Dear Pandemic COVID Q&A
Data and Metrics Families/Kids Infection and Spread Socializing Vaccines Videos
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
In this live Q&A, Dr. Malia Jones and Dr. Lauren Hale will be tackling questions about vaccines, takeout food, daylight savings time, and the ways in which kids are (and are not) like vaccinated grandmas. ➡️ Welcome and Intros (0:00-0:55) Related Link to Data Hero Awards ➡️ Sleep and the effects of Daylight Saving Time on Read more…
What’s the latest on the vaccine timeline for kids?
Families/Kids Vaccines
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
A: Best-case scenario: late summer/fall 2021 for older kids (12+); early 2022 for younger kids. All the usual pandemic-era caveats about uncertain timelines apply! We dedicate today’s TGIF post to all of the children and teens volunteering for vaccine clinical trials. Hooray and thank you! And thank you to all of the (adult) scientists who Read more…
He alcanzado un nuevo punto bajo mental. ¿Qué puedo hacer?
Mental Health Posts en Español
Daisey Velazquez, Spanish Translation
P: He alcanzado un nuevo punto bajo mental. No parece que vaya a recibir la vacuna pronto, y simplemente … no puedo más. ¿Qué puedo hacer? R: Respire profundamente. Los expertos nos advirtieron que el invierno en el hemisferio norte iba a estar difícil y aquí estamos. Las investigaciones sugieren que si elige (y logra) Read more…
Is it safe to go to the dentist?
Staying Safe
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: YES! Delaying preventative and emergency dental care can have negative consequences on your overall health. COVID-19 infection among dental health professionals remains low despite the close proximity to patients and open mouths. It’s important to 1) maintain risk mitigation strategies we can control in dental offices, 2) monitor local infection rates, and 3) stay Read more…
Is vaccine hesitancy declining?
Vaccines
Alison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
There are lots of ways to define and measure vaccine hesitancy, but pretty much however you slice the data, about 1 in 5 adults in the US report being something other than gung-ho about the vaccine. That figure hasn’t budged for several months. But let’s back up just a bit. What exactly do researchers mean Read more…
Since there have been deaths reported after people received vaccination, should I be concerned? I’m scared to take the vaccine.
Uncertainty and Misinformation Vaccines
Verdena Jennings, DO
A: No. In spite of sensational headlines, no deaths have been linked to receiving COVID-19 vaccination. And hundreds of millions of vaccines have been given. As of early March, more than 330 million vaccinations in over 120 countries have been given. In detailed investigative reporting of vaccine-related deaths around the world, DW (Deutsche Welle) a Read more…
What’s with the news coming out of Europe on the Oxford/Astrazeneca vaccine and blood clots?
Data and Metrics Vaccines
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: So far there is no evidence that the risk of these events after vaccination is higher than would be expected based on normal rates. Several European countries including Ireland, Denmark and Norway have temporarily suspended use of the Oxford/Astrazeneca vaccine as a precaution while they review recent reports of blood clots following vaccination. Meanwhile, Read more…
Happy birthday, Dear Pandemic! 3/13/21
Uncategorized
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
It’s been a heck of a year. For us all. For me, for all of you readers, and for the whole Dear Pandemic team. A year ago, I never could have anticipated where this would end up. The ol’ Magic 8-Ball doesn’t have a response that says “29-woman strong mostly volunteer team fighting the #infodemic Read more…
Once I’m vaccinated, can I pass on the antibodies to my baby by breastfeeding?
Families/Kids Vaccines
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
Q: I’ve had the vaccine and am nursing. Can I pass the antibodies along to my newborn? Would post-vaccine frozen breastmilk also benefit other family members? A: We are so glad you asked! Yes, we do have limited preliminary evidence that breastmilk can confer some protection against SARS CoV-2 to your newborn. Sadly, we don’t Read more…
Has there been a COVID-19 baby boom?
Data and Metrics Families/Kids
Lauren Hale, PhD MA
A: No. So far being cooped up at home has NOT led to more babies. Nerdy Guest Dr. Alison Gemmill answered a few questions about fertility during COVID. Dr. Gemmill (Assistant Professor; Department of Population, Family and Reproductive Health; Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health) is a demographer who studies fertility and women’s and Read more…
Which vaccine is best?
Vaccines
Alison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
A: The one you can get today. Dylan from Northport, NY asked about the differences between the mRNA vaccines and the viral vector vaccines. Do we have a choice about which vaccine technology we get? Are there any reasons why one would be preferred over the other? Other questions are coming in fast and furious Read more…
What is the real COVID-19 death toll? Are we over-counting deaths?
Data and Metrics Data Literacy
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: Sadly, we are most likely UNDER-COUNTING Covid-19 deaths. Among the most persistent COVID-19 myths is the idea that COVID-19 deaths are being over-counted, including stories of victims of motorcycle accidents getting tested in the hospital so they can be counted as COVID-19 deaths, or the infamous line that people are dying *with* COVID-19 rather Read more…
Verdena Jennings, DO
Dena Jennings, D.O. is a physician and artist in Central Virginia. She was born in Akron, Ohio during its booming years of ingenuity as the rubber capital of the world. Her father was an executive at Goodyear International; her mother, a banker at a hometown savings and loan. Culturally, she was raised the 5th generation Read more…
If I have the opportunity to get the vaccine but it’s not my turn, should I take it?
Vaccines
Alison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
A: This vexing ethical dilemma has a few black and white answers, and a whole lot of gray. tl;dr: Don’t lie about your status. Don’t take a dose clearly intended for others. If doses are truly going to waste and a vaccination provider is looking for arms, it’s ok to take the shot, but you Read more…
Is it safe to get routine medical care at a clinic?
Staying Safe
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
A: Yes! Yes, yes and yes. Yes!!! Please do not let the pandemic keep you from getting routine screenings and needed medical care! To answer this question, we’re bringing back an updated version of a post from all the way back in JUNE, when this was already true. What’s new at this point? Well, most Read more…
Any new updates regarding the COVID-19 vaccine rollout outside the U.S.?
Data and Metrics Vaccines
Sandra Albrecht, PhD MPH
A. Yes, there are new updates! And while there is reason for optimism, there is still a long, long way to go in many countries. We previously posted about the status of the global vaccine rollout roughly a month ago. Some countries like Israel and the United Arab Emirates (UAB) were doing a great job Read more…
Will the vaccines prevent Long Covid?
Vaccines
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: Likely! There is good biological reason to think so, but like many things we lack hard data. Many followers have asked this great question in recent weeks. Clinical trials have shown the vaccines are AMAZING at preventing serious disease and death. But what about those mild infections after a vaccine, could they still lead Read more…
In the last year I made some not-so-awesome impulse purchases. Was that just me?
Mental Health
Christine Whelan, PhD
A: Stress spending is real, and in the last year, it went way past buying too much toilet paper. According to one survey, 43% of respondents said they’d made an impulse purchase during the first few months of the pandemic as wine-o-clock internet purchases became an all-day thing for a subset of us. For others, Read more…
How do we overcome mistrust in the vaccines, especially with Black Americans?
Social and Racial Justice Vaccines
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
A: As many as half of Black Americans have expressed reluctance to take the COVID-19 vaccines (1), which some attribute to the enduring legacy of the egregious Tuskegee Syphilis Study. Reticence to take the coronavirus vaccine is complicated. Listening and understanding history is critical. Contrary to many peoples’ understanding of the Tuskegee Syphilis Study, Black Read more…
Can I go back to my indoor fitness classes?
Infection and Spread Staying Safe
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: The Nerdy Girls LOVE your efforts to stay fit, but best to hang on to those online or outdoor workouts a bit longer. TL;DR: Heavy breathing, no masks, and indoors is the perfect recipe for SARS-CoV-2 transmission. A recent U.S. CDC report described an outbreak linked to an unnamed fitness facility in Chicago in Read more…
In this live Q&A, Dr. Malia Jones and Dr. Lauren Hale will be tackling questions about vaccines, takeout food, daylight savings time, and the ways in which kids are (and are not) like vaccinated grandmas. ➡️ Welcome and Intros (0:00-0:55) Related Link to Data Hero Awards ➡️ Sleep and the effects of Daylight Saving Time on Read more…
What’s the latest on the vaccine timeline for kids?
Families/Kids VaccinesLindsey Leininger, PhD MA
A: Best-case scenario: late summer/fall 2021 for older kids (12+); early 2022 for younger kids. All the usual pandemic-era caveats about uncertain timelines apply! We dedicate today’s TGIF post to all of the children and teens volunteering for vaccine clinical trials. Hooray and thank you! And thank you to all of the (adult) scientists who Read more…
He alcanzado un nuevo punto bajo mental. ¿Qué puedo hacer?
Mental Health Posts en Español
Daisey Velazquez, Spanish Translation
P: He alcanzado un nuevo punto bajo mental. No parece que vaya a recibir la vacuna pronto, y simplemente … no puedo más. ¿Qué puedo hacer? R: Respire profundamente. Los expertos nos advirtieron que el invierno en el hemisferio norte iba a estar difícil y aquí estamos. Las investigaciones sugieren que si elige (y logra) Read more…
Is it safe to go to the dentist?
Staying Safe
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: YES! Delaying preventative and emergency dental care can have negative consequences on your overall health. COVID-19 infection among dental health professionals remains low despite the close proximity to patients and open mouths. It’s important to 1) maintain risk mitigation strategies we can control in dental offices, 2) monitor local infection rates, and 3) stay Read more…
Is vaccine hesitancy declining?
Vaccines
Alison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
There are lots of ways to define and measure vaccine hesitancy, but pretty much however you slice the data, about 1 in 5 adults in the US report being something other than gung-ho about the vaccine. That figure hasn’t budged for several months. But let’s back up just a bit. What exactly do researchers mean Read more…
Since there have been deaths reported after people received vaccination, should I be concerned? I’m scared to take the vaccine.
Uncertainty and Misinformation Vaccines
Verdena Jennings, DO
A: No. In spite of sensational headlines, no deaths have been linked to receiving COVID-19 vaccination. And hundreds of millions of vaccines have been given. As of early March, more than 330 million vaccinations in over 120 countries have been given. In detailed investigative reporting of vaccine-related deaths around the world, DW (Deutsche Welle) a Read more…
What’s with the news coming out of Europe on the Oxford/Astrazeneca vaccine and blood clots?
