What’s the update on COVID-sniffing dogs?
Testing and Contact Tracing TravelLauren Hale, PhD MA
A: TL;DR. Dogs have proven their awesome ability to identify the smell of COVID-19 patients, but the logistics and cost are slowing down widespread implementation. The dog days of summer have arrived early in much of the United States, and with it, Dear Pandemic is here to update you on the potential for COVID-sniffing canines. Read more…
July 1, 2021
How do we best encourage students, staff, and faculty to get vaccinated?
Vaccines
Verdena Jennings, DO
Q: My campus is trying to get 75% of the campus population vaccinated. How do we best encourage students, staff, and faculty to get vaccinated? A: This is a wonderful goal that has been set by your college to reduce the spread of COVID-19. Reaching 70-75% vaccinated in a population is the best way to Read more…
June 25, 2021
Dr. Lindsey Leininger Addresses “Hygiene Theatre”
Staying Safe Videos
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
Nerdy Girl Dr. Lindsey Leininger of Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth discussing “hygiene theatre” on the The Donlon Report: An over focus on cleaning can distract from the real priorities of getting vaxxed and minding your air. But be kind- it’s been a tough year & old habits die hard. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VD8OD4lsJBs Link to Original Read more…
June 23, 2021
Do I have the right to know if the health care workers taking care of me got the COVID-19 vaccine?”
Vaccines
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
A: You absolutely can ask your clinician (or any other professional you are interacting with) if they got the COVID-19 vaccine. But they don’t have to answer you. You do not have the right to know their vaccine status. But if you would be uncomfortable with a “no” or a no-answer, you should feel empowered Read more…
June 22, 2021
What is the likelihood that psychiatric issues will arise in COVID-19 survivors?
Mental Health
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
Q: It seems like COVID-19 can have some short and long-term effects on the brain. What is the likelihood that psychiatric issues will arise in COVID-19 survivors?” THE QUICK ANSWER: We do not yet know if SARS COV-2 can get to the brain (cross the blood brain barrier), but we have some evidence that more Read more…
June 20, 2021
If I got the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, can I get the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine if a booster shot is needed?
Vaccines
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: Most likely. In fact, this “mix and match” strategy can lead to a more robust immune response overall, because different vaccines often cause the body to generate an immune response targeted against SARS-CoV-2 in slightly different ways! TL; DR Vaccines work by showing our immune system a W.A.N.T.E.D. poster of the SARS-CoV-2 virus so Read more…
June 17, 2021
Are over-the-counter COVID-19 tests reliable?
Data and Metrics Data Literacy Testing and Contact Tracing
Chana Davis, PhD
Over-the-counter COVID-19 tests are now available in the United States. For 30 to 50 bucks, you get an answer in 25-45 minutes in the comfort of your home, much like the free rapid antigen tests used in the UK. Can you trust the results? It depends. Dr. Chana Davis from Fueled by Science gives us Read more…
June 14, 2021
Can the vaccines make me magnetic?
Uncertainty and Misinformation Vaccines
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: No. TL;DR: You are STICKY. Not MAGNETIC. BUT GOOD NEWS: Other superpowers from vaccination are likely, including immunity to a potentially fatal disease. From microchips to 5G reception, this year has been chock full of tall vaccine tales and viral videos. In recent weeks this has taken the form of “magnet challenges” showing refrigerator Read more…
June 11, 2021
What is the risk of teens developing myocarditis after COVID-19 vaccination?
Families/Kids Vaccines
Vijaya Knight, MD PhD (D)ABMLI
A: Rare cases of myocarditis have been reported after mRNA vaccines, particularly in young men. Reported cases have been mild and treatable. 👉🏽TL;DR: Cases of myocarditis have been reported following COVID-19 mRNA vaccines, particularly in younger men. All of these people recovered quickly after treatment. A definitive link between COVID-19 mRNA vaccines and myocarditis is Read more…
June 10, 2021
How do I navigate summer with unvaccinated kids? HELP!
Families/Kids Staying Safe
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: This is hard. While we seek an easy guide for summer activities with unvaccinated kids, there just isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution. Sending strength and a few tips to everyone navigating summer plans with unvaccinated kids. This is Dr. Ashley Ritter here today. I regularly participate in complicated decision making with patients and their support Read more…
June 10, 2021
Meet Nerdy Girl Shero Chiquita Brooks-LaSure!
Women in STEM
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
Health policy wonks across the U.S. are cheering the appointment of Chiquita Brooks-LaSure to the top job running the country’s public health insurance programs. Her agency – the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) – is responsible for insuring over 150 million people through the country’s Medicare and Medicaid programs, which together account for Read more…
June 9, 2021
Pfizer moves forward testing a little-kid vaccine at lower doses!
Families/Kids Vaccines
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Big news! Yesterday Pfizer-BioNTech announced that they have completed a Phase I trial to determine the best dose for their COVID-19 vaccine in younger kids, and they’re moving on to Phase 2/3 trials which will test effectiveness and safety in children ages 6 months to 11 years. The short version: the Phase 2/3 trial green Read more…
June 9, 2021
Are hospitalizations for COVID-19 becoming more common in adolescents?
Data and Metrics Families/Kids
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
A: In a recent study released by the CDC, hospitalization rates for adolescents aged 12-17 were highest in early January 2021, decreased in March, and then increased a little in April. The good news: this is a point in time and looks like rates are going back down. The bad news: even though severe illness Read more…
June 7, 2021
Do the COVID-19 vaccines reduce transmission?
Infection and Spread Vaccines
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: YES! Evidence continues to mount that the vaccines REDUCE BOTH ASYMPTOMATIC INFECTIONS AND TRANSMISSION. ➡️ While the Nerdy Girls are still dreaming of a world where transmission was explicitly tested in the clinical trials (☎️ call us next time), the data pouring in from around the world strongly suggests that the vaccines are very Read more…
June 4, 2021
Is it a HIPAA violation for someone to ask me if I got the Covid-19 vaccine?
Vaccines
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
A: No. Businesses, employers, family, or friends can ask about someone’s vaccine status without violating HIPAA. The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) is a US federal law that created national standards to protect patient health information from being disclosed without that person’s consent. This law only applies to certain organizations and businesses, called Read more…
June 3, 2021
What is gene therapy? How is it different from vaccines?
Biology/Immunity Uncertainty and Misinformation Vaccines
A: Gene therapies treat diseases using genetic tools. They usually work by making lasting changes to your DNA — the genetic “cookbook” that provides instructions to make you. Vaccines, by contrast, deliver a short-lived signal (e.g. a burst of protein), then disappear. Vaccines and gene therapies both use customized genetic tools to achieve their goals. Read more…
June 1, 2021
¿Cómo me preparo para los impactos en la salud mental del COVID-19?
Mental Health Posts en Español
Sandra Albrecht, PhD MPH
P: ¿Hay manera de preparar para los impactos a la salud mental a causa de COVID-19? Siento que voy a tener una especie de trastorno de estrés postraumático. R: A continuación la Dra. Aparna Kumar, enfermera psiquiatra de salud mental, nos habla sobre los aspectos de la salud mental del reingreso a la normalidad en Read more…
June 1, 2021
Masks and Summer Camps for Kids
Families/Kids Reopening Staying Safe
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
May 31, 2021
What happened with that Yankees COVID-19 outbreak? What does it mean for vaccine effectiveness?
Testing and Contact Tracing Vaccines
Rachael Piltch-Loeb, PhD MSPH
A: While several vaccinated players tested positive, they were almost all asymptomatic. TL; DR- Nine members of the New York Yankees tested positive for COVID-19 after receiving the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. Among those who tested positive only one reported mild symptoms. These cases were discovered because the Yankees test regularly, unlike most other vaccinated Read more…
May 27, 2021
Series Finale of FB Nerdy Girl Live Broadcasts
Uncategorized
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
Join us on Saturday for the SERIES FINALE of our LIVE show featuring Dr. Malia Jones and Dr. Alison Buttenheim. Don’t miss this opportunity to hear about the journey of the last year and next steps as Those Nerdy Girls begin to transition out of pandemic only mode. This is our last live hurrah for Read more…
A: TL;DR. Dogs have proven their awesome ability to identify the smell of COVID-19 patients, but the logistics and cost are slowing down widespread implementation. The dog days of summer have arrived early in much of the United States, and with it, Dear Pandemic is here to update you on the potential for COVID-sniffing canines. Read more…
How do we best encourage students, staff, and faculty to get vaccinated?
VaccinesVerdena Jennings, DO
Q: My campus is trying to get 75% of the campus population vaccinated. How do we best encourage students, staff, and faculty to get vaccinated? A: This is a wonderful goal that has been set by your college to reduce the spread of COVID-19. Reaching 70-75% vaccinated in a population is the best way to Read more…
June 25, 2021
Dr. Lindsey Leininger Addresses “Hygiene Theatre”
Staying Safe Videos
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
Nerdy Girl Dr. Lindsey Leininger of Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth discussing “hygiene theatre” on the The Donlon Report: An over focus on cleaning can distract from the real priorities of getting vaxxed and minding your air. But be kind- it’s been a tough year & old habits die hard. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VD8OD4lsJBs Link to Original Read more…
June 23, 2021
Do I have the right to know if the health care workers taking care of me got the COVID-19 vaccine?”
Vaccines
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
A: You absolutely can ask your clinician (or any other professional you are interacting with) if they got the COVID-19 vaccine. But they don’t have to answer you. You do not have the right to know their vaccine status. But if you would be uncomfortable with a “no” or a no-answer, you should feel empowered Read more…
June 22, 2021
What is the likelihood that psychiatric issues will arise in COVID-19 survivors?
Mental Health
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
Q: It seems like COVID-19 can have some short and long-term effects on the brain. What is the likelihood that psychiatric issues will arise in COVID-19 survivors?” THE QUICK ANSWER: We do not yet know if SARS COV-2 can get to the brain (cross the blood brain barrier), but we have some evidence that more Read more…
June 20, 2021
If I got the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, can I get the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine if a booster shot is needed?
Vaccines
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: Most likely. In fact, this “mix and match” strategy can lead to a more robust immune response overall, because different vaccines often cause the body to generate an immune response targeted against SARS-CoV-2 in slightly different ways! TL; DR Vaccines work by showing our immune system a W.A.N.T.E.D. poster of the SARS-CoV-2 virus so Read more…
June 17, 2021
Are over-the-counter COVID-19 tests reliable?
Data and Metrics Data Literacy Testing and Contact Tracing
Chana Davis, PhD
Over-the-counter COVID-19 tests are now available in the United States. For 30 to 50 bucks, you get an answer in 25-45 minutes in the comfort of your home, much like the free rapid antigen tests used in the UK. Can you trust the results? It depends. Dr. Chana Davis from Fueled by Science gives us Read more…
June 14, 2021
Can the vaccines make me magnetic?
