March 8th is International Women’s Day!
Social and Racial Justice Women in STEM
Lauren Hale, PhD MA
The Nerdy Girls at Dear Pandemic join the United Nations in celebrating International Women’s Day. Here are some ways you can, too: 1.) Donate to a cause that supports women, including organizations that help women run for office (see link below). 2.) Write a letter or make a phone call to a woman that inspires Read more…
In many countries, life expectancy dropped substantially in 2020 due to COVID-19.
Data and Metrics
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
Did life expectancy bounce back in 2021, or did things get even worse? A: A mixed bag. While some countries saw improvements, life expectancy losses in the U.S. in 2021 were JUST AS BAD as 2020. The Covid-19 pandemic has resulted in the largest loss of life expectancy seen in many countries since World War Read more…
How can I help my child understand the change to mask guidance?
Families/Kids Masks Mental Health Reopening
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
The new CDC guidance recommends that masks need not be worn in areas with low community risk, including at school. If your child is anxious about this change, it’s no surprise. Changes of any type can produce anxiety. And after two years of wearing a mask, your child may not even remember what it was Read more…
What is going on with the efficacy of the COVID-19 vaccine for 5-11 year old kids?
Families/Kids Vaccines
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
You may have seen a lot of news about the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for 5–11-year-old kids in the last few days. One new report out of New York suggested that the COVID-19 vaccine for these kids does not provide much protection against getting infected. Another study from the CDC shows that the vaccines continue to Read more…
Series on Logical Fallacies – Sealioning or “I’m just asking questions. . .”
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 the third post in an ongoing series by Dr. Kristen Panthagani of You Can Know Things, in which she dissects common logical fallacies and rhetorical strategies that have led Read more…
Did I already have COVID-19? Antibody testing 101.
Testing and Contact Tracing
Chana Davis, PhD
A: Antibody tests, or serology tests, test your blood for evidence of a past encounter with the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Importantly, these tests don’t tell you when you were infected, with which variant, or how well protected you are. Antibody tests are not cheap and are usually done in a lab. For most of us, the Read more…
Meet Those Nerdy Girls – Joanna Dreifus
Uncategorized
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
It’s time to meet the women behind the magic here at Dear Pandemic! Today we’d love to introduce you to Joanna Dreifus, MPH–our Director of Community Engagement. Joanna volunteered to help us out more than a year ago. Her main area of focus is all things YOU! Our readers. She reads all your comments (yes Read more…
What are the booster shot guidelines if you had COVID-19?
Vaccines
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
UPDATED 2/22 RE: Booster dose after use of monoclonal antibodies or convalescent plasma. A: Most people who get COVID-19 after receiving the primary vaccine series can get their booster dose on the normal schedule, as long as they meet the criteria for ending isolation. One exception is people who develop multisystem inflammatory syndrome (MIS). For Read more…
Tengo COVID. ¿Cuándo puedo dejar de preocuparme por contagiar a otras personas?
Infection and Spread Posts en Español Staying Safe
Tita Smyth Escobedo, PM-IT
La respuesta corta es: 10 días después de que te hayas sentido mal o hayas dado positivo, suponiendo que para entonces te sientas mejor. Si no te mejoras, consulta a tu médico sobre la posibilidad de terminar el aislamiento. Han habido muchas actualizaciones de estas directrices para los periodos de tiempo de exposiciones e infecciones Read more…
💔 Disheartening news: A new study shows that COVID-19 raises risk of cardiovascular disease for at least a year after infection.
Data and Metrics Long COVID
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A recent large study of U.S. Veterans found that the risk of having a heart attack, stroke and a long list of other cardiovascular events was higher for those who had COVID-19 the year prior compared to those who didn’t. The risk was highest for those who had been admitted to the hospital or ICU Read more…
¿Cuál es la mejor mascarilla para protegerme de la variante Ómicron?
Masks Posts en Español
Tita Smyth Escobedo, PM-IT
Una mascarilla de alta filtración bien ajustada como las N95, KN95, FFP2 o KF94 son la mejor opción. ⚠️ Ómicron puede ser incluso más transmisible que las variantes anteriores, debido a una mayor velocidad de replicación en las vías respiratorias superiores, lo que implica que personas infectadas expulsan una gran cantidad de virus al respirar Read more…
🧪Happy International Day of Women & Girls in Science!🔬
Women in STEM
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
Nerdy Girls around the world continue to get it done during a global pandemic. Special thanks to all the women who heeded the call for rapid translation of vital scientific information during this crisis, and for our Nerdy readers who helped share this information far and wide. 🧬📊 #TeamWorkMakesTheDreamWork Friendly Neighbor Epidemiologist Unambiguous Science Unbiased Read more…
I’m vaccinated. Why is a contact tracer calling me?
Testing and Contact Tracing
Lauren Hale, PhD MA
TL; DR: Contact tracers play an important role in educating potential contacts and curbing transmission in your immediate community. Please accept their calls, answer their questions honestly, and listen to their recommendations. If you are fully vaccinated, it may seem surprising to get a phone call from a contact tracer. Please remember: Contact tracers are Read more…
My kid had COVID-19. When can they return to sports?
Families/Kids Staying Safe
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
A: It depends on how sick the child was and what symptoms they had. All children and adolescents should have a visit with their primary care clinician (PCP) after COVID-19 infection to see if they are ready to get back to sports, and some kids will need additional tests of their heart to make sure Read more…
Do throat swabs help detect the Omicron variant?
Testing and Contact Tracing
Chana Davis, PhD
A: Yes! A combined throat and nose swab (first throat, then nose) is your best bet for detecting Omicron, especially in the first few days. As long as you swab safely, the only downside to this strategy is that you might gag (sorry, this is normal). Say aaaah! TL;DR: COVID tests only work when you Read more…
What counts as being “exposed?” Update!
Infection and Spread Testing and Contact Tracing
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
With all the recent talk of changing quarantine guidelines, we’ve been getting questions about what counts as being ‘exposed’ in the first place! Below is a reprise of an answer we gave last fall. Q: If my mom went to the salon on Thursday and her stylist developed symptoms on Saturday, then I saw my Read more…
Who is authorized to take Evusheld, the new COVID-19 monoclonal antibody treatment?
Treatments
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
Evusheld, a combination of two monoclonal antibodies, is a PREVENTATIVE treatment for people who have compromised immune systems AND for people with life threatening allergies to COVID-19 vaccines. The supply is very limited! COVID-19 vaccinations remain the first line treatment to prevent infection and complications. ❓What is Evusheld? This is a PREVENTATIVE treatment, meaning you Read more…
Q: If 50% of COVID hospitalizations are among the vaccinated, does that mean the vaccines aren’t working?
Data and Metrics Data Literacy Vaccines
Kristen Panthagani, MD, PhD
A: No. This metric sounds useful, but it can’t tell us anything about vaccine effectiveness. Since the roll-out of COVID vaccinations, many headlines have reported the percent of COVID hospitalizations and deaths who were vaccinated, trying to convey how well the vaccines are working. ‘Only 1% of COVID hospitalizations are vaccinated people’ sounds encouraging, doesn’t Read more…
Kristen Panthagani, MD, PhD
Dr. Panthagani is a physician-scientist and science communicator. She ventured into the world of science communication as a senior PhD student in March 2020, just as the pandemic was hitting the US in full force. Watching family and friends struggle to make sense of the quickly changing landscape of the pandemic, she founded You Can Read more…
I found out I was exposed to COVID-19. How long do I have to quarantine?
Infection and Spread Staying Safe
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
QUARANTINE is not the same as isolation. Quarantine is what we do after we find out that someone we shared air with ended up being positive for COVID-19. You’re feeling fine and haven’t tested positive, but you’re in a waiting period–waiting to see if you’ll get sick. CDC’s guidance for quarantining after you have been Read more…
The Nerdy Girls at Dear Pandemic join the United Nations in celebrating International Women’s Day. Here are some ways you can, too: 1.) Donate to a cause that supports women, including organizations that help women run for office (see link below). 2.) Write a letter or make a phone call to a woman that inspires Read more…
In many countries, life expectancy dropped substantially in 2020 due to COVID-19.
Data and MetricsJennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
Did life expectancy bounce back in 2021, or did things get even worse? A: A mixed bag. While some countries saw improvements, life expectancy losses in the U.S. in 2021 were JUST AS BAD as 2020. The Covid-19 pandemic has resulted in the largest loss of life expectancy seen in many countries since World War Read more…
How can I help my child understand the change to mask guidance?
Families/Kids Masks Mental Health Reopening
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
The new CDC guidance recommends that masks need not be worn in areas with low community risk, including at school. If your child is anxious about this change, it’s no surprise. Changes of any type can produce anxiety. And after two years of wearing a mask, your child may not even remember what it was Read more…
What is going on with the efficacy of the COVID-19 vaccine for 5-11 year old kids?
Families/Kids Vaccines
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
You may have seen a lot of news about the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for 5–11-year-old kids in the last few days. One new report out of New York suggested that the COVID-19 vaccine for these kids does not provide much protection against getting infected. Another study from the CDC shows that the vaccines continue to Read more…
Series on Logical Fallacies – Sealioning or “I’m just asking questions. . .”
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 the third post in an ongoing series by Dr. Kristen Panthagani of You Can Know Things, in which she dissects common logical fallacies and rhetorical strategies that have led Read more…
Did I already have COVID-19? Antibody testing 101.
Testing and Contact Tracing
Chana Davis, PhD
A: Antibody tests, or serology tests, test your blood for evidence of a past encounter with the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Importantly, these tests don’t tell you when you were infected, with which variant, or how well protected you are. Antibody tests are not cheap and are usually done in a lab. For most of us, the Read more…
Meet Those Nerdy Girls – Joanna Dreifus
Uncategorized
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
It’s time to meet the women behind the magic here at Dear Pandemic! Today we’d love to introduce you to Joanna Dreifus, MPH–our Director of Community Engagement. Joanna volunteered to help us out more than a year ago. Her main area of focus is all things YOU! Our readers. She reads all your comments (yes Read more…
What are the booster shot guidelines if you had COVID-19?
Vaccines
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
UPDATED 2/22 RE: Booster dose after use of monoclonal antibodies or convalescent plasma. A: Most people who get COVID-19 after receiving the primary vaccine series can get their booster dose on the normal schedule, as long as they meet the criteria for ending isolation. One exception is people who develop multisystem inflammatory syndrome (MIS). For Read more…
Tengo COVID. ¿Cuándo puedo dejar de preocuparme por contagiar a otras personas?
Infection and Spread Posts en Español Staying Safe
Tita Smyth Escobedo, PM-IT
La respuesta corta es: 10 días después de que te hayas sentido mal o hayas dado positivo, suponiendo que para entonces te sientas mejor. Si no te mejoras, consulta a tu médico sobre la posibilidad de terminar el aislamiento. Han habido muchas actualizaciones de estas directrices para los periodos de tiempo de exposiciones e infecciones Read more…
💔 Disheartening news: A new study shows that COVID-19 raises risk of cardiovascular disease for at least a year after infection.