Data and Metrics Vaccines
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: So far there is no evidence that the risk of these events after vaccination is higher than would be expected based on normal rates. Several European countries including Ireland, Denmark and Norway have temporarily suspended use of the Oxford/Astrazeneca vaccine as a precaution while they review recent reports of blood clots following vaccination. Meanwhile, Read more…
Happy birthday, Dear Pandemic! 3/13/21
Uncategorized
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
It’s been a heck of a year. For us all. For me, for all of you readers, and for the whole Dear Pandemic team. A year ago, I never could have anticipated where this would end up. The ol’ Magic 8-Ball doesn’t have a response that says “29-woman strong mostly volunteer team fighting the #infodemic Read more…
Once I’m vaccinated, can I pass on the antibodies to my baby by breastfeeding?
Families/Kids Vaccines
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
Q: I’ve had the vaccine and am nursing. Can I pass the antibodies along to my newborn? Would post-vaccine frozen breastmilk also benefit other family members? A: We are so glad you asked! Yes, we do have limited preliminary evidence that breastmilk can confer some protection against SARS CoV-2 to your newborn. Sadly, we don’t Read more…
Has there been a COVID-19 baby boom?
Data and Metrics Families/Kids
Lauren Hale, PhD MA
A: No. So far being cooped up at home has NOT led to more babies. Nerdy Guest Dr. Alison Gemmill answered a few questions about fertility during COVID. Dr. Gemmill (Assistant Professor; Department of Population, Family and Reproductive Health; Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health) is a demographer who studies fertility and women’s and Read more…
Which vaccine is best?
Vaccines
Alison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
A: The one you can get today. Dylan from Northport, NY asked about the differences between the mRNA vaccines and the viral vector vaccines. Do we have a choice about which vaccine technology we get? Are there any reasons why one would be preferred over the other? Other questions are coming in fast and furious Read more…
What is the real COVID-19 death toll? Are we over-counting deaths?
Data and Metrics Data Literacy
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: Sadly, we are most likely UNDER-COUNTING Covid-19 deaths. Among the most persistent COVID-19 myths is the idea that COVID-19 deaths are being over-counted, including stories of victims of motorcycle accidents getting tested in the hospital so they can be counted as COVID-19 deaths, or the infamous line that people are dying *with* COVID-19 rather Read more…
Verdena Jennings, DO
Dena Jennings, D.O. is a physician and artist in Central Virginia. She was born in Akron, Ohio during its booming years of ingenuity as the rubber capital of the world. Her father was an executive at Goodyear International; her mother, a banker at a hometown savings and loan. Culturally, she was raised the 5th generation Read more…
If I have the opportunity to get the vaccine but it’s not my turn, should I take it?
Vaccines
Alison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
A: This vexing ethical dilemma has a few black and white answers, and a whole lot of gray. tl;dr: Don’t lie about your status. Don’t take a dose clearly intended for others. If doses are truly going to waste and a vaccination provider is looking for arms, it’s ok to take the shot, but you Read more…
Is it safe to get routine medical care at a clinic?
Staying Safe
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
A: Yes! Yes, yes and yes. Yes!!! Please do not let the pandemic keep you from getting routine screenings and needed medical care! To answer this question, we’re bringing back an updated version of a post from all the way back in JUNE, when this was already true. What’s new at this point? Well, most Read more…
Any new updates regarding the COVID-19 vaccine rollout outside the U.S.?
Data and Metrics Vaccines
Sandra Albrecht, PhD MPH
A. Yes, there are new updates! And while there is reason for optimism, there is still a long, long way to go in many countries. We previously posted about the status of the global vaccine rollout roughly a month ago. Some countries like Israel and the United Arab Emirates (UAB) were doing a great job Read more…
Will the vaccines prevent Long Covid?
Vaccines
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: Likely! There is good biological reason to think so, but like many things we lack hard data. Many followers have asked this great question in recent weeks. Clinical trials have shown the vaccines are AMAZING at preventing serious disease and death. But what about those mild infections after a vaccine, could they still lead Read more…
In the last year I made some not-so-awesome impulse purchases. Was that just me?
Mental Health
Christine Whelan, PhD
A: Stress spending is real, and in the last year, it went way past buying too much toilet paper. According to one survey, 43% of respondents said they’d made an impulse purchase during the first few months of the pandemic as wine-o-clock internet purchases became an all-day thing for a subset of us. For others, Read more…
How do we overcome mistrust in the vaccines, especially with Black Americans?
Social and Racial Justice Vaccines
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
A: As many as half of Black Americans have expressed reluctance to take the COVID-19 vaccines (1), which some attribute to the enduring legacy of the egregious Tuskegee Syphilis Study. Reticence to take the coronavirus vaccine is complicated. Listening and understanding history is critical. Contrary to many peoples’ understanding of the Tuskegee Syphilis Study, Black Read more…
Can I go back to my indoor fitness classes?
Infection and Spread Staying Safe
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: The Nerdy Girls LOVE your efforts to stay fit, but best to hang on to those online or outdoor workouts a bit longer. TL;DR: Heavy breathing, no masks, and indoors is the perfect recipe for SARS-CoV-2 transmission. A recent U.S. CDC report described an outbreak linked to an unnamed fitness facility in Chicago in Read more…
A: Best-case scenario: late summer/fall 2021 for older kids (12+); early 2022 for younger kids. All the usual pandemic-era caveats about uncertain timelines apply! We dedicate today’s TGIF post to all of the children and teens volunteering for vaccine clinical trials. Hooray and thank you! And thank you to all of the (adult) scientists who Read more…
He alcanzado un nuevo punto bajo mental. ¿Qué puedo hacer?
Mental Health Posts en EspañolDaisey Velazquez, Spanish Translation
P: He alcanzado un nuevo punto bajo mental. No parece que vaya a recibir la vacuna pronto, y simplemente … no puedo más. ¿Qué puedo hacer? R: Respire profundamente. Los expertos nos advirtieron que el invierno en el hemisferio norte iba a estar difícil y aquí estamos. Las investigaciones sugieren que si elige (y logra) Read more…
Is it safe to go to the dentist?
Staying Safe
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: YES! Delaying preventative and emergency dental care can have negative consequences on your overall health. COVID-19 infection among dental health professionals remains low despite the close proximity to patients and open mouths. It’s important to 1) maintain risk mitigation strategies we can control in dental offices, 2) monitor local infection rates, and 3) stay Read more…
Is vaccine hesitancy declining?
Vaccines
Alison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
There are lots of ways to define and measure vaccine hesitancy, but pretty much however you slice the data, about 1 in 5 adults in the US report being something other than gung-ho about the vaccine. That figure hasn’t budged for several months. But let’s back up just a bit. What exactly do researchers mean Read more…
Since there have been deaths reported after people received vaccination, should I be concerned? I’m scared to take the vaccine.
Uncertainty and Misinformation Vaccines
Verdena Jennings, DO
A: No. In spite of sensational headlines, no deaths have been linked to receiving COVID-19 vaccination. And hundreds of millions of vaccines have been given. As of early March, more than 330 million vaccinations in over 120 countries have been given. In detailed investigative reporting of vaccine-related deaths around the world, DW (Deutsche Welle) a Read more…
What’s with the news coming out of Europe on the Oxford/Astrazeneca vaccine and blood clots?
Data and Metrics Vaccines
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: So far there is no evidence that the risk of these events after vaccination is higher than would be expected based on normal rates. Several European countries including Ireland, Denmark and Norway have temporarily suspended use of the Oxford/Astrazeneca vaccine as a precaution while they review recent reports of blood clots following vaccination. Meanwhile, Read more…
Happy birthday, Dear Pandemic! 3/13/21
Uncategorized
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
It’s been a heck of a year. For us all. For me, for all of you readers, and for the whole Dear Pandemic team. A year ago, I never could have anticipated where this would end up. The ol’ Magic 8-Ball doesn’t have a response that says “29-woman strong mostly volunteer team fighting the #infodemic Read more…
Once I’m vaccinated, can I pass on the antibodies to my baby by breastfeeding?
Families/Kids Vaccines
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
Q: I’ve had the vaccine and am nursing. Can I pass the antibodies along to my newborn? Would post-vaccine frozen breastmilk also benefit other family members? A: We are so glad you asked! Yes, we do have limited preliminary evidence that breastmilk can confer some protection against SARS CoV-2 to your newborn. Sadly, we don’t Read more…
Has there been a COVID-19 baby boom?
Data and Metrics Families/Kids
Lauren Hale, PhD MA
A: No. So far being cooped up at home has NOT led to more babies. Nerdy Guest Dr. Alison Gemmill answered a few questions about fertility during COVID. Dr. Gemmill (Assistant Professor; Department of Population, Family and Reproductive Health; Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health) is a demographer who studies fertility and women’s and Read more…
Which vaccine is best?
Vaccines
Alison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
A: The one you can get today. Dylan from Northport, NY asked about the differences between the mRNA vaccines and the viral vector vaccines. Do we have a choice about which vaccine technology we get? Are there any reasons why one would be preferred over the other? Other questions are coming in fast and furious Read more…
What is the real COVID-19 death toll? Are we over-counting deaths?
Data and Metrics Data Literacy
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: Sadly, we are most likely UNDER-COUNTING Covid-19 deaths. Among the most persistent COVID-19 myths is the idea that COVID-19 deaths are being over-counted, including stories of victims of motorcycle accidents getting tested in the hospital so they can be counted as COVID-19 deaths, or the infamous line that people are dying *with* COVID-19 rather Read more…
Verdena Jennings, DO
Dena Jennings, D.O. is a physician and artist in Central Virginia. She was born in Akron, Ohio during its booming years of ingenuity as the rubber capital of the world. Her father was an executive at Goodyear International; her mother, a banker at a hometown savings and loan. Culturally, she was raised the 5th generation Read more…
If I have the opportunity to get the vaccine but it’s not my turn, should I take it?
Vaccines
Alison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
A: This vexing ethical dilemma has a few black and white answers, and a whole lot of gray. tl;dr: Don’t lie about your status. Don’t take a dose clearly intended for others. If doses are truly going to waste and a vaccination provider is looking for arms, it’s ok to take the shot, but you Read more…
Is it safe to get routine medical care at a clinic?
