Can’t I just give my nose a little break while I’m wearing my mask?
Staying Safe
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: Nope. COVER THOSE SCHNOZES! Why? The nose is often the first place the virus attaches and is a replication hotspot. This may be because ACE2 ā the cell surface receptor that the virus uses to get into cells ā is more abundant on nasal-lining cells and less abundant on the surface of lower airway Read more…
COVID Outbreak at Georgia Camp
Infection and Spread
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Today we are highlighting another *outstanding* source for COVID info aimed for the general public, Your local epidemiologist, who gave us permission to repost their recent report on what happened in a COVID outbreak at a summer camp in Georgia. Attack rate among kids at an overnight camp in Georgia. A case analysis. What happened? Read more…
Is it safe for my child to play on public playground equipment when no other kids are around?
Families/Kids Staying Safe
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: The concern is not so much the playground equipment, but the activities that happen around the playground that require consideration. When making choices about playground visits, the following topics are worth consideration. Community SpreadĀ ā The take-home message is that there are more counties in the country with rising cases of Covid-19 than the reverse. Read more…
What do we really know about COVID and kids?
Families/Kids Infection and Spread
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
A: There are more questions than answers. What we know: ā
Kids are capable of getting COVID-19 and transmitting it to both adults and other kids. ā
Children who are infected with COVID-19 are more likely to have no symptoms or only mild symptoms, and more likely to recover quickly and without the need for Read more…
What happened to Buddy? Can animals get the novel coronavirus and die? Can pets transmit it to their owners?
Families/Kids Infection and Spread
Lauren Hale, PhD MA
A: Sadly, Buddy, a German Shepherd from Staten Island, NY, recently died. Buddy was the first dog in the US that tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 (side note: The disease is only called COVID-19 in humans). Technically, bloodwork confirmed that Buddy likely died from lymphoma. However, it’s hard to know the role that the novel coronavirus Read more…
Hydroxychloroquine ā yay or nay?
Treatments Uncertainty and Misinformation
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
A: The best evidence (still) suggests a resounding nay. ***** EDITED: 11:44 am to include FDA evidence review in the reference section ******* For our TGIF post weāre going to revisit the hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) debate, because letās get real, friendsā¦..itās been quite the week on the HCQ information frontlines. We Nerdy Girls are here to Read more…
How should I handle having a repair person in my home?
Families/Kids Staying Safe
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
A: Only have someone come in if it’s urgent and your family is well; call in advance to ask about protocols; give the repair person some space; and clean up after. 1. If it’s not urgent, delay it–especially if there’s a lot of COVID in your area. And if someone in your household is sick, Read more…
What are teachers saying about returning to school?
Families/Kids Reopening School Staying Safe
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
A couple of weeks ago, Dear Pandemic posted our joint opinion on reopening schools, and several teachers left feedback that indicated they have not felt heard in the ongoing discussion. Taking that to heart, we asked a few K-12 teachers to do what they do best: educate us. What it would take for THEM to Read more…
Iāve heard that I should wear a mask to protect others. Will it also protect me?
Masks Staying Safe
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: YES! As the Nerdy Girls like to reiterate, risk reduction is not all or nothing. While masks have been encouraged as āsource controlā- a way of blocking outbound aerosols and droplets as you breathe, speak, sneeze or cough, accumulating evidence suggests that they can provide important protection to the wearer as well. See our Read more…
With cases rising again around the US, is the concept of a āpodā or ābubbleā of connected households still reasonable?
Families/Kids Socializing Staying Safe
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: Yes, butā¦itās a good time to make sure your bubble hasnāt gotten so big it is about to burst, and check for any holes you need to patch to avoid COVID-19 leaking in! In fact, if you never bubbled in the first place, this may be the perfect time to scale back your interactions Read more…
Can I get RE-infected with COVID-19?
Biology/Immunity Infection and Spread
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: While we canāt say it is *impossible,* current scientific consensus is that re-infection is *unlikely.* There are various stories from doctors and patients alike making the rounds about individuals testing positive for COVID-19, perhaps having a mild case and recovering, and then a couple of months later falling ill and testing positive for COVID-19 Read more…
What protective gear do I REALLY need?
Masks Staying Safe
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
A: Masks? CHECK. Gloves? Probably not. Goggles and/or face shields? More complicated. This week Team Nerdy Girls has received many questions about protective gear for everyday living – and have been steadfastly sourcing good information on the topic. Weāre happy to share that Consumer Reports has recently written a terrific guide about “gearing up” for Read more…
Can mosquitoes spread SARS-CoV-2?
Infection and Spread
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: Thankfully, NO! Weāll admit the Nerdy Girls had not even contemplated this SCARY prospect before an astute follower question, and it turns out you all arenāt the only ones to wonder. While infectious disease experts downplayed the risk since the virus is not present in significant infectious quantities in blood (as opposed to those Read more…
Should I just get it over with and go to a ‘COVID party’?
Infection and Spread Staying Safe Uncertainty and Misinformation
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
Edited on 7/24/2020: Thank you to one of our followers for bringing it to our attention that at least some of the reports of COVID parties were later debunked. We are leaving the post up with a note, because the main message is legit. Please, for the love of peanut butter and jelly, do not Read more…
VACCINE NEWS UPDATE!
Vaccines
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
TL;DR: Our well-diversified āstock portfolioā of vaccine candidates is demonstrating strong first-quarter returns. Still too early to predict annual fund performance. More information: A partnership between Oxford and AstraZeneca released data last week indicating that their vaccine candidate is SAFE and SPARKED AN IMMUNE RESPONSE in trial participants. Another team from the Chinese biotech CanSino Read more…
How might we use information from studies of Covid-19 outbreaks in nursing homes and summer camps to inform the reopening of schools?
Families/Kids Infection and Spread School Staying Safe
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: Letās consider nursing homes and summer camps. While these environments are different from schools for a host of reasons, the knowledge gained from these settings does inform the critical decisions being made about educating children in the fall. A recent study of Covid-19 spread in nursing homes led by Dr. Elizabeth White found that Read more…
What do you make of the recent news that 1 in 3 kids in Florida tested positive for COVID-19?
Data and Metrics Data Literacy Infection and Spread
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
A: Letās be sure we know what these numbers are telling us, and what they are not. The Florida Sun Sentinel recently reported that āNearly one-in-three children tested for the new coronavirus in Florida has been positive.ā Specifically, thatās 17,000 total positive tests among children. What’s more, 4 Florida children have died of COVID-19. What Read more…
Dear Pandemic talks to authors of recent PNAS opinion about parenting and women in science in a pandemic
Families/Kids Uncategorized
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_pt7gvjAHn0 Dear Pandemic Nerdy Girls Dr. Malia Jones and Dr. Amanda Simanek chat with a collaboration of academic women who recently authored an opinion piece about women, parenting, academia and the sciences in heavy-hitting journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Our guests are Drs. Breanna Harris, Kristy Lewis, Jessica Mallish, Pimtiwitt McCarthy, Shanen Read more…
Ugh, whatās the deal with this new study from South Korea about kids transmitting COVID-19?
Families/Kids Infection and Spread Reopening
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
Does this mean going back to school is more dangerous than we thought? A: As youāve noticed by now, headlines are often more sensational than the underlying facts. This is a large, solidly conducted study but doesnāt move the needle on what we already know: younger children seem less likely to contract and spread SARS-CoV-2, Read more…
Are there evidence-based tips for dealing with the uncertain state of ā¦ā¦everything?!
Mental Health Uncertainty and Misinformation
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
A: Our brains are wired to despise uncertainty. Cognitive scientists advise a COMPLY ā CONSOLIDATE ā CONSULT strategy to help cope. Context: During a pandemic ā and this current one is clearly on brand ā uncertainty reigns. As Drs. Geeta Menon and Ellie Kyung articulate in a recent Harvard Business Review article, itās natural to Read more…
A: Nope. COVER THOSE SCHNOZES! Why? The nose is often the first place the virus attaches and is a replication hotspot. This may be because ACE2 ā the cell surface receptor that the virus uses to get into cells ā is more abundant on nasal-lining cells and less abundant on the surface of lower airway Read more…
COVID Outbreak at Georgia Camp
Infection and SpreadMalia Jones, PhD MPH
Today we are highlighting another *outstanding* source for COVID info aimed for the general public, Your local epidemiologist, who gave us permission to repost their recent report on what happened in a COVID outbreak at a summer camp in Georgia. Attack rate among kids at an overnight camp in Georgia. A case analysis. What happened? Read more…
Is it safe for my child to play on public playground equipment when no other kids are around?
Families/Kids Staying Safe
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: The concern is not so much the playground equipment, but the activities that happen around the playground that require consideration. When making choices about playground visits, the following topics are worth consideration. Community SpreadĀ ā The take-home message is that there are more counties in the country with rising cases of Covid-19 than the reverse. Read more…
What do we really know about COVID and kids?
Families/Kids Infection and Spread
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
A: There are more questions than answers. What we know: ā
Kids are capable of getting COVID-19 and transmitting it to both adults and other kids. ā
Children who are infected with COVID-19 are more likely to have no symptoms or only mild symptoms, and more likely to recover quickly and without the need for Read more…
What happened to Buddy? Can animals get the novel coronavirus and die? Can pets transmit it to their owners?
Families/Kids Infection and Spread
Lauren Hale, PhD MA
A: Sadly, Buddy, a German Shepherd from Staten Island, NY, recently died. Buddy was the first dog in the US that tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 (side note: The disease is only called COVID-19 in humans). Technically, bloodwork confirmed that Buddy likely died from lymphoma. However, it’s hard to know the role that the novel coronavirus Read more…
Hydroxychloroquine ā yay or nay?
Treatments Uncertainty and Misinformation
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
A: The best evidence (still) suggests a resounding nay. ***** EDITED: 11:44 am to include FDA evidence review in the reference section ******* For our TGIF post weāre going to revisit the hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) debate, because letās get real, friendsā¦..itās been quite the week on the HCQ information frontlines. We Nerdy Girls are here to Read more…
How should I handle having a repair person in my home?
Families/Kids Staying Safe
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
A: Only have someone come in if it’s urgent and your family is well; call in advance to ask about protocols; give the repair person some space; and clean up after. 1. If it’s not urgent, delay it–especially if there’s a lot of COVID in your area. And if someone in your household is sick, Read more…
What are teachers saying about returning to school?
Families/Kids Reopening School Staying Safe
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
A couple of weeks ago, Dear Pandemic posted our joint opinion on reopening schools, and several teachers left feedback that indicated they have not felt heard in the ongoing discussion. Taking that to heart, we asked a few K-12 teachers to do what they do best: educate us. What it would take for THEM to Read more…
Iāve heard that I should wear a mask to protect others. Will it also protect me?