Uncertainty and Misinformation Vaccines
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: No. TL;DR: You are STICKY. Not MAGNETIC. BUT GOOD NEWS: Other superpowers from vaccination are likely, including immunity to a potentially fatal disease. From microchips to 5G reception, this year has been chock full of tall vaccine tales and viral videos. In recent weeks this has taken the form of “magnet challenges” showing refrigerator Read more…
June 11, 2021
What is the risk of teens developing myocarditis after COVID-19 vaccination?
Families/Kids Vaccines
Vijaya Knight, MD PhD (D)ABMLI
A: Rare cases of myocarditis have been reported after mRNA vaccines, particularly in young men. Reported cases have been mild and treatable. 👉🏽TL;DR: Cases of myocarditis have been reported following COVID-19 mRNA vaccines, particularly in younger men. All of these people recovered quickly after treatment. A definitive link between COVID-19 mRNA vaccines and myocarditis is Read more…
June 10, 2021
How do I navigate summer with unvaccinated kids? HELP!
Families/Kids Staying Safe
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: This is hard. While we seek an easy guide for summer activities with unvaccinated kids, there just isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution. Sending strength and a few tips to everyone navigating summer plans with unvaccinated kids. This is Dr. Ashley Ritter here today. I regularly participate in complicated decision making with patients and their support Read more…
June 10, 2021
Meet Nerdy Girl Shero Chiquita Brooks-LaSure!
Women in STEM
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
Health policy wonks across the U.S. are cheering the appointment of Chiquita Brooks-LaSure to the top job running the country’s public health insurance programs. Her agency – the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) – is responsible for insuring over 150 million people through the country’s Medicare and Medicaid programs, which together account for Read more…
June 9, 2021
Pfizer moves forward testing a little-kid vaccine at lower doses!
Families/Kids Vaccines
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Big news! Yesterday Pfizer-BioNTech announced that they have completed a Phase I trial to determine the best dose for their COVID-19 vaccine in younger kids, and they’re moving on to Phase 2/3 trials which will test effectiveness and safety in children ages 6 months to 11 years. The short version: the Phase 2/3 trial green Read more…
June 9, 2021
Are hospitalizations for COVID-19 becoming more common in adolescents?
Data and Metrics Families/Kids
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
A: In a recent study released by the CDC, hospitalization rates for adolescents aged 12-17 were highest in early January 2021, decreased in March, and then increased a little in April. The good news: this is a point in time and looks like rates are going back down. The bad news: even though severe illness Read more…
June 7, 2021
Do the COVID-19 vaccines reduce transmission?
Infection and Spread Vaccines
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: YES! Evidence continues to mount that the vaccines REDUCE BOTH ASYMPTOMATIC INFECTIONS AND TRANSMISSION. ➡️ While the Nerdy Girls are still dreaming of a world where transmission was explicitly tested in the clinical trials (☎️ call us next time), the data pouring in from around the world strongly suggests that the vaccines are very Read more…
June 4, 2021
Is it a HIPAA violation for someone to ask me if I got the Covid-19 vaccine?
Vaccines
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
A: No. Businesses, employers, family, or friends can ask about someone’s vaccine status without violating HIPAA. The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) is a US federal law that created national standards to protect patient health information from being disclosed without that person’s consent. This law only applies to certain organizations and businesses, called Read more…
June 3, 2021
What is gene therapy? How is it different from vaccines?
Biology/Immunity Uncertainty and Misinformation Vaccines
A: Gene therapies treat diseases using genetic tools. They usually work by making lasting changes to your DNA — the genetic “cookbook” that provides instructions to make you. Vaccines, by contrast, deliver a short-lived signal (e.g. a burst of protein), then disappear. Vaccines and gene therapies both use customized genetic tools to achieve their goals. Read more…
June 1, 2021
¿Cómo me preparo para los impactos en la salud mental del COVID-19?
Mental Health Posts en Español
Sandra Albrecht, PhD MPH
P: ¿Hay manera de preparar para los impactos a la salud mental a causa de COVID-19? Siento que voy a tener una especie de trastorno de estrés postraumático. R: A continuación la Dra. Aparna Kumar, enfermera psiquiatra de salud mental, nos habla sobre los aspectos de la salud mental del reingreso a la normalidad en Read more…
June 1, 2021
Masks and Summer Camps for Kids
Families/Kids Reopening Staying Safe
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
May 31, 2021
What happened with that Yankees COVID-19 outbreak? What does it mean for vaccine effectiveness?
Testing and Contact Tracing Vaccines
Rachael Piltch-Loeb, PhD MSPH
A: While several vaccinated players tested positive, they were almost all asymptomatic. TL; DR- Nine members of the New York Yankees tested positive for COVID-19 after receiving the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. Among those who tested positive only one reported mild symptoms. These cases were discovered because the Yankees test regularly, unlike most other vaccinated Read more…
May 27, 2021
Series Finale of FB Nerdy Girl Live Broadcasts
Uncategorized
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
Join us on Saturday for the SERIES FINALE of our LIVE show featuring Dr. Malia Jones and Dr. Alison Buttenheim. Don’t miss this opportunity to hear about the journey of the last year and next steps as Those Nerdy Girls begin to transition out of pandemic only mode. This is our last live hurrah for Read more…
Q: My campus is trying to get 75% of the campus population vaccinated. How do we best encourage students, staff, and faculty to get vaccinated? A: This is a wonderful goal that has been set by your college to reduce the spread of COVID-19. Reaching 70-75% vaccinated in a population is the best way to Read more…
Dr. Lindsey Leininger Addresses “Hygiene Theatre”
Staying Safe VideosJennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
Nerdy Girl Dr. Lindsey Leininger of Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth discussing “hygiene theatre” on the The Donlon Report: An over focus on cleaning can distract from the real priorities of getting vaxxed and minding your air. But be kind- it’s been a tough year & old habits die hard. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VD8OD4lsJBs Link to Original Read more…
June 23, 2021
Do I have the right to know if the health care workers taking care of me got the COVID-19 vaccine?”
Vaccines
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
A: You absolutely can ask your clinician (or any other professional you are interacting with) if they got the COVID-19 vaccine. But they don’t have to answer you. You do not have the right to know their vaccine status. But if you would be uncomfortable with a “no” or a no-answer, you should feel empowered Read more…
June 22, 2021
What is the likelihood that psychiatric issues will arise in COVID-19 survivors?
Mental Health
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
Q: It seems like COVID-19 can have some short and long-term effects on the brain. What is the likelihood that psychiatric issues will arise in COVID-19 survivors?” THE QUICK ANSWER: We do not yet know if SARS COV-2 can get to the brain (cross the blood brain barrier), but we have some evidence that more Read more…
June 20, 2021
If I got the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, can I get the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine if a booster shot is needed?
Vaccines
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: Most likely. In fact, this “mix and match” strategy can lead to a more robust immune response overall, because different vaccines often cause the body to generate an immune response targeted against SARS-CoV-2 in slightly different ways! TL; DR Vaccines work by showing our immune system a W.A.N.T.E.D. poster of the SARS-CoV-2 virus so Read more…
June 17, 2021
Are over-the-counter COVID-19 tests reliable?
Data and Metrics Data Literacy Testing and Contact Tracing
Chana Davis, PhD
Over-the-counter COVID-19 tests are now available in the United States. For 30 to 50 bucks, you get an answer in 25-45 minutes in the comfort of your home, much like the free rapid antigen tests used in the UK. Can you trust the results? It depends. Dr. Chana Davis from Fueled by Science gives us Read more…
June 14, 2021
Can the vaccines make me magnetic?
Uncertainty and Misinformation Vaccines
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: No. TL;DR: You are STICKY. Not MAGNETIC. BUT GOOD NEWS: Other superpowers from vaccination are likely, including immunity to a potentially fatal disease. From microchips to 5G reception, this year has been chock full of tall vaccine tales and viral videos. In recent weeks this has taken the form of “magnet challenges” showing refrigerator Read more…
June 11, 2021
What is the risk of teens developing myocarditis after COVID-19 vaccination?
Families/Kids Vaccines
Vijaya Knight, MD PhD (D)ABMLI
A: Rare cases of myocarditis have been reported after mRNA vaccines, particularly in young men. Reported cases have been mild and treatable. 👉🏽TL;DR: Cases of myocarditis have been reported following COVID-19 mRNA vaccines, particularly in younger men. All of these people recovered quickly after treatment. A definitive link between COVID-19 mRNA vaccines and myocarditis is Read more…
June 10, 2021
How do I navigate summer with unvaccinated kids? HELP!
Families/Kids Staying Safe
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: This is hard. While we seek an easy guide for summer activities with unvaccinated kids, there just isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution. Sending strength and a few tips to everyone navigating summer plans with unvaccinated kids. This is Dr. Ashley Ritter here today. I regularly participate in complicated decision making with patients and their support Read more…
June 10, 2021
Meet Nerdy Girl Shero Chiquita Brooks-LaSure!
Women in STEM
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
Health policy wonks across the U.S. are cheering the appointment of Chiquita Brooks-LaSure to the top job running the country’s public health insurance programs. Her agency – the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) – is responsible for insuring over 150 million people through the country’s Medicare and Medicaid programs, which together account for Read more…
June 9, 2021
Pfizer moves forward testing a little-kid vaccine at lower doses!
Families/Kids Vaccines
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Big news! Yesterday Pfizer-BioNTech announced that they have completed a Phase I trial to determine the best dose for their COVID-19 vaccine in younger kids, and they’re moving on to Phase 2/3 trials which will test effectiveness and safety in children ages 6 months to 11 years. The short version: the Phase 2/3 trial green Read more…
June 9, 2021
Are hospitalizations for COVID-19 becoming more common in adolescents?
Data and Metrics Families/Kids
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
A: In a recent study released by the CDC, hospitalization rates for adolescents aged 12-17 were highest in early January 2021, decreased in March, and then increased a little in April. The good news: this is a point in time and looks like rates are going back down. The bad news: even though severe illness Read more…
June 7, 2021
Do the COVID-19 vaccines reduce transmission?
Infection and Spread Vaccines
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: YES! Evidence continues to mount that the vaccines REDUCE BOTH ASYMPTOMATIC INFECTIONS AND TRANSMISSION. ➡️ While the Nerdy Girls are still dreaming of a world where transmission was explicitly tested in the clinical trials (☎️ call us next time), the data pouring in from around the world strongly suggests that the vaccines are very Read more…
June 4, 2021
Is it a HIPAA violation for someone to ask me if I got the Covid-19 vaccine?
Vaccines
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
A: No. Businesses, employers, family, or friends can ask about someone’s vaccine status without violating HIPAA. The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) is a US federal law that created national standards to protect patient health information from being disclosed without that person’s consent. This law only applies to certain organizations and businesses, called Read more…
June 3, 2021
What is gene therapy? How is it different from vaccines?
