Nerdy Girl Live Friday, 5/6 @ 1 pm EDT!
Uncategorized
Chana Davis, PhD
Those Nerdy Girls are back to tackle your latest COVID questions. This month’s live Q&A topics include: * the impact of pandemic life on immune health * the value of one way masking * tracking COVID in the era of home testing * using rapid antigen tests to exit isolation Featuring Nerdy Girls: Ashley Ritter, Read more…
Has almost everyone been infected with COVID by now?
Data and Metrics
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: Recent estimates suggest around 58% of the population in the US and over 70% in England have been previously infected, with BIG increases during the Omicron wave. The CDC recently released an MMWR report estimating the percentage of Americans who have been previously infected with COVID-19. The estimates came from the CDC’s National Commercial Read more…
Maybe you have heard about long COVID…but who gets it and where can I find more information on it?
Long COVID
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
TL; DR: Female sex and asthma are associated with the development of long COVID. We are still learning more about other factors like age. Data on long COVID is not systematically collected but there are efforts to do so in the future. For now, the national COVID data set as well as the patient led Read more…
If I worked with my boss on Saturday, we wore masks, he tested positive on Monday, and I’m boosted, what do I do?
Infection and Spread
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: If you had close contact with your boss and it was < 48 hours before they tested positive (or developed symptoms), but you are boosted, guidance is to wear a mask for 10 days and watch for symptoms. We get asked this type of “Am I exposed and, if so, what do I do?” Read more…
Kids’ vaccination rates decreased during the height of the pandemic and have not yet caught up.
Families/Kids Vaccines
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
TL;DR: Many kids missed vaccines during the pandemic and we need to get kids caught up now! Vaccines are incredibly important to prevent serious childhood illness and save lives. Vaccination rates decreased during the height of the pandemic and have not yet caught up. The CDC just released a report looking at kindergarteners in the Read more…
Will I ever be able to feel safe leaving the house again? Help
Mental Health Staying Safe
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
I haven’t gone out in 2 years, 🆘 help 🆘! Will I ever be able to feel safe leaving the house again? Help! ✅ While we can’t tell you that leaving your house will be 100% safe at any given time (COVID-19 times or not), there are things you can do to increase your tolerance Read more…
Our Journey Out of This Pandemic
Mental Health
Christine Whelan, PhD
Our journey out of this pandemic has been longer, more confusing, and messier than a lot of us expected. If you’re feeling emotionally exhausted and burnt-out, you’re not alone. Now is the time to face those feelings head-on and give yourself the gift of a purpose-focused break. Ideally in the sunshine. After a nap. Here’s Read more…
How do I talk to kids about vaccines?
Families/Kids Vaccines
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
A: Vaccination is very important for health in kids and adults alike! Sadly, vaccination rates in children tanked during the pandemic and it is time we get caught back up. Talking to kiddos about vaccination can help them feel safe and ready for their vaccines. Below are a few tips to help you have this Read more…
Series on Logical Fallacies – The Anecdotal Fallacy
Uncertainty and Misinformation
Kristen Panthagani, MD, PhD
At Dear Pandemic, we want to dish out science facts AND equip our readers with tools to make sense of data and science themselves. This is post is part of an ongoing series by Dr. Kristen Panthagani of You Can Know Things, in which she dissects common logical fallacies that have led people astray during Read more…
What’s this news about a COVID-19 breath test?
Testing and Contact Tracing
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: It’s true that new device was recently approved…but it’s not designed for home use. This week the FDA gave emergency use authorization (EUA) to a new COVID-19 testing device that detects chemical compounds associated with the coronavirus in exhaled breath. The test had good sensitivity and specificity, accurately detecting 91.2% of positive samples 99.3% Read more…
Is it OK to use Flonase, allergy sprays, saline mist, or neti pots before I take a COVID-19 rapid test or will it change my results?
Infection and Spread Testing and Contact Tracing
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
The answer: There is no evidence that using a nose spray will alter your test results. TL; DR: The SARS CoV-2 rapid antigen tests (aka COVID-19 rapid tests) become positive if they find a lot of the protein that that comes from SARS CoV-2. It is not likely that allergy sprays would change the amount Read more…
Can I sing safely with my choir? I want to sing my heart out.
Infection and Spread Socializing Staying Safe
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
A: While no activity is risk free, you can certainly sing safer! TL; DR: COVID-19 is spread by tiny droplets floating around in the air. Talking makes more of these and singing makes even more. Because of this, singing is a higher risk activity for spreading COVID-19. With COVID-19 transmission decreasing in many places in Read more…
With so many people using home tests (which mostly go unreported), how can we rely on COVID-19 data to understand community levels of transmission?
Data and Metrics Data Literacy Testing and Contact Tracing
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: With more people using home rapid tests interpreting local COVID-19 data does become murkier, but a useful addition is wastewater surveillance! TL; DR Keeping an eye on local wastewater surveillance can help round out understanding of community transmission as it doesn’t rely on testing or reporting of test results. ✳️Home testing is great because Read more…
Meet Those Nerdy Girls: Dr. Megan Madsen
Women in STEM
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
It’s time to meet another one of Those Nerdy Girls. This time we are delighted to introduce Dr. Megan Madsen, D.O. 👩⚕️ What’s a D.O.? We’re so glad you asked. It stands for Doctor of Osteopathy. Dr. Madsen says: “Our education mirrors M.D. programs for medical curriculum, and we also get extra training in musculoskeletal Read more…
Series on Logical Fallacies – The Ad Hominem Fallacy
Uncertainty and Misinformation
Kristen Panthagani, MD, PhD
At Dear Pandemic, we want to dish out science facts AND equip our readers with tools to make sense of data and science themselves. This is post is part of an ongoing series by Dr. Kristen Panthagani of You Can Know Things, in which she dissects common logical fallacies that have led people astray during Read more…
2nd boosters: what do we know?
Vaccines
A: With BA.2 on the rise, getting your next booster shot if you’re eligible (50+ or immunocompromised, in the U.S.) can keep your protection high with little downside. What we know right now is that a second booster shot poses few risks, but the benefits vary from person to person. And we don’t yet have Read more…
Dear Pandemic Live Q&A 04-08-22
COVID Variants Testing and Contact Tracing Vaccines Videos
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Live Q&As with Those Nerdy Girls are back! Dear Pandemic co-founder Dr. Malia Jones is handing over the Live Q&A torch to Dr. Chana Davis Fueled By Science. Malia and Chana will talk about 4th shots / second boosters, the new Omicron strain, vaccines for kids, and rapid tests for Omicron. ➡️ 0:00-1:24 Welcome and introductions Read more…
Can I take an antibody test to see if I need a booster shot?
Testing and Contact Tracing Vaccines
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: Unfortunately, no. TL;DR: 💥Our current antibody tests can’t tell us precisely how well someone is protected from COVID-19 infection or disease. Whether you have been previously infected, vaccinated, boosted or a combination of the three, the recent authorization of additional booster shots has people wondering if there is a way to tell if you Read more…
Heard of that new pill to treat COVID-19? Here is what you need to know!
Treatments
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
TL;DR: The FDA gave emergency use authorization to Paxlovid, an antiviral pill, that may reduce the risk of hospitalization and death for people who have mild to moderate COVID-19 infections and are at increased risk of getting severely ill. While this is super exciting news, it is not a magic answer to stopping the pandemic. Read more…
Live Q&As are back this Friday, 4/8, @ 1:00 pm EDT!
Uncategorized
Gretchen Peterson, Chief Operations Officer
Live Q&As with Those Nerdy Girls are back! Dear Pandemic co-founder Dr. Malia Jones is handing over the Live Q&A torch to Dr. Chana Davis. Link to Live Malia and Chana will talk about 4th shots / second boosters, the new Omicron strain, vaccines for kids, and rapid tests for Omicron. NOTE: Video will be Read more…
Those Nerdy Girls are back to tackle your latest COVID questions. This month’s live Q&A topics include: * the impact of pandemic life on immune health * the value of one way masking * tracking COVID in the era of home testing * using rapid antigen tests to exit isolation Featuring Nerdy Girls: Ashley Ritter, Read more…
Has almost everyone been infected with COVID by now?
Data and MetricsJennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: Recent estimates suggest around 58% of the population in the US and over 70% in England have been previously infected, with BIG increases during the Omicron wave. The CDC recently released an MMWR report estimating the percentage of Americans who have been previously infected with COVID-19. The estimates came from the CDC’s National Commercial Read more…
Maybe you have heard about long COVID…but who gets it and where can I find more information on it?
Long COVID
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
TL; DR: Female sex and asthma are associated with the development of long COVID. We are still learning more about other factors like age. Data on long COVID is not systematically collected but there are efforts to do so in the future. For now, the national COVID data set as well as the patient led Read more…
If I worked with my boss on Saturday, we wore masks, he tested positive on Monday, and I’m boosted, what do I do?
Infection and Spread
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: If you had close contact with your boss and it was < 48 hours before they tested positive (or developed symptoms), but you are boosted, guidance is to wear a mask for 10 days and watch for symptoms. We get asked this type of “Am I exposed and, if so, what do I do?” Read more…
Kids’ vaccination rates decreased during the height of the pandemic and have not yet caught up.
Families/Kids Vaccines
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
TL;DR: Many kids missed vaccines during the pandemic and we need to get kids caught up now! Vaccines are incredibly important to prevent serious childhood illness and save lives. Vaccination rates decreased during the height of the pandemic and have not yet caught up. The CDC just released a report looking at kindergarteners in the Read more…
Will I ever be able to feel safe leaving the house again? Help
Mental Health Staying Safe
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
I haven’t gone out in 2 years, 🆘 help 🆘! Will I ever be able to feel safe leaving the house again? Help! ✅ While we can’t tell you that leaving your house will be 100% safe at any given time (COVID-19 times or not), there are things you can do to increase your tolerance Read more…
Our Journey Out of This Pandemic
Mental Health
Christine Whelan, PhD
Our journey out of this pandemic has been longer, more confusing, and messier than a lot of us expected. If you’re feeling emotionally exhausted and burnt-out, you’re not alone. Now is the time to face those feelings head-on and give yourself the gift of a purpose-focused break. Ideally in the sunshine. After a nap. Here’s Read more…
How do I talk to kids about vaccines?
Families/Kids Vaccines
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
A: Vaccination is very important for health in kids and adults alike! Sadly, vaccination rates in children tanked during the pandemic and it is time we get caught back up. Talking to kiddos about vaccination can help them feel safe and ready for their vaccines. Below are a few tips to help you have this Read more…
Series on Logical Fallacies – The Anecdotal Fallacy
Uncertainty and Misinformation
Kristen Panthagani, MD, PhD
At Dear Pandemic, we want to dish out science facts AND equip our readers with tools to make sense of data and science themselves. This is post is part of an ongoing series by Dr. Kristen Panthagani of You Can Know Things, in which she dissects common logical fallacies that have led people astray during Read more…
What’s this news about a COVID-19 breath test?
