Does breastfeeding protect my baby from COVID-19?
Families/Kids Vaccines
Chana Davis, PhD
A: Breastfeeding can likely help protect babies from COVID-19 but we don’t know yet how well. Antibodies from vaccination or infection are transferred through breast milk, but they are short-lived and do not enter the bloodstream. By contrast, antibodies transferred during pregnancy enter the fetal bloodstream, where they often persist for six months or more, 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…
What is brain fog in Long COVID and what can I do about it?
Clinical Symptoms Long COVID
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
TL;DR: Brain fog is a catch all term that could mean confusion, difficulty thinking, trouble concentrating, memory problems, mental fatigue, or straight up feeling mentally “fuzzy.” Brain fog after COVID-19 infection is common and can be mild to debilitating. We don’t yet know how to treat this, but there are some things you can do Read more…
Series on Logical Fallacies – The False Dichotomy
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 second post in an ongoing series by Dr. Kristen Panthagani of You Can Know Things, in which she dissects common logical fallacies that have led people astray during Read more…
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…
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…
How do I get back to my normal exercise after a COVID-19 infection?
Clinical Symptoms Long COVID
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
Exercise intolerance is one of the most commonly reported long-term symptoms of COVID-19 infection. Scientists continue to research the underlying cause of these symptoms with attention on the autonomic nervous system. This post provides information on two common symptoms of exercise intolerance after COVID-19 and strategies to support your recovery. Nerdy Girl Ashley here. I Read more…
Why Do I Feel So Down This Time of Year?
Mental Health
Megan Madsen, DO
“Mama, did the power go out? It’s so dark.” – 5 year old “No, it’s just morning and it’s cloudy.” – mom “BUT IT’S BEEN CLOUDY FOR DAYS!!!” – 5 year old “It’s called February.” – mom Sometimes kids just tell it exactly like it is, don’t they? This is an accurate recount of the Read more…
What is Long COVID or PASC?
Long COVID
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Long COVID is a health condition characterized by multiple, persistent symptoms including fatigue, shortness of breath, brain fog, pain, and other symptoms occurring in people who have recently had COVID-19. Symptoms can begin with the original infection or they can begin within 3 months of the original infection and they last for at least two 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: Breastfeeding can likely help protect babies from COVID-19 but we don’t know yet how well. Antibodies from vaccination or infection are transferred through breast milk, but they are short-lived and do not enter the bloodstream. By contrast, antibodies transferred during pregnancy enter the fetal bloodstream, where they often persist for six months or more, 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…
What is brain fog in Long COVID and what can I do about it?
Clinical Symptoms Long COVID
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
TL;DR: Brain fog is a catch all term that could mean confusion, difficulty thinking, trouble concentrating, memory problems, mental fatigue, or straight up feeling mentally “fuzzy.” Brain fog after COVID-19 infection is common and can be mild to debilitating. We don’t yet know how to treat this, but there are some things you can do Read more…
Series on Logical Fallacies – The False Dichotomy
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 second post in an ongoing series by Dr. Kristen Panthagani of You Can Know Things, in which she dissects common logical fallacies that have led people astray during Read more…
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…
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…
How do I get back to my normal exercise after a COVID-19 infection?
Clinical Symptoms Long COVID
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
Exercise intolerance is one of the most commonly reported long-term symptoms of COVID-19 infection. Scientists continue to research the underlying cause of these symptoms with attention on the autonomic nervous system. This post provides information on two common symptoms of exercise intolerance after COVID-19 and strategies to support your recovery. Nerdy Girl Ashley here. I Read more…
Why Do I Feel So Down This Time of Year?
Mental Health
Megan Madsen, DO
“Mama, did the power go out? It’s so dark.” – 5 year old “No, it’s just morning and it’s cloudy.” – mom “BUT IT’S BEEN CLOUDY FOR DAYS!!!” – 5 year old “It’s called February.” – mom Sometimes kids just tell it exactly like it is, don’t they? This is an accurate recount of the Read more…
What is Long COVID or PASC?
Long COVID
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Long COVID is a health condition characterized by multiple, persistent symptoms including fatigue, shortness of breath, brain fog, pain, and other symptoms occurring in people who have recently had COVID-19. Symptoms can begin with the original infection or they can begin within 3 months of the original infection and they last for at least two 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…
What is brain fog in Long COVID and what can I do about it?
Clinical Symptoms Long COVIDSarah Whitley Coles, MD
TL;DR: Brain fog is a catch all term that could mean confusion, difficulty thinking, trouble concentrating, memory problems, mental fatigue, or straight up feeling mentally “fuzzy.” Brain fog after COVID-19 infection is common and can be mild to debilitating. We don’t yet know how to treat this, but there are some things you can do Read more…
Series on Logical Fallacies – The False Dichotomy
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 second post in an ongoing series by Dr. Kristen Panthagani of You Can Know Things, in which she dissects common logical fallacies that have led people astray during Read more…
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…
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…
How do I get back to my normal exercise after a COVID-19 infection?