Staying Safe
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
A: Yes! Yes, yes and yes. Yes!!! Please do not let the pandemic keep you from getting routine screenings and needed medical care! To answer this question, we’re bringing back an updated version of a post from all the way back in JUNE, when this was already true. What’s new at this point? Well, most Read more…
Any new updates regarding the COVID-19 vaccine rollout outside the U.S.?
Data and Metrics Vaccines
Sandra Albrecht, PhD MPH
A. Yes, there are new updates! And while there is reason for optimism, there is still a long, long way to go in many countries. We previously posted about the status of the global vaccine rollout roughly a month ago. Some countries like Israel and the United Arab Emirates (UAB) were doing a great job Read more…
Will the vaccines prevent Long Covid?
Vaccines
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: Likely! There is good biological reason to think so, but like many things we lack hard data. Many followers have asked this great question in recent weeks. Clinical trials have shown the vaccines are AMAZING at preventing serious disease and death. But what about those mild infections after a vaccine, could they still lead Read more…
In the last year I made some not-so-awesome impulse purchases. Was that just me?
Mental Health
Christine Whelan, PhD
A: Stress spending is real, and in the last year, it went way past buying too much toilet paper. According to one survey, 43% of respondents said they’d made an impulse purchase during the first few months of the pandemic as wine-o-clock internet purchases became an all-day thing for a subset of us. For others, Read more…
How do we overcome mistrust in the vaccines, especially with Black Americans?
Social and Racial Justice Vaccines
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
A: As many as half of Black Americans have expressed reluctance to take the COVID-19 vaccines (1), which some attribute to the enduring legacy of the egregious Tuskegee Syphilis Study. Reticence to take the coronavirus vaccine is complicated. Listening and understanding history is critical. Contrary to many peoples’ understanding of the Tuskegee Syphilis Study, Black Read more…
Can I go back to my indoor fitness classes?
Infection and Spread Staying Safe
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: The Nerdy Girls LOVE your efforts to stay fit, but best to hang on to those online or outdoor workouts a bit longer. TL;DR: Heavy breathing, no masks, and indoors is the perfect recipe for SARS-CoV-2 transmission. A recent U.S. CDC report described an outbreak linked to an unnamed fitness facility in Chicago in Read more…
P: He alcanzado un nuevo punto bajo mental. No parece que vaya a recibir la vacuna pronto, y simplemente … no puedo más. ¿Qué puedo hacer? R: Respire profundamente. Los expertos nos advirtieron que el invierno en el hemisferio norte iba a estar difícil y aquí estamos. Las investigaciones sugieren que si elige (y logra) Read more…
Is it safe to go to the dentist?
Staying SafeAshley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: YES! Delaying preventative and emergency dental care can have negative consequences on your overall health. COVID-19 infection among dental health professionals remains low despite the close proximity to patients and open mouths. It’s important to 1) maintain risk mitigation strategies we can control in dental offices, 2) monitor local infection rates, and 3) stay Read more…
Is vaccine hesitancy declining?
Vaccines
Alison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
There are lots of ways to define and measure vaccine hesitancy, but pretty much however you slice the data, about 1 in 5 adults in the US report being something other than gung-ho about the vaccine. That figure hasn’t budged for several months. But let’s back up just a bit. What exactly do researchers mean Read more…
Since there have been deaths reported after people received vaccination, should I be concerned? I’m scared to take the vaccine.
Uncertainty and Misinformation Vaccines
Verdena Jennings, DO
A: No. In spite of sensational headlines, no deaths have been linked to receiving COVID-19 vaccination. And hundreds of millions of vaccines have been given. As of early March, more than 330 million vaccinations in over 120 countries have been given. In detailed investigative reporting of vaccine-related deaths around the world, DW (Deutsche Welle) a Read more…
What’s with the news coming out of Europe on the Oxford/Astrazeneca vaccine and blood clots?
Data and Metrics Vaccines
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: So far there is no evidence that the risk of these events after vaccination is higher than would be expected based on normal rates. Several European countries including Ireland, Denmark and Norway have temporarily suspended use of the Oxford/Astrazeneca vaccine as a precaution while they review recent reports of blood clots following vaccination. Meanwhile, Read more…
Happy birthday, Dear Pandemic! 3/13/21
Uncategorized
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
It’s been a heck of a year. For us all. For me, for all of you readers, and for the whole Dear Pandemic team. A year ago, I never could have anticipated where this would end up. The ol’ Magic 8-Ball doesn’t have a response that says “29-woman strong mostly volunteer team fighting the #infodemic Read more…
Once I’m vaccinated, can I pass on the antibodies to my baby by breastfeeding?
Families/Kids Vaccines
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
Q: I’ve had the vaccine and am nursing. Can I pass the antibodies along to my newborn? Would post-vaccine frozen breastmilk also benefit other family members? A: We are so glad you asked! Yes, we do have limited preliminary evidence that breastmilk can confer some protection against SARS CoV-2 to your newborn. Sadly, we don’t Read more…
Has there been a COVID-19 baby boom?
Data and Metrics Families/Kids
Lauren Hale, PhD MA
A: No. So far being cooped up at home has NOT led to more babies. Nerdy Guest Dr. Alison Gemmill answered a few questions about fertility during COVID. Dr. Gemmill (Assistant Professor; Department of Population, Family and Reproductive Health; Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health) is a demographer who studies fertility and women’s and Read more…
Which vaccine is best?
Vaccines
Alison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
A: The one you can get today. Dylan from Northport, NY asked about the differences between the mRNA vaccines and the viral vector vaccines. Do we have a choice about which vaccine technology we get? Are there any reasons why one would be preferred over the other? Other questions are coming in fast and furious Read more…
What is the real COVID-19 death toll? Are we over-counting deaths?
Data and Metrics Data Literacy
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: Sadly, we are most likely UNDER-COUNTING Covid-19 deaths. Among the most persistent COVID-19 myths is the idea that COVID-19 deaths are being over-counted, including stories of victims of motorcycle accidents getting tested in the hospital so they can be counted as COVID-19 deaths, or the infamous line that people are dying *with* COVID-19 rather Read more…
Verdena Jennings, DO
Dena Jennings, D.O. is a physician and artist in Central Virginia. She was born in Akron, Ohio during its booming years of ingenuity as the rubber capital of the world. Her father was an executive at Goodyear International; her mother, a banker at a hometown savings and loan. Culturally, she was raised the 5th generation Read more…
If I have the opportunity to get the vaccine but it’s not my turn, should I take it?
Vaccines
Alison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
A: This vexing ethical dilemma has a few black and white answers, and a whole lot of gray. tl;dr: Don’t lie about your status. Don’t take a dose clearly intended for others. If doses are truly going to waste and a vaccination provider is looking for arms, it’s ok to take the shot, but you Read more…
Is it safe to get routine medical care at a clinic?
Staying Safe
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
A: Yes! Yes, yes and yes. Yes!!! Please do not let the pandemic keep you from getting routine screenings and needed medical care! To answer this question, we’re bringing back an updated version of a post from all the way back in JUNE, when this was already true. What’s new at this point? Well, most Read more…
Any new updates regarding the COVID-19 vaccine rollout outside the U.S.?
Data and Metrics Vaccines
Sandra Albrecht, PhD MPH
A. Yes, there are new updates! And while there is reason for optimism, there is still a long, long way to go in many countries. We previously posted about the status of the global vaccine rollout roughly a month ago. Some countries like Israel and the United Arab Emirates (UAB) were doing a great job Read more…
Will the vaccines prevent Long Covid?
Vaccines
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: Likely! There is good biological reason to think so, but like many things we lack hard data. Many followers have asked this great question in recent weeks. Clinical trials have shown the vaccines are AMAZING at preventing serious disease and death. But what about those mild infections after a vaccine, could they still lead Read more…
In the last year I made some not-so-awesome impulse purchases. Was that just me?
Mental Health
Christine Whelan, PhD
A: Stress spending is real, and in the last year, it went way past buying too much toilet paper. According to one survey, 43% of respondents said they’d made an impulse purchase during the first few months of the pandemic as wine-o-clock internet purchases became an all-day thing for a subset of us. For others, Read more…
How do we overcome mistrust in the vaccines, especially with Black Americans?
Social and Racial Justice Vaccines
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
A: As many as half of Black Americans have expressed reluctance to take the COVID-19 vaccines (1), which some attribute to the enduring legacy of the egregious Tuskegee Syphilis Study. Reticence to take the coronavirus vaccine is complicated. Listening and understanding history is critical. Contrary to many peoples’ understanding of the Tuskegee Syphilis Study, Black Read more…
Can I go back to my indoor fitness classes?
Infection and Spread Staying Safe
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: The Nerdy Girls LOVE your efforts to stay fit, but best to hang on to those online or outdoor workouts a bit longer. TL;DR: Heavy breathing, no masks, and indoors is the perfect recipe for SARS-CoV-2 transmission. A recent U.S. CDC report described an outbreak linked to an unnamed fitness facility in Chicago in Read more…
A: YES! Delaying preventative and emergency dental care can have negative consequences on your overall health. COVID-19 infection among dental health professionals remains low despite the close proximity to patients and open mouths. It’s important to 1) maintain risk mitigation strategies we can control in dental offices, 2) monitor local infection rates, and 3) stay Read more…
Is vaccine hesitancy declining?
VaccinesAlison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
There are lots of ways to define and measure vaccine hesitancy, but pretty much however you slice the data, about 1 in 5 adults in the US report being something other than gung-ho about the vaccine. That figure hasn’t budged for several months. But let’s back up just a bit. What exactly do researchers mean Read more…
Since there have been deaths reported after people received vaccination, should I be concerned? I’m scared to take the vaccine.
Uncertainty and Misinformation Vaccines
Verdena Jennings, DO
A: No. In spite of sensational headlines, no deaths have been linked to receiving COVID-19 vaccination. And hundreds of millions of vaccines have been given. As of early March, more than 330 million vaccinations in over 120 countries have been given. In detailed investigative reporting of vaccine-related deaths around the world, DW (Deutsche Welle) a Read more…
What’s with the news coming out of Europe on the Oxford/Astrazeneca vaccine and blood clots?