Testing and Contact Tracing
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: It’s true that new device was recently approved…but it’s not designed for home use. This week the FDA gave emergency use authorization (EUA) to a new COVID-19 testing device that detects chemical compounds associated with the coronavirus in exhaled breath. The test had good sensitivity and specificity, accurately detecting 91.2% of positive samples 99.3% Read more…
Is it OK to use Flonase, allergy sprays, saline mist, or neti pots before I take a COVID-19 rapid test or will it change my results?
Infection and Spread Testing and Contact Tracing
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
The answer: There is no evidence that using a nose spray will alter your test results. TL; DR: The SARS CoV-2 rapid antigen tests (aka COVID-19 rapid tests) become positive if they find a lot of the protein that that comes from SARS CoV-2. It is not likely that allergy sprays would change the amount Read more…
Can I sing safely with my choir? I want to sing my heart out.
Infection and Spread Socializing Staying Safe
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
A: While no activity is risk free, you can certainly sing safer! TL; DR: COVID-19 is spread by tiny droplets floating around in the air. Talking makes more of these and singing makes even more. Because of this, singing is a higher risk activity for spreading COVID-19. With COVID-19 transmission decreasing in many places in Read more…
With so many people using home tests (which mostly go unreported), how can we rely on COVID-19 data to understand community levels of transmission?
Data and Metrics Data Literacy Testing and Contact Tracing
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: With more people using home rapid tests interpreting local COVID-19 data does become murkier, but a useful addition is wastewater surveillance! TL; DR Keeping an eye on local wastewater surveillance can help round out understanding of community transmission as it doesn’t rely on testing or reporting of test results. ✳️Home testing is great because Read more…
Meet Those Nerdy Girls: Dr. Megan Madsen
Women in STEM
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
It’s time to meet another one of Those Nerdy Girls. This time we are delighted to introduce Dr. Megan Madsen, D.O. 👩⚕️ What’s a D.O.? We’re so glad you asked. It stands for Doctor of Osteopathy. Dr. Madsen says: “Our education mirrors M.D. programs for medical curriculum, and we also get extra training in musculoskeletal Read more…
Series on Logical Fallacies – The Ad Hominem Fallacy
Uncertainty and Misinformation
Kristen Panthagani, MD, PhD
At Dear Pandemic, we want to dish out science facts AND equip our readers with tools to make sense of data and science themselves. This is post is part of an ongoing series by Dr. Kristen Panthagani of You Can Know Things, in which she dissects common logical fallacies that have led people astray during Read more…
2nd boosters: what do we know?
Vaccines
A: With BA.2 on the rise, getting your next booster shot if you’re eligible (50+ or immunocompromised, in the U.S.) can keep your protection high with little downside. What we know right now is that a second booster shot poses few risks, but the benefits vary from person to person. And we don’t yet have Read more…
Dear Pandemic Live Q&A 04-08-22
COVID Variants Testing and Contact Tracing Vaccines Videos
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Live Q&As with Those Nerdy Girls are back! Dear Pandemic co-founder Dr. Malia Jones is handing over the Live Q&A torch to Dr. Chana Davis Fueled By Science. Malia and Chana will talk about 4th shots / second boosters, the new Omicron strain, vaccines for kids, and rapid tests for Omicron. ➡️ 0:00-1:24 Welcome and introductions Read more…
Can I take an antibody test to see if I need a booster shot?
Testing and Contact Tracing Vaccines
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: Unfortunately, no. TL;DR: 💥Our current antibody tests can’t tell us precisely how well someone is protected from COVID-19 infection or disease. Whether you have been previously infected, vaccinated, boosted or a combination of the three, the recent authorization of additional booster shots has people wondering if there is a way to tell if you Read more…
Heard of that new pill to treat COVID-19? Here is what you need to know!
Treatments
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
TL;DR: The FDA gave emergency use authorization to Paxlovid, an antiviral pill, that may reduce the risk of hospitalization and death for people who have mild to moderate COVID-19 infections and are at increased risk of getting severely ill. While this is super exciting news, it is not a magic answer to stopping the pandemic. Read more…
Live Q&As are back this Friday, 4/8, @ 1:00 pm EDT!
Uncategorized
Gretchen Peterson, Chief Operations Officer
Live Q&As with Those Nerdy Girls are back! Dear Pandemic co-founder Dr. Malia Jones is handing over the Live Q&A torch to Dr. Chana Davis. Link to Live Malia and Chana will talk about 4th shots / second boosters, the new Omicron strain, vaccines for kids, and rapid tests for Omicron. NOTE: Video will be Read more…
A: Recent estimates suggest around 58% of the population in the US and over 70% in England have been previously infected, with BIG increases during the Omicron wave. The CDC recently released an MMWR report estimating the percentage of Americans who have been previously infected with COVID-19. The estimates came from the CDC’s National Commercial Read more…
Maybe you have heard about long COVID…but who gets it and where can I find more information on it?
Long COVIDAparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
TL; DR: Female sex and asthma are associated with the development of long COVID. We are still learning more about other factors like age. Data on long COVID is not systematically collected but there are efforts to do so in the future. For now, the national COVID data set as well as the patient led Read more…
If I worked with my boss on Saturday, we wore masks, he tested positive on Monday, and I’m boosted, what do I do?
Infection and Spread
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: If you had close contact with your boss and it was < 48 hours before they tested positive (or developed symptoms), but you are boosted, guidance is to wear a mask for 10 days and watch for symptoms. We get asked this type of “Am I exposed and, if so, what do I do?” Read more…
Kids’ vaccination rates decreased during the height of the pandemic and have not yet caught up.
Families/Kids Vaccines
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
TL;DR: Many kids missed vaccines during the pandemic and we need to get kids caught up now! Vaccines are incredibly important to prevent serious childhood illness and save lives. Vaccination rates decreased during the height of the pandemic and have not yet caught up. The CDC just released a report looking at kindergarteners in the Read more…
Will I ever be able to feel safe leaving the house again? Help
Mental Health Staying Safe
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
I haven’t gone out in 2 years, 🆘 help 🆘! Will I ever be able to feel safe leaving the house again? Help! ✅ While we can’t tell you that leaving your house will be 100% safe at any given time (COVID-19 times or not), there are things you can do to increase your tolerance Read more…
Our Journey Out of This Pandemic
Mental Health
Christine Whelan, PhD
Our journey out of this pandemic has been longer, more confusing, and messier than a lot of us expected. If you’re feeling emotionally exhausted and burnt-out, you’re not alone. Now is the time to face those feelings head-on and give yourself the gift of a purpose-focused break. Ideally in the sunshine. After a nap. Here’s Read more…
How do I talk to kids about vaccines?
Families/Kids Vaccines
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
A: Vaccination is very important for health in kids and adults alike! Sadly, vaccination rates in children tanked during the pandemic and it is time we get caught back up. Talking to kiddos about vaccination can help them feel safe and ready for their vaccines. Below are a few tips to help you have this Read more…
Series on Logical Fallacies – The Anecdotal Fallacy
Uncertainty and Misinformation
Kristen Panthagani, MD, PhD
At Dear Pandemic, we want to dish out science facts AND equip our readers with tools to make sense of data and science themselves. This is post is part of an ongoing series by Dr. Kristen Panthagani of You Can Know Things, in which she dissects common logical fallacies that have led people astray during Read more…
What’s this news about a COVID-19 breath test?
Testing and Contact Tracing
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: It’s true that new device was recently approved…but it’s not designed for home use. This week the FDA gave emergency use authorization (EUA) to a new COVID-19 testing device that detects chemical compounds associated with the coronavirus in exhaled breath. The test had good sensitivity and specificity, accurately detecting 91.2% of positive samples 99.3% Read more…
Is it OK to use Flonase, allergy sprays, saline mist, or neti pots before I take a COVID-19 rapid test or will it change my results?
Infection and Spread Testing and Contact Tracing
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
The answer: There is no evidence that using a nose spray will alter your test results. TL; DR: The SARS CoV-2 rapid antigen tests (aka COVID-19 rapid tests) become positive if they find a lot of the protein that that comes from SARS CoV-2. It is not likely that allergy sprays would change the amount Read more…
Can I sing safely with my choir? I want to sing my heart out.
Infection and Spread Socializing Staying Safe
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
A: While no activity is risk free, you can certainly sing safer! TL; DR: COVID-19 is spread by tiny droplets floating around in the air. Talking makes more of these and singing makes even more. Because of this, singing is a higher risk activity for spreading COVID-19. With COVID-19 transmission decreasing in many places in Read more…
With so many people using home tests (which mostly go unreported), how can we rely on COVID-19 data to understand community levels of transmission?
Data and Metrics Data Literacy Testing and Contact Tracing
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: With more people using home rapid tests interpreting local COVID-19 data does become murkier, but a useful addition is wastewater surveillance! TL; DR Keeping an eye on local wastewater surveillance can help round out understanding of community transmission as it doesn’t rely on testing or reporting of test results. ✳️Home testing is great because Read more…
Meet Those Nerdy Girls: Dr. Megan Madsen
Women in STEM
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
It’s time to meet another one of Those Nerdy Girls. This time we are delighted to introduce Dr. Megan Madsen, D.O. 👩⚕️ What’s a D.O.? We’re so glad you asked. It stands for Doctor of Osteopathy. Dr. Madsen says: “Our education mirrors M.D. programs for medical curriculum, and we also get extra training in musculoskeletal Read more…
Series on Logical Fallacies – The Ad Hominem Fallacy
Uncertainty and Misinformation
Kristen Panthagani, MD, PhD
At Dear Pandemic, we want to dish out science facts AND equip our readers with tools to make sense of data and science themselves. This is post is part of an ongoing series by Dr. Kristen Panthagani of You Can Know Things, in which she dissects common logical fallacies that have led people astray during Read more…
2nd boosters: what do we know?
Vaccines
A: With BA.2 on the rise, getting your next booster shot if you’re eligible (50+ or immunocompromised, in the U.S.) can keep your protection high with little downside. What we know right now is that a second booster shot poses few risks, but the benefits vary from person to person. And we don’t yet have Read more…
Dear Pandemic Live Q&A 04-08-22
COVID Variants Testing and Contact Tracing Vaccines Videos
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Live Q&As with Those Nerdy Girls are back! Dear Pandemic co-founder Dr. Malia Jones is handing over the Live Q&A torch to Dr. Chana Davis Fueled By Science. Malia and Chana will talk about 4th shots / second boosters, the new Omicron strain, vaccines for kids, and rapid tests for Omicron. ➡️ 0:00-1:24 Welcome and introductions Read more…
Can I take an antibody test to see if I need a booster shot?
Testing and Contact Tracing Vaccines
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: Unfortunately, no. TL;DR: 💥Our current antibody tests can’t tell us precisely how well someone is protected from COVID-19 infection or disease. Whether you have been previously infected, vaccinated, boosted or a combination of the three, the recent authorization of additional booster shots has people wondering if there is a way to tell if you Read more…
Heard of that new pill to treat COVID-19? Here is what you need to know!