Clinical Symptoms Long COVID
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
Exercise intolerance is one of the most commonly reported long-term symptoms of COVID-19 infection. Scientists continue to research the underlying cause of these symptoms with attention on the autonomic nervous system. This post provides information on two common symptoms of exercise intolerance after COVID-19 and strategies to support your recovery. Nerdy Girl Ashley here. I Read more…
Why Do I Feel So Down This Time of Year?
Mental Health
Megan Madsen, DO
“Mama, did the power go out? It’s so dark.” – 5 year old “No, it’s just morning and it’s cloudy.” – mom “BUT IT’S BEEN CLOUDY FOR DAYS!!!” – 5 year old “It’s called February.” – mom Sometimes kids just tell it exactly like it is, don’t they? This is an accurate recount of the Read more…
What is Long COVID or PASC?
Long COVID
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Long COVID is a health condition characterized by multiple, persistent symptoms including fatigue, shortness of breath, brain fog, pain, and other symptoms occurring in people who have recently had COVID-19. Symptoms can begin with the original infection or they can begin within 3 months of the original infection and they last for at least two 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…
TL;DR: Brain fog is a catch all term that could mean confusion, difficulty thinking, trouble concentrating, memory problems, mental fatigue, or straight up feeling mentally “fuzzy.” Brain fog after COVID-19 infection is common and can be mild to debilitating. We don’t yet know how to treat this, but there are some things you can do Read more…
Series on Logical Fallacies – The False Dichotomy
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 second post in an ongoing series by Dr. Kristen Panthagani of You Can Know Things, in which she dissects common logical fallacies that have led people astray during Read more…
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…
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…
How do I get back to my normal exercise after a COVID-19 infection?
Clinical Symptoms Long COVID
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
Exercise intolerance is one of the most commonly reported long-term symptoms of COVID-19 infection. Scientists continue to research the underlying cause of these symptoms with attention on the autonomic nervous system. This post provides information on two common symptoms of exercise intolerance after COVID-19 and strategies to support your recovery. Nerdy Girl Ashley here. I Read more…
Why Do I Feel So Down This Time of Year?
Mental Health
Megan Madsen, DO
“Mama, did the power go out? It’s so dark.” – 5 year old “No, it’s just morning and it’s cloudy.” – mom “BUT IT’S BEEN CLOUDY FOR DAYS!!!” – 5 year old “It’s called February.” – mom Sometimes kids just tell it exactly like it is, don’t they? This is an accurate recount of the Read more…
What is Long COVID or PASC?
Long COVID
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Long COVID is a health condition characterized by multiple, persistent symptoms including fatigue, shortness of breath, brain fog, pain, and other symptoms occurring in people who have recently had COVID-19. Symptoms can begin with the original infection or they can begin within 3 months of the original infection and they last for at least two 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 second post in an ongoing series by Dr. Kristen Panthagani of You Can Know Things, in which she dissects common logical fallacies that have led people astray during Read more…
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…
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…
How do I get back to my normal exercise after a COVID-19 infection?
Clinical Symptoms Long COVID
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
Exercise intolerance is one of the most commonly reported long-term symptoms of COVID-19 infection. Scientists continue to research the underlying cause of these symptoms with attention on the autonomic nervous system. This post provides information on two common symptoms of exercise intolerance after COVID-19 and strategies to support your recovery. Nerdy Girl Ashley here. I Read more…
Why Do I Feel So Down This Time of Year?
Mental Health
Megan Madsen, DO
“Mama, did the power go out? It’s so dark.” – 5 year old “No, it’s just morning and it’s cloudy.” – mom “BUT IT’S BEEN CLOUDY FOR DAYS!!!” – 5 year old “It’s called February.” – mom Sometimes kids just tell it exactly like it is, don’t they? This is an accurate recount of the Read more…
What is Long COVID or PASC?
Long COVID
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Long COVID is a health condition characterized by multiple, persistent symptoms including fatigue, shortness of breath, brain fog, pain, and other symptoms occurring in people who have recently had COVID-19. Symptoms can begin with the original infection or they can begin within 3 months of the original infection and they last for at least two 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…
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…
How do I get back to my normal exercise after a COVID-19 infection?
Clinical Symptoms Long COVID
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
Exercise intolerance is one of the most commonly reported long-term symptoms of COVID-19 infection. Scientists continue to research the underlying cause of these symptoms with attention on the autonomic nervous system. This post provides information on two common symptoms of exercise intolerance after COVID-19 and strategies to support your recovery. Nerdy Girl Ashley here. I Read more…
Why Do I Feel So Down This Time of Year?