Data and Metrics Vaccines
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: So far there is no evidence that the risk of these events after vaccination is higher than would be expected based on normal rates. Several European countries including Ireland, Denmark and Norway have temporarily suspended use of the Oxford/Astrazeneca vaccine as a precaution while they review recent reports of blood clots following vaccination. Meanwhile, Read more…
Happy birthday, Dear Pandemic! 3/13/21
Uncategorized
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
It’s been a heck of a year. For us all. For me, for all of you readers, and for the whole Dear Pandemic team. A year ago, I never could have anticipated where this would end up. The ol’ Magic 8-Ball doesn’t have a response that says “29-woman strong mostly volunteer team fighting the #infodemic Read more…
Once I’m vaccinated, can I pass on the antibodies to my baby by breastfeeding?
Families/Kids Vaccines
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
Q: I’ve had the vaccine and am nursing. Can I pass the antibodies along to my newborn? Would post-vaccine frozen breastmilk also benefit other family members? A: We are so glad you asked! Yes, we do have limited preliminary evidence that breastmilk can confer some protection against SARS CoV-2 to your newborn. Sadly, we don’t Read more…
Has there been a COVID-19 baby boom?
Data and Metrics Families/Kids
Lauren Hale, PhD MA
A: No. So far being cooped up at home has NOT led to more babies. Nerdy Guest Dr. Alison Gemmill answered a few questions about fertility during COVID. Dr. Gemmill (Assistant Professor; Department of Population, Family and Reproductive Health; Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health) is a demographer who studies fertility and women’s and Read more…
Which vaccine is best?
Vaccines
Alison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
A: The one you can get today. Dylan from Northport, NY asked about the differences between the mRNA vaccines and the viral vector vaccines. Do we have a choice about which vaccine technology we get? Are there any reasons why one would be preferred over the other? Other questions are coming in fast and furious Read more…
What is the real COVID-19 death toll? Are we over-counting deaths?
Data and Metrics Data Literacy
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: Sadly, we are most likely UNDER-COUNTING Covid-19 deaths. Among the most persistent COVID-19 myths is the idea that COVID-19 deaths are being over-counted, including stories of victims of motorcycle accidents getting tested in the hospital so they can be counted as COVID-19 deaths, or the infamous line that people are dying *with* COVID-19 rather Read more…
Verdena Jennings, DO
Dena Jennings, D.O. is a physician and artist in Central Virginia. She was born in Akron, Ohio during its booming years of ingenuity as the rubber capital of the world. Her father was an executive at Goodyear International; her mother, a banker at a hometown savings and loan. Culturally, she was raised the 5th generation Read more…
If I have the opportunity to get the vaccine but it’s not my turn, should I take it?
Vaccines
Alison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
A: This vexing ethical dilemma has a few black and white answers, and a whole lot of gray. tl;dr: Don’t lie about your status. Don’t take a dose clearly intended for others. If doses are truly going to waste and a vaccination provider is looking for arms, it’s ok to take the shot, but you Read more…
Is it safe to get routine medical care at a clinic?
Staying Safe
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
A: Yes! Yes, yes and yes. Yes!!! Please do not let the pandemic keep you from getting routine screenings and needed medical care! To answer this question, we’re bringing back an updated version of a post from all the way back in JUNE, when this was already true. What’s new at this point? Well, most Read more…
Any new updates regarding the COVID-19 vaccine rollout outside the U.S.?
Data and Metrics Vaccines
Sandra Albrecht, PhD MPH
A. Yes, there are new updates! And while there is reason for optimism, there is still a long, long way to go in many countries. We previously posted about the status of the global vaccine rollout roughly a month ago. Some countries like Israel and the United Arab Emirates (UAB) were doing a great job Read more…
Will the vaccines prevent Long Covid?
Vaccines
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: Likely! There is good biological reason to think so, but like many things we lack hard data. Many followers have asked this great question in recent weeks. Clinical trials have shown the vaccines are AMAZING at preventing serious disease and death. But what about those mild infections after a vaccine, could they still lead Read more…
In the last year I made some not-so-awesome impulse purchases. Was that just me?
Mental Health
Christine Whelan, PhD
A: Stress spending is real, and in the last year, it went way past buying too much toilet paper. According to one survey, 43% of respondents said they’d made an impulse purchase during the first few months of the pandemic as wine-o-clock internet purchases became an all-day thing for a subset of us. For others, Read more…
How do we overcome mistrust in the vaccines, especially with Black Americans?
Social and Racial Justice Vaccines
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
A: As many as half of Black Americans have expressed reluctance to take the COVID-19 vaccines (1), which some attribute to the enduring legacy of the egregious Tuskegee Syphilis Study. Reticence to take the coronavirus vaccine is complicated. Listening and understanding history is critical. Contrary to many peoples’ understanding of the Tuskegee Syphilis Study, Black Read more…
Can I go back to my indoor fitness classes?
Infection and Spread Staying Safe
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: The Nerdy Girls LOVE your efforts to stay fit, but best to hang on to those online or outdoor workouts a bit longer. TL;DR: Heavy breathing, no masks, and indoors is the perfect recipe for SARS-CoV-2 transmission. A recent U.S. CDC report described an outbreak linked to an unnamed fitness facility in Chicago in Read more…
There are lots of ways to define and measure vaccine hesitancy, but pretty much however you slice the data, about 1 in 5 adults in the US report being something other than gung-ho about the vaccine. That figure hasn’t budged for several months. But let’s back up just a bit. What exactly do researchers mean Read more…
Since there have been deaths reported after people received vaccination, should I be concerned? I’m scared to take the vaccine.
Uncertainty and Misinformation VaccinesVerdena Jennings, DO
A: No. In spite of sensational headlines, no deaths have been linked to receiving COVID-19 vaccination. And hundreds of millions of vaccines have been given. As of early March, more than 330 million vaccinations in over 120 countries have been given. In detailed investigative reporting of vaccine-related deaths around the world, DW (Deutsche Welle) a Read more…
What’s with the news coming out of Europe on the Oxford/Astrazeneca vaccine and blood clots?
Data and Metrics Vaccines
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: So far there is no evidence that the risk of these events after vaccination is higher than would be expected based on normal rates. Several European countries including Ireland, Denmark and Norway have temporarily suspended use of the Oxford/Astrazeneca vaccine as a precaution while they review recent reports of blood clots following vaccination. Meanwhile, Read more…
Happy birthday, Dear Pandemic! 3/13/21
Uncategorized
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
It’s been a heck of a year. For us all. For me, for all of you readers, and for the whole Dear Pandemic team. A year ago, I never could have anticipated where this would end up. The ol’ Magic 8-Ball doesn’t have a response that says “29-woman strong mostly volunteer team fighting the #infodemic Read more…
Once I’m vaccinated, can I pass on the antibodies to my baby by breastfeeding?
Families/Kids Vaccines
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
Q: I’ve had the vaccine and am nursing. Can I pass the antibodies along to my newborn? Would post-vaccine frozen breastmilk also benefit other family members? A: We are so glad you asked! Yes, we do have limited preliminary evidence that breastmilk can confer some protection against SARS CoV-2 to your newborn. Sadly, we don’t Read more…
Has there been a COVID-19 baby boom?
Data and Metrics Families/Kids
Lauren Hale, PhD MA
A: No. So far being cooped up at home has NOT led to more babies. Nerdy Guest Dr. Alison Gemmill answered a few questions about fertility during COVID. Dr. Gemmill (Assistant Professor; Department of Population, Family and Reproductive Health; Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health) is a demographer who studies fertility and women’s and Read more…
Which vaccine is best?
Vaccines
Alison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
A: The one you can get today. Dylan from Northport, NY asked about the differences between the mRNA vaccines and the viral vector vaccines. Do we have a choice about which vaccine technology we get? Are there any reasons why one would be preferred over the other? Other questions are coming in fast and furious Read more…
What is the real COVID-19 death toll? Are we over-counting deaths?
Data and Metrics Data Literacy
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: Sadly, we are most likely UNDER-COUNTING Covid-19 deaths. Among the most persistent COVID-19 myths is the idea that COVID-19 deaths are being over-counted, including stories of victims of motorcycle accidents getting tested in the hospital so they can be counted as COVID-19 deaths, or the infamous line that people are dying *with* COVID-19 rather Read more…
Verdena Jennings, DO
Dena Jennings, D.O. is a physician and artist in Central Virginia. She was born in Akron, Ohio during its booming years of ingenuity as the rubber capital of the world. Her father was an executive at Goodyear International; her mother, a banker at a hometown savings and loan. Culturally, she was raised the 5th generation Read more…
If I have the opportunity to get the vaccine but it’s not my turn, should I take it?
Vaccines
Alison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
A: This vexing ethical dilemma has a few black and white answers, and a whole lot of gray. tl;dr: Don’t lie about your status. Don’t take a dose clearly intended for others. If doses are truly going to waste and a vaccination provider is looking for arms, it’s ok to take the shot, but you Read more…
Is it safe to get routine medical care at a clinic?
Staying Safe
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
A: Yes! Yes, yes and yes. Yes!!! Please do not let the pandemic keep you from getting routine screenings and needed medical care! To answer this question, we’re bringing back an updated version of a post from all the way back in JUNE, when this was already true. What’s new at this point? Well, most Read more…
Any new updates regarding the COVID-19 vaccine rollout outside the U.S.?
Data and Metrics Vaccines
Sandra Albrecht, PhD MPH
A. Yes, there are new updates! And while there is reason for optimism, there is still a long, long way to go in many countries. We previously posted about the status of the global vaccine rollout roughly a month ago. Some countries like Israel and the United Arab Emirates (UAB) were doing a great job Read more…
Will the vaccines prevent Long Covid?
Vaccines
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: Likely! There is good biological reason to think so, but like many things we lack hard data. Many followers have asked this great question in recent weeks. Clinical trials have shown the vaccines are AMAZING at preventing serious disease and death. But what about those mild infections after a vaccine, could they still lead Read more…
In the last year I made some not-so-awesome impulse purchases. Was that just me?
Mental Health
Christine Whelan, PhD
A: Stress spending is real, and in the last year, it went way past buying too much toilet paper. According to one survey, 43% of respondents said they’d made an impulse purchase during the first few months of the pandemic as wine-o-clock internet purchases became an all-day thing for a subset of us. For others, Read more…
How do we overcome mistrust in the vaccines, especially with Black Americans?
Social and Racial Justice Vaccines
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
A: As many as half of Black Americans have expressed reluctance to take the COVID-19 vaccines (1), which some attribute to the enduring legacy of the egregious Tuskegee Syphilis Study. Reticence to take the coronavirus vaccine is complicated. Listening and understanding history is critical. Contrary to many peoples’ understanding of the Tuskegee Syphilis Study, Black Read more…
Can I go back to my indoor fitness classes?
