2021 isn’t turning out to be the calm, awesome year I’d hoped for. Can we start over?
Mental HealthLindsey Leininger, PhD MA
A: Sigh. From riots to record pandemic death tolls, anxieties are running high … and our resolutions have stalled out already. Research shows that taking a step back to ask what matters most (and why) can help shore up well-being, even in tumultuous times. Read more for a purpose-finding playbook. The good news is living Read more…
January 11, 2021
What new information do we have about the B.1.1.7 variant?
Biology/Immunity Infection and Spread Vaccines
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: This is an evolving situation. Actions today could result in great success or tragic loss. Key take aways— B.1.1.7 is in the US. Growing evidence suggests the B.1.1.7 variant spreads more easily than previous variants. New evidence supports the hypothesis that current vaccines are effective against B.1.1.7. Early efforts to contain B.1.1.7 buys time Read more…
January 10, 2021
Meet Those Nerdy Girls – Dr. Aparna Kumar
Uncategorized
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
This week we are delighted to be introducing our readers to nerdy girl extraordinaire, Dr. Aparna Kumar, PhD, MPH, CRNP. Dr. Kumar is a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP-BC) and researcher specializing in child, adolescent, and women’s mental health. Her career has focused on decreasing stigma in mental health through research and education. As Read more…
January 9, 2021
Dear Pandemic COVID Q&A
Uncertainty and Misinformation Vaccines Videos
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
In this live Q&A, Drs. Malia Jones & Ashley Ritter will be tackling pandemic questions from our readers. Today’s we’re answering questions from readers about whether you should get the vaccine if you’ve already had COVID and much more! ➡️ Welcome and NG Ashley gets her vax! (0:00-3:07) ➡️ Vaccination info for those who have Read more…
January 8, 2021
“Mi héroe eres tú”
Families/Kids Posts en Español
Tita Smyth Escobedo, PM-IT
Este corto animado de la Facultad de Medicina de Stanford es una adaptación del libro para niños “Mi héroe eres tú” (My Hero is You, en Inglés) publicado a inicios de 2020 para ayudar a educar a los niños de todo el mundo sobre el COVID-19. La película tiene como objetivo transmitir mensajes de esperanza, Read more…
January 8, 2021
Is there any truth that ivermectin prevents or lessens the severity of COVID-19?
Treatments Uncertainty and Misinformation
Sandra Albrecht, PhD MPH
A. So far, we still have no evidence from well-designed randomized clinical trials (RCTs) that ivermectin is safe and effective for the prevention or treatment of COVID-19. However, several RCTs are currently underway which will hopefully provide us with an answer to this important question. ➡️What is ivermectin? Ivermectin (Iv) is a drug FDA-approved for Read more…
January 6, 2021
New Rapid Home Test for COVID-19
Infection and Spread Testing and Contact Tracing
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
Q: I heard that the FDA approved several new rapid home test for diagnosis of COVID-19. Are the rapid tests just as good as the others? Can I take this one before I visit family? A: TL; DR: No, rapid tests are not quite as good at picking up positives (someone who really has COVID-19) Read more…
January 5, 2021
What does it mean when hospitals are talking about starting “Crisis Standards of Care?”
Treatments
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
A: As many places see a significant surge in COVID19 cases, hospitals and resources become strained. Crisis standards of care represent a big change from usual healthcare made necessary by a major disaster. ➡️So, what does that actually mean? Crisis standards help guide decisions that must be made in extreme scarcity of resources (including staff, Read more…
January 5, 2021
¿Los suplementos de vitamina D pueden ayudar a prevenir el COVID-19?
Posts en Español Treatments Uncertainty and Misinformation
Daisey Velazquez, Spanish Translation
R: Es muy pronto para decir si sí o no, pero con más estudios podríamos saber pronto. La vitamina D es un micronutriente que se encuentra y es suplementado en la comida, se toma como suplemento y se produce en la piel cuando es expuesta a los rayos ultravioleta (UV). La vitamina D ayuda a Read more…
January 3, 2021
Meet Those Nerdy Girls – Dr. Jennifer Beam Dowd
Uncategorized
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
This week we are featuring Dr. Jennifer Beam Dowd, our incoming Nerdy Girl-In-Chief & scientist extraordinaire. Dr. Dowd is a health and social scientist who identifies most as a “demographer.” What’s a demographer? We’re glad you asked. Dr. Dowd uses statistics to study patterns in human populations–especially how long people live and why. Her impressive Read more…
January 2, 2021
Dear Pandemic COVID Q&A
Biology/Immunity Infection and Spread Vaccines Videos
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
In this live Q&A, Drs. Malia Jones & Amanda Simanek will be tackling pandemic questions from our readers. We’ll take questions about the “mutant strain”, which vaccine is best, that rumor about asymptomatic transmission being a phantom, and what we know (and don’t) about whether someone can still spread COVID after being vaccinated. ➡️ Welcome Read more…
January 1, 2021
What’s going on with the Oxford/Astrazeneca vaccine and one-dose strategy in Britain?
Vaccines
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: The Oxford/Astrazeneca vaccine was granted emergency authorization & the British government has decided to give as many people a first vaccine dose while delaying second doses *up to* 12 weeks after the first. A big news week here in the UK where this Nerdy Girl (Jenn) lives. Besides the worldwide focus on the new Read more…
January 1, 2021
Nerdy Girl Live Q&A Saturday 1/2 at 9:30 am CT
Uncategorized
Gretchen Peterson, Chief Operations Officer
Join Nerdy Girls Dr. Malia Jones and Dr. Amanda Simanek LIVE at Dear Pandemic FB Page as they answer community questions from our Question Box. Saturday, January 2nd 9:30 a.m. Central Time
December 30, 2020
Did you know that Dear Pandemic is available in Spanish?
Posts en Español
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Hello friends, family, and fans! Did you know that Dear Pandemic is available in Spanish? We launched our Spanish-language site, Querida Pandemia in September. It’s FULL of Spanish-language content curated, written, and translated by the same team you trust here at Dear Pandemic. We are particularly proud of this effort because there is a tremendous Read more…
December 29, 2020
Alejandra Silva Hernández, Spanish Translation
Alejandra Silva Hernández is a first-generation student in the accelerated General Public Health Program at the Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health. After graduation, she intends to apply to medical school to continue to advocate for underserved communities. In her free time, she enjoys virtual taekwondo and photography.
December 29, 2020
What lessons can we learn from the contact tracers?
Testing and Contact Tracing
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
We talked to someone who has been working as a state contact tracer since May. She gave us a list of practical things you can do today to make contact tracers’ jobs easier: 1️⃣ Clear out your voicemail so they can leave a message! 📪 2️⃣ Make sure you have a thermometer at home. 🌡️ Read more…
December 28, 2020
¿Cómo puedo reforzar mi sistema inmunológico?
Biology/Immunity Posts en Español
Sandra Albrecht, PhD MPH
R: Hoy nos enfocamos en la importancia del sueño saludable como una estrategia basada en evidencia para mejorar su sistema inmune durante la pandemia de COVID-19. ** La deficiencia de sueño a largo plazo se asocia con una variedad de comorbilidades (diabetes tipo 2, enfermedad cardiovascular, demencia) que puede resultar en consecuencias más severas por Read more…
December 28, 2020
What is all the fuss about the “mutant” strain of SARS-CoV-2 in England?
Biology/Immunity
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: The variant of concern VOC 202012/01 also known as the B.1.1.7 lineage accumulated many mutations in a short period of time and may spread more quickly than other strains. Researchers have located three specific mutations that may allow for increased transmission in this variant with continued study expected. It is likely the vaccine will Read more…
December 27, 2020
Meet Those Nerdy Girls – Dr. Lauren Hale
Uncategorized
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
This week we are featuring Dr. Lauren Hale, one of the Nerdy Girls who has been helping Dear Pandemic serve up practical (and often entertaining) COVID info since March 13th. Dr. Hale mostly studies the social patterning of 💤 sleep 💤, with particular attention to how social and contextual factors influence sleep and health disparities. Read more…
December 26, 2020
Are there any new heroines of the pandemic that you can highlight?
Uncategorized
A: Yes! We love lifting up the tireless work of female clinicians and scientists in this pandemic, and we are delighted to share a little bit about Dr. Sara Oliver, a member of the CDC’s Epidemic Intelligence Service (EIS). Sara Oliver, MD, MSPH is an EIS Officer at the CDC’s National Center for Immunization and Read more…
A: Sigh. From riots to record pandemic death tolls, anxieties are running high … and our resolutions have stalled out already. Research shows that taking a step back to ask what matters most (and why) can help shore up well-being, even in tumultuous times. Read more for a purpose-finding playbook. The good news is living Read more…
What new information do we have about the B.1.1.7 variant?
Biology/Immunity Infection and Spread VaccinesAshley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: This is an evolving situation. Actions today could result in great success or tragic loss. Key take aways— B.1.1.7 is in the US. Growing evidence suggests the B.1.1.7 variant spreads more easily than previous variants. New evidence supports the hypothesis that current vaccines are effective against B.1.1.7. Early efforts to contain B.1.1.7 buys time Read more…
January 10, 2021
Meet Those Nerdy Girls – Dr. Aparna Kumar
Uncategorized
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
This week we are delighted to be introducing our readers to nerdy girl extraordinaire, Dr. Aparna Kumar, PhD, MPH, CRNP. Dr. Kumar is a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP-BC) and researcher specializing in child, adolescent, and women’s mental health. Her career has focused on decreasing stigma in mental health through research and education. As Read more…
January 9, 2021
Dear Pandemic COVID Q&A
Uncertainty and Misinformation Vaccines Videos
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
In this live Q&A, Drs. Malia Jones & Ashley Ritter will be tackling pandemic questions from our readers. Today’s we’re answering questions from readers about whether you should get the vaccine if you’ve already had COVID and much more! ➡️ Welcome and NG Ashley gets her vax! (0:00-3:07) ➡️ Vaccination info for those who have Read more…
January 8, 2021
“Mi héroe eres tú”
Families/Kids Posts en Español
Tita Smyth Escobedo, PM-IT
Este corto animado de la Facultad de Medicina de Stanford es una adaptación del libro para niños “Mi héroe eres tú” (My Hero is You, en Inglés) publicado a inicios de 2020 para ayudar a educar a los niños de todo el mundo sobre el COVID-19. La película tiene como objetivo transmitir mensajes de esperanza, Read more…
January 8, 2021
Is there any truth that ivermectin prevents or lessens the severity of COVID-19?
Treatments Uncertainty and Misinformation
Sandra Albrecht, PhD MPH
A. So far, we still have no evidence from well-designed randomized clinical trials (RCTs) that ivermectin is safe and effective for the prevention or treatment of COVID-19. However, several RCTs are currently underway which will hopefully provide us with an answer to this important question. ➡️What is ivermectin? Ivermectin (Iv) is a drug FDA-approved for Read more…
January 6, 2021
New Rapid Home Test for COVID-19
Infection and Spread Testing and Contact Tracing
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
Q: I heard that the FDA approved several new rapid home test for diagnosis of COVID-19. Are the rapid tests just as good as the others? Can I take this one before I visit family? A: TL; DR: No, rapid tests are not quite as good at picking up positives (someone who really has COVID-19) Read more…
January 5, 2021
What does it mean when hospitals are talking about starting “Crisis Standards of Care?”