Treatments
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
TL;DR: The FDA gave emergency use authorization to Paxlovid, an antiviral pill, that may reduce the risk of hospitalization and death for people who have mild to moderate COVID-19 infections and are at increased risk of getting severely ill. While this is super exciting news, it is not a magic answer to stopping the pandemic. Read more…
Live Q&As are back this Friday, 4/8, @ 1:00 pm EDT!
Uncategorized
Gretchen Peterson, Chief Operations Officer
Live Q&As with Those Nerdy Girls are back! Dear Pandemic co-founder Dr. Malia Jones is handing over the Live Q&A torch to Dr. Chana Davis. Link to Live Malia and Chana will talk about 4th shots / second boosters, the new Omicron strain, vaccines for kids, and rapid tests for Omicron. NOTE: Video will be Read more…
TL; DR: Female sex and asthma are associated with the development of long COVID. We are still learning more about other factors like age. Data on long COVID is not systematically collected but there are efforts to do so in the future. For now, the national COVID data set as well as the patient led Read more…
If I worked with my boss on Saturday, we wore masks, he tested positive on Monday, and I’m boosted, what do I do?
Infection and SpreadAmanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: If you had close contact with your boss and it was < 48 hours before they tested positive (or developed symptoms), but you are boosted, guidance is to wear a mask for 10 days and watch for symptoms. We get asked this type of “Am I exposed and, if so, what do I do?” Read more…
Kids’ vaccination rates decreased during the height of the pandemic and have not yet caught up.
Families/Kids Vaccines
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
TL;DR: Many kids missed vaccines during the pandemic and we need to get kids caught up now! Vaccines are incredibly important to prevent serious childhood illness and save lives. Vaccination rates decreased during the height of the pandemic and have not yet caught up. The CDC just released a report looking at kindergarteners in the Read more…
Will I ever be able to feel safe leaving the house again? Help
Mental Health Staying Safe
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
I haven’t gone out in 2 years, 🆘 help 🆘! Will I ever be able to feel safe leaving the house again? Help! ✅ While we can’t tell you that leaving your house will be 100% safe at any given time (COVID-19 times or not), there are things you can do to increase your tolerance Read more…
Our Journey Out of This Pandemic
Mental Health
Christine Whelan, PhD
Our journey out of this pandemic has been longer, more confusing, and messier than a lot of us expected. If you’re feeling emotionally exhausted and burnt-out, you’re not alone. Now is the time to face those feelings head-on and give yourself the gift of a purpose-focused break. Ideally in the sunshine. After a nap. Here’s Read more…
How do I talk to kids about vaccines?
Families/Kids Vaccines
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
A: Vaccination is very important for health in kids and adults alike! Sadly, vaccination rates in children tanked during the pandemic and it is time we get caught back up. Talking to kiddos about vaccination can help them feel safe and ready for their vaccines. Below are a few tips to help you have this Read more…
Series on Logical Fallacies – The Anecdotal Fallacy
Uncertainty and Misinformation
Kristen Panthagani, MD, PhD
At Dear Pandemic, we want to dish out science facts AND equip our readers with tools to make sense of data and science themselves. This is post is part of an ongoing series by Dr. Kristen Panthagani of You Can Know Things, in which she dissects common logical fallacies that have led people astray during Read more…
What’s this news about a COVID-19 breath test?
Testing and Contact Tracing
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: It’s true that new device was recently approved…but it’s not designed for home use. This week the FDA gave emergency use authorization (EUA) to a new COVID-19 testing device that detects chemical compounds associated with the coronavirus in exhaled breath. The test had good sensitivity and specificity, accurately detecting 91.2% of positive samples 99.3% Read more…
Is it OK to use Flonase, allergy sprays, saline mist, or neti pots before I take a COVID-19 rapid test or will it change my results?
Infection and Spread Testing and Contact Tracing
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
The answer: There is no evidence that using a nose spray will alter your test results. TL; DR: The SARS CoV-2 rapid antigen tests (aka COVID-19 rapid tests) become positive if they find a lot of the protein that that comes from SARS CoV-2. It is not likely that allergy sprays would change the amount Read more…
Can I sing safely with my choir? I want to sing my heart out.
Infection and Spread Socializing Staying Safe
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
A: While no activity is risk free, you can certainly sing safer! TL; DR: COVID-19 is spread by tiny droplets floating around in the air. Talking makes more of these and singing makes even more. Because of this, singing is a higher risk activity for spreading COVID-19. With COVID-19 transmission decreasing in many places in Read more…
With so many people using home tests (which mostly go unreported), how can we rely on COVID-19 data to understand community levels of transmission?
Data and Metrics Data Literacy Testing and Contact Tracing
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: With more people using home rapid tests interpreting local COVID-19 data does become murkier, but a useful addition is wastewater surveillance! TL; DR Keeping an eye on local wastewater surveillance can help round out understanding of community transmission as it doesn’t rely on testing or reporting of test results. ✳️Home testing is great because Read more…
Meet Those Nerdy Girls: Dr. Megan Madsen
Women in STEM
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
It’s time to meet another one of Those Nerdy Girls. This time we are delighted to introduce Dr. Megan Madsen, D.O. 👩⚕️ What’s a D.O.? We’re so glad you asked. It stands for Doctor of Osteopathy. Dr. Madsen says: “Our education mirrors M.D. programs for medical curriculum, and we also get extra training in musculoskeletal Read more…
Series on Logical Fallacies – The Ad Hominem Fallacy
Uncertainty and Misinformation
Kristen Panthagani, MD, PhD
At Dear Pandemic, we want to dish out science facts AND equip our readers with tools to make sense of data and science themselves. This is post is part of an ongoing series by Dr. Kristen Panthagani of You Can Know Things, in which she dissects common logical fallacies that have led people astray during Read more…
2nd boosters: what do we know?
Vaccines
A: With BA.2 on the rise, getting your next booster shot if you’re eligible (50+ or immunocompromised, in the U.S.) can keep your protection high with little downside. What we know right now is that a second booster shot poses few risks, but the benefits vary from person to person. And we don’t yet have Read more…
Dear Pandemic Live Q&A 04-08-22
COVID Variants Testing and Contact Tracing Vaccines Videos
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Live Q&As with Those Nerdy Girls are back! Dear Pandemic co-founder Dr. Malia Jones is handing over the Live Q&A torch to Dr. Chana Davis Fueled By Science. Malia and Chana will talk about 4th shots / second boosters, the new Omicron strain, vaccines for kids, and rapid tests for Omicron. ➡️ 0:00-1:24 Welcome and introductions Read more…
Can I take an antibody test to see if I need a booster shot?
Testing and Contact Tracing Vaccines
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: Unfortunately, no. TL;DR: 💥Our current antibody tests can’t tell us precisely how well someone is protected from COVID-19 infection or disease. Whether you have been previously infected, vaccinated, boosted or a combination of the three, the recent authorization of additional booster shots has people wondering if there is a way to tell if you Read more…
Heard of that new pill to treat COVID-19? Here is what you need to know!
Treatments
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
TL;DR: The FDA gave emergency use authorization to Paxlovid, an antiviral pill, that may reduce the risk of hospitalization and death for people who have mild to moderate COVID-19 infections and are at increased risk of getting severely ill. While this is super exciting news, it is not a magic answer to stopping the pandemic. Read more…
Live Q&As are back this Friday, 4/8, @ 1:00 pm EDT!
Uncategorized
Gretchen Peterson, Chief Operations Officer
Live Q&As with Those Nerdy Girls are back! Dear Pandemic co-founder Dr. Malia Jones is handing over the Live Q&A torch to Dr. Chana Davis. Link to Live Malia and Chana will talk about 4th shots / second boosters, the new Omicron strain, vaccines for kids, and rapid tests for Omicron. NOTE: Video will be Read more…
A: If you had close contact with your boss and it was < 48 hours before they tested positive (or developed symptoms), but you are boosted, guidance is to wear a mask for 10 days and watch for symptoms. We get asked this type of “Am I exposed and, if so, what do I do?” Read more…
Kids’ vaccination rates decreased during the height of the pandemic and have not yet caught up.
Families/Kids VaccinesSarah Whitley Coles, MD
TL;DR: Many kids missed vaccines during the pandemic and we need to get kids caught up now! Vaccines are incredibly important to prevent serious childhood illness and save lives. Vaccination rates decreased during the height of the pandemic and have not yet caught up. The CDC just released a report looking at kindergarteners in the Read more…
Will I ever be able to feel safe leaving the house again? Help
Mental Health Staying Safe
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
I haven’t gone out in 2 years, 🆘 help 🆘! Will I ever be able to feel safe leaving the house again? Help! ✅ While we can’t tell you that leaving your house will be 100% safe at any given time (COVID-19 times or not), there are things you can do to increase your tolerance Read more…
Our Journey Out of This Pandemic
Mental Health
Christine Whelan, PhD
Our journey out of this pandemic has been longer, more confusing, and messier than a lot of us expected. If you’re feeling emotionally exhausted and burnt-out, you’re not alone. Now is the time to face those feelings head-on and give yourself the gift of a purpose-focused break. Ideally in the sunshine. After a nap. Here’s Read more…
How do I talk to kids about vaccines?
Families/Kids Vaccines
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
A: Vaccination is very important for health in kids and adults alike! Sadly, vaccination rates in children tanked during the pandemic and it is time we get caught back up. Talking to kiddos about vaccination can help them feel safe and ready for their vaccines. Below are a few tips to help you have this Read more…
Series on Logical Fallacies – The Anecdotal Fallacy
Uncertainty and Misinformation
Kristen Panthagani, MD, PhD
At Dear Pandemic, we want to dish out science facts AND equip our readers with tools to make sense of data and science themselves. This is post is part of an ongoing series by Dr. Kristen Panthagani of You Can Know Things, in which she dissects common logical fallacies that have led people astray during Read more…
What’s this news about a COVID-19 breath test?
Testing and Contact Tracing
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: It’s true that new device was recently approved…but it’s not designed for home use. This week the FDA gave emergency use authorization (EUA) to a new COVID-19 testing device that detects chemical compounds associated with the coronavirus in exhaled breath. The test had good sensitivity and specificity, accurately detecting 91.2% of positive samples 99.3% Read more…
Is it OK to use Flonase, allergy sprays, saline mist, or neti pots before I take a COVID-19 rapid test or will it change my results?
Infection and Spread Testing and Contact Tracing
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
The answer: There is no evidence that using a nose spray will alter your test results. TL; DR: The SARS CoV-2 rapid antigen tests (aka COVID-19 rapid tests) become positive if they find a lot of the protein that that comes from SARS CoV-2. It is not likely that allergy sprays would change the amount Read more…
Can I sing safely with my choir? I want to sing my heart out.
Infection and Spread Socializing Staying Safe
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
A: While no activity is risk free, you can certainly sing safer! TL; DR: COVID-19 is spread by tiny droplets floating around in the air. Talking makes more of these and singing makes even more. Because of this, singing is a higher risk activity for spreading COVID-19. With COVID-19 transmission decreasing in many places in Read more…
With so many people using home tests (which mostly go unreported), how can we rely on COVID-19 data to understand community levels of transmission?