Infection and Spread Staying Safe
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: The Nerdy Girls LOVE your efforts to stay fit, but best to hang on to those online or outdoor workouts a bit longer. TL;DR: Heavy breathing, no masks, and indoors is the perfect recipe for SARS-CoV-2 transmission. A recent U.S. CDC report described an outbreak linked to an unnamed fitness facility in Chicago in Read more…
A: No. In spite of sensational headlines, no deaths have been linked to receiving COVID-19 vaccination. And hundreds of millions of vaccines have been given. As of early March, more than 330 million vaccinations in over 120 countries have been given. In detailed investigative reporting of vaccine-related deaths around the world, DW (Deutsche Welle) a Read more…
What’s with the news coming out of Europe on the Oxford/Astrazeneca vaccine and blood clots?
Data and Metrics VaccinesJennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: So far there is no evidence that the risk of these events after vaccination is higher than would be expected based on normal rates. Several European countries including Ireland, Denmark and Norway have temporarily suspended use of the Oxford/Astrazeneca vaccine as a precaution while they review recent reports of blood clots following vaccination. Meanwhile, Read more…
Happy birthday, Dear Pandemic! 3/13/21
Uncategorized
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
It’s been a heck of a year. For us all. For me, for all of you readers, and for the whole Dear Pandemic team. A year ago, I never could have anticipated where this would end up. The ol’ Magic 8-Ball doesn’t have a response that says “29-woman strong mostly volunteer team fighting the #infodemic Read more…
Once I’m vaccinated, can I pass on the antibodies to my baby by breastfeeding?
Families/Kids Vaccines
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
Q: I’ve had the vaccine and am nursing. Can I pass the antibodies along to my newborn? Would post-vaccine frozen breastmilk also benefit other family members? A: We are so glad you asked! Yes, we do have limited preliminary evidence that breastmilk can confer some protection against SARS CoV-2 to your newborn. Sadly, we don’t Read more…
Has there been a COVID-19 baby boom?
Data and Metrics Families/Kids
Lauren Hale, PhD MA
A: No. So far being cooped up at home has NOT led to more babies. Nerdy Guest Dr. Alison Gemmill answered a few questions about fertility during COVID. Dr. Gemmill (Assistant Professor; Department of Population, Family and Reproductive Health; Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health) is a demographer who studies fertility and women’s and Read more…
Which vaccine is best?
Vaccines
Alison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
A: The one you can get today. Dylan from Northport, NY asked about the differences between the mRNA vaccines and the viral vector vaccines. Do we have a choice about which vaccine technology we get? Are there any reasons why one would be preferred over the other? Other questions are coming in fast and furious Read more…
What is the real COVID-19 death toll? Are we over-counting deaths?
Data and Metrics Data Literacy
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: Sadly, we are most likely UNDER-COUNTING Covid-19 deaths. Among the most persistent COVID-19 myths is the idea that COVID-19 deaths are being over-counted, including stories of victims of motorcycle accidents getting tested in the hospital so they can be counted as COVID-19 deaths, or the infamous line that people are dying *with* COVID-19 rather Read more…
Verdena Jennings, DO
Dena Jennings, D.O. is a physician and artist in Central Virginia. She was born in Akron, Ohio during its booming years of ingenuity as the rubber capital of the world. Her father was an executive at Goodyear International; her mother, a banker at a hometown savings and loan. Culturally, she was raised the 5th generation Read more…
If I have the opportunity to get the vaccine but it’s not my turn, should I take it?
Vaccines
Alison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
A: This vexing ethical dilemma has a few black and white answers, and a whole lot of gray. tl;dr: Don’t lie about your status. Don’t take a dose clearly intended for others. If doses are truly going to waste and a vaccination provider is looking for arms, it’s ok to take the shot, but you Read more…
Is it safe to get routine medical care at a clinic?
Staying Safe
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
A: Yes! Yes, yes and yes. Yes!!! Please do not let the pandemic keep you from getting routine screenings and needed medical care! To answer this question, we’re bringing back an updated version of a post from all the way back in JUNE, when this was already true. What’s new at this point? Well, most Read more…
Any new updates regarding the COVID-19 vaccine rollout outside the U.S.?
Data and Metrics Vaccines
Sandra Albrecht, PhD MPH
A. Yes, there are new updates! And while there is reason for optimism, there is still a long, long way to go in many countries. We previously posted about the status of the global vaccine rollout roughly a month ago. Some countries like Israel and the United Arab Emirates (UAB) were doing a great job Read more…
Will the vaccines prevent Long Covid?
Vaccines
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: Likely! There is good biological reason to think so, but like many things we lack hard data. Many followers have asked this great question in recent weeks. Clinical trials have shown the vaccines are AMAZING at preventing serious disease and death. But what about those mild infections after a vaccine, could they still lead Read more…
In the last year I made some not-so-awesome impulse purchases. Was that just me?
Mental Health
Christine Whelan, PhD
A: Stress spending is real, and in the last year, it went way past buying too much toilet paper. According to one survey, 43% of respondents said they’d made an impulse purchase during the first few months of the pandemic as wine-o-clock internet purchases became an all-day thing for a subset of us. For others, Read more…
How do we overcome mistrust in the vaccines, especially with Black Americans?
Social and Racial Justice Vaccines
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
A: As many as half of Black Americans have expressed reluctance to take the COVID-19 vaccines (1), which some attribute to the enduring legacy of the egregious Tuskegee Syphilis Study. Reticence to take the coronavirus vaccine is complicated. Listening and understanding history is critical. Contrary to many peoples’ understanding of the Tuskegee Syphilis Study, Black Read more…
Can I go back to my indoor fitness classes?
Infection and Spread Staying Safe
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: The Nerdy Girls LOVE your efforts to stay fit, but best to hang on to those online or outdoor workouts a bit longer. TL;DR: Heavy breathing, no masks, and indoors is the perfect recipe for SARS-CoV-2 transmission. A recent U.S. CDC report described an outbreak linked to an unnamed fitness facility in Chicago in Read more…
A: So far there is no evidence that the risk of these events after vaccination is higher than would be expected based on normal rates. Several European countries including Ireland, Denmark and Norway have temporarily suspended use of the Oxford/Astrazeneca vaccine as a precaution while they review recent reports of blood clots following vaccination. Meanwhile, Read more…
Happy birthday, Dear Pandemic! 3/13/21
UncategorizedMalia Jones, PhD MPH
It’s been a heck of a year. For us all. For me, for all of you readers, and for the whole Dear Pandemic team. A year ago, I never could have anticipated where this would end up. The ol’ Magic 8-Ball doesn’t have a response that says “29-woman strong mostly volunteer team fighting the #infodemic Read more…
Once I’m vaccinated, can I pass on the antibodies to my baby by breastfeeding?
Families/Kids Vaccines
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
Q: I’ve had the vaccine and am nursing. Can I pass the antibodies along to my newborn? Would post-vaccine frozen breastmilk also benefit other family members? A: We are so glad you asked! Yes, we do have limited preliminary evidence that breastmilk can confer some protection against SARS CoV-2 to your newborn. Sadly, we don’t Read more…
Has there been a COVID-19 baby boom?
Data and Metrics Families/Kids
Lauren Hale, PhD MA
A: No. So far being cooped up at home has NOT led to more babies. Nerdy Guest Dr. Alison Gemmill answered a few questions about fertility during COVID. Dr. Gemmill (Assistant Professor; Department of Population, Family and Reproductive Health; Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health) is a demographer who studies fertility and women’s and Read more…
Which vaccine is best?
Vaccines
Alison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
A: The one you can get today. Dylan from Northport, NY asked about the differences between the mRNA vaccines and the viral vector vaccines. Do we have a choice about which vaccine technology we get? Are there any reasons why one would be preferred over the other? Other questions are coming in fast and furious Read more…
What is the real COVID-19 death toll? Are we over-counting deaths?
Data and Metrics Data Literacy
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: Sadly, we are most likely UNDER-COUNTING Covid-19 deaths. Among the most persistent COVID-19 myths is the idea that COVID-19 deaths are being over-counted, including stories of victims of motorcycle accidents getting tested in the hospital so they can be counted as COVID-19 deaths, or the infamous line that people are dying *with* COVID-19 rather Read more…
Verdena Jennings, DO
Dena Jennings, D.O. is a physician and artist in Central Virginia. She was born in Akron, Ohio during its booming years of ingenuity as the rubber capital of the world. Her father was an executive at Goodyear International; her mother, a banker at a hometown savings and loan. Culturally, she was raised the 5th generation Read more…
If I have the opportunity to get the vaccine but it’s not my turn, should I take it?
Vaccines
Alison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
A: This vexing ethical dilemma has a few black and white answers, and a whole lot of gray. tl;dr: Don’t lie about your status. Don’t take a dose clearly intended for others. If doses are truly going to waste and a vaccination provider is looking for arms, it’s ok to take the shot, but you Read more…
Is it safe to get routine medical care at a clinic?
Staying Safe
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
A: Yes! Yes, yes and yes. Yes!!! Please do not let the pandemic keep you from getting routine screenings and needed medical care! To answer this question, we’re bringing back an updated version of a post from all the way back in JUNE, when this was already true. What’s new at this point? Well, most Read more…
Any new updates regarding the COVID-19 vaccine rollout outside the U.S.?
Data and Metrics Vaccines
Sandra Albrecht, PhD MPH
A. Yes, there are new updates! And while there is reason for optimism, there is still a long, long way to go in many countries. We previously posted about the status of the global vaccine rollout roughly a month ago. Some countries like Israel and the United Arab Emirates (UAB) were doing a great job Read more…
Will the vaccines prevent Long Covid?
Vaccines
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: Likely! There is good biological reason to think so, but like many things we lack hard data. Many followers have asked this great question in recent weeks. Clinical trials have shown the vaccines are AMAZING at preventing serious disease and death. But what about those mild infections after a vaccine, could they still lead Read more…
In the last year I made some not-so-awesome impulse purchases. Was that just me?
Mental Health
Christine Whelan, PhD
A: Stress spending is real, and in the last year, it went way past buying too much toilet paper. According to one survey, 43% of respondents said they’d made an impulse purchase during the first few months of the pandemic as wine-o-clock internet purchases became an all-day thing for a subset of us. For others, Read more…
How do we overcome mistrust in the vaccines, especially with Black Americans?