Data and Metrics Long COVID
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A recent large study of U.S. Veterans found that the risk of having a heart attack, stroke and a long list of other cardiovascular events was higher for those who had COVID-19 the year prior compared to those who didn’t. The risk was highest for those who had been admitted to the hospital or ICU Read more…
¿Cuál es la mejor mascarilla para protegerme de la variante Ómicron?
Masks Posts en Español
Tita Smyth Escobedo, PM-IT
Una mascarilla de alta filtración bien ajustada como las N95, KN95, FFP2 o KF94 son la mejor opción. ⚠️ Ómicron puede ser incluso más transmisible que las variantes anteriores, debido a una mayor velocidad de replicación en las vías respiratorias superiores, lo que implica que personas infectadas expulsan una gran cantidad de virus al respirar Read more…
🧪Happy International Day of Women & Girls in Science!🔬
Women in STEM
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
Nerdy Girls around the world continue to get it done during a global pandemic. Special thanks to all the women who heeded the call for rapid translation of vital scientific information during this crisis, and for our Nerdy readers who helped share this information far and wide. 🧬📊 #TeamWorkMakesTheDreamWork Friendly Neighbor Epidemiologist Unambiguous Science Unbiased Read more…
I’m vaccinated. Why is a contact tracer calling me?
Testing and Contact Tracing
Lauren Hale, PhD MA
TL; DR: Contact tracers play an important role in educating potential contacts and curbing transmission in your immediate community. Please accept their calls, answer their questions honestly, and listen to their recommendations. If you are fully vaccinated, it may seem surprising to get a phone call from a contact tracer. Please remember: Contact tracers are Read more…
My kid had COVID-19. When can they return to sports?
Families/Kids Staying Safe
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
A: It depends on how sick the child was and what symptoms they had. All children and adolescents should have a visit with their primary care clinician (PCP) after COVID-19 infection to see if they are ready to get back to sports, and some kids will need additional tests of their heart to make sure Read more…
Do throat swabs help detect the Omicron variant?
Testing and Contact Tracing
Chana Davis, PhD
A: Yes! A combined throat and nose swab (first throat, then nose) is your best bet for detecting Omicron, especially in the first few days. As long as you swab safely, the only downside to this strategy is that you might gag (sorry, this is normal). Say aaaah! TL;DR: COVID tests only work when you Read more…
What counts as being “exposed?” Update!
Infection and Spread Testing and Contact Tracing
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
With all the recent talk of changing quarantine guidelines, we’ve been getting questions about what counts as being ‘exposed’ in the first place! Below is a reprise of an answer we gave last fall. Q: If my mom went to the salon on Thursday and her stylist developed symptoms on Saturday, then I saw my Read more…
Who is authorized to take Evusheld, the new COVID-19 monoclonal antibody treatment?
Treatments
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
Evusheld, a combination of two monoclonal antibodies, is a PREVENTATIVE treatment for people who have compromised immune systems AND for people with life threatening allergies to COVID-19 vaccines. The supply is very limited! COVID-19 vaccinations remain the first line treatment to prevent infection and complications. ❓What is Evusheld? This is a PREVENTATIVE treatment, meaning you Read more…
Q: If 50% of COVID hospitalizations are among the vaccinated, does that mean the vaccines aren’t working?
Data and Metrics Data Literacy Vaccines
Kristen Panthagani, MD, PhD
A: No. This metric sounds useful, but it can’t tell us anything about vaccine effectiveness. Since the roll-out of COVID vaccinations, many headlines have reported the percent of COVID hospitalizations and deaths who were vaccinated, trying to convey how well the vaccines are working. ‘Only 1% of COVID hospitalizations are vaccinated people’ sounds encouraging, doesn’t Read more…
Kristen Panthagani, MD, PhD
Dr. Panthagani is a physician-scientist and science communicator. She ventured into the world of science communication as a senior PhD student in March 2020, just as the pandemic was hitting the US in full force. Watching family and friends struggle to make sense of the quickly changing landscape of the pandemic, she founded You Can Read more…
I found out I was exposed to COVID-19. How long do I have to quarantine?
Infection and Spread Staying Safe
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
QUARANTINE is not the same as isolation. Quarantine is what we do after we find out that someone we shared air with ended up being positive for COVID-19. You’re feeling fine and haven’t tested positive, but you’re in a waiting period–waiting to see if you’ll get sick. CDC’s guidance for quarantining after you have been Read more…
Did life expectancy bounce back in 2021, or did things get even worse? A: A mixed bag. While some countries saw improvements, life expectancy losses in the U.S. in 2021 were JUST AS BAD as 2020. The Covid-19 pandemic has resulted in the largest loss of life expectancy seen in many countries since World War Read more…
How can I help my child understand the change to mask guidance?
Families/Kids Masks Mental Health ReopeningMalia Jones, PhD MPH
The new CDC guidance recommends that masks need not be worn in areas with low community risk, including at school. If your child is anxious about this change, it’s no surprise. Changes of any type can produce anxiety. And after two years of wearing a mask, your child may not even remember what it was Read more…
What is going on with the efficacy of the COVID-19 vaccine for 5-11 year old kids?
Families/Kids Vaccines
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
You may have seen a lot of news about the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for 5–11-year-old kids in the last few days. One new report out of New York suggested that the COVID-19 vaccine for these kids does not provide much protection against getting infected. Another study from the CDC shows that the vaccines continue to Read more…
Series on Logical Fallacies – Sealioning or “I’m just asking questions. . .”
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 the third post in an ongoing series by Dr. Kristen Panthagani of You Can Know Things, in which she dissects common logical fallacies and rhetorical strategies that have led Read more…
Did I already have COVID-19? Antibody testing 101.
Testing and Contact Tracing
Chana Davis, PhD
A: Antibody tests, or serology tests, test your blood for evidence of a past encounter with the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Importantly, these tests don’t tell you when you were infected, with which variant, or how well protected you are. Antibody tests are not cheap and are usually done in a lab. For most of us, the Read more…
Meet Those Nerdy Girls – Joanna Dreifus
Uncategorized
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
It’s time to meet the women behind the magic here at Dear Pandemic! Today we’d love to introduce you to Joanna Dreifus, MPH–our Director of Community Engagement. Joanna volunteered to help us out more than a year ago. Her main area of focus is all things YOU! Our readers. She reads all your comments (yes Read more…
What are the booster shot guidelines if you had COVID-19?
Vaccines
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
UPDATED 2/22 RE: Booster dose after use of monoclonal antibodies or convalescent plasma. A: Most people who get COVID-19 after receiving the primary vaccine series can get their booster dose on the normal schedule, as long as they meet the criteria for ending isolation. One exception is people who develop multisystem inflammatory syndrome (MIS). For Read more…
Tengo COVID. ¿Cuándo puedo dejar de preocuparme por contagiar a otras personas?
Infection and Spread Posts en Español Staying Safe
Tita Smyth Escobedo, PM-IT
La respuesta corta es: 10 días después de que te hayas sentido mal o hayas dado positivo, suponiendo que para entonces te sientas mejor. Si no te mejoras, consulta a tu médico sobre la posibilidad de terminar el aislamiento. Han habido muchas actualizaciones de estas directrices para los periodos de tiempo de exposiciones e infecciones Read more…
💔 Disheartening news: A new study shows that COVID-19 raises risk of cardiovascular disease for at least a year after infection.
Data and Metrics Long COVID
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A recent large study of U.S. Veterans found that the risk of having a heart attack, stroke and a long list of other cardiovascular events was higher for those who had COVID-19 the year prior compared to those who didn’t. The risk was highest for those who had been admitted to the hospital or ICU Read more…
¿Cuál es la mejor mascarilla para protegerme de la variante Ómicron?
Masks Posts en Español
Tita Smyth Escobedo, PM-IT
Una mascarilla de alta filtración bien ajustada como las N95, KN95, FFP2 o KF94 son la mejor opción. ⚠️ Ómicron puede ser incluso más transmisible que las variantes anteriores, debido a una mayor velocidad de replicación en las vías respiratorias superiores, lo que implica que personas infectadas expulsan una gran cantidad de virus al respirar Read more…
🧪Happy International Day of Women & Girls in Science!🔬
Women in STEM
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
Nerdy Girls around the world continue to get it done during a global pandemic. Special thanks to all the women who heeded the call for rapid translation of vital scientific information during this crisis, and for our Nerdy readers who helped share this information far and wide. 🧬📊 #TeamWorkMakesTheDreamWork Friendly Neighbor Epidemiologist Unambiguous Science Unbiased Read more…
I’m vaccinated. Why is a contact tracer calling me?
Testing and Contact Tracing
Lauren Hale, PhD MA
TL; DR: Contact tracers play an important role in educating potential contacts and curbing transmission in your immediate community. Please accept their calls, answer their questions honestly, and listen to their recommendations. If you are fully vaccinated, it may seem surprising to get a phone call from a contact tracer. Please remember: Contact tracers are Read more…
My kid had COVID-19. When can they return to sports?
Families/Kids Staying Safe
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
A: It depends on how sick the child was and what symptoms they had. All children and adolescents should have a visit with their primary care clinician (PCP) after COVID-19 infection to see if they are ready to get back to sports, and some kids will need additional tests of their heart to make sure Read more…
Do throat swabs help detect the Omicron variant?
Testing and Contact Tracing
Chana Davis, PhD
A: Yes! A combined throat and nose swab (first throat, then nose) is your best bet for detecting Omicron, especially in the first few days. As long as you swab safely, the only downside to this strategy is that you might gag (sorry, this is normal). Say aaaah! TL;DR: COVID tests only work when you Read more…
What counts as being “exposed?” Update!
Infection and Spread Testing and Contact Tracing
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
With all the recent talk of changing quarantine guidelines, we’ve been getting questions about what counts as being ‘exposed’ in the first place! Below is a reprise of an answer we gave last fall. Q: If my mom went to the salon on Thursday and her stylist developed symptoms on Saturday, then I saw my Read more…
Who is authorized to take Evusheld, the new COVID-19 monoclonal antibody treatment?
Treatments
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
Evusheld, a combination of two monoclonal antibodies, is a PREVENTATIVE treatment for people who have compromised immune systems AND for people with life threatening allergies to COVID-19 vaccines. The supply is very limited! COVID-19 vaccinations remain the first line treatment to prevent infection and complications. ❓What is Evusheld? This is a PREVENTATIVE treatment, meaning you Read more…
Q: If 50% of COVID hospitalizations are among the vaccinated, does that mean the vaccines aren’t working?
Data and Metrics Data Literacy Vaccines
Kristen Panthagani, MD, PhD
A: No. This metric sounds useful, but it can’t tell us anything about vaccine effectiveness. Since the roll-out of COVID vaccinations, many headlines have reported the percent of COVID hospitalizations and deaths who were vaccinated, trying to convey how well the vaccines are working. ‘Only 1% of COVID hospitalizations are vaccinated people’ sounds encouraging, doesn’t Read more…
Kristen Panthagani, MD, PhD
Dr. Panthagani is a physician-scientist and science communicator. She ventured into the world of science communication as a senior PhD student in March 2020, just as the pandemic was hitting the US in full force. Watching family and friends struggle to make sense of the quickly changing landscape of the pandemic, she founded You Can Read more…
I found out I was exposed to COVID-19. How long do I have to quarantine?