Masks Staying Safe
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: YES! As the Nerdy Girls like to reiterate, risk reduction is not all or nothing. While masks have been encouraged as āsource controlā- a way of blocking outbound aerosols and droplets as you breathe, speak, sneeze or cough, accumulating evidence suggests that they can provide important protection to the wearer as well. See our Read more…
With cases rising again around the US, is the concept of a āpodā or ābubbleā of connected households still reasonable?
Families/Kids Socializing Staying Safe
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: Yes, butā¦itās a good time to make sure your bubble hasnāt gotten so big it is about to burst, and check for any holes you need to patch to avoid COVID-19 leaking in! In fact, if you never bubbled in the first place, this may be the perfect time to scale back your interactions Read more…
Can I get RE-infected with COVID-19?
Biology/Immunity Infection and Spread
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: While we canāt say it is *impossible,* current scientific consensus is that re-infection is *unlikely.* There are various stories from doctors and patients alike making the rounds about individuals testing positive for COVID-19, perhaps having a mild case and recovering, and then a couple of months later falling ill and testing positive for COVID-19 Read more…
What protective gear do I REALLY need?
Masks Staying Safe
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
A: Masks? CHECK. Gloves? Probably not. Goggles and/or face shields? More complicated. This week Team Nerdy Girls has received many questions about protective gear for everyday living – and have been steadfastly sourcing good information on the topic. Weāre happy to share that Consumer Reports has recently written a terrific guide about “gearing up” for Read more…
Can mosquitoes spread SARS-CoV-2?
Infection and Spread
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: Thankfully, NO! Weāll admit the Nerdy Girls had not even contemplated this SCARY prospect before an astute follower question, and it turns out you all arenāt the only ones to wonder. While infectious disease experts downplayed the risk since the virus is not present in significant infectious quantities in blood (as opposed to those Read more…
Should I just get it over with and go to a ‘COVID party’?
Infection and Spread Staying Safe Uncertainty and Misinformation
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
Edited on 7/24/2020: Thank you to one of our followers for bringing it to our attention that at least some of the reports of COVID parties were later debunked. We are leaving the post up with a note, because the main message is legit. Please, for the love of peanut butter and jelly, do not Read more…
VACCINE NEWS UPDATE!
Vaccines
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
TL;DR: Our well-diversified āstock portfolioā of vaccine candidates is demonstrating strong first-quarter returns. Still too early to predict annual fund performance. More information: A partnership between Oxford and AstraZeneca released data last week indicating that their vaccine candidate is SAFE and SPARKED AN IMMUNE RESPONSE in trial participants. Another team from the Chinese biotech CanSino Read more…
How might we use information from studies of Covid-19 outbreaks in nursing homes and summer camps to inform the reopening of schools?
Families/Kids Infection and Spread School Staying Safe
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: Letās consider nursing homes and summer camps. While these environments are different from schools for a host of reasons, the knowledge gained from these settings does inform the critical decisions being made about educating children in the fall. A recent study of Covid-19 spread in nursing homes led by Dr. Elizabeth White found that Read more…
What do you make of the recent news that 1 in 3 kids in Florida tested positive for COVID-19?
Data and Metrics Data Literacy Infection and Spread
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
A: Letās be sure we know what these numbers are telling us, and what they are not. The Florida Sun Sentinel recently reported that āNearly one-in-three children tested for the new coronavirus in Florida has been positive.ā Specifically, thatās 17,000 total positive tests among children. What’s more, 4 Florida children have died of COVID-19. What Read more…
Dear Pandemic talks to authors of recent PNAS opinion about parenting and women in science in a pandemic
Families/Kids Uncategorized
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_pt7gvjAHn0 Dear Pandemic Nerdy Girls Dr. Malia Jones and Dr. Amanda Simanek chat with a collaboration of academic women who recently authored an opinion piece about women, parenting, academia and the sciences in heavy-hitting journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Our guests are Drs. Breanna Harris, Kristy Lewis, Jessica Mallish, Pimtiwitt McCarthy, Shanen Read more…
Ugh, whatās the deal with this new study from South Korea about kids transmitting COVID-19?
Families/Kids Infection and Spread Reopening
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
Does this mean going back to school is more dangerous than we thought? A: As youāve noticed by now, headlines are often more sensational than the underlying facts. This is a large, solidly conducted study but doesnāt move the needle on what we already know: younger children seem less likely to contract and spread SARS-CoV-2, Read more…
Are there evidence-based tips for dealing with the uncertain state of ā¦ā¦everything?!
Mental Health Uncertainty and Misinformation
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
A: Our brains are wired to despise uncertainty. Cognitive scientists advise a COMPLY ā CONSOLIDATE ā CONSULT strategy to help cope. Context: During a pandemic ā and this current one is clearly on brand ā uncertainty reigns. As Drs. Geeta Menon and Ellie Kyung articulate in a recent Harvard Business Review article, itās natural to Read more…
Today we are highlighting another *outstanding* source for COVID info aimed for the general public, Your local epidemiologist, who gave us permission to repost their recent report on what happened in a COVID outbreak at a summer camp in Georgia. Attack rate among kids at an overnight camp in Georgia. A case analysis. What happened? Read more…
Is it safe for my child to play on public playground equipment when no other kids are around?
Families/Kids Staying SafeAshley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: The concern is not so much the playground equipment, but the activities that happen around the playground that require consideration. When making choices about playground visits, the following topics are worth consideration. Community SpreadĀ ā The take-home message is that there are more counties in the country with rising cases of Covid-19 than the reverse. Read more…
What do we really know about COVID and kids?
Families/Kids Infection and Spread
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
A: There are more questions than answers. What we know: ā
Kids are capable of getting COVID-19 and transmitting it to both adults and other kids. ā
Children who are infected with COVID-19 are more likely to have no symptoms or only mild symptoms, and more likely to recover quickly and without the need for Read more…
What happened to Buddy? Can animals get the novel coronavirus and die? Can pets transmit it to their owners?
Families/Kids Infection and Spread
Lauren Hale, PhD MA
A: Sadly, Buddy, a German Shepherd from Staten Island, NY, recently died. Buddy was the first dog in the US that tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 (side note: The disease is only called COVID-19 in humans). Technically, bloodwork confirmed that Buddy likely died from lymphoma. However, it’s hard to know the role that the novel coronavirus Read more…
Hydroxychloroquine ā yay or nay?
Treatments Uncertainty and Misinformation
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
A: The best evidence (still) suggests a resounding nay. ***** EDITED: 11:44 am to include FDA evidence review in the reference section ******* For our TGIF post weāre going to revisit the hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) debate, because letās get real, friendsā¦..itās been quite the week on the HCQ information frontlines. We Nerdy Girls are here to Read more…
How should I handle having a repair person in my home?
Families/Kids Staying Safe
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
A: Only have someone come in if it’s urgent and your family is well; call in advance to ask about protocols; give the repair person some space; and clean up after. 1. If it’s not urgent, delay it–especially if there’s a lot of COVID in your area. And if someone in your household is sick, Read more…
What are teachers saying about returning to school?
Families/Kids Reopening School Staying Safe
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
A couple of weeks ago, Dear Pandemic posted our joint opinion on reopening schools, and several teachers left feedback that indicated they have not felt heard in the ongoing discussion. Taking that to heart, we asked a few K-12 teachers to do what they do best: educate us. What it would take for THEM to Read more…
Iāve heard that I should wear a mask to protect others. Will it also protect me?
Masks Staying Safe
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: YES! As the Nerdy Girls like to reiterate, risk reduction is not all or nothing. While masks have been encouraged as āsource controlā- a way of blocking outbound aerosols and droplets as you breathe, speak, sneeze or cough, accumulating evidence suggests that they can provide important protection to the wearer as well. See our Read more…
With cases rising again around the US, is the concept of a āpodā or ābubbleā of connected households still reasonable?
Families/Kids Socializing Staying Safe
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: Yes, butā¦itās a good time to make sure your bubble hasnāt gotten so big it is about to burst, and check for any holes you need to patch to avoid COVID-19 leaking in! In fact, if you never bubbled in the first place, this may be the perfect time to scale back your interactions Read more…
Can I get RE-infected with COVID-19?
Biology/Immunity Infection and Spread
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: While we canāt say it is *impossible,* current scientific consensus is that re-infection is *unlikely.* There are various stories from doctors and patients alike making the rounds about individuals testing positive for COVID-19, perhaps having a mild case and recovering, and then a couple of months later falling ill and testing positive for COVID-19 Read more…
What protective gear do I REALLY need?
Masks Staying Safe
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
A: Masks? CHECK. Gloves? Probably not. Goggles and/or face shields? More complicated. This week Team Nerdy Girls has received many questions about protective gear for everyday living – and have been steadfastly sourcing good information on the topic. Weāre happy to share that Consumer Reports has recently written a terrific guide about “gearing up” for Read more…
Can mosquitoes spread SARS-CoV-2?
Infection and Spread
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: Thankfully, NO! Weāll admit the Nerdy Girls had not even contemplated this SCARY prospect before an astute follower question, and it turns out you all arenāt the only ones to wonder. While infectious disease experts downplayed the risk since the virus is not present in significant infectious quantities in blood (as opposed to those Read more…
Should I just get it over with and go to a ‘COVID party’?
Infection and Spread Staying Safe Uncertainty and Misinformation
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
Edited on 7/24/2020: Thank you to one of our followers for bringing it to our attention that at least some of the reports of COVID parties were later debunked. We are leaving the post up with a note, because the main message is legit. Please, for the love of peanut butter and jelly, do not Read more…
VACCINE NEWS UPDATE!
Vaccines
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
TL;DR: Our well-diversified āstock portfolioā of vaccine candidates is demonstrating strong first-quarter returns. Still too early to predict annual fund performance. More information: A partnership between Oxford and AstraZeneca released data last week indicating that their vaccine candidate is SAFE and SPARKED AN IMMUNE RESPONSE in trial participants. Another team from the Chinese biotech CanSino Read more…
How might we use information from studies of Covid-19 outbreaks in nursing homes and summer camps to inform the reopening of schools?
Families/Kids Infection and Spread School Staying Safe
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: Letās consider nursing homes and summer camps. While these environments are different from schools for a host of reasons, the knowledge gained from these settings does inform the critical decisions being made about educating children in the fall. A recent study of Covid-19 spread in nursing homes led by Dr. Elizabeth White found that Read more…
What do you make of the recent news that 1 in 3 kids in Florida tested positive for COVID-19?