Data and Metrics Data Literacy Testing and Contact Tracing
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: With more people using home rapid tests interpreting local COVID-19 data does become murkier, but a useful addition is wastewater surveillance! TL; DR Keeping an eye on local wastewater surveillance can help round out understanding of community transmission as it doesn’t rely on testing or reporting of test results. ✳️Home testing is great because Read more…
Meet Those Nerdy Girls: Dr. Megan Madsen
Women in STEM
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
It’s time to meet another one of Those Nerdy Girls. This time we are delighted to introduce Dr. Megan Madsen, D.O. 👩⚕️ What’s a D.O.? We’re so glad you asked. It stands for Doctor of Osteopathy. Dr. Madsen says: “Our education mirrors M.D. programs for medical curriculum, and we also get extra training in musculoskeletal Read more…
Series on Logical Fallacies – The Ad Hominem Fallacy
Uncertainty and Misinformation
Kristen Panthagani, MD, PhD
At Dear Pandemic, we want to dish out science facts AND equip our readers with tools to make sense of data and science themselves. This is post is part of an ongoing series by Dr. Kristen Panthagani of You Can Know Things, in which she dissects common logical fallacies that have led people astray during Read more…
2nd boosters: what do we know?
Vaccines
A: With BA.2 on the rise, getting your next booster shot if you’re eligible (50+ or immunocompromised, in the U.S.) can keep your protection high with little downside. What we know right now is that a second booster shot poses few risks, but the benefits vary from person to person. And we don’t yet have Read more…
Dear Pandemic Live Q&A 04-08-22
COVID Variants Testing and Contact Tracing Vaccines Videos
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Live Q&As with Those Nerdy Girls are back! Dear Pandemic co-founder Dr. Malia Jones is handing over the Live Q&A torch to Dr. Chana Davis Fueled By Science. Malia and Chana will talk about 4th shots / second boosters, the new Omicron strain, vaccines for kids, and rapid tests for Omicron. ➡️ 0:00-1:24 Welcome and introductions Read more…
Can I take an antibody test to see if I need a booster shot?
Testing and Contact Tracing Vaccines
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: Unfortunately, no. TL;DR: 💥Our current antibody tests can’t tell us precisely how well someone is protected from COVID-19 infection or disease. Whether you have been previously infected, vaccinated, boosted or a combination of the three, the recent authorization of additional booster shots has people wondering if there is a way to tell if you Read more…
Heard of that new pill to treat COVID-19? Here is what you need to know!
Treatments
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
TL;DR: The FDA gave emergency use authorization to Paxlovid, an antiviral pill, that may reduce the risk of hospitalization and death for people who have mild to moderate COVID-19 infections and are at increased risk of getting severely ill. While this is super exciting news, it is not a magic answer to stopping the pandemic. Read more…
Live Q&As are back this Friday, 4/8, @ 1:00 pm EDT!
Uncategorized
Gretchen Peterson, Chief Operations Officer
Live Q&As with Those Nerdy Girls are back! Dear Pandemic co-founder Dr. Malia Jones is handing over the Live Q&A torch to Dr. Chana Davis. Link to Live Malia and Chana will talk about 4th shots / second boosters, the new Omicron strain, vaccines for kids, and rapid tests for Omicron. NOTE: Video will be Read more…
TL;DR: Many kids missed vaccines during the pandemic and we need to get kids caught up now! Vaccines are incredibly important to prevent serious childhood illness and save lives. Vaccination rates decreased during the height of the pandemic and have not yet caught up. The CDC just released a report looking at kindergarteners in the Read more…
Will I ever be able to feel safe leaving the house again? Help
Mental Health Staying SafeAparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
I haven’t gone out in 2 years, 🆘 help 🆘! Will I ever be able to feel safe leaving the house again? Help! ✅ While we can’t tell you that leaving your house will be 100% safe at any given time (COVID-19 times or not), there are things you can do to increase your tolerance Read more…
Our Journey Out of This Pandemic
Mental Health
Christine Whelan, PhD
Our journey out of this pandemic has been longer, more confusing, and messier than a lot of us expected. If you’re feeling emotionally exhausted and burnt-out, you’re not alone. Now is the time to face those feelings head-on and give yourself the gift of a purpose-focused break. Ideally in the sunshine. After a nap. Here’s Read more…
How do I talk to kids about vaccines?
Families/Kids Vaccines
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
A: Vaccination is very important for health in kids and adults alike! Sadly, vaccination rates in children tanked during the pandemic and it is time we get caught back up. Talking to kiddos about vaccination can help them feel safe and ready for their vaccines. Below are a few tips to help you have this Read more…
Series on Logical Fallacies – The Anecdotal Fallacy
Uncertainty and Misinformation
Kristen Panthagani, MD, PhD
At Dear Pandemic, we want to dish out science facts AND equip our readers with tools to make sense of data and science themselves. This is post is part of an ongoing series by Dr. Kristen Panthagani of You Can Know Things, in which she dissects common logical fallacies that have led people astray during Read more…
What’s this news about a COVID-19 breath test?
Testing and Contact Tracing
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: It’s true that new device was recently approved…but it’s not designed for home use. This week the FDA gave emergency use authorization (EUA) to a new COVID-19 testing device that detects chemical compounds associated with the coronavirus in exhaled breath. The test had good sensitivity and specificity, accurately detecting 91.2% of positive samples 99.3% Read more…
Is it OK to use Flonase, allergy sprays, saline mist, or neti pots before I take a COVID-19 rapid test or will it change my results?
Infection and Spread Testing and Contact Tracing
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
The answer: There is no evidence that using a nose spray will alter your test results. TL; DR: The SARS CoV-2 rapid antigen tests (aka COVID-19 rapid tests) become positive if they find a lot of the protein that that comes from SARS CoV-2. It is not likely that allergy sprays would change the amount Read more…
Can I sing safely with my choir? I want to sing my heart out.
Infection and Spread Socializing Staying Safe
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
A: While no activity is risk free, you can certainly sing safer! TL; DR: COVID-19 is spread by tiny droplets floating around in the air. Talking makes more of these and singing makes even more. Because of this, singing is a higher risk activity for spreading COVID-19. With COVID-19 transmission decreasing in many places in Read more…
With so many people using home tests (which mostly go unreported), how can we rely on COVID-19 data to understand community levels of transmission?
Data and Metrics Data Literacy Testing and Contact Tracing
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: With more people using home rapid tests interpreting local COVID-19 data does become murkier, but a useful addition is wastewater surveillance! TL; DR Keeping an eye on local wastewater surveillance can help round out understanding of community transmission as it doesn’t rely on testing or reporting of test results. ✳️Home testing is great because Read more…
Meet Those Nerdy Girls: Dr. Megan Madsen
Women in STEM
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
It’s time to meet another one of Those Nerdy Girls. This time we are delighted to introduce Dr. Megan Madsen, D.O. 👩⚕️ What’s a D.O.? We’re so glad you asked. It stands for Doctor of Osteopathy. Dr. Madsen says: “Our education mirrors M.D. programs for medical curriculum, and we also get extra training in musculoskeletal Read more…
Series on Logical Fallacies – The Ad Hominem Fallacy
Uncertainty and Misinformation
Kristen Panthagani, MD, PhD
At Dear Pandemic, we want to dish out science facts AND equip our readers with tools to make sense of data and science themselves. This is post is part of an ongoing series by Dr. Kristen Panthagani of You Can Know Things, in which she dissects common logical fallacies that have led people astray during Read more…
2nd boosters: what do we know?
Vaccines
A: With BA.2 on the rise, getting your next booster shot if you’re eligible (50+ or immunocompromised, in the U.S.) can keep your protection high with little downside. What we know right now is that a second booster shot poses few risks, but the benefits vary from person to person. And we don’t yet have Read more…
Dear Pandemic Live Q&A 04-08-22
COVID Variants Testing and Contact Tracing Vaccines Videos
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Live Q&As with Those Nerdy Girls are back! Dear Pandemic co-founder Dr. Malia Jones is handing over the Live Q&A torch to Dr. Chana Davis Fueled By Science. Malia and Chana will talk about 4th shots / second boosters, the new Omicron strain, vaccines for kids, and rapid tests for Omicron. ➡️ 0:00-1:24 Welcome and introductions Read more…
Can I take an antibody test to see if I need a booster shot?
Testing and Contact Tracing Vaccines
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: Unfortunately, no. TL;DR: 💥Our current antibody tests can’t tell us precisely how well someone is protected from COVID-19 infection or disease. Whether you have been previously infected, vaccinated, boosted or a combination of the three, the recent authorization of additional booster shots has people wondering if there is a way to tell if you Read more…
Heard of that new pill to treat COVID-19? Here is what you need to know!
Treatments
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
TL;DR: The FDA gave emergency use authorization to Paxlovid, an antiviral pill, that may reduce the risk of hospitalization and death for people who have mild to moderate COVID-19 infections and are at increased risk of getting severely ill. While this is super exciting news, it is not a magic answer to stopping the pandemic. Read more…
Live Q&As are back this Friday, 4/8, @ 1:00 pm EDT!
Uncategorized
Gretchen Peterson, Chief Operations Officer
Live Q&As with Those Nerdy Girls are back! Dear Pandemic co-founder Dr. Malia Jones is handing over the Live Q&A torch to Dr. Chana Davis. Link to Live Malia and Chana will talk about 4th shots / second boosters, the new Omicron strain, vaccines for kids, and rapid tests for Omicron. NOTE: Video will be Read more…
I haven’t gone out in 2 years, 🆘 help 🆘! Will I ever be able to feel safe leaving the house again? Help! ✅ While we can’t tell you that leaving your house will be 100% safe at any given time (COVID-19 times or not), there are things you can do to increase your tolerance Read more…
Our Journey Out of This Pandemic
Mental HealthChristine Whelan, PhD
Our journey out of this pandemic has been longer, more confusing, and messier than a lot of us expected. If you’re feeling emotionally exhausted and burnt-out, you’re not alone. Now is the time to face those feelings head-on and give yourself the gift of a purpose-focused break. Ideally in the sunshine. After a nap. Here’s Read more…
How do I talk to kids about vaccines?
Families/Kids Vaccines
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
A: Vaccination is very important for health in kids and adults alike! Sadly, vaccination rates in children tanked during the pandemic and it is time we get caught back up. Talking to kiddos about vaccination can help them feel safe and ready for their vaccines. Below are a few tips to help you have this Read more…
Series on Logical Fallacies – The Anecdotal Fallacy
Uncertainty and Misinformation
Kristen Panthagani, MD, PhD
At Dear Pandemic, we want to dish out science facts AND equip our readers with tools to make sense of data and science themselves. This is post is part of an ongoing series by Dr. Kristen Panthagani of You Can Know Things, in which she dissects common logical fallacies that have led people astray during Read more…
What’s this news about a COVID-19 breath test?