Infection and Spread Staying Safe
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
QUARANTINE is not the same as isolation. Quarantine is what we do after we find out that someone we shared air with ended up being positive for COVID-19. You’re feeling fine and haven’t tested positive, but you’re in a waiting period–waiting to see if you’ll get sick. CDC’s guidance for quarantining after you have been Read more…
The new CDC guidance recommends that masks need not be worn in areas with low community risk, including at school. If your child is anxious about this change, it’s no surprise. Changes of any type can produce anxiety. And after two years of wearing a mask, your child may not even remember what it was Read more…
What is going on with the efficacy of the COVID-19 vaccine for 5-11 year old kids?
Families/Kids VaccinesSarah Whitley Coles, MD
You may have seen a lot of news about the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for 5–11-year-old kids in the last few days. One new report out of New York suggested that the COVID-19 vaccine for these kids does not provide much protection against getting infected. Another study from the CDC shows that the vaccines continue to Read more…
Series on Logical Fallacies – Sealioning or “I’m just asking questions. . .”
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 the third post in an ongoing series by Dr. Kristen Panthagani of You Can Know Things, in which she dissects common logical fallacies and rhetorical strategies that have led Read more…
Did I already have COVID-19? Antibody testing 101.
Testing and Contact Tracing
Chana Davis, PhD
A: Antibody tests, or serology tests, test your blood for evidence of a past encounter with the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Importantly, these tests don’t tell you when you were infected, with which variant, or how well protected you are. Antibody tests are not cheap and are usually done in a lab. For most of us, the Read more…
Meet Those Nerdy Girls – Joanna Dreifus
Uncategorized
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
It’s time to meet the women behind the magic here at Dear Pandemic! Today we’d love to introduce you to Joanna Dreifus, MPH–our Director of Community Engagement. Joanna volunteered to help us out more than a year ago. Her main area of focus is all things YOU! Our readers. She reads all your comments (yes Read more…
What are the booster shot guidelines if you had COVID-19?
Vaccines
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
UPDATED 2/22 RE: Booster dose after use of monoclonal antibodies or convalescent plasma. A: Most people who get COVID-19 after receiving the primary vaccine series can get their booster dose on the normal schedule, as long as they meet the criteria for ending isolation. One exception is people who develop multisystem inflammatory syndrome (MIS). For Read more…
Tengo COVID. ¿Cuándo puedo dejar de preocuparme por contagiar a otras personas?
Infection and Spread Posts en Español Staying Safe
Tita Smyth Escobedo, PM-IT
La respuesta corta es: 10 días después de que te hayas sentido mal o hayas dado positivo, suponiendo que para entonces te sientas mejor. Si no te mejoras, consulta a tu médico sobre la posibilidad de terminar el aislamiento. Han habido muchas actualizaciones de estas directrices para los periodos de tiempo de exposiciones e infecciones Read more…
💔 Disheartening news: A new study shows that COVID-19 raises risk of cardiovascular disease for at least a year after infection.
Data and Metrics Long COVID
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A recent large study of U.S. Veterans found that the risk of having a heart attack, stroke and a long list of other cardiovascular events was higher for those who had COVID-19 the year prior compared to those who didn’t. The risk was highest for those who had been admitted to the hospital or ICU Read more…
¿Cuál es la mejor mascarilla para protegerme de la variante Ómicron?
Masks Posts en Español
Tita Smyth Escobedo, PM-IT
Una mascarilla de alta filtración bien ajustada como las N95, KN95, FFP2 o KF94 son la mejor opción. ⚠️ Ómicron puede ser incluso más transmisible que las variantes anteriores, debido a una mayor velocidad de replicación en las vías respiratorias superiores, lo que implica que personas infectadas expulsan una gran cantidad de virus al respirar Read more…
🧪Happy International Day of Women & Girls in Science!🔬
Women in STEM
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
Nerdy Girls around the world continue to get it done during a global pandemic. Special thanks to all the women who heeded the call for rapid translation of vital scientific information during this crisis, and for our Nerdy readers who helped share this information far and wide. 🧬📊 #TeamWorkMakesTheDreamWork Friendly Neighbor Epidemiologist Unambiguous Science Unbiased Read more…
I’m vaccinated. Why is a contact tracer calling me?
Testing and Contact Tracing
Lauren Hale, PhD MA
TL; DR: Contact tracers play an important role in educating potential contacts and curbing transmission in your immediate community. Please accept their calls, answer their questions honestly, and listen to their recommendations. If you are fully vaccinated, it may seem surprising to get a phone call from a contact tracer. Please remember: Contact tracers are Read more…
My kid had COVID-19. When can they return to sports?
Families/Kids Staying Safe
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
A: It depends on how sick the child was and what symptoms they had. All children and adolescents should have a visit with their primary care clinician (PCP) after COVID-19 infection to see if they are ready to get back to sports, and some kids will need additional tests of their heart to make sure Read more…
Do throat swabs help detect the Omicron variant?
Testing and Contact Tracing
Chana Davis, PhD
A: Yes! A combined throat and nose swab (first throat, then nose) is your best bet for detecting Omicron, especially in the first few days. As long as you swab safely, the only downside to this strategy is that you might gag (sorry, this is normal). Say aaaah! TL;DR: COVID tests only work when you Read more…
What counts as being “exposed?” Update!
Infection and Spread Testing and Contact Tracing
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
With all the recent talk of changing quarantine guidelines, we’ve been getting questions about what counts as being ‘exposed’ in the first place! Below is a reprise of an answer we gave last fall. Q: If my mom went to the salon on Thursday and her stylist developed symptoms on Saturday, then I saw my Read more…
Who is authorized to take Evusheld, the new COVID-19 monoclonal antibody treatment?
Treatments
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
Evusheld, a combination of two monoclonal antibodies, is a PREVENTATIVE treatment for people who have compromised immune systems AND for people with life threatening allergies to COVID-19 vaccines. The supply is very limited! COVID-19 vaccinations remain the first line treatment to prevent infection and complications. ❓What is Evusheld? This is a PREVENTATIVE treatment, meaning you Read more…
Q: If 50% of COVID hospitalizations are among the vaccinated, does that mean the vaccines aren’t working?
Data and Metrics Data Literacy Vaccines
Kristen Panthagani, MD, PhD
A: No. This metric sounds useful, but it can’t tell us anything about vaccine effectiveness. Since the roll-out of COVID vaccinations, many headlines have reported the percent of COVID hospitalizations and deaths who were vaccinated, trying to convey how well the vaccines are working. ‘Only 1% of COVID hospitalizations are vaccinated people’ sounds encouraging, doesn’t Read more…
Kristen Panthagani, MD, PhD
Dr. Panthagani is a physician-scientist and science communicator. She ventured into the world of science communication as a senior PhD student in March 2020, just as the pandemic was hitting the US in full force. Watching family and friends struggle to make sense of the quickly changing landscape of the pandemic, she founded You Can Read more…
I found out I was exposed to COVID-19. How long do I have to quarantine?
Infection and Spread Staying Safe
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
QUARANTINE is not the same as isolation. Quarantine is what we do after we find out that someone we shared air with ended up being positive for COVID-19. You’re feeling fine and haven’t tested positive, but you’re in a waiting period–waiting to see if you’ll get sick. CDC’s guidance for quarantining after you have been Read more…
You may have seen a lot of news about the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for 5–11-year-old kids in the last few days. One new report out of New York suggested that the COVID-19 vaccine for these kids does not provide much protection against getting infected. Another study from the CDC shows that the vaccines continue to Read more…
Series on Logical Fallacies – Sealioning or “I’m just asking questions. . .”
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 the third post in an ongoing series by Dr. Kristen Panthagani of You Can Know Things, in which she dissects common logical fallacies and rhetorical strategies that have led Read more…
Did I already have COVID-19? Antibody testing 101.
Testing and Contact Tracing
Chana Davis, PhD
A: Antibody tests, or serology tests, test your blood for evidence of a past encounter with the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Importantly, these tests don’t tell you when you were infected, with which variant, or how well protected you are. Antibody tests are not cheap and are usually done in a lab. For most of us, the Read more…
Meet Those Nerdy Girls – Joanna Dreifus
Uncategorized
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
It’s time to meet the women behind the magic here at Dear Pandemic! Today we’d love to introduce you to Joanna Dreifus, MPH–our Director of Community Engagement. Joanna volunteered to help us out more than a year ago. Her main area of focus is all things YOU! Our readers. She reads all your comments (yes Read more…
What are the booster shot guidelines if you had COVID-19?
Vaccines
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
UPDATED 2/22 RE: Booster dose after use of monoclonal antibodies or convalescent plasma. A: Most people who get COVID-19 after receiving the primary vaccine series can get their booster dose on the normal schedule, as long as they meet the criteria for ending isolation. One exception is people who develop multisystem inflammatory syndrome (MIS). For Read more…
Tengo COVID. ¿Cuándo puedo dejar de preocuparme por contagiar a otras personas?
Infection and Spread Posts en Español Staying Safe
Tita Smyth Escobedo, PM-IT
La respuesta corta es: 10 días después de que te hayas sentido mal o hayas dado positivo, suponiendo que para entonces te sientas mejor. Si no te mejoras, consulta a tu médico sobre la posibilidad de terminar el aislamiento. Han habido muchas actualizaciones de estas directrices para los periodos de tiempo de exposiciones e infecciones Read more…
💔 Disheartening news: A new study shows that COVID-19 raises risk of cardiovascular disease for at least a year after infection.
Data and Metrics Long COVID
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A recent large study of U.S. Veterans found that the risk of having a heart attack, stroke and a long list of other cardiovascular events was higher for those who had COVID-19 the year prior compared to those who didn’t. The risk was highest for those who had been admitted to the hospital or ICU Read more…
¿Cuál es la mejor mascarilla para protegerme de la variante Ómicron?
Masks Posts en Español
Tita Smyth Escobedo, PM-IT
Una mascarilla de alta filtración bien ajustada como las N95, KN95, FFP2 o KF94 son la mejor opción. ⚠️ Ómicron puede ser incluso más transmisible que las variantes anteriores, debido a una mayor velocidad de replicación en las vías respiratorias superiores, lo que implica que personas infectadas expulsan una gran cantidad de virus al respirar Read more…
🧪Happy International Day of Women & Girls in Science!🔬
Women in STEM
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
Nerdy Girls around the world continue to get it done during a global pandemic. Special thanks to all the women who heeded the call for rapid translation of vital scientific information during this crisis, and for our Nerdy readers who helped share this information far and wide. 🧬📊 #TeamWorkMakesTheDreamWork Friendly Neighbor Epidemiologist Unambiguous Science Unbiased Read more…
I’m vaccinated. Why is a contact tracer calling me?
Testing and Contact Tracing
Lauren Hale, PhD MA
TL; DR: Contact tracers play an important role in educating potential contacts and curbing transmission in your immediate community. Please accept their calls, answer their questions honestly, and listen to their recommendations. If you are fully vaccinated, it may seem surprising to get a phone call from a contact tracer. Please remember: Contact tracers are Read more…
My kid had COVID-19. When can they return to sports?