Social and Racial Justice Vaccines
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
A: As many as half of Black Americans have expressed reluctance to take the COVID-19 vaccines (1), which some attribute to the enduring legacy of the egregious Tuskegee Syphilis Study. Reticence to take the coronavirus vaccine is complicated. Listening and understanding history is critical. Contrary to many peoples’ understanding of the Tuskegee Syphilis Study, Black Read more…
Can I go back to my indoor fitness classes?
Infection and Spread Staying Safe
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: The Nerdy Girls LOVE your efforts to stay fit, but best to hang on to those online or outdoor workouts a bit longer. TL;DR: Heavy breathing, no masks, and indoors is the perfect recipe for SARS-CoV-2 transmission. A recent U.S. CDC report described an outbreak linked to an unnamed fitness facility in Chicago in Read more…
It’s been a heck of a year. For us all. For me, for all of you readers, and for the whole Dear Pandemic team. A year ago, I never could have anticipated where this would end up. The ol’ Magic 8-Ball doesn’t have a response that says “29-woman strong mostly volunteer team fighting the #infodemic Read more…
Once I’m vaccinated, can I pass on the antibodies to my baby by breastfeeding?
Families/Kids VaccinesAparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
Q: I’ve had the vaccine and am nursing. Can I pass the antibodies along to my newborn? Would post-vaccine frozen breastmilk also benefit other family members? A: We are so glad you asked! Yes, we do have limited preliminary evidence that breastmilk can confer some protection against SARS CoV-2 to your newborn. Sadly, we don’t Read more…
Has there been a COVID-19 baby boom?
Data and Metrics Families/Kids
Lauren Hale, PhD MA
A: No. So far being cooped up at home has NOT led to more babies. Nerdy Guest Dr. Alison Gemmill answered a few questions about fertility during COVID. Dr. Gemmill (Assistant Professor; Department of Population, Family and Reproductive Health; Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health) is a demographer who studies fertility and women’s and Read more…
Which vaccine is best?
Vaccines
Alison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
A: The one you can get today. Dylan from Northport, NY asked about the differences between the mRNA vaccines and the viral vector vaccines. Do we have a choice about which vaccine technology we get? Are there any reasons why one would be preferred over the other? Other questions are coming in fast and furious Read more…
What is the real COVID-19 death toll? Are we over-counting deaths?
Data and Metrics Data Literacy
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: Sadly, we are most likely UNDER-COUNTING Covid-19 deaths. Among the most persistent COVID-19 myths is the idea that COVID-19 deaths are being over-counted, including stories of victims of motorcycle accidents getting tested in the hospital so they can be counted as COVID-19 deaths, or the infamous line that people are dying *with* COVID-19 rather Read more…
Verdena Jennings, DO
Dena Jennings, D.O. is a physician and artist in Central Virginia. She was born in Akron, Ohio during its booming years of ingenuity as the rubber capital of the world. Her father was an executive at Goodyear International; her mother, a banker at a hometown savings and loan. Culturally, she was raised the 5th generation Read more…
If I have the opportunity to get the vaccine but it’s not my turn, should I take it?
Vaccines
Alison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
A: This vexing ethical dilemma has a few black and white answers, and a whole lot of gray. tl;dr: Don’t lie about your status. Don’t take a dose clearly intended for others. If doses are truly going to waste and a vaccination provider is looking for arms, it’s ok to take the shot, but you Read more…
Is it safe to get routine medical care at a clinic?
Staying Safe
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
A: Yes! Yes, yes and yes. Yes!!! Please do not let the pandemic keep you from getting routine screenings and needed medical care! To answer this question, we’re bringing back an updated version of a post from all the way back in JUNE, when this was already true. What’s new at this point? Well, most Read more…
Any new updates regarding the COVID-19 vaccine rollout outside the U.S.?
Data and Metrics Vaccines
Sandra Albrecht, PhD MPH
A. Yes, there are new updates! And while there is reason for optimism, there is still a long, long way to go in many countries. We previously posted about the status of the global vaccine rollout roughly a month ago. Some countries like Israel and the United Arab Emirates (UAB) were doing a great job Read more…
Will the vaccines prevent Long Covid?
Vaccines
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: Likely! There is good biological reason to think so, but like many things we lack hard data. Many followers have asked this great question in recent weeks. Clinical trials have shown the vaccines are AMAZING at preventing serious disease and death. But what about those mild infections after a vaccine, could they still lead Read more…
In the last year I made some not-so-awesome impulse purchases. Was that just me?
Mental Health
Christine Whelan, PhD
A: Stress spending is real, and in the last year, it went way past buying too much toilet paper. According to one survey, 43% of respondents said they’d made an impulse purchase during the first few months of the pandemic as wine-o-clock internet purchases became an all-day thing for a subset of us. For others, Read more…
How do we overcome mistrust in the vaccines, especially with Black Americans?
Social and Racial Justice Vaccines
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
A: As many as half of Black Americans have expressed reluctance to take the COVID-19 vaccines (1), which some attribute to the enduring legacy of the egregious Tuskegee Syphilis Study. Reticence to take the coronavirus vaccine is complicated. Listening and understanding history is critical. Contrary to many peoples’ understanding of the Tuskegee Syphilis Study, Black Read more…
Can I go back to my indoor fitness classes?
Infection and Spread Staying Safe
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: The Nerdy Girls LOVE your efforts to stay fit, but best to hang on to those online or outdoor workouts a bit longer. TL;DR: Heavy breathing, no masks, and indoors is the perfect recipe for SARS-CoV-2 transmission. A recent U.S. CDC report described an outbreak linked to an unnamed fitness facility in Chicago in Read more…
Q: I’ve had the vaccine and am nursing. Can I pass the antibodies along to my newborn? Would post-vaccine frozen breastmilk also benefit other family members? A: We are so glad you asked! Yes, we do have limited preliminary evidence that breastmilk can confer some protection against SARS CoV-2 to your newborn. Sadly, we don’t Read more…
Has there been a COVID-19 baby boom?
Data and Metrics Families/KidsLauren Hale, PhD MA
A: No. So far being cooped up at home has NOT led to more babies. Nerdy Guest Dr. Alison Gemmill answered a few questions about fertility during COVID. Dr. Gemmill (Assistant Professor; Department of Population, Family and Reproductive Health; Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health) is a demographer who studies fertility and women’s and Read more…
Which vaccine is best?
Vaccines
Alison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
A: The one you can get today. Dylan from Northport, NY asked about the differences between the mRNA vaccines and the viral vector vaccines. Do we have a choice about which vaccine technology we get? Are there any reasons why one would be preferred over the other? Other questions are coming in fast and furious Read more…
What is the real COVID-19 death toll? Are we over-counting deaths?
Data and Metrics Data Literacy
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: Sadly, we are most likely UNDER-COUNTING Covid-19 deaths. Among the most persistent COVID-19 myths is the idea that COVID-19 deaths are being over-counted, including stories of victims of motorcycle accidents getting tested in the hospital so they can be counted as COVID-19 deaths, or the infamous line that people are dying *with* COVID-19 rather Read more…
Verdena Jennings, DO
Dena Jennings, D.O. is a physician and artist in Central Virginia. She was born in Akron, Ohio during its booming years of ingenuity as the rubber capital of the world. Her father was an executive at Goodyear International; her mother, a banker at a hometown savings and loan. Culturally, she was raised the 5th generation Read more…
If I have the opportunity to get the vaccine but it’s not my turn, should I take it?
Vaccines
Alison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
A: This vexing ethical dilemma has a few black and white answers, and a whole lot of gray. tl;dr: Don’t lie about your status. Don’t take a dose clearly intended for others. If doses are truly going to waste and a vaccination provider is looking for arms, it’s ok to take the shot, but you Read more…
Is it safe to get routine medical care at a clinic?
Staying Safe
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
A: Yes! Yes, yes and yes. Yes!!! Please do not let the pandemic keep you from getting routine screenings and needed medical care! To answer this question, we’re bringing back an updated version of a post from all the way back in JUNE, when this was already true. What’s new at this point? Well, most Read more…
Any new updates regarding the COVID-19 vaccine rollout outside the U.S.?
Data and Metrics Vaccines
Sandra Albrecht, PhD MPH
A. Yes, there are new updates! And while there is reason for optimism, there is still a long, long way to go in many countries. We previously posted about the status of the global vaccine rollout roughly a month ago. Some countries like Israel and the United Arab Emirates (UAB) were doing a great job Read more…
Will the vaccines prevent Long Covid?
Vaccines
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: Likely! There is good biological reason to think so, but like many things we lack hard data. Many followers have asked this great question in recent weeks. Clinical trials have shown the vaccines are AMAZING at preventing serious disease and death. But what about those mild infections after a vaccine, could they still lead Read more…
In the last year I made some not-so-awesome impulse purchases. Was that just me?
Mental Health
Christine Whelan, PhD
A: Stress spending is real, and in the last year, it went way past buying too much toilet paper. According to one survey, 43% of respondents said they’d made an impulse purchase during the first few months of the pandemic as wine-o-clock internet purchases became an all-day thing for a subset of us. For others, Read more…
How do we overcome mistrust in the vaccines, especially with Black Americans?
Social and Racial Justice Vaccines
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
A: As many as half of Black Americans have expressed reluctance to take the COVID-19 vaccines (1), which some attribute to the enduring legacy of the egregious Tuskegee Syphilis Study. Reticence to take the coronavirus vaccine is complicated. Listening and understanding history is critical. Contrary to many peoples’ understanding of the Tuskegee Syphilis Study, Black Read more…
Can I go back to my indoor fitness classes?
Infection and Spread Staying Safe
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: The Nerdy Girls LOVE your efforts to stay fit, but best to hang on to those online or outdoor workouts a bit longer. TL;DR: Heavy breathing, no masks, and indoors is the perfect recipe for SARS-CoV-2 transmission. A recent U.S. CDC report described an outbreak linked to an unnamed fitness facility in Chicago in Read more…
A: No. So far being cooped up at home has NOT led to more babies. Nerdy Guest Dr. Alison Gemmill answered a few questions about fertility during COVID. Dr. Gemmill (Assistant Professor; Department of Population, Family and Reproductive Health; Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health) is a demographer who studies fertility and women’s and Read more…
Which vaccine is best?