Testing and Contact Tracing
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: It’s true that new device was recently approved…but it’s not designed for home use. This week the FDA gave emergency use authorization (EUA) to a new COVID-19 testing device that detects chemical compounds associated with the coronavirus in exhaled breath. The test had good sensitivity and specificity, accurately detecting 91.2% of positive samples 99.3% Read more…
Is it OK to use Flonase, allergy sprays, saline mist, or neti pots before I take a COVID-19 rapid test or will it change my results?
Infection and Spread Testing and Contact Tracing
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
The answer: There is no evidence that using a nose spray will alter your test results. TL; DR: The SARS CoV-2 rapid antigen tests (aka COVID-19 rapid tests) become positive if they find a lot of the protein that that comes from SARS CoV-2. It is not likely that allergy sprays would change the amount Read more…
Can I sing safely with my choir? I want to sing my heart out.
Infection and Spread Socializing Staying Safe
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
A: While no activity is risk free, you can certainly sing safer! TL; DR: COVID-19 is spread by tiny droplets floating around in the air. Talking makes more of these and singing makes even more. Because of this, singing is a higher risk activity for spreading COVID-19. With COVID-19 transmission decreasing in many places in Read more…
With so many people using home tests (which mostly go unreported), how can we rely on COVID-19 data to understand community levels of transmission?
Data and Metrics Data Literacy Testing and Contact Tracing
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: With more people using home rapid tests interpreting local COVID-19 data does become murkier, but a useful addition is wastewater surveillance! TL; DR Keeping an eye on local wastewater surveillance can help round out understanding of community transmission as it doesn’t rely on testing or reporting of test results. ✳️Home testing is great because Read more…
Meet Those Nerdy Girls: Dr. Megan Madsen
Women in STEM
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
It’s time to meet another one of Those Nerdy Girls. This time we are delighted to introduce Dr. Megan Madsen, D.O. 👩⚕️ What’s a D.O.? We’re so glad you asked. It stands for Doctor of Osteopathy. Dr. Madsen says: “Our education mirrors M.D. programs for medical curriculum, and we also get extra training in musculoskeletal Read more…
Series on Logical Fallacies – The Ad Hominem Fallacy
Uncertainty and Misinformation
Kristen Panthagani, MD, PhD
At Dear Pandemic, we want to dish out science facts AND equip our readers with tools to make sense of data and science themselves. This is post is part of an ongoing series by Dr. Kristen Panthagani of You Can Know Things, in which she dissects common logical fallacies that have led people astray during Read more…
2nd boosters: what do we know?
Vaccines
A: With BA.2 on the rise, getting your next booster shot if you’re eligible (50+ or immunocompromised, in the U.S.) can keep your protection high with little downside. What we know right now is that a second booster shot poses few risks, but the benefits vary from person to person. And we don’t yet have Read more…
Dear Pandemic Live Q&A 04-08-22
COVID Variants Testing and Contact Tracing Vaccines Videos
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Live Q&As with Those Nerdy Girls are back! Dear Pandemic co-founder Dr. Malia Jones is handing over the Live Q&A torch to Dr. Chana Davis Fueled By Science. Malia and Chana will talk about 4th shots / second boosters, the new Omicron strain, vaccines for kids, and rapid tests for Omicron. ➡️ 0:00-1:24 Welcome and introductions Read more…
Can I take an antibody test to see if I need a booster shot?
Testing and Contact Tracing Vaccines
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: Unfortunately, no. TL;DR: 💥Our current antibody tests can’t tell us precisely how well someone is protected from COVID-19 infection or disease. Whether you have been previously infected, vaccinated, boosted or a combination of the three, the recent authorization of additional booster shots has people wondering if there is a way to tell if you Read more…
Heard of that new pill to treat COVID-19? Here is what you need to know!
Treatments
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
TL;DR: The FDA gave emergency use authorization to Paxlovid, an antiviral pill, that may reduce the risk of hospitalization and death for people who have mild to moderate COVID-19 infections and are at increased risk of getting severely ill. While this is super exciting news, it is not a magic answer to stopping the pandemic. Read more…
Live Q&As are back this Friday, 4/8, @ 1:00 pm EDT!
Uncategorized
Gretchen Peterson, Chief Operations Officer
Live Q&As with Those Nerdy Girls are back! Dear Pandemic co-founder Dr. Malia Jones is handing over the Live Q&A torch to Dr. Chana Davis. Link to Live Malia and Chana will talk about 4th shots / second boosters, the new Omicron strain, vaccines for kids, and rapid tests for Omicron. NOTE: Video will be Read more…
Our journey out of this pandemic has been longer, more confusing, and messier than a lot of us expected. If you’re feeling emotionally exhausted and burnt-out, you’re not alone. Now is the time to face those feelings head-on and give yourself the gift of a purpose-focused break. Ideally in the sunshine. After a nap. Here’s Read more…
How do I talk to kids about vaccines?
Families/Kids VaccinesSarah Whitley Coles, MD
A: Vaccination is very important for health in kids and adults alike! Sadly, vaccination rates in children tanked during the pandemic and it is time we get caught back up. Talking to kiddos about vaccination can help them feel safe and ready for their vaccines. Below are a few tips to help you have this Read more…
Series on Logical Fallacies – The Anecdotal Fallacy
Uncertainty and Misinformation
Kristen Panthagani, MD, PhD
At Dear Pandemic, we want to dish out science facts AND equip our readers with tools to make sense of data and science themselves. This is post is part of an ongoing series by Dr. Kristen Panthagani of You Can Know Things, in which she dissects common logical fallacies that have led people astray during Read more…
What’s this news about a COVID-19 breath test?
Testing and Contact Tracing
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: It’s true that new device was recently approved…but it’s not designed for home use. This week the FDA gave emergency use authorization (EUA) to a new COVID-19 testing device that detects chemical compounds associated with the coronavirus in exhaled breath. The test had good sensitivity and specificity, accurately detecting 91.2% of positive samples 99.3% Read more…
Is it OK to use Flonase, allergy sprays, saline mist, or neti pots before I take a COVID-19 rapid test or will it change my results?
Infection and Spread Testing and Contact Tracing
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
The answer: There is no evidence that using a nose spray will alter your test results. TL; DR: The SARS CoV-2 rapid antigen tests (aka COVID-19 rapid tests) become positive if they find a lot of the protein that that comes from SARS CoV-2. It is not likely that allergy sprays would change the amount Read more…
Can I sing safely with my choir? I want to sing my heart out.
Infection and Spread Socializing Staying Safe
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
A: While no activity is risk free, you can certainly sing safer! TL; DR: COVID-19 is spread by tiny droplets floating around in the air. Talking makes more of these and singing makes even more. Because of this, singing is a higher risk activity for spreading COVID-19. With COVID-19 transmission decreasing in many places in Read more…
With so many people using home tests (which mostly go unreported), how can we rely on COVID-19 data to understand community levels of transmission?
Data and Metrics Data Literacy Testing and Contact Tracing
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: With more people using home rapid tests interpreting local COVID-19 data does become murkier, but a useful addition is wastewater surveillance! TL; DR Keeping an eye on local wastewater surveillance can help round out understanding of community transmission as it doesn’t rely on testing or reporting of test results. ✳️Home testing is great because Read more…
Meet Those Nerdy Girls: Dr. Megan Madsen
Women in STEM
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
It’s time to meet another one of Those Nerdy Girls. This time we are delighted to introduce Dr. Megan Madsen, D.O. 👩⚕️ What’s a D.O.? We’re so glad you asked. It stands for Doctor of Osteopathy. Dr. Madsen says: “Our education mirrors M.D. programs for medical curriculum, and we also get extra training in musculoskeletal Read more…
Series on Logical Fallacies – The Ad Hominem Fallacy
Uncertainty and Misinformation
Kristen Panthagani, MD, PhD
At Dear Pandemic, we want to dish out science facts AND equip our readers with tools to make sense of data and science themselves. This is post is part of an ongoing series by Dr. Kristen Panthagani of You Can Know Things, in which she dissects common logical fallacies that have led people astray during Read more…
2nd boosters: what do we know?
Vaccines
A: With BA.2 on the rise, getting your next booster shot if you’re eligible (50+ or immunocompromised, in the U.S.) can keep your protection high with little downside. What we know right now is that a second booster shot poses few risks, but the benefits vary from person to person. And we don’t yet have Read more…
Dear Pandemic Live Q&A 04-08-22
COVID Variants Testing and Contact Tracing Vaccines Videos
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Live Q&As with Those Nerdy Girls are back! Dear Pandemic co-founder Dr. Malia Jones is handing over the Live Q&A torch to Dr. Chana Davis Fueled By Science. Malia and Chana will talk about 4th shots / second boosters, the new Omicron strain, vaccines for kids, and rapid tests for Omicron. ➡️ 0:00-1:24 Welcome and introductions Read more…
Can I take an antibody test to see if I need a booster shot?
Testing and Contact Tracing Vaccines
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: Unfortunately, no. TL;DR: 💥Our current antibody tests can’t tell us precisely how well someone is protected from COVID-19 infection or disease. Whether you have been previously infected, vaccinated, boosted or a combination of the three, the recent authorization of additional booster shots has people wondering if there is a way to tell if you Read more…
Heard of that new pill to treat COVID-19? Here is what you need to know!
Treatments
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
TL;DR: The FDA gave emergency use authorization to Paxlovid, an antiviral pill, that may reduce the risk of hospitalization and death for people who have mild to moderate COVID-19 infections and are at increased risk of getting severely ill. While this is super exciting news, it is not a magic answer to stopping the pandemic. Read more…
Live Q&As are back this Friday, 4/8, @ 1:00 pm EDT!
Uncategorized
Gretchen Peterson, Chief Operations Officer
Live Q&As with Those Nerdy Girls are back! Dear Pandemic co-founder Dr. Malia Jones is handing over the Live Q&A torch to Dr. Chana Davis. Link to Live Malia and Chana will talk about 4th shots / second boosters, the new Omicron strain, vaccines for kids, and rapid tests for Omicron. NOTE: Video will be Read more…
A: Vaccination is very important for health in kids and adults alike! Sadly, vaccination rates in children tanked during the pandemic and it is time we get caught back up. Talking to kiddos about vaccination can help them feel safe and ready for their vaccines. Below are a few tips to help you have this Read more…
Series on Logical Fallacies – The Anecdotal Fallacy
Uncertainty and MisinformationKristen Panthagani, MD, PhD
At Dear Pandemic, we want to dish out science facts AND equip our readers with tools to make sense of data and science themselves. This is post is part of an ongoing series by Dr. Kristen Panthagani of You Can Know Things, in which she dissects common logical fallacies that have led people astray during Read more…
What’s this news about a COVID-19 breath test?
Testing and Contact Tracing
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: It’s true that new device was recently approved…but it’s not designed for home use. This week the FDA gave emergency use authorization (EUA) to a new COVID-19 testing device that detects chemical compounds associated with the coronavirus in exhaled breath. The test had good sensitivity and specificity, accurately detecting 91.2% of positive samples 99.3% Read more…
Is it OK to use Flonase, allergy sprays, saline mist, or neti pots before I take a COVID-19 rapid test or will it change my results?