Biology/Immunity Uncertainty and Misinformation Vaccines
A: Gene therapies treat diseases using genetic tools. They usually work by making lasting changes to your DNA — the genetic “cookbook” that provides instructions to make you. Vaccines, by contrast, deliver a short-lived signal (e.g. a burst of protein), then disappear. Vaccines and gene therapies both use customized genetic tools to achieve their goals. Read more…
June 1, 2021
¿Cómo me preparo para los impactos en la salud mental del COVID-19?
Mental Health Posts en Español
Sandra Albrecht, PhD MPH
P: ¿Hay manera de preparar para los impactos a la salud mental a causa de COVID-19? Siento que voy a tener una especie de trastorno de estrés postraumático. R: A continuación la Dra. Aparna Kumar, enfermera psiquiatra de salud mental, nos habla sobre los aspectos de la salud mental del reingreso a la normalidad en Read more…
June 1, 2021
Masks and Summer Camps for Kids
Families/Kids Reopening Staying Safe
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
May 31, 2021
What happened with that Yankees COVID-19 outbreak? What does it mean for vaccine effectiveness?
Testing and Contact Tracing Vaccines
Rachael Piltch-Loeb, PhD MSPH
A: While several vaccinated players tested positive, they were almost all asymptomatic. TL; DR- Nine members of the New York Yankees tested positive for COVID-19 after receiving the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. Among those who tested positive only one reported mild symptoms. These cases were discovered because the Yankees test regularly, unlike most other vaccinated Read more…
May 27, 2021
Series Finale of FB Nerdy Girl Live Broadcasts
Uncategorized
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
Join us on Saturday for the SERIES FINALE of our LIVE show featuring Dr. Malia Jones and Dr. Alison Buttenheim. Don’t miss this opportunity to hear about the journey of the last year and next steps as Those Nerdy Girls begin to transition out of pandemic only mode. This is our last live hurrah for Read more…
Nerdy Girl Dr. Lindsey Leininger of Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth discussing “hygiene theatre” on the The Donlon Report: An over focus on cleaning can distract from the real priorities of getting vaxxed and minding your air. But be kind- it’s been a tough year & old habits die hard. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VD8OD4lsJBs Link to Original Read more…
Do I have the right to know if the health care workers taking care of me got the COVID-19 vaccine?”
VaccinesSarah Whitley Coles, MD
A: You absolutely can ask your clinician (or any other professional you are interacting with) if they got the COVID-19 vaccine. But they don’t have to answer you. You do not have the right to know their vaccine status. But if you would be uncomfortable with a “no” or a no-answer, you should feel empowered Read more…
June 22, 2021
What is the likelihood that psychiatric issues will arise in COVID-19 survivors?
Mental Health
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
Q: It seems like COVID-19 can have some short and long-term effects on the brain. What is the likelihood that psychiatric issues will arise in COVID-19 survivors?” THE QUICK ANSWER: We do not yet know if SARS COV-2 can get to the brain (cross the blood brain barrier), but we have some evidence that more Read more…
June 20, 2021
If I got the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, can I get the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine if a booster shot is needed?
Vaccines
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: Most likely. In fact, this “mix and match” strategy can lead to a more robust immune response overall, because different vaccines often cause the body to generate an immune response targeted against SARS-CoV-2 in slightly different ways! TL; DR Vaccines work by showing our immune system a W.A.N.T.E.D. poster of the SARS-CoV-2 virus so Read more…
June 17, 2021
Are over-the-counter COVID-19 tests reliable?
Data and Metrics Data Literacy Testing and Contact Tracing
Chana Davis, PhD
Over-the-counter COVID-19 tests are now available in the United States. For 30 to 50 bucks, you get an answer in 25-45 minutes in the comfort of your home, much like the free rapid antigen tests used in the UK. Can you trust the results? It depends. Dr. Chana Davis from Fueled by Science gives us Read more…
June 14, 2021
Can the vaccines make me magnetic?
Uncertainty and Misinformation Vaccines
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: No. TL;DR: You are STICKY. Not MAGNETIC. BUT GOOD NEWS: Other superpowers from vaccination are likely, including immunity to a potentially fatal disease. From microchips to 5G reception, this year has been chock full of tall vaccine tales and viral videos. In recent weeks this has taken the form of “magnet challenges” showing refrigerator Read more…
June 11, 2021
What is the risk of teens developing myocarditis after COVID-19 vaccination?
Families/Kids Vaccines
Vijaya Knight, MD PhD (D)ABMLI
A: Rare cases of myocarditis have been reported after mRNA vaccines, particularly in young men. Reported cases have been mild and treatable. 👉🏽TL;DR: Cases of myocarditis have been reported following COVID-19 mRNA vaccines, particularly in younger men. All of these people recovered quickly after treatment. A definitive link between COVID-19 mRNA vaccines and myocarditis is Read more…
June 10, 2021
How do I navigate summer with unvaccinated kids? HELP!
Families/Kids Staying Safe
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: This is hard. While we seek an easy guide for summer activities with unvaccinated kids, there just isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution. Sending strength and a few tips to everyone navigating summer plans with unvaccinated kids. This is Dr. Ashley Ritter here today. I regularly participate in complicated decision making with patients and their support Read more…
June 10, 2021
Meet Nerdy Girl Shero Chiquita Brooks-LaSure!
Women in STEM
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
Health policy wonks across the U.S. are cheering the appointment of Chiquita Brooks-LaSure to the top job running the country’s public health insurance programs. Her agency – the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) – is responsible for insuring over 150 million people through the country’s Medicare and Medicaid programs, which together account for Read more…
June 9, 2021
Pfizer moves forward testing a little-kid vaccine at lower doses!
Families/Kids Vaccines
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Big news! Yesterday Pfizer-BioNTech announced that they have completed a Phase I trial to determine the best dose for their COVID-19 vaccine in younger kids, and they’re moving on to Phase 2/3 trials which will test effectiveness and safety in children ages 6 months to 11 years. The short version: the Phase 2/3 trial green Read more…
June 9, 2021
Are hospitalizations for COVID-19 becoming more common in adolescents?
Data and Metrics Families/Kids
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
A: In a recent study released by the CDC, hospitalization rates for adolescents aged 12-17 were highest in early January 2021, decreased in March, and then increased a little in April. The good news: this is a point in time and looks like rates are going back down. The bad news: even though severe illness Read more…
June 7, 2021
Do the COVID-19 vaccines reduce transmission?
Infection and Spread Vaccines
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: YES! Evidence continues to mount that the vaccines REDUCE BOTH ASYMPTOMATIC INFECTIONS AND TRANSMISSION. ➡️ While the Nerdy Girls are still dreaming of a world where transmission was explicitly tested in the clinical trials (☎️ call us next time), the data pouring in from around the world strongly suggests that the vaccines are very Read more…
June 4, 2021
Is it a HIPAA violation for someone to ask me if I got the Covid-19 vaccine?
Vaccines
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
A: No. Businesses, employers, family, or friends can ask about someone’s vaccine status without violating HIPAA. The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) is a US federal law that created national standards to protect patient health information from being disclosed without that person’s consent. This law only applies to certain organizations and businesses, called Read more…
June 3, 2021
What is gene therapy? How is it different from vaccines?
Biology/Immunity Uncertainty and Misinformation Vaccines
A: Gene therapies treat diseases using genetic tools. They usually work by making lasting changes to your DNA — the genetic “cookbook” that provides instructions to make you. Vaccines, by contrast, deliver a short-lived signal (e.g. a burst of protein), then disappear. Vaccines and gene therapies both use customized genetic tools to achieve their goals. Read more…
June 1, 2021
¿Cómo me preparo para los impactos en la salud mental del COVID-19?
Mental Health Posts en Español
Sandra Albrecht, PhD MPH
P: ¿Hay manera de preparar para los impactos a la salud mental a causa de COVID-19? Siento que voy a tener una especie de trastorno de estrés postraumático. R: A continuación la Dra. Aparna Kumar, enfermera psiquiatra de salud mental, nos habla sobre los aspectos de la salud mental del reingreso a la normalidad en Read more…
June 1, 2021
Masks and Summer Camps for Kids
Families/Kids Reopening Staying Safe
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
May 31, 2021
What happened with that Yankees COVID-19 outbreak? What does it mean for vaccine effectiveness?
Testing and Contact Tracing Vaccines
Rachael Piltch-Loeb, PhD MSPH
A: While several vaccinated players tested positive, they were almost all asymptomatic. TL; DR- Nine members of the New York Yankees tested positive for COVID-19 after receiving the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. Among those who tested positive only one reported mild symptoms. These cases were discovered because the Yankees test regularly, unlike most other vaccinated Read more…
May 27, 2021
Series Finale of FB Nerdy Girl Live Broadcasts
Uncategorized
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
Join us on Saturday for the SERIES FINALE of our LIVE show featuring Dr. Malia Jones and Dr. Alison Buttenheim. Don’t miss this opportunity to hear about the journey of the last year and next steps as Those Nerdy Girls begin to transition out of pandemic only mode. This is our last live hurrah for Read more…
A: You absolutely can ask your clinician (or any other professional you are interacting with) if they got the COVID-19 vaccine. But they don’t have to answer you. You do not have the right to know their vaccine status. But if you would be uncomfortable with a “no” or a no-answer, you should feel empowered Read more…
What is the likelihood that psychiatric issues will arise in COVID-19 survivors?
Mental HealthAparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
Q: It seems like COVID-19 can have some short and long-term effects on the brain. What is the likelihood that psychiatric issues will arise in COVID-19 survivors?” THE QUICK ANSWER: We do not yet know if SARS COV-2 can get to the brain (cross the blood brain barrier), but we have some evidence that more Read more…
June 20, 2021
If I got the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, can I get the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine if a booster shot is needed?
Vaccines
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: Most likely. In fact, this “mix and match” strategy can lead to a more robust immune response overall, because different vaccines often cause the body to generate an immune response targeted against SARS-CoV-2 in slightly different ways! TL; DR Vaccines work by showing our immune system a W.A.N.T.E.D. poster of the SARS-CoV-2 virus so Read more…
June 17, 2021
Are over-the-counter COVID-19 tests reliable?
Data and Metrics Data Literacy Testing and Contact Tracing
Chana Davis, PhD
Over-the-counter COVID-19 tests are now available in the United States. For 30 to 50 bucks, you get an answer in 25-45 minutes in the comfort of your home, much like the free rapid antigen tests used in the UK. Can you trust the results? It depends. Dr. Chana Davis from Fueled by Science gives us Read more…
June 14, 2021
Can the vaccines make me magnetic?
Uncertainty and Misinformation Vaccines
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: No. TL;DR: You are STICKY. Not MAGNETIC. BUT GOOD NEWS: Other superpowers from vaccination are likely, including immunity to a potentially fatal disease. From microchips to 5G reception, this year has been chock full of tall vaccine tales and viral videos. In recent weeks this has taken the form of “magnet challenges” showing refrigerator Read more…
June 11, 2021
What is the risk of teens developing myocarditis after COVID-19 vaccination?