VaccinesAlison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
A: The one you can get today. Dylan from Northport, NY asked about the differences between the mRNA vaccines and the viral vector vaccines. Do we have a choice about which vaccine technology we get? Are there any reasons why one would be preferred over the other? Other questions are coming in fast and furious Read more…
What is the real COVID-19 death toll? Are we over-counting deaths?
Data and Metrics Data Literacy
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: Sadly, we are most likely UNDER-COUNTING Covid-19 deaths. Among the most persistent COVID-19 myths is the idea that COVID-19 deaths are being over-counted, including stories of victims of motorcycle accidents getting tested in the hospital so they can be counted as COVID-19 deaths, or the infamous line that people are dying *with* COVID-19 rather Read more…
Verdena Jennings, DO
Dena Jennings, D.O. is a physician and artist in Central Virginia. She was born in Akron, Ohio during its booming years of ingenuity as the rubber capital of the world. Her father was an executive at Goodyear International; her mother, a banker at a hometown savings and loan. Culturally, she was raised the 5th generation Read more…
If I have the opportunity to get the vaccine but it’s not my turn, should I take it?
Vaccines
Alison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
A: This vexing ethical dilemma has a few black and white answers, and a whole lot of gray. tl;dr: Don’t lie about your status. Don’t take a dose clearly intended for others. If doses are truly going to waste and a vaccination provider is looking for arms, it’s ok to take the shot, but you Read more…
Is it safe to get routine medical care at a clinic?
Staying Safe
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
A: Yes! Yes, yes and yes. Yes!!! Please do not let the pandemic keep you from getting routine screenings and needed medical care! To answer this question, we’re bringing back an updated version of a post from all the way back in JUNE, when this was already true. What’s new at this point? Well, most Read more…
Any new updates regarding the COVID-19 vaccine rollout outside the U.S.?
Data and Metrics Vaccines
Sandra Albrecht, PhD MPH
A. Yes, there are new updates! And while there is reason for optimism, there is still a long, long way to go in many countries. We previously posted about the status of the global vaccine rollout roughly a month ago. Some countries like Israel and the United Arab Emirates (UAB) were doing a great job Read more…
Will the vaccines prevent Long Covid?
Vaccines
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: Likely! There is good biological reason to think so, but like many things we lack hard data. Many followers have asked this great question in recent weeks. Clinical trials have shown the vaccines are AMAZING at preventing serious disease and death. But what about those mild infections after a vaccine, could they still lead Read more…
In the last year I made some not-so-awesome impulse purchases. Was that just me?
Mental Health
Christine Whelan, PhD
A: Stress spending is real, and in the last year, it went way past buying too much toilet paper. According to one survey, 43% of respondents said they’d made an impulse purchase during the first few months of the pandemic as wine-o-clock internet purchases became an all-day thing for a subset of us. For others, Read more…
How do we overcome mistrust in the vaccines, especially with Black Americans?
Social and Racial Justice Vaccines
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
A: As many as half of Black Americans have expressed reluctance to take the COVID-19 vaccines (1), which some attribute to the enduring legacy of the egregious Tuskegee Syphilis Study. Reticence to take the coronavirus vaccine is complicated. Listening and understanding history is critical. Contrary to many peoples’ understanding of the Tuskegee Syphilis Study, Black Read more…
Can I go back to my indoor fitness classes?
Infection and Spread Staying Safe
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: The Nerdy Girls LOVE your efforts to stay fit, but best to hang on to those online or outdoor workouts a bit longer. TL;DR: Heavy breathing, no masks, and indoors is the perfect recipe for SARS-CoV-2 transmission. A recent U.S. CDC report described an outbreak linked to an unnamed fitness facility in Chicago in Read more…
A: The one you can get today. Dylan from Northport, NY asked about the differences between the mRNA vaccines and the viral vector vaccines. Do we have a choice about which vaccine technology we get? Are there any reasons why one would be preferred over the other? Other questions are coming in fast and furious Read more…
What is the real COVID-19 death toll? Are we over-counting deaths?
Data and Metrics Data LiteracyJennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: Sadly, we are most likely UNDER-COUNTING Covid-19 deaths. Among the most persistent COVID-19 myths is the idea that COVID-19 deaths are being over-counted, including stories of victims of motorcycle accidents getting tested in the hospital so they can be counted as COVID-19 deaths, or the infamous line that people are dying *with* COVID-19 rather Read more…
Verdena Jennings, DO
Dena Jennings, D.O. is a physician and artist in Central Virginia. She was born in Akron, Ohio during its booming years of ingenuity as the rubber capital of the world. Her father was an executive at Goodyear International; her mother, a banker at a hometown savings and loan. Culturally, she was raised the 5th generation Read more…
If I have the opportunity to get the vaccine but it’s not my turn, should I take it?
Vaccines
Alison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
A: This vexing ethical dilemma has a few black and white answers, and a whole lot of gray. tl;dr: Don’t lie about your status. Don’t take a dose clearly intended for others. If doses are truly going to waste and a vaccination provider is looking for arms, it’s ok to take the shot, but you Read more…
Is it safe to get routine medical care at a clinic?
Staying Safe
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
A: Yes! Yes, yes and yes. Yes!!! Please do not let the pandemic keep you from getting routine screenings and needed medical care! To answer this question, we’re bringing back an updated version of a post from all the way back in JUNE, when this was already true. What’s new at this point? Well, most Read more…
Any new updates regarding the COVID-19 vaccine rollout outside the U.S.?
Data and Metrics Vaccines
Sandra Albrecht, PhD MPH
A. Yes, there are new updates! And while there is reason for optimism, there is still a long, long way to go in many countries. We previously posted about the status of the global vaccine rollout roughly a month ago. Some countries like Israel and the United Arab Emirates (UAB) were doing a great job Read more…
Will the vaccines prevent Long Covid?
Vaccines
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: Likely! There is good biological reason to think so, but like many things we lack hard data. Many followers have asked this great question in recent weeks. Clinical trials have shown the vaccines are AMAZING at preventing serious disease and death. But what about those mild infections after a vaccine, could they still lead Read more…
In the last year I made some not-so-awesome impulse purchases. Was that just me?
Mental Health
Christine Whelan, PhD
A: Stress spending is real, and in the last year, it went way past buying too much toilet paper. According to one survey, 43% of respondents said they’d made an impulse purchase during the first few months of the pandemic as wine-o-clock internet purchases became an all-day thing for a subset of us. For others, Read more…
How do we overcome mistrust in the vaccines, especially with Black Americans?
Social and Racial Justice Vaccines
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
A: As many as half of Black Americans have expressed reluctance to take the COVID-19 vaccines (1), which some attribute to the enduring legacy of the egregious Tuskegee Syphilis Study. Reticence to take the coronavirus vaccine is complicated. Listening and understanding history is critical. Contrary to many peoples’ understanding of the Tuskegee Syphilis Study, Black Read more…
Can I go back to my indoor fitness classes?
Infection and Spread Staying Safe
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: The Nerdy Girls LOVE your efforts to stay fit, but best to hang on to those online or outdoor workouts a bit longer. TL;DR: Heavy breathing, no masks, and indoors is the perfect recipe for SARS-CoV-2 transmission. A recent U.S. CDC report described an outbreak linked to an unnamed fitness facility in Chicago in Read more…
A: Sadly, we are most likely UNDER-COUNTING Covid-19 deaths. Among the most persistent COVID-19 myths is the idea that COVID-19 deaths are being over-counted, including stories of victims of motorcycle accidents getting tested in the hospital so they can be counted as COVID-19 deaths, or the infamous line that people are dying *with* COVID-19 rather Read more…
Verdena Jennings, DO
Dena Jennings, D.O. is a physician and artist in Central Virginia. She was born in Akron, Ohio during its booming years of ingenuity as the rubber capital of the world. Her father was an executive at Goodyear International; her mother, a banker at a hometown savings and loan. Culturally, she was raised the 5th generation Read more…
If I have the opportunity to get the vaccine but it’s not my turn, should I take it?
VaccinesAlison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
A: This vexing ethical dilemma has a few black and white answers, and a whole lot of gray. tl;dr: Don’t lie about your status. Don’t take a dose clearly intended for others. If doses are truly going to waste and a vaccination provider is looking for arms, it’s ok to take the shot, but you Read more…
Is it safe to get routine medical care at a clinic?
Staying Safe
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
A: Yes! Yes, yes and yes. Yes!!! Please do not let the pandemic keep you from getting routine screenings and needed medical care! To answer this question, we’re bringing back an updated version of a post from all the way back in JUNE, when this was already true. What’s new at this point? Well, most Read more…
Any new updates regarding the COVID-19 vaccine rollout outside the U.S.?
Data and Metrics Vaccines
Sandra Albrecht, PhD MPH
A. Yes, there are new updates! And while there is reason for optimism, there is still a long, long way to go in many countries. We previously posted about the status of the global vaccine rollout roughly a month ago. Some countries like Israel and the United Arab Emirates (UAB) were doing a great job Read more…
Will the vaccines prevent Long Covid?
Vaccines
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: Likely! There is good biological reason to think so, but like many things we lack hard data. Many followers have asked this great question in recent weeks. Clinical trials have shown the vaccines are AMAZING at preventing serious disease and death. But what about those mild infections after a vaccine, could they still lead Read more…
In the last year I made some not-so-awesome impulse purchases. Was that just me?
Mental Health
Christine Whelan, PhD
A: Stress spending is real, and in the last year, it went way past buying too much toilet paper. According to one survey, 43% of respondents said they’d made an impulse purchase during the first few months of the pandemic as wine-o-clock internet purchases became an all-day thing for a subset of us. For others, Read more…
How do we overcome mistrust in the vaccines, especially with Black Americans?
Social and Racial Justice Vaccines
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
A: As many as half of Black Americans have expressed reluctance to take the COVID-19 vaccines (1), which some attribute to the enduring legacy of the egregious Tuskegee Syphilis Study. Reticence to take the coronavirus vaccine is complicated. Listening and understanding history is critical. Contrary to many peoples’ understanding of the Tuskegee Syphilis Study, Black Read more…
Can I go back to my indoor fitness classes?