Infection and Spread Testing and Contact Tracing
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
The answer: There is no evidence that using a nose spray will alter your test results. TL; DR: The SARS CoV-2 rapid antigen tests (aka COVID-19 rapid tests) become positive if they find a lot of the protein that that comes from SARS CoV-2. It is not likely that allergy sprays would change the amount Read more…
Can I sing safely with my choir? I want to sing my heart out.
Infection and Spread Socializing Staying Safe
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
A: While no activity is risk free, you can certainly sing safer! TL; DR: COVID-19 is spread by tiny droplets floating around in the air. Talking makes more of these and singing makes even more. Because of this, singing is a higher risk activity for spreading COVID-19. With COVID-19 transmission decreasing in many places in Read more…
With so many people using home tests (which mostly go unreported), how can we rely on COVID-19 data to understand community levels of transmission?
Data and Metrics Data Literacy Testing and Contact Tracing
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: With more people using home rapid tests interpreting local COVID-19 data does become murkier, but a useful addition is wastewater surveillance! TL; DR Keeping an eye on local wastewater surveillance can help round out understanding of community transmission as it doesn’t rely on testing or reporting of test results. ✳️Home testing is great because Read more…
Meet Those Nerdy Girls: Dr. Megan Madsen
Women in STEM
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
It’s time to meet another one of Those Nerdy Girls. This time we are delighted to introduce Dr. Megan Madsen, D.O. 👩⚕️ What’s a D.O.? We’re so glad you asked. It stands for Doctor of Osteopathy. Dr. Madsen says: “Our education mirrors M.D. programs for medical curriculum, and we also get extra training in musculoskeletal Read more…
Series on Logical Fallacies – The Ad Hominem Fallacy
Uncertainty and Misinformation
Kristen Panthagani, MD, PhD
At Dear Pandemic, we want to dish out science facts AND equip our readers with tools to make sense of data and science themselves. This is post is part of an ongoing series by Dr. Kristen Panthagani of You Can Know Things, in which she dissects common logical fallacies that have led people astray during Read more…
2nd boosters: what do we know?
Vaccines
A: With BA.2 on the rise, getting your next booster shot if you’re eligible (50+ or immunocompromised, in the U.S.) can keep your protection high with little downside. What we know right now is that a second booster shot poses few risks, but the benefits vary from person to person. And we don’t yet have Read more…
Dear Pandemic Live Q&A 04-08-22
COVID Variants Testing and Contact Tracing Vaccines Videos
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Live Q&As with Those Nerdy Girls are back! Dear Pandemic co-founder Dr. Malia Jones is handing over the Live Q&A torch to Dr. Chana Davis Fueled By Science. Malia and Chana will talk about 4th shots / second boosters, the new Omicron strain, vaccines for kids, and rapid tests for Omicron. ➡️ 0:00-1:24 Welcome and introductions Read more…
Can I take an antibody test to see if I need a booster shot?
Testing and Contact Tracing Vaccines
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: Unfortunately, no. TL;DR: 💥Our current antibody tests can’t tell us precisely how well someone is protected from COVID-19 infection or disease. Whether you have been previously infected, vaccinated, boosted or a combination of the three, the recent authorization of additional booster shots has people wondering if there is a way to tell if you Read more…
Heard of that new pill to treat COVID-19? Here is what you need to know!
Treatments
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
TL;DR: The FDA gave emergency use authorization to Paxlovid, an antiviral pill, that may reduce the risk of hospitalization and death for people who have mild to moderate COVID-19 infections and are at increased risk of getting severely ill. While this is super exciting news, it is not a magic answer to stopping the pandemic. Read more…
Live Q&As are back this Friday, 4/8, @ 1:00 pm EDT!
Uncategorized
Gretchen Peterson, Chief Operations Officer
Live Q&As with Those Nerdy Girls are back! Dear Pandemic co-founder Dr. Malia Jones is handing over the Live Q&A torch to Dr. Chana Davis. Link to Live Malia and Chana will talk about 4th shots / second boosters, the new Omicron strain, vaccines for kids, and rapid tests for Omicron. NOTE: Video will be Read more…
At Dear Pandemic, we want to dish out science facts AND equip our readers with tools to make sense of data and science themselves. This is post is part of an ongoing series by Dr. Kristen Panthagani of You Can Know Things, in which she dissects common logical fallacies that have led people astray during Read more…
What’s this news about a COVID-19 breath test?
Testing and Contact TracingJennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: It’s true that new device was recently approved…but it’s not designed for home use. This week the FDA gave emergency use authorization (EUA) to a new COVID-19 testing device that detects chemical compounds associated with the coronavirus in exhaled breath. The test had good sensitivity and specificity, accurately detecting 91.2% of positive samples 99.3% Read more…
Is it OK to use Flonase, allergy sprays, saline mist, or neti pots before I take a COVID-19 rapid test or will it change my results?
Infection and Spread Testing and Contact Tracing
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
The answer: There is no evidence that using a nose spray will alter your test results. TL; DR: The SARS CoV-2 rapid antigen tests (aka COVID-19 rapid tests) become positive if they find a lot of the protein that that comes from SARS CoV-2. It is not likely that allergy sprays would change the amount Read more…
Can I sing safely with my choir? I want to sing my heart out.
Infection and Spread Socializing Staying Safe
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
A: While no activity is risk free, you can certainly sing safer! TL; DR: COVID-19 is spread by tiny droplets floating around in the air. Talking makes more of these and singing makes even more. Because of this, singing is a higher risk activity for spreading COVID-19. With COVID-19 transmission decreasing in many places in Read more…
With so many people using home tests (which mostly go unreported), how can we rely on COVID-19 data to understand community levels of transmission?
Data and Metrics Data Literacy Testing and Contact Tracing
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: With more people using home rapid tests interpreting local COVID-19 data does become murkier, but a useful addition is wastewater surveillance! TL; DR Keeping an eye on local wastewater surveillance can help round out understanding of community transmission as it doesn’t rely on testing or reporting of test results. ✳️Home testing is great because Read more…
Meet Those Nerdy Girls: Dr. Megan Madsen
Women in STEM
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
It’s time to meet another one of Those Nerdy Girls. This time we are delighted to introduce Dr. Megan Madsen, D.O. 👩⚕️ What’s a D.O.? We’re so glad you asked. It stands for Doctor of Osteopathy. Dr. Madsen says: “Our education mirrors M.D. programs for medical curriculum, and we also get extra training in musculoskeletal Read more…
Series on Logical Fallacies – The Ad Hominem Fallacy
Uncertainty and Misinformation
Kristen Panthagani, MD, PhD
At Dear Pandemic, we want to dish out science facts AND equip our readers with tools to make sense of data and science themselves. This is post is part of an ongoing series by Dr. Kristen Panthagani of You Can Know Things, in which she dissects common logical fallacies that have led people astray during Read more…
2nd boosters: what do we know?
Vaccines
A: With BA.2 on the rise, getting your next booster shot if you’re eligible (50+ or immunocompromised, in the U.S.) can keep your protection high with little downside. What we know right now is that a second booster shot poses few risks, but the benefits vary from person to person. And we don’t yet have Read more…
Dear Pandemic Live Q&A 04-08-22
COVID Variants Testing and Contact Tracing Vaccines Videos
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Live Q&As with Those Nerdy Girls are back! Dear Pandemic co-founder Dr. Malia Jones is handing over the Live Q&A torch to Dr. Chana Davis Fueled By Science. Malia and Chana will talk about 4th shots / second boosters, the new Omicron strain, vaccines for kids, and rapid tests for Omicron. ➡️ 0:00-1:24 Welcome and introductions Read more…
Can I take an antibody test to see if I need a booster shot?
Testing and Contact Tracing Vaccines
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: Unfortunately, no. TL;DR: 💥Our current antibody tests can’t tell us precisely how well someone is protected from COVID-19 infection or disease. Whether you have been previously infected, vaccinated, boosted or a combination of the three, the recent authorization of additional booster shots has people wondering if there is a way to tell if you Read more…
Heard of that new pill to treat COVID-19? Here is what you need to know!
Treatments
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
TL;DR: The FDA gave emergency use authorization to Paxlovid, an antiviral pill, that may reduce the risk of hospitalization and death for people who have mild to moderate COVID-19 infections and are at increased risk of getting severely ill. While this is super exciting news, it is not a magic answer to stopping the pandemic. Read more…
Live Q&As are back this Friday, 4/8, @ 1:00 pm EDT!
Uncategorized
Gretchen Peterson, Chief Operations Officer
Live Q&As with Those Nerdy Girls are back! Dear Pandemic co-founder Dr. Malia Jones is handing over the Live Q&A torch to Dr. Chana Davis. Link to Live Malia and Chana will talk about 4th shots / second boosters, the new Omicron strain, vaccines for kids, and rapid tests for Omicron. NOTE: Video will be Read more…
A: It’s true that new device was recently approved…but it’s not designed for home use. This week the FDA gave emergency use authorization (EUA) to a new COVID-19 testing device that detects chemical compounds associated with the coronavirus in exhaled breath. The test had good sensitivity and specificity, accurately detecting 91.2% of positive samples 99.3% Read more…
Is it OK to use Flonase, allergy sprays, saline mist, or neti pots before I take a COVID-19 rapid test or will it change my results?
Infection and Spread Testing and Contact TracingAparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
The answer: There is no evidence that using a nose spray will alter your test results. TL; DR: The SARS CoV-2 rapid antigen tests (aka COVID-19 rapid tests) become positive if they find a lot of the protein that that comes from SARS CoV-2. It is not likely that allergy sprays would change the amount Read more…
Can I sing safely with my choir? I want to sing my heart out.
Infection and Spread Socializing Staying Safe
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
A: While no activity is risk free, you can certainly sing safer! TL; DR: COVID-19 is spread by tiny droplets floating around in the air. Talking makes more of these and singing makes even more. Because of this, singing is a higher risk activity for spreading COVID-19. With COVID-19 transmission decreasing in many places in Read more…
With so many people using home tests (which mostly go unreported), how can we rely on COVID-19 data to understand community levels of transmission?
Data and Metrics Data Literacy Testing and Contact Tracing
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: With more people using home rapid tests interpreting local COVID-19 data does become murkier, but a useful addition is wastewater surveillance! TL; DR Keeping an eye on local wastewater surveillance can help round out understanding of community transmission as it doesn’t rely on testing or reporting of test results. ✳️Home testing is great because Read more…
Meet Those Nerdy Girls: Dr. Megan Madsen
Women in STEM
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
It’s time to meet another one of Those Nerdy Girls. This time we are delighted to introduce Dr. Megan Madsen, D.O. 👩⚕️ What’s a D.O.? We’re so glad you asked. It stands for Doctor of Osteopathy. Dr. Madsen says: “Our education mirrors M.D. programs for medical curriculum, and we also get extra training in musculoskeletal Read more…
Series on Logical Fallacies – The Ad Hominem Fallacy
Uncertainty and Misinformation
Kristen Panthagani, MD, PhD
At Dear Pandemic, we want to dish out science facts AND equip our readers with tools to make sense of data and science themselves. This is post is part of an ongoing series by Dr. Kristen Panthagani of You Can Know Things, in which she dissects common logical fallacies that have led people astray during Read more…
2nd boosters: what do we know?