Data and Metrics Data Literacy Infection and Spread
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
A: Letās be sure we know what these numbers are telling us, and what they are not. The Florida Sun Sentinel recently reported that āNearly one-in-three children tested for the new coronavirus in Florida has been positive.ā Specifically, thatās 17,000 total positive tests among children. What’s more, 4 Florida children have died of COVID-19. What Read more…
Dear Pandemic talks to authors of recent PNAS opinion about parenting and women in science in a pandemic
Families/Kids Uncategorized
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_pt7gvjAHn0 Dear Pandemic Nerdy Girls Dr. Malia Jones and Dr. Amanda Simanek chat with a collaboration of academic women who recently authored an opinion piece about women, parenting, academia and the sciences in heavy-hitting journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Our guests are Drs. Breanna Harris, Kristy Lewis, Jessica Mallish, Pimtiwitt McCarthy, Shanen Read more…
Ugh, whatās the deal with this new study from South Korea about kids transmitting COVID-19?
Families/Kids Infection and Spread Reopening
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
Does this mean going back to school is more dangerous than we thought? A: As youāve noticed by now, headlines are often more sensational than the underlying facts. This is a large, solidly conducted study but doesnāt move the needle on what we already know: younger children seem less likely to contract and spread SARS-CoV-2, Read more…
Are there evidence-based tips for dealing with the uncertain state of ā¦ā¦everything?!
Mental Health Uncertainty and Misinformation
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
A: Our brains are wired to despise uncertainty. Cognitive scientists advise a COMPLY ā CONSOLIDATE ā CONSULT strategy to help cope. Context: During a pandemic ā and this current one is clearly on brand ā uncertainty reigns. As Drs. Geeta Menon and Ellie Kyung articulate in a recent Harvard Business Review article, itās natural to Read more…
A: The concern is not so much the playground equipment, but the activities that happen around the playground that require consideration. When making choices about playground visits, the following topics are worth consideration. Community SpreadĀ ā The take-home message is that there are more counties in the country with rising cases of Covid-19 than the reverse. Read more…
What do we really know about COVID and kids?
Families/Kids Infection and SpreadMalia Jones, PhD MPH
A: There are more questions than answers. What we know: ā
Kids are capable of getting COVID-19 and transmitting it to both adults and other kids. ā
Children who are infected with COVID-19 are more likely to have no symptoms or only mild symptoms, and more likely to recover quickly and without the need for Read more…
What happened to Buddy? Can animals get the novel coronavirus and die? Can pets transmit it to their owners?
Families/Kids Infection and Spread
Lauren Hale, PhD MA
A: Sadly, Buddy, a German Shepherd from Staten Island, NY, recently died. Buddy was the first dog in the US that tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 (side note: The disease is only called COVID-19 in humans). Technically, bloodwork confirmed that Buddy likely died from lymphoma. However, it’s hard to know the role that the novel coronavirus Read more…
Hydroxychloroquine ā yay or nay?
Treatments Uncertainty and Misinformation
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
A: The best evidence (still) suggests a resounding nay. ***** EDITED: 11:44 am to include FDA evidence review in the reference section ******* For our TGIF post weāre going to revisit the hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) debate, because letās get real, friendsā¦..itās been quite the week on the HCQ information frontlines. We Nerdy Girls are here to Read more…
How should I handle having a repair person in my home?
Families/Kids Staying Safe
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
A: Only have someone come in if it’s urgent and your family is well; call in advance to ask about protocols; give the repair person some space; and clean up after. 1. If it’s not urgent, delay it–especially if there’s a lot of COVID in your area. And if someone in your household is sick, Read more…
What are teachers saying about returning to school?
Families/Kids Reopening School Staying Safe
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
A couple of weeks ago, Dear Pandemic posted our joint opinion on reopening schools, and several teachers left feedback that indicated they have not felt heard in the ongoing discussion. Taking that to heart, we asked a few K-12 teachers to do what they do best: educate us. What it would take for THEM to Read more…
Iāve heard that I should wear a mask to protect others. Will it also protect me?
Masks Staying Safe
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: YES! As the Nerdy Girls like to reiterate, risk reduction is not all or nothing. While masks have been encouraged as āsource controlā- a way of blocking outbound aerosols and droplets as you breathe, speak, sneeze or cough, accumulating evidence suggests that they can provide important protection to the wearer as well. See our Read more…
With cases rising again around the US, is the concept of a āpodā or ābubbleā of connected households still reasonable?
Families/Kids Socializing Staying Safe
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: Yes, butā¦itās a good time to make sure your bubble hasnāt gotten so big it is about to burst, and check for any holes you need to patch to avoid COVID-19 leaking in! In fact, if you never bubbled in the first place, this may be the perfect time to scale back your interactions Read more…
Can I get RE-infected with COVID-19?
Biology/Immunity Infection and Spread
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: While we canāt say it is *impossible,* current scientific consensus is that re-infection is *unlikely.* There are various stories from doctors and patients alike making the rounds about individuals testing positive for COVID-19, perhaps having a mild case and recovering, and then a couple of months later falling ill and testing positive for COVID-19 Read more…
What protective gear do I REALLY need?
Masks Staying Safe
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
A: Masks? CHECK. Gloves? Probably not. Goggles and/or face shields? More complicated. This week Team Nerdy Girls has received many questions about protective gear for everyday living – and have been steadfastly sourcing good information on the topic. Weāre happy to share that Consumer Reports has recently written a terrific guide about “gearing up” for Read more…
Can mosquitoes spread SARS-CoV-2?
Infection and Spread
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: Thankfully, NO! Weāll admit the Nerdy Girls had not even contemplated this SCARY prospect before an astute follower question, and it turns out you all arenāt the only ones to wonder. While infectious disease experts downplayed the risk since the virus is not present in significant infectious quantities in blood (as opposed to those Read more…
Should I just get it over with and go to a ‘COVID party’?
Infection and Spread Staying Safe Uncertainty and Misinformation
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
Edited on 7/24/2020: Thank you to one of our followers for bringing it to our attention that at least some of the reports of COVID parties were later debunked. We are leaving the post up with a note, because the main message is legit. Please, for the love of peanut butter and jelly, do not Read more…
VACCINE NEWS UPDATE!
Vaccines
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
TL;DR: Our well-diversified āstock portfolioā of vaccine candidates is demonstrating strong first-quarter returns. Still too early to predict annual fund performance. More information: A partnership between Oxford and AstraZeneca released data last week indicating that their vaccine candidate is SAFE and SPARKED AN IMMUNE RESPONSE in trial participants. Another team from the Chinese biotech CanSino Read more…
How might we use information from studies of Covid-19 outbreaks in nursing homes and summer camps to inform the reopening of schools?
Families/Kids Infection and Spread School Staying Safe
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: Letās consider nursing homes and summer camps. While these environments are different from schools for a host of reasons, the knowledge gained from these settings does inform the critical decisions being made about educating children in the fall. A recent study of Covid-19 spread in nursing homes led by Dr. Elizabeth White found that Read more…
What do you make of the recent news that 1 in 3 kids in Florida tested positive for COVID-19?
Data and Metrics Data Literacy Infection and Spread
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
A: Letās be sure we know what these numbers are telling us, and what they are not. The Florida Sun Sentinel recently reported that āNearly one-in-three children tested for the new coronavirus in Florida has been positive.ā Specifically, thatās 17,000 total positive tests among children. What’s more, 4 Florida children have died of COVID-19. What Read more…
Dear Pandemic talks to authors of recent PNAS opinion about parenting and women in science in a pandemic
Families/Kids Uncategorized
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_pt7gvjAHn0 Dear Pandemic Nerdy Girls Dr. Malia Jones and Dr. Amanda Simanek chat with a collaboration of academic women who recently authored an opinion piece about women, parenting, academia and the sciences in heavy-hitting journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Our guests are Drs. Breanna Harris, Kristy Lewis, Jessica Mallish, Pimtiwitt McCarthy, Shanen Read more…
Ugh, whatās the deal with this new study from South Korea about kids transmitting COVID-19?
Families/Kids Infection and Spread Reopening
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
Does this mean going back to school is more dangerous than we thought? A: As youāve noticed by now, headlines are often more sensational than the underlying facts. This is a large, solidly conducted study but doesnāt move the needle on what we already know: younger children seem less likely to contract and spread SARS-CoV-2, Read more…
Are there evidence-based tips for dealing with the uncertain state of ā¦ā¦everything?!
Mental Health Uncertainty and Misinformation
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
A: Our brains are wired to despise uncertainty. Cognitive scientists advise a COMPLY ā CONSOLIDATE ā CONSULT strategy to help cope. Context: During a pandemic ā and this current one is clearly on brand ā uncertainty reigns. As Drs. Geeta Menon and Ellie Kyung articulate in a recent Harvard Business Review article, itās natural to Read more…
A: There are more questions than answers. What we know: ā Kids are capable of getting COVID-19 and transmitting it to both adults and other kids. ā Children who are infected with COVID-19 are more likely to have no symptoms or only mild symptoms, and more likely to recover quickly and without the need for Read more…
What happened to Buddy? Can animals get the novel coronavirus and die? Can pets transmit it to their owners?
Families/Kids Infection and SpreadLauren Hale, PhD MA
A: Sadly, Buddy, a German Shepherd from Staten Island, NY, recently died. Buddy was the first dog in the US that tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 (side note: The disease is only called COVID-19 in humans). Technically, bloodwork confirmed that Buddy likely died from lymphoma. However, it’s hard to know the role that the novel coronavirus Read more…
Hydroxychloroquine ā yay or nay?
Treatments Uncertainty and Misinformation
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
A: The best evidence (still) suggests a resounding nay. ***** EDITED: 11:44 am to include FDA evidence review in the reference section ******* For our TGIF post weāre going to revisit the hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) debate, because letās get real, friendsā¦..itās been quite the week on the HCQ information frontlines. We Nerdy Girls are here to Read more…
How should I handle having a repair person in my home?
Families/Kids Staying Safe
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
A: Only have someone come in if it’s urgent and your family is well; call in advance to ask about protocols; give the repair person some space; and clean up after. 1. If it’s not urgent, delay it–especially if there’s a lot of COVID in your area. And if someone in your household is sick, Read more…
What are teachers saying about returning to school?
Families/Kids Reopening School Staying Safe
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
A couple of weeks ago, Dear Pandemic posted our joint opinion on reopening schools, and several teachers left feedback that indicated they have not felt heard in the ongoing discussion. Taking that to heart, we asked a few K-12 teachers to do what they do best: educate us. What it would take for THEM to Read more…
Iāve heard that I should wear a mask to protect others. Will it also protect me?
Masks Staying Safe
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: YES! As the Nerdy Girls like to reiterate, risk reduction is not all or nothing. While masks have been encouraged as āsource controlā- a way of blocking outbound aerosols and droplets as you breathe, speak, sneeze or cough, accumulating evidence suggests that they can provide important protection to the wearer as well. See our Read more…
With cases rising again around the US, is the concept of a āpodā or ābubbleā of connected households still reasonable?
Families/Kids Socializing Staying Safe
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: Yes, butā¦itās a good time to make sure your bubble hasnāt gotten so big it is about to burst, and check for any holes you need to patch to avoid COVID-19 leaking in! In fact, if you never bubbled in the first place, this may be the perfect time to scale back your interactions Read more…
Can I get RE-infected with COVID-19?