Families/Kids Staying Safe
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
A: It depends on how sick the child was and what symptoms they had. All children and adolescents should have a visit with their primary care clinician (PCP) after COVID-19 infection to see if they are ready to get back to sports, and some kids will need additional tests of their heart to make sure Read more…
Do throat swabs help detect the Omicron variant?
Testing and Contact Tracing
Chana Davis, PhD
A: Yes! A combined throat and nose swab (first throat, then nose) is your best bet for detecting Omicron, especially in the first few days. As long as you swab safely, the only downside to this strategy is that you might gag (sorry, this is normal). Say aaaah! TL;DR: COVID tests only work when you Read more…
What counts as being “exposed?” Update!
Infection and Spread Testing and Contact Tracing
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
With all the recent talk of changing quarantine guidelines, we’ve been getting questions about what counts as being ‘exposed’ in the first place! Below is a reprise of an answer we gave last fall. Q: If my mom went to the salon on Thursday and her stylist developed symptoms on Saturday, then I saw my Read more…
Who is authorized to take Evusheld, the new COVID-19 monoclonal antibody treatment?
Treatments
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
Evusheld, a combination of two monoclonal antibodies, is a PREVENTATIVE treatment for people who have compromised immune systems AND for people with life threatening allergies to COVID-19 vaccines. The supply is very limited! COVID-19 vaccinations remain the first line treatment to prevent infection and complications. ❓What is Evusheld? This is a PREVENTATIVE treatment, meaning you Read more…
Q: If 50% of COVID hospitalizations are among the vaccinated, does that mean the vaccines aren’t working?
Data and Metrics Data Literacy Vaccines
Kristen Panthagani, MD, PhD
A: No. This metric sounds useful, but it can’t tell us anything about vaccine effectiveness. Since the roll-out of COVID vaccinations, many headlines have reported the percent of COVID hospitalizations and deaths who were vaccinated, trying to convey how well the vaccines are working. ‘Only 1% of COVID hospitalizations are vaccinated people’ sounds encouraging, doesn’t Read more…
Kristen Panthagani, MD, PhD
Dr. Panthagani is a physician-scientist and science communicator. She ventured into the world of science communication as a senior PhD student in March 2020, just as the pandemic was hitting the US in full force. Watching family and friends struggle to make sense of the quickly changing landscape of the pandemic, she founded You Can Read more…
I found out I was exposed to COVID-19. How long do I have to quarantine?
Infection and Spread Staying Safe
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
QUARANTINE is not the same as isolation. Quarantine is what we do after we find out that someone we shared air with ended up being positive for COVID-19. You’re feeling fine and haven’t tested positive, but you’re in a waiting period–waiting to see if you’ll get sick. CDC’s guidance for quarantining after you have been 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 the third post in an ongoing series by Dr. Kristen Panthagani of You Can Know Things, in which she dissects common logical fallacies and rhetorical strategies that have led Read more…
Did I already have COVID-19? Antibody testing 101.
Testing and Contact TracingChana Davis, PhD
A: Antibody tests, or serology tests, test your blood for evidence of a past encounter with the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Importantly, these tests don’t tell you when you were infected, with which variant, or how well protected you are. Antibody tests are not cheap and are usually done in a lab. For most of us, the Read more…
Meet Those Nerdy Girls – Joanna Dreifus
Uncategorized
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
It’s time to meet the women behind the magic here at Dear Pandemic! Today we’d love to introduce you to Joanna Dreifus, MPH–our Director of Community Engagement. Joanna volunteered to help us out more than a year ago. Her main area of focus is all things YOU! Our readers. She reads all your comments (yes Read more…
What are the booster shot guidelines if you had COVID-19?
Vaccines
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
UPDATED 2/22 RE: Booster dose after use of monoclonal antibodies or convalescent plasma. A: Most people who get COVID-19 after receiving the primary vaccine series can get their booster dose on the normal schedule, as long as they meet the criteria for ending isolation. One exception is people who develop multisystem inflammatory syndrome (MIS). For Read more…
Tengo COVID. ¿Cuándo puedo dejar de preocuparme por contagiar a otras personas?
Infection and Spread Posts en Español Staying Safe
Tita Smyth Escobedo, PM-IT
La respuesta corta es: 10 días después de que te hayas sentido mal o hayas dado positivo, suponiendo que para entonces te sientas mejor. Si no te mejoras, consulta a tu médico sobre la posibilidad de terminar el aislamiento. Han habido muchas actualizaciones de estas directrices para los periodos de tiempo de exposiciones e infecciones Read more…
💔 Disheartening news: A new study shows that COVID-19 raises risk of cardiovascular disease for at least a year after infection.
Data and Metrics Long COVID
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A recent large study of U.S. Veterans found that the risk of having a heart attack, stroke and a long list of other cardiovascular events was higher for those who had COVID-19 the year prior compared to those who didn’t. The risk was highest for those who had been admitted to the hospital or ICU Read more…
¿Cuál es la mejor mascarilla para protegerme de la variante Ómicron?
Masks Posts en Español
Tita Smyth Escobedo, PM-IT
Una mascarilla de alta filtración bien ajustada como las N95, KN95, FFP2 o KF94 son la mejor opción. ⚠️ Ómicron puede ser incluso más transmisible que las variantes anteriores, debido a una mayor velocidad de replicación en las vías respiratorias superiores, lo que implica que personas infectadas expulsan una gran cantidad de virus al respirar Read more…
🧪Happy International Day of Women & Girls in Science!🔬
Women in STEM
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
Nerdy Girls around the world continue to get it done during a global pandemic. Special thanks to all the women who heeded the call for rapid translation of vital scientific information during this crisis, and for our Nerdy readers who helped share this information far and wide. 🧬📊 #TeamWorkMakesTheDreamWork Friendly Neighbor Epidemiologist Unambiguous Science Unbiased Read more…
I’m vaccinated. Why is a contact tracer calling me?
Testing and Contact Tracing
Lauren Hale, PhD MA
TL; DR: Contact tracers play an important role in educating potential contacts and curbing transmission in your immediate community. Please accept their calls, answer their questions honestly, and listen to their recommendations. If you are fully vaccinated, it may seem surprising to get a phone call from a contact tracer. Please remember: Contact tracers are Read more…
My kid had COVID-19. When can they return to sports?
Families/Kids Staying Safe
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
A: It depends on how sick the child was and what symptoms they had. All children and adolescents should have a visit with their primary care clinician (PCP) after COVID-19 infection to see if they are ready to get back to sports, and some kids will need additional tests of their heart to make sure Read more…
Do throat swabs help detect the Omicron variant?
Testing and Contact Tracing
Chana Davis, PhD
A: Yes! A combined throat and nose swab (first throat, then nose) is your best bet for detecting Omicron, especially in the first few days. As long as you swab safely, the only downside to this strategy is that you might gag (sorry, this is normal). Say aaaah! TL;DR: COVID tests only work when you Read more…
What counts as being “exposed?” Update!
Infection and Spread Testing and Contact Tracing
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
With all the recent talk of changing quarantine guidelines, we’ve been getting questions about what counts as being ‘exposed’ in the first place! Below is a reprise of an answer we gave last fall. Q: If my mom went to the salon on Thursday and her stylist developed symptoms on Saturday, then I saw my Read more…
Who is authorized to take Evusheld, the new COVID-19 monoclonal antibody treatment?
Treatments
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
Evusheld, a combination of two monoclonal antibodies, is a PREVENTATIVE treatment for people who have compromised immune systems AND for people with life threatening allergies to COVID-19 vaccines. The supply is very limited! COVID-19 vaccinations remain the first line treatment to prevent infection and complications. ❓What is Evusheld? This is a PREVENTATIVE treatment, meaning you Read more…
Q: If 50% of COVID hospitalizations are among the vaccinated, does that mean the vaccines aren’t working?
Data and Metrics Data Literacy Vaccines
Kristen Panthagani, MD, PhD
A: No. This metric sounds useful, but it can’t tell us anything about vaccine effectiveness. Since the roll-out of COVID vaccinations, many headlines have reported the percent of COVID hospitalizations and deaths who were vaccinated, trying to convey how well the vaccines are working. ‘Only 1% of COVID hospitalizations are vaccinated people’ sounds encouraging, doesn’t Read more…
Kristen Panthagani, MD, PhD
Dr. Panthagani is a physician-scientist and science communicator. She ventured into the world of science communication as a senior PhD student in March 2020, just as the pandemic was hitting the US in full force. Watching family and friends struggle to make sense of the quickly changing landscape of the pandemic, she founded You Can Read more…
I found out I was exposed to COVID-19. How long do I have to quarantine?
Infection and Spread Staying Safe
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
QUARANTINE is not the same as isolation. Quarantine is what we do after we find out that someone we shared air with ended up being positive for COVID-19. You’re feeling fine and haven’t tested positive, but you’re in a waiting period–waiting to see if you’ll get sick. CDC’s guidance for quarantining after you have been Read more…
A: Antibody tests, or serology tests, test your blood for evidence of a past encounter with the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Importantly, these tests don’t tell you when you were infected, with which variant, or how well protected you are. Antibody tests are not cheap and are usually done in a lab. For most of us, the Read more…
Meet Those Nerdy Girls – Joanna Dreifus
UncategorizedMalia Jones, PhD MPH
It’s time to meet the women behind the magic here at Dear Pandemic! Today we’d love to introduce you to Joanna Dreifus, MPH–our Director of Community Engagement. Joanna volunteered to help us out more than a year ago. Her main area of focus is all things YOU! Our readers. She reads all your comments (yes Read more…
What are the booster shot guidelines if you had COVID-19?
Vaccines
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
UPDATED 2/22 RE: Booster dose after use of monoclonal antibodies or convalescent plasma. A: Most people who get COVID-19 after receiving the primary vaccine series can get their booster dose on the normal schedule, as long as they meet the criteria for ending isolation. One exception is people who develop multisystem inflammatory syndrome (MIS). For Read more…
Tengo COVID. ¿Cuándo puedo dejar de preocuparme por contagiar a otras personas?
Infection and Spread Posts en Español Staying Safe
Tita Smyth Escobedo, PM-IT
La respuesta corta es: 10 días después de que te hayas sentido mal o hayas dado positivo, suponiendo que para entonces te sientas mejor. Si no te mejoras, consulta a tu médico sobre la posibilidad de terminar el aislamiento. Han habido muchas actualizaciones de estas directrices para los periodos de tiempo de exposiciones e infecciones Read more…
💔 Disheartening news: A new study shows that COVID-19 raises risk of cardiovascular disease for at least a year after infection.
Data and Metrics Long COVID
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A recent large study of U.S. Veterans found that the risk of having a heart attack, stroke and a long list of other cardiovascular events was higher for those who had COVID-19 the year prior compared to those who didn’t. The risk was highest for those who had been admitted to the hospital or ICU Read more…
¿Cuál es la mejor mascarilla para protegerme de la variante Ómicron?