Families/Kids Vaccines
Vijaya Knight, MD PhD (D)ABMLI
A: Rare cases of myocarditis have been reported after mRNA vaccines, particularly in young men. Reported cases have been mild and treatable. 👉🏽TL;DR: Cases of myocarditis have been reported following COVID-19 mRNA vaccines, particularly in younger men. All of these people recovered quickly after treatment. A definitive link between COVID-19 mRNA vaccines and myocarditis is Read more…
June 10, 2021
How do I navigate summer with unvaccinated kids? HELP!
Families/Kids Staying Safe
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: This is hard. While we seek an easy guide for summer activities with unvaccinated kids, there just isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution. Sending strength and a few tips to everyone navigating summer plans with unvaccinated kids. This is Dr. Ashley Ritter here today. I regularly participate in complicated decision making with patients and their support Read more…
June 10, 2021
Meet Nerdy Girl Shero Chiquita Brooks-LaSure!
Women in STEM
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
Health policy wonks across the U.S. are cheering the appointment of Chiquita Brooks-LaSure to the top job running the country’s public health insurance programs. Her agency – the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) – is responsible for insuring over 150 million people through the country’s Medicare and Medicaid programs, which together account for Read more…
June 9, 2021
Pfizer moves forward testing a little-kid vaccine at lower doses!
Families/Kids Vaccines
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Big news! Yesterday Pfizer-BioNTech announced that they have completed a Phase I trial to determine the best dose for their COVID-19 vaccine in younger kids, and they’re moving on to Phase 2/3 trials which will test effectiveness and safety in children ages 6 months to 11 years. The short version: the Phase 2/3 trial green Read more…
June 9, 2021
Are hospitalizations for COVID-19 becoming more common in adolescents?
Data and Metrics Families/Kids
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
A: In a recent study released by the CDC, hospitalization rates for adolescents aged 12-17 were highest in early January 2021, decreased in March, and then increased a little in April. The good news: this is a point in time and looks like rates are going back down. The bad news: even though severe illness Read more…
June 7, 2021
Do the COVID-19 vaccines reduce transmission?
Infection and Spread Vaccines
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: YES! Evidence continues to mount that the vaccines REDUCE BOTH ASYMPTOMATIC INFECTIONS AND TRANSMISSION. ➡️ While the Nerdy Girls are still dreaming of a world where transmission was explicitly tested in the clinical trials (☎️ call us next time), the data pouring in from around the world strongly suggests that the vaccines are very Read more…
June 4, 2021
Is it a HIPAA violation for someone to ask me if I got the Covid-19 vaccine?
Vaccines
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
A: No. Businesses, employers, family, or friends can ask about someone’s vaccine status without violating HIPAA. The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) is a US federal law that created national standards to protect patient health information from being disclosed without that person’s consent. This law only applies to certain organizations and businesses, called Read more…
June 3, 2021
What is gene therapy? How is it different from vaccines?
Biology/Immunity Uncertainty and Misinformation Vaccines
A: Gene therapies treat diseases using genetic tools. They usually work by making lasting changes to your DNA — the genetic “cookbook” that provides instructions to make you. Vaccines, by contrast, deliver a short-lived signal (e.g. a burst of protein), then disappear. Vaccines and gene therapies both use customized genetic tools to achieve their goals. Read more…
June 1, 2021
¿Cómo me preparo para los impactos en la salud mental del COVID-19?
Mental Health Posts en Español
Sandra Albrecht, PhD MPH
P: ¿Hay manera de preparar para los impactos a la salud mental a causa de COVID-19? Siento que voy a tener una especie de trastorno de estrés postraumático. R: A continuación la Dra. Aparna Kumar, enfermera psiquiatra de salud mental, nos habla sobre los aspectos de la salud mental del reingreso a la normalidad en Read more…
June 1, 2021
Masks and Summer Camps for Kids
Families/Kids Reopening Staying Safe
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
May 31, 2021
What happened with that Yankees COVID-19 outbreak? What does it mean for vaccine effectiveness?
Testing and Contact Tracing Vaccines
Rachael Piltch-Loeb, PhD MSPH
A: While several vaccinated players tested positive, they were almost all asymptomatic. TL; DR- Nine members of the New York Yankees tested positive for COVID-19 after receiving the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. Among those who tested positive only one reported mild symptoms. These cases were discovered because the Yankees test regularly, unlike most other vaccinated Read more…
May 27, 2021
Series Finale of FB Nerdy Girl Live Broadcasts
Uncategorized
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
Join us on Saturday for the SERIES FINALE of our LIVE show featuring Dr. Malia Jones and Dr. Alison Buttenheim. Don’t miss this opportunity to hear about the journey of the last year and next steps as Those Nerdy Girls begin to transition out of pandemic only mode. This is our last live hurrah for Read more…
Q: It seems like COVID-19 can have some short and long-term effects on the brain. What is the likelihood that psychiatric issues will arise in COVID-19 survivors?” THE QUICK ANSWER: We do not yet know if SARS COV-2 can get to the brain (cross the blood brain barrier), but we have some evidence that more Read more…
If I got the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, can I get the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine if a booster shot is needed?
VaccinesAmanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: Most likely. In fact, this “mix and match” strategy can lead to a more robust immune response overall, because different vaccines often cause the body to generate an immune response targeted against SARS-CoV-2 in slightly different ways! TL; DR Vaccines work by showing our immune system a W.A.N.T.E.D. poster of the SARS-CoV-2 virus so Read more…
June 17, 2021
Are over-the-counter COVID-19 tests reliable?
Data and Metrics Data Literacy Testing and Contact Tracing
Chana Davis, PhD
Over-the-counter COVID-19 tests are now available in the United States. For 30 to 50 bucks, you get an answer in 25-45 minutes in the comfort of your home, much like the free rapid antigen tests used in the UK. Can you trust the results? It depends. Dr. Chana Davis from Fueled by Science gives us Read more…
June 14, 2021
Can the vaccines make me magnetic?
Uncertainty and Misinformation Vaccines
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: No. TL;DR: You are STICKY. Not MAGNETIC. BUT GOOD NEWS: Other superpowers from vaccination are likely, including immunity to a potentially fatal disease. From microchips to 5G reception, this year has been chock full of tall vaccine tales and viral videos. In recent weeks this has taken the form of “magnet challenges” showing refrigerator Read more…
June 11, 2021
What is the risk of teens developing myocarditis after COVID-19 vaccination?
Families/Kids Vaccines
Vijaya Knight, MD PhD (D)ABMLI
A: Rare cases of myocarditis have been reported after mRNA vaccines, particularly in young men. Reported cases have been mild and treatable. 👉🏽TL;DR: Cases of myocarditis have been reported following COVID-19 mRNA vaccines, particularly in younger men. All of these people recovered quickly after treatment. A definitive link between COVID-19 mRNA vaccines and myocarditis is Read more…
June 10, 2021
How do I navigate summer with unvaccinated kids? HELP!
Families/Kids Staying Safe
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: This is hard. While we seek an easy guide for summer activities with unvaccinated kids, there just isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution. Sending strength and a few tips to everyone navigating summer plans with unvaccinated kids. This is Dr. Ashley Ritter here today. I regularly participate in complicated decision making with patients and their support Read more…
June 10, 2021
Meet Nerdy Girl Shero Chiquita Brooks-LaSure!
Women in STEM
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
Health policy wonks across the U.S. are cheering the appointment of Chiquita Brooks-LaSure to the top job running the country’s public health insurance programs. Her agency – the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) – is responsible for insuring over 150 million people through the country’s Medicare and Medicaid programs, which together account for Read more…
June 9, 2021
Pfizer moves forward testing a little-kid vaccine at lower doses!
Families/Kids Vaccines
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Big news! Yesterday Pfizer-BioNTech announced that they have completed a Phase I trial to determine the best dose for their COVID-19 vaccine in younger kids, and they’re moving on to Phase 2/3 trials which will test effectiveness and safety in children ages 6 months to 11 years. The short version: the Phase 2/3 trial green Read more…
June 9, 2021
Are hospitalizations for COVID-19 becoming more common in adolescents?
Data and Metrics Families/Kids
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
A: In a recent study released by the CDC, hospitalization rates for adolescents aged 12-17 were highest in early January 2021, decreased in March, and then increased a little in April. The good news: this is a point in time and looks like rates are going back down. The bad news: even though severe illness Read more…
June 7, 2021
Do the COVID-19 vaccines reduce transmission?
Infection and Spread Vaccines
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: YES! Evidence continues to mount that the vaccines REDUCE BOTH ASYMPTOMATIC INFECTIONS AND TRANSMISSION. ➡️ While the Nerdy Girls are still dreaming of a world where transmission was explicitly tested in the clinical trials (☎️ call us next time), the data pouring in from around the world strongly suggests that the vaccines are very Read more…
June 4, 2021
Is it a HIPAA violation for someone to ask me if I got the Covid-19 vaccine?
Vaccines
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
A: No. Businesses, employers, family, or friends can ask about someone’s vaccine status without violating HIPAA. The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) is a US federal law that created national standards to protect patient health information from being disclosed without that person’s consent. This law only applies to certain organizations and businesses, called Read more…
June 3, 2021
What is gene therapy? How is it different from vaccines?
Biology/Immunity Uncertainty and Misinformation Vaccines
A: Gene therapies treat diseases using genetic tools. They usually work by making lasting changes to your DNA — the genetic “cookbook” that provides instructions to make you. Vaccines, by contrast, deliver a short-lived signal (e.g. a burst of protein), then disappear. Vaccines and gene therapies both use customized genetic tools to achieve their goals. Read more…
June 1, 2021
¿Cómo me preparo para los impactos en la salud mental del COVID-19?
Mental Health Posts en Español
Sandra Albrecht, PhD MPH
P: ¿Hay manera de preparar para los impactos a la salud mental a causa de COVID-19? Siento que voy a tener una especie de trastorno de estrés postraumático. R: A continuación la Dra. Aparna Kumar, enfermera psiquiatra de salud mental, nos habla sobre los aspectos de la salud mental del reingreso a la normalidad en Read more…
June 1, 2021
Masks and Summer Camps for Kids
Families/Kids Reopening Staying Safe
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
May 31, 2021
What happened with that Yankees COVID-19 outbreak? What does it mean for vaccine effectiveness?
Testing and Contact Tracing Vaccines
Rachael Piltch-Loeb, PhD MSPH
A: While several vaccinated players tested positive, they were almost all asymptomatic. TL; DR- Nine members of the New York Yankees tested positive for COVID-19 after receiving the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. Among those who tested positive only one reported mild symptoms. These cases were discovered because the Yankees test regularly, unlike most other vaccinated Read more…
May 27, 2021
Series Finale of FB Nerdy Girl Live Broadcasts
Uncategorized
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
Join us on Saturday for the SERIES FINALE of our LIVE show featuring Dr. Malia Jones and Dr. Alison Buttenheim. Don’t miss this opportunity to hear about the journey of the last year and next steps as Those Nerdy Girls begin to transition out of pandemic only mode. This is our last live hurrah for Read more…
A: Most likely. In fact, this “mix and match” strategy can lead to a more robust immune response overall, because different vaccines often cause the body to generate an immune response targeted against SARS-CoV-2 in slightly different ways! TL; DR Vaccines work by showing our immune system a W.A.N.T.E.D. poster of the SARS-CoV-2 virus so Read more…
Are over-the-counter COVID-19 tests reliable?