Treatments
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
A: As many places see a significant surge in COVID19 cases, hospitals and resources become strained. Crisis standards of care represent a big change from usual healthcare made necessary by a major disaster. ➡️So, what does that actually mean? Crisis standards help guide decisions that must be made in extreme scarcity of resources (including staff, Read more…
January 5, 2021
¿Los suplementos de vitamina D pueden ayudar a prevenir el COVID-19?
Posts en Español Treatments Uncertainty and Misinformation
Daisey Velazquez, Spanish Translation
R: Es muy pronto para decir si sí o no, pero con más estudios podríamos saber pronto. La vitamina D es un micronutriente que se encuentra y es suplementado en la comida, se toma como suplemento y se produce en la piel cuando es expuesta a los rayos ultravioleta (UV). La vitamina D ayuda a Read more…
January 3, 2021
Meet Those Nerdy Girls – Dr. Jennifer Beam Dowd
Uncategorized
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
This week we are featuring Dr. Jennifer Beam Dowd, our incoming Nerdy Girl-In-Chief & scientist extraordinaire. Dr. Dowd is a health and social scientist who identifies most as a “demographer.” What’s a demographer? We’re glad you asked. Dr. Dowd uses statistics to study patterns in human populations–especially how long people live and why. Her impressive Read more…
January 2, 2021
Dear Pandemic COVID Q&A
Biology/Immunity Infection and Spread Vaccines Videos
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
In this live Q&A, Drs. Malia Jones & Amanda Simanek will be tackling pandemic questions from our readers. We’ll take questions about the “mutant strain”, which vaccine is best, that rumor about asymptomatic transmission being a phantom, and what we know (and don’t) about whether someone can still spread COVID after being vaccinated. ➡️ Welcome Read more…
January 1, 2021
What’s going on with the Oxford/Astrazeneca vaccine and one-dose strategy in Britain?
Vaccines
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: The Oxford/Astrazeneca vaccine was granted emergency authorization & the British government has decided to give as many people a first vaccine dose while delaying second doses *up to* 12 weeks after the first. A big news week here in the UK where this Nerdy Girl (Jenn) lives. Besides the worldwide focus on the new Read more…
January 1, 2021
Nerdy Girl Live Q&A Saturday 1/2 at 9:30 am CT
Uncategorized
Gretchen Peterson, Chief Operations Officer
Join Nerdy Girls Dr. Malia Jones and Dr. Amanda Simanek LIVE at Dear Pandemic FB Page as they answer community questions from our Question Box. Saturday, January 2nd 9:30 a.m. Central Time
December 30, 2020
Did you know that Dear Pandemic is available in Spanish?
Posts en Español
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Hello friends, family, and fans! Did you know that Dear Pandemic is available in Spanish? We launched our Spanish-language site, Querida Pandemia in September. It’s FULL of Spanish-language content curated, written, and translated by the same team you trust here at Dear Pandemic. We are particularly proud of this effort because there is a tremendous Read more…
December 29, 2020
Alejandra Silva Hernández, Spanish Translation
Alejandra Silva Hernández is a first-generation student in the accelerated General Public Health Program at the Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health. After graduation, she intends to apply to medical school to continue to advocate for underserved communities. In her free time, she enjoys virtual taekwondo and photography.
December 29, 2020
What lessons can we learn from the contact tracers?
Testing and Contact Tracing
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
We talked to someone who has been working as a state contact tracer since May. She gave us a list of practical things you can do today to make contact tracers’ jobs easier: 1️⃣ Clear out your voicemail so they can leave a message! 📪 2️⃣ Make sure you have a thermometer at home. 🌡️ Read more…
December 28, 2020
¿Cómo puedo reforzar mi sistema inmunológico?
Biology/Immunity Posts en Español
Sandra Albrecht, PhD MPH
R: Hoy nos enfocamos en la importancia del sueño saludable como una estrategia basada en evidencia para mejorar su sistema inmune durante la pandemia de COVID-19. ** La deficiencia de sueño a largo plazo se asocia con una variedad de comorbilidades (diabetes tipo 2, enfermedad cardiovascular, demencia) que puede resultar en consecuencias más severas por Read more…
December 28, 2020
What is all the fuss about the “mutant” strain of SARS-CoV-2 in England?
Biology/Immunity
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: The variant of concern VOC 202012/01 also known as the B.1.1.7 lineage accumulated many mutations in a short period of time and may spread more quickly than other strains. Researchers have located three specific mutations that may allow for increased transmission in this variant with continued study expected. It is likely the vaccine will Read more…
December 27, 2020
Meet Those Nerdy Girls – Dr. Lauren Hale
Uncategorized
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
This week we are featuring Dr. Lauren Hale, one of the Nerdy Girls who has been helping Dear Pandemic serve up practical (and often entertaining) COVID info since March 13th. Dr. Hale mostly studies the social patterning of 💤 sleep 💤, with particular attention to how social and contextual factors influence sleep and health disparities. Read more…
December 26, 2020
Are there any new heroines of the pandemic that you can highlight?
Uncategorized
A: Yes! We love lifting up the tireless work of female clinicians and scientists in this pandemic, and we are delighted to share a little bit about Dr. Sara Oliver, a member of the CDC’s Epidemic Intelligence Service (EIS). Sara Oliver, MD, MSPH is an EIS Officer at the CDC’s National Center for Immunization and Read more…
A: This is an evolving situation. Actions today could result in great success or tragic loss. Key take aways— B.1.1.7 is in the US. Growing evidence suggests the B.1.1.7 variant spreads more easily than previous variants. New evidence supports the hypothesis that current vaccines are effective against B.1.1.7. Early efforts to contain B.1.1.7 buys time Read more…
Meet Those Nerdy Girls – Dr. Aparna Kumar
UncategorizedMalia Jones, PhD MPH
This week we are delighted to be introducing our readers to nerdy girl extraordinaire, Dr. Aparna Kumar, PhD, MPH, CRNP. Dr. Kumar is a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP-BC) and researcher specializing in child, adolescent, and women’s mental health. Her career has focused on decreasing stigma in mental health through research and education. As Read more…
January 9, 2021
Dear Pandemic COVID Q&A
Uncertainty and Misinformation Vaccines Videos
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
In this live Q&A, Drs. Malia Jones & Ashley Ritter will be tackling pandemic questions from our readers. Today’s we’re answering questions from readers about whether you should get the vaccine if you’ve already had COVID and much more! ➡️ Welcome and NG Ashley gets her vax! (0:00-3:07) ➡️ Vaccination info for those who have Read more…
January 8, 2021
“Mi héroe eres tú”
Families/Kids Posts en Español
Tita Smyth Escobedo, PM-IT
Este corto animado de la Facultad de Medicina de Stanford es una adaptación del libro para niños “Mi héroe eres tú” (My Hero is You, en Inglés) publicado a inicios de 2020 para ayudar a educar a los niños de todo el mundo sobre el COVID-19. La película tiene como objetivo transmitir mensajes de esperanza, Read more…
January 8, 2021
Is there any truth that ivermectin prevents or lessens the severity of COVID-19?
Treatments Uncertainty and Misinformation
Sandra Albrecht, PhD MPH
A. So far, we still have no evidence from well-designed randomized clinical trials (RCTs) that ivermectin is safe and effective for the prevention or treatment of COVID-19. However, several RCTs are currently underway which will hopefully provide us with an answer to this important question. ➡️What is ivermectin? Ivermectin (Iv) is a drug FDA-approved for Read more…
January 6, 2021
New Rapid Home Test for COVID-19
Infection and Spread Testing and Contact Tracing
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
Q: I heard that the FDA approved several new rapid home test for diagnosis of COVID-19. Are the rapid tests just as good as the others? Can I take this one before I visit family? A: TL; DR: No, rapid tests are not quite as good at picking up positives (someone who really has COVID-19) Read more…
January 5, 2021
What does it mean when hospitals are talking about starting “Crisis Standards of Care?”
Treatments
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
A: As many places see a significant surge in COVID19 cases, hospitals and resources become strained. Crisis standards of care represent a big change from usual healthcare made necessary by a major disaster. ➡️So, what does that actually mean? Crisis standards help guide decisions that must be made in extreme scarcity of resources (including staff, Read more…
January 5, 2021
¿Los suplementos de vitamina D pueden ayudar a prevenir el COVID-19?
Posts en Español Treatments Uncertainty and Misinformation
Daisey Velazquez, Spanish Translation
R: Es muy pronto para decir si sí o no, pero con más estudios podríamos saber pronto. La vitamina D es un micronutriente que se encuentra y es suplementado en la comida, se toma como suplemento y se produce en la piel cuando es expuesta a los rayos ultravioleta (UV). La vitamina D ayuda a Read more…
January 3, 2021
Meet Those Nerdy Girls – Dr. Jennifer Beam Dowd
Uncategorized
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
This week we are featuring Dr. Jennifer Beam Dowd, our incoming Nerdy Girl-In-Chief & scientist extraordinaire. Dr. Dowd is a health and social scientist who identifies most as a “demographer.” What’s a demographer? We’re glad you asked. Dr. Dowd uses statistics to study patterns in human populations–especially how long people live and why. Her impressive Read more…
January 2, 2021
Dear Pandemic COVID Q&A
Biology/Immunity Infection and Spread Vaccines Videos
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
In this live Q&A, Drs. Malia Jones & Amanda Simanek will be tackling pandemic questions from our readers. We’ll take questions about the “mutant strain”, which vaccine is best, that rumor about asymptomatic transmission being a phantom, and what we know (and don’t) about whether someone can still spread COVID after being vaccinated. ➡️ Welcome Read more…
January 1, 2021
What’s going on with the Oxford/Astrazeneca vaccine and one-dose strategy in Britain?
Vaccines
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: The Oxford/Astrazeneca vaccine was granted emergency authorization & the British government has decided to give as many people a first vaccine dose while delaying second doses *up to* 12 weeks after the first. A big news week here in the UK where this Nerdy Girl (Jenn) lives. Besides the worldwide focus on the new Read more…
January 1, 2021
Nerdy Girl Live Q&A Saturday 1/2 at 9:30 am CT
Uncategorized
Gretchen Peterson, Chief Operations Officer
Join Nerdy Girls Dr. Malia Jones and Dr. Amanda Simanek LIVE at Dear Pandemic FB Page as they answer community questions from our Question Box. Saturday, January 2nd 9:30 a.m. Central Time
December 30, 2020
Did you know that Dear Pandemic is available in Spanish?
Posts en Español
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Hello friends, family, and fans! Did you know that Dear Pandemic is available in Spanish? We launched our Spanish-language site, Querida Pandemia in September. It’s FULL of Spanish-language content curated, written, and translated by the same team you trust here at Dear Pandemic. We are particularly proud of this effort because there is a tremendous Read more…
December 29, 2020
Alejandra Silva Hernández, Spanish Translation
Alejandra Silva Hernández is a first-generation student in the accelerated General Public Health Program at the Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health. After graduation, she intends to apply to medical school to continue to advocate for underserved communities. In her free time, she enjoys virtual taekwondo and photography.
December 29, 2020
What lessons can we learn from the contact tracers?