Masks Posts en Español
Tita Smyth Escobedo, PM-IT
Una mascarilla de alta filtración bien ajustada como las N95, KN95, FFP2 o KF94 son la mejor opción. ⚠️ Ómicron puede ser incluso más transmisible que las variantes anteriores, debido a una mayor velocidad de replicación en las vías respiratorias superiores, lo que implica que personas infectadas expulsan una gran cantidad de virus al respirar Read more…
🧪Happy International Day of Women & Girls in Science!🔬
Women in STEM
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
Nerdy Girls around the world continue to get it done during a global pandemic. Special thanks to all the women who heeded the call for rapid translation of vital scientific information during this crisis, and for our Nerdy readers who helped share this information far and wide. 🧬📊 #TeamWorkMakesTheDreamWork Friendly Neighbor Epidemiologist Unambiguous Science Unbiased Read more…
I’m vaccinated. Why is a contact tracer calling me?
Testing and Contact Tracing
Lauren Hale, PhD MA
TL; DR: Contact tracers play an important role in educating potential contacts and curbing transmission in your immediate community. Please accept their calls, answer their questions honestly, and listen to their recommendations. If you are fully vaccinated, it may seem surprising to get a phone call from a contact tracer. Please remember: Contact tracers are Read more…
My kid had COVID-19. When can they return to sports?
Families/Kids Staying Safe
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
A: It depends on how sick the child was and what symptoms they had. All children and adolescents should have a visit with their primary care clinician (PCP) after COVID-19 infection to see if they are ready to get back to sports, and some kids will need additional tests of their heart to make sure Read more…
Do throat swabs help detect the Omicron variant?
Testing and Contact Tracing
Chana Davis, PhD
A: Yes! A combined throat and nose swab (first throat, then nose) is your best bet for detecting Omicron, especially in the first few days. As long as you swab safely, the only downside to this strategy is that you might gag (sorry, this is normal). Say aaaah! TL;DR: COVID tests only work when you Read more…
What counts as being “exposed?” Update!
Infection and Spread Testing and Contact Tracing
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
With all the recent talk of changing quarantine guidelines, we’ve been getting questions about what counts as being ‘exposed’ in the first place! Below is a reprise of an answer we gave last fall. Q: If my mom went to the salon on Thursday and her stylist developed symptoms on Saturday, then I saw my Read more…
Who is authorized to take Evusheld, the new COVID-19 monoclonal antibody treatment?
Treatments
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
Evusheld, a combination of two monoclonal antibodies, is a PREVENTATIVE treatment for people who have compromised immune systems AND for people with life threatening allergies to COVID-19 vaccines. The supply is very limited! COVID-19 vaccinations remain the first line treatment to prevent infection and complications. ❓What is Evusheld? This is a PREVENTATIVE treatment, meaning you Read more…
Q: If 50% of COVID hospitalizations are among the vaccinated, does that mean the vaccines aren’t working?
Data and Metrics Data Literacy Vaccines
Kristen Panthagani, MD, PhD
A: No. This metric sounds useful, but it can’t tell us anything about vaccine effectiveness. Since the roll-out of COVID vaccinations, many headlines have reported the percent of COVID hospitalizations and deaths who were vaccinated, trying to convey how well the vaccines are working. ‘Only 1% of COVID hospitalizations are vaccinated people’ sounds encouraging, doesn’t Read more…
Kristen Panthagani, MD, PhD
Dr. Panthagani is a physician-scientist and science communicator. She ventured into the world of science communication as a senior PhD student in March 2020, just as the pandemic was hitting the US in full force. Watching family and friends struggle to make sense of the quickly changing landscape of the pandemic, she founded You Can Read more…
I found out I was exposed to COVID-19. How long do I have to quarantine?
Infection and Spread Staying Safe
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
QUARANTINE is not the same as isolation. Quarantine is what we do after we find out that someone we shared air with ended up being positive for COVID-19. You’re feeling fine and haven’t tested positive, but you’re in a waiting period–waiting to see if you’ll get sick. CDC’s guidance for quarantining after you have been Read more…
It’s time to meet the women behind the magic here at Dear Pandemic! Today we’d love to introduce you to Joanna Dreifus, MPH–our Director of Community Engagement. Joanna volunteered to help us out more than a year ago. Her main area of focus is all things YOU! Our readers. She reads all your comments (yes Read more…
What are the booster shot guidelines if you had COVID-19?
VaccinesAmanda Simanek, PhD MPH
UPDATED 2/22 RE: Booster dose after use of monoclonal antibodies or convalescent plasma. A: Most people who get COVID-19 after receiving the primary vaccine series can get their booster dose on the normal schedule, as long as they meet the criteria for ending isolation. One exception is people who develop multisystem inflammatory syndrome (MIS). For Read more…
Tengo COVID. ¿Cuándo puedo dejar de preocuparme por contagiar a otras personas?
Infection and Spread Posts en Español Staying Safe
Tita Smyth Escobedo, PM-IT
La respuesta corta es: 10 días después de que te hayas sentido mal o hayas dado positivo, suponiendo que para entonces te sientas mejor. Si no te mejoras, consulta a tu médico sobre la posibilidad de terminar el aislamiento. Han habido muchas actualizaciones de estas directrices para los periodos de tiempo de exposiciones e infecciones Read more…
💔 Disheartening news: A new study shows that COVID-19 raises risk of cardiovascular disease for at least a year after infection.
Data and Metrics Long COVID
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A recent large study of U.S. Veterans found that the risk of having a heart attack, stroke and a long list of other cardiovascular events was higher for those who had COVID-19 the year prior compared to those who didn’t. The risk was highest for those who had been admitted to the hospital or ICU Read more…
¿Cuál es la mejor mascarilla para protegerme de la variante Ómicron?
Masks Posts en Español
Tita Smyth Escobedo, PM-IT
Una mascarilla de alta filtración bien ajustada como las N95, KN95, FFP2 o KF94 son la mejor opción. ⚠️ Ómicron puede ser incluso más transmisible que las variantes anteriores, debido a una mayor velocidad de replicación en las vías respiratorias superiores, lo que implica que personas infectadas expulsan una gran cantidad de virus al respirar Read more…
🧪Happy International Day of Women & Girls in Science!🔬
Women in STEM
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
Nerdy Girls around the world continue to get it done during a global pandemic. Special thanks to all the women who heeded the call for rapid translation of vital scientific information during this crisis, and for our Nerdy readers who helped share this information far and wide. 🧬📊 #TeamWorkMakesTheDreamWork Friendly Neighbor Epidemiologist Unambiguous Science Unbiased Read more…
I’m vaccinated. Why is a contact tracer calling me?
Testing and Contact Tracing
Lauren Hale, PhD MA
TL; DR: Contact tracers play an important role in educating potential contacts and curbing transmission in your immediate community. Please accept their calls, answer their questions honestly, and listen to their recommendations. If you are fully vaccinated, it may seem surprising to get a phone call from a contact tracer. Please remember: Contact tracers are Read more…
My kid had COVID-19. When can they return to sports?
Families/Kids Staying Safe
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
A: It depends on how sick the child was and what symptoms they had. All children and adolescents should have a visit with their primary care clinician (PCP) after COVID-19 infection to see if they are ready to get back to sports, and some kids will need additional tests of their heart to make sure Read more…
Do throat swabs help detect the Omicron variant?
Testing and Contact Tracing
Chana Davis, PhD
A: Yes! A combined throat and nose swab (first throat, then nose) is your best bet for detecting Omicron, especially in the first few days. As long as you swab safely, the only downside to this strategy is that you might gag (sorry, this is normal). Say aaaah! TL;DR: COVID tests only work when you Read more…
What counts as being “exposed?” Update!
Infection and Spread Testing and Contact Tracing
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
With all the recent talk of changing quarantine guidelines, we’ve been getting questions about what counts as being ‘exposed’ in the first place! Below is a reprise of an answer we gave last fall. Q: If my mom went to the salon on Thursday and her stylist developed symptoms on Saturday, then I saw my Read more…
Who is authorized to take Evusheld, the new COVID-19 monoclonal antibody treatment?
Treatments
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
Evusheld, a combination of two monoclonal antibodies, is a PREVENTATIVE treatment for people who have compromised immune systems AND for people with life threatening allergies to COVID-19 vaccines. The supply is very limited! COVID-19 vaccinations remain the first line treatment to prevent infection and complications. ❓What is Evusheld? This is a PREVENTATIVE treatment, meaning you Read more…
Q: If 50% of COVID hospitalizations are among the vaccinated, does that mean the vaccines aren’t working?
Data and Metrics Data Literacy Vaccines
Kristen Panthagani, MD, PhD
A: No. This metric sounds useful, but it can’t tell us anything about vaccine effectiveness. Since the roll-out of COVID vaccinations, many headlines have reported the percent of COVID hospitalizations and deaths who were vaccinated, trying to convey how well the vaccines are working. ‘Only 1% of COVID hospitalizations are vaccinated people’ sounds encouraging, doesn’t Read more…
Kristen Panthagani, MD, PhD
Dr. Panthagani is a physician-scientist and science communicator. She ventured into the world of science communication as a senior PhD student in March 2020, just as the pandemic was hitting the US in full force. Watching family and friends struggle to make sense of the quickly changing landscape of the pandemic, she founded You Can Read more…
I found out I was exposed to COVID-19. How long do I have to quarantine?
Infection and Spread Staying Safe
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
QUARANTINE is not the same as isolation. Quarantine is what we do after we find out that someone we shared air with ended up being positive for COVID-19. You’re feeling fine and haven’t tested positive, but you’re in a waiting period–waiting to see if you’ll get sick. CDC’s guidance for quarantining after you have been Read more…
UPDATED 2/22 RE: Booster dose after use of monoclonal antibodies or convalescent plasma. A: Most people who get COVID-19 after receiving the primary vaccine series can get their booster dose on the normal schedule, as long as they meet the criteria for ending isolation. One exception is people who develop multisystem inflammatory syndrome (MIS). For Read more…
Tengo COVID. ¿Cuándo puedo dejar de preocuparme por contagiar a otras personas?
Infection and Spread Posts en Español Staying SafeTita Smyth Escobedo, PM-IT
La respuesta corta es: 10 días después de que te hayas sentido mal o hayas dado positivo, suponiendo que para entonces te sientas mejor. Si no te mejoras, consulta a tu médico sobre la posibilidad de terminar el aislamiento. Han habido muchas actualizaciones de estas directrices para los periodos de tiempo de exposiciones e infecciones Read more…
💔 Disheartening news: A new study shows that COVID-19 raises risk of cardiovascular disease for at least a year after infection.
Data and Metrics Long COVID
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A recent large study of U.S. Veterans found that the risk of having a heart attack, stroke and a long list of other cardiovascular events was higher for those who had COVID-19 the year prior compared to those who didn’t. The risk was highest for those who had been admitted to the hospital or ICU Read more…
¿Cuál es la mejor mascarilla para protegerme de la variante Ómicron?
