are getting back to school. Many hospitals and Read more…
A) Runny noses are tricky. On one hand, they’re a common symptom of COVID-19. On the other hand, they are usually due to some other bug. Getting tested is the only way to know for sure what you’ve got. Whether or not you test, be kind and spare others not just from the sniffles, but Read more…
💥 FINALLY…some new MIX AND MATCH DATA💥
VaccinesJennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
On the eve of the US FDA meetings some long awaited results from the US Mix and Match booster trial. TL;DR: ➡️ A boost of ANY vaccine raised antibodies a lot, no matter your first type of vaccine. ➡️ Boosting with an mRNA vaccine (Moderna or Pfizer) after an original Johnson & Johnson vaccine produced Read more…
¿Qué puedo hacer para detener la desinformación sobre salud?
Posts en Español Uncertainty and Misinformation
Tita Smyth Escobedo, PM-IT
El Cirujano General de los Estados Unidos emitió un Aviso 📄 que describe los pasos de acción que cualquier persona debe tomar para detener la propagación de desinformación. Por ejemplo, usted puede: ✅ Aprender a identificar y evitar compartir desinformación sobre la salud. ✅ Integrarse con sus amigos y familiares sobre el problema de la Read more…
Should I get tested after X (fill in the blank)?
Testing and Contact Tracing
Chana Davis, PhD
A) To test or not to test? When in doubt, test. If testing access is limited, prioritize testing after riskier activities and when you pose a high risk to others. Continue using SMARTS layers of protection on top of testing. Read on for the TL;DR on when testing adds the most value and how to Read more…
Scientists recently did something pretty cool (okay, *Nerdy* cool).
Infection and Spread
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
They put COVID-19 infected people in a room and measured how much virus was in the air under different conditions. ❓What did they find? TL;DR: ➡️ The more virus the person had in their nose, the more was in the room (shocker!) ➡️ HEPA FILTRATION reduced viral load in the air the most ➡️ Increased Read more…
I’ve been exposed to COVID-19! When should I get tested?
Testing and Contact Tracing
Chana Davis, PhD
Help! 🙋I’ve been exposed to COVID-19! 🙋 When should I get tested? Is test timing different for the Delta variant? The short answer: Get tested at the right time and repeat if needed. The details: The sweet spot for COVID-19 testing is 3-5 days after a known exposure, or when you begin to feel symptoms. Read more…
J&J Vaccine: Real-world effectiveness and booster update
Vaccines
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
If you received the one-dose vaccine from Johnson & Johnson, we have some mostly good news. Johnson & Johnson/Janssen issued data recently showing that in the real world, a single dose of the J&J vaccine was 77-80% effective for preventing moderate symptomatic infections and 79-84% effective for preventing hospitalization after several months. This was a Read more…
Should I take a COVID-19 rapid antigen test? Part 1 in a Series
Testing and Contact Tracing
Chana Davis, PhD
Should I take a rapid antigen test before visiting a vulnerable person (e.g. an immunocompromised parent)? What about before hosting a gathering or attending a big event? The short answer: Yes, yes, and yes! ⌛ Shortest post ever. JK. There is always nuance to consider when we talk about testing, because no test is perfect. Read more…
Masks can be worn safely by most children.
Families/Kids Infection and Spread Masks School Staying Safe
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
😷 Reminder: Masks can be worn safely by most children. There are very few reasons for children to be exempt from wearing a mask in school. 😶🌫️ There is a lot of confusion around who can qualify for a medical exemption from a mask, especially as children are getting back to school. Many hospitals and Read more…
On the eve of the US FDA meetings some long awaited results from the US Mix and Match booster trial. TL;DR: ➡️ A boost of ANY vaccine raised antibodies a lot, no matter your first type of vaccine. ➡️ Boosting with an mRNA vaccine (Moderna or Pfizer) after an original Johnson & Johnson vaccine produced Read more…
¿Qué puedo hacer para detener la desinformación sobre salud?
Posts en Español Uncertainty and MisinformationTita Smyth Escobedo, PM-IT
El Cirujano General de los Estados Unidos emitió un Aviso 📄 que describe los pasos de acción que cualquier persona debe tomar para detener la propagación de desinformación. Por ejemplo, usted puede: ✅ Aprender a identificar y evitar compartir desinformación sobre la salud. ✅ Integrarse con sus amigos y familiares sobre el problema de la Read more…
Should I get tested after X (fill in the blank)?
