What’s up with the new CDC mask study?
Masks Staying SafeJennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: Good news, double-masking or tightening up ear loops works! Remember the key features of effective masking: FILTERING and FIT. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released a new experimental study testing ways to improve mask fit for cloth and medical masks to reduce leakage around the edges. Using mannequin “headforms” and Read more…
February 10, 2021
¿El COVID-19 puede causar disfunción eréctil?
Clinical Symptoms Posts en Español
Daisey Velazquez, Spanish Translation
R: Es posible que si. Debido a su impacto sobre la inflamación y el sistema vascular, es biológicamente plausible que el COVID-19 contribuya a la disfunción eréctil. Pero, como con todos los ensayos del COVID-19, aún se necesita más data. Este titular sorprendente se difundió recientemente en base a los comentarios durante una entrevista televisiva Read more…
February 10, 2021
Tips for Improving Communication While Masked
Masks Socializing
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
Q: I’m having a hard time hearing. Any tips for improving communication while masked? A: We can’t ditch the masks but we can slow down our conversations, speak up, and add additional tools to improve communication. Universal efforts to improve masked communication aim to keep everyone engaged, regardless of their hearing abilities. Hearing difficulty in Read more…
February 9, 2021
Donating Blood After COVID-19 Vaccination
Vaccines
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Q: I just received the first Pfizer vaccination dose today and am scheduled to donate double red blood cells in one week. Should I reschedule? Will donating blood impact the success of the vaccination? A: According to the American Red Cross, if you received the Pfizer, Moderna, J&J, Novavax, or AstraZeneca vaccine and are you’re Read more…
February 8, 2021
Is any country using “mix and match” COVID-19 vaccines?
Vaccines
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: No, but a small trial of this approach has just begun in the UK. What is a mix and match strategy? This refers using different types of vaccines for the first and second dose. While some incorrect headlines a few weeks back suggested the UK was adopting this strategy, in fact their guidelines merely Read more…
February 7, 2021
Meet Those Nerdy Girls – Dr. Shoshana Aronowitz
Uncategorized
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Time to meet another Nerdy Girl! Introducing Dr. Shoshana Aronowitz, PhD, FNP-BC, MSN, RN. Dr. Aronowitz is a researcher and clinician studying low-barrier substance use treatment, innovative delivery of harm reduction supplies, racial disparities in pain treatment in the context of the overdose crisis, the intersection of criminal justice and healthcare, and reproductive/sexual health. Here Read more…
February 7, 2021
Conoce a las “Nerdy Girls” – Dra. Alison Buttenheim
Posts en Español Uncategorized
Sandra Albrecht, PhD MPH
Hoy empezamos una nueva serie: ¡Una oportunidad de conocer a las Nerdy Girls – las científicas que manejan esta página Querida Pandemia, y la página en inglés, Dear Pandemic! Vamos a presentar a una de nuestras expertas cada semana para que ustedes puedan conocernos un poco mejor. En primer lugar, nos gustaría presentarle a nuestra Read more…
February 6, 2021
Dear Pandemic COVID Q&A
Families/Kids Mental Health Socializing Videos
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
In this live Q&A, Dear Pandemic contributing scientists Drs. Aparna Kumar and Christine Whelan will be joined by Lauren Ross, founder of Project Village! We’ll be tackling questions from our readers about mental health and community in the pandemic. If you have a question, put it in our question box at www.dearpandemic.org. ➡️ Welcome, Intros, Read more…
February 4, 2021
Where the heck is the flu?
Data and Metrics Staying Safe
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
A: There has been incredibly low influenza activity this season. Yay! Turns out, masking, washing hands, staying home when sick, and vaccinations really do work! Influenza season typically starts around October, peaks between December and February, and then tapers off. And flu is no joke. In the 2019-2020 flu season, the CDC estimated flu caused Read more…
February 3, 2021
How can I help my child understand “NO” in a kind way?
Families/Kids Mental Health
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
Q: With school closures and working from home, I feel as if I am always saying no to my young child. How can I help my child understand “NO” in a kind way? A: Acknowledge feelings, help meet your child’s needs, and use nonverbal communication. Dr. Carolyn Broudy of the Family Connections Center provides a Read more…
February 2, 2021
What’s the current advice on the COVID-19 vaccine and pregnancy?
Families/Kids Vaccines
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: Overall, there is no evidence that risks of vaccination would outweigh the benefits for pregnant women, but specific guidance varies by country. Why no clear guidance? As with almost all drug/vaccine trials, the current Phase III COVID-19 clinical trials did not include pregnant women (though some participants became pregnant during the Pfizer and Moderna Read more…
February 2, 2021
Debunking of Dangerous and False Vaccine Rumors
Uncertainty and Misinformation Vaccines
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
Thanks to our awesome partner Your local epidemiologist for this science-based debunking of some really dangerous and false vaccine rumors circulating recently. Update: Your local epidemiologist’s post reached a couple million people. The Facebook algorithm has removed it, so we’re just gonna paste the content here. #FactsMatter “COVID19 vaccines will destroy our lives” posted by Read more…
January 31, 2021
Meet Those Nerdy Girls – Dr. Amanda Simanek
Uncategorized
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
This week in Meet the Nerdy Girls, we’re delighted to introduce Dr. Amanda Simanek, PhD, MPH! Dr. Simanek is a social epidemiologist who studies the psychosocial determinants of infectious disease, links between infection and chronic disease, and the pathways by which social inequities in health occur across the lifecourse and across generations. We asked her Read more…
January 30, 2021
Home poop tests anyone?
Testing and Contact Tracing
Lauren Hale, PhD MA
Q: I’ve heard that some colleges are testing wastewater from dorms to find out if there is Covid. Does this mean there could be accurate(ish) home fecal tests in our future? I can’t decide if I want the answer to be yes or no. A. The Nerdy Girls support innovation, accuracy, affordability, and accessibility. And Read more…
January 30, 2021
Dear Pandemic COVID Q&A
Masks Vaccines Videos
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
In this live Q&A, Dear Pandemic contributing scientists Drs. Malia Jones & Michelle Kinder will be tackling questions from our readers about the different kinds of vaccines, vaccine side effects, and questions about masks! If you have a question, put it in our question box at www.dearpandemic.org. ➡️ Welcome, Intros, and Announcements (0:00-2:10) ➡️ Explainer Read more…
January 29, 2021
Dear Pandemic’s Origin Story
By Malia Jones Dec 11, 2020 The first time I heard of the new coronavirus circulating in China was in late January 2020. I was auditing Dr. Ajay Sethi’s course, Infectious Disease Epidemiology, at UW-Madison that semester. One afternoon in January before class started, Ajay casually asked the class: “How many of you have heard Read more…
January 28, 2021
Will the current vaccines be effective against the new variants?
Vaccines
Michelle Kinder, PhD
Q: If not, what happens, do we need a new, different vaccine?” A: The vaccines developed thus far will likely have efficacy against the different SARS-CoV-2 variants although the level of efficacy may be reduced to the South Africian variant (B.1.351). More clinical data will be needed to understand the levels of protection against new Read more…
January 25, 2021
¿Puedo utilizar sólo un protector facial?
Masks Posts en Español
Alejandra Silva Hernández, Spanish Translation
R: NO. El uso del protector facial por sí solo no es recomendado. Un estudio experimental evaluó qué tan bien el protector facial protege al que lo usa, demostró que partículas pequeñas pasaban fácilmente alrededor del protector facial. Ahora, en una nueva preimpresión por científicos del Instituto Nacional para Seguridad y Salud Ocupacional, NIOSH National Read more…
January 25, 2021
What kind of mask should I be wearing in my community?
Masks Staying Safe
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: The most effective masks should meet three criteria: secure, multi-layered, and comfortable. The mask should seal at the bridge of the nose, cheeks, and chin. Masks made from multiple layers of material outperform single layer masks. A comfortable mask is more likely to be worn. KEY MESSAGE: Masks work in decreasing spread of COVID-19. Read more…
January 23, 2021
Dear Pandemic COVID Q&A
Data and Metrics Infection and Spread Masks Vaccines Videos
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
In this live Q&A, Dear Pandemic contributing scientists Drs. Malia Jones & Jennifer Beam Dowd will be tackling more pandemic questions from our readers. If you have a question, put it in our question box at www.dearpandemic.org! We are *very* excited to announce that we have live closed captioning and #ASL interpretation available during the Read more…
A: Good news, double-masking or tightening up ear loops works! Remember the key features of effective masking: FILTERING and FIT. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released a new experimental study testing ways to improve mask fit for cloth and medical masks to reduce leakage around the edges. Using mannequin “headforms” and Read more…
¿El COVID-19 puede causar disfunción eréctil?
Clinical Symptoms Posts en EspañolDaisey Velazquez, Spanish Translation
R: Es posible que si. Debido a su impacto sobre la inflamación y el sistema vascular, es biológicamente plausible que el COVID-19 contribuya a la disfunción eréctil. Pero, como con todos los ensayos del COVID-19, aún se necesita más data. Este titular sorprendente se difundió recientemente en base a los comentarios durante una entrevista televisiva Read more…
February 10, 2021
Tips for Improving Communication While Masked
Masks Socializing
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
Q: I’m having a hard time hearing. Any tips for improving communication while masked? A: We can’t ditch the masks but we can slow down our conversations, speak up, and add additional tools to improve communication. Universal efforts to improve masked communication aim to keep everyone engaged, regardless of their hearing abilities. Hearing difficulty in Read more…
February 9, 2021
Donating Blood After COVID-19 Vaccination
Vaccines
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Q: I just received the first Pfizer vaccination dose today and am scheduled to donate double red blood cells in one week. Should I reschedule? Will donating blood impact the success of the vaccination? A: According to the American Red Cross, if you received the Pfizer, Moderna, J&J, Novavax, or AstraZeneca vaccine and are you’re Read more…
February 8, 2021
Is any country using “mix and match” COVID-19 vaccines?
Vaccines
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: No, but a small trial of this approach has just begun in the UK. What is a mix and match strategy? This refers using different types of vaccines for the first and second dose. While some incorrect headlines a few weeks back suggested the UK was adopting this strategy, in fact their guidelines merely Read more…
February 7, 2021
Meet Those Nerdy Girls – Dr. Shoshana Aronowitz
Uncategorized
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Time to meet another Nerdy Girl! Introducing Dr. Shoshana Aronowitz, PhD, FNP-BC, MSN, RN. Dr. Aronowitz is a researcher and clinician studying low-barrier substance use treatment, innovative delivery of harm reduction supplies, racial disparities in pain treatment in the context of the overdose crisis, the intersection of criminal justice and healthcare, and reproductive/sexual health. Here Read more…
February 7, 2021
Conoce a las “Nerdy Girls” – Dra. Alison Buttenheim
Posts en Español Uncategorized
Sandra Albrecht, PhD MPH
Hoy empezamos una nueva serie: ¡Una oportunidad de conocer a las Nerdy Girls – las científicas que manejan esta página Querida Pandemia, y la página en inglés, Dear Pandemic! Vamos a presentar a una de nuestras expertas cada semana para que ustedes puedan conocernos un poco mejor. En primer lugar, nos gustaría presentarle a nuestra Read more…
February 6, 2021
Dear Pandemic COVID Q&A
Families/Kids Mental Health Socializing Videos
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
In this live Q&A, Dear Pandemic contributing scientists Drs. Aparna Kumar and Christine Whelan will be joined by Lauren Ross, founder of Project Village! We’ll be tackling questions from our readers about mental health and community in the pandemic. If you have a question, put it in our question box at www.dearpandemic.org. ➡️ Welcome, Intros, Read more…
February 4, 2021
Where the heck is the flu?