Masks Posts en Español
Tita Smyth Escobedo, PM-IT
Una mascarilla de alta filtración bien ajustada como las N95, KN95, FFP2 o KF94 son la mejor opción. ⚠️ Ómicron puede ser incluso más transmisible que las variantes anteriores, debido a una mayor velocidad de replicación en las vías respiratorias superiores, lo que implica que personas infectadas expulsan una gran cantidad de virus al respirar Read more…
🧪Happy International Day of Women & Girls in Science!🔬
Women in STEM
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
Nerdy Girls around the world continue to get it done during a global pandemic. Special thanks to all the women who heeded the call for rapid translation of vital scientific information during this crisis, and for our Nerdy readers who helped share this information far and wide. 🧬📊 #TeamWorkMakesTheDreamWork Friendly Neighbor Epidemiologist Unambiguous Science Unbiased Read more…
I’m vaccinated. Why is a contact tracer calling me?
Testing and Contact Tracing
Lauren Hale, PhD MA
TL; DR: Contact tracers play an important role in educating potential contacts and curbing transmission in your immediate community. Please accept their calls, answer their questions honestly, and listen to their recommendations. If you are fully vaccinated, it may seem surprising to get a phone call from a contact tracer. Please remember: Contact tracers are Read more…
My kid had COVID-19. When can they return to sports?
Families/Kids Staying Safe
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
A: It depends on how sick the child was and what symptoms they had. All children and adolescents should have a visit with their primary care clinician (PCP) after COVID-19 infection to see if they are ready to get back to sports, and some kids will need additional tests of their heart to make sure Read more…
Do throat swabs help detect the Omicron variant?
Testing and Contact Tracing
Chana Davis, PhD
A: Yes! A combined throat and nose swab (first throat, then nose) is your best bet for detecting Omicron, especially in the first few days. As long as you swab safely, the only downside to this strategy is that you might gag (sorry, this is normal). Say aaaah! TL;DR: COVID tests only work when you Read more…
What counts as being “exposed?” Update!
Infection and Spread Testing and Contact Tracing
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
With all the recent talk of changing quarantine guidelines, we’ve been getting questions about what counts as being ‘exposed’ in the first place! Below is a reprise of an answer we gave last fall. Q: If my mom went to the salon on Thursday and her stylist developed symptoms on Saturday, then I saw my Read more…
Who is authorized to take Evusheld, the new COVID-19 monoclonal antibody treatment?
Treatments
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
Evusheld, a combination of two monoclonal antibodies, is a PREVENTATIVE treatment for people who have compromised immune systems AND for people with life threatening allergies to COVID-19 vaccines. The supply is very limited! COVID-19 vaccinations remain the first line treatment to prevent infection and complications. ❓What is Evusheld? This is a PREVENTATIVE treatment, meaning you Read more…
Q: If 50% of COVID hospitalizations are among the vaccinated, does that mean the vaccines aren’t working?
Data and Metrics Data Literacy Vaccines
Kristen Panthagani, MD, PhD
A: No. This metric sounds useful, but it can’t tell us anything about vaccine effectiveness. Since the roll-out of COVID vaccinations, many headlines have reported the percent of COVID hospitalizations and deaths who were vaccinated, trying to convey how well the vaccines are working. ‘Only 1% of COVID hospitalizations are vaccinated people’ sounds encouraging, doesn’t Read more…
Kristen Panthagani, MD, PhD
Dr. Panthagani is a physician-scientist and science communicator. She ventured into the world of science communication as a senior PhD student in March 2020, just as the pandemic was hitting the US in full force. Watching family and friends struggle to make sense of the quickly changing landscape of the pandemic, she founded You Can Read more…
I found out I was exposed to COVID-19. How long do I have to quarantine?
Infection and Spread Staying Safe
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
QUARANTINE is not the same as isolation. Quarantine is what we do after we find out that someone we shared air with ended up being positive for COVID-19. You’re feeling fine and haven’t tested positive, but you’re in a waiting period–waiting to see if you’ll get sick. CDC’s guidance for quarantining after you have been Read more…
La respuesta corta es: 10 días después de que te hayas sentido mal o hayas dado positivo, suponiendo que para entonces te sientas mejor. Si no te mejoras, consulta a tu médico sobre la posibilidad de terminar el aislamiento. Han habido muchas actualizaciones de estas directrices para los periodos de tiempo de exposiciones e infecciones Read more…
💔 Disheartening news: A new study shows that COVID-19 raises risk of cardiovascular disease for at least a year after infection.
Data and Metrics Long COVIDJennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A recent large study of U.S. Veterans found that the risk of having a heart attack, stroke and a long list of other cardiovascular events was higher for those who had COVID-19 the year prior compared to those who didn’t. The risk was highest for those who had been admitted to the hospital or ICU Read more…
¿Cuál es la mejor mascarilla para protegerme de la variante Ómicron?
Masks Posts en Español
Tita Smyth Escobedo, PM-IT
Una mascarilla de alta filtración bien ajustada como las N95, KN95, FFP2 o KF94 son la mejor opción. ⚠️ Ómicron puede ser incluso más transmisible que las variantes anteriores, debido a una mayor velocidad de replicación en las vías respiratorias superiores, lo que implica que personas infectadas expulsan una gran cantidad de virus al respirar Read more…
🧪Happy International Day of Women & Girls in Science!🔬
Women in STEM
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
Nerdy Girls around the world continue to get it done during a global pandemic. Special thanks to all the women who heeded the call for rapid translation of vital scientific information during this crisis, and for our Nerdy readers who helped share this information far and wide. 🧬📊 #TeamWorkMakesTheDreamWork Friendly Neighbor Epidemiologist Unambiguous Science Unbiased Read more…
I’m vaccinated. Why is a contact tracer calling me?
Testing and Contact Tracing
Lauren Hale, PhD MA
TL; DR: Contact tracers play an important role in educating potential contacts and curbing transmission in your immediate community. Please accept their calls, answer their questions honestly, and listen to their recommendations. If you are fully vaccinated, it may seem surprising to get a phone call from a contact tracer. Please remember: Contact tracers are Read more…
My kid had COVID-19. When can they return to sports?
Families/Kids Staying Safe
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
A: It depends on how sick the child was and what symptoms they had. All children and adolescents should have a visit with their primary care clinician (PCP) after COVID-19 infection to see if they are ready to get back to sports, and some kids will need additional tests of their heart to make sure Read more…
Do throat swabs help detect the Omicron variant?
Testing and Contact Tracing
Chana Davis, PhD
A: Yes! A combined throat and nose swab (first throat, then nose) is your best bet for detecting Omicron, especially in the first few days. As long as you swab safely, the only downside to this strategy is that you might gag (sorry, this is normal). Say aaaah! TL;DR: COVID tests only work when you Read more…
What counts as being “exposed?” Update!
Infection and Spread Testing and Contact Tracing
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
With all the recent talk of changing quarantine guidelines, we’ve been getting questions about what counts as being ‘exposed’ in the first place! Below is a reprise of an answer we gave last fall. Q: If my mom went to the salon on Thursday and her stylist developed symptoms on Saturday, then I saw my Read more…
Who is authorized to take Evusheld, the new COVID-19 monoclonal antibody treatment?
Treatments
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
Evusheld, a combination of two monoclonal antibodies, is a PREVENTATIVE treatment for people who have compromised immune systems AND for people with life threatening allergies to COVID-19 vaccines. The supply is very limited! COVID-19 vaccinations remain the first line treatment to prevent infection and complications. ❓What is Evusheld? This is a PREVENTATIVE treatment, meaning you Read more…
Q: If 50% of COVID hospitalizations are among the vaccinated, does that mean the vaccines aren’t working?
Data and Metrics Data Literacy Vaccines
Kristen Panthagani, MD, PhD
A: No. This metric sounds useful, but it can’t tell us anything about vaccine effectiveness. Since the roll-out of COVID vaccinations, many headlines have reported the percent of COVID hospitalizations and deaths who were vaccinated, trying to convey how well the vaccines are working. ‘Only 1% of COVID hospitalizations are vaccinated people’ sounds encouraging, doesn’t Read more…
Kristen Panthagani, MD, PhD
Dr. Panthagani is a physician-scientist and science communicator. She ventured into the world of science communication as a senior PhD student in March 2020, just as the pandemic was hitting the US in full force. Watching family and friends struggle to make sense of the quickly changing landscape of the pandemic, she founded You Can Read more…
I found out I was exposed to COVID-19. How long do I have to quarantine?
Infection and Spread Staying Safe
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
QUARANTINE is not the same as isolation. Quarantine is what we do after we find out that someone we shared air with ended up being positive for COVID-19. You’re feeling fine and haven’t tested positive, but you’re in a waiting period–waiting to see if you’ll get sick. CDC’s guidance for quarantining after you have been Read more…
A recent large study of U.S. Veterans found that the risk of having a heart attack, stroke and a long list of other cardiovascular events was higher for those who had COVID-19 the year prior compared to those who didn’t. The risk was highest for those who had been admitted to the hospital or ICU Read more…
¿Cuál es la mejor mascarilla para protegerme de la variante Ómicron?
Masks Posts en EspañolTita Smyth Escobedo, PM-IT
Una mascarilla de alta filtración bien ajustada como las N95, KN95, FFP2 o KF94 son la mejor opción. ⚠️ Ómicron puede ser incluso más transmisible que las variantes anteriores, debido a una mayor velocidad de replicación en las vías respiratorias superiores, lo que implica que personas infectadas expulsan una gran cantidad de virus al respirar Read more…
🧪Happy International Day of Women & Girls in Science!🔬
Women in STEM
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
Nerdy Girls around the world continue to get it done during a global pandemic. Special thanks to all the women who heeded the call for rapid translation of vital scientific information during this crisis, and for our Nerdy readers who helped share this information far and wide. 🧬📊 #TeamWorkMakesTheDreamWork Friendly Neighbor Epidemiologist Unambiguous Science Unbiased Read more…
I’m vaccinated. Why is a contact tracer calling me?
Testing and Contact Tracing
Lauren Hale, PhD MA
TL; DR: Contact tracers play an important role in educating potential contacts and curbing transmission in your immediate community. Please accept their calls, answer their questions honestly, and listen to their recommendations. If you are fully vaccinated, it may seem surprising to get a phone call from a contact tracer. Please remember: Contact tracers are Read more…
My kid had COVID-19. When can they return to sports?
Families/Kids Staying Safe
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
A: It depends on how sick the child was and what symptoms they had. All children and adolescents should have a visit with their primary care clinician (PCP) after COVID-19 infection to see if they are ready to get back to sports, and some kids will need additional tests of their heart to make sure Read more…
Do throat swabs help detect the Omicron variant?
Testing and Contact Tracing
Chana Davis, PhD
A: Yes! A combined throat and nose swab (first throat, then nose) is your best bet for detecting Omicron, especially in the first few days. As long as you swab safely, the only downside to this strategy is that you might gag (sorry, this is normal). Say aaaah! TL;DR: COVID tests only work when you Read more…
What counts as being “exposed?” Update!