Vaccines
A: With BA.2 on the rise, getting your next booster shot if you’re eligible (50+ or immunocompromised, in the U.S.) can keep your protection high with little downside. What we know right now is that a second booster shot poses few risks, but the benefits vary from person to person. And we don’t yet have Read more…
Dear Pandemic Live Q&A 04-08-22
COVID Variants Testing and Contact Tracing Vaccines Videos
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Live Q&As with Those Nerdy Girls are back! Dear Pandemic co-founder Dr. Malia Jones is handing over the Live Q&A torch to Dr. Chana Davis Fueled By Science. Malia and Chana will talk about 4th shots / second boosters, the new Omicron strain, vaccines for kids, and rapid tests for Omicron. ➡️ 0:00-1:24 Welcome and introductions Read more…
Can I take an antibody test to see if I need a booster shot?
Testing and Contact Tracing Vaccines
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: Unfortunately, no. TL;DR: 💥Our current antibody tests can’t tell us precisely how well someone is protected from COVID-19 infection or disease. Whether you have been previously infected, vaccinated, boosted or a combination of the three, the recent authorization of additional booster shots has people wondering if there is a way to tell if you Read more…
Heard of that new pill to treat COVID-19? Here is what you need to know!
Treatments
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
TL;DR: The FDA gave emergency use authorization to Paxlovid, an antiviral pill, that may reduce the risk of hospitalization and death for people who have mild to moderate COVID-19 infections and are at increased risk of getting severely ill. While this is super exciting news, it is not a magic answer to stopping the pandemic. Read more…
Live Q&As are back this Friday, 4/8, @ 1:00 pm EDT!
Uncategorized
Gretchen Peterson, Chief Operations Officer
Live Q&As with Those Nerdy Girls are back! Dear Pandemic co-founder Dr. Malia Jones is handing over the Live Q&A torch to Dr. Chana Davis. Link to Live Malia and Chana will talk about 4th shots / second boosters, the new Omicron strain, vaccines for kids, and rapid tests for Omicron. NOTE: Video will be Read more…
The answer: There is no evidence that using a nose spray will alter your test results. TL; DR: The SARS CoV-2 rapid antigen tests (aka COVID-19 rapid tests) become positive if they find a lot of the protein that that comes from SARS CoV-2. It is not likely that allergy sprays would change the amount Read more…
Can I sing safely with my choir? I want to sing my heart out.
Infection and Spread Socializing Staying SafeAparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
A: While no activity is risk free, you can certainly sing safer! TL; DR: COVID-19 is spread by tiny droplets floating around in the air. Talking makes more of these and singing makes even more. Because of this, singing is a higher risk activity for spreading COVID-19. With COVID-19 transmission decreasing in many places in Read more…
With so many people using home tests (which mostly go unreported), how can we rely on COVID-19 data to understand community levels of transmission?
Data and Metrics Data Literacy Testing and Contact Tracing
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: With more people using home rapid tests interpreting local COVID-19 data does become murkier, but a useful addition is wastewater surveillance! TL; DR Keeping an eye on local wastewater surveillance can help round out understanding of community transmission as it doesn’t rely on testing or reporting of test results. ✳️Home testing is great because Read more…
Meet Those Nerdy Girls: Dr. Megan Madsen
Women in STEM
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
It’s time to meet another one of Those Nerdy Girls. This time we are delighted to introduce Dr. Megan Madsen, D.O. 👩⚕️ What’s a D.O.? We’re so glad you asked. It stands for Doctor of Osteopathy. Dr. Madsen says: “Our education mirrors M.D. programs for medical curriculum, and we also get extra training in musculoskeletal Read more…
Series on Logical Fallacies – The Ad Hominem Fallacy
Uncertainty and Misinformation
Kristen Panthagani, MD, PhD
At Dear Pandemic, we want to dish out science facts AND equip our readers with tools to make sense of data and science themselves. This is post is part of an ongoing series by Dr. Kristen Panthagani of You Can Know Things, in which she dissects common logical fallacies that have led people astray during Read more…
2nd boosters: what do we know?
Vaccines
A: With BA.2 on the rise, getting your next booster shot if you’re eligible (50+ or immunocompromised, in the U.S.) can keep your protection high with little downside. What we know right now is that a second booster shot poses few risks, but the benefits vary from person to person. And we don’t yet have Read more…
Dear Pandemic Live Q&A 04-08-22
COVID Variants Testing and Contact Tracing Vaccines Videos
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Live Q&As with Those Nerdy Girls are back! Dear Pandemic co-founder Dr. Malia Jones is handing over the Live Q&A torch to Dr. Chana Davis Fueled By Science. Malia and Chana will talk about 4th shots / second boosters, the new Omicron strain, vaccines for kids, and rapid tests for Omicron. ➡️ 0:00-1:24 Welcome and introductions Read more…
Can I take an antibody test to see if I need a booster shot?
Testing and Contact Tracing Vaccines
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: Unfortunately, no. TL;DR: 💥Our current antibody tests can’t tell us precisely how well someone is protected from COVID-19 infection or disease. Whether you have been previously infected, vaccinated, boosted or a combination of the three, the recent authorization of additional booster shots has people wondering if there is a way to tell if you Read more…
Heard of that new pill to treat COVID-19? Here is what you need to know!
Treatments
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
TL;DR: The FDA gave emergency use authorization to Paxlovid, an antiviral pill, that may reduce the risk of hospitalization and death for people who have mild to moderate COVID-19 infections and are at increased risk of getting severely ill. While this is super exciting news, it is not a magic answer to stopping the pandemic. Read more…
Live Q&As are back this Friday, 4/8, @ 1:00 pm EDT!
Uncategorized
Gretchen Peterson, Chief Operations Officer
Live Q&As with Those Nerdy Girls are back! Dear Pandemic co-founder Dr. Malia Jones is handing over the Live Q&A torch to Dr. Chana Davis. Link to Live Malia and Chana will talk about 4th shots / second boosters, the new Omicron strain, vaccines for kids, and rapid tests for Omicron. NOTE: Video will be Read more…
A: While no activity is risk free, you can certainly sing safer! TL; DR: COVID-19 is spread by tiny droplets floating around in the air. Talking makes more of these and singing makes even more. Because of this, singing is a higher risk activity for spreading COVID-19. With COVID-19 transmission decreasing in many places in Read more…
With so many people using home tests (which mostly go unreported), how can we rely on COVID-19 data to understand community levels of transmission?
Data and Metrics Data Literacy Testing and Contact TracingAmanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: With more people using home rapid tests interpreting local COVID-19 data does become murkier, but a useful addition is wastewater surveillance! TL; DR Keeping an eye on local wastewater surveillance can help round out understanding of community transmission as it doesn’t rely on testing or reporting of test results. ✳️Home testing is great because Read more…
Meet Those Nerdy Girls: Dr. Megan Madsen
Women in STEM
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
It’s time to meet another one of Those Nerdy Girls. This time we are delighted to introduce Dr. Megan Madsen, D.O. 👩⚕️ What’s a D.O.? We’re so glad you asked. It stands for Doctor of Osteopathy. Dr. Madsen says: “Our education mirrors M.D. programs for medical curriculum, and we also get extra training in musculoskeletal Read more…
Series on Logical Fallacies – The Ad Hominem Fallacy
Uncertainty and Misinformation
Kristen Panthagani, MD, PhD
At Dear Pandemic, we want to dish out science facts AND equip our readers with tools to make sense of data and science themselves. This is post is part of an ongoing series by Dr. Kristen Panthagani of You Can Know Things, in which she dissects common logical fallacies that have led people astray during Read more…
2nd boosters: what do we know?
Vaccines
A: With BA.2 on the rise, getting your next booster shot if you’re eligible (50+ or immunocompromised, in the U.S.) can keep your protection high with little downside. What we know right now is that a second booster shot poses few risks, but the benefits vary from person to person. And we don’t yet have Read more…
Dear Pandemic Live Q&A 04-08-22
COVID Variants Testing and Contact Tracing Vaccines Videos
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Live Q&As with Those Nerdy Girls are back! Dear Pandemic co-founder Dr. Malia Jones is handing over the Live Q&A torch to Dr. Chana Davis Fueled By Science. Malia and Chana will talk about 4th shots / second boosters, the new Omicron strain, vaccines for kids, and rapid tests for Omicron. ➡️ 0:00-1:24 Welcome and introductions Read more…
Can I take an antibody test to see if I need a booster shot?
Testing and Contact Tracing Vaccines
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: Unfortunately, no. TL;DR: 💥Our current antibody tests can’t tell us precisely how well someone is protected from COVID-19 infection or disease. Whether you have been previously infected, vaccinated, boosted or a combination of the three, the recent authorization of additional booster shots has people wondering if there is a way to tell if you Read more…
Heard of that new pill to treat COVID-19? Here is what you need to know!
Treatments
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
TL;DR: The FDA gave emergency use authorization to Paxlovid, an antiviral pill, that may reduce the risk of hospitalization and death for people who have mild to moderate COVID-19 infections and are at increased risk of getting severely ill. While this is super exciting news, it is not a magic answer to stopping the pandemic. Read more…
Live Q&As are back this Friday, 4/8, @ 1:00 pm EDT!
Uncategorized
Gretchen Peterson, Chief Operations Officer
Live Q&As with Those Nerdy Girls are back! Dear Pandemic co-founder Dr. Malia Jones is handing over the Live Q&A torch to Dr. Chana Davis. Link to Live Malia and Chana will talk about 4th shots / second boosters, the new Omicron strain, vaccines for kids, and rapid tests for Omicron. NOTE: Video will be Read more…
A: With more people using home rapid tests interpreting local COVID-19 data does become murkier, but a useful addition is wastewater surveillance! TL; DR Keeping an eye on local wastewater surveillance can help round out understanding of community transmission as it doesn’t rely on testing or reporting of test results. ✳️Home testing is great because Read more…
Meet Those Nerdy Girls: Dr. Megan Madsen
Women in STEMMalia Jones, PhD MPH
It’s time to meet another one of Those Nerdy Girls. This time we are delighted to introduce Dr. Megan Madsen, D.O. 👩⚕️ What’s a D.O.? We’re so glad you asked. It stands for Doctor of Osteopathy. Dr. Madsen says: “Our education mirrors M.D. programs for medical curriculum, and we also get extra training in musculoskeletal Read more…
Series on Logical Fallacies – The Ad Hominem Fallacy
Uncertainty and Misinformation
Kristen Panthagani, MD, PhD
At Dear Pandemic, we want to dish out science facts AND equip our readers with tools to make sense of data and science themselves. This is post is part of an ongoing series by Dr. Kristen Panthagani of You Can Know Things, in which she dissects common logical fallacies that have led people astray during Read more…
2nd boosters: what do we know?