Testing and Contact Tracing
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
We talked to someone who has been working as a state contact tracer since May. She gave us a list of practical things you can do today to make contact tracers’ jobs easier: 1️⃣ Clear out your voicemail so they can leave a message! 📪 2️⃣ Make sure you have a thermometer at home. 🌡️ Read more…
December 28, 2020
¿Cómo puedo reforzar mi sistema inmunológico?
Biology/Immunity Posts en Español
Sandra Albrecht, PhD MPH
R: Hoy nos enfocamos en la importancia del sueño saludable como una estrategia basada en evidencia para mejorar su sistema inmune durante la pandemia de COVID-19. ** La deficiencia de sueño a largo plazo se asocia con una variedad de comorbilidades (diabetes tipo 2, enfermedad cardiovascular, demencia) que puede resultar en consecuencias más severas por Read more…
December 28, 2020
What is all the fuss about the “mutant” strain of SARS-CoV-2 in England?
Biology/Immunity
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: The variant of concern VOC 202012/01 also known as the B.1.1.7 lineage accumulated many mutations in a short period of time and may spread more quickly than other strains. Researchers have located three specific mutations that may allow for increased transmission in this variant with continued study expected. It is likely the vaccine will Read more…
December 27, 2020
Meet Those Nerdy Girls – Dr. Lauren Hale
Uncategorized
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
This week we are featuring Dr. Lauren Hale, one of the Nerdy Girls who has been helping Dear Pandemic serve up practical (and often entertaining) COVID info since March 13th. Dr. Hale mostly studies the social patterning of 💤 sleep 💤, with particular attention to how social and contextual factors influence sleep and health disparities. Read more…
December 26, 2020
Are there any new heroines of the pandemic that you can highlight?
Uncategorized
A: Yes! We love lifting up the tireless work of female clinicians and scientists in this pandemic, and we are delighted to share a little bit about Dr. Sara Oliver, a member of the CDC’s Epidemic Intelligence Service (EIS). Sara Oliver, MD, MSPH is an EIS Officer at the CDC’s National Center for Immunization and Read more…
This week we are delighted to be introducing our readers to nerdy girl extraordinaire, Dr. Aparna Kumar, PhD, MPH, CRNP. Dr. Kumar is a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP-BC) and researcher specializing in child, adolescent, and women’s mental health. Her career has focused on decreasing stigma in mental health through research and education. As Read more…
Dear Pandemic COVID Q&A
Uncertainty and Misinformation Vaccines VideosMalia Jones, PhD MPH
In this live Q&A, Drs. Malia Jones & Ashley Ritter will be tackling pandemic questions from our readers. Today’s we’re answering questions from readers about whether you should get the vaccine if you’ve already had COVID and much more! ➡️ Welcome and NG Ashley gets her vax! (0:00-3:07) ➡️ Vaccination info for those who have Read more…
January 8, 2021
“Mi héroe eres tú”
Families/Kids Posts en Español
Tita Smyth Escobedo, PM-IT
Este corto animado de la Facultad de Medicina de Stanford es una adaptación del libro para niños “Mi héroe eres tú” (My Hero is You, en Inglés) publicado a inicios de 2020 para ayudar a educar a los niños de todo el mundo sobre el COVID-19. La película tiene como objetivo transmitir mensajes de esperanza, Read more…
January 8, 2021
Is there any truth that ivermectin prevents or lessens the severity of COVID-19?
Treatments Uncertainty and Misinformation
Sandra Albrecht, PhD MPH
A. So far, we still have no evidence from well-designed randomized clinical trials (RCTs) that ivermectin is safe and effective for the prevention or treatment of COVID-19. However, several RCTs are currently underway which will hopefully provide us with an answer to this important question. ➡️What is ivermectin? Ivermectin (Iv) is a drug FDA-approved for Read more…
January 6, 2021
New Rapid Home Test for COVID-19
Infection and Spread Testing and Contact Tracing
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
Q: I heard that the FDA approved several new rapid home test for diagnosis of COVID-19. Are the rapid tests just as good as the others? Can I take this one before I visit family? A: TL; DR: No, rapid tests are not quite as good at picking up positives (someone who really has COVID-19) Read more…
January 5, 2021
What does it mean when hospitals are talking about starting “Crisis Standards of Care?”
Treatments
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
A: As many places see a significant surge in COVID19 cases, hospitals and resources become strained. Crisis standards of care represent a big change from usual healthcare made necessary by a major disaster. ➡️So, what does that actually mean? Crisis standards help guide decisions that must be made in extreme scarcity of resources (including staff, Read more…
January 5, 2021
¿Los suplementos de vitamina D pueden ayudar a prevenir el COVID-19?
Posts en Español Treatments Uncertainty and Misinformation
Daisey Velazquez, Spanish Translation
R: Es muy pronto para decir si sí o no, pero con más estudios podríamos saber pronto. La vitamina D es un micronutriente que se encuentra y es suplementado en la comida, se toma como suplemento y se produce en la piel cuando es expuesta a los rayos ultravioleta (UV). La vitamina D ayuda a Read more…
January 3, 2021
Meet Those Nerdy Girls – Dr. Jennifer Beam Dowd
Uncategorized
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
This week we are featuring Dr. Jennifer Beam Dowd, our incoming Nerdy Girl-In-Chief & scientist extraordinaire. Dr. Dowd is a health and social scientist who identifies most as a “demographer.” What’s a demographer? We’re glad you asked. Dr. Dowd uses statistics to study patterns in human populations–especially how long people live and why. Her impressive Read more…
January 2, 2021
Dear Pandemic COVID Q&A
Biology/Immunity Infection and Spread Vaccines Videos
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
In this live Q&A, Drs. Malia Jones & Amanda Simanek will be tackling pandemic questions from our readers. We’ll take questions about the “mutant strain”, which vaccine is best, that rumor about asymptomatic transmission being a phantom, and what we know (and don’t) about whether someone can still spread COVID after being vaccinated. ➡️ Welcome Read more…
January 1, 2021
What’s going on with the Oxford/Astrazeneca vaccine and one-dose strategy in Britain?
Vaccines
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: The Oxford/Astrazeneca vaccine was granted emergency authorization & the British government has decided to give as many people a first vaccine dose while delaying second doses *up to* 12 weeks after the first. A big news week here in the UK where this Nerdy Girl (Jenn) lives. Besides the worldwide focus on the new Read more…
January 1, 2021
Nerdy Girl Live Q&A Saturday 1/2 at 9:30 am CT
Uncategorized
Gretchen Peterson, Chief Operations Officer
Join Nerdy Girls Dr. Malia Jones and Dr. Amanda Simanek LIVE at Dear Pandemic FB Page as they answer community questions from our Question Box. Saturday, January 2nd 9:30 a.m. Central Time
December 30, 2020
Did you know that Dear Pandemic is available in Spanish?
Posts en Español
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Hello friends, family, and fans! Did you know that Dear Pandemic is available in Spanish? We launched our Spanish-language site, Querida Pandemia in September. It’s FULL of Spanish-language content curated, written, and translated by the same team you trust here at Dear Pandemic. We are particularly proud of this effort because there is a tremendous Read more…
December 29, 2020
Alejandra Silva Hernández, Spanish Translation
Alejandra Silva Hernández is a first-generation student in the accelerated General Public Health Program at the Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health. After graduation, she intends to apply to medical school to continue to advocate for underserved communities. In her free time, she enjoys virtual taekwondo and photography.
December 29, 2020
What lessons can we learn from the contact tracers?
Testing and Contact Tracing
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
We talked to someone who has been working as a state contact tracer since May. She gave us a list of practical things you can do today to make contact tracers’ jobs easier: 1️⃣ Clear out your voicemail so they can leave a message! 📪 2️⃣ Make sure you have a thermometer at home. 🌡️ Read more…
December 28, 2020
¿Cómo puedo reforzar mi sistema inmunológico?
Biology/Immunity Posts en Español
Sandra Albrecht, PhD MPH
R: Hoy nos enfocamos en la importancia del sueño saludable como una estrategia basada en evidencia para mejorar su sistema inmune durante la pandemia de COVID-19. ** La deficiencia de sueño a largo plazo se asocia con una variedad de comorbilidades (diabetes tipo 2, enfermedad cardiovascular, demencia) que puede resultar en consecuencias más severas por Read more…
December 28, 2020
What is all the fuss about the “mutant” strain of SARS-CoV-2 in England?
Biology/Immunity
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: The variant of concern VOC 202012/01 also known as the B.1.1.7 lineage accumulated many mutations in a short period of time and may spread more quickly than other strains. Researchers have located three specific mutations that may allow for increased transmission in this variant with continued study expected. It is likely the vaccine will Read more…
December 27, 2020
Meet Those Nerdy Girls – Dr. Lauren Hale
Uncategorized
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
This week we are featuring Dr. Lauren Hale, one of the Nerdy Girls who has been helping Dear Pandemic serve up practical (and often entertaining) COVID info since March 13th. Dr. Hale mostly studies the social patterning of 💤 sleep 💤, with particular attention to how social and contextual factors influence sleep and health disparities. Read more…
December 26, 2020
Are there any new heroines of the pandemic that you can highlight?
Uncategorized
A: Yes! We love lifting up the tireless work of female clinicians and scientists in this pandemic, and we are delighted to share a little bit about Dr. Sara Oliver, a member of the CDC’s Epidemic Intelligence Service (EIS). Sara Oliver, MD, MSPH is an EIS Officer at the CDC’s National Center for Immunization and Read more…
In this live Q&A, Drs. Malia Jones & Ashley Ritter will be tackling pandemic questions from our readers. Today’s we’re answering questions from readers about whether you should get the vaccine if you’ve already had COVID and much more! ➡️ Welcome and NG Ashley gets her vax! (0:00-3:07) ➡️ Vaccination info for those who have Read more…
“Mi héroe eres tú”
Families/Kids Posts en EspañolTita Smyth Escobedo, PM-IT
Este corto animado de la Facultad de Medicina de Stanford es una adaptación del libro para niños “Mi héroe eres tú” (My Hero is You, en Inglés) publicado a inicios de 2020 para ayudar a educar a los niños de todo el mundo sobre el COVID-19. La película tiene como objetivo transmitir mensajes de esperanza, Read more…
January 8, 2021
Is there any truth that ivermectin prevents or lessens the severity of COVID-19?
Treatments Uncertainty and Misinformation
Sandra Albrecht, PhD MPH
A. So far, we still have no evidence from well-designed randomized clinical trials (RCTs) that ivermectin is safe and effective for the prevention or treatment of COVID-19. However, several RCTs are currently underway which will hopefully provide us with an answer to this important question. ➡️What is ivermectin? Ivermectin (Iv) is a drug FDA-approved for Read more…
January 6, 2021
New Rapid Home Test for COVID-19
Infection and Spread Testing and Contact Tracing
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
Q: I heard that the FDA approved several new rapid home test for diagnosis of COVID-19. Are the rapid tests just as good as the others? Can I take this one before I visit family? A: TL; DR: No, rapid tests are not quite as good at picking up positives (someone who really has COVID-19) Read more…
January 5, 2021
What does it mean when hospitals are talking about starting “Crisis Standards of Care?”