Biology/Immunity Infection and Spread
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: While we canāt say it is *impossible,* current scientific consensus is that re-infection is *unlikely.* There are various stories from doctors and patients alike making the rounds about individuals testing positive for COVID-19, perhaps having a mild case and recovering, and then a couple of months later falling ill and testing positive for COVID-19 Read more…
What protective gear do I REALLY need?
Masks Staying Safe
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
A: Masks? CHECK. Gloves? Probably not. Goggles and/or face shields? More complicated. This week Team Nerdy Girls has received many questions about protective gear for everyday living – and have been steadfastly sourcing good information on the topic. Weāre happy to share that Consumer Reports has recently written a terrific guide about “gearing up” for Read more…
Can mosquitoes spread SARS-CoV-2?
Infection and Spread
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: Thankfully, NO! Weāll admit the Nerdy Girls had not even contemplated this SCARY prospect before an astute follower question, and it turns out you all arenāt the only ones to wonder. While infectious disease experts downplayed the risk since the virus is not present in significant infectious quantities in blood (as opposed to those Read more…
Should I just get it over with and go to a ‘COVID party’?
Infection and Spread Staying Safe Uncertainty and Misinformation
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
Edited on 7/24/2020: Thank you to one of our followers for bringing it to our attention that at least some of the reports of COVID parties were later debunked. We are leaving the post up with a note, because the main message is legit. Please, for the love of peanut butter and jelly, do not Read more…
VACCINE NEWS UPDATE!
Vaccines
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
TL;DR: Our well-diversified āstock portfolioā of vaccine candidates is demonstrating strong first-quarter returns. Still too early to predict annual fund performance. More information: A partnership between Oxford and AstraZeneca released data last week indicating that their vaccine candidate is SAFE and SPARKED AN IMMUNE RESPONSE in trial participants. Another team from the Chinese biotech CanSino Read more…
How might we use information from studies of Covid-19 outbreaks in nursing homes and summer camps to inform the reopening of schools?
Families/Kids Infection and Spread School Staying Safe
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: Letās consider nursing homes and summer camps. While these environments are different from schools for a host of reasons, the knowledge gained from these settings does inform the critical decisions being made about educating children in the fall. A recent study of Covid-19 spread in nursing homes led by Dr. Elizabeth White found that Read more…
What do you make of the recent news that 1 in 3 kids in Florida tested positive for COVID-19?
Data and Metrics Data Literacy Infection and Spread
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
A: Letās be sure we know what these numbers are telling us, and what they are not. The Florida Sun Sentinel recently reported that āNearly one-in-three children tested for the new coronavirus in Florida has been positive.ā Specifically, thatās 17,000 total positive tests among children. What’s more, 4 Florida children have died of COVID-19. What Read more…
Dear Pandemic talks to authors of recent PNAS opinion about parenting and women in science in a pandemic
Families/Kids Uncategorized
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_pt7gvjAHn0 Dear Pandemic Nerdy Girls Dr. Malia Jones and Dr. Amanda Simanek chat with a collaboration of academic women who recently authored an opinion piece about women, parenting, academia and the sciences in heavy-hitting journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Our guests are Drs. Breanna Harris, Kristy Lewis, Jessica Mallish, Pimtiwitt McCarthy, Shanen Read more…
Ugh, whatās the deal with this new study from South Korea about kids transmitting COVID-19?
Families/Kids Infection and Spread Reopening
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
Does this mean going back to school is more dangerous than we thought? A: As youāve noticed by now, headlines are often more sensational than the underlying facts. This is a large, solidly conducted study but doesnāt move the needle on what we already know: younger children seem less likely to contract and spread SARS-CoV-2, Read more…
Are there evidence-based tips for dealing with the uncertain state of ā¦ā¦everything?!
Mental Health Uncertainty and Misinformation
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
A: Our brains are wired to despise uncertainty. Cognitive scientists advise a COMPLY ā CONSOLIDATE ā CONSULT strategy to help cope. Context: During a pandemic ā and this current one is clearly on brand ā uncertainty reigns. As Drs. Geeta Menon and Ellie Kyung articulate in a recent Harvard Business Review article, itās natural to Read more…
A: Sadly, Buddy, a German Shepherd from Staten Island, NY, recently died. Buddy was the first dog in the US that tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 (side note: The disease is only called COVID-19 in humans). Technically, bloodwork confirmed that Buddy likely died from lymphoma. However, it’s hard to know the role that the novel coronavirus Read more…
Hydroxychloroquine ā yay or nay?
Treatments Uncertainty and MisinformationLindsey Leininger, PhD MA
A: The best evidence (still) suggests a resounding nay. ***** EDITED: 11:44 am to include FDA evidence review in the reference section ******* For our TGIF post weāre going to revisit the hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) debate, because letās get real, friendsā¦..itās been quite the week on the HCQ information frontlines. We Nerdy Girls are here to Read more…
How should I handle having a repair person in my home?
Families/Kids Staying Safe
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
A: Only have someone come in if it’s urgent and your family is well; call in advance to ask about protocols; give the repair person some space; and clean up after. 1. If it’s not urgent, delay it–especially if there’s a lot of COVID in your area. And if someone in your household is sick, Read more…
What are teachers saying about returning to school?
Families/Kids Reopening School Staying Safe
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
A couple of weeks ago, Dear Pandemic posted our joint opinion on reopening schools, and several teachers left feedback that indicated they have not felt heard in the ongoing discussion. Taking that to heart, we asked a few K-12 teachers to do what they do best: educate us. What it would take for THEM to Read more…
Iāve heard that I should wear a mask to protect others. Will it also protect me?
Masks Staying Safe
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: YES! As the Nerdy Girls like to reiterate, risk reduction is not all or nothing. While masks have been encouraged as āsource controlā- a way of blocking outbound aerosols and droplets as you breathe, speak, sneeze or cough, accumulating evidence suggests that they can provide important protection to the wearer as well. See our Read more…
With cases rising again around the US, is the concept of a āpodā or ābubbleā of connected households still reasonable?
Families/Kids Socializing Staying Safe
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: Yes, butā¦itās a good time to make sure your bubble hasnāt gotten so big it is about to burst, and check for any holes you need to patch to avoid COVID-19 leaking in! In fact, if you never bubbled in the first place, this may be the perfect time to scale back your interactions Read more…
Can I get RE-infected with COVID-19?
Biology/Immunity Infection and Spread
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: While we canāt say it is *impossible,* current scientific consensus is that re-infection is *unlikely.* There are various stories from doctors and patients alike making the rounds about individuals testing positive for COVID-19, perhaps having a mild case and recovering, and then a couple of months later falling ill and testing positive for COVID-19 Read more…
What protective gear do I REALLY need?
Masks Staying Safe
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
A: Masks? CHECK. Gloves? Probably not. Goggles and/or face shields? More complicated. This week Team Nerdy Girls has received many questions about protective gear for everyday living – and have been steadfastly sourcing good information on the topic. Weāre happy to share that Consumer Reports has recently written a terrific guide about “gearing up” for Read more…
Can mosquitoes spread SARS-CoV-2?
Infection and Spread
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: Thankfully, NO! Weāll admit the Nerdy Girls had not even contemplated this SCARY prospect before an astute follower question, and it turns out you all arenāt the only ones to wonder. While infectious disease experts downplayed the risk since the virus is not present in significant infectious quantities in blood (as opposed to those Read more…
Should I just get it over with and go to a ‘COVID party’?
Infection and Spread Staying Safe Uncertainty and Misinformation
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
Edited on 7/24/2020: Thank you to one of our followers for bringing it to our attention that at least some of the reports of COVID parties were later debunked. We are leaving the post up with a note, because the main message is legit. Please, for the love of peanut butter and jelly, do not Read more…
VACCINE NEWS UPDATE!
Vaccines
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
TL;DR: Our well-diversified āstock portfolioā of vaccine candidates is demonstrating strong first-quarter returns. Still too early to predict annual fund performance. More information: A partnership between Oxford and AstraZeneca released data last week indicating that their vaccine candidate is SAFE and SPARKED AN IMMUNE RESPONSE in trial participants. Another team from the Chinese biotech CanSino Read more…
How might we use information from studies of Covid-19 outbreaks in nursing homes and summer camps to inform the reopening of schools?
Families/Kids Infection and Spread School Staying Safe
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: Letās consider nursing homes and summer camps. While these environments are different from schools for a host of reasons, the knowledge gained from these settings does inform the critical decisions being made about educating children in the fall. A recent study of Covid-19 spread in nursing homes led by Dr. Elizabeth White found that Read more…
What do you make of the recent news that 1 in 3 kids in Florida tested positive for COVID-19?
Data and Metrics Data Literacy Infection and Spread
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
A: Letās be sure we know what these numbers are telling us, and what they are not. The Florida Sun Sentinel recently reported that āNearly one-in-three children tested for the new coronavirus in Florida has been positive.ā Specifically, thatās 17,000 total positive tests among children. What’s more, 4 Florida children have died of COVID-19. What Read more…
Dear Pandemic talks to authors of recent PNAS opinion about parenting and women in science in a pandemic
Families/Kids Uncategorized
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_pt7gvjAHn0 Dear Pandemic Nerdy Girls Dr. Malia Jones and Dr. Amanda Simanek chat with a collaboration of academic women who recently authored an opinion piece about women, parenting, academia and the sciences in heavy-hitting journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Our guests are Drs. Breanna Harris, Kristy Lewis, Jessica Mallish, Pimtiwitt McCarthy, Shanen Read more…
Ugh, whatās the deal with this new study from South Korea about kids transmitting COVID-19?
Families/Kids Infection and Spread Reopening
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
Does this mean going back to school is more dangerous than we thought? A: As youāve noticed by now, headlines are often more sensational than the underlying facts. This is a large, solidly conducted study but doesnāt move the needle on what we already know: younger children seem less likely to contract and spread SARS-CoV-2, Read more…
Are there evidence-based tips for dealing with the uncertain state of ā¦ā¦everything?!
Mental Health Uncertainty and Misinformation
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
A: Our brains are wired to despise uncertainty. Cognitive scientists advise a COMPLY ā CONSOLIDATE ā CONSULT strategy to help cope. Context: During a pandemic ā and this current one is clearly on brand ā uncertainty reigns. As Drs. Geeta Menon and Ellie Kyung articulate in a recent Harvard Business Review article, itās natural to Read more…
A: The best evidence (still) suggests a resounding nay. ***** EDITED: 11:44 am to include FDA evidence review in the reference section ******* For our TGIF post weāre going to revisit the hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) debate, because letās get real, friendsā¦..itās been quite the week on the HCQ information frontlines. We Nerdy Girls are here to Read more…
How should I handle having a repair person in my home?