Data and Metrics Data Literacy Testing and Contact TracingChana Davis, PhD
Over-the-counter COVID-19 tests are now available in the United States. For 30 to 50 bucks, you get an answer in 25-45 minutes in the comfort of your home, much like the free rapid antigen tests used in the UK. Can you trust the results? It depends. Dr. Chana Davis from Fueled by Science gives us Read more…
June 14, 2021
Can the vaccines make me magnetic?
Uncertainty and Misinformation Vaccines
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: No. TL;DR: You are STICKY. Not MAGNETIC. BUT GOOD NEWS: Other superpowers from vaccination are likely, including immunity to a potentially fatal disease. From microchips to 5G reception, this year has been chock full of tall vaccine tales and viral videos. In recent weeks this has taken the form of “magnet challenges” showing refrigerator Read more…
June 11, 2021
What is the risk of teens developing myocarditis after COVID-19 vaccination?
Families/Kids Vaccines
Vijaya Knight, MD PhD (D)ABMLI
A: Rare cases of myocarditis have been reported after mRNA vaccines, particularly in young men. Reported cases have been mild and treatable. 👉🏽TL;DR: Cases of myocarditis have been reported following COVID-19 mRNA vaccines, particularly in younger men. All of these people recovered quickly after treatment. A definitive link between COVID-19 mRNA vaccines and myocarditis is Read more…
June 10, 2021
How do I navigate summer with unvaccinated kids? HELP!
Families/Kids Staying Safe
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: This is hard. While we seek an easy guide for summer activities with unvaccinated kids, there just isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution. Sending strength and a few tips to everyone navigating summer plans with unvaccinated kids. This is Dr. Ashley Ritter here today. I regularly participate in complicated decision making with patients and their support Read more…
June 10, 2021
Meet Nerdy Girl Shero Chiquita Brooks-LaSure!
Women in STEM
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
Health policy wonks across the U.S. are cheering the appointment of Chiquita Brooks-LaSure to the top job running the country’s public health insurance programs. Her agency – the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) – is responsible for insuring over 150 million people through the country’s Medicare and Medicaid programs, which together account for Read more…
June 9, 2021
Pfizer moves forward testing a little-kid vaccine at lower doses!
Families/Kids Vaccines
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Big news! Yesterday Pfizer-BioNTech announced that they have completed a Phase I trial to determine the best dose for their COVID-19 vaccine in younger kids, and they’re moving on to Phase 2/3 trials which will test effectiveness and safety in children ages 6 months to 11 years. The short version: the Phase 2/3 trial green Read more…
June 9, 2021
Are hospitalizations for COVID-19 becoming more common in adolescents?
Data and Metrics Families/Kids
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
A: In a recent study released by the CDC, hospitalization rates for adolescents aged 12-17 were highest in early January 2021, decreased in March, and then increased a little in April. The good news: this is a point in time and looks like rates are going back down. The bad news: even though severe illness Read more…
June 7, 2021
Do the COVID-19 vaccines reduce transmission?
Infection and Spread Vaccines
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: YES! Evidence continues to mount that the vaccines REDUCE BOTH ASYMPTOMATIC INFECTIONS AND TRANSMISSION. ➡️ While the Nerdy Girls are still dreaming of a world where transmission was explicitly tested in the clinical trials (☎️ call us next time), the data pouring in from around the world strongly suggests that the vaccines are very Read more…
June 4, 2021
Is it a HIPAA violation for someone to ask me if I got the Covid-19 vaccine?
Vaccines
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
A: No. Businesses, employers, family, or friends can ask about someone’s vaccine status without violating HIPAA. The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) is a US federal law that created national standards to protect patient health information from being disclosed without that person’s consent. This law only applies to certain organizations and businesses, called Read more…
June 3, 2021
What is gene therapy? How is it different from vaccines?
Biology/Immunity Uncertainty and Misinformation Vaccines
A: Gene therapies treat diseases using genetic tools. They usually work by making lasting changes to your DNA — the genetic “cookbook” that provides instructions to make you. Vaccines, by contrast, deliver a short-lived signal (e.g. a burst of protein), then disappear. Vaccines and gene therapies both use customized genetic tools to achieve their goals. Read more…
June 1, 2021
¿Cómo me preparo para los impactos en la salud mental del COVID-19?
Mental Health Posts en Español
Sandra Albrecht, PhD MPH
P: ¿Hay manera de preparar para los impactos a la salud mental a causa de COVID-19? Siento que voy a tener una especie de trastorno de estrés postraumático. R: A continuación la Dra. Aparna Kumar, enfermera psiquiatra de salud mental, nos habla sobre los aspectos de la salud mental del reingreso a la normalidad en Read more…
June 1, 2021
Masks and Summer Camps for Kids
Families/Kids Reopening Staying Safe
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
May 31, 2021
What happened with that Yankees COVID-19 outbreak? What does it mean for vaccine effectiveness?
Testing and Contact Tracing Vaccines
Rachael Piltch-Loeb, PhD MSPH
A: While several vaccinated players tested positive, they were almost all asymptomatic. TL; DR- Nine members of the New York Yankees tested positive for COVID-19 after receiving the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. Among those who tested positive only one reported mild symptoms. These cases were discovered because the Yankees test regularly, unlike most other vaccinated Read more…
May 27, 2021
Series Finale of FB Nerdy Girl Live Broadcasts
Uncategorized
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
Join us on Saturday for the SERIES FINALE of our LIVE show featuring Dr. Malia Jones and Dr. Alison Buttenheim. Don’t miss this opportunity to hear about the journey of the last year and next steps as Those Nerdy Girls begin to transition out of pandemic only mode. This is our last live hurrah for Read more…
Over-the-counter COVID-19 tests are now available in the United States. For 30 to 50 bucks, you get an answer in 25-45 minutes in the comfort of your home, much like the free rapid antigen tests used in the UK. Can you trust the results? It depends. Dr. Chana Davis from Fueled by Science gives us Read more…
Can the vaccines make me magnetic?
Uncertainty and Misinformation VaccinesJennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: No. TL;DR: You are STICKY. Not MAGNETIC. BUT GOOD NEWS: Other superpowers from vaccination are likely, including immunity to a potentially fatal disease. From microchips to 5G reception, this year has been chock full of tall vaccine tales and viral videos. In recent weeks this has taken the form of “magnet challenges” showing refrigerator Read more…
June 11, 2021
What is the risk of teens developing myocarditis after COVID-19 vaccination?
Families/Kids Vaccines
Vijaya Knight, MD PhD (D)ABMLI
A: Rare cases of myocarditis have been reported after mRNA vaccines, particularly in young men. Reported cases have been mild and treatable. 👉🏽TL;DR: Cases of myocarditis have been reported following COVID-19 mRNA vaccines, particularly in younger men. All of these people recovered quickly after treatment. A definitive link between COVID-19 mRNA vaccines and myocarditis is Read more…
June 10, 2021
How do I navigate summer with unvaccinated kids? HELP!
Families/Kids Staying Safe
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: This is hard. While we seek an easy guide for summer activities with unvaccinated kids, there just isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution. Sending strength and a few tips to everyone navigating summer plans with unvaccinated kids. This is Dr. Ashley Ritter here today. I regularly participate in complicated decision making with patients and their support Read more…
June 10, 2021
Meet Nerdy Girl Shero Chiquita Brooks-LaSure!
Women in STEM
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
Health policy wonks across the U.S. are cheering the appointment of Chiquita Brooks-LaSure to the top job running the country’s public health insurance programs. Her agency – the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) – is responsible for insuring over 150 million people through the country’s Medicare and Medicaid programs, which together account for Read more…
June 9, 2021
Pfizer moves forward testing a little-kid vaccine at lower doses!
Families/Kids Vaccines
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Big news! Yesterday Pfizer-BioNTech announced that they have completed a Phase I trial to determine the best dose for their COVID-19 vaccine in younger kids, and they’re moving on to Phase 2/3 trials which will test effectiveness and safety in children ages 6 months to 11 years. The short version: the Phase 2/3 trial green Read more…
June 9, 2021
Are hospitalizations for COVID-19 becoming more common in adolescents?
Data and Metrics Families/Kids
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
A: In a recent study released by the CDC, hospitalization rates for adolescents aged 12-17 were highest in early January 2021, decreased in March, and then increased a little in April. The good news: this is a point in time and looks like rates are going back down. The bad news: even though severe illness Read more…
June 7, 2021
Do the COVID-19 vaccines reduce transmission?
Infection and Spread Vaccines
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: YES! Evidence continues to mount that the vaccines REDUCE BOTH ASYMPTOMATIC INFECTIONS AND TRANSMISSION. ➡️ While the Nerdy Girls are still dreaming of a world where transmission was explicitly tested in the clinical trials (☎️ call us next time), the data pouring in from around the world strongly suggests that the vaccines are very Read more…
June 4, 2021
Is it a HIPAA violation for someone to ask me if I got the Covid-19 vaccine?
Vaccines
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
A: No. Businesses, employers, family, or friends can ask about someone’s vaccine status without violating HIPAA. The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) is a US federal law that created national standards to protect patient health information from being disclosed without that person’s consent. This law only applies to certain organizations and businesses, called Read more…
June 3, 2021
What is gene therapy? How is it different from vaccines?
Biology/Immunity Uncertainty and Misinformation Vaccines
A: Gene therapies treat diseases using genetic tools. They usually work by making lasting changes to your DNA — the genetic “cookbook” that provides instructions to make you. Vaccines, by contrast, deliver a short-lived signal (e.g. a burst of protein), then disappear. Vaccines and gene therapies both use customized genetic tools to achieve their goals. Read more…
June 1, 2021
¿Cómo me preparo para los impactos en la salud mental del COVID-19?
Mental Health Posts en Español
Sandra Albrecht, PhD MPH
P: ¿Hay manera de preparar para los impactos a la salud mental a causa de COVID-19? Siento que voy a tener una especie de trastorno de estrés postraumático. R: A continuación la Dra. Aparna Kumar, enfermera psiquiatra de salud mental, nos habla sobre los aspectos de la salud mental del reingreso a la normalidad en Read more…
June 1, 2021
Masks and Summer Camps for Kids
Families/Kids Reopening Staying Safe
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
May 31, 2021
What happened with that Yankees COVID-19 outbreak? What does it mean for vaccine effectiveness?