Testing and Contact Tracing
Chana Davis, PhD
A) To test or not to test? When in doubt, test. If testing access is limited, prioritize testing after riskier activities and when you pose a high risk to others. Continue using SMARTS layers of protection on top of testing. Read on for the TL;DR on when testing adds the most value and how to Read more…
Scientists recently did something pretty cool (okay, *Nerdy* cool).
Infection and Spread
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
They put COVID-19 infected people in a room and measured how much virus was in the air under different conditions. ❓What did they find? TL;DR: ➡️ The more virus the person had in their nose, the more was in the room (shocker!) ➡️ HEPA FILTRATION reduced viral load in the air the most ➡️ Increased Read more…
I’ve been exposed to COVID-19! When should I get tested?
Testing and Contact Tracing
Chana Davis, PhD
Help! 🙋I’ve been exposed to COVID-19! 🙋 When should I get tested? Is test timing different for the Delta variant? The short answer: Get tested at the right time and repeat if needed. The details: The sweet spot for COVID-19 testing is 3-5 days after a known exposure, or when you begin to feel symptoms. Read more…
J&J Vaccine: Real-world effectiveness and booster update
Vaccines
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
If you received the one-dose vaccine from Johnson & Johnson, we have some mostly good news. Johnson & Johnson/Janssen issued data recently showing that in the real world, a single dose of the J&J vaccine was 77-80% effective for preventing moderate symptomatic infections and 79-84% effective for preventing hospitalization after several months. This was a Read more…
Should I take a COVID-19 rapid antigen test? Part 1 in a Series
Testing and Contact Tracing
Chana Davis, PhD
Should I take a rapid antigen test before visiting a vulnerable person (e.g. an immunocompromised parent)? What about before hosting a gathering or attending a big event? The short answer: Yes, yes, and yes! ⌛ Shortest post ever. JK. There is always nuance to consider when we talk about testing, because no test is perfect. Read more…
Masks can be worn safely by most children.
Families/Kids Infection and Spread Masks School Staying Safe
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
😷 Reminder: Masks can be worn safely by most children. There are very few reasons for children to be exempt from wearing a mask in school. 😶🌫️ There is a lot of confusion around who can qualify for a medical exemption from a mask, especially as children are getting back to school. Many hospitals and Read more…
El Cirujano General de los Estados Unidos emitió un Aviso 📄 que describe los pasos de acción que cualquier persona debe tomar para detener la propagación de desinformación. Por ejemplo, usted puede: ✅ Aprender a identificar y evitar compartir desinformación sobre la salud. ✅ Integrarse con sus amigos y familiares sobre el problema de la Read more…
Should I get tested after X (fill in the blank)?
Testing and Contact TracingChana Davis, PhD
A) To test or not to test? When in doubt, test. If testing access is limited, prioritize testing after riskier activities and when you pose a high risk to others. Continue using SMARTS layers of protection on top of testing. Read on for the TL;DR on when testing adds the most value and how to Read more…
Scientists recently did something pretty cool (okay, *Nerdy* cool).
Infection and Spread
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
They put COVID-19 infected people in a room and measured how much virus was in the air under different conditions. ❓What did they find? TL;DR: ➡️ The more virus the person had in their nose, the more was in the room (shocker!) ➡️ HEPA FILTRATION reduced viral load in the air the most ➡️ Increased Read more…
I’ve been exposed to COVID-19! When should I get tested?
Testing and Contact Tracing
Chana Davis, PhD
Help! 🙋I’ve been exposed to COVID-19! 🙋 When should I get tested? Is test timing different for the Delta variant? The short answer: Get tested at the right time and repeat if needed. The details: The sweet spot for COVID-19 testing is 3-5 days after a known exposure, or when you begin to feel symptoms. Read more…
J&J Vaccine: Real-world effectiveness and booster update
Vaccines
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
If you received the one-dose vaccine from Johnson & Johnson, we have some mostly good news. Johnson & Johnson/Janssen issued data recently showing that in the real world, a single dose of the J&J vaccine was 77-80% effective for preventing moderate symptomatic infections and 79-84% effective for preventing hospitalization after several months. This was a Read more…
Should I take a COVID-19 rapid antigen test? Part 1 in a Series
Testing and Contact Tracing
Chana Davis, PhD
Should I take a rapid antigen test before visiting a vulnerable person (e.g. an immunocompromised parent)? What about before hosting a gathering or attending a big event? The short answer: Yes, yes, and yes! ⌛ Shortest post ever. JK. There is always nuance to consider when we talk about testing, because no test is perfect. Read more…
Masks can be worn safely by most children.