Families/Kids Staying SafeMalia Jones, PhD MPH
A: Only have someone come in if it’s urgent and your family is well; call in advance to ask about protocols; give the repair person some space; and clean up after. 1. If it’s not urgent, delay it–especially if there’s a lot of COVID in your area. And if someone in your household is sick, Read more…
What are teachers saying about returning to school?
Families/Kids Reopening School Staying Safe
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
A couple of weeks ago, Dear Pandemic posted our joint opinion on reopening schools, and several teachers left feedback that indicated they have not felt heard in the ongoing discussion. Taking that to heart, we asked a few K-12 teachers to do what they do best: educate us. What it would take for THEM to Read more…
Iāve heard that I should wear a mask to protect others. Will it also protect me?
Masks Staying Safe
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: YES! As the Nerdy Girls like to reiterate, risk reduction is not all or nothing. While masks have been encouraged as āsource controlā- a way of blocking outbound aerosols and droplets as you breathe, speak, sneeze or cough, accumulating evidence suggests that they can provide important protection to the wearer as well. See our Read more…
With cases rising again around the US, is the concept of a āpodā or ābubbleā of connected households still reasonable?
Families/Kids Socializing Staying Safe
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: Yes, butā¦itās a good time to make sure your bubble hasnāt gotten so big it is about to burst, and check for any holes you need to patch to avoid COVID-19 leaking in! In fact, if you never bubbled in the first place, this may be the perfect time to scale back your interactions Read more…
Can I get RE-infected with COVID-19?
Biology/Immunity Infection and Spread
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: While we canāt say it is *impossible,* current scientific consensus is that re-infection is *unlikely.* There are various stories from doctors and patients alike making the rounds about individuals testing positive for COVID-19, perhaps having a mild case and recovering, and then a couple of months later falling ill and testing positive for COVID-19 Read more…
What protective gear do I REALLY need?
Masks Staying Safe
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
A: Masks? CHECK. Gloves? Probably not. Goggles and/or face shields? More complicated. This week Team Nerdy Girls has received many questions about protective gear for everyday living – and have been steadfastly sourcing good information on the topic. Weāre happy to share that Consumer Reports has recently written a terrific guide about “gearing up” for Read more…
Can mosquitoes spread SARS-CoV-2?
Infection and Spread
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: Thankfully, NO! Weāll admit the Nerdy Girls had not even contemplated this SCARY prospect before an astute follower question, and it turns out you all arenāt the only ones to wonder. While infectious disease experts downplayed the risk since the virus is not present in significant infectious quantities in blood (as opposed to those Read more…
Should I just get it over with and go to a ‘COVID party’?
Infection and Spread Staying Safe Uncertainty and Misinformation
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
Edited on 7/24/2020: Thank you to one of our followers for bringing it to our attention that at least some of the reports of COVID parties were later debunked. We are leaving the post up with a note, because the main message is legit. Please, for the love of peanut butter and jelly, do not Read more…
VACCINE NEWS UPDATE!
Vaccines
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
TL;DR: Our well-diversified āstock portfolioā of vaccine candidates is demonstrating strong first-quarter returns. Still too early to predict annual fund performance. More information: A partnership between Oxford and AstraZeneca released data last week indicating that their vaccine candidate is SAFE and SPARKED AN IMMUNE RESPONSE in trial participants. Another team from the Chinese biotech CanSino Read more…
How might we use information from studies of Covid-19 outbreaks in nursing homes and summer camps to inform the reopening of schools?
Families/Kids Infection and Spread School Staying Safe
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: Letās consider nursing homes and summer camps. While these environments are different from schools for a host of reasons, the knowledge gained from these settings does inform the critical decisions being made about educating children in the fall. A recent study of Covid-19 spread in nursing homes led by Dr. Elizabeth White found that Read more…
What do you make of the recent news that 1 in 3 kids in Florida tested positive for COVID-19?
Data and Metrics Data Literacy Infection and Spread
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
A: Letās be sure we know what these numbers are telling us, and what they are not. The Florida Sun Sentinel recently reported that āNearly one-in-three children tested for the new coronavirus in Florida has been positive.ā Specifically, thatās 17,000 total positive tests among children. What’s more, 4 Florida children have died of COVID-19. What Read more…
Dear Pandemic talks to authors of recent PNAS opinion about parenting and women in science in a pandemic
Families/Kids Uncategorized
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_pt7gvjAHn0 Dear Pandemic Nerdy Girls Dr. Malia Jones and Dr. Amanda Simanek chat with a collaboration of academic women who recently authored an opinion piece about women, parenting, academia and the sciences in heavy-hitting journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Our guests are Drs. Breanna Harris, Kristy Lewis, Jessica Mallish, Pimtiwitt McCarthy, Shanen Read more…
Ugh, whatās the deal with this new study from South Korea about kids transmitting COVID-19?
Families/Kids Infection and Spread Reopening
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
Does this mean going back to school is more dangerous than we thought? A: As youāve noticed by now, headlines are often more sensational than the underlying facts. This is a large, solidly conducted study but doesnāt move the needle on what we already know: younger children seem less likely to contract and spread SARS-CoV-2, Read more…
Are there evidence-based tips for dealing with the uncertain state of ā¦ā¦everything?!
Mental Health Uncertainty and Misinformation
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
A: Our brains are wired to despise uncertainty. Cognitive scientists advise a COMPLY ā CONSOLIDATE ā CONSULT strategy to help cope. Context: During a pandemic ā and this current one is clearly on brand ā uncertainty reigns. As Drs. Geeta Menon and Ellie Kyung articulate in a recent Harvard Business Review article, itās natural to Read more…
A: Only have someone come in if it’s urgent and your family is well; call in advance to ask about protocols; give the repair person some space; and clean up after. 1. If it’s not urgent, delay it–especially if there’s a lot of COVID in your area. And if someone in your household is sick, Read more…
What are teachers saying about returning to school?
Families/Kids Reopening School Staying SafeMalia Jones, PhD MPH
A couple of weeks ago, Dear Pandemic posted our joint opinion on reopening schools, and several teachers left feedback that indicated they have not felt heard in the ongoing discussion. Taking that to heart, we asked a few K-12 teachers to do what they do best: educate us. What it would take for THEM to Read more…
Iāve heard that I should wear a mask to protect others. Will it also protect me?
Masks Staying Safe
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: YES! As the Nerdy Girls like to reiterate, risk reduction is not all or nothing. While masks have been encouraged as āsource controlā- a way of blocking outbound aerosols and droplets as you breathe, speak, sneeze or cough, accumulating evidence suggests that they can provide important protection to the wearer as well. See our Read more…
With cases rising again around the US, is the concept of a āpodā or ābubbleā of connected households still reasonable?
Families/Kids Socializing Staying Safe
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: Yes, butā¦itās a good time to make sure your bubble hasnāt gotten so big it is about to burst, and check for any holes you need to patch to avoid COVID-19 leaking in! In fact, if you never bubbled in the first place, this may be the perfect time to scale back your interactions Read more…
Can I get RE-infected with COVID-19?
Biology/Immunity Infection and Spread
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: While we canāt say it is *impossible,* current scientific consensus is that re-infection is *unlikely.* There are various stories from doctors and patients alike making the rounds about individuals testing positive for COVID-19, perhaps having a mild case and recovering, and then a couple of months later falling ill and testing positive for COVID-19 Read more…
What protective gear do I REALLY need?
Masks Staying Safe
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
A: Masks? CHECK. Gloves? Probably not. Goggles and/or face shields? More complicated. This week Team Nerdy Girls has received many questions about protective gear for everyday living – and have been steadfastly sourcing good information on the topic. Weāre happy to share that Consumer Reports has recently written a terrific guide about “gearing up” for Read more…
Can mosquitoes spread SARS-CoV-2?
Infection and Spread
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: Thankfully, NO! Weāll admit the Nerdy Girls had not even contemplated this SCARY prospect before an astute follower question, and it turns out you all arenāt the only ones to wonder. While infectious disease experts downplayed the risk since the virus is not present in significant infectious quantities in blood (as opposed to those Read more…
Should I just get it over with and go to a ‘COVID party’?
Infection and Spread Staying Safe Uncertainty and Misinformation
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
Edited on 7/24/2020: Thank you to one of our followers for bringing it to our attention that at least some of the reports of COVID parties were later debunked. We are leaving the post up with a note, because the main message is legit. Please, for the love of peanut butter and jelly, do not Read more…
VACCINE NEWS UPDATE!
Vaccines
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
TL;DR: Our well-diversified āstock portfolioā of vaccine candidates is demonstrating strong first-quarter returns. Still too early to predict annual fund performance. More information: A partnership between Oxford and AstraZeneca released data last week indicating that their vaccine candidate is SAFE and SPARKED AN IMMUNE RESPONSE in trial participants. Another team from the Chinese biotech CanSino Read more…
How might we use information from studies of Covid-19 outbreaks in nursing homes and summer camps to inform the reopening of schools?
Families/Kids Infection and Spread School Staying Safe
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: Letās consider nursing homes and summer camps. While these environments are different from schools for a host of reasons, the knowledge gained from these settings does inform the critical decisions being made about educating children in the fall. A recent study of Covid-19 spread in nursing homes led by Dr. Elizabeth White found that Read more…
What do you make of the recent news that 1 in 3 kids in Florida tested positive for COVID-19?
Data and Metrics Data Literacy Infection and Spread
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
A: Letās be sure we know what these numbers are telling us, and what they are not. The Florida Sun Sentinel recently reported that āNearly one-in-three children tested for the new coronavirus in Florida has been positive.ā Specifically, thatās 17,000 total positive tests among children. What’s more, 4 Florida children have died of COVID-19. What Read more…
Dear Pandemic talks to authors of recent PNAS opinion about parenting and women in science in a pandemic
Families/Kids Uncategorized
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_pt7gvjAHn0 Dear Pandemic Nerdy Girls Dr. Malia Jones and Dr. Amanda Simanek chat with a collaboration of academic women who recently authored an opinion piece about women, parenting, academia and the sciences in heavy-hitting journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Our guests are Drs. Breanna Harris, Kristy Lewis, Jessica Mallish, Pimtiwitt McCarthy, Shanen Read more…
Ugh, whatās the deal with this new study from South Korea about kids transmitting COVID-19?
Families/Kids Infection and Spread Reopening
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
Does this mean going back to school is more dangerous than we thought? A: As youāve noticed by now, headlines are often more sensational than the underlying facts. This is a large, solidly conducted study but doesnāt move the needle on what we already know: younger children seem less likely to contract and spread SARS-CoV-2, Read more…
Are there evidence-based tips for dealing with the uncertain state of ā¦ā¦everything?!