Data and Metrics Staying Safe
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
A: There has been incredibly low influenza activity this season. Yay! Turns out, masking, washing hands, staying home when sick, and vaccinations really do work! Influenza season typically starts around October, peaks between December and February, and then tapers off. And flu is no joke. In the 2019-2020 flu season, the CDC estimated flu caused Read more…
February 3, 2021
How can I help my child understand “NO” in a kind way?
Families/Kids Mental Health
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
Q: With school closures and working from home, I feel as if I am always saying no to my young child. How can I help my child understand “NO” in a kind way? A: Acknowledge feelings, help meet your child’s needs, and use nonverbal communication. Dr. Carolyn Broudy of the Family Connections Center provides a Read more…
February 2, 2021
What’s the current advice on the COVID-19 vaccine and pregnancy?
Families/Kids Vaccines
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: Overall, there is no evidence that risks of vaccination would outweigh the benefits for pregnant women, but specific guidance varies by country. Why no clear guidance? As with almost all drug/vaccine trials, the current Phase III COVID-19 clinical trials did not include pregnant women (though some participants became pregnant during the Pfizer and Moderna Read more…
February 2, 2021
Debunking of Dangerous and False Vaccine Rumors
Uncertainty and Misinformation Vaccines
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
Thanks to our awesome partner Your local epidemiologist for this science-based debunking of some really dangerous and false vaccine rumors circulating recently. Update: Your local epidemiologist’s post reached a couple million people. The Facebook algorithm has removed it, so we’re just gonna paste the content here. #FactsMatter “COVID19 vaccines will destroy our lives” posted by Read more…
January 31, 2021
Meet Those Nerdy Girls – Dr. Amanda Simanek
Uncategorized
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
This week in Meet the Nerdy Girls, we’re delighted to introduce Dr. Amanda Simanek, PhD, MPH! Dr. Simanek is a social epidemiologist who studies the psychosocial determinants of infectious disease, links between infection and chronic disease, and the pathways by which social inequities in health occur across the lifecourse and across generations. We asked her Read more…
January 30, 2021
Home poop tests anyone?
Testing and Contact Tracing
Lauren Hale, PhD MA
Q: I’ve heard that some colleges are testing wastewater from dorms to find out if there is Covid. Does this mean there could be accurate(ish) home fecal tests in our future? I can’t decide if I want the answer to be yes or no. A. The Nerdy Girls support innovation, accuracy, affordability, and accessibility. And Read more…
January 30, 2021
Dear Pandemic COVID Q&A
Masks Vaccines Videos
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
In this live Q&A, Dear Pandemic contributing scientists Drs. Malia Jones & Michelle Kinder will be tackling questions from our readers about the different kinds of vaccines, vaccine side effects, and questions about masks! If you have a question, put it in our question box at www.dearpandemic.org. ➡️ Welcome, Intros, and Announcements (0:00-2:10) ➡️ Explainer Read more…
January 29, 2021
Dear Pandemic’s Origin Story
By Malia Jones Dec 11, 2020 The first time I heard of the new coronavirus circulating in China was in late January 2020. I was auditing Dr. Ajay Sethi’s course, Infectious Disease Epidemiology, at UW-Madison that semester. One afternoon in January before class started, Ajay casually asked the class: “How many of you have heard Read more…
January 28, 2021
Will the current vaccines be effective against the new variants?
Vaccines
Michelle Kinder, PhD
Q: If not, what happens, do we need a new, different vaccine?” A: The vaccines developed thus far will likely have efficacy against the different SARS-CoV-2 variants although the level of efficacy may be reduced to the South Africian variant (B.1.351). More clinical data will be needed to understand the levels of protection against new Read more…
January 25, 2021
¿Puedo utilizar sólo un protector facial?
Masks Posts en Español
Alejandra Silva Hernández, Spanish Translation
R: NO. El uso del protector facial por sí solo no es recomendado. Un estudio experimental evaluó qué tan bien el protector facial protege al que lo usa, demostró que partículas pequeñas pasaban fácilmente alrededor del protector facial. Ahora, en una nueva preimpresión por científicos del Instituto Nacional para Seguridad y Salud Ocupacional, NIOSH National Read more…
January 25, 2021
What kind of mask should I be wearing in my community?
Masks Staying Safe
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: The most effective masks should meet three criteria: secure, multi-layered, and comfortable. The mask should seal at the bridge of the nose, cheeks, and chin. Masks made from multiple layers of material outperform single layer masks. A comfortable mask is more likely to be worn. KEY MESSAGE: Masks work in decreasing spread of COVID-19. Read more…
January 23, 2021
Dear Pandemic COVID Q&A
Data and Metrics Infection and Spread Masks Vaccines Videos
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
In this live Q&A, Dear Pandemic contributing scientists Drs. Malia Jones & Jennifer Beam Dowd will be tackling more pandemic questions from our readers. If you have a question, put it in our question box at www.dearpandemic.org! We are *very* excited to announce that we have live closed captioning and #ASL interpretation available during the Read more…
R: Es posible que si. Debido a su impacto sobre la inflamación y el sistema vascular, es biológicamente plausible que el COVID-19 contribuya a la disfunción eréctil. Pero, como con todos los ensayos del COVID-19, aún se necesita más data. Este titular sorprendente se difundió recientemente en base a los comentarios durante una entrevista televisiva Read more…
Tips for Improving Communication While Masked
Masks SocializingAshley Ritter, APRN, PhD
Q: I’m having a hard time hearing. Any tips for improving communication while masked? A: We can’t ditch the masks but we can slow down our conversations, speak up, and add additional tools to improve communication. Universal efforts to improve masked communication aim to keep everyone engaged, regardless of their hearing abilities. Hearing difficulty in Read more…
February 9, 2021
Donating Blood After COVID-19 Vaccination
Vaccines
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Q: I just received the first Pfizer vaccination dose today and am scheduled to donate double red blood cells in one week. Should I reschedule? Will donating blood impact the success of the vaccination? A: According to the American Red Cross, if you received the Pfizer, Moderna, J&J, Novavax, or AstraZeneca vaccine and are you’re Read more…
February 8, 2021
Is any country using “mix and match” COVID-19 vaccines?
Vaccines
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: No, but a small trial of this approach has just begun in the UK. What is a mix and match strategy? This refers using different types of vaccines for the first and second dose. While some incorrect headlines a few weeks back suggested the UK was adopting this strategy, in fact their guidelines merely Read more…
February 7, 2021
Meet Those Nerdy Girls – Dr. Shoshana Aronowitz
Uncategorized
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Time to meet another Nerdy Girl! Introducing Dr. Shoshana Aronowitz, PhD, FNP-BC, MSN, RN. Dr. Aronowitz is a researcher and clinician studying low-barrier substance use treatment, innovative delivery of harm reduction supplies, racial disparities in pain treatment in the context of the overdose crisis, the intersection of criminal justice and healthcare, and reproductive/sexual health. Here Read more…
February 7, 2021
Conoce a las “Nerdy Girls” – Dra. Alison Buttenheim
Posts en Español Uncategorized
Sandra Albrecht, PhD MPH
Hoy empezamos una nueva serie: ¡Una oportunidad de conocer a las Nerdy Girls – las científicas que manejan esta página Querida Pandemia, y la página en inglés, Dear Pandemic! Vamos a presentar a una de nuestras expertas cada semana para que ustedes puedan conocernos un poco mejor. En primer lugar, nos gustaría presentarle a nuestra Read more…
February 6, 2021
Dear Pandemic COVID Q&A
Families/Kids Mental Health Socializing Videos
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
In this live Q&A, Dear Pandemic contributing scientists Drs. Aparna Kumar and Christine Whelan will be joined by Lauren Ross, founder of Project Village! We’ll be tackling questions from our readers about mental health and community in the pandemic. If you have a question, put it in our question box at www.dearpandemic.org. ➡️ Welcome, Intros, Read more…
February 4, 2021
Where the heck is the flu?
Data and Metrics Staying Safe
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
A: There has been incredibly low influenza activity this season. Yay! Turns out, masking, washing hands, staying home when sick, and vaccinations really do work! Influenza season typically starts around October, peaks between December and February, and then tapers off. And flu is no joke. In the 2019-2020 flu season, the CDC estimated flu caused Read more…
February 3, 2021
How can I help my child understand “NO” in a kind way?
Families/Kids Mental Health
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
Q: With school closures and working from home, I feel as if I am always saying no to my young child. How can I help my child understand “NO” in a kind way? A: Acknowledge feelings, help meet your child’s needs, and use nonverbal communication. Dr. Carolyn Broudy of the Family Connections Center provides a Read more…
February 2, 2021
What’s the current advice on the COVID-19 vaccine and pregnancy?
Families/Kids Vaccines
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: Overall, there is no evidence that risks of vaccination would outweigh the benefits for pregnant women, but specific guidance varies by country. Why no clear guidance? As with almost all drug/vaccine trials, the current Phase III COVID-19 clinical trials did not include pregnant women (though some participants became pregnant during the Pfizer and Moderna Read more…
February 2, 2021
Debunking of Dangerous and False Vaccine Rumors
Uncertainty and Misinformation Vaccines
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
Thanks to our awesome partner Your local epidemiologist for this science-based debunking of some really dangerous and false vaccine rumors circulating recently. Update: Your local epidemiologist’s post reached a couple million people. The Facebook algorithm has removed it, so we’re just gonna paste the content here. #FactsMatter “COVID19 vaccines will destroy our lives” posted by Read more…
January 31, 2021
Meet Those Nerdy Girls – Dr. Amanda Simanek
Uncategorized
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
This week in Meet the Nerdy Girls, we’re delighted to introduce Dr. Amanda Simanek, PhD, MPH! Dr. Simanek is a social epidemiologist who studies the psychosocial determinants of infectious disease, links between infection and chronic disease, and the pathways by which social inequities in health occur across the lifecourse and across generations. We asked her Read more…
January 30, 2021
Home poop tests anyone?
Testing and Contact Tracing
Lauren Hale, PhD MA
Q: I’ve heard that some colleges are testing wastewater from dorms to find out if there is Covid. Does this mean there could be accurate(ish) home fecal tests in our future? I can’t decide if I want the answer to be yes or no. A. The Nerdy Girls support innovation, accuracy, affordability, and accessibility. And Read more…
January 30, 2021
Dear Pandemic COVID Q&A
Masks Vaccines Videos
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
In this live Q&A, Dear Pandemic contributing scientists Drs. Malia Jones & Michelle Kinder will be tackling questions from our readers about the different kinds of vaccines, vaccine side effects, and questions about masks! If you have a question, put it in our question box at www.dearpandemic.org. ➡️ Welcome, Intros, and Announcements (0:00-2:10) ➡️ Explainer Read more…
January 29, 2021
Dear Pandemic’s Origin Story
By Malia Jones Dec 11, 2020 The first time I heard of the new coronavirus circulating in China was in late January 2020. I was auditing Dr. Ajay Sethi’s course, Infectious Disease Epidemiology, at UW-Madison that semester. One afternoon in January before class started, Ajay casually asked the class: “How many of you have heard Read more…
January 28, 2021
Will the current vaccines be effective against the new variants?
Vaccines
Michelle Kinder, PhD
Q: If not, what happens, do we need a new, different vaccine?” A: The vaccines developed thus far will likely have efficacy against the different SARS-CoV-2 variants although the level of efficacy may be reduced to the South Africian variant (B.1.351). More clinical data will be needed to understand the levels of protection against new Read more…
January 25, 2021
¿Puedo utilizar sólo un protector facial?