Treatments
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
A: As many places see a significant surge in COVID19 cases, hospitals and resources become strained. Crisis standards of care represent a big change from usual healthcare made necessary by a major disaster. ➡️So, what does that actually mean? Crisis standards help guide decisions that must be made in extreme scarcity of resources (including staff, Read more…
January 5, 2021
¿Los suplementos de vitamina D pueden ayudar a prevenir el COVID-19?
Posts en Español Treatments Uncertainty and Misinformation
Daisey Velazquez, Spanish Translation
R: Es muy pronto para decir si sí o no, pero con más estudios podríamos saber pronto. La vitamina D es un micronutriente que se encuentra y es suplementado en la comida, se toma como suplemento y se produce en la piel cuando es expuesta a los rayos ultravioleta (UV). La vitamina D ayuda a Read more…
January 3, 2021
Meet Those Nerdy Girls – Dr. Jennifer Beam Dowd
Uncategorized
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
This week we are featuring Dr. Jennifer Beam Dowd, our incoming Nerdy Girl-In-Chief & scientist extraordinaire. Dr. Dowd is a health and social scientist who identifies most as a “demographer.” What’s a demographer? We’re glad you asked. Dr. Dowd uses statistics to study patterns in human populations–especially how long people live and why. Her impressive Read more…
January 2, 2021
Dear Pandemic COVID Q&A
Biology/Immunity Infection and Spread Vaccines Videos
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
In this live Q&A, Drs. Malia Jones & Amanda Simanek will be tackling pandemic questions from our readers. We’ll take questions about the “mutant strain”, which vaccine is best, that rumor about asymptomatic transmission being a phantom, and what we know (and don’t) about whether someone can still spread COVID after being vaccinated. ➡️ Welcome Read more…
January 1, 2021
What’s going on with the Oxford/Astrazeneca vaccine and one-dose strategy in Britain?
Vaccines
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: The Oxford/Astrazeneca vaccine was granted emergency authorization & the British government has decided to give as many people a first vaccine dose while delaying second doses *up to* 12 weeks after the first. A big news week here in the UK where this Nerdy Girl (Jenn) lives. Besides the worldwide focus on the new Read more…
January 1, 2021
Nerdy Girl Live Q&A Saturday 1/2 at 9:30 am CT
Uncategorized
Gretchen Peterson, Chief Operations Officer
Join Nerdy Girls Dr. Malia Jones and Dr. Amanda Simanek LIVE at Dear Pandemic FB Page as they answer community questions from our Question Box. Saturday, January 2nd 9:30 a.m. Central Time
December 30, 2020
Did you know that Dear Pandemic is available in Spanish?
Posts en Español
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Hello friends, family, and fans! Did you know that Dear Pandemic is available in Spanish? We launched our Spanish-language site, Querida Pandemia in September. It’s FULL of Spanish-language content curated, written, and translated by the same team you trust here at Dear Pandemic. We are particularly proud of this effort because there is a tremendous Read more…
December 29, 2020
Alejandra Silva Hernández, Spanish Translation
Alejandra Silva Hernández is a first-generation student in the accelerated General Public Health Program at the Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health. After graduation, she intends to apply to medical school to continue to advocate for underserved communities. In her free time, she enjoys virtual taekwondo and photography.
December 29, 2020
What lessons can we learn from the contact tracers?
Testing and Contact Tracing
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
We talked to someone who has been working as a state contact tracer since May. She gave us a list of practical things you can do today to make contact tracers’ jobs easier: 1️⃣ Clear out your voicemail so they can leave a message! 📪 2️⃣ Make sure you have a thermometer at home. 🌡️ Read more…
December 28, 2020
¿Cómo puedo reforzar mi sistema inmunológico?
Biology/Immunity Posts en Español
Sandra Albrecht, PhD MPH
R: Hoy nos enfocamos en la importancia del sueño saludable como una estrategia basada en evidencia para mejorar su sistema inmune durante la pandemia de COVID-19. ** La deficiencia de sueño a largo plazo se asocia con una variedad de comorbilidades (diabetes tipo 2, enfermedad cardiovascular, demencia) que puede resultar en consecuencias más severas por Read more…
December 28, 2020
What is all the fuss about the “mutant” strain of SARS-CoV-2 in England?
Biology/Immunity
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: The variant of concern VOC 202012/01 also known as the B.1.1.7 lineage accumulated many mutations in a short period of time and may spread more quickly than other strains. Researchers have located three specific mutations that may allow for increased transmission in this variant with continued study expected. It is likely the vaccine will Read more…
December 27, 2020
Meet Those Nerdy Girls – Dr. Lauren Hale
Uncategorized
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
This week we are featuring Dr. Lauren Hale, one of the Nerdy Girls who has been helping Dear Pandemic serve up practical (and often entertaining) COVID info since March 13th. Dr. Hale mostly studies the social patterning of 💤 sleep 💤, with particular attention to how social and contextual factors influence sleep and health disparities. Read more…
December 26, 2020
Are there any new heroines of the pandemic that you can highlight?
Uncategorized
A: Yes! We love lifting up the tireless work of female clinicians and scientists in this pandemic, and we are delighted to share a little bit about Dr. Sara Oliver, a member of the CDC’s Epidemic Intelligence Service (EIS). Sara Oliver, MD, MSPH is an EIS Officer at the CDC’s National Center for Immunization and Read more…
Este corto animado de la Facultad de Medicina de Stanford es una adaptación del libro para niños “Mi héroe eres tú” (My Hero is You, en Inglés) publicado a inicios de 2020 para ayudar a educar a los niños de todo el mundo sobre el COVID-19. La película tiene como objetivo transmitir mensajes de esperanza, Read more…
Is there any truth that ivermectin prevents or lessens the severity of COVID-19?
Treatments Uncertainty and MisinformationSandra Albrecht, PhD MPH
A. So far, we still have no evidence from well-designed randomized clinical trials (RCTs) that ivermectin is safe and effective for the prevention or treatment of COVID-19. However, several RCTs are currently underway which will hopefully provide us with an answer to this important question. ➡️What is ivermectin? Ivermectin (Iv) is a drug FDA-approved for Read more…
January 6, 2021
New Rapid Home Test for COVID-19
Infection and Spread Testing and Contact Tracing
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
Q: I heard that the FDA approved several new rapid home test for diagnosis of COVID-19. Are the rapid tests just as good as the others? Can I take this one before I visit family? A: TL; DR: No, rapid tests are not quite as good at picking up positives (someone who really has COVID-19) Read more…
January 5, 2021
What does it mean when hospitals are talking about starting “Crisis Standards of Care?”
Treatments
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
A: As many places see a significant surge in COVID19 cases, hospitals and resources become strained. Crisis standards of care represent a big change from usual healthcare made necessary by a major disaster. ➡️So, what does that actually mean? Crisis standards help guide decisions that must be made in extreme scarcity of resources (including staff, Read more…
January 5, 2021
¿Los suplementos de vitamina D pueden ayudar a prevenir el COVID-19?
Posts en Español Treatments Uncertainty and Misinformation
Daisey Velazquez, Spanish Translation
R: Es muy pronto para decir si sí o no, pero con más estudios podríamos saber pronto. La vitamina D es un micronutriente que se encuentra y es suplementado en la comida, se toma como suplemento y se produce en la piel cuando es expuesta a los rayos ultravioleta (UV). La vitamina D ayuda a Read more…
January 3, 2021
Meet Those Nerdy Girls – Dr. Jennifer Beam Dowd
Uncategorized
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
This week we are featuring Dr. Jennifer Beam Dowd, our incoming Nerdy Girl-In-Chief & scientist extraordinaire. Dr. Dowd is a health and social scientist who identifies most as a “demographer.” What’s a demographer? We’re glad you asked. Dr. Dowd uses statistics to study patterns in human populations–especially how long people live and why. Her impressive Read more…
January 2, 2021
Dear Pandemic COVID Q&A
Biology/Immunity Infection and Spread Vaccines Videos
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
In this live Q&A, Drs. Malia Jones & Amanda Simanek will be tackling pandemic questions from our readers. We’ll take questions about the “mutant strain”, which vaccine is best, that rumor about asymptomatic transmission being a phantom, and what we know (and don’t) about whether someone can still spread COVID after being vaccinated. ➡️ Welcome Read more…
January 1, 2021
What’s going on with the Oxford/Astrazeneca vaccine and one-dose strategy in Britain?
Vaccines
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: The Oxford/Astrazeneca vaccine was granted emergency authorization & the British government has decided to give as many people a first vaccine dose while delaying second doses *up to* 12 weeks after the first. A big news week here in the UK where this Nerdy Girl (Jenn) lives. Besides the worldwide focus on the new Read more…
January 1, 2021
Nerdy Girl Live Q&A Saturday 1/2 at 9:30 am CT
Uncategorized
Gretchen Peterson, Chief Operations Officer
Join Nerdy Girls Dr. Malia Jones and Dr. Amanda Simanek LIVE at Dear Pandemic FB Page as they answer community questions from our Question Box. Saturday, January 2nd 9:30 a.m. Central Time
December 30, 2020
Did you know that Dear Pandemic is available in Spanish?
Posts en Español
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Hello friends, family, and fans! Did you know that Dear Pandemic is available in Spanish? We launched our Spanish-language site, Querida Pandemia in September. It’s FULL of Spanish-language content curated, written, and translated by the same team you trust here at Dear Pandemic. We are particularly proud of this effort because there is a tremendous Read more…
December 29, 2020
Alejandra Silva Hernández, Spanish Translation
Alejandra Silva Hernández is a first-generation student in the accelerated General Public Health Program at the Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health. After graduation, she intends to apply to medical school to continue to advocate for underserved communities. In her free time, she enjoys virtual taekwondo and photography.
December 29, 2020
What lessons can we learn from the contact tracers?
Testing and Contact Tracing
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
We talked to someone who has been working as a state contact tracer since May. She gave us a list of practical things you can do today to make contact tracers’ jobs easier: 1️⃣ Clear out your voicemail so they can leave a message! 📪 2️⃣ Make sure you have a thermometer at home. 🌡️ Read more…
December 28, 2020
¿Cómo puedo reforzar mi sistema inmunológico?
Biology/Immunity Posts en Español
Sandra Albrecht, PhD MPH
R: Hoy nos enfocamos en la importancia del sueño saludable como una estrategia basada en evidencia para mejorar su sistema inmune durante la pandemia de COVID-19. ** La deficiencia de sueño a largo plazo se asocia con una variedad de comorbilidades (diabetes tipo 2, enfermedad cardiovascular, demencia) que puede resultar en consecuencias más severas por Read more…
December 28, 2020
What is all the fuss about the “mutant” strain of SARS-CoV-2 in England?
Biology/Immunity
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: The variant of concern VOC 202012/01 also known as the B.1.1.7 lineage accumulated many mutations in a short period of time and may spread more quickly than other strains. Researchers have located three specific mutations that may allow for increased transmission in this variant with continued study expected. It is likely the vaccine will Read more…
December 27, 2020
Meet Those Nerdy Girls – Dr. Lauren Hale
Uncategorized
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
This week we are featuring Dr. Lauren Hale, one of the Nerdy Girls who has been helping Dear Pandemic serve up practical (and often entertaining) COVID info since March 13th. Dr. Hale mostly studies the social patterning of 💤 sleep 💤, with particular attention to how social and contextual factors influence sleep and health disparities. Read more…
December 26, 2020
Are there any new heroines of the pandemic that you can highlight?