Mental Health Uncertainty and Misinformation
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
A: Our brains are wired to despise uncertainty. Cognitive scientists advise a COMPLY ā CONSOLIDATE ā CONSULT strategy to help cope. Context: During a pandemic ā and this current one is clearly on brand ā uncertainty reigns. As Drs. Geeta Menon and Ellie Kyung articulate in a recent Harvard Business Review article, itās natural to Read more…
A couple of weeks ago, Dear Pandemic posted our joint opinion on reopening schools, and several teachers left feedback that indicated they have not felt heard in the ongoing discussion. Taking that to heart, we asked a few K-12 teachers to do what they do best: educate us. What it would take for THEM to Read more…
Iāve heard that I should wear a mask to protect others. Will it also protect me?
Masks Staying SafeJennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: YES! As the Nerdy Girls like to reiterate, risk reduction is not all or nothing. While masks have been encouraged as āsource controlā- a way of blocking outbound aerosols and droplets as you breathe, speak, sneeze or cough, accumulating evidence suggests that they can provide important protection to the wearer as well. See our Read more…
With cases rising again around the US, is the concept of a āpodā or ābubbleā of connected households still reasonable?
Families/Kids Socializing Staying Safe
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: Yes, butā¦itās a good time to make sure your bubble hasnāt gotten so big it is about to burst, and check for any holes you need to patch to avoid COVID-19 leaking in! In fact, if you never bubbled in the first place, this may be the perfect time to scale back your interactions Read more…
Can I get RE-infected with COVID-19?
Biology/Immunity Infection and Spread
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: While we canāt say it is *impossible,* current scientific consensus is that re-infection is *unlikely.* There are various stories from doctors and patients alike making the rounds about individuals testing positive for COVID-19, perhaps having a mild case and recovering, and then a couple of months later falling ill and testing positive for COVID-19 Read more…
What protective gear do I REALLY need?
Masks Staying Safe
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
A: Masks? CHECK. Gloves? Probably not. Goggles and/or face shields? More complicated. This week Team Nerdy Girls has received many questions about protective gear for everyday living – and have been steadfastly sourcing good information on the topic. Weāre happy to share that Consumer Reports has recently written a terrific guide about “gearing up” for Read more…
Can mosquitoes spread SARS-CoV-2?
Infection and Spread
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: Thankfully, NO! Weāll admit the Nerdy Girls had not even contemplated this SCARY prospect before an astute follower question, and it turns out you all arenāt the only ones to wonder. While infectious disease experts downplayed the risk since the virus is not present in significant infectious quantities in blood (as opposed to those Read more…
Should I just get it over with and go to a ‘COVID party’?
Infection and Spread Staying Safe Uncertainty and Misinformation
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
Edited on 7/24/2020: Thank you to one of our followers for bringing it to our attention that at least some of the reports of COVID parties were later debunked. We are leaving the post up with a note, because the main message is legit. Please, for the love of peanut butter and jelly, do not Read more…
VACCINE NEWS UPDATE!
Vaccines
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
TL;DR: Our well-diversified āstock portfolioā of vaccine candidates is demonstrating strong first-quarter returns. Still too early to predict annual fund performance. More information: A partnership between Oxford and AstraZeneca released data last week indicating that their vaccine candidate is SAFE and SPARKED AN IMMUNE RESPONSE in trial participants. Another team from the Chinese biotech CanSino Read more…
How might we use information from studies of Covid-19 outbreaks in nursing homes and summer camps to inform the reopening of schools?
Families/Kids Infection and Spread School Staying Safe
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: Letās consider nursing homes and summer camps. While these environments are different from schools for a host of reasons, the knowledge gained from these settings does inform the critical decisions being made about educating children in the fall. A recent study of Covid-19 spread in nursing homes led by Dr. Elizabeth White found that Read more…
What do you make of the recent news that 1 in 3 kids in Florida tested positive for COVID-19?
Data and Metrics Data Literacy Infection and Spread
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
A: Letās be sure we know what these numbers are telling us, and what they are not. The Florida Sun Sentinel recently reported that āNearly one-in-three children tested for the new coronavirus in Florida has been positive.ā Specifically, thatās 17,000 total positive tests among children. What’s more, 4 Florida children have died of COVID-19. What Read more…
Dear Pandemic talks to authors of recent PNAS opinion about parenting and women in science in a pandemic
Families/Kids Uncategorized
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_pt7gvjAHn0 Dear Pandemic Nerdy Girls Dr. Malia Jones and Dr. Amanda Simanek chat with a collaboration of academic women who recently authored an opinion piece about women, parenting, academia and the sciences in heavy-hitting journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Our guests are Drs. Breanna Harris, Kristy Lewis, Jessica Mallish, Pimtiwitt McCarthy, Shanen Read more…
Ugh, whatās the deal with this new study from South Korea about kids transmitting COVID-19?
Families/Kids Infection and Spread Reopening
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
Does this mean going back to school is more dangerous than we thought? A: As youāve noticed by now, headlines are often more sensational than the underlying facts. This is a large, solidly conducted study but doesnāt move the needle on what we already know: younger children seem less likely to contract and spread SARS-CoV-2, Read more…
Are there evidence-based tips for dealing with the uncertain state of ā¦ā¦everything?!
Mental Health Uncertainty and Misinformation
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
A: Our brains are wired to despise uncertainty. Cognitive scientists advise a COMPLY ā CONSOLIDATE ā CONSULT strategy to help cope. Context: During a pandemic ā and this current one is clearly on brand ā uncertainty reigns. As Drs. Geeta Menon and Ellie Kyung articulate in a recent Harvard Business Review article, itās natural to Read more…
A: YES! As the Nerdy Girls like to reiterate, risk reduction is not all or nothing. While masks have been encouraged as āsource controlā- a way of blocking outbound aerosols and droplets as you breathe, speak, sneeze or cough, accumulating evidence suggests that they can provide important protection to the wearer as well. See our Read more…
With cases rising again around the US, is the concept of a āpodā or ābubbleā of connected households still reasonable?
Families/Kids Socializing Staying SafeAmanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: Yes, butā¦itās a good time to make sure your bubble hasnāt gotten so big it is about to burst, and check for any holes you need to patch to avoid COVID-19 leaking in! In fact, if you never bubbled in the first place, this may be the perfect time to scale back your interactions Read more…
Can I get RE-infected with COVID-19?
Biology/Immunity Infection and Spread
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: While we canāt say it is *impossible,* current scientific consensus is that re-infection is *unlikely.* There are various stories from doctors and patients alike making the rounds about individuals testing positive for COVID-19, perhaps having a mild case and recovering, and then a couple of months later falling ill and testing positive for COVID-19 Read more…
What protective gear do I REALLY need?
Masks Staying Safe
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
A: Masks? CHECK. Gloves? Probably not. Goggles and/or face shields? More complicated. This week Team Nerdy Girls has received many questions about protective gear for everyday living – and have been steadfastly sourcing good information on the topic. Weāre happy to share that Consumer Reports has recently written a terrific guide about “gearing up” for Read more…
Can mosquitoes spread SARS-CoV-2?
Infection and Spread
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: Thankfully, NO! Weāll admit the Nerdy Girls had not even contemplated this SCARY prospect before an astute follower question, and it turns out you all arenāt the only ones to wonder. While infectious disease experts downplayed the risk since the virus is not present in significant infectious quantities in blood (as opposed to those Read more…
Should I just get it over with and go to a ‘COVID party’?
Infection and Spread Staying Safe Uncertainty and Misinformation
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
Edited on 7/24/2020: Thank you to one of our followers for bringing it to our attention that at least some of the reports of COVID parties were later debunked. We are leaving the post up with a note, because the main message is legit. Please, for the love of peanut butter and jelly, do not Read more…
VACCINE NEWS UPDATE!
Vaccines
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
TL;DR: Our well-diversified āstock portfolioā of vaccine candidates is demonstrating strong first-quarter returns. Still too early to predict annual fund performance. More information: A partnership between Oxford and AstraZeneca released data last week indicating that their vaccine candidate is SAFE and SPARKED AN IMMUNE RESPONSE in trial participants. Another team from the Chinese biotech CanSino Read more…
How might we use information from studies of Covid-19 outbreaks in nursing homes and summer camps to inform the reopening of schools?
Families/Kids Infection and Spread School Staying Safe
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: Letās consider nursing homes and summer camps. While these environments are different from schools for a host of reasons, the knowledge gained from these settings does inform the critical decisions being made about educating children in the fall. A recent study of Covid-19 spread in nursing homes led by Dr. Elizabeth White found that Read more…
What do you make of the recent news that 1 in 3 kids in Florida tested positive for COVID-19?
Data and Metrics Data Literacy Infection and Spread
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
A: Letās be sure we know what these numbers are telling us, and what they are not. The Florida Sun Sentinel recently reported that āNearly one-in-three children tested for the new coronavirus in Florida has been positive.ā Specifically, thatās 17,000 total positive tests among children. What’s more, 4 Florida children have died of COVID-19. What Read more…
Dear Pandemic talks to authors of recent PNAS opinion about parenting and women in science in a pandemic
Families/Kids Uncategorized
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_pt7gvjAHn0 Dear Pandemic Nerdy Girls Dr. Malia Jones and Dr. Amanda Simanek chat with a collaboration of academic women who recently authored an opinion piece about women, parenting, academia and the sciences in heavy-hitting journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Our guests are Drs. Breanna Harris, Kristy Lewis, Jessica Mallish, Pimtiwitt McCarthy, Shanen Read more…
Ugh, whatās the deal with this new study from South Korea about kids transmitting COVID-19?
Families/Kids Infection and Spread Reopening
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
Does this mean going back to school is more dangerous than we thought? A: As youāve noticed by now, headlines are often more sensational than the underlying facts. This is a large, solidly conducted study but doesnāt move the needle on what we already know: younger children seem less likely to contract and spread SARS-CoV-2, Read more…
Are there evidence-based tips for dealing with the uncertain state of ā¦ā¦everything?!
Mental Health Uncertainty and Misinformation
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
A: Our brains are wired to despise uncertainty. Cognitive scientists advise a COMPLY ā CONSOLIDATE ā CONSULT strategy to help cope. Context: During a pandemic ā and this current one is clearly on brand ā uncertainty reigns. As Drs. Geeta Menon and Ellie Kyung articulate in a recent Harvard Business Review article, itās natural to Read more…
A: Yes, butā¦itās a good time to make sure your bubble hasnāt gotten so big it is about to burst, and check for any holes you need to patch to avoid COVID-19 leaking in! In fact, if you never bubbled in the first place, this may be the perfect time to scale back your interactions Read more…
Can I get RE-infected with COVID-19?
Biology/Immunity Infection and SpreadJennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: While we canāt say it is *impossible,* current scientific consensus is that re-infection is *unlikely.* There are various stories from doctors and patients alike making the rounds about individuals testing positive for COVID-19, perhaps having a mild case and recovering, and then a couple of months later falling ill and testing positive for COVID-19 Read more…
What protective gear do I REALLY need?