Masks Posts en Español
Alejandra Silva Hernández, Spanish Translation
R: NO. El uso del protector facial por sí solo no es recomendado. Un estudio experimental evaluó qué tan bien el protector facial protege al que lo usa, demostró que partículas pequeñas pasaban fácilmente alrededor del protector facial. Ahora, en una nueva preimpresión por científicos del Instituto Nacional para Seguridad y Salud Ocupacional, NIOSH National Read more…
January 25, 2021
What kind of mask should I be wearing in my community?
Masks Staying Safe
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: The most effective masks should meet three criteria: secure, multi-layered, and comfortable. The mask should seal at the bridge of the nose, cheeks, and chin. Masks made from multiple layers of material outperform single layer masks. A comfortable mask is more likely to be worn. KEY MESSAGE: Masks work in decreasing spread of COVID-19. Read more…
January 23, 2021
Dear Pandemic COVID Q&A
Data and Metrics Infection and Spread Masks Vaccines Videos
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
In this live Q&A, Dear Pandemic contributing scientists Drs. Malia Jones & Jennifer Beam Dowd will be tackling more pandemic questions from our readers. If you have a question, put it in our question box at www.dearpandemic.org! We are *very* excited to announce that we have live closed captioning and #ASL interpretation available during the Read more…
Q: I’m having a hard time hearing. Any tips for improving communication while masked? A: We can’t ditch the masks but we can slow down our conversations, speak up, and add additional tools to improve communication. Universal efforts to improve masked communication aim to keep everyone engaged, regardless of their hearing abilities. Hearing difficulty in Read more…
Donating Blood After COVID-19 Vaccination
VaccinesMalia Jones, PhD MPH
Q: I just received the first Pfizer vaccination dose today and am scheduled to donate double red blood cells in one week. Should I reschedule? Will donating blood impact the success of the vaccination? A: According to the American Red Cross, if you received the Pfizer, Moderna, J&J, Novavax, or AstraZeneca vaccine and are you’re Read more…
February 8, 2021
Is any country using “mix and match” COVID-19 vaccines?
Vaccines
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: No, but a small trial of this approach has just begun in the UK. What is a mix and match strategy? This refers using different types of vaccines for the first and second dose. While some incorrect headlines a few weeks back suggested the UK was adopting this strategy, in fact their guidelines merely Read more…
February 7, 2021
Meet Those Nerdy Girls – Dr. Shoshana Aronowitz
Uncategorized
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Time to meet another Nerdy Girl! Introducing Dr. Shoshana Aronowitz, PhD, FNP-BC, MSN, RN. Dr. Aronowitz is a researcher and clinician studying low-barrier substance use treatment, innovative delivery of harm reduction supplies, racial disparities in pain treatment in the context of the overdose crisis, the intersection of criminal justice and healthcare, and reproductive/sexual health. Here Read more…
February 7, 2021
Conoce a las “Nerdy Girls” – Dra. Alison Buttenheim
Posts en Español Uncategorized
Sandra Albrecht, PhD MPH
Hoy empezamos una nueva serie: ¡Una oportunidad de conocer a las Nerdy Girls – las científicas que manejan esta página Querida Pandemia, y la página en inglés, Dear Pandemic! Vamos a presentar a una de nuestras expertas cada semana para que ustedes puedan conocernos un poco mejor. En primer lugar, nos gustaría presentarle a nuestra Read more…
February 6, 2021
Dear Pandemic COVID Q&A
Families/Kids Mental Health Socializing Videos
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
In this live Q&A, Dear Pandemic contributing scientists Drs. Aparna Kumar and Christine Whelan will be joined by Lauren Ross, founder of Project Village! We’ll be tackling questions from our readers about mental health and community in the pandemic. If you have a question, put it in our question box at www.dearpandemic.org. ➡️ Welcome, Intros, Read more…
February 4, 2021
Where the heck is the flu?
Data and Metrics Staying Safe
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
A: There has been incredibly low influenza activity this season. Yay! Turns out, masking, washing hands, staying home when sick, and vaccinations really do work! Influenza season typically starts around October, peaks between December and February, and then tapers off. And flu is no joke. In the 2019-2020 flu season, the CDC estimated flu caused Read more…
February 3, 2021
How can I help my child understand “NO” in a kind way?
Families/Kids Mental Health
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
Q: With school closures and working from home, I feel as if I am always saying no to my young child. How can I help my child understand “NO” in a kind way? A: Acknowledge feelings, help meet your child’s needs, and use nonverbal communication. Dr. Carolyn Broudy of the Family Connections Center provides a Read more…
February 2, 2021
What’s the current advice on the COVID-19 vaccine and pregnancy?
Families/Kids Vaccines
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: Overall, there is no evidence that risks of vaccination would outweigh the benefits for pregnant women, but specific guidance varies by country. Why no clear guidance? As with almost all drug/vaccine trials, the current Phase III COVID-19 clinical trials did not include pregnant women (though some participants became pregnant during the Pfizer and Moderna Read more…
February 2, 2021
Debunking of Dangerous and False Vaccine Rumors
Uncertainty and Misinformation Vaccines
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
Thanks to our awesome partner Your local epidemiologist for this science-based debunking of some really dangerous and false vaccine rumors circulating recently. Update: Your local epidemiologist’s post reached a couple million people. The Facebook algorithm has removed it, so we’re just gonna paste the content here. #FactsMatter “COVID19 vaccines will destroy our lives” posted by Read more…
January 31, 2021
Meet Those Nerdy Girls – Dr. Amanda Simanek
Uncategorized
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
This week in Meet the Nerdy Girls, we’re delighted to introduce Dr. Amanda Simanek, PhD, MPH! Dr. Simanek is a social epidemiologist who studies the psychosocial determinants of infectious disease, links between infection and chronic disease, and the pathways by which social inequities in health occur across the lifecourse and across generations. We asked her Read more…
January 30, 2021
Home poop tests anyone?
Testing and Contact Tracing
Lauren Hale, PhD MA
Q: I’ve heard that some colleges are testing wastewater from dorms to find out if there is Covid. Does this mean there could be accurate(ish) home fecal tests in our future? I can’t decide if I want the answer to be yes or no. A. The Nerdy Girls support innovation, accuracy, affordability, and accessibility. And Read more…
January 30, 2021
Dear Pandemic COVID Q&A
Masks Vaccines Videos
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
In this live Q&A, Dear Pandemic contributing scientists Drs. Malia Jones & Michelle Kinder will be tackling questions from our readers about the different kinds of vaccines, vaccine side effects, and questions about masks! If you have a question, put it in our question box at www.dearpandemic.org. ➡️ Welcome, Intros, and Announcements (0:00-2:10) ➡️ Explainer Read more…
January 29, 2021
Dear Pandemic’s Origin Story
By Malia Jones Dec 11, 2020 The first time I heard of the new coronavirus circulating in China was in late January 2020. I was auditing Dr. Ajay Sethi’s course, Infectious Disease Epidemiology, at UW-Madison that semester. One afternoon in January before class started, Ajay casually asked the class: “How many of you have heard Read more…
January 28, 2021
Will the current vaccines be effective against the new variants?
Vaccines
Michelle Kinder, PhD
Q: If not, what happens, do we need a new, different vaccine?” A: The vaccines developed thus far will likely have efficacy against the different SARS-CoV-2 variants although the level of efficacy may be reduced to the South Africian variant (B.1.351). More clinical data will be needed to understand the levels of protection against new Read more…
January 25, 2021
¿Puedo utilizar sólo un protector facial?
Masks Posts en Español
Alejandra Silva Hernández, Spanish Translation
R: NO. El uso del protector facial por sí solo no es recomendado. Un estudio experimental evaluó qué tan bien el protector facial protege al que lo usa, demostró que partículas pequeñas pasaban fácilmente alrededor del protector facial. Ahora, en una nueva preimpresión por científicos del Instituto Nacional para Seguridad y Salud Ocupacional, NIOSH National Read more…
January 25, 2021
What kind of mask should I be wearing in my community?
Masks Staying Safe
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: The most effective masks should meet three criteria: secure, multi-layered, and comfortable. The mask should seal at the bridge of the nose, cheeks, and chin. Masks made from multiple layers of material outperform single layer masks. A comfortable mask is more likely to be worn. KEY MESSAGE: Masks work in decreasing spread of COVID-19. Read more…
January 23, 2021
Dear Pandemic COVID Q&A
Data and Metrics Infection and Spread Masks Vaccines Videos
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
In this live Q&A, Dear Pandemic contributing scientists Drs. Malia Jones & Jennifer Beam Dowd will be tackling more pandemic questions from our readers. If you have a question, put it in our question box at www.dearpandemic.org! We are *very* excited to announce that we have live closed captioning and #ASL interpretation available during the Read more…
Q: I just received the first Pfizer vaccination dose today and am scheduled to donate double red blood cells in one week. Should I reschedule? Will donating blood impact the success of the vaccination? A: According to the American Red Cross, if you received the Pfizer, Moderna, J&J, Novavax, or AstraZeneca vaccine and are you’re Read more…
Is any country using “mix and match” COVID-19 vaccines?
VaccinesJennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: No, but a small trial of this approach has just begun in the UK. What is a mix and match strategy? This refers using different types of vaccines for the first and second dose. While some incorrect headlines a few weeks back suggested the UK was adopting this strategy, in fact their guidelines merely Read more…
February 7, 2021
Meet Those Nerdy Girls – Dr. Shoshana Aronowitz
Uncategorized
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Time to meet another Nerdy Girl! Introducing Dr. Shoshana Aronowitz, PhD, FNP-BC, MSN, RN. Dr. Aronowitz is a researcher and clinician studying low-barrier substance use treatment, innovative delivery of harm reduction supplies, racial disparities in pain treatment in the context of the overdose crisis, the intersection of criminal justice and healthcare, and reproductive/sexual health. Here Read more…
February 7, 2021
Conoce a las “Nerdy Girls” – Dra. Alison Buttenheim
Posts en Español Uncategorized
Sandra Albrecht, PhD MPH
Hoy empezamos una nueva serie: ¡Una oportunidad de conocer a las Nerdy Girls – las científicas que manejan esta página Querida Pandemia, y la página en inglés, Dear Pandemic! Vamos a presentar a una de nuestras expertas cada semana para que ustedes puedan conocernos un poco mejor. En primer lugar, nos gustaría presentarle a nuestra Read more…
February 6, 2021
Dear Pandemic COVID Q&A
Families/Kids Mental Health Socializing Videos
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
In this live Q&A, Dear Pandemic contributing scientists Drs. Aparna Kumar and Christine Whelan will be joined by Lauren Ross, founder of Project Village! We’ll be tackling questions from our readers about mental health and community in the pandemic. If you have a question, put it in our question box at www.dearpandemic.org. ➡️ Welcome, Intros, Read more…
February 4, 2021
Where the heck is the flu?
Data and Metrics Staying Safe
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
A: There has been incredibly low influenza activity this season. Yay! Turns out, masking, washing hands, staying home when sick, and vaccinations really do work! Influenza season typically starts around October, peaks between December and February, and then tapers off. And flu is no joke. In the 2019-2020 flu season, the CDC estimated flu caused Read more…
February 3, 2021
How can I help my child understand “NO” in a kind way?
Families/Kids Mental Health
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
Q: With school closures and working from home, I feel as if I am always saying no to my young child. How can I help my child understand “NO” in a kind way? A: Acknowledge feelings, help meet your child’s needs, and use nonverbal communication. Dr. Carolyn Broudy of the Family Connections Center provides a Read more…
February 2, 2021
What’s the current advice on the COVID-19 vaccine and pregnancy?