Uncategorized
A: Yes! We love lifting up the tireless work of female clinicians and scientists in this pandemic, and we are delighted to share a little bit about Dr. Sara Oliver, a member of the CDC’s Epidemic Intelligence Service (EIS). Sara Oliver, MD, MSPH is an EIS Officer at the CDC’s National Center for Immunization and Read more…
A. So far, we still have no evidence from well-designed randomized clinical trials (RCTs) that ivermectin is safe and effective for the prevention or treatment of COVID-19. However, several RCTs are currently underway which will hopefully provide us with an answer to this important question. ➡️What is ivermectin? Ivermectin (Iv) is a drug FDA-approved for Read more…
New Rapid Home Test for COVID-19
Infection and Spread Testing and Contact TracingAparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
Q: I heard that the FDA approved several new rapid home test for diagnosis of COVID-19. Are the rapid tests just as good as the others? Can I take this one before I visit family? A: TL; DR: No, rapid tests are not quite as good at picking up positives (someone who really has COVID-19) Read more…
January 5, 2021
What does it mean when hospitals are talking about starting “Crisis Standards of Care?”
Treatments
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
A: As many places see a significant surge in COVID19 cases, hospitals and resources become strained. Crisis standards of care represent a big change from usual healthcare made necessary by a major disaster. ➡️So, what does that actually mean? Crisis standards help guide decisions that must be made in extreme scarcity of resources (including staff, Read more…
January 5, 2021
¿Los suplementos de vitamina D pueden ayudar a prevenir el COVID-19?
Posts en Español Treatments Uncertainty and Misinformation
Daisey Velazquez, Spanish Translation
R: Es muy pronto para decir si sí o no, pero con más estudios podríamos saber pronto. La vitamina D es un micronutriente que se encuentra y es suplementado en la comida, se toma como suplemento y se produce en la piel cuando es expuesta a los rayos ultravioleta (UV). La vitamina D ayuda a Read more…
January 3, 2021
Meet Those Nerdy Girls – Dr. Jennifer Beam Dowd
Uncategorized
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
This week we are featuring Dr. Jennifer Beam Dowd, our incoming Nerdy Girl-In-Chief & scientist extraordinaire. Dr. Dowd is a health and social scientist who identifies most as a “demographer.” What’s a demographer? We’re glad you asked. Dr. Dowd uses statistics to study patterns in human populations–especially how long people live and why. Her impressive Read more…
January 2, 2021
Dear Pandemic COVID Q&A
Biology/Immunity Infection and Spread Vaccines Videos
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
In this live Q&A, Drs. Malia Jones & Amanda Simanek will be tackling pandemic questions from our readers. We’ll take questions about the “mutant strain”, which vaccine is best, that rumor about asymptomatic transmission being a phantom, and what we know (and don’t) about whether someone can still spread COVID after being vaccinated. ➡️ Welcome Read more…
January 1, 2021
What’s going on with the Oxford/Astrazeneca vaccine and one-dose strategy in Britain?
Vaccines
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: The Oxford/Astrazeneca vaccine was granted emergency authorization & the British government has decided to give as many people a first vaccine dose while delaying second doses *up to* 12 weeks after the first. A big news week here in the UK where this Nerdy Girl (Jenn) lives. Besides the worldwide focus on the new Read more…
January 1, 2021
Nerdy Girl Live Q&A Saturday 1/2 at 9:30 am CT
Uncategorized
Gretchen Peterson, Chief Operations Officer
Join Nerdy Girls Dr. Malia Jones and Dr. Amanda Simanek LIVE at Dear Pandemic FB Page as they answer community questions from our Question Box. Saturday, January 2nd 9:30 a.m. Central Time
December 30, 2020
Did you know that Dear Pandemic is available in Spanish?
Posts en Español
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Hello friends, family, and fans! Did you know that Dear Pandemic is available in Spanish? We launched our Spanish-language site, Querida Pandemia in September. It’s FULL of Spanish-language content curated, written, and translated by the same team you trust here at Dear Pandemic. We are particularly proud of this effort because there is a tremendous Read more…
December 29, 2020
Alejandra Silva Hernández, Spanish Translation
Alejandra Silva Hernández is a first-generation student in the accelerated General Public Health Program at the Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health. After graduation, she intends to apply to medical school to continue to advocate for underserved communities. In her free time, she enjoys virtual taekwondo and photography.
December 29, 2020
What lessons can we learn from the contact tracers?
Testing and Contact Tracing
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
We talked to someone who has been working as a state contact tracer since May. She gave us a list of practical things you can do today to make contact tracers’ jobs easier: 1️⃣ Clear out your voicemail so they can leave a message! 📪 2️⃣ Make sure you have a thermometer at home. 🌡️ Read more…
December 28, 2020
¿Cómo puedo reforzar mi sistema inmunológico?
Biology/Immunity Posts en Español
Sandra Albrecht, PhD MPH
R: Hoy nos enfocamos en la importancia del sueño saludable como una estrategia basada en evidencia para mejorar su sistema inmune durante la pandemia de COVID-19. ** La deficiencia de sueño a largo plazo se asocia con una variedad de comorbilidades (diabetes tipo 2, enfermedad cardiovascular, demencia) que puede resultar en consecuencias más severas por Read more…
December 28, 2020
What is all the fuss about the “mutant” strain of SARS-CoV-2 in England?
Biology/Immunity
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: The variant of concern VOC 202012/01 also known as the B.1.1.7 lineage accumulated many mutations in a short period of time and may spread more quickly than other strains. Researchers have located three specific mutations that may allow for increased transmission in this variant with continued study expected. It is likely the vaccine will Read more…
December 27, 2020
Meet Those Nerdy Girls – Dr. Lauren Hale
Uncategorized
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
This week we are featuring Dr. Lauren Hale, one of the Nerdy Girls who has been helping Dear Pandemic serve up practical (and often entertaining) COVID info since March 13th. Dr. Hale mostly studies the social patterning of 💤 sleep 💤, with particular attention to how social and contextual factors influence sleep and health disparities. Read more…
December 26, 2020
Are there any new heroines of the pandemic that you can highlight?
Uncategorized
A: Yes! We love lifting up the tireless work of female clinicians and scientists in this pandemic, and we are delighted to share a little bit about Dr. Sara Oliver, a member of the CDC’s Epidemic Intelligence Service (EIS). Sara Oliver, MD, MSPH is an EIS Officer at the CDC’s National Center for Immunization and Read more…
Q: I heard that the FDA approved several new rapid home test for diagnosis of COVID-19. Are the rapid tests just as good as the others? Can I take this one before I visit family? A: TL; DR: No, rapid tests are not quite as good at picking up positives (someone who really has COVID-19) Read more…
What does it mean when hospitals are talking about starting “Crisis Standards of Care?”
TreatmentsSarah Whitley Coles, MD
A: As many places see a significant surge in COVID19 cases, hospitals and resources become strained. Crisis standards of care represent a big change from usual healthcare made necessary by a major disaster. ➡️So, what does that actually mean? Crisis standards help guide decisions that must be made in extreme scarcity of resources (including staff, Read more…
January 5, 2021
¿Los suplementos de vitamina D pueden ayudar a prevenir el COVID-19?
Posts en Español Treatments Uncertainty and Misinformation
Daisey Velazquez, Spanish Translation
R: Es muy pronto para decir si sí o no, pero con más estudios podríamos saber pronto. La vitamina D es un micronutriente que se encuentra y es suplementado en la comida, se toma como suplemento y se produce en la piel cuando es expuesta a los rayos ultravioleta (UV). La vitamina D ayuda a Read more…
January 3, 2021
Meet Those Nerdy Girls – Dr. Jennifer Beam Dowd
Uncategorized
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
This week we are featuring Dr. Jennifer Beam Dowd, our incoming Nerdy Girl-In-Chief & scientist extraordinaire. Dr. Dowd is a health and social scientist who identifies most as a “demographer.” What’s a demographer? We’re glad you asked. Dr. Dowd uses statistics to study patterns in human populations–especially how long people live and why. Her impressive Read more…
January 2, 2021
Dear Pandemic COVID Q&A
Biology/Immunity Infection and Spread Vaccines Videos
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
In this live Q&A, Drs. Malia Jones & Amanda Simanek will be tackling pandemic questions from our readers. We’ll take questions about the “mutant strain”, which vaccine is best, that rumor about asymptomatic transmission being a phantom, and what we know (and don’t) about whether someone can still spread COVID after being vaccinated. ➡️ Welcome Read more…
January 1, 2021
What’s going on with the Oxford/Astrazeneca vaccine and one-dose strategy in Britain?
Vaccines
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: The Oxford/Astrazeneca vaccine was granted emergency authorization & the British government has decided to give as many people a first vaccine dose while delaying second doses *up to* 12 weeks after the first. A big news week here in the UK where this Nerdy Girl (Jenn) lives. Besides the worldwide focus on the new Read more…
January 1, 2021
Nerdy Girl Live Q&A Saturday 1/2 at 9:30 am CT
Uncategorized
Gretchen Peterson, Chief Operations Officer
Join Nerdy Girls Dr. Malia Jones and Dr. Amanda Simanek LIVE at Dear Pandemic FB Page as they answer community questions from our Question Box. Saturday, January 2nd 9:30 a.m. Central Time
December 30, 2020
Did you know that Dear Pandemic is available in Spanish?
Posts en Español
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Hello friends, family, and fans! Did you know that Dear Pandemic is available in Spanish? We launched our Spanish-language site, Querida Pandemia in September. It’s FULL of Spanish-language content curated, written, and translated by the same team you trust here at Dear Pandemic. We are particularly proud of this effort because there is a tremendous Read more…
December 29, 2020
Alejandra Silva Hernández, Spanish Translation
Alejandra Silva Hernández is a first-generation student in the accelerated General Public Health Program at the Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health. After graduation, she intends to apply to medical school to continue to advocate for underserved communities. In her free time, she enjoys virtual taekwondo and photography.
December 29, 2020
What lessons can we learn from the contact tracers?
Testing and Contact Tracing
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
We talked to someone who has been working as a state contact tracer since May. She gave us a list of practical things you can do today to make contact tracers’ jobs easier: 1️⃣ Clear out your voicemail so they can leave a message! 📪 2️⃣ Make sure you have a thermometer at home. 🌡️ Read more…
December 28, 2020
¿Cómo puedo reforzar mi sistema inmunológico?
Biology/Immunity Posts en Español
Sandra Albrecht, PhD MPH
R: Hoy nos enfocamos en la importancia del sueño saludable como una estrategia basada en evidencia para mejorar su sistema inmune durante la pandemia de COVID-19. ** La deficiencia de sueño a largo plazo se asocia con una variedad de comorbilidades (diabetes tipo 2, enfermedad cardiovascular, demencia) que puede resultar en consecuencias más severas por Read more…
December 28, 2020
What is all the fuss about the “mutant” strain of SARS-CoV-2 in England?