Infection and Spread Staying Safe
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: The Nerdy Girls LOVE your efforts to stay fit, but best to hang on to those online or outdoor workouts a bit longer. TL;DR: Heavy breathing, no masks, and indoors is the perfect recipe for SARS-CoV-2 transmission. A recent U.S. CDC report described an outbreak linked to an unnamed fitness facility in Chicago in Read more…
A: This vexing ethical dilemma has a few black and white answers, and a whole lot of gray. tl;dr: Don’t lie about your status. Don’t take a dose clearly intended for others. If doses are truly going to waste and a vaccination provider is looking for arms, it’s ok to take the shot, but you Read more…
Is it safe to get routine medical care at a clinic?
Staying SafeMalia Jones, PhD MPH
A: Yes! Yes, yes and yes. Yes!!! Please do not let the pandemic keep you from getting routine screenings and needed medical care! To answer this question, we’re bringing back an updated version of a post from all the way back in JUNE, when this was already true. What’s new at this point? Well, most Read more…
Any new updates regarding the COVID-19 vaccine rollout outside the U.S.?
Data and Metrics Vaccines
Sandra Albrecht, PhD MPH
A. Yes, there are new updates! And while there is reason for optimism, there is still a long, long way to go in many countries. We previously posted about the status of the global vaccine rollout roughly a month ago. Some countries like Israel and the United Arab Emirates (UAB) were doing a great job Read more…
Will the vaccines prevent Long Covid?
Vaccines
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: Likely! There is good biological reason to think so, but like many things we lack hard data. Many followers have asked this great question in recent weeks. Clinical trials have shown the vaccines are AMAZING at preventing serious disease and death. But what about those mild infections after a vaccine, could they still lead Read more…
In the last year I made some not-so-awesome impulse purchases. Was that just me?
Mental Health
Christine Whelan, PhD
A: Stress spending is real, and in the last year, it went way past buying too much toilet paper. According to one survey, 43% of respondents said they’d made an impulse purchase during the first few months of the pandemic as wine-o-clock internet purchases became an all-day thing for a subset of us. For others, Read more…
How do we overcome mistrust in the vaccines, especially with Black Americans?
Social and Racial Justice Vaccines
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
A: As many as half of Black Americans have expressed reluctance to take the COVID-19 vaccines (1), which some attribute to the enduring legacy of the egregious Tuskegee Syphilis Study. Reticence to take the coronavirus vaccine is complicated. Listening and understanding history is critical. Contrary to many peoples’ understanding of the Tuskegee Syphilis Study, Black Read more…
Can I go back to my indoor fitness classes?
Infection and Spread Staying Safe
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: The Nerdy Girls LOVE your efforts to stay fit, but best to hang on to those online or outdoor workouts a bit longer. TL;DR: Heavy breathing, no masks, and indoors is the perfect recipe for SARS-CoV-2 transmission. A recent U.S. CDC report described an outbreak linked to an unnamed fitness facility in Chicago in Read more…
A: Yes! Yes, yes and yes. Yes!!! Please do not let the pandemic keep you from getting routine screenings and needed medical care! To answer this question, we’re bringing back an updated version of a post from all the way back in JUNE, when this was already true. What’s new at this point? Well, most Read more…
Any new updates regarding the COVID-19 vaccine rollout outside the U.S.?
Data and Metrics VaccinesSandra Albrecht, PhD MPH
A. Yes, there are new updates! And while there is reason for optimism, there is still a long, long way to go in many countries. We previously posted about the status of the global vaccine rollout roughly a month ago. Some countries like Israel and the United Arab Emirates (UAB) were doing a great job Read more…
Will the vaccines prevent Long Covid?
Vaccines
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: Likely! There is good biological reason to think so, but like many things we lack hard data. Many followers have asked this great question in recent weeks. Clinical trials have shown the vaccines are AMAZING at preventing serious disease and death. But what about those mild infections after a vaccine, could they still lead Read more…
In the last year I made some not-so-awesome impulse purchases. Was that just me?
Mental Health
Christine Whelan, PhD
A: Stress spending is real, and in the last year, it went way past buying too much toilet paper. According to one survey, 43% of respondents said they’d made an impulse purchase during the first few months of the pandemic as wine-o-clock internet purchases became an all-day thing for a subset of us. For others, Read more…
How do we overcome mistrust in the vaccines, especially with Black Americans?
Social and Racial Justice Vaccines
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
A: As many as half of Black Americans have expressed reluctance to take the COVID-19 vaccines (1), which some attribute to the enduring legacy of the egregious Tuskegee Syphilis Study. Reticence to take the coronavirus vaccine is complicated. Listening and understanding history is critical. Contrary to many peoples’ understanding of the Tuskegee Syphilis Study, Black Read more…
Can I go back to my indoor fitness classes?
Infection and Spread Staying Safe
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: The Nerdy Girls LOVE your efforts to stay fit, but best to hang on to those online or outdoor workouts a bit longer. TL;DR: Heavy breathing, no masks, and indoors is the perfect recipe for SARS-CoV-2 transmission. A recent U.S. CDC report described an outbreak linked to an unnamed fitness facility in Chicago in Read more…
A. Yes, there are new updates! And while there is reason for optimism, there is still a long, long way to go in many countries. We previously posted about the status of the global vaccine rollout roughly a month ago. Some countries like Israel and the United Arab Emirates (UAB) were doing a great job Read more…
Will the vaccines prevent Long Covid?
VaccinesJennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: Likely! There is good biological reason to think so, but like many things we lack hard data. Many followers have asked this great question in recent weeks. Clinical trials have shown the vaccines are AMAZING at preventing serious disease and death. But what about those mild infections after a vaccine, could they still lead Read more…
In the last year I made some not-so-awesome impulse purchases. Was that just me?
Mental Health
Christine Whelan, PhD
A: Stress spending is real, and in the last year, it went way past buying too much toilet paper. According to one survey, 43% of respondents said they’d made an impulse purchase during the first few months of the pandemic as wine-o-clock internet purchases became an all-day thing for a subset of us. For others, Read more…
How do we overcome mistrust in the vaccines, especially with Black Americans?
Social and Racial Justice Vaccines
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
A: As many as half of Black Americans have expressed reluctance to take the COVID-19 vaccines (1), which some attribute to the enduring legacy of the egregious Tuskegee Syphilis Study. Reticence to take the coronavirus vaccine is complicated. Listening and understanding history is critical. Contrary to many peoples’ understanding of the Tuskegee Syphilis Study, Black Read more…
Can I go back to my indoor fitness classes?
Infection and Spread Staying Safe
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: The Nerdy Girls LOVE your efforts to stay fit, but best to hang on to those online or outdoor workouts a bit longer. TL;DR: Heavy breathing, no masks, and indoors is the perfect recipe for SARS-CoV-2 transmission. A recent U.S. CDC report described an outbreak linked to an unnamed fitness facility in Chicago in Read more…
A: Likely! There is good biological reason to think so, but like many things we lack hard data. Many followers have asked this great question in recent weeks. Clinical trials have shown the vaccines are AMAZING at preventing serious disease and death. But what about those mild infections after a vaccine, could they still lead Read more…
In the last year I made some not-so-awesome impulse purchases. Was that just me?
Mental HealthChristine Whelan, PhD
A: Stress spending is real, and in the last year, it went way past buying too much toilet paper. According to one survey, 43% of respondents said they’d made an impulse purchase during the first few months of the pandemic as wine-o-clock internet purchases became an all-day thing for a subset of us. For others, Read more…
How do we overcome mistrust in the vaccines, especially with Black Americans?
Social and Racial Justice Vaccines
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
A: As many as half of Black Americans have expressed reluctance to take the COVID-19 vaccines (1), which some attribute to the enduring legacy of the egregious Tuskegee Syphilis Study. Reticence to take the coronavirus vaccine is complicated. Listening and understanding history is critical. Contrary to many peoples’ understanding of the Tuskegee Syphilis Study, Black Read more…
Can I go back to my indoor fitness classes?
Infection and Spread Staying Safe
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: The Nerdy Girls LOVE your efforts to stay fit, but best to hang on to those online or outdoor workouts a bit longer. TL;DR: Heavy breathing, no masks, and indoors is the perfect recipe for SARS-CoV-2 transmission. A recent U.S. CDC report described an outbreak linked to an unnamed fitness facility in Chicago in Read more…
A: Stress spending is real, and in the last year, it went way past buying too much toilet paper. According to one survey, 43% of respondents said they’d made an impulse purchase during the first few months of the pandemic as wine-o-clock internet purchases became an all-day thing for a subset of us. For others, Read more…
How do we overcome mistrust in the vaccines, especially with Black Americans?
Social and Racial Justice VaccinesMalia Jones, PhD MPH
A: As many as half of Black Americans have expressed reluctance to take the COVID-19 vaccines (1), which some attribute to the enduring legacy of the egregious Tuskegee Syphilis Study. Reticence to take the coronavirus vaccine is complicated. Listening and understanding history is critical. Contrary to many peoples’ understanding of the Tuskegee Syphilis Study, Black Read more…
Can I go back to my indoor fitness classes?
Infection and Spread Staying Safe
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: The Nerdy Girls LOVE your efforts to stay fit, but best to hang on to those online or outdoor workouts a bit longer. TL;DR: Heavy breathing, no masks, and indoors is the perfect recipe for SARS-CoV-2 transmission. A recent U.S. CDC report described an outbreak linked to an unnamed fitness facility in Chicago in Read more…
A: As many as half of Black Americans have expressed reluctance to take the COVID-19 vaccines (1), which some attribute to the enduring legacy of the egregious Tuskegee Syphilis Study. Reticence to take the coronavirus vaccine is complicated. Listening and understanding history is critical. Contrary to many peoples’ understanding of the Tuskegee Syphilis Study, Black Read more…
Can I go back to my indoor fitness classes?
Infection and Spread Staying SafeJennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: The Nerdy Girls LOVE your efforts to stay fit, but best to hang on to those online or outdoor workouts a bit longer. TL;DR: Heavy breathing, no masks, and indoors is the perfect recipe for SARS-CoV-2 transmission. A recent U.S. CDC report described an outbreak linked to an unnamed fitness facility in Chicago in Read more…
A: The Nerdy Girls LOVE your efforts to stay fit, but best to hang on to those online or outdoor workouts a bit longer. TL;DR: Heavy breathing, no masks, and indoors is the perfect recipe for SARS-CoV-2 transmission. A recent U.S. CDC report described an outbreak linked to an unnamed fitness facility in Chicago in Read more…