Families/Kids Vaccines
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: Overall, there is no evidence that risks of vaccination would outweigh the benefits for pregnant women, but specific guidance varies by country. Why no clear guidance? As with almost all drug/vaccine trials, the current Phase III COVID-19 clinical trials did not include pregnant women (though some participants became pregnant during the Pfizer and Moderna Read more…
February 2, 2021
Debunking of Dangerous and False Vaccine Rumors
Uncertainty and Misinformation Vaccines
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
Thanks to our awesome partner Your local epidemiologist for this science-based debunking of some really dangerous and false vaccine rumors circulating recently. Update: Your local epidemiologist’s post reached a couple million people. The Facebook algorithm has removed it, so we’re just gonna paste the content here. #FactsMatter “COVID19 vaccines will destroy our lives” posted by Read more…
January 31, 2021
Meet Those Nerdy Girls – Dr. Amanda Simanek
Uncategorized
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
This week in Meet the Nerdy Girls, we’re delighted to introduce Dr. Amanda Simanek, PhD, MPH! Dr. Simanek is a social epidemiologist who studies the psychosocial determinants of infectious disease, links between infection and chronic disease, and the pathways by which social inequities in health occur across the lifecourse and across generations. We asked her Read more…
January 30, 2021
Home poop tests anyone?
Testing and Contact Tracing
Lauren Hale, PhD MA
Q: I’ve heard that some colleges are testing wastewater from dorms to find out if there is Covid. Does this mean there could be accurate(ish) home fecal tests in our future? I can’t decide if I want the answer to be yes or no. A. The Nerdy Girls support innovation, accuracy, affordability, and accessibility. And Read more…
January 30, 2021
Dear Pandemic COVID Q&A
Masks Vaccines Videos
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
In this live Q&A, Dear Pandemic contributing scientists Drs. Malia Jones & Michelle Kinder will be tackling questions from our readers about the different kinds of vaccines, vaccine side effects, and questions about masks! If you have a question, put it in our question box at www.dearpandemic.org. ➡️ Welcome, Intros, and Announcements (0:00-2:10) ➡️ Explainer Read more…
January 29, 2021
Dear Pandemic’s Origin Story
By Malia Jones Dec 11, 2020 The first time I heard of the new coronavirus circulating in China was in late January 2020. I was auditing Dr. Ajay Sethi’s course, Infectious Disease Epidemiology, at UW-Madison that semester. One afternoon in January before class started, Ajay casually asked the class: “How many of you have heard Read more…
January 28, 2021
Will the current vaccines be effective against the new variants?
Vaccines
Michelle Kinder, PhD
Q: If not, what happens, do we need a new, different vaccine?” A: The vaccines developed thus far will likely have efficacy against the different SARS-CoV-2 variants although the level of efficacy may be reduced to the South Africian variant (B.1.351). More clinical data will be needed to understand the levels of protection against new Read more…
January 25, 2021
¿Puedo utilizar sólo un protector facial?
Masks Posts en Español
Alejandra Silva Hernández, Spanish Translation
R: NO. El uso del protector facial por sí solo no es recomendado. Un estudio experimental evaluó qué tan bien el protector facial protege al que lo usa, demostró que partículas pequeñas pasaban fácilmente alrededor del protector facial. Ahora, en una nueva preimpresión por científicos del Instituto Nacional para Seguridad y Salud Ocupacional, NIOSH National Read more…
January 25, 2021
What kind of mask should I be wearing in my community?
Masks Staying Safe
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: The most effective masks should meet three criteria: secure, multi-layered, and comfortable. The mask should seal at the bridge of the nose, cheeks, and chin. Masks made from multiple layers of material outperform single layer masks. A comfortable mask is more likely to be worn. KEY MESSAGE: Masks work in decreasing spread of COVID-19. Read more…
January 23, 2021
Dear Pandemic COVID Q&A
Data and Metrics Infection and Spread Masks Vaccines Videos
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
In this live Q&A, Dear Pandemic contributing scientists Drs. Malia Jones & Jennifer Beam Dowd will be tackling more pandemic questions from our readers. If you have a question, put it in our question box at www.dearpandemic.org! We are *very* excited to announce that we have live closed captioning and #ASL interpretation available during the Read more…
A: No, but a small trial of this approach has just begun in the UK. What is a mix and match strategy? This refers using different types of vaccines for the first and second dose. While some incorrect headlines a few weeks back suggested the UK was adopting this strategy, in fact their guidelines merely Read more…
Meet Those Nerdy Girls – Dr. Shoshana Aronowitz
UncategorizedMalia Jones, PhD MPH
Time to meet another Nerdy Girl! Introducing Dr. Shoshana Aronowitz, PhD, FNP-BC, MSN, RN. Dr. Aronowitz is a researcher and clinician studying low-barrier substance use treatment, innovative delivery of harm reduction supplies, racial disparities in pain treatment in the context of the overdose crisis, the intersection of criminal justice and healthcare, and reproductive/sexual health. Here Read more…
February 7, 2021
Conoce a las “Nerdy Girls” – Dra. Alison Buttenheim
Posts en Español Uncategorized
Sandra Albrecht, PhD MPH
Hoy empezamos una nueva serie: ¡Una oportunidad de conocer a las Nerdy Girls – las científicas que manejan esta página Querida Pandemia, y la página en inglés, Dear Pandemic! Vamos a presentar a una de nuestras expertas cada semana para que ustedes puedan conocernos un poco mejor. En primer lugar, nos gustaría presentarle a nuestra Read more…
February 6, 2021
Dear Pandemic COVID Q&A
Families/Kids Mental Health Socializing Videos
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
In this live Q&A, Dear Pandemic contributing scientists Drs. Aparna Kumar and Christine Whelan will be joined by Lauren Ross, founder of Project Village! We’ll be tackling questions from our readers about mental health and community in the pandemic. If you have a question, put it in our question box at www.dearpandemic.org. ➡️ Welcome, Intros, Read more…
February 4, 2021
Where the heck is the flu?
Data and Metrics Staying Safe
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
A: There has been incredibly low influenza activity this season. Yay! Turns out, masking, washing hands, staying home when sick, and vaccinations really do work! Influenza season typically starts around October, peaks between December and February, and then tapers off. And flu is no joke. In the 2019-2020 flu season, the CDC estimated flu caused Read more…
February 3, 2021
How can I help my child understand “NO” in a kind way?
Families/Kids Mental Health
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
Q: With school closures and working from home, I feel as if I am always saying no to my young child. How can I help my child understand “NO” in a kind way? A: Acknowledge feelings, help meet your child’s needs, and use nonverbal communication. Dr. Carolyn Broudy of the Family Connections Center provides a Read more…
February 2, 2021
What’s the current advice on the COVID-19 vaccine and pregnancy?
Families/Kids Vaccines
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: Overall, there is no evidence that risks of vaccination would outweigh the benefits for pregnant women, but specific guidance varies by country. Why no clear guidance? As with almost all drug/vaccine trials, the current Phase III COVID-19 clinical trials did not include pregnant women (though some participants became pregnant during the Pfizer and Moderna Read more…
February 2, 2021
Debunking of Dangerous and False Vaccine Rumors
Uncertainty and Misinformation Vaccines
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
Thanks to our awesome partner Your local epidemiologist for this science-based debunking of some really dangerous and false vaccine rumors circulating recently. Update: Your local epidemiologist’s post reached a couple million people. The Facebook algorithm has removed it, so we’re just gonna paste the content here. #FactsMatter “COVID19 vaccines will destroy our lives” posted by Read more…
January 31, 2021
Meet Those Nerdy Girls – Dr. Amanda Simanek
Uncategorized
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
This week in Meet the Nerdy Girls, we’re delighted to introduce Dr. Amanda Simanek, PhD, MPH! Dr. Simanek is a social epidemiologist who studies the psychosocial determinants of infectious disease, links between infection and chronic disease, and the pathways by which social inequities in health occur across the lifecourse and across generations. We asked her Read more…
January 30, 2021
Home poop tests anyone?
Testing and Contact Tracing
Lauren Hale, PhD MA
Q: I’ve heard that some colleges are testing wastewater from dorms to find out if there is Covid. Does this mean there could be accurate(ish) home fecal tests in our future? I can’t decide if I want the answer to be yes or no. A. The Nerdy Girls support innovation, accuracy, affordability, and accessibility. And Read more…
January 30, 2021
Dear Pandemic COVID Q&A
Masks Vaccines Videos
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
In this live Q&A, Dear Pandemic contributing scientists Drs. Malia Jones & Michelle Kinder will be tackling questions from our readers about the different kinds of vaccines, vaccine side effects, and questions about masks! If you have a question, put it in our question box at www.dearpandemic.org. ➡️ Welcome, Intros, and Announcements (0:00-2:10) ➡️ Explainer Read more…
January 29, 2021
Dear Pandemic’s Origin Story
By Malia Jones Dec 11, 2020 The first time I heard of the new coronavirus circulating in China was in late January 2020. I was auditing Dr. Ajay Sethi’s course, Infectious Disease Epidemiology, at UW-Madison that semester. One afternoon in January before class started, Ajay casually asked the class: “How many of you have heard Read more…
January 28, 2021
Will the current vaccines be effective against the new variants?
Vaccines
Michelle Kinder, PhD
Q: If not, what happens, do we need a new, different vaccine?” A: The vaccines developed thus far will likely have efficacy against the different SARS-CoV-2 variants although the level of efficacy may be reduced to the South Africian variant (B.1.351). More clinical data will be needed to understand the levels of protection against new Read more…
January 25, 2021
¿Puedo utilizar sólo un protector facial?
Masks Posts en Español
Alejandra Silva Hernández, Spanish Translation
R: NO. El uso del protector facial por sí solo no es recomendado. Un estudio experimental evaluó qué tan bien el protector facial protege al que lo usa, demostró que partículas pequeñas pasaban fácilmente alrededor del protector facial. Ahora, en una nueva preimpresión por científicos del Instituto Nacional para Seguridad y Salud Ocupacional, NIOSH National Read more…
January 25, 2021
What kind of mask should I be wearing in my community?
Masks Staying Safe
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: The most effective masks should meet three criteria: secure, multi-layered, and comfortable. The mask should seal at the bridge of the nose, cheeks, and chin. Masks made from multiple layers of material outperform single layer masks. A comfortable mask is more likely to be worn. KEY MESSAGE: Masks work in decreasing spread of COVID-19. Read more…
January 23, 2021
Dear Pandemic COVID Q&A
Data and Metrics Infection and Spread Masks Vaccines Videos
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
In this live Q&A, Dear Pandemic contributing scientists Drs. Malia Jones & Jennifer Beam Dowd will be tackling more pandemic questions from our readers. If you have a question, put it in our question box at www.dearpandemic.org! We are *very* excited to announce that we have live closed captioning and #ASL interpretation available during the Read more…
Time to meet another Nerdy Girl! Introducing Dr. Shoshana Aronowitz, PhD, FNP-BC, MSN, RN. Dr. Aronowitz is a researcher and clinician studying low-barrier substance use treatment, innovative delivery of harm reduction supplies, racial disparities in pain treatment in the context of the overdose crisis, the intersection of criminal justice and healthcare, and reproductive/sexual health. Here Read more…
Conoce a las “Nerdy Girls” – Dra. Alison Buttenheim
Posts en Español UncategorizedSandra Albrecht, PhD MPH
Hoy empezamos una nueva serie: ¡Una oportunidad de conocer a las Nerdy Girls – las científicas que manejan esta página Querida Pandemia, y la página en inglés, Dear Pandemic! Vamos a presentar a una de nuestras expertas cada semana para que ustedes puedan conocernos un poco mejor. En primer lugar, nos gustaría presentarle a nuestra Read more…
February 6, 2021
Dear Pandemic COVID Q&A
Families/Kids Mental Health Socializing Videos
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
In this live Q&A, Dear Pandemic contributing scientists Drs. Aparna Kumar and Christine Whelan will be joined by Lauren Ross, founder of Project Village! We’ll be tackling questions from our readers about mental health and community in the pandemic. If you have a question, put it in our question box at www.dearpandemic.org. ➡️ Welcome, Intros, Read more…
February 4, 2021
Where the heck is the flu?