Testing and Contact Tracing Vaccines
Rachael Piltch-Loeb, PhD MSPH
A: While several vaccinated players tested positive, they were almost all asymptomatic. TL; DR- Nine members of the New York Yankees tested positive for COVID-19 after receiving the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. Among those who tested positive only one reported mild symptoms. These cases were discovered because the Yankees test regularly, unlike most other vaccinated Read more…
May 27, 2021
Series Finale of FB Nerdy Girl Live Broadcasts
Uncategorized
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
Join us on Saturday for the SERIES FINALE of our LIVE show featuring Dr. Malia Jones and Dr. Alison Buttenheim. Don’t miss this opportunity to hear about the journey of the last year and next steps as Those Nerdy Girls begin to transition out of pandemic only mode. This is our last live hurrah for Read more…
A: No. TL;DR: You are STICKY. Not MAGNETIC. BUT GOOD NEWS: Other superpowers from vaccination are likely, including immunity to a potentially fatal disease. From microchips to 5G reception, this year has been chock full of tall vaccine tales and viral videos. In recent weeks this has taken the form of “magnet challenges” showing refrigerator Read more…
What is the risk of teens developing myocarditis after COVID-19 vaccination?
Families/Kids VaccinesVijaya Knight, MD PhD (D)ABMLI
A: Rare cases of myocarditis have been reported after mRNA vaccines, particularly in young men. Reported cases have been mild and treatable. 👉🏽TL;DR: Cases of myocarditis have been reported following COVID-19 mRNA vaccines, particularly in younger men. All of these people recovered quickly after treatment. A definitive link between COVID-19 mRNA vaccines and myocarditis is Read more…
June 10, 2021
How do I navigate summer with unvaccinated kids? HELP!
Families/Kids Staying Safe
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: This is hard. While we seek an easy guide for summer activities with unvaccinated kids, there just isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution. Sending strength and a few tips to everyone navigating summer plans with unvaccinated kids. This is Dr. Ashley Ritter here today. I regularly participate in complicated decision making with patients and their support Read more…
June 10, 2021
Meet Nerdy Girl Shero Chiquita Brooks-LaSure!
Women in STEM
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
Health policy wonks across the U.S. are cheering the appointment of Chiquita Brooks-LaSure to the top job running the country’s public health insurance programs. Her agency – the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) – is responsible for insuring over 150 million people through the country’s Medicare and Medicaid programs, which together account for Read more…
June 9, 2021
Pfizer moves forward testing a little-kid vaccine at lower doses!
Families/Kids Vaccines
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Big news! Yesterday Pfizer-BioNTech announced that they have completed a Phase I trial to determine the best dose for their COVID-19 vaccine in younger kids, and they’re moving on to Phase 2/3 trials which will test effectiveness and safety in children ages 6 months to 11 years. The short version: the Phase 2/3 trial green Read more…
June 9, 2021
Are hospitalizations for COVID-19 becoming more common in adolescents?
Data and Metrics Families/Kids
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
A: In a recent study released by the CDC, hospitalization rates for adolescents aged 12-17 were highest in early January 2021, decreased in March, and then increased a little in April. The good news: this is a point in time and looks like rates are going back down. The bad news: even though severe illness Read more…
June 7, 2021
Do the COVID-19 vaccines reduce transmission?
Infection and Spread Vaccines
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: YES! Evidence continues to mount that the vaccines REDUCE BOTH ASYMPTOMATIC INFECTIONS AND TRANSMISSION. ➡️ While the Nerdy Girls are still dreaming of a world where transmission was explicitly tested in the clinical trials (☎️ call us next time), the data pouring in from around the world strongly suggests that the vaccines are very Read more…
June 4, 2021
Is it a HIPAA violation for someone to ask me if I got the Covid-19 vaccine?
Vaccines
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
A: No. Businesses, employers, family, or friends can ask about someone’s vaccine status without violating HIPAA. The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) is a US federal law that created national standards to protect patient health information from being disclosed without that person’s consent. This law only applies to certain organizations and businesses, called Read more…
June 3, 2021
What is gene therapy? How is it different from vaccines?
Biology/Immunity Uncertainty and Misinformation Vaccines
A: Gene therapies treat diseases using genetic tools. They usually work by making lasting changes to your DNA — the genetic “cookbook” that provides instructions to make you. Vaccines, by contrast, deliver a short-lived signal (e.g. a burst of protein), then disappear. Vaccines and gene therapies both use customized genetic tools to achieve their goals. Read more…
June 1, 2021
¿Cómo me preparo para los impactos en la salud mental del COVID-19?
Mental Health Posts en Español
Sandra Albrecht, PhD MPH
P: ¿Hay manera de preparar para los impactos a la salud mental a causa de COVID-19? Siento que voy a tener una especie de trastorno de estrés postraumático. R: A continuación la Dra. Aparna Kumar, enfermera psiquiatra de salud mental, nos habla sobre los aspectos de la salud mental del reingreso a la normalidad en Read more…
June 1, 2021
Masks and Summer Camps for Kids
Families/Kids Reopening Staying Safe
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
May 31, 2021
What happened with that Yankees COVID-19 outbreak? What does it mean for vaccine effectiveness?
Testing and Contact Tracing Vaccines
Rachael Piltch-Loeb, PhD MSPH
A: While several vaccinated players tested positive, they were almost all asymptomatic. TL; DR- Nine members of the New York Yankees tested positive for COVID-19 after receiving the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. Among those who tested positive only one reported mild symptoms. These cases were discovered because the Yankees test regularly, unlike most other vaccinated Read more…
May 27, 2021
Series Finale of FB Nerdy Girl Live Broadcasts
Uncategorized
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
Join us on Saturday for the SERIES FINALE of our LIVE show featuring Dr. Malia Jones and Dr. Alison Buttenheim. Don’t miss this opportunity to hear about the journey of the last year and next steps as Those Nerdy Girls begin to transition out of pandemic only mode. This is our last live hurrah for Read more…
A: Rare cases of myocarditis have been reported after mRNA vaccines, particularly in young men. Reported cases have been mild and treatable. 👉🏽TL;DR: Cases of myocarditis have been reported following COVID-19 mRNA vaccines, particularly in younger men. All of these people recovered quickly after treatment. A definitive link between COVID-19 mRNA vaccines and myocarditis is Read more…
How do I navigate summer with unvaccinated kids? HELP!
Families/Kids Staying SafeAshley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: This is hard. While we seek an easy guide for summer activities with unvaccinated kids, there just isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution. Sending strength and a few tips to everyone navigating summer plans with unvaccinated kids. This is Dr. Ashley Ritter here today. I regularly participate in complicated decision making with patients and their support Read more…
June 10, 2021
Meet Nerdy Girl Shero Chiquita Brooks-LaSure!
Women in STEM
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
Health policy wonks across the U.S. are cheering the appointment of Chiquita Brooks-LaSure to the top job running the country’s public health insurance programs. Her agency – the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) – is responsible for insuring over 150 million people through the country’s Medicare and Medicaid programs, which together account for Read more…
June 9, 2021
Pfizer moves forward testing a little-kid vaccine at lower doses!
Families/Kids Vaccines
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Big news! Yesterday Pfizer-BioNTech announced that they have completed a Phase I trial to determine the best dose for their COVID-19 vaccine in younger kids, and they’re moving on to Phase 2/3 trials which will test effectiveness and safety in children ages 6 months to 11 years. The short version: the Phase 2/3 trial green Read more…
June 9, 2021
Are hospitalizations for COVID-19 becoming more common in adolescents?
Data and Metrics Families/Kids
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
A: In a recent study released by the CDC, hospitalization rates for adolescents aged 12-17 were highest in early January 2021, decreased in March, and then increased a little in April. The good news: this is a point in time and looks like rates are going back down. The bad news: even though severe illness Read more…
June 7, 2021
Do the COVID-19 vaccines reduce transmission?
Infection and Spread Vaccines
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: YES! Evidence continues to mount that the vaccines REDUCE BOTH ASYMPTOMATIC INFECTIONS AND TRANSMISSION. ➡️ While the Nerdy Girls are still dreaming of a world where transmission was explicitly tested in the clinical trials (☎️ call us next time), the data pouring in from around the world strongly suggests that the vaccines are very Read more…
June 4, 2021
Is it a HIPAA violation for someone to ask me if I got the Covid-19 vaccine?
Vaccines
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
A: No. Businesses, employers, family, or friends can ask about someone’s vaccine status without violating HIPAA. The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) is a US federal law that created national standards to protect patient health information from being disclosed without that person’s consent. This law only applies to certain organizations and businesses, called Read more…
June 3, 2021
What is gene therapy? How is it different from vaccines?
Biology/Immunity Uncertainty and Misinformation Vaccines
A: Gene therapies treat diseases using genetic tools. They usually work by making lasting changes to your DNA — the genetic “cookbook” that provides instructions to make you. Vaccines, by contrast, deliver a short-lived signal (e.g. a burst of protein), then disappear. Vaccines and gene therapies both use customized genetic tools to achieve their goals. Read more…
June 1, 2021
¿Cómo me preparo para los impactos en la salud mental del COVID-19?
Mental Health Posts en Español
Sandra Albrecht, PhD MPH
P: ¿Hay manera de preparar para los impactos a la salud mental a causa de COVID-19? Siento que voy a tener una especie de trastorno de estrés postraumático. R: A continuación la Dra. Aparna Kumar, enfermera psiquiatra de salud mental, nos habla sobre los aspectos de la salud mental del reingreso a la normalidad en Read more…
June 1, 2021
Masks and Summer Camps for Kids
Families/Kids Reopening Staying Safe
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
May 31, 2021
What happened with that Yankees COVID-19 outbreak? What does it mean for vaccine effectiveness?
Testing and Contact Tracing Vaccines
Rachael Piltch-Loeb, PhD MSPH
A: While several vaccinated players tested positive, they were almost all asymptomatic. TL; DR- Nine members of the New York Yankees tested positive for COVID-19 after receiving the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. Among those who tested positive only one reported mild symptoms. These cases were discovered because the Yankees test regularly, unlike most other vaccinated Read more…
May 27, 2021
Series Finale of FB Nerdy Girl Live Broadcasts
Uncategorized
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
Join us on Saturday for the SERIES FINALE of our LIVE show featuring Dr. Malia Jones and Dr. Alison Buttenheim. Don’t miss this opportunity to hear about the journey of the last year and next steps as Those Nerdy Girls begin to transition out of pandemic only mode. This is our last live hurrah for Read more…
A: This is hard. While we seek an easy guide for summer activities with unvaccinated kids, there just isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution. Sending strength and a few tips to everyone navigating summer plans with unvaccinated kids. This is Dr. Ashley Ritter here today. I regularly participate in complicated decision making with patients and their support Read more…
Meet Nerdy Girl Shero Chiquita Brooks-LaSure!