Infection and Spread Testing and Contact Tracing
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
With all the recent talk of changing quarantine guidelines, we’ve been getting questions about what counts as being ‘exposed’ in the first place! Below is a reprise of an answer we gave last fall. Q: If my mom went to the salon on Thursday and her stylist developed symptoms on Saturday, then I saw my Read more…
Who is authorized to take Evusheld, the new COVID-19 monoclonal antibody treatment?
Treatments
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
Evusheld, a combination of two monoclonal antibodies, is a PREVENTATIVE treatment for people who have compromised immune systems AND for people with life threatening allergies to COVID-19 vaccines. The supply is very limited! COVID-19 vaccinations remain the first line treatment to prevent infection and complications. ❓What is Evusheld? This is a PREVENTATIVE treatment, meaning you Read more…
Q: If 50% of COVID hospitalizations are among the vaccinated, does that mean the vaccines aren’t working?
Data and Metrics Data Literacy Vaccines
Kristen Panthagani, MD, PhD
A: No. This metric sounds useful, but it can’t tell us anything about vaccine effectiveness. Since the roll-out of COVID vaccinations, many headlines have reported the percent of COVID hospitalizations and deaths who were vaccinated, trying to convey how well the vaccines are working. ‘Only 1% of COVID hospitalizations are vaccinated people’ sounds encouraging, doesn’t Read more…
Kristen Panthagani, MD, PhD
Dr. Panthagani is a physician-scientist and science communicator. She ventured into the world of science communication as a senior PhD student in March 2020, just as the pandemic was hitting the US in full force. Watching family and friends struggle to make sense of the quickly changing landscape of the pandemic, she founded You Can Read more…
I found out I was exposed to COVID-19. How long do I have to quarantine?
Infection and Spread Staying Safe
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
QUARANTINE is not the same as isolation. Quarantine is what we do after we find out that someone we shared air with ended up being positive for COVID-19. You’re feeling fine and haven’t tested positive, but you’re in a waiting period–waiting to see if you’ll get sick. CDC’s guidance for quarantining after you have been Read more…
Una mascarilla de alta filtración bien ajustada como las N95, KN95, FFP2 o KF94 son la mejor opción. ⚠️ Ómicron puede ser incluso más transmisible que las variantes anteriores, debido a una mayor velocidad de replicación en las vías respiratorias superiores, lo que implica que personas infectadas expulsan una gran cantidad de virus al respirar Read more…
🧪Happy International Day of Women & Girls in Science!🔬
Women in STEMJennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
Nerdy Girls around the world continue to get it done during a global pandemic. Special thanks to all the women who heeded the call for rapid translation of vital scientific information during this crisis, and for our Nerdy readers who helped share this information far and wide. 🧬📊 #TeamWorkMakesTheDreamWork Friendly Neighbor Epidemiologist Unambiguous Science Unbiased Read more…
I’m vaccinated. Why is a contact tracer calling me?
Testing and Contact Tracing
Lauren Hale, PhD MA
TL; DR: Contact tracers play an important role in educating potential contacts and curbing transmission in your immediate community. Please accept their calls, answer their questions honestly, and listen to their recommendations. If you are fully vaccinated, it may seem surprising to get a phone call from a contact tracer. Please remember: Contact tracers are Read more…
My kid had COVID-19. When can they return to sports?
Families/Kids Staying Safe
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
A: It depends on how sick the child was and what symptoms they had. All children and adolescents should have a visit with their primary care clinician (PCP) after COVID-19 infection to see if they are ready to get back to sports, and some kids will need additional tests of their heart to make sure Read more…
Do throat swabs help detect the Omicron variant?
Testing and Contact Tracing
Chana Davis, PhD
A: Yes! A combined throat and nose swab (first throat, then nose) is your best bet for detecting Omicron, especially in the first few days. As long as you swab safely, the only downside to this strategy is that you might gag (sorry, this is normal). Say aaaah! TL;DR: COVID tests only work when you Read more…
What counts as being “exposed?” Update!
Infection and Spread Testing and Contact Tracing
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
With all the recent talk of changing quarantine guidelines, we’ve been getting questions about what counts as being ‘exposed’ in the first place! Below is a reprise of an answer we gave last fall. Q: If my mom went to the salon on Thursday and her stylist developed symptoms on Saturday, then I saw my Read more…
Who is authorized to take Evusheld, the new COVID-19 monoclonal antibody treatment?
Treatments
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
Evusheld, a combination of two monoclonal antibodies, is a PREVENTATIVE treatment for people who have compromised immune systems AND for people with life threatening allergies to COVID-19 vaccines. The supply is very limited! COVID-19 vaccinations remain the first line treatment to prevent infection and complications. ❓What is Evusheld? This is a PREVENTATIVE treatment, meaning you Read more…
Q: If 50% of COVID hospitalizations are among the vaccinated, does that mean the vaccines aren’t working?
Data and Metrics Data Literacy Vaccines
Kristen Panthagani, MD, PhD
A: No. This metric sounds useful, but it can’t tell us anything about vaccine effectiveness. Since the roll-out of COVID vaccinations, many headlines have reported the percent of COVID hospitalizations and deaths who were vaccinated, trying to convey how well the vaccines are working. ‘Only 1% of COVID hospitalizations are vaccinated people’ sounds encouraging, doesn’t Read more…
Kristen Panthagani, MD, PhD
Dr. Panthagani is a physician-scientist and science communicator. She ventured into the world of science communication as a senior PhD student in March 2020, just as the pandemic was hitting the US in full force. Watching family and friends struggle to make sense of the quickly changing landscape of the pandemic, she founded You Can Read more…
I found out I was exposed to COVID-19. How long do I have to quarantine?
Infection and Spread Staying Safe
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
QUARANTINE is not the same as isolation. Quarantine is what we do after we find out that someone we shared air with ended up being positive for COVID-19. You’re feeling fine and haven’t tested positive, but you’re in a waiting period–waiting to see if you’ll get sick. CDC’s guidance for quarantining after you have been Read more…
Nerdy Girls around the world continue to get it done during a global pandemic. Special thanks to all the women who heeded the call for rapid translation of vital scientific information during this crisis, and for our Nerdy readers who helped share this information far and wide. 🧬📊 #TeamWorkMakesTheDreamWork Friendly Neighbor Epidemiologist Unambiguous Science Unbiased Read more…
I’m vaccinated. Why is a contact tracer calling me?
Testing and Contact TracingLauren Hale, PhD MA
TL; DR: Contact tracers play an important role in educating potential contacts and curbing transmission in your immediate community. Please accept their calls, answer their questions honestly, and listen to their recommendations. If you are fully vaccinated, it may seem surprising to get a phone call from a contact tracer. Please remember: Contact tracers are Read more…
My kid had COVID-19. When can they return to sports?
Families/Kids Staying Safe
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
A: It depends on how sick the child was and what symptoms they had. All children and adolescents should have a visit with their primary care clinician (PCP) after COVID-19 infection to see if they are ready to get back to sports, and some kids will need additional tests of their heart to make sure Read more…
Do throat swabs help detect the Omicron variant?
Testing and Contact Tracing
Chana Davis, PhD
A: Yes! A combined throat and nose swab (first throat, then nose) is your best bet for detecting Omicron, especially in the first few days. As long as you swab safely, the only downside to this strategy is that you might gag (sorry, this is normal). Say aaaah! TL;DR: COVID tests only work when you Read more…
What counts as being “exposed?” Update!
Infection and Spread Testing and Contact Tracing
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
With all the recent talk of changing quarantine guidelines, we’ve been getting questions about what counts as being ‘exposed’ in the first place! Below is a reprise of an answer we gave last fall. Q: If my mom went to the salon on Thursday and her stylist developed symptoms on Saturday, then I saw my Read more…
Who is authorized to take Evusheld, the new COVID-19 monoclonal antibody treatment?
Treatments
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
Evusheld, a combination of two monoclonal antibodies, is a PREVENTATIVE treatment for people who have compromised immune systems AND for people with life threatening allergies to COVID-19 vaccines. The supply is very limited! COVID-19 vaccinations remain the first line treatment to prevent infection and complications. ❓What is Evusheld? This is a PREVENTATIVE treatment, meaning you Read more…
Q: If 50% of COVID hospitalizations are among the vaccinated, does that mean the vaccines aren’t working?
Data and Metrics Data Literacy Vaccines
Kristen Panthagani, MD, PhD
A: No. This metric sounds useful, but it can’t tell us anything about vaccine effectiveness. Since the roll-out of COVID vaccinations, many headlines have reported the percent of COVID hospitalizations and deaths who were vaccinated, trying to convey how well the vaccines are working. ‘Only 1% of COVID hospitalizations are vaccinated people’ sounds encouraging, doesn’t Read more…
Kristen Panthagani, MD, PhD
Dr. Panthagani is a physician-scientist and science communicator. She ventured into the world of science communication as a senior PhD student in March 2020, just as the pandemic was hitting the US in full force. Watching family and friends struggle to make sense of the quickly changing landscape of the pandemic, she founded You Can Read more…
I found out I was exposed to COVID-19. How long do I have to quarantine?
Infection and Spread Staying Safe
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
QUARANTINE is not the same as isolation. Quarantine is what we do after we find out that someone we shared air with ended up being positive for COVID-19. You’re feeling fine and haven’t tested positive, but you’re in a waiting period–waiting to see if you’ll get sick. CDC’s guidance for quarantining after you have been Read more…
TL; DR: Contact tracers play an important role in educating potential contacts and curbing transmission in your immediate community. Please accept their calls, answer their questions honestly, and listen to their recommendations. If you are fully vaccinated, it may seem surprising to get a phone call from a contact tracer. Please remember: Contact tracers are Read more…
My kid had COVID-19. When can they return to sports?
Families/Kids Staying SafeSarah Whitley Coles, MD
A: It depends on how sick the child was and what symptoms they had. All children and adolescents should have a visit with their primary care clinician (PCP) after COVID-19 infection to see if they are ready to get back to sports, and some kids will need additional tests of their heart to make sure Read more…
Do throat swabs help detect the Omicron variant?
Testing and Contact Tracing
Chana Davis, PhD
A: Yes! A combined throat and nose swab (first throat, then nose) is your best bet for detecting Omicron, especially in the first few days. As long as you swab safely, the only downside to this strategy is that you might gag (sorry, this is normal). Say aaaah! TL;DR: COVID tests only work when you Read more…
What counts as being “exposed?” Update!
Infection and Spread Testing and Contact Tracing
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
With all the recent talk of changing quarantine guidelines, we’ve been getting questions about what counts as being ‘exposed’ in the first place! Below is a reprise of an answer we gave last fall. Q: If my mom went to the salon on Thursday and her stylist developed symptoms on Saturday, then I saw my Read more…
Who is authorized to take Evusheld, the new COVID-19 monoclonal antibody treatment?
Treatments
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
Evusheld, a combination of two monoclonal antibodies, is a PREVENTATIVE treatment for people who have compromised immune systems AND for people with life threatening allergies to COVID-19 vaccines. The supply is very limited! COVID-19 vaccinations remain the first line treatment to prevent infection and complications. ❓What is Evusheld? This is a PREVENTATIVE treatment, meaning you Read more…
Q: If 50% of COVID hospitalizations are among the vaccinated, does that mean the vaccines aren’t working?