Data and Metrics Staying Safe
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
A: There has been incredibly low influenza activity this season. Yay! Turns out, masking, washing hands, staying home when sick, and vaccinations really do work! Influenza season typically starts around October, peaks between December and February, and then tapers off. And flu is no joke. In the 2019-2020 flu season, the CDC estimated flu caused Read more…
February 3, 2021
How can I help my child understand “NO” in a kind way?
Families/Kids Mental Health
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
Q: With school closures and working from home, I feel as if I am always saying no to my young child. How can I help my child understand “NO” in a kind way? A: Acknowledge feelings, help meet your child’s needs, and use nonverbal communication. Dr. Carolyn Broudy of the Family Connections Center provides a Read more…
February 2, 2021
What’s the current advice on the COVID-19 vaccine and pregnancy?
Families/Kids Vaccines
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: Overall, there is no evidence that risks of vaccination would outweigh the benefits for pregnant women, but specific guidance varies by country. Why no clear guidance? As with almost all drug/vaccine trials, the current Phase III COVID-19 clinical trials did not include pregnant women (though some participants became pregnant during the Pfizer and Moderna Read more…
February 2, 2021
Debunking of Dangerous and False Vaccine Rumors
Uncertainty and Misinformation Vaccines
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
Thanks to our awesome partner Your local epidemiologist for this science-based debunking of some really dangerous and false vaccine rumors circulating recently. Update: Your local epidemiologist’s post reached a couple million people. The Facebook algorithm has removed it, so we’re just gonna paste the content here. #FactsMatter “COVID19 vaccines will destroy our lives” posted by Read more…
January 31, 2021
Meet Those Nerdy Girls – Dr. Amanda Simanek
Uncategorized
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
This week in Meet the Nerdy Girls, we’re delighted to introduce Dr. Amanda Simanek, PhD, MPH! Dr. Simanek is a social epidemiologist who studies the psychosocial determinants of infectious disease, links between infection and chronic disease, and the pathways by which social inequities in health occur across the lifecourse and across generations. We asked her Read more…
January 30, 2021
Home poop tests anyone?
Testing and Contact Tracing
Lauren Hale, PhD MA
Q: I’ve heard that some colleges are testing wastewater from dorms to find out if there is Covid. Does this mean there could be accurate(ish) home fecal tests in our future? I can’t decide if I want the answer to be yes or no. A. The Nerdy Girls support innovation, accuracy, affordability, and accessibility. And Read more…
January 30, 2021
Dear Pandemic COVID Q&A
Masks Vaccines Videos
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
In this live Q&A, Dear Pandemic contributing scientists Drs. Malia Jones & Michelle Kinder will be tackling questions from our readers about the different kinds of vaccines, vaccine side effects, and questions about masks! If you have a question, put it in our question box at www.dearpandemic.org. ➡️ Welcome, Intros, and Announcements (0:00-2:10) ➡️ Explainer Read more…
January 29, 2021
Dear Pandemic’s Origin Story
By Malia Jones Dec 11, 2020 The first time I heard of the new coronavirus circulating in China was in late January 2020. I was auditing Dr. Ajay Sethi’s course, Infectious Disease Epidemiology, at UW-Madison that semester. One afternoon in January before class started, Ajay casually asked the class: “How many of you have heard Read more…
January 28, 2021
Will the current vaccines be effective against the new variants?
Vaccines
Michelle Kinder, PhD
Q: If not, what happens, do we need a new, different vaccine?” A: The vaccines developed thus far will likely have efficacy against the different SARS-CoV-2 variants although the level of efficacy may be reduced to the South Africian variant (B.1.351). More clinical data will be needed to understand the levels of protection against new Read more…
January 25, 2021
¿Puedo utilizar sólo un protector facial?
Masks Posts en Español
Alejandra Silva Hernández, Spanish Translation
R: NO. El uso del protector facial por sí solo no es recomendado. Un estudio experimental evaluó qué tan bien el protector facial protege al que lo usa, demostró que partículas pequeñas pasaban fácilmente alrededor del protector facial. Ahora, en una nueva preimpresión por científicos del Instituto Nacional para Seguridad y Salud Ocupacional, NIOSH National Read more…
January 25, 2021
What kind of mask should I be wearing in my community?
Masks Staying Safe
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: The most effective masks should meet three criteria: secure, multi-layered, and comfortable. The mask should seal at the bridge of the nose, cheeks, and chin. Masks made from multiple layers of material outperform single layer masks. A comfortable mask is more likely to be worn. KEY MESSAGE: Masks work in decreasing spread of COVID-19. Read more…
January 23, 2021
Dear Pandemic COVID Q&A
Data and Metrics Infection and Spread Masks Vaccines Videos
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
In this live Q&A, Dear Pandemic contributing scientists Drs. Malia Jones & Jennifer Beam Dowd will be tackling more pandemic questions from our readers. If you have a question, put it in our question box at www.dearpandemic.org! We are *very* excited to announce that we have live closed captioning and #ASL interpretation available during the Read more…
Hoy empezamos una nueva serie: ¡Una oportunidad de conocer a las Nerdy Girls – las científicas que manejan esta página Querida Pandemia, y la página en inglés, Dear Pandemic! Vamos a presentar a una de nuestras expertas cada semana para que ustedes puedan conocernos un poco mejor. En primer lugar, nos gustaría presentarle a nuestra Read more…
Dear Pandemic COVID Q&A
Families/Kids Mental Health Socializing VideosAparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
In this live Q&A, Dear Pandemic contributing scientists Drs. Aparna Kumar and Christine Whelan will be joined by Lauren Ross, founder of Project Village! We’ll be tackling questions from our readers about mental health and community in the pandemic. If you have a question, put it in our question box at www.dearpandemic.org. ➡️ Welcome, Intros, Read more…
February 4, 2021
Where the heck is the flu?
Data and Metrics Staying Safe
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
A: There has been incredibly low influenza activity this season. Yay! Turns out, masking, washing hands, staying home when sick, and vaccinations really do work! Influenza season typically starts around October, peaks between December and February, and then tapers off. And flu is no joke. In the 2019-2020 flu season, the CDC estimated flu caused Read more…
February 3, 2021
How can I help my child understand “NO” in a kind way?
Families/Kids Mental Health
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
Q: With school closures and working from home, I feel as if I am always saying no to my young child. How can I help my child understand “NO” in a kind way? A: Acknowledge feelings, help meet your child’s needs, and use nonverbal communication. Dr. Carolyn Broudy of the Family Connections Center provides a Read more…
February 2, 2021
What’s the current advice on the COVID-19 vaccine and pregnancy?
Families/Kids Vaccines
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: Overall, there is no evidence that risks of vaccination would outweigh the benefits for pregnant women, but specific guidance varies by country. Why no clear guidance? As with almost all drug/vaccine trials, the current Phase III COVID-19 clinical trials did not include pregnant women (though some participants became pregnant during the Pfizer and Moderna Read more…
February 2, 2021
Debunking of Dangerous and False Vaccine Rumors
Uncertainty and Misinformation Vaccines
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
Thanks to our awesome partner Your local epidemiologist for this science-based debunking of some really dangerous and false vaccine rumors circulating recently. Update: Your local epidemiologist’s post reached a couple million people. The Facebook algorithm has removed it, so we’re just gonna paste the content here. #FactsMatter “COVID19 vaccines will destroy our lives” posted by Read more…
January 31, 2021
Meet Those Nerdy Girls – Dr. Amanda Simanek
Uncategorized
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
This week in Meet the Nerdy Girls, we’re delighted to introduce Dr. Amanda Simanek, PhD, MPH! Dr. Simanek is a social epidemiologist who studies the psychosocial determinants of infectious disease, links between infection and chronic disease, and the pathways by which social inequities in health occur across the lifecourse and across generations. We asked her Read more…
January 30, 2021
Home poop tests anyone?
Testing and Contact Tracing
Lauren Hale, PhD MA
Q: I’ve heard that some colleges are testing wastewater from dorms to find out if there is Covid. Does this mean there could be accurate(ish) home fecal tests in our future? I can’t decide if I want the answer to be yes or no. A. The Nerdy Girls support innovation, accuracy, affordability, and accessibility. And Read more…
January 30, 2021
Dear Pandemic COVID Q&A
Masks Vaccines Videos
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
In this live Q&A, Dear Pandemic contributing scientists Drs. Malia Jones & Michelle Kinder will be tackling questions from our readers about the different kinds of vaccines, vaccine side effects, and questions about masks! If you have a question, put it in our question box at www.dearpandemic.org. ➡️ Welcome, Intros, and Announcements (0:00-2:10) ➡️ Explainer Read more…
January 29, 2021
Dear Pandemic’s Origin Story
By Malia Jones Dec 11, 2020 The first time I heard of the new coronavirus circulating in China was in late January 2020. I was auditing Dr. Ajay Sethi’s course, Infectious Disease Epidemiology, at UW-Madison that semester. One afternoon in January before class started, Ajay casually asked the class: “How many of you have heard Read more…
January 28, 2021
Will the current vaccines be effective against the new variants?
Vaccines
Michelle Kinder, PhD
Q: If not, what happens, do we need a new, different vaccine?” A: The vaccines developed thus far will likely have efficacy against the different SARS-CoV-2 variants although the level of efficacy may be reduced to the South Africian variant (B.1.351). More clinical data will be needed to understand the levels of protection against new Read more…
January 25, 2021
¿Puedo utilizar sólo un protector facial?
Masks Posts en Español
Alejandra Silva Hernández, Spanish Translation
R: NO. El uso del protector facial por sí solo no es recomendado. Un estudio experimental evaluó qué tan bien el protector facial protege al que lo usa, demostró que partículas pequeñas pasaban fácilmente alrededor del protector facial. Ahora, en una nueva preimpresión por científicos del Instituto Nacional para Seguridad y Salud Ocupacional, NIOSH National Read more…
January 25, 2021
What kind of mask should I be wearing in my community?
Masks Staying Safe
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: The most effective masks should meet three criteria: secure, multi-layered, and comfortable. The mask should seal at the bridge of the nose, cheeks, and chin. Masks made from multiple layers of material outperform single layer masks. A comfortable mask is more likely to be worn. KEY MESSAGE: Masks work in decreasing spread of COVID-19. Read more…
January 23, 2021
Dear Pandemic COVID Q&A
Data and Metrics Infection and Spread Masks Vaccines Videos
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
In this live Q&A, Dear Pandemic contributing scientists Drs. Malia Jones & Jennifer Beam Dowd will be tackling more pandemic questions from our readers. If you have a question, put it in our question box at www.dearpandemic.org! We are *very* excited to announce that we have live closed captioning and #ASL interpretation available during the Read more…
In this live Q&A, Dear Pandemic contributing scientists Drs. Aparna Kumar and Christine Whelan will be joined by Lauren Ross, founder of Project Village! We’ll be tackling questions from our readers about mental health and community in the pandemic. If you have a question, put it in our question box at www.dearpandemic.org. ➡️ Welcome, Intros, Read more…
Where the heck is the flu?