Families/Kids Infection and Spread Masks School Staying Safe
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
😷 Reminder: Masks can be worn safely by most children. There are very few reasons for children to be exempt from wearing a mask in school. 😶🌫️ There is a lot of confusion around who can qualify for a medical exemption from a mask, especially as children are getting back to school. Many hospitals and Read more…
A) To test or not to test? When in doubt, test. If testing access is limited, prioritize testing after riskier activities and when you pose a high risk to others. Continue using SMARTS layers of protection on top of testing. Read on for the TL;DR on when testing adds the most value and how to Read more…
Scientists recently did something pretty cool (okay, *Nerdy* cool).
Infection and SpreadJennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
They put COVID-19 infected people in a room and measured how much virus was in the air under different conditions. ❓What did they find? TL;DR: ➡️ The more virus the person had in their nose, the more was in the room (shocker!) ➡️ HEPA FILTRATION reduced viral load in the air the most ➡️ Increased Read more…
I’ve been exposed to COVID-19! When should I get tested?
Testing and Contact Tracing
Chana Davis, PhD
Help! 🙋I’ve been exposed to COVID-19! 🙋 When should I get tested? Is test timing different for the Delta variant? The short answer: Get tested at the right time and repeat if needed. The details: The sweet spot for COVID-19 testing is 3-5 days after a known exposure, or when you begin to feel symptoms. Read more…
J&J Vaccine: Real-world effectiveness and booster update
Vaccines
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
If you received the one-dose vaccine from Johnson & Johnson, we have some mostly good news. Johnson & Johnson/Janssen issued data recently showing that in the real world, a single dose of the J&J vaccine was 77-80% effective for preventing moderate symptomatic infections and 79-84% effective for preventing hospitalization after several months. This was a Read more…
Should I take a COVID-19 rapid antigen test? Part 1 in a Series
Testing and Contact Tracing
Chana Davis, PhD
Should I take a rapid antigen test before visiting a vulnerable person (e.g. an immunocompromised parent)? What about before hosting a gathering or attending a big event? The short answer: Yes, yes, and yes! ⌛ Shortest post ever. JK. There is always nuance to consider when we talk about testing, because no test is perfect. Read more…
Masks can be worn safely by most children.
Families/Kids Infection and Spread Masks School Staying Safe
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
😷 Reminder: Masks can be worn safely by most children. There are very few reasons for children to be exempt from wearing a mask in school. 😶🌫️ There is a lot of confusion around who can qualify for a medical exemption from a mask, especially as children are getting back to school. Many hospitals and Read more…
They put COVID-19 infected people in a room and measured how much virus was in the air under different conditions. ❓What did they find? TL;DR: ➡️ The more virus the person had in their nose, the more was in the room (shocker!) ➡️ HEPA FILTRATION reduced viral load in the air the most ➡️ Increased Read more…
I’ve been exposed to COVID-19! When should I get tested?
Testing and Contact TracingChana Davis, PhD
Help! 🙋I’ve been exposed to COVID-19! 🙋 When should I get tested? Is test timing different for the Delta variant? The short answer: Get tested at the right time and repeat if needed. The details: The sweet spot for COVID-19 testing is 3-5 days after a known exposure, or when you begin to feel symptoms. Read more…
J&J Vaccine: Real-world effectiveness and booster update
Vaccines
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
If you received the one-dose vaccine from Johnson & Johnson, we have some mostly good news. Johnson & Johnson/Janssen issued data recently showing that in the real world, a single dose of the J&J vaccine was 77-80% effective for preventing moderate symptomatic infections and 79-84% effective for preventing hospitalization after several months. This was a Read more…
Should I take a COVID-19 rapid antigen test? Part 1 in a Series
Testing and Contact Tracing
Chana Davis, PhD
Should I take a rapid antigen test before visiting a vulnerable person (e.g. an immunocompromised parent)? What about before hosting a gathering or attending a big event? The short answer: Yes, yes, and yes! ⌛ Shortest post ever. JK. There is always nuance to consider when we talk about testing, because no test is perfect. Read more…
Masks can be worn safely by most children.