Masks Staying Safe
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
A: Masks? CHECK. Gloves? Probably not. Goggles and/or face shields? More complicated. This week Team Nerdy Girls has received many questions about protective gear for everyday living – and have been steadfastly sourcing good information on the topic. Weāre happy to share that Consumer Reports has recently written a terrific guide about “gearing up” for Read more…
Can mosquitoes spread SARS-CoV-2?
Infection and Spread
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: Thankfully, NO! Weāll admit the Nerdy Girls had not even contemplated this SCARY prospect before an astute follower question, and it turns out you all arenāt the only ones to wonder. While infectious disease experts downplayed the risk since the virus is not present in significant infectious quantities in blood (as opposed to those Read more…
Should I just get it over with and go to a ‘COVID party’?
Infection and Spread Staying Safe Uncertainty and Misinformation
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
Edited on 7/24/2020: Thank you to one of our followers for bringing it to our attention that at least some of the reports of COVID parties were later debunked. We are leaving the post up with a note, because the main message is legit. Please, for the love of peanut butter and jelly, do not Read more…
VACCINE NEWS UPDATE!
Vaccines
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
TL;DR: Our well-diversified āstock portfolioā of vaccine candidates is demonstrating strong first-quarter returns. Still too early to predict annual fund performance. More information: A partnership between Oxford and AstraZeneca released data last week indicating that their vaccine candidate is SAFE and SPARKED AN IMMUNE RESPONSE in trial participants. Another team from the Chinese biotech CanSino Read more…
How might we use information from studies of Covid-19 outbreaks in nursing homes and summer camps to inform the reopening of schools?
Families/Kids Infection and Spread School Staying Safe
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: Letās consider nursing homes and summer camps. While these environments are different from schools for a host of reasons, the knowledge gained from these settings does inform the critical decisions being made about educating children in the fall. A recent study of Covid-19 spread in nursing homes led by Dr. Elizabeth White found that Read more…
What do you make of the recent news that 1 in 3 kids in Florida tested positive for COVID-19?
Data and Metrics Data Literacy Infection and Spread
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
A: Letās be sure we know what these numbers are telling us, and what they are not. The Florida Sun Sentinel recently reported that āNearly one-in-three children tested for the new coronavirus in Florida has been positive.ā Specifically, thatās 17,000 total positive tests among children. What’s more, 4 Florida children have died of COVID-19. What Read more…
Dear Pandemic talks to authors of recent PNAS opinion about parenting and women in science in a pandemic
Families/Kids Uncategorized
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_pt7gvjAHn0 Dear Pandemic Nerdy Girls Dr. Malia Jones and Dr. Amanda Simanek chat with a collaboration of academic women who recently authored an opinion piece about women, parenting, academia and the sciences in heavy-hitting journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Our guests are Drs. Breanna Harris, Kristy Lewis, Jessica Mallish, Pimtiwitt McCarthy, Shanen Read more…
Ugh, whatās the deal with this new study from South Korea about kids transmitting COVID-19?
Families/Kids Infection and Spread Reopening
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
Does this mean going back to school is more dangerous than we thought? A: As youāve noticed by now, headlines are often more sensational than the underlying facts. This is a large, solidly conducted study but doesnāt move the needle on what we already know: younger children seem less likely to contract and spread SARS-CoV-2, Read more…
Are there evidence-based tips for dealing with the uncertain state of ā¦ā¦everything?!
Mental Health Uncertainty and Misinformation
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
A: Our brains are wired to despise uncertainty. Cognitive scientists advise a COMPLY ā CONSOLIDATE ā CONSULT strategy to help cope. Context: During a pandemic ā and this current one is clearly on brand ā uncertainty reigns. As Drs. Geeta Menon and Ellie Kyung articulate in a recent Harvard Business Review article, itās natural to Read more…
A: While we canāt say it is *impossible,* current scientific consensus is that re-infection is *unlikely.* There are various stories from doctors and patients alike making the rounds about individuals testing positive for COVID-19, perhaps having a mild case and recovering, and then a couple of months later falling ill and testing positive for COVID-19 Read more…
What protective gear do I REALLY need?
Masks Staying SafeLindsey Leininger, PhD MA
A: Masks? CHECK. Gloves? Probably not. Goggles and/or face shields? More complicated. This week Team Nerdy Girls has received many questions about protective gear for everyday living – and have been steadfastly sourcing good information on the topic. Weāre happy to share that Consumer Reports has recently written a terrific guide about “gearing up” for Read more…
Can mosquitoes spread SARS-CoV-2?
Infection and Spread
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: Thankfully, NO! Weāll admit the Nerdy Girls had not even contemplated this SCARY prospect before an astute follower question, and it turns out you all arenāt the only ones to wonder. While infectious disease experts downplayed the risk since the virus is not present in significant infectious quantities in blood (as opposed to those Read more…
Should I just get it over with and go to a ‘COVID party’?
Infection and Spread Staying Safe Uncertainty and Misinformation
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
Edited on 7/24/2020: Thank you to one of our followers for bringing it to our attention that at least some of the reports of COVID parties were later debunked. We are leaving the post up with a note, because the main message is legit. Please, for the love of peanut butter and jelly, do not Read more…
VACCINE NEWS UPDATE!
Vaccines
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
TL;DR: Our well-diversified āstock portfolioā of vaccine candidates is demonstrating strong first-quarter returns. Still too early to predict annual fund performance. More information: A partnership between Oxford and AstraZeneca released data last week indicating that their vaccine candidate is SAFE and SPARKED AN IMMUNE RESPONSE in trial participants. Another team from the Chinese biotech CanSino Read more…
How might we use information from studies of Covid-19 outbreaks in nursing homes and summer camps to inform the reopening of schools?
Families/Kids Infection and Spread School Staying Safe
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: Letās consider nursing homes and summer camps. While these environments are different from schools for a host of reasons, the knowledge gained from these settings does inform the critical decisions being made about educating children in the fall. A recent study of Covid-19 spread in nursing homes led by Dr. Elizabeth White found that Read more…
What do you make of the recent news that 1 in 3 kids in Florida tested positive for COVID-19?
Data and Metrics Data Literacy Infection and Spread
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
A: Letās be sure we know what these numbers are telling us, and what they are not. The Florida Sun Sentinel recently reported that āNearly one-in-three children tested for the new coronavirus in Florida has been positive.ā Specifically, thatās 17,000 total positive tests among children. What’s more, 4 Florida children have died of COVID-19. What Read more…
Dear Pandemic talks to authors of recent PNAS opinion about parenting and women in science in a pandemic
Families/Kids Uncategorized
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_pt7gvjAHn0 Dear Pandemic Nerdy Girls Dr. Malia Jones and Dr. Amanda Simanek chat with a collaboration of academic women who recently authored an opinion piece about women, parenting, academia and the sciences in heavy-hitting journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Our guests are Drs. Breanna Harris, Kristy Lewis, Jessica Mallish, Pimtiwitt McCarthy, Shanen Read more…
Ugh, whatās the deal with this new study from South Korea about kids transmitting COVID-19?
Families/Kids Infection and Spread Reopening
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
Does this mean going back to school is more dangerous than we thought? A: As youāve noticed by now, headlines are often more sensational than the underlying facts. This is a large, solidly conducted study but doesnāt move the needle on what we already know: younger children seem less likely to contract and spread SARS-CoV-2, Read more…
Are there evidence-based tips for dealing with the uncertain state of ā¦ā¦everything?!
Mental Health Uncertainty and Misinformation
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
A: Our brains are wired to despise uncertainty. Cognitive scientists advise a COMPLY ā CONSOLIDATE ā CONSULT strategy to help cope. Context: During a pandemic ā and this current one is clearly on brand ā uncertainty reigns. As Drs. Geeta Menon and Ellie Kyung articulate in a recent Harvard Business Review article, itās natural to Read more…
A: Masks? CHECK. Gloves? Probably not. Goggles and/or face shields? More complicated. This week Team Nerdy Girls has received many questions about protective gear for everyday living – and have been steadfastly sourcing good information on the topic. Weāre happy to share that Consumer Reports has recently written a terrific guide about “gearing up” for Read more…
Can mosquitoes spread SARS-CoV-2?
Infection and SpreadJennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: Thankfully, NO! Weāll admit the Nerdy Girls had not even contemplated this SCARY prospect before an astute follower question, and it turns out you all arenāt the only ones to wonder. While infectious disease experts downplayed the risk since the virus is not present in significant infectious quantities in blood (as opposed to those Read more…
Should I just get it over with and go to a ‘COVID party’?
Infection and Spread Staying Safe Uncertainty and Misinformation
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
Edited on 7/24/2020: Thank you to one of our followers for bringing it to our attention that at least some of the reports of COVID parties were later debunked. We are leaving the post up with a note, because the main message is legit. Please, for the love of peanut butter and jelly, do not Read more…
VACCINE NEWS UPDATE!
Vaccines
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
TL;DR: Our well-diversified āstock portfolioā of vaccine candidates is demonstrating strong first-quarter returns. Still too early to predict annual fund performance. More information: A partnership between Oxford and AstraZeneca released data last week indicating that their vaccine candidate is SAFE and SPARKED AN IMMUNE RESPONSE in trial participants. Another team from the Chinese biotech CanSino Read more…
How might we use information from studies of Covid-19 outbreaks in nursing homes and summer camps to inform the reopening of schools?
Families/Kids Infection and Spread School Staying Safe
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: Letās consider nursing homes and summer camps. While these environments are different from schools for a host of reasons, the knowledge gained from these settings does inform the critical decisions being made about educating children in the fall. A recent study of Covid-19 spread in nursing homes led by Dr. Elizabeth White found that Read more…
What do you make of the recent news that 1 in 3 kids in Florida tested positive for COVID-19?
Data and Metrics Data Literacy Infection and Spread
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
A: Letās be sure we know what these numbers are telling us, and what they are not. The Florida Sun Sentinel recently reported that āNearly one-in-three children tested for the new coronavirus in Florida has been positive.ā Specifically, thatās 17,000 total positive tests among children. What’s more, 4 Florida children have died of COVID-19. What Read more…
Dear Pandemic talks to authors of recent PNAS opinion about parenting and women in science in a pandemic
Families/Kids Uncategorized
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_pt7gvjAHn0 Dear Pandemic Nerdy Girls Dr. Malia Jones and Dr. Amanda Simanek chat with a collaboration of academic women who recently authored an opinion piece about women, parenting, academia and the sciences in heavy-hitting journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Our guests are Drs. Breanna Harris, Kristy Lewis, Jessica Mallish, Pimtiwitt McCarthy, Shanen Read more…
Ugh, whatās the deal with this new study from South Korea about kids transmitting COVID-19?