Women in STEMLindsey Leininger, PhD MA
Health policy wonks across the U.S. are cheering the appointment of Chiquita Brooks-LaSure to the top job running the country’s public health insurance programs. Her agency – the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) – is responsible for insuring over 150 million people through the country’s Medicare and Medicaid programs, which together account for Read more…
June 9, 2021
Pfizer moves forward testing a little-kid vaccine at lower doses!
Families/Kids Vaccines
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Big news! Yesterday Pfizer-BioNTech announced that they have completed a Phase I trial to determine the best dose for their COVID-19 vaccine in younger kids, and they’re moving on to Phase 2/3 trials which will test effectiveness and safety in children ages 6 months to 11 years. The short version: the Phase 2/3 trial green Read more…
June 9, 2021
Are hospitalizations for COVID-19 becoming more common in adolescents?
Data and Metrics Families/Kids
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
A: In a recent study released by the CDC, hospitalization rates for adolescents aged 12-17 were highest in early January 2021, decreased in March, and then increased a little in April. The good news: this is a point in time and looks like rates are going back down. The bad news: even though severe illness Read more…
June 7, 2021
Do the COVID-19 vaccines reduce transmission?
Infection and Spread Vaccines
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: YES! Evidence continues to mount that the vaccines REDUCE BOTH ASYMPTOMATIC INFECTIONS AND TRANSMISSION. ➡️ While the Nerdy Girls are still dreaming of a world where transmission was explicitly tested in the clinical trials (☎️ call us next time), the data pouring in from around the world strongly suggests that the vaccines are very Read more…
June 4, 2021
Is it a HIPAA violation for someone to ask me if I got the Covid-19 vaccine?
Vaccines
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
A: No. Businesses, employers, family, or friends can ask about someone’s vaccine status without violating HIPAA. The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) is a US federal law that created national standards to protect patient health information from being disclosed without that person’s consent. This law only applies to certain organizations and businesses, called Read more…
June 3, 2021
What is gene therapy? How is it different from vaccines?
Biology/Immunity Uncertainty and Misinformation Vaccines
A: Gene therapies treat diseases using genetic tools. They usually work by making lasting changes to your DNA — the genetic “cookbook” that provides instructions to make you. Vaccines, by contrast, deliver a short-lived signal (e.g. a burst of protein), then disappear. Vaccines and gene therapies both use customized genetic tools to achieve their goals. Read more…
June 1, 2021
¿Cómo me preparo para los impactos en la salud mental del COVID-19?
Mental Health Posts en Español
Sandra Albrecht, PhD MPH
P: ¿Hay manera de preparar para los impactos a la salud mental a causa de COVID-19? Siento que voy a tener una especie de trastorno de estrés postraumático. R: A continuación la Dra. Aparna Kumar, enfermera psiquiatra de salud mental, nos habla sobre los aspectos de la salud mental del reingreso a la normalidad en Read more…
June 1, 2021
Masks and Summer Camps for Kids
Families/Kids Reopening Staying Safe
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
May 31, 2021
What happened with that Yankees COVID-19 outbreak? What does it mean for vaccine effectiveness?
Testing and Contact Tracing Vaccines
Rachael Piltch-Loeb, PhD MSPH
A: While several vaccinated players tested positive, they were almost all asymptomatic. TL; DR- Nine members of the New York Yankees tested positive for COVID-19 after receiving the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. Among those who tested positive only one reported mild symptoms. These cases were discovered because the Yankees test regularly, unlike most other vaccinated Read more…
May 27, 2021
Series Finale of FB Nerdy Girl Live Broadcasts
Uncategorized
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
Join us on Saturday for the SERIES FINALE of our LIVE show featuring Dr. Malia Jones and Dr. Alison Buttenheim. Don’t miss this opportunity to hear about the journey of the last year and next steps as Those Nerdy Girls begin to transition out of pandemic only mode. This is our last live hurrah for Read more…
Health policy wonks across the U.S. are cheering the appointment of Chiquita Brooks-LaSure to the top job running the country’s public health insurance programs. Her agency – the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) – is responsible for insuring over 150 million people through the country’s Medicare and Medicaid programs, which together account for Read more…
Pfizer moves forward testing a little-kid vaccine at lower doses!
Families/Kids VaccinesMalia Jones, PhD MPH
Big news! Yesterday Pfizer-BioNTech announced that they have completed a Phase I trial to determine the best dose for their COVID-19 vaccine in younger kids, and they’re moving on to Phase 2/3 trials which will test effectiveness and safety in children ages 6 months to 11 years. The short version: the Phase 2/3 trial green Read more…
June 9, 2021
Are hospitalizations for COVID-19 becoming more common in adolescents?
Data and Metrics Families/Kids
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
A: In a recent study released by the CDC, hospitalization rates for adolescents aged 12-17 were highest in early January 2021, decreased in March, and then increased a little in April. The good news: this is a point in time and looks like rates are going back down. The bad news: even though severe illness Read more…
June 7, 2021
Do the COVID-19 vaccines reduce transmission?
Infection and Spread Vaccines
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: YES! Evidence continues to mount that the vaccines REDUCE BOTH ASYMPTOMATIC INFECTIONS AND TRANSMISSION. ➡️ While the Nerdy Girls are still dreaming of a world where transmission was explicitly tested in the clinical trials (☎️ call us next time), the data pouring in from around the world strongly suggests that the vaccines are very Read more…
June 4, 2021
Is it a HIPAA violation for someone to ask me if I got the Covid-19 vaccine?
Vaccines
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
A: No. Businesses, employers, family, or friends can ask about someone’s vaccine status without violating HIPAA. The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) is a US federal law that created national standards to protect patient health information from being disclosed without that person’s consent. This law only applies to certain organizations and businesses, called Read more…
June 3, 2021
What is gene therapy? How is it different from vaccines?
Biology/Immunity Uncertainty and Misinformation Vaccines
A: Gene therapies treat diseases using genetic tools. They usually work by making lasting changes to your DNA — the genetic “cookbook” that provides instructions to make you. Vaccines, by contrast, deliver a short-lived signal (e.g. a burst of protein), then disappear. Vaccines and gene therapies both use customized genetic tools to achieve their goals. Read more…
June 1, 2021
¿Cómo me preparo para los impactos en la salud mental del COVID-19?
Mental Health Posts en Español
Sandra Albrecht, PhD MPH
P: ¿Hay manera de preparar para los impactos a la salud mental a causa de COVID-19? Siento que voy a tener una especie de trastorno de estrés postraumático. R: A continuación la Dra. Aparna Kumar, enfermera psiquiatra de salud mental, nos habla sobre los aspectos de la salud mental del reingreso a la normalidad en Read more…
June 1, 2021
Masks and Summer Camps for Kids
Families/Kids Reopening Staying Safe
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
May 31, 2021
What happened with that Yankees COVID-19 outbreak? What does it mean for vaccine effectiveness?
Testing and Contact Tracing Vaccines
Rachael Piltch-Loeb, PhD MSPH
A: While several vaccinated players tested positive, they were almost all asymptomatic. TL; DR- Nine members of the New York Yankees tested positive for COVID-19 after receiving the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. Among those who tested positive only one reported mild symptoms. These cases were discovered because the Yankees test regularly, unlike most other vaccinated Read more…
May 27, 2021
Series Finale of FB Nerdy Girl Live Broadcasts
Uncategorized
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
Join us on Saturday for the SERIES FINALE of our LIVE show featuring Dr. Malia Jones and Dr. Alison Buttenheim. Don’t miss this opportunity to hear about the journey of the last year and next steps as Those Nerdy Girls begin to transition out of pandemic only mode. This is our last live hurrah for Read more…
Big news! Yesterday Pfizer-BioNTech announced that they have completed a Phase I trial to determine the best dose for their COVID-19 vaccine in younger kids, and they’re moving on to Phase 2/3 trials which will test effectiveness and safety in children ages 6 months to 11 years. The short version: the Phase 2/3 trial green Read more…
Are hospitalizations for COVID-19 becoming more common in adolescents?
Data and Metrics Families/KidsSarah Whitley Coles, MD
A: In a recent study released by the CDC, hospitalization rates for adolescents aged 12-17 were highest in early January 2021, decreased in March, and then increased a little in April. The good news: this is a point in time and looks like rates are going back down. The bad news: even though severe illness Read more…
June 7, 2021
Do the COVID-19 vaccines reduce transmission?
Infection and Spread Vaccines
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: YES! Evidence continues to mount that the vaccines REDUCE BOTH ASYMPTOMATIC INFECTIONS AND TRANSMISSION. ➡️ While the Nerdy Girls are still dreaming of a world where transmission was explicitly tested in the clinical trials (☎️ call us next time), the data pouring in from around the world strongly suggests that the vaccines are very Read more…
June 4, 2021
Is it a HIPAA violation for someone to ask me if I got the Covid-19 vaccine?
Vaccines
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
A: No. Businesses, employers, family, or friends can ask about someone’s vaccine status without violating HIPAA. The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) is a US federal law that created national standards to protect patient health information from being disclosed without that person’s consent. This law only applies to certain organizations and businesses, called Read more…
June 3, 2021
What is gene therapy? How is it different from vaccines?
Biology/Immunity Uncertainty and Misinformation Vaccines
A: Gene therapies treat diseases using genetic tools. They usually work by making lasting changes to your DNA — the genetic “cookbook” that provides instructions to make you. Vaccines, by contrast, deliver a short-lived signal (e.g. a burst of protein), then disappear. Vaccines and gene therapies both use customized genetic tools to achieve their goals. Read more…
June 1, 2021
¿Cómo me preparo para los impactos en la salud mental del COVID-19?
Mental Health Posts en Español
Sandra Albrecht, PhD MPH
P: ¿Hay manera de preparar para los impactos a la salud mental a causa de COVID-19? Siento que voy a tener una especie de trastorno de estrés postraumático. R: A continuación la Dra. Aparna Kumar, enfermera psiquiatra de salud mental, nos habla sobre los aspectos de la salud mental del reingreso a la normalidad en Read more…
June 1, 2021
Masks and Summer Camps for Kids
Families/Kids Reopening Staying Safe
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
May 31, 2021
What happened with that Yankees COVID-19 outbreak? What does it mean for vaccine effectiveness?
Testing and Contact Tracing Vaccines
Rachael Piltch-Loeb, PhD MSPH
A: While several vaccinated players tested positive, they were almost all asymptomatic. TL; DR- Nine members of the New York Yankees tested positive for COVID-19 after receiving the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. Among those who tested positive only one reported mild symptoms. These cases were discovered because the Yankees test regularly, unlike most other vaccinated Read more…
May 27, 2021
Series Finale of FB Nerdy Girl Live Broadcasts
Uncategorized
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
Join us on Saturday for the SERIES FINALE of our LIVE show featuring Dr. Malia Jones and Dr. Alison Buttenheim. Don’t miss this opportunity to hear about the journey of the last year and next steps as Those Nerdy Girls begin to transition out of pandemic only mode. This is our last live hurrah for Read more…
A: In a recent study released by the CDC, hospitalization rates for adolescents aged 12-17 were highest in early January 2021, decreased in March, and then increased a little in April. The good news: this is a point in time and looks like rates are going back down. The bad news: even though severe illness Read more…
Do the COVID-19 vaccines reduce transmission?