Data and Metrics Staying SafeSarah Whitley Coles, MD
A: There has been incredibly low influenza activity this season. Yay! Turns out, masking, washing hands, staying home when sick, and vaccinations really do work! Influenza season typically starts around October, peaks between December and February, and then tapers off. And flu is no joke. In the 2019-2020 flu season, the CDC estimated flu caused Read more…
February 3, 2021
How can I help my child understand “NO” in a kind way?
Families/Kids Mental Health
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
Q: With school closures and working from home, I feel as if I am always saying no to my young child. How can I help my child understand “NO” in a kind way? A: Acknowledge feelings, help meet your child’s needs, and use nonverbal communication. Dr. Carolyn Broudy of the Family Connections Center provides a Read more…
February 2, 2021
What’s the current advice on the COVID-19 vaccine and pregnancy?
Families/Kids Vaccines
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: Overall, there is no evidence that risks of vaccination would outweigh the benefits for pregnant women, but specific guidance varies by country. Why no clear guidance? As with almost all drug/vaccine trials, the current Phase III COVID-19 clinical trials did not include pregnant women (though some participants became pregnant during the Pfizer and Moderna Read more…
February 2, 2021
Debunking of Dangerous and False Vaccine Rumors
Uncertainty and Misinformation Vaccines
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
Thanks to our awesome partner Your local epidemiologist for this science-based debunking of some really dangerous and false vaccine rumors circulating recently. Update: Your local epidemiologist’s post reached a couple million people. The Facebook algorithm has removed it, so we’re just gonna paste the content here. #FactsMatter “COVID19 vaccines will destroy our lives” posted by Read more…
January 31, 2021
Meet Those Nerdy Girls – Dr. Amanda Simanek
Uncategorized
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
This week in Meet the Nerdy Girls, we’re delighted to introduce Dr. Amanda Simanek, PhD, MPH! Dr. Simanek is a social epidemiologist who studies the psychosocial determinants of infectious disease, links between infection and chronic disease, and the pathways by which social inequities in health occur across the lifecourse and across generations. We asked her Read more…
January 30, 2021
Home poop tests anyone?
Testing and Contact Tracing
Lauren Hale, PhD MA
Q: I’ve heard that some colleges are testing wastewater from dorms to find out if there is Covid. Does this mean there could be accurate(ish) home fecal tests in our future? I can’t decide if I want the answer to be yes or no. A. The Nerdy Girls support innovation, accuracy, affordability, and accessibility. And Read more…
January 30, 2021
Dear Pandemic COVID Q&A
Masks Vaccines Videos
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
In this live Q&A, Dear Pandemic contributing scientists Drs. Malia Jones & Michelle Kinder will be tackling questions from our readers about the different kinds of vaccines, vaccine side effects, and questions about masks! If you have a question, put it in our question box at www.dearpandemic.org. ➡️ Welcome, Intros, and Announcements (0:00-2:10) ➡️ Explainer Read more…
January 29, 2021
Dear Pandemic’s Origin Story
By Malia Jones Dec 11, 2020 The first time I heard of the new coronavirus circulating in China was in late January 2020. I was auditing Dr. Ajay Sethi’s course, Infectious Disease Epidemiology, at UW-Madison that semester. One afternoon in January before class started, Ajay casually asked the class: “How many of you have heard Read more…
January 28, 2021
Will the current vaccines be effective against the new variants?
Vaccines
Michelle Kinder, PhD
Q: If not, what happens, do we need a new, different vaccine?” A: The vaccines developed thus far will likely have efficacy against the different SARS-CoV-2 variants although the level of efficacy may be reduced to the South Africian variant (B.1.351). More clinical data will be needed to understand the levels of protection against new Read more…
January 25, 2021
¿Puedo utilizar sólo un protector facial?
Masks Posts en Español
Alejandra Silva Hernández, Spanish Translation
R: NO. El uso del protector facial por sí solo no es recomendado. Un estudio experimental evaluó qué tan bien el protector facial protege al que lo usa, demostró que partículas pequeñas pasaban fácilmente alrededor del protector facial. Ahora, en una nueva preimpresión por científicos del Instituto Nacional para Seguridad y Salud Ocupacional, NIOSH National Read more…
January 25, 2021
What kind of mask should I be wearing in my community?
Masks Staying Safe
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: The most effective masks should meet three criteria: secure, multi-layered, and comfortable. The mask should seal at the bridge of the nose, cheeks, and chin. Masks made from multiple layers of material outperform single layer masks. A comfortable mask is more likely to be worn. KEY MESSAGE: Masks work in decreasing spread of COVID-19. Read more…
January 23, 2021
Dear Pandemic COVID Q&A
Data and Metrics Infection and Spread Masks Vaccines Videos
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
In this live Q&A, Dear Pandemic contributing scientists Drs. Malia Jones & Jennifer Beam Dowd will be tackling more pandemic questions from our readers. If you have a question, put it in our question box at www.dearpandemic.org! We are *very* excited to announce that we have live closed captioning and #ASL interpretation available during the Read more…
A: There has been incredibly low influenza activity this season. Yay! Turns out, masking, washing hands, staying home when sick, and vaccinations really do work! Influenza season typically starts around October, peaks between December and February, and then tapers off. And flu is no joke. In the 2019-2020 flu season, the CDC estimated flu caused Read more…
How can I help my child understand “NO” in a kind way?
Families/Kids Mental HealthAparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
Q: With school closures and working from home, I feel as if I am always saying no to my young child. How can I help my child understand “NO” in a kind way? A: Acknowledge feelings, help meet your child’s needs, and use nonverbal communication. Dr. Carolyn Broudy of the Family Connections Center provides a Read more…
February 2, 2021
What’s the current advice on the COVID-19 vaccine and pregnancy?
Families/Kids Vaccines
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: Overall, there is no evidence that risks of vaccination would outweigh the benefits for pregnant women, but specific guidance varies by country. Why no clear guidance? As with almost all drug/vaccine trials, the current Phase III COVID-19 clinical trials did not include pregnant women (though some participants became pregnant during the Pfizer and Moderna Read more…
February 2, 2021
Debunking of Dangerous and False Vaccine Rumors
Uncertainty and Misinformation Vaccines
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
Thanks to our awesome partner Your local epidemiologist for this science-based debunking of some really dangerous and false vaccine rumors circulating recently. Update: Your local epidemiologist’s post reached a couple million people. The Facebook algorithm has removed it, so we’re just gonna paste the content here. #FactsMatter “COVID19 vaccines will destroy our lives” posted by Read more…
January 31, 2021
Meet Those Nerdy Girls – Dr. Amanda Simanek
Uncategorized
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
This week in Meet the Nerdy Girls, we’re delighted to introduce Dr. Amanda Simanek, PhD, MPH! Dr. Simanek is a social epidemiologist who studies the psychosocial determinants of infectious disease, links between infection and chronic disease, and the pathways by which social inequities in health occur across the lifecourse and across generations. We asked her Read more…
January 30, 2021
Home poop tests anyone?
Testing and Contact Tracing
Lauren Hale, PhD MA
Q: I’ve heard that some colleges are testing wastewater from dorms to find out if there is Covid. Does this mean there could be accurate(ish) home fecal tests in our future? I can’t decide if I want the answer to be yes or no. A. The Nerdy Girls support innovation, accuracy, affordability, and accessibility. And Read more…
January 30, 2021
Dear Pandemic COVID Q&A
Masks Vaccines Videos
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
In this live Q&A, Dear Pandemic contributing scientists Drs. Malia Jones & Michelle Kinder will be tackling questions from our readers about the different kinds of vaccines, vaccine side effects, and questions about masks! If you have a question, put it in our question box at www.dearpandemic.org. ➡️ Welcome, Intros, and Announcements (0:00-2:10) ➡️ Explainer Read more…
January 29, 2021
Dear Pandemic’s Origin Story
By Malia Jones Dec 11, 2020 The first time I heard of the new coronavirus circulating in China was in late January 2020. I was auditing Dr. Ajay Sethi’s course, Infectious Disease Epidemiology, at UW-Madison that semester. One afternoon in January before class started, Ajay casually asked the class: “How many of you have heard Read more…
January 28, 2021
Will the current vaccines be effective against the new variants?
Vaccines
Michelle Kinder, PhD
Q: If not, what happens, do we need a new, different vaccine?” A: The vaccines developed thus far will likely have efficacy against the different SARS-CoV-2 variants although the level of efficacy may be reduced to the South Africian variant (B.1.351). More clinical data will be needed to understand the levels of protection against new Read more…
January 25, 2021
¿Puedo utilizar sólo un protector facial?
Masks Posts en Español
Alejandra Silva Hernández, Spanish Translation
R: NO. El uso del protector facial por sí solo no es recomendado. Un estudio experimental evaluó qué tan bien el protector facial protege al que lo usa, demostró que partículas pequeñas pasaban fácilmente alrededor del protector facial. Ahora, en una nueva preimpresión por científicos del Instituto Nacional para Seguridad y Salud Ocupacional, NIOSH National Read more…
January 25, 2021
What kind of mask should I be wearing in my community?
Masks Staying Safe
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: The most effective masks should meet three criteria: secure, multi-layered, and comfortable. The mask should seal at the bridge of the nose, cheeks, and chin. Masks made from multiple layers of material outperform single layer masks. A comfortable mask is more likely to be worn. KEY MESSAGE: Masks work in decreasing spread of COVID-19. Read more…
January 23, 2021
Dear Pandemic COVID Q&A
Data and Metrics Infection and Spread Masks Vaccines Videos
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
In this live Q&A, Dear Pandemic contributing scientists Drs. Malia Jones & Jennifer Beam Dowd will be tackling more pandemic questions from our readers. If you have a question, put it in our question box at www.dearpandemic.org! We are *very* excited to announce that we have live closed captioning and #ASL interpretation available during the Read more…
Q: With school closures and working from home, I feel as if I am always saying no to my young child. How can I help my child understand “NO” in a kind way? A: Acknowledge feelings, help meet your child’s needs, and use nonverbal communication. Dr. Carolyn Broudy of the Family Connections Center provides a Read more…
What’s the current advice on the COVID-19 vaccine and pregnancy?
Families/Kids VaccinesJennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: Overall, there is no evidence that risks of vaccination would outweigh the benefits for pregnant women, but specific guidance varies by country. Why no clear guidance? As with almost all drug/vaccine trials, the current Phase III COVID-19 clinical trials did not include pregnant women (though some participants became pregnant during the Pfizer and Moderna Read more…
February 2, 2021
Debunking of Dangerous and False Vaccine Rumors
Uncertainty and Misinformation Vaccines
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
Thanks to our awesome partner Your local epidemiologist for this science-based debunking of some really dangerous and false vaccine rumors circulating recently. Update: Your local epidemiologist’s post reached a couple million people. The Facebook algorithm has removed it, so we’re just gonna paste the content here. #FactsMatter “COVID19 vaccines will destroy our lives” posted by Read more…
January 31, 2021
Meet Those Nerdy Girls – Dr. Amanda Simanek
Uncategorized
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
This week in Meet the Nerdy Girls, we’re delighted to introduce Dr. Amanda Simanek, PhD, MPH! Dr. Simanek is a social epidemiologist who studies the psychosocial determinants of infectious disease, links between infection and chronic disease, and the pathways by which social inequities in health occur across the lifecourse and across generations. We asked her Read more…
January 30, 2021
Home poop tests anyone?