Mental Health
Megan Madsen, DO
“Mama, did the power go out? It’s so dark.” – 5 year old “No, it’s just morning and it’s cloudy.” – mom “BUT IT’S BEEN CLOUDY FOR DAYS!!!” – 5 year old “It’s called February.” – mom Sometimes kids just tell it exactly like it is, don’t they? This is an accurate recount of the Read more…
What is Long COVID or PASC?
Long COVID
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Long COVID is a health condition characterized by multiple, persistent symptoms including fatigue, shortness of breath, brain fog, pain, and other symptoms occurring in people who have recently had COVID-19. Symptoms can begin with the original infection or they can begin within 3 months of the original infection and they last for at least two 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…
How do I get back to my normal exercise after a COVID-19 infection?
Clinical Symptoms Long COVID
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
Exercise intolerance is one of the most commonly reported long-term symptoms of COVID-19 infection. Scientists continue to research the underlying cause of these symptoms with attention on the autonomic nervous system. This post provides information on two common symptoms of exercise intolerance after COVID-19 and strategies to support your recovery. Nerdy Girl Ashley here. I Read more…
Why Do I Feel So Down This Time of Year?
Mental Health
Megan Madsen, DO
“Mama, did the power go out? It’s so dark.” – 5 year old “No, it’s just morning and it’s cloudy.” – mom “BUT IT’S BEEN CLOUDY FOR DAYS!!!” – 5 year old “It’s called February.” – mom Sometimes kids just tell it exactly like it is, don’t they? This is an accurate recount of the Read more…
What is Long COVID or PASC?
Long COVID
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Long COVID is a health condition characterized by multiple, persistent symptoms including fatigue, shortness of breath, brain fog, pain, and other symptoms occurring in people who have recently had COVID-19. Symptoms can begin with the original infection or they can begin within 3 months of the original infection and they last for at least two 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…
How do I get back to my normal exercise after a COVID-19 infection?
Clinical Symptoms Long COVIDAshley Ritter, APRN, PhD
Exercise intolerance is one of the most commonly reported long-term symptoms of COVID-19 infection. Scientists continue to research the underlying cause of these symptoms with attention on the autonomic nervous system. This post provides information on two common symptoms of exercise intolerance after COVID-19 and strategies to support your recovery. Nerdy Girl Ashley here. I Read more…
Why Do I Feel So Down This Time of Year?
Mental Health
Megan Madsen, DO
“Mama, did the power go out? It’s so dark.” – 5 year old “No, it’s just morning and it’s cloudy.” – mom “BUT IT’S BEEN CLOUDY FOR DAYS!!!” – 5 year old “It’s called February.” – mom Sometimes kids just tell it exactly like it is, don’t they? This is an accurate recount of the Read more…
What is Long COVID or PASC?
Long COVID
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Long COVID is a health condition characterized by multiple, persistent symptoms including fatigue, shortness of breath, brain fog, pain, and other symptoms occurring in people who have recently had COVID-19. Symptoms can begin with the original infection or they can begin within 3 months of the original infection and they last for at least two 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…
Exercise intolerance is one of the most commonly reported long-term symptoms of COVID-19 infection. Scientists continue to research the underlying cause of these symptoms with attention on the autonomic nervous system. This post provides information on two common symptoms of exercise intolerance after COVID-19 and strategies to support your recovery. Nerdy Girl Ashley here. I Read more…
Why Do I Feel So Down This Time of Year?
Mental HealthMegan Madsen, DO
“Mama, did the power go out? It’s so dark.” – 5 year old “No, it’s just morning and it’s cloudy.” – mom “BUT IT’S BEEN CLOUDY FOR DAYS!!!” – 5 year old “It’s called February.” – mom Sometimes kids just tell it exactly like it is, don’t they? This is an accurate recount of the Read more…
What is Long COVID or PASC?
Long COVID
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Long COVID is a health condition characterized by multiple, persistent symptoms including fatigue, shortness of breath, brain fog, pain, and other symptoms occurring in people who have recently had COVID-19. Symptoms can begin with the original infection or they can begin within 3 months of the original infection and they last for at least two 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…
“Mama, did the power go out? It’s so dark.” – 5 year old “No, it’s just morning and it’s cloudy.” – mom “BUT IT’S BEEN CLOUDY FOR DAYS!!!” – 5 year old “It’s called February.” – mom Sometimes kids just tell it exactly like it is, don’t they? This is an accurate recount of the Read more…
What is Long COVID or PASC?
Long COVIDMalia Jones, PhD MPH
Long COVID is a health condition characterized by multiple, persistent symptoms including fatigue, shortness of breath, brain fog, pain, and other symptoms occurring in people who have recently had COVID-19. Symptoms can begin with the original infection or they can begin within 3 months of the original infection and they last for at least two 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…
Long COVID is a health condition characterized by multiple, persistent symptoms including fatigue, shortness of breath, brain fog, pain, and other symptoms occurring in people who have recently had COVID-19. Symptoms can begin with the original infection or they can begin within 3 months of the original infection and they last for at least two 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…