Biology/Immunity
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: The variant of concern VOC 202012/01 also known as the B.1.1.7 lineage accumulated many mutations in a short period of time and may spread more quickly than other strains. Researchers have located three specific mutations that may allow for increased transmission in this variant with continued study expected. It is likely the vaccine will Read more…
December 27, 2020
Meet Those Nerdy Girls – Dr. Lauren Hale
Uncategorized
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
This week we are featuring Dr. Lauren Hale, one of the Nerdy Girls who has been helping Dear Pandemic serve up practical (and often entertaining) COVID info since March 13th. Dr. Hale mostly studies the social patterning of 💤 sleep 💤, with particular attention to how social and contextual factors influence sleep and health disparities. Read more…
December 26, 2020
Are there any new heroines of the pandemic that you can highlight?
Uncategorized
A: Yes! We love lifting up the tireless work of female clinicians and scientists in this pandemic, and we are delighted to share a little bit about Dr. Sara Oliver, a member of the CDC’s Epidemic Intelligence Service (EIS). Sara Oliver, MD, MSPH is an EIS Officer at the CDC’s National Center for Immunization and Read more…
A: As many places see a significant surge in COVID19 cases, hospitals and resources become strained. Crisis standards of care represent a big change from usual healthcare made necessary by a major disaster. ➡️So, what does that actually mean? Crisis standards help guide decisions that must be made in extreme scarcity of resources (including staff, Read more…
¿Los suplementos de vitamina D pueden ayudar a prevenir el COVID-19?
Posts en Español Treatments Uncertainty and MisinformationDaisey Velazquez, Spanish Translation
R: Es muy pronto para decir si sí o no, pero con más estudios podríamos saber pronto. La vitamina D es un micronutriente que se encuentra y es suplementado en la comida, se toma como suplemento y se produce en la piel cuando es expuesta a los rayos ultravioleta (UV). La vitamina D ayuda a Read more…
January 3, 2021
Meet Those Nerdy Girls – Dr. Jennifer Beam Dowd
Uncategorized
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
This week we are featuring Dr. Jennifer Beam Dowd, our incoming Nerdy Girl-In-Chief & scientist extraordinaire. Dr. Dowd is a health and social scientist who identifies most as a “demographer.” What’s a demographer? We’re glad you asked. Dr. Dowd uses statistics to study patterns in human populations–especially how long people live and why. Her impressive Read more…
January 2, 2021
Dear Pandemic COVID Q&A
Biology/Immunity Infection and Spread Vaccines Videos
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
In this live Q&A, Drs. Malia Jones & Amanda Simanek will be tackling pandemic questions from our readers. We’ll take questions about the “mutant strain”, which vaccine is best, that rumor about asymptomatic transmission being a phantom, and what we know (and don’t) about whether someone can still spread COVID after being vaccinated. ➡️ Welcome Read more…
January 1, 2021
What’s going on with the Oxford/Astrazeneca vaccine and one-dose strategy in Britain?
Vaccines
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: The Oxford/Astrazeneca vaccine was granted emergency authorization & the British government has decided to give as many people a first vaccine dose while delaying second doses *up to* 12 weeks after the first. A big news week here in the UK where this Nerdy Girl (Jenn) lives. Besides the worldwide focus on the new Read more…
January 1, 2021
Nerdy Girl Live Q&A Saturday 1/2 at 9:30 am CT
Uncategorized
Gretchen Peterson, Chief Operations Officer
Join Nerdy Girls Dr. Malia Jones and Dr. Amanda Simanek LIVE at Dear Pandemic FB Page as they answer community questions from our Question Box. Saturday, January 2nd 9:30 a.m. Central Time
December 30, 2020
Did you know that Dear Pandemic is available in Spanish?
Posts en Español
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Hello friends, family, and fans! Did you know that Dear Pandemic is available in Spanish? We launched our Spanish-language site, Querida Pandemia in September. It’s FULL of Spanish-language content curated, written, and translated by the same team you trust here at Dear Pandemic. We are particularly proud of this effort because there is a tremendous Read more…
December 29, 2020
Alejandra Silva Hernández, Spanish Translation
Alejandra Silva Hernández is a first-generation student in the accelerated General Public Health Program at the Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health. After graduation, she intends to apply to medical school to continue to advocate for underserved communities. In her free time, she enjoys virtual taekwondo and photography.
December 29, 2020
What lessons can we learn from the contact tracers?
Testing and Contact Tracing
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
We talked to someone who has been working as a state contact tracer since May. She gave us a list of practical things you can do today to make contact tracers’ jobs easier: 1️⃣ Clear out your voicemail so they can leave a message! 📪 2️⃣ Make sure you have a thermometer at home. 🌡️ Read more…
December 28, 2020
¿Cómo puedo reforzar mi sistema inmunológico?
Biology/Immunity Posts en Español
Sandra Albrecht, PhD MPH
R: Hoy nos enfocamos en la importancia del sueño saludable como una estrategia basada en evidencia para mejorar su sistema inmune durante la pandemia de COVID-19. ** La deficiencia de sueño a largo plazo se asocia con una variedad de comorbilidades (diabetes tipo 2, enfermedad cardiovascular, demencia) que puede resultar en consecuencias más severas por Read more…
December 28, 2020
What is all the fuss about the “mutant” strain of SARS-CoV-2 in England?
Biology/Immunity
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: The variant of concern VOC 202012/01 also known as the B.1.1.7 lineage accumulated many mutations in a short period of time and may spread more quickly than other strains. Researchers have located three specific mutations that may allow for increased transmission in this variant with continued study expected. It is likely the vaccine will Read more…
December 27, 2020
Meet Those Nerdy Girls – Dr. Lauren Hale
Uncategorized
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
This week we are featuring Dr. Lauren Hale, one of the Nerdy Girls who has been helping Dear Pandemic serve up practical (and often entertaining) COVID info since March 13th. Dr. Hale mostly studies the social patterning of 💤 sleep 💤, with particular attention to how social and contextual factors influence sleep and health disparities. Read more…
December 26, 2020
Are there any new heroines of the pandemic that you can highlight?
Uncategorized
A: Yes! We love lifting up the tireless work of female clinicians and scientists in this pandemic, and we are delighted to share a little bit about Dr. Sara Oliver, a member of the CDC’s Epidemic Intelligence Service (EIS). Sara Oliver, MD, MSPH is an EIS Officer at the CDC’s National Center for Immunization and Read more…
R: Es muy pronto para decir si sí o no, pero con más estudios podríamos saber pronto. La vitamina D es un micronutriente que se encuentra y es suplementado en la comida, se toma como suplemento y se produce en la piel cuando es expuesta a los rayos ultravioleta (UV). La vitamina D ayuda a Read more…
Meet Those Nerdy Girls – Dr. Jennifer Beam Dowd
UncategorizedMalia Jones, PhD MPH
This week we are featuring Dr. Jennifer Beam Dowd, our incoming Nerdy Girl-In-Chief & scientist extraordinaire. Dr. Dowd is a health and social scientist who identifies most as a “demographer.” What’s a demographer? We’re glad you asked. Dr. Dowd uses statistics to study patterns in human populations–especially how long people live and why. Her impressive Read more…
January 2, 2021
Dear Pandemic COVID Q&A
Biology/Immunity Infection and Spread Vaccines Videos
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
In this live Q&A, Drs. Malia Jones & Amanda Simanek will be tackling pandemic questions from our readers. We’ll take questions about the “mutant strain”, which vaccine is best, that rumor about asymptomatic transmission being a phantom, and what we know (and don’t) about whether someone can still spread COVID after being vaccinated. ➡️ Welcome Read more…
January 1, 2021
What’s going on with the Oxford/Astrazeneca vaccine and one-dose strategy in Britain?
Vaccines
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: The Oxford/Astrazeneca vaccine was granted emergency authorization & the British government has decided to give as many people a first vaccine dose while delaying second doses *up to* 12 weeks after the first. A big news week here in the UK where this Nerdy Girl (Jenn) lives. Besides the worldwide focus on the new Read more…
January 1, 2021
Nerdy Girl Live Q&A Saturday 1/2 at 9:30 am CT
Uncategorized
Gretchen Peterson, Chief Operations Officer
Join Nerdy Girls Dr. Malia Jones and Dr. Amanda Simanek LIVE at Dear Pandemic FB Page as they answer community questions from our Question Box. Saturday, January 2nd 9:30 a.m. Central Time
December 30, 2020
Did you know that Dear Pandemic is available in Spanish?
Posts en Español
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Hello friends, family, and fans! Did you know that Dear Pandemic is available in Spanish? We launched our Spanish-language site, Querida Pandemia in September. It’s FULL of Spanish-language content curated, written, and translated by the same team you trust here at Dear Pandemic. We are particularly proud of this effort because there is a tremendous Read more…
December 29, 2020
Alejandra Silva Hernández, Spanish Translation
Alejandra Silva Hernández is a first-generation student in the accelerated General Public Health Program at the Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health. After graduation, she intends to apply to medical school to continue to advocate for underserved communities. In her free time, she enjoys virtual taekwondo and photography.
December 29, 2020
What lessons can we learn from the contact tracers?
Testing and Contact Tracing
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
We talked to someone who has been working as a state contact tracer since May. She gave us a list of practical things you can do today to make contact tracers’ jobs easier: 1️⃣ Clear out your voicemail so they can leave a message! 📪 2️⃣ Make sure you have a thermometer at home. 🌡️ Read more…
December 28, 2020
¿Cómo puedo reforzar mi sistema inmunológico?
Biology/Immunity Posts en Español
Sandra Albrecht, PhD MPH
R: Hoy nos enfocamos en la importancia del sueño saludable como una estrategia basada en evidencia para mejorar su sistema inmune durante la pandemia de COVID-19. ** La deficiencia de sueño a largo plazo se asocia con una variedad de comorbilidades (diabetes tipo 2, enfermedad cardiovascular, demencia) que puede resultar en consecuencias más severas por Read more…
December 28, 2020
What is all the fuss about the “mutant” strain of SARS-CoV-2 in England?
Biology/Immunity
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: The variant of concern VOC 202012/01 also known as the B.1.1.7 lineage accumulated many mutations in a short period of time and may spread more quickly than other strains. Researchers have located three specific mutations that may allow for increased transmission in this variant with continued study expected. It is likely the vaccine will Read more…
December 27, 2020
Meet Those Nerdy Girls – Dr. Lauren Hale
Uncategorized
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
This week we are featuring Dr. Lauren Hale, one of the Nerdy Girls who has been helping Dear Pandemic serve up practical (and often entertaining) COVID info since March 13th. Dr. Hale mostly studies the social patterning of 💤 sleep 💤, with particular attention to how social and contextual factors influence sleep and health disparities. Read more…
December 26, 2020
Are there any new heroines of the pandemic that you can highlight?