Infection and Spread VaccinesJennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: YES! Evidence continues to mount that the vaccines REDUCE BOTH ASYMPTOMATIC INFECTIONS AND TRANSMISSION. ➡️ While the Nerdy Girls are still dreaming of a world where transmission was explicitly tested in the clinical trials (☎️ call us next time), the data pouring in from around the world strongly suggests that the vaccines are very Read more…
June 4, 2021
Is it a HIPAA violation for someone to ask me if I got the Covid-19 vaccine?
Vaccines
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
A: No. Businesses, employers, family, or friends can ask about someone’s vaccine status without violating HIPAA. The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) is a US federal law that created national standards to protect patient health information from being disclosed without that person’s consent. This law only applies to certain organizations and businesses, called Read more…
June 3, 2021
What is gene therapy? How is it different from vaccines?
Biology/Immunity Uncertainty and Misinformation Vaccines
A: Gene therapies treat diseases using genetic tools. They usually work by making lasting changes to your DNA — the genetic “cookbook” that provides instructions to make you. Vaccines, by contrast, deliver a short-lived signal (e.g. a burst of protein), then disappear. Vaccines and gene therapies both use customized genetic tools to achieve their goals. Read more…
June 1, 2021
¿Cómo me preparo para los impactos en la salud mental del COVID-19?
Mental Health Posts en Español
Sandra Albrecht, PhD MPH
P: ¿Hay manera de preparar para los impactos a la salud mental a causa de COVID-19? Siento que voy a tener una especie de trastorno de estrés postraumático. R: A continuación la Dra. Aparna Kumar, enfermera psiquiatra de salud mental, nos habla sobre los aspectos de la salud mental del reingreso a la normalidad en Read more…
June 1, 2021
Masks and Summer Camps for Kids
Families/Kids Reopening Staying Safe
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
May 31, 2021
What happened with that Yankees COVID-19 outbreak? What does it mean for vaccine effectiveness?
Testing and Contact Tracing Vaccines
Rachael Piltch-Loeb, PhD MSPH
A: While several vaccinated players tested positive, they were almost all asymptomatic. TL; DR- Nine members of the New York Yankees tested positive for COVID-19 after receiving the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. Among those who tested positive only one reported mild symptoms. These cases were discovered because the Yankees test regularly, unlike most other vaccinated Read more…
May 27, 2021
Series Finale of FB Nerdy Girl Live Broadcasts
Uncategorized
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
Join us on Saturday for the SERIES FINALE of our LIVE show featuring Dr. Malia Jones and Dr. Alison Buttenheim. Don’t miss this opportunity to hear about the journey of the last year and next steps as Those Nerdy Girls begin to transition out of pandemic only mode. This is our last live hurrah for Read more…
A: YES! Evidence continues to mount that the vaccines REDUCE BOTH ASYMPTOMATIC INFECTIONS AND TRANSMISSION. ➡️ While the Nerdy Girls are still dreaming of a world where transmission was explicitly tested in the clinical trials (☎️ call us next time), the data pouring in from around the world strongly suggests that the vaccines are very Read more…
Is it a HIPAA violation for someone to ask me if I got the Covid-19 vaccine?
VaccinesSarah Whitley Coles, MD
A: No. Businesses, employers, family, or friends can ask about someone’s vaccine status without violating HIPAA. The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) is a US federal law that created national standards to protect patient health information from being disclosed without that person’s consent. This law only applies to certain organizations and businesses, called Read more…
June 3, 2021
What is gene therapy? How is it different from vaccines?
Biology/Immunity Uncertainty and Misinformation Vaccines
A: Gene therapies treat diseases using genetic tools. They usually work by making lasting changes to your DNA — the genetic “cookbook” that provides instructions to make you. Vaccines, by contrast, deliver a short-lived signal (e.g. a burst of protein), then disappear. Vaccines and gene therapies both use customized genetic tools to achieve their goals. Read more…
June 1, 2021
¿Cómo me preparo para los impactos en la salud mental del COVID-19?
Mental Health Posts en Español
Sandra Albrecht, PhD MPH
P: ¿Hay manera de preparar para los impactos a la salud mental a causa de COVID-19? Siento que voy a tener una especie de trastorno de estrés postraumático. R: A continuación la Dra. Aparna Kumar, enfermera psiquiatra de salud mental, nos habla sobre los aspectos de la salud mental del reingreso a la normalidad en Read more…
June 1, 2021
Masks and Summer Camps for Kids
Families/Kids Reopening Staying Safe
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
May 31, 2021
What happened with that Yankees COVID-19 outbreak? What does it mean for vaccine effectiveness?
Testing and Contact Tracing Vaccines
Rachael Piltch-Loeb, PhD MSPH
A: While several vaccinated players tested positive, they were almost all asymptomatic. TL; DR- Nine members of the New York Yankees tested positive for COVID-19 after receiving the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. Among those who tested positive only one reported mild symptoms. These cases were discovered because the Yankees test regularly, unlike most other vaccinated Read more…
May 27, 2021
Series Finale of FB Nerdy Girl Live Broadcasts
Uncategorized
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
Join us on Saturday for the SERIES FINALE of our LIVE show featuring Dr. Malia Jones and Dr. Alison Buttenheim. Don’t miss this opportunity to hear about the journey of the last year and next steps as Those Nerdy Girls begin to transition out of pandemic only mode. This is our last live hurrah for Read more…
A: No. Businesses, employers, family, or friends can ask about someone’s vaccine status without violating HIPAA. The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) is a US federal law that created national standards to protect patient health information from being disclosed without that person’s consent. This law only applies to certain organizations and businesses, called Read more…
What is gene therapy? How is it different from vaccines?
Biology/Immunity Uncertainty and Misinformation VaccinesA: Gene therapies treat diseases using genetic tools. They usually work by making lasting changes to your DNA — the genetic “cookbook” that provides instructions to make you. Vaccines, by contrast, deliver a short-lived signal (e.g. a burst of protein), then disappear. Vaccines and gene therapies both use customized genetic tools to achieve their goals. Read more…
¿Cómo me preparo para los impactos en la salud mental del COVID-19?
Mental Health Posts en EspañolSandra Albrecht, PhD MPH
P: ¿Hay manera de preparar para los impactos a la salud mental a causa de COVID-19? Siento que voy a tener una especie de trastorno de estrés postraumático. R: A continuación la Dra. Aparna Kumar, enfermera psiquiatra de salud mental, nos habla sobre los aspectos de la salud mental del reingreso a la normalidad en Read more…
June 1, 2021
Masks and Summer Camps for Kids
Families/Kids Reopening Staying Safe
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
May 31, 2021
What happened with that Yankees COVID-19 outbreak? What does it mean for vaccine effectiveness?
Testing and Contact Tracing Vaccines
Rachael Piltch-Loeb, PhD MSPH
A: While several vaccinated players tested positive, they were almost all asymptomatic. TL; DR- Nine members of the New York Yankees tested positive for COVID-19 after receiving the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. Among those who tested positive only one reported mild symptoms. These cases were discovered because the Yankees test regularly, unlike most other vaccinated Read more…
May 27, 2021
Series Finale of FB Nerdy Girl Live Broadcasts
Uncategorized
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
Join us on Saturday for the SERIES FINALE of our LIVE show featuring Dr. Malia Jones and Dr. Alison Buttenheim. Don’t miss this opportunity to hear about the journey of the last year and next steps as Those Nerdy Girls begin to transition out of pandemic only mode. This is our last live hurrah for Read more…
P: ¿Hay manera de preparar para los impactos a la salud mental a causa de COVID-19? Siento que voy a tener una especie de trastorno de estrés postraumático. R: A continuación la Dra. Aparna Kumar, enfermera psiquiatra de salud mental, nos habla sobre los aspectos de la salud mental del reingreso a la normalidad en Read more…
Masks and Summer Camps for Kids
Families/Kids Reopening Staying SafeMalia Jones, PhD MPH
May 31, 2021
What happened with that Yankees COVID-19 outbreak? What does it mean for vaccine effectiveness?
Testing and Contact Tracing Vaccines
Rachael Piltch-Loeb, PhD MSPH
A: While several vaccinated players tested positive, they were almost all asymptomatic. TL; DR- Nine members of the New York Yankees tested positive for COVID-19 after receiving the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. Among those who tested positive only one reported mild symptoms. These cases were discovered because the Yankees test regularly, unlike most other vaccinated Read more…
May 27, 2021
Series Finale of FB Nerdy Girl Live Broadcasts
Uncategorized
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
Join us on Saturday for the SERIES FINALE of our LIVE show featuring Dr. Malia Jones and Dr. Alison Buttenheim. Don’t miss this opportunity to hear about the journey of the last year and next steps as Those Nerdy Girls begin to transition out of pandemic only mode. This is our last live hurrah for Read more…
What happened with that Yankees COVID-19 outbreak? What does it mean for vaccine effectiveness?
Testing and Contact Tracing VaccinesRachael Piltch-Loeb, PhD MSPH
A: While several vaccinated players tested positive, they were almost all asymptomatic. TL; DR- Nine members of the New York Yankees tested positive for COVID-19 after receiving the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. Among those who tested positive only one reported mild symptoms. These cases were discovered because the Yankees test regularly, unlike most other vaccinated Read more…
May 27, 2021
Series Finale of FB Nerdy Girl Live Broadcasts
Uncategorized
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
Join us on Saturday for the SERIES FINALE of our LIVE show featuring Dr. Malia Jones and Dr. Alison Buttenheim. Don’t miss this opportunity to hear about the journey of the last year and next steps as Those Nerdy Girls begin to transition out of pandemic only mode. This is our last live hurrah for Read more…
A: While several vaccinated players tested positive, they were almost all asymptomatic. TL; DR- Nine members of the New York Yankees tested positive for COVID-19 after receiving the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. Among those who tested positive only one reported mild symptoms. These cases were discovered because the Yankees test regularly, unlike most other vaccinated Read more…
Series Finale of FB Nerdy Girl Live Broadcasts
UncategorizedAshley Ritter, APRN, PhD
Join us on Saturday for the SERIES FINALE of our LIVE show featuring Dr. Malia Jones and Dr. Alison Buttenheim. Don’t miss this opportunity to hear about the journey of the last year and next steps as Those Nerdy Girls begin to transition out of pandemic only mode. This is our last live hurrah for Read more…
Join us on Saturday for the SERIES FINALE of our LIVE show featuring Dr. Malia Jones and Dr. Alison Buttenheim. Don’t miss this opportunity to hear about the journey of the last year and next steps as Those Nerdy Girls begin to transition out of pandemic only mode. This is our last live hurrah for Read more…