Testing and Contact Tracing
Lauren Hale, PhD MA
Q: I’ve heard that some colleges are testing wastewater from dorms to find out if there is Covid. Does this mean there could be accurate(ish) home fecal tests in our future? I can’t decide if I want the answer to be yes or no. A. The Nerdy Girls support innovation, accuracy, affordability, and accessibility. And Read more…
January 30, 2021
Dear Pandemic COVID Q&A
Masks Vaccines Videos
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
In this live Q&A, Dear Pandemic contributing scientists Drs. Malia Jones & Michelle Kinder will be tackling questions from our readers about the different kinds of vaccines, vaccine side effects, and questions about masks! If you have a question, put it in our question box at www.dearpandemic.org. ➡️ Welcome, Intros, and Announcements (0:00-2:10) ➡️ Explainer Read more…
January 29, 2021
Dear Pandemic’s Origin Story
By Malia Jones Dec 11, 2020 The first time I heard of the new coronavirus circulating in China was in late January 2020. I was auditing Dr. Ajay Sethi’s course, Infectious Disease Epidemiology, at UW-Madison that semester. One afternoon in January before class started, Ajay casually asked the class: “How many of you have heard Read more…
January 28, 2021
Will the current vaccines be effective against the new variants?
Vaccines
Michelle Kinder, PhD
Q: If not, what happens, do we need a new, different vaccine?” A: The vaccines developed thus far will likely have efficacy against the different SARS-CoV-2 variants although the level of efficacy may be reduced to the South Africian variant (B.1.351). More clinical data will be needed to understand the levels of protection against new Read more…
January 25, 2021
¿Puedo utilizar sólo un protector facial?
Masks Posts en Español
Alejandra Silva Hernández, Spanish Translation
R: NO. El uso del protector facial por sí solo no es recomendado. Un estudio experimental evaluó qué tan bien el protector facial protege al que lo usa, demostró que partículas pequeñas pasaban fácilmente alrededor del protector facial. Ahora, en una nueva preimpresión por científicos del Instituto Nacional para Seguridad y Salud Ocupacional, NIOSH National Read more…
January 25, 2021
What kind of mask should I be wearing in my community?
Masks Staying Safe
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: The most effective masks should meet three criteria: secure, multi-layered, and comfortable. The mask should seal at the bridge of the nose, cheeks, and chin. Masks made from multiple layers of material outperform single layer masks. A comfortable mask is more likely to be worn. KEY MESSAGE: Masks work in decreasing spread of COVID-19. Read more…
January 23, 2021
Dear Pandemic COVID Q&A
Data and Metrics Infection and Spread Masks Vaccines Videos
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
In this live Q&A, Dear Pandemic contributing scientists Drs. Malia Jones & Jennifer Beam Dowd will be tackling more pandemic questions from our readers. If you have a question, put it in our question box at www.dearpandemic.org! We are *very* excited to announce that we have live closed captioning and #ASL interpretation available during the Read more…
A: Overall, there is no evidence that risks of vaccination would outweigh the benefits for pregnant women, but specific guidance varies by country. Why no clear guidance? As with almost all drug/vaccine trials, the current Phase III COVID-19 clinical trials did not include pregnant women (though some participants became pregnant during the Pfizer and Moderna Read more…
Debunking of Dangerous and False Vaccine Rumors
Uncertainty and Misinformation VaccinesJennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
Thanks to our awesome partner Your local epidemiologist for this science-based debunking of some really dangerous and false vaccine rumors circulating recently. Update: Your local epidemiologist’s post reached a couple million people. The Facebook algorithm has removed it, so we’re just gonna paste the content here. #FactsMatter “COVID19 vaccines will destroy our lives” posted by Read more…
January 31, 2021
Meet Those Nerdy Girls – Dr. Amanda Simanek
Uncategorized
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
This week in Meet the Nerdy Girls, we’re delighted to introduce Dr. Amanda Simanek, PhD, MPH! Dr. Simanek is a social epidemiologist who studies the psychosocial determinants of infectious disease, links between infection and chronic disease, and the pathways by which social inequities in health occur across the lifecourse and across generations. We asked her Read more…
January 30, 2021
Home poop tests anyone?
Testing and Contact Tracing
Lauren Hale, PhD MA
Q: I’ve heard that some colleges are testing wastewater from dorms to find out if there is Covid. Does this mean there could be accurate(ish) home fecal tests in our future? I can’t decide if I want the answer to be yes or no. A. The Nerdy Girls support innovation, accuracy, affordability, and accessibility. And Read more…
January 30, 2021
Dear Pandemic COVID Q&A
Masks Vaccines Videos
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
In this live Q&A, Dear Pandemic contributing scientists Drs. Malia Jones & Michelle Kinder will be tackling questions from our readers about the different kinds of vaccines, vaccine side effects, and questions about masks! If you have a question, put it in our question box at www.dearpandemic.org. ➡️ Welcome, Intros, and Announcements (0:00-2:10) ➡️ Explainer Read more…
January 29, 2021
Dear Pandemic’s Origin Story
By Malia Jones Dec 11, 2020 The first time I heard of the new coronavirus circulating in China was in late January 2020. I was auditing Dr. Ajay Sethi’s course, Infectious Disease Epidemiology, at UW-Madison that semester. One afternoon in January before class started, Ajay casually asked the class: “How many of you have heard Read more…
January 28, 2021
Will the current vaccines be effective against the new variants?
Vaccines
Michelle Kinder, PhD
Q: If not, what happens, do we need a new, different vaccine?” A: The vaccines developed thus far will likely have efficacy against the different SARS-CoV-2 variants although the level of efficacy may be reduced to the South Africian variant (B.1.351). More clinical data will be needed to understand the levels of protection against new Read more…
January 25, 2021
¿Puedo utilizar sólo un protector facial?
Masks Posts en Español
Alejandra Silva Hernández, Spanish Translation
R: NO. El uso del protector facial por sí solo no es recomendado. Un estudio experimental evaluó qué tan bien el protector facial protege al que lo usa, demostró que partículas pequeñas pasaban fácilmente alrededor del protector facial. Ahora, en una nueva preimpresión por científicos del Instituto Nacional para Seguridad y Salud Ocupacional, NIOSH National Read more…
January 25, 2021
What kind of mask should I be wearing in my community?
Masks Staying Safe
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: The most effective masks should meet three criteria: secure, multi-layered, and comfortable. The mask should seal at the bridge of the nose, cheeks, and chin. Masks made from multiple layers of material outperform single layer masks. A comfortable mask is more likely to be worn. KEY MESSAGE: Masks work in decreasing spread of COVID-19. Read more…
January 23, 2021
Dear Pandemic COVID Q&A
Data and Metrics Infection and Spread Masks Vaccines Videos
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
In this live Q&A, Dear Pandemic contributing scientists Drs. Malia Jones & Jennifer Beam Dowd will be tackling more pandemic questions from our readers. If you have a question, put it in our question box at www.dearpandemic.org! We are *very* excited to announce that we have live closed captioning and #ASL interpretation available during the Read more…
Thanks to our awesome partner Your local epidemiologist for this science-based debunking of some really dangerous and false vaccine rumors circulating recently. Update: Your local epidemiologist’s post reached a couple million people. The Facebook algorithm has removed it, so we’re just gonna paste the content here. #FactsMatter “COVID19 vaccines will destroy our lives” posted by Read more…
Meet Those Nerdy Girls – Dr. Amanda Simanek
UncategorizedMalia Jones, PhD MPH
This week in Meet the Nerdy Girls, we’re delighted to introduce Dr. Amanda Simanek, PhD, MPH! Dr. Simanek is a social epidemiologist who studies the psychosocial determinants of infectious disease, links between infection and chronic disease, and the pathways by which social inequities in health occur across the lifecourse and across generations. We asked her Read more…
January 30, 2021
Home poop tests anyone?
Testing and Contact Tracing
Lauren Hale, PhD MA
Q: I’ve heard that some colleges are testing wastewater from dorms to find out if there is Covid. Does this mean there could be accurate(ish) home fecal tests in our future? I can’t decide if I want the answer to be yes or no. A. The Nerdy Girls support innovation, accuracy, affordability, and accessibility. And Read more…
January 30, 2021
Dear Pandemic COVID Q&A
Masks Vaccines Videos
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
In this live Q&A, Dear Pandemic contributing scientists Drs. Malia Jones & Michelle Kinder will be tackling questions from our readers about the different kinds of vaccines, vaccine side effects, and questions about masks! If you have a question, put it in our question box at www.dearpandemic.org. ➡️ Welcome, Intros, and Announcements (0:00-2:10) ➡️ Explainer Read more…
January 29, 2021
Dear Pandemic’s Origin Story
By Malia Jones Dec 11, 2020 The first time I heard of the new coronavirus circulating in China was in late January 2020. I was auditing Dr. Ajay Sethi’s course, Infectious Disease Epidemiology, at UW-Madison that semester. One afternoon in January before class started, Ajay casually asked the class: “How many of you have heard Read more…
January 28, 2021
Will the current vaccines be effective against the new variants?
Vaccines
Michelle Kinder, PhD
Q: If not, what happens, do we need a new, different vaccine?” A: The vaccines developed thus far will likely have efficacy against the different SARS-CoV-2 variants although the level of efficacy may be reduced to the South Africian variant (B.1.351). More clinical data will be needed to understand the levels of protection against new Read more…
January 25, 2021
¿Puedo utilizar sólo un protector facial?
Masks Posts en Español
Alejandra Silva Hernández, Spanish Translation
R: NO. El uso del protector facial por sí solo no es recomendado. Un estudio experimental evaluó qué tan bien el protector facial protege al que lo usa, demostró que partículas pequeñas pasaban fácilmente alrededor del protector facial. Ahora, en una nueva preimpresión por científicos del Instituto Nacional para Seguridad y Salud Ocupacional, NIOSH National Read more…
January 25, 2021
What kind of mask should I be wearing in my community?
Masks Staying Safe
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: The most effective masks should meet three criteria: secure, multi-layered, and comfortable. The mask should seal at the bridge of the nose, cheeks, and chin. Masks made from multiple layers of material outperform single layer masks. A comfortable mask is more likely to be worn. KEY MESSAGE: Masks work in decreasing spread of COVID-19. Read more…
January 23, 2021
Dear Pandemic COVID Q&A
Data and Metrics Infection and Spread Masks Vaccines Videos
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
In this live Q&A, Dear Pandemic contributing scientists Drs. Malia Jones & Jennifer Beam Dowd will be tackling more pandemic questions from our readers. If you have a question, put it in our question box at www.dearpandemic.org! We are *very* excited to announce that we have live closed captioning and #ASL interpretation available during the Read more…
This week in Meet the Nerdy Girls, we’re delighted to introduce Dr. Amanda Simanek, PhD, MPH! Dr. Simanek is a social epidemiologist who studies the psychosocial determinants of infectious disease, links between infection and chronic disease, and the pathways by which social inequities in health occur across the lifecourse and across generations. We asked her Read more…
Home poop tests anyone?