Uncategorized
A: Yes! We love lifting up the tireless work of female clinicians and scientists in this pandemic, and we are delighted to share a little bit about Dr. Sara Oliver, a member of the CDC’s Epidemic Intelligence Service (EIS). Sara Oliver, MD, MSPH is an EIS Officer at the CDC’s National Center for Immunization and Read more…
This week we are featuring Dr. Jennifer Beam Dowd, our incoming Nerdy Girl-In-Chief & scientist extraordinaire. Dr. Dowd is a health and social scientist who identifies most as a “demographer.” What’s a demographer? We’re glad you asked. Dr. Dowd uses statistics to study patterns in human populations–especially how long people live and why. Her impressive Read more…
Dear Pandemic COVID Q&A
Biology/Immunity Infection and Spread Vaccines VideosMalia Jones, PhD MPH
In this live Q&A, Drs. Malia Jones & Amanda Simanek will be tackling pandemic questions from our readers. We’ll take questions about the “mutant strain”, which vaccine is best, that rumor about asymptomatic transmission being a phantom, and what we know (and don’t) about whether someone can still spread COVID after being vaccinated. ➡️ Welcome Read more…
January 1, 2021
What’s going on with the Oxford/Astrazeneca vaccine and one-dose strategy in Britain?
Vaccines
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: The Oxford/Astrazeneca vaccine was granted emergency authorization & the British government has decided to give as many people a first vaccine dose while delaying second doses *up to* 12 weeks after the first. A big news week here in the UK where this Nerdy Girl (Jenn) lives. Besides the worldwide focus on the new Read more…
January 1, 2021
Nerdy Girl Live Q&A Saturday 1/2 at 9:30 am CT
Uncategorized
Gretchen Peterson, Chief Operations Officer
Join Nerdy Girls Dr. Malia Jones and Dr. Amanda Simanek LIVE at Dear Pandemic FB Page as they answer community questions from our Question Box. Saturday, January 2nd 9:30 a.m. Central Time
December 30, 2020
Did you know that Dear Pandemic is available in Spanish?
Posts en Español
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Hello friends, family, and fans! Did you know that Dear Pandemic is available in Spanish? We launched our Spanish-language site, Querida Pandemia in September. It’s FULL of Spanish-language content curated, written, and translated by the same team you trust here at Dear Pandemic. We are particularly proud of this effort because there is a tremendous Read more…
December 29, 2020
Alejandra Silva Hernández, Spanish Translation
Alejandra Silva Hernández is a first-generation student in the accelerated General Public Health Program at the Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health. After graduation, she intends to apply to medical school to continue to advocate for underserved communities. In her free time, she enjoys virtual taekwondo and photography.
December 29, 2020
What lessons can we learn from the contact tracers?
Testing and Contact Tracing
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
We talked to someone who has been working as a state contact tracer since May. She gave us a list of practical things you can do today to make contact tracers’ jobs easier: 1️⃣ Clear out your voicemail so they can leave a message! 📪 2️⃣ Make sure you have a thermometer at home. 🌡️ Read more…
December 28, 2020
¿Cómo puedo reforzar mi sistema inmunológico?
Biology/Immunity Posts en Español
Sandra Albrecht, PhD MPH
R: Hoy nos enfocamos en la importancia del sueño saludable como una estrategia basada en evidencia para mejorar su sistema inmune durante la pandemia de COVID-19. ** La deficiencia de sueño a largo plazo se asocia con una variedad de comorbilidades (diabetes tipo 2, enfermedad cardiovascular, demencia) que puede resultar en consecuencias más severas por Read more…
December 28, 2020
What is all the fuss about the “mutant” strain of SARS-CoV-2 in England?
Biology/Immunity
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: The variant of concern VOC 202012/01 also known as the B.1.1.7 lineage accumulated many mutations in a short period of time and may spread more quickly than other strains. Researchers have located three specific mutations that may allow for increased transmission in this variant with continued study expected. It is likely the vaccine will Read more…
December 27, 2020
Meet Those Nerdy Girls – Dr. Lauren Hale
Uncategorized
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
This week we are featuring Dr. Lauren Hale, one of the Nerdy Girls who has been helping Dear Pandemic serve up practical (and often entertaining) COVID info since March 13th. Dr. Hale mostly studies the social patterning of 💤 sleep 💤, with particular attention to how social and contextual factors influence sleep and health disparities. Read more…
December 26, 2020
Are there any new heroines of the pandemic that you can highlight?
Uncategorized
A: Yes! We love lifting up the tireless work of female clinicians and scientists in this pandemic, and we are delighted to share a little bit about Dr. Sara Oliver, a member of the CDC’s Epidemic Intelligence Service (EIS). Sara Oliver, MD, MSPH is an EIS Officer at the CDC’s National Center for Immunization and Read more…
In this live Q&A, Drs. Malia Jones & Amanda Simanek will be tackling pandemic questions from our readers. We’ll take questions about the “mutant strain”, which vaccine is best, that rumor about asymptomatic transmission being a phantom, and what we know (and don’t) about whether someone can still spread COVID after being vaccinated. ➡️ Welcome Read more…
What’s going on with the Oxford/Astrazeneca vaccine and one-dose strategy in Britain?
VaccinesJennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: The Oxford/Astrazeneca vaccine was granted emergency authorization & the British government has decided to give as many people a first vaccine dose while delaying second doses *up to* 12 weeks after the first. A big news week here in the UK where this Nerdy Girl (Jenn) lives. Besides the worldwide focus on the new Read more…
January 1, 2021
Nerdy Girl Live Q&A Saturday 1/2 at 9:30 am CT
Uncategorized
Gretchen Peterson, Chief Operations Officer
Join Nerdy Girls Dr. Malia Jones and Dr. Amanda Simanek LIVE at Dear Pandemic FB Page as they answer community questions from our Question Box. Saturday, January 2nd 9:30 a.m. Central Time
December 30, 2020
Did you know that Dear Pandemic is available in Spanish?
Posts en Español
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Hello friends, family, and fans! Did you know that Dear Pandemic is available in Spanish? We launched our Spanish-language site, Querida Pandemia in September. It’s FULL of Spanish-language content curated, written, and translated by the same team you trust here at Dear Pandemic. We are particularly proud of this effort because there is a tremendous Read more…
December 29, 2020
Alejandra Silva Hernández, Spanish Translation
Alejandra Silva Hernández is a first-generation student in the accelerated General Public Health Program at the Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health. After graduation, she intends to apply to medical school to continue to advocate for underserved communities. In her free time, she enjoys virtual taekwondo and photography.
December 29, 2020
What lessons can we learn from the contact tracers?
Testing and Contact Tracing
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
We talked to someone who has been working as a state contact tracer since May. She gave us a list of practical things you can do today to make contact tracers’ jobs easier: 1️⃣ Clear out your voicemail so they can leave a message! 📪 2️⃣ Make sure you have a thermometer at home. 🌡️ Read more…
December 28, 2020
¿Cómo puedo reforzar mi sistema inmunológico?
Biology/Immunity Posts en Español
Sandra Albrecht, PhD MPH
R: Hoy nos enfocamos en la importancia del sueño saludable como una estrategia basada en evidencia para mejorar su sistema inmune durante la pandemia de COVID-19. ** La deficiencia de sueño a largo plazo se asocia con una variedad de comorbilidades (diabetes tipo 2, enfermedad cardiovascular, demencia) que puede resultar en consecuencias más severas por Read more…
December 28, 2020
What is all the fuss about the “mutant” strain of SARS-CoV-2 in England?
Biology/Immunity
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: The variant of concern VOC 202012/01 also known as the B.1.1.7 lineage accumulated many mutations in a short period of time and may spread more quickly than other strains. Researchers have located three specific mutations that may allow for increased transmission in this variant with continued study expected. It is likely the vaccine will Read more…
December 27, 2020
Meet Those Nerdy Girls – Dr. Lauren Hale
Uncategorized
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
This week we are featuring Dr. Lauren Hale, one of the Nerdy Girls who has been helping Dear Pandemic serve up practical (and often entertaining) COVID info since March 13th. Dr. Hale mostly studies the social patterning of 💤 sleep 💤, with particular attention to how social and contextual factors influence sleep and health disparities. Read more…
December 26, 2020
Are there any new heroines of the pandemic that you can highlight?
Uncategorized
A: Yes! We love lifting up the tireless work of female clinicians and scientists in this pandemic, and we are delighted to share a little bit about Dr. Sara Oliver, a member of the CDC’s Epidemic Intelligence Service (EIS). Sara Oliver, MD, MSPH is an EIS Officer at the CDC’s National Center for Immunization and Read more…
A: The Oxford/Astrazeneca vaccine was granted emergency authorization & the British government has decided to give as many people a first vaccine dose while delaying second doses *up to* 12 weeks after the first. A big news week here in the UK where this Nerdy Girl (Jenn) lives. Besides the worldwide focus on the new Read more…
Nerdy Girl Live Q&A Saturday 1/2 at 9:30 am CT
UncategorizedGretchen Peterson, Chief Operations Officer
Join Nerdy Girls Dr. Malia Jones and Dr. Amanda Simanek LIVE at Dear Pandemic FB Page as they answer community questions from our Question Box. Saturday, January 2nd 9:30 a.m. Central Time
December 30, 2020
Did you know that Dear Pandemic is available in Spanish?
Posts en Español
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Hello friends, family, and fans! Did you know that Dear Pandemic is available in Spanish? We launched our Spanish-language site, Querida Pandemia in September. It’s FULL of Spanish-language content curated, written, and translated by the same team you trust here at Dear Pandemic. We are particularly proud of this effort because there is a tremendous Read more…
December 29, 2020
Alejandra Silva Hernández, Spanish Translation
Alejandra Silva Hernández is a first-generation student in the accelerated General Public Health Program at the Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health. After graduation, she intends to apply to medical school to continue to advocate for underserved communities. In her free time, she enjoys virtual taekwondo and photography.
December 29, 2020
What lessons can we learn from the contact tracers?
Testing and Contact Tracing
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
We talked to someone who has been working as a state contact tracer since May. She gave us a list of practical things you can do today to make contact tracers’ jobs easier: 1️⃣ Clear out your voicemail so they can leave a message! 📪 2️⃣ Make sure you have a thermometer at home. 🌡️ Read more…
December 28, 2020
¿Cómo puedo reforzar mi sistema inmunológico?
Biology/Immunity Posts en Español
Sandra Albrecht, PhD MPH
R: Hoy nos enfocamos en la importancia del sueño saludable como una estrategia basada en evidencia para mejorar su sistema inmune durante la pandemia de COVID-19. ** La deficiencia de sueño a largo plazo se asocia con una variedad de comorbilidades (diabetes tipo 2, enfermedad cardiovascular, demencia) que puede resultar en consecuencias más severas por Read more…
December 28, 2020
What is all the fuss about the “mutant” strain of SARS-CoV-2 in England?
Biology/Immunity
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: The variant of concern VOC 202012/01 also known as the B.1.1.7 lineage accumulated many mutations in a short period of time and may spread more quickly than other strains. Researchers have located three specific mutations that may allow for increased transmission in this variant with continued study expected. It is likely the vaccine will Read more…
December 27, 2020
Meet Those Nerdy Girls – Dr. Lauren Hale
Uncategorized
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
This week we are featuring Dr. Lauren Hale, one of the Nerdy Girls who has been helping Dear Pandemic serve up practical (and often entertaining) COVID info since March 13th. Dr. Hale mostly studies the social patterning of 💤 sleep 💤, with particular attention to how social and contextual factors influence sleep and health disparities. Read more…
December 26, 2020
Are there any new heroines of the pandemic that you can highlight?