Families/Kids Infection and Spread Masks School Staying Safe
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
😷 Reminder: Masks can be worn safely by most children. There are very few reasons for children to be exempt from wearing a mask in school. 😶🌫️ There is a lot of confusion around who can qualify for a medical exemption from a mask, especially as children are getting back to school. Many hospitals and Read more…
Help! 🙋I’ve been exposed to COVID-19! 🙋 When should I get tested? Is test timing different for the Delta variant? The short answer: Get tested at the right time and repeat if needed. The details: The sweet spot for COVID-19 testing is 3-5 days after a known exposure, or when you begin to feel symptoms. Read more…
J&J Vaccine: Real-world effectiveness and booster update
VaccinesMalia Jones, PhD MPH
If you received the one-dose vaccine from Johnson & Johnson, we have some mostly good news. Johnson & Johnson/Janssen issued data recently showing that in the real world, a single dose of the J&J vaccine was 77-80% effective for preventing moderate symptomatic infections and 79-84% effective for preventing hospitalization after several months. This was a Read more…
Should I take a COVID-19 rapid antigen test? Part 1 in a Series
Testing and Contact Tracing
Chana Davis, PhD
Should I take a rapid antigen test before visiting a vulnerable person (e.g. an immunocompromised parent)? What about before hosting a gathering or attending a big event? The short answer: Yes, yes, and yes! ⌛ Shortest post ever. JK. There is always nuance to consider when we talk about testing, because no test is perfect. Read more…
Masks can be worn safely by most children.
Families/Kids Infection and Spread Masks School Staying Safe
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
😷 Reminder: Masks can be worn safely by most children. There are very few reasons for children to be exempt from wearing a mask in school. 😶🌫️ There is a lot of confusion around who can qualify for a medical exemption from a mask, especially as children are getting back to school. Many hospitals and Read more…
If you received the one-dose vaccine from Johnson & Johnson, we have some mostly good news. Johnson & Johnson/Janssen issued data recently showing that in the real world, a single dose of the J&J vaccine was 77-80% effective for preventing moderate symptomatic infections and 79-84% effective for preventing hospitalization after several months. This was a Read more…
Should I take a COVID-19 rapid antigen test? Part 1 in a Series
Testing and Contact TracingChana Davis, PhD
Should I take a rapid antigen test before visiting a vulnerable person (e.g. an immunocompromised parent)? What about before hosting a gathering or attending a big event? The short answer: Yes, yes, and yes! ⌛ Shortest post ever. JK. There is always nuance to consider when we talk about testing, because no test is perfect. Read more…
Masks can be worn safely by most children.
Families/Kids Infection and Spread Masks School Staying Safe
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
😷 Reminder: Masks can be worn safely by most children. There are very few reasons for children to be exempt from wearing a mask in school. 😶🌫️ There is a lot of confusion around who can qualify for a medical exemption from a mask, especially as children are getting back to school. Many hospitals and Read more…
Should I take a rapid antigen test before visiting a vulnerable person (e.g. an immunocompromised parent)? What about before hosting a gathering or attending a big event? The short answer: Yes, yes, and yes! ⌛ Shortest post ever. JK. There is always nuance to consider when we talk about testing, because no test is perfect. Read more…
Masks can be worn safely by most children.
Families/Kids Infection and Spread Masks School Staying SafeAparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
😷 Reminder: Masks can be worn safely by most children. There are very few reasons for children to be exempt from wearing a mask in school. 😶🌫️ There is a lot of confusion around who can qualify for a medical exemption from a mask, especially as children are getting back to school. Many hospitals and Read more…
😷 Reminder: Masks can be worn safely by most children. There are very few reasons for children to be exempt from wearing a mask in school. 😶🌫️ There is a lot of confusion around who can qualify for a medical exemption from a mask, especially as children are getting back to school. Many hospitals and Read more…