Data and Metrics Data Literacy Vaccines
Kristen Panthagani, MD, PhD
A: No. This metric sounds useful, but it can’t tell us anything about vaccine effectiveness. Since the roll-out of COVID vaccinations, many headlines have reported the percent of COVID hospitalizations and deaths who were vaccinated, trying to convey how well the vaccines are working. ‘Only 1% of COVID hospitalizations are vaccinated people’ sounds encouraging, doesn’t Read more…
Kristen Panthagani, MD, PhD
Dr. Panthagani is a physician-scientist and science communicator. She ventured into the world of science communication as a senior PhD student in March 2020, just as the pandemic was hitting the US in full force. Watching family and friends struggle to make sense of the quickly changing landscape of the pandemic, she founded You Can Read more…
I found out I was exposed to COVID-19. How long do I have to quarantine?
Infection and Spread Staying Safe
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
QUARANTINE is not the same as isolation. Quarantine is what we do after we find out that someone we shared air with ended up being positive for COVID-19. You’re feeling fine and haven’t tested positive, but you’re in a waiting period–waiting to see if you’ll get sick. CDC’s guidance for quarantining after you have been Read more…
A: It depends on how sick the child was and what symptoms they had. All children and adolescents should have a visit with their primary care clinician (PCP) after COVID-19 infection to see if they are ready to get back to sports, and some kids will need additional tests of their heart to make sure Read more…
Do throat swabs help detect the Omicron variant?
Testing and Contact TracingChana Davis, PhD
A: Yes! A combined throat and nose swab (first throat, then nose) is your best bet for detecting Omicron, especially in the first few days. As long as you swab safely, the only downside to this strategy is that you might gag (sorry, this is normal). Say aaaah! TL;DR: COVID tests only work when you Read more…
What counts as being “exposed?” Update!
Infection and Spread Testing and Contact Tracing
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
With all the recent talk of changing quarantine guidelines, we’ve been getting questions about what counts as being ‘exposed’ in the first place! Below is a reprise of an answer we gave last fall. Q: If my mom went to the salon on Thursday and her stylist developed symptoms on Saturday, then I saw my Read more…
Who is authorized to take Evusheld, the new COVID-19 monoclonal antibody treatment?
Treatments
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
Evusheld, a combination of two monoclonal antibodies, is a PREVENTATIVE treatment for people who have compromised immune systems AND for people with life threatening allergies to COVID-19 vaccines. The supply is very limited! COVID-19 vaccinations remain the first line treatment to prevent infection and complications. ❓What is Evusheld? This is a PREVENTATIVE treatment, meaning you Read more…
Q: If 50% of COVID hospitalizations are among the vaccinated, does that mean the vaccines aren’t working?
Data and Metrics Data Literacy Vaccines
Kristen Panthagani, MD, PhD
A: No. This metric sounds useful, but it can’t tell us anything about vaccine effectiveness. Since the roll-out of COVID vaccinations, many headlines have reported the percent of COVID hospitalizations and deaths who were vaccinated, trying to convey how well the vaccines are working. ‘Only 1% of COVID hospitalizations are vaccinated people’ sounds encouraging, doesn’t Read more…
Kristen Panthagani, MD, PhD
Dr. Panthagani is a physician-scientist and science communicator. She ventured into the world of science communication as a senior PhD student in March 2020, just as the pandemic was hitting the US in full force. Watching family and friends struggle to make sense of the quickly changing landscape of the pandemic, she founded You Can Read more…
I found out I was exposed to COVID-19. How long do I have to quarantine?
Infection and Spread Staying Safe
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
QUARANTINE is not the same as isolation. Quarantine is what we do after we find out that someone we shared air with ended up being positive for COVID-19. You’re feeling fine and haven’t tested positive, but you’re in a waiting period–waiting to see if you’ll get sick. CDC’s guidance for quarantining after you have been Read more…
A: Yes! A combined throat and nose swab (first throat, then nose) is your best bet for detecting Omicron, especially in the first few days. As long as you swab safely, the only downside to this strategy is that you might gag (sorry, this is normal). Say aaaah! TL;DR: COVID tests only work when you Read more…
What counts as being “exposed?” Update!
Infection and Spread Testing and Contact TracingAmanda Simanek, PhD MPH
With all the recent talk of changing quarantine guidelines, we’ve been getting questions about what counts as being ‘exposed’ in the first place! Below is a reprise of an answer we gave last fall. Q: If my mom went to the salon on Thursday and her stylist developed symptoms on Saturday, then I saw my Read more…
Who is authorized to take Evusheld, the new COVID-19 monoclonal antibody treatment?
Treatments
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
Evusheld, a combination of two monoclonal antibodies, is a PREVENTATIVE treatment for people who have compromised immune systems AND for people with life threatening allergies to COVID-19 vaccines. The supply is very limited! COVID-19 vaccinations remain the first line treatment to prevent infection and complications. ❓What is Evusheld? This is a PREVENTATIVE treatment, meaning you Read more…
Q: If 50% of COVID hospitalizations are among the vaccinated, does that mean the vaccines aren’t working?
Data and Metrics Data Literacy Vaccines
Kristen Panthagani, MD, PhD
A: No. This metric sounds useful, but it can’t tell us anything about vaccine effectiveness. Since the roll-out of COVID vaccinations, many headlines have reported the percent of COVID hospitalizations and deaths who were vaccinated, trying to convey how well the vaccines are working. ‘Only 1% of COVID hospitalizations are vaccinated people’ sounds encouraging, doesn’t Read more…
Kristen Panthagani, MD, PhD
Dr. Panthagani is a physician-scientist and science communicator. She ventured into the world of science communication as a senior PhD student in March 2020, just as the pandemic was hitting the US in full force. Watching family and friends struggle to make sense of the quickly changing landscape of the pandemic, she founded You Can Read more…
I found out I was exposed to COVID-19. How long do I have to quarantine?
Infection and Spread Staying Safe
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
QUARANTINE is not the same as isolation. Quarantine is what we do after we find out that someone we shared air with ended up being positive for COVID-19. You’re feeling fine and haven’t tested positive, but you’re in a waiting period–waiting to see if you’ll get sick. CDC’s guidance for quarantining after you have been Read more…
With all the recent talk of changing quarantine guidelines, we’ve been getting questions about what counts as being ‘exposed’ in the first place! Below is a reprise of an answer we gave last fall. Q: If my mom went to the salon on Thursday and her stylist developed symptoms on Saturday, then I saw my Read more…
Who is authorized to take Evusheld, the new COVID-19 monoclonal antibody treatment?
TreatmentsAshley Ritter, APRN, PhD
Evusheld, a combination of two monoclonal antibodies, is a PREVENTATIVE treatment for people who have compromised immune systems AND for people with life threatening allergies to COVID-19 vaccines. The supply is very limited! COVID-19 vaccinations remain the first line treatment to prevent infection and complications. ❓What is Evusheld? This is a PREVENTATIVE treatment, meaning you Read more…
Q: If 50% of COVID hospitalizations are among the vaccinated, does that mean the vaccines aren’t working?
Data and Metrics Data Literacy Vaccines
Kristen Panthagani, MD, PhD
A: No. This metric sounds useful, but it can’t tell us anything about vaccine effectiveness. Since the roll-out of COVID vaccinations, many headlines have reported the percent of COVID hospitalizations and deaths who were vaccinated, trying to convey how well the vaccines are working. ‘Only 1% of COVID hospitalizations are vaccinated people’ sounds encouraging, doesn’t Read more…
Kristen Panthagani, MD, PhD
Dr. Panthagani is a physician-scientist and science communicator. She ventured into the world of science communication as a senior PhD student in March 2020, just as the pandemic was hitting the US in full force. Watching family and friends struggle to make sense of the quickly changing landscape of the pandemic, she founded You Can Read more…
I found out I was exposed to COVID-19. How long do I have to quarantine?
Infection and Spread Staying Safe
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
QUARANTINE is not the same as isolation. Quarantine is what we do after we find out that someone we shared air with ended up being positive for COVID-19. You’re feeling fine and haven’t tested positive, but you’re in a waiting period–waiting to see if you’ll get sick. CDC’s guidance for quarantining after you have been Read more…
Evusheld, a combination of two monoclonal antibodies, is a PREVENTATIVE treatment for people who have compromised immune systems AND for people with life threatening allergies to COVID-19 vaccines. The supply is very limited! COVID-19 vaccinations remain the first line treatment to prevent infection and complications. ❓What is Evusheld? This is a PREVENTATIVE treatment, meaning you Read more…
Q: If 50% of COVID hospitalizations are among the vaccinated, does that mean the vaccines aren’t working?
Data and Metrics Data Literacy VaccinesKristen Panthagani, MD, PhD
A: No. This metric sounds useful, but it can’t tell us anything about vaccine effectiveness. Since the roll-out of COVID vaccinations, many headlines have reported the percent of COVID hospitalizations and deaths who were vaccinated, trying to convey how well the vaccines are working. ‘Only 1% of COVID hospitalizations are vaccinated people’ sounds encouraging, doesn’t Read more…
Kristen Panthagani, MD, PhD
Dr. Panthagani is a physician-scientist and science communicator. She ventured into the world of science communication as a senior PhD student in March 2020, just as the pandemic was hitting the US in full force. Watching family and friends struggle to make sense of the quickly changing landscape of the pandemic, she founded You Can Read more…
I found out I was exposed to COVID-19. How long do I have to quarantine?
Infection and Spread Staying Safe
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
QUARANTINE is not the same as isolation. Quarantine is what we do after we find out that someone we shared air with ended up being positive for COVID-19. You’re feeling fine and haven’t tested positive, but you’re in a waiting period–waiting to see if you’ll get sick. CDC’s guidance for quarantining after you have been Read more…
A: No. This metric sounds useful, but it can’t tell us anything about vaccine effectiveness. Since the roll-out of COVID vaccinations, many headlines have reported the percent of COVID hospitalizations and deaths who were vaccinated, trying to convey how well the vaccines are working. ‘Only 1% of COVID hospitalizations are vaccinated people’ sounds encouraging, doesn’t Read more…
Kristen Panthagani, MD, PhD
Dr. Panthagani is a physician-scientist and science communicator. She ventured into the world of science communication as a senior PhD student in March 2020, just as the pandemic was hitting the US in full force. Watching family and friends struggle to make sense of the quickly changing landscape of the pandemic, she founded You Can Read more…
I found out I was exposed to COVID-19. How long do I have to quarantine?
Infection and Spread Staying SafeMalia Jones, PhD MPH
QUARANTINE is not the same as isolation. Quarantine is what we do after we find out that someone we shared air with ended up being positive for COVID-19. You’re feeling fine and haven’t tested positive, but you’re in a waiting period–waiting to see if you’ll get sick. CDC’s guidance for quarantining after you have been Read more…
QUARANTINE is not the same as isolation. Quarantine is what we do after we find out that someone we shared air with ended up being positive for COVID-19. You’re feeling fine and haven’t tested positive, but you’re in a waiting period–waiting to see if you’ll get sick. CDC’s guidance for quarantining after you have been Read more…