Testing and Contact TracingLauren Hale, PhD MA
Q: I’ve heard that some colleges are testing wastewater from dorms to find out if there is Covid. Does this mean there could be accurate(ish) home fecal tests in our future? I can’t decide if I want the answer to be yes or no. A. The Nerdy Girls support innovation, accuracy, affordability, and accessibility. And Read more…
January 30, 2021
Dear Pandemic COVID Q&A
Masks Vaccines Videos
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
In this live Q&A, Dear Pandemic contributing scientists Drs. Malia Jones & Michelle Kinder will be tackling questions from our readers about the different kinds of vaccines, vaccine side effects, and questions about masks! If you have a question, put it in our question box at www.dearpandemic.org. ➡️ Welcome, Intros, and Announcements (0:00-2:10) ➡️ Explainer Read more…
January 29, 2021
Dear Pandemic’s Origin Story
By Malia Jones Dec 11, 2020 The first time I heard of the new coronavirus circulating in China was in late January 2020. I was auditing Dr. Ajay Sethi’s course, Infectious Disease Epidemiology, at UW-Madison that semester. One afternoon in January before class started, Ajay casually asked the class: “How many of you have heard Read more…
January 28, 2021
Will the current vaccines be effective against the new variants?
Vaccines
Michelle Kinder, PhD
Q: If not, what happens, do we need a new, different vaccine?” A: The vaccines developed thus far will likely have efficacy against the different SARS-CoV-2 variants although the level of efficacy may be reduced to the South Africian variant (B.1.351). More clinical data will be needed to understand the levels of protection against new Read more…
January 25, 2021
¿Puedo utilizar sólo un protector facial?
Masks Posts en Español
Alejandra Silva Hernández, Spanish Translation
R: NO. El uso del protector facial por sí solo no es recomendado. Un estudio experimental evaluó qué tan bien el protector facial protege al que lo usa, demostró que partículas pequeñas pasaban fácilmente alrededor del protector facial. Ahora, en una nueva preimpresión por científicos del Instituto Nacional para Seguridad y Salud Ocupacional, NIOSH National Read more…
January 25, 2021
What kind of mask should I be wearing in my community?
Masks Staying Safe
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: The most effective masks should meet three criteria: secure, multi-layered, and comfortable. The mask should seal at the bridge of the nose, cheeks, and chin. Masks made from multiple layers of material outperform single layer masks. A comfortable mask is more likely to be worn. KEY MESSAGE: Masks work in decreasing spread of COVID-19. Read more…
January 23, 2021
Dear Pandemic COVID Q&A
Data and Metrics Infection and Spread Masks Vaccines Videos
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
In this live Q&A, Dear Pandemic contributing scientists Drs. Malia Jones & Jennifer Beam Dowd will be tackling more pandemic questions from our readers. If you have a question, put it in our question box at www.dearpandemic.org! We are *very* excited to announce that we have live closed captioning and #ASL interpretation available during the Read more…
Q: I’ve heard that some colleges are testing wastewater from dorms to find out if there is Covid. Does this mean there could be accurate(ish) home fecal tests in our future? I can’t decide if I want the answer to be yes or no. A. The Nerdy Girls support innovation, accuracy, affordability, and accessibility. And Read more…
Dear Pandemic COVID Q&A
Masks Vaccines VideosMalia Jones, PhD MPH
In this live Q&A, Dear Pandemic contributing scientists Drs. Malia Jones & Michelle Kinder will be tackling questions from our readers about the different kinds of vaccines, vaccine side effects, and questions about masks! If you have a question, put it in our question box at www.dearpandemic.org. ➡️ Welcome, Intros, and Announcements (0:00-2:10) ➡️ Explainer Read more…
January 29, 2021
Dear Pandemic’s Origin Story
By Malia Jones Dec 11, 2020 The first time I heard of the new coronavirus circulating in China was in late January 2020. I was auditing Dr. Ajay Sethi’s course, Infectious Disease Epidemiology, at UW-Madison that semester. One afternoon in January before class started, Ajay casually asked the class: “How many of you have heard Read more…
January 28, 2021
Will the current vaccines be effective against the new variants?
Vaccines
Michelle Kinder, PhD
Q: If not, what happens, do we need a new, different vaccine?” A: The vaccines developed thus far will likely have efficacy against the different SARS-CoV-2 variants although the level of efficacy may be reduced to the South Africian variant (B.1.351). More clinical data will be needed to understand the levels of protection against new Read more…
January 25, 2021
¿Puedo utilizar sólo un protector facial?
Masks Posts en Español
Alejandra Silva Hernández, Spanish Translation
R: NO. El uso del protector facial por sí solo no es recomendado. Un estudio experimental evaluó qué tan bien el protector facial protege al que lo usa, demostró que partículas pequeñas pasaban fácilmente alrededor del protector facial. Ahora, en una nueva preimpresión por científicos del Instituto Nacional para Seguridad y Salud Ocupacional, NIOSH National Read more…
January 25, 2021
What kind of mask should I be wearing in my community?
Masks Staying Safe
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: The most effective masks should meet three criteria: secure, multi-layered, and comfortable. The mask should seal at the bridge of the nose, cheeks, and chin. Masks made from multiple layers of material outperform single layer masks. A comfortable mask is more likely to be worn. KEY MESSAGE: Masks work in decreasing spread of COVID-19. Read more…
January 23, 2021
Dear Pandemic COVID Q&A
Data and Metrics Infection and Spread Masks Vaccines Videos
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
In this live Q&A, Dear Pandemic contributing scientists Drs. Malia Jones & Jennifer Beam Dowd will be tackling more pandemic questions from our readers. If you have a question, put it in our question box at www.dearpandemic.org! We are *very* excited to announce that we have live closed captioning and #ASL interpretation available during the Read more…
In this live Q&A, Dear Pandemic contributing scientists Drs. Malia Jones & Michelle Kinder will be tackling questions from our readers about the different kinds of vaccines, vaccine side effects, and questions about masks! If you have a question, put it in our question box at www.dearpandemic.org. ➡️ Welcome, Intros, and Announcements (0:00-2:10) ➡️ Explainer Read more…
Dear Pandemic’s Origin Story
By Malia Jones Dec 11, 2020 The first time I heard of the new coronavirus circulating in China was in late January 2020. I was auditing Dr. Ajay Sethi’s course, Infectious Disease Epidemiology, at UW-Madison that semester. One afternoon in January before class started, Ajay casually asked the class: “How many of you have heard Read more…
Will the current vaccines be effective against the new variants?
VaccinesMichelle Kinder, PhD
Q: If not, what happens, do we need a new, different vaccine?” A: The vaccines developed thus far will likely have efficacy against the different SARS-CoV-2 variants although the level of efficacy may be reduced to the South Africian variant (B.1.351). More clinical data will be needed to understand the levels of protection against new Read more…
January 25, 2021
¿Puedo utilizar sólo un protector facial?
Masks Posts en Español
Alejandra Silva Hernández, Spanish Translation
R: NO. El uso del protector facial por sí solo no es recomendado. Un estudio experimental evaluó qué tan bien el protector facial protege al que lo usa, demostró que partículas pequeñas pasaban fácilmente alrededor del protector facial. Ahora, en una nueva preimpresión por científicos del Instituto Nacional para Seguridad y Salud Ocupacional, NIOSH National Read more…
January 25, 2021
What kind of mask should I be wearing in my community?
Masks Staying Safe
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: The most effective masks should meet three criteria: secure, multi-layered, and comfortable. The mask should seal at the bridge of the nose, cheeks, and chin. Masks made from multiple layers of material outperform single layer masks. A comfortable mask is more likely to be worn. KEY MESSAGE: Masks work in decreasing spread of COVID-19. Read more…
January 23, 2021
Dear Pandemic COVID Q&A
Data and Metrics Infection and Spread Masks Vaccines Videos
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
In this live Q&A, Dear Pandemic contributing scientists Drs. Malia Jones & Jennifer Beam Dowd will be tackling more pandemic questions from our readers. If you have a question, put it in our question box at www.dearpandemic.org! We are *very* excited to announce that we have live closed captioning and #ASL interpretation available during the Read more…
Q: If not, what happens, do we need a new, different vaccine?” A: The vaccines developed thus far will likely have efficacy against the different SARS-CoV-2 variants although the level of efficacy may be reduced to the South Africian variant (B.1.351). More clinical data will be needed to understand the levels of protection against new Read more…
¿Puedo utilizar sólo un protector facial?
Masks Posts en EspañolAlejandra Silva Hernández, Spanish Translation
R: NO. El uso del protector facial por sí solo no es recomendado. Un estudio experimental evaluó qué tan bien el protector facial protege al que lo usa, demostró que partículas pequeñas pasaban fácilmente alrededor del protector facial. Ahora, en una nueva preimpresión por científicos del Instituto Nacional para Seguridad y Salud Ocupacional, NIOSH National Read more…
January 25, 2021
What kind of mask should I be wearing in my community?
Masks Staying Safe
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: The most effective masks should meet three criteria: secure, multi-layered, and comfortable. The mask should seal at the bridge of the nose, cheeks, and chin. Masks made from multiple layers of material outperform single layer masks. A comfortable mask is more likely to be worn. KEY MESSAGE: Masks work in decreasing spread of COVID-19. Read more…
January 23, 2021
Dear Pandemic COVID Q&A
Data and Metrics Infection and Spread Masks Vaccines Videos
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
In this live Q&A, Dear Pandemic contributing scientists Drs. Malia Jones & Jennifer Beam Dowd will be tackling more pandemic questions from our readers. If you have a question, put it in our question box at www.dearpandemic.org! We are *very* excited to announce that we have live closed captioning and #ASL interpretation available during the Read more…
R: NO. El uso del protector facial por sí solo no es recomendado. Un estudio experimental evaluó qué tan bien el protector facial protege al que lo usa, demostró que partículas pequeñas pasaban fácilmente alrededor del protector facial. Ahora, en una nueva preimpresión por científicos del Instituto Nacional para Seguridad y Salud Ocupacional, NIOSH National Read more…
What kind of mask should I be wearing in my community?
Masks Staying SafeAshley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: The most effective masks should meet three criteria: secure, multi-layered, and comfortable. The mask should seal at the bridge of the nose, cheeks, and chin. Masks made from multiple layers of material outperform single layer masks. A comfortable mask is more likely to be worn. KEY MESSAGE: Masks work in decreasing spread of COVID-19. Read more…
January 23, 2021
Dear Pandemic COVID Q&A
Data and Metrics Infection and Spread Masks Vaccines Videos
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
In this live Q&A, Dear Pandemic contributing scientists Drs. Malia Jones & Jennifer Beam Dowd will be tackling more pandemic questions from our readers. If you have a question, put it in our question box at www.dearpandemic.org! We are *very* excited to announce that we have live closed captioning and #ASL interpretation available during the Read more…
A: The most effective masks should meet three criteria: secure, multi-layered, and comfortable. The mask should seal at the bridge of the nose, cheeks, and chin. Masks made from multiple layers of material outperform single layer masks. A comfortable mask is more likely to be worn. KEY MESSAGE: Masks work in decreasing spread of COVID-19. Read more…
Dear Pandemic COVID Q&A
Data and Metrics Infection and Spread Masks Vaccines VideosMalia Jones, PhD MPH
In this live Q&A, Dear Pandemic contributing scientists Drs. Malia Jones & Jennifer Beam Dowd will be tackling more pandemic questions from our readers. If you have a question, put it in our question box at www.dearpandemic.org! We are *very* excited to announce that we have live closed captioning and #ASL interpretation available during the Read more…
In this live Q&A, Dear Pandemic contributing scientists Drs. Malia Jones & Jennifer Beam Dowd will be tackling more pandemic questions from our readers. If you have a question, put it in our question box at www.dearpandemic.org! We are *very* excited to announce that we have live closed captioning and #ASL interpretation available during the Read more…