Vaccines
A: With BA.2 on the rise, getting your next booster shot if you’re eligible (50+ or immunocompromised, in the U.S.) can keep your protection high with little downside. What we know right now is that a second booster shot poses few risks, but the benefits vary from person to person. And we don’t yet have Read more…
Dear Pandemic Live Q&A 04-08-22
COVID Variants Testing and Contact Tracing Vaccines Videos
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Live Q&As with Those Nerdy Girls are back! Dear Pandemic co-founder Dr. Malia Jones is handing over the Live Q&A torch to Dr. Chana Davis Fueled By Science. Malia and Chana will talk about 4th shots / second boosters, the new Omicron strain, vaccines for kids, and rapid tests for Omicron. ➡️ 0:00-1:24 Welcome and introductions Read more…
Can I take an antibody test to see if I need a booster shot?
Testing and Contact Tracing Vaccines
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: Unfortunately, no. TL;DR: 💥Our current antibody tests can’t tell us precisely how well someone is protected from COVID-19 infection or disease. Whether you have been previously infected, vaccinated, boosted or a combination of the three, the recent authorization of additional booster shots has people wondering if there is a way to tell if you Read more…
Heard of that new pill to treat COVID-19? Here is what you need to know!
Treatments
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
TL;DR: The FDA gave emergency use authorization to Paxlovid, an antiviral pill, that may reduce the risk of hospitalization and death for people who have mild to moderate COVID-19 infections and are at increased risk of getting severely ill. While this is super exciting news, it is not a magic answer to stopping the pandemic. Read more…
Live Q&As are back this Friday, 4/8, @ 1:00 pm EDT!
Uncategorized
Gretchen Peterson, Chief Operations Officer
Live Q&As with Those Nerdy Girls are back! Dear Pandemic co-founder Dr. Malia Jones is handing over the Live Q&A torch to Dr. Chana Davis. Link to Live Malia and Chana will talk about 4th shots / second boosters, the new Omicron strain, vaccines for kids, and rapid tests for Omicron. NOTE: Video will be Read more…
It’s time to meet another one of Those Nerdy Girls. This time we are delighted to introduce Dr. Megan Madsen, D.O. 👩⚕️ What’s a D.O.? We’re so glad you asked. It stands for Doctor of Osteopathy. Dr. Madsen says: “Our education mirrors M.D. programs for medical curriculum, and we also get extra training in musculoskeletal Read more…
Series on Logical Fallacies – The Ad Hominem Fallacy
Uncertainty and MisinformationKristen Panthagani, MD, PhD
At Dear Pandemic, we want to dish out science facts AND equip our readers with tools to make sense of data and science themselves. This is post is part of an ongoing series by Dr. Kristen Panthagani of You Can Know Things, in which she dissects common logical fallacies that have led people astray during Read more…
2nd boosters: what do we know?
Vaccines
A: With BA.2 on the rise, getting your next booster shot if you’re eligible (50+ or immunocompromised, in the U.S.) can keep your protection high with little downside. What we know right now is that a second booster shot poses few risks, but the benefits vary from person to person. And we don’t yet have Read more…
Dear Pandemic Live Q&A 04-08-22
COVID Variants Testing and Contact Tracing Vaccines Videos
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Live Q&As with Those Nerdy Girls are back! Dear Pandemic co-founder Dr. Malia Jones is handing over the Live Q&A torch to Dr. Chana Davis Fueled By Science. Malia and Chana will talk about 4th shots / second boosters, the new Omicron strain, vaccines for kids, and rapid tests for Omicron. ➡️ 0:00-1:24 Welcome and introductions Read more…
Can I take an antibody test to see if I need a booster shot?
Testing and Contact Tracing Vaccines
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: Unfortunately, no. TL;DR: 💥Our current antibody tests can’t tell us precisely how well someone is protected from COVID-19 infection or disease. Whether you have been previously infected, vaccinated, boosted or a combination of the three, the recent authorization of additional booster shots has people wondering if there is a way to tell if you Read more…
Heard of that new pill to treat COVID-19? Here is what you need to know!
Treatments
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
TL;DR: The FDA gave emergency use authorization to Paxlovid, an antiviral pill, that may reduce the risk of hospitalization and death for people who have mild to moderate COVID-19 infections and are at increased risk of getting severely ill. While this is super exciting news, it is not a magic answer to stopping the pandemic. Read more…
Live Q&As are back this Friday, 4/8, @ 1:00 pm EDT!
Uncategorized
Gretchen Peterson, Chief Operations Officer
Live Q&As with Those Nerdy Girls are back! Dear Pandemic co-founder Dr. Malia Jones is handing over the Live Q&A torch to Dr. Chana Davis. Link to Live Malia and Chana will talk about 4th shots / second boosters, the new Omicron strain, vaccines for kids, and rapid tests for Omicron. NOTE: Video will be Read more…
At Dear Pandemic, we want to dish out science facts AND equip our readers with tools to make sense of data and science themselves. This is post is part of an ongoing series by Dr. Kristen Panthagani of You Can Know Things, in which she dissects common logical fallacies that have led people astray during Read more…
2nd boosters: what do we know?
Vaccines
A: With BA.2 on the rise, getting your next booster shot if you’re eligible (50+ or immunocompromised, in the U.S.) can keep your protection high with little downside. What we know right now is that a second booster shot poses few risks, but the benefits vary from person to person. And we don’t yet have Read more…
Dear Pandemic Live Q&A 04-08-22
COVID Variants Testing and Contact Tracing Vaccines VideosMalia Jones, PhD MPH
Live Q&As with Those Nerdy Girls are back! Dear Pandemic co-founder Dr. Malia Jones is handing over the Live Q&A torch to Dr. Chana Davis Fueled By Science. Malia and Chana will talk about 4th shots / second boosters, the new Omicron strain, vaccines for kids, and rapid tests for Omicron. ➡️ 0:00-1:24 Welcome and introductions Read more…
Can I take an antibody test to see if I need a booster shot?
Testing and Contact Tracing Vaccines
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: Unfortunately, no. TL;DR: 💥Our current antibody tests can’t tell us precisely how well someone is protected from COVID-19 infection or disease. Whether you have been previously infected, vaccinated, boosted or a combination of the three, the recent authorization of additional booster shots has people wondering if there is a way to tell if you Read more…
Heard of that new pill to treat COVID-19? Here is what you need to know!
Treatments
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
TL;DR: The FDA gave emergency use authorization to Paxlovid, an antiviral pill, that may reduce the risk of hospitalization and death for people who have mild to moderate COVID-19 infections and are at increased risk of getting severely ill. While this is super exciting news, it is not a magic answer to stopping the pandemic. Read more…
Live Q&As are back this Friday, 4/8, @ 1:00 pm EDT!
Uncategorized
Gretchen Peterson, Chief Operations Officer
Live Q&As with Those Nerdy Girls are back! Dear Pandemic co-founder Dr. Malia Jones is handing over the Live Q&A torch to Dr. Chana Davis. Link to Live Malia and Chana will talk about 4th shots / second boosters, the new Omicron strain, vaccines for kids, and rapid tests for Omicron. NOTE: Video will be Read more…
Live Q&As with Those Nerdy Girls are back! Dear Pandemic co-founder Dr. Malia Jones is handing over the Live Q&A torch to Dr. Chana Davis Fueled By Science. Malia and Chana will talk about 4th shots / second boosters, the new Omicron strain, vaccines for kids, and rapid tests for Omicron. ➡️ 0:00-1:24 Welcome and introductions Read more…
Can I take an antibody test to see if I need a booster shot?
Testing and Contact Tracing VaccinesJennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: Unfortunately, no. TL;DR: 💥Our current antibody tests can’t tell us precisely how well someone is protected from COVID-19 infection or disease. Whether you have been previously infected, vaccinated, boosted or a combination of the three, the recent authorization of additional booster shots has people wondering if there is a way to tell if you Read more…
Heard of that new pill to treat COVID-19? Here is what you need to know!
Treatments
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
TL;DR: The FDA gave emergency use authorization to Paxlovid, an antiviral pill, that may reduce the risk of hospitalization and death for people who have mild to moderate COVID-19 infections and are at increased risk of getting severely ill. While this is super exciting news, it is not a magic answer to stopping the pandemic. Read more…
Live Q&As are back this Friday, 4/8, @ 1:00 pm EDT!
Uncategorized
Gretchen Peterson, Chief Operations Officer
Live Q&As with Those Nerdy Girls are back! Dear Pandemic co-founder Dr. Malia Jones is handing over the Live Q&A torch to Dr. Chana Davis. Link to Live Malia and Chana will talk about 4th shots / second boosters, the new Omicron strain, vaccines for kids, and rapid tests for Omicron. NOTE: Video will be Read more…
A: Unfortunately, no. TL;DR: 💥Our current antibody tests can’t tell us precisely how well someone is protected from COVID-19 infection or disease. Whether you have been previously infected, vaccinated, boosted or a combination of the three, the recent authorization of additional booster shots has people wondering if there is a way to tell if you Read more…
Heard of that new pill to treat COVID-19? Here is what you need to know!
TreatmentsSarah Whitley Coles, MD
TL;DR: The FDA gave emergency use authorization to Paxlovid, an antiviral pill, that may reduce the risk of hospitalization and death for people who have mild to moderate COVID-19 infections and are at increased risk of getting severely ill. While this is super exciting news, it is not a magic answer to stopping the pandemic. Read more…
Live Q&As are back this Friday, 4/8, @ 1:00 pm EDT!
Uncategorized
Gretchen Peterson, Chief Operations Officer
Live Q&As with Those Nerdy Girls are back! Dear Pandemic co-founder Dr. Malia Jones is handing over the Live Q&A torch to Dr. Chana Davis. Link to Live Malia and Chana will talk about 4th shots / second boosters, the new Omicron strain, vaccines for kids, and rapid tests for Omicron. NOTE: Video will be Read more…
TL;DR: The FDA gave emergency use authorization to Paxlovid, an antiviral pill, that may reduce the risk of hospitalization and death for people who have mild to moderate COVID-19 infections and are at increased risk of getting severely ill. While this is super exciting news, it is not a magic answer to stopping the pandemic. Read more…
Live Q&As are back this Friday, 4/8, @ 1:00 pm EDT!
UncategorizedGretchen Peterson, Chief Operations Officer
Live Q&As with Those Nerdy Girls are back! Dear Pandemic co-founder Dr. Malia Jones is handing over the Live Q&A torch to Dr. Chana Davis. Link to Live Malia and Chana will talk about 4th shots / second boosters, the new Omicron strain, vaccines for kids, and rapid tests for Omicron. NOTE: Video will be Read more…
Live Q&As with Those Nerdy Girls are back! Dear Pandemic co-founder Dr. Malia Jones is handing over the Live Q&A torch to Dr. Chana Davis. Link to Live Malia and Chana will talk about 4th shots / second boosters, the new Omicron strain, vaccines for kids, and rapid tests for Omicron. NOTE: Video will be Read more…