Uncategorized
A: Yes! We love lifting up the tireless work of female clinicians and scientists in this pandemic, and we are delighted to share a little bit about Dr. Sara Oliver, a member of the CDC’s Epidemic Intelligence Service (EIS). Sara Oliver, MD, MSPH is an EIS Officer at the CDC’s National Center for Immunization and Read more…
Join Nerdy Girls Dr. Malia Jones and Dr. Amanda Simanek LIVE at Dear Pandemic FB Page as they answer community questions from our Question Box. Saturday, January 2nd 9:30 a.m. Central Time
Did you know that Dear Pandemic is available in Spanish?
Posts en EspañolMalia Jones, PhD MPH
Hello friends, family, and fans! Did you know that Dear Pandemic is available in Spanish? We launched our Spanish-language site, Querida Pandemia in September. It’s FULL of Spanish-language content curated, written, and translated by the same team you trust here at Dear Pandemic. We are particularly proud of this effort because there is a tremendous Read more…
December 29, 2020
Alejandra Silva Hernández, Spanish Translation
Alejandra Silva Hernández is a first-generation student in the accelerated General Public Health Program at the Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health. After graduation, she intends to apply to medical school to continue to advocate for underserved communities. In her free time, she enjoys virtual taekwondo and photography.
December 29, 2020
What lessons can we learn from the contact tracers?
Testing and Contact Tracing
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
We talked to someone who has been working as a state contact tracer since May. She gave us a list of practical things you can do today to make contact tracers’ jobs easier: 1️⃣ Clear out your voicemail so they can leave a message! 📪 2️⃣ Make sure you have a thermometer at home. 🌡️ Read more…
December 28, 2020
¿Cómo puedo reforzar mi sistema inmunológico?
Biology/Immunity Posts en Español
Sandra Albrecht, PhD MPH
R: Hoy nos enfocamos en la importancia del sueño saludable como una estrategia basada en evidencia para mejorar su sistema inmune durante la pandemia de COVID-19. ** La deficiencia de sueño a largo plazo se asocia con una variedad de comorbilidades (diabetes tipo 2, enfermedad cardiovascular, demencia) que puede resultar en consecuencias más severas por Read more…
December 28, 2020
What is all the fuss about the “mutant” strain of SARS-CoV-2 in England?
Biology/Immunity
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: The variant of concern VOC 202012/01 also known as the B.1.1.7 lineage accumulated many mutations in a short period of time and may spread more quickly than other strains. Researchers have located three specific mutations that may allow for increased transmission in this variant with continued study expected. It is likely the vaccine will Read more…
December 27, 2020
Meet Those Nerdy Girls – Dr. Lauren Hale
Uncategorized
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
This week we are featuring Dr. Lauren Hale, one of the Nerdy Girls who has been helping Dear Pandemic serve up practical (and often entertaining) COVID info since March 13th. Dr. Hale mostly studies the social patterning of 💤 sleep 💤, with particular attention to how social and contextual factors influence sleep and health disparities. Read more…
December 26, 2020
Are there any new heroines of the pandemic that you can highlight?
Uncategorized
A: Yes! We love lifting up the tireless work of female clinicians and scientists in this pandemic, and we are delighted to share a little bit about Dr. Sara Oliver, a member of the CDC’s Epidemic Intelligence Service (EIS). Sara Oliver, MD, MSPH is an EIS Officer at the CDC’s National Center for Immunization and Read more…
Hello friends, family, and fans! Did you know that Dear Pandemic is available in Spanish? We launched our Spanish-language site, Querida Pandemia in September. It’s FULL of Spanish-language content curated, written, and translated by the same team you trust here at Dear Pandemic. We are particularly proud of this effort because there is a tremendous Read more…
Alejandra Silva Hernández, Spanish Translation
Alejandra Silva Hernández is a first-generation student in the accelerated General Public Health Program at the Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health. After graduation, she intends to apply to medical school to continue to advocate for underserved communities. In her free time, she enjoys virtual taekwondo and photography.
What lessons can we learn from the contact tracers?
Testing and Contact TracingMalia Jones, PhD MPH
We talked to someone who has been working as a state contact tracer since May. She gave us a list of practical things you can do today to make contact tracers’ jobs easier: 1️⃣ Clear out your voicemail so they can leave a message! 📪 2️⃣ Make sure you have a thermometer at home. 🌡️ Read more…
December 28, 2020
¿Cómo puedo reforzar mi sistema inmunológico?
Biology/Immunity Posts en Español
Sandra Albrecht, PhD MPH
R: Hoy nos enfocamos en la importancia del sueño saludable como una estrategia basada en evidencia para mejorar su sistema inmune durante la pandemia de COVID-19. ** La deficiencia de sueño a largo plazo se asocia con una variedad de comorbilidades (diabetes tipo 2, enfermedad cardiovascular, demencia) que puede resultar en consecuencias más severas por Read more…
December 28, 2020
What is all the fuss about the “mutant” strain of SARS-CoV-2 in England?
Biology/Immunity
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: The variant of concern VOC 202012/01 also known as the B.1.1.7 lineage accumulated many mutations in a short period of time and may spread more quickly than other strains. Researchers have located three specific mutations that may allow for increased transmission in this variant with continued study expected. It is likely the vaccine will Read more…
December 27, 2020
Meet Those Nerdy Girls – Dr. Lauren Hale
Uncategorized
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
This week we are featuring Dr. Lauren Hale, one of the Nerdy Girls who has been helping Dear Pandemic serve up practical (and often entertaining) COVID info since March 13th. Dr. Hale mostly studies the social patterning of 💤 sleep 💤, with particular attention to how social and contextual factors influence sleep and health disparities. Read more…
December 26, 2020
Are there any new heroines of the pandemic that you can highlight?
Uncategorized
A: Yes! We love lifting up the tireless work of female clinicians and scientists in this pandemic, and we are delighted to share a little bit about Dr. Sara Oliver, a member of the CDC’s Epidemic Intelligence Service (EIS). Sara Oliver, MD, MSPH is an EIS Officer at the CDC’s National Center for Immunization and Read more…
We talked to someone who has been working as a state contact tracer since May. She gave us a list of practical things you can do today to make contact tracers’ jobs easier: 1️⃣ Clear out your voicemail so they can leave a message! 📪 2️⃣ Make sure you have a thermometer at home. 🌡️ Read more…
¿Cómo puedo reforzar mi sistema inmunológico?
Biology/Immunity Posts en EspañolSandra Albrecht, PhD MPH
R: Hoy nos enfocamos en la importancia del sueño saludable como una estrategia basada en evidencia para mejorar su sistema inmune durante la pandemia de COVID-19. ** La deficiencia de sueño a largo plazo se asocia con una variedad de comorbilidades (diabetes tipo 2, enfermedad cardiovascular, demencia) que puede resultar en consecuencias más severas por Read more…
December 28, 2020
What is all the fuss about the “mutant” strain of SARS-CoV-2 in England?
Biology/Immunity
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: The variant of concern VOC 202012/01 also known as the B.1.1.7 lineage accumulated many mutations in a short period of time and may spread more quickly than other strains. Researchers have located three specific mutations that may allow for increased transmission in this variant with continued study expected. It is likely the vaccine will Read more…
December 27, 2020
Meet Those Nerdy Girls – Dr. Lauren Hale
Uncategorized
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
This week we are featuring Dr. Lauren Hale, one of the Nerdy Girls who has been helping Dear Pandemic serve up practical (and often entertaining) COVID info since March 13th. Dr. Hale mostly studies the social patterning of 💤 sleep 💤, with particular attention to how social and contextual factors influence sleep and health disparities. Read more…
December 26, 2020
Are there any new heroines of the pandemic that you can highlight?
Uncategorized
A: Yes! We love lifting up the tireless work of female clinicians and scientists in this pandemic, and we are delighted to share a little bit about Dr. Sara Oliver, a member of the CDC’s Epidemic Intelligence Service (EIS). Sara Oliver, MD, MSPH is an EIS Officer at the CDC’s National Center for Immunization and Read more…
R: Hoy nos enfocamos en la importancia del sueño saludable como una estrategia basada en evidencia para mejorar su sistema inmune durante la pandemia de COVID-19. ** La deficiencia de sueño a largo plazo se asocia con una variedad de comorbilidades (diabetes tipo 2, enfermedad cardiovascular, demencia) que puede resultar en consecuencias más severas por Read more…
What is all the fuss about the “mutant” strain of SARS-CoV-2 in England?
Biology/ImmunityAshley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: The variant of concern VOC 202012/01 also known as the B.1.1.7 lineage accumulated many mutations in a short period of time and may spread more quickly than other strains. Researchers have located three specific mutations that may allow for increased transmission in this variant with continued study expected. It is likely the vaccine will Read more…
December 27, 2020
Meet Those Nerdy Girls – Dr. Lauren Hale
Uncategorized
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
This week we are featuring Dr. Lauren Hale, one of the Nerdy Girls who has been helping Dear Pandemic serve up practical (and often entertaining) COVID info since March 13th. Dr. Hale mostly studies the social patterning of 💤 sleep 💤, with particular attention to how social and contextual factors influence sleep and health disparities. Read more…
December 26, 2020
Are there any new heroines of the pandemic that you can highlight?
Uncategorized
A: Yes! We love lifting up the tireless work of female clinicians and scientists in this pandemic, and we are delighted to share a little bit about Dr. Sara Oliver, a member of the CDC’s Epidemic Intelligence Service (EIS). Sara Oliver, MD, MSPH is an EIS Officer at the CDC’s National Center for Immunization and Read more…
A: The variant of concern VOC 202012/01 also known as the B.1.1.7 lineage accumulated many mutations in a short period of time and may spread more quickly than other strains. Researchers have located three specific mutations that may allow for increased transmission in this variant with continued study expected. It is likely the vaccine will Read more…
Meet Those Nerdy Girls – Dr. Lauren Hale
UncategorizedMalia Jones, PhD MPH
This week we are featuring Dr. Lauren Hale, one of the Nerdy Girls who has been helping Dear Pandemic serve up practical (and often entertaining) COVID info since March 13th. Dr. Hale mostly studies the social patterning of 💤 sleep 💤, with particular attention to how social and contextual factors influence sleep and health disparities. Read more…
December 26, 2020
Are there any new heroines of the pandemic that you can highlight?
Uncategorized
A: Yes! We love lifting up the tireless work of female clinicians and scientists in this pandemic, and we are delighted to share a little bit about Dr. Sara Oliver, a member of the CDC’s Epidemic Intelligence Service (EIS). Sara Oliver, MD, MSPH is an EIS Officer at the CDC’s National Center for Immunization and Read more…
This week we are featuring Dr. Lauren Hale, one of the Nerdy Girls who has been helping Dear Pandemic serve up practical (and often entertaining) COVID info since March 13th. Dr. Hale mostly studies the social patterning of 💤 sleep 💤, with particular attention to how social and contextual factors influence sleep and health disparities. Read more…
Are there any new heroines of the pandemic that you can highlight?
UncategorizedA: Yes! We love lifting up the tireless work of female clinicians and scientists in this pandemic, and we are delighted to share a little bit about Dr. Sara Oliver, a member of the CDC’s Epidemic Intelligence Service (EIS). Sara Oliver, MD, MSPH is an EIS Officer at the CDC’s National Center for Immunization and Read more…