Families/Kids Infection and Spread Reopening
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
Does this mean going back to school is more dangerous than we thought? A: As youāve noticed by now, headlines are often more sensational than the underlying facts. This is a large, solidly conducted study but doesnāt move the needle on what we already know: younger children seem less likely to contract and spread SARS-CoV-2, Read more…
Are there evidence-based tips for dealing with the uncertain state of ā¦ā¦everything?!
Mental Health Uncertainty and Misinformation
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
A: Our brains are wired to despise uncertainty. Cognitive scientists advise a COMPLY ā CONSOLIDATE ā CONSULT strategy to help cope. Context: During a pandemic ā and this current one is clearly on brand ā uncertainty reigns. As Drs. Geeta Menon and Ellie Kyung articulate in a recent Harvard Business Review article, itās natural to Read more…
A: Thankfully, NO! Weāll admit the Nerdy Girls had not even contemplated this SCARY prospect before an astute follower question, and it turns out you all arenāt the only ones to wonder. While infectious disease experts downplayed the risk since the virus is not present in significant infectious quantities in blood (as opposed to those Read more…
Should I just get it over with and go to a ‘COVID party’?
Infection and Spread Staying Safe Uncertainty and MisinformationAmanda Simanek, PhD MPH
Edited on 7/24/2020: Thank you to one of our followers for bringing it to our attention that at least some of the reports of COVID parties were later debunked. We are leaving the post up with a note, because the main message is legit. Please, for the love of peanut butter and jelly, do not Read more…
VACCINE NEWS UPDATE!
Vaccines
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
TL;DR: Our well-diversified āstock portfolioā of vaccine candidates is demonstrating strong first-quarter returns. Still too early to predict annual fund performance. More information: A partnership between Oxford and AstraZeneca released data last week indicating that their vaccine candidate is SAFE and SPARKED AN IMMUNE RESPONSE in trial participants. Another team from the Chinese biotech CanSino Read more…
How might we use information from studies of Covid-19 outbreaks in nursing homes and summer camps to inform the reopening of schools?
Families/Kids Infection and Spread School Staying Safe
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: Letās consider nursing homes and summer camps. While these environments are different from schools for a host of reasons, the knowledge gained from these settings does inform the critical decisions being made about educating children in the fall. A recent study of Covid-19 spread in nursing homes led by Dr. Elizabeth White found that Read more…
What do you make of the recent news that 1 in 3 kids in Florida tested positive for COVID-19?
Data and Metrics Data Literacy Infection and Spread
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
A: Letās be sure we know what these numbers are telling us, and what they are not. The Florida Sun Sentinel recently reported that āNearly one-in-three children tested for the new coronavirus in Florida has been positive.ā Specifically, thatās 17,000 total positive tests among children. What’s more, 4 Florida children have died of COVID-19. What Read more…
Dear Pandemic talks to authors of recent PNAS opinion about parenting and women in science in a pandemic
Families/Kids Uncategorized
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_pt7gvjAHn0 Dear Pandemic Nerdy Girls Dr. Malia Jones and Dr. Amanda Simanek chat with a collaboration of academic women who recently authored an opinion piece about women, parenting, academia and the sciences in heavy-hitting journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Our guests are Drs. Breanna Harris, Kristy Lewis, Jessica Mallish, Pimtiwitt McCarthy, Shanen Read more…
Ugh, whatās the deal with this new study from South Korea about kids transmitting COVID-19?
Families/Kids Infection and Spread Reopening
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
Does this mean going back to school is more dangerous than we thought? A: As youāve noticed by now, headlines are often more sensational than the underlying facts. This is a large, solidly conducted study but doesnāt move the needle on what we already know: younger children seem less likely to contract and spread SARS-CoV-2, Read more…
Are there evidence-based tips for dealing with the uncertain state of ā¦ā¦everything?!
Mental Health Uncertainty and Misinformation
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
A: Our brains are wired to despise uncertainty. Cognitive scientists advise a COMPLY ā CONSOLIDATE ā CONSULT strategy to help cope. Context: During a pandemic ā and this current one is clearly on brand ā uncertainty reigns. As Drs. Geeta Menon and Ellie Kyung articulate in a recent Harvard Business Review article, itās natural to Read more…
Edited on 7/24/2020: Thank you to one of our followers for bringing it to our attention that at least some of the reports of COVID parties were later debunked. We are leaving the post up with a note, because the main message is legit. Please, for the love of peanut butter and jelly, do not Read more…
VACCINE NEWS UPDATE!
VaccinesLindsey Leininger, PhD MA
TL;DR: Our well-diversified āstock portfolioā of vaccine candidates is demonstrating strong first-quarter returns. Still too early to predict annual fund performance. More information: A partnership between Oxford and AstraZeneca released data last week indicating that their vaccine candidate is SAFE and SPARKED AN IMMUNE RESPONSE in trial participants. Another team from the Chinese biotech CanSino Read more…
How might we use information from studies of Covid-19 outbreaks in nursing homes and summer camps to inform the reopening of schools?
Families/Kids Infection and Spread School Staying Safe
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: Letās consider nursing homes and summer camps. While these environments are different from schools for a host of reasons, the knowledge gained from these settings does inform the critical decisions being made about educating children in the fall. A recent study of Covid-19 spread in nursing homes led by Dr. Elizabeth White found that Read more…
What do you make of the recent news that 1 in 3 kids in Florida tested positive for COVID-19?
Data and Metrics Data Literacy Infection and Spread
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
A: Letās be sure we know what these numbers are telling us, and what they are not. The Florida Sun Sentinel recently reported that āNearly one-in-three children tested for the new coronavirus in Florida has been positive.ā Specifically, thatās 17,000 total positive tests among children. What’s more, 4 Florida children have died of COVID-19. What Read more…
Dear Pandemic talks to authors of recent PNAS opinion about parenting and women in science in a pandemic
Families/Kids Uncategorized
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_pt7gvjAHn0 Dear Pandemic Nerdy Girls Dr. Malia Jones and Dr. Amanda Simanek chat with a collaboration of academic women who recently authored an opinion piece about women, parenting, academia and the sciences in heavy-hitting journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Our guests are Drs. Breanna Harris, Kristy Lewis, Jessica Mallish, Pimtiwitt McCarthy, Shanen Read more…
Ugh, whatās the deal with this new study from South Korea about kids transmitting COVID-19?
Families/Kids Infection and Spread Reopening
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
Does this mean going back to school is more dangerous than we thought? A: As youāve noticed by now, headlines are often more sensational than the underlying facts. This is a large, solidly conducted study but doesnāt move the needle on what we already know: younger children seem less likely to contract and spread SARS-CoV-2, Read more…
Are there evidence-based tips for dealing with the uncertain state of ā¦ā¦everything?!
Mental Health Uncertainty and Misinformation
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
A: Our brains are wired to despise uncertainty. Cognitive scientists advise a COMPLY ā CONSOLIDATE ā CONSULT strategy to help cope. Context: During a pandemic ā and this current one is clearly on brand ā uncertainty reigns. As Drs. Geeta Menon and Ellie Kyung articulate in a recent Harvard Business Review article, itās natural to Read more…
TL;DR: Our well-diversified āstock portfolioā of vaccine candidates is demonstrating strong first-quarter returns. Still too early to predict annual fund performance. More information: A partnership between Oxford and AstraZeneca released data last week indicating that their vaccine candidate is SAFE and SPARKED AN IMMUNE RESPONSE in trial participants. Another team from the Chinese biotech CanSino Read more…
How might we use information from studies of Covid-19 outbreaks in nursing homes and summer camps to inform the reopening of schools?
Families/Kids Infection and Spread School Staying SafeAshley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: Letās consider nursing homes and summer camps. While these environments are different from schools for a host of reasons, the knowledge gained from these settings does inform the critical decisions being made about educating children in the fall. A recent study of Covid-19 spread in nursing homes led by Dr. Elizabeth White found that Read more…
What do you make of the recent news that 1 in 3 kids in Florida tested positive for COVID-19?
Data and Metrics Data Literacy Infection and Spread
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
A: Letās be sure we know what these numbers are telling us, and what they are not. The Florida Sun Sentinel recently reported that āNearly one-in-three children tested for the new coronavirus in Florida has been positive.ā Specifically, thatās 17,000 total positive tests among children. What’s more, 4 Florida children have died of COVID-19. What Read more…
Dear Pandemic talks to authors of recent PNAS opinion about parenting and women in science in a pandemic
Families/Kids Uncategorized
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_pt7gvjAHn0 Dear Pandemic Nerdy Girls Dr. Malia Jones and Dr. Amanda Simanek chat with a collaboration of academic women who recently authored an opinion piece about women, parenting, academia and the sciences in heavy-hitting journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Our guests are Drs. Breanna Harris, Kristy Lewis, Jessica Mallish, Pimtiwitt McCarthy, Shanen Read more…
Ugh, whatās the deal with this new study from South Korea about kids transmitting COVID-19?
Families/Kids Infection and Spread Reopening
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
Does this mean going back to school is more dangerous than we thought? A: As youāve noticed by now, headlines are often more sensational than the underlying facts. This is a large, solidly conducted study but doesnāt move the needle on what we already know: younger children seem less likely to contract and spread SARS-CoV-2, Read more…
Are there evidence-based tips for dealing with the uncertain state of ā¦ā¦everything?!
Mental Health Uncertainty and Misinformation
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
A: Our brains are wired to despise uncertainty. Cognitive scientists advise a COMPLY ā CONSOLIDATE ā CONSULT strategy to help cope. Context: During a pandemic ā and this current one is clearly on brand ā uncertainty reigns. As Drs. Geeta Menon and Ellie Kyung articulate in a recent Harvard Business Review article, itās natural to Read more…
A: Letās consider nursing homes and summer camps. While these environments are different from schools for a host of reasons, the knowledge gained from these settings does inform the critical decisions being made about educating children in the fall. A recent study of Covid-19 spread in nursing homes led by Dr. Elizabeth White found that Read more…
What do you make of the recent news that 1 in 3 kids in Florida tested positive for COVID-19?
Data and Metrics Data Literacy Infection and SpreadMalia Jones, PhD MPH
A: Letās be sure we know what these numbers are telling us, and what they are not. The Florida Sun Sentinel recently reported that āNearly one-in-three children tested for the new coronavirus in Florida has been positive.ā Specifically, thatās 17,000 total positive tests among children. What’s more, 4 Florida children have died of COVID-19. What Read more…
Dear Pandemic talks to authors of recent PNAS opinion about parenting and women in science in a pandemic
Families/Kids Uncategorized
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_pt7gvjAHn0 Dear Pandemic Nerdy Girls Dr. Malia Jones and Dr. Amanda Simanek chat with a collaboration of academic women who recently authored an opinion piece about women, parenting, academia and the sciences in heavy-hitting journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Our guests are Drs. Breanna Harris, Kristy Lewis, Jessica Mallish, Pimtiwitt McCarthy, Shanen Read more…
Ugh, whatās the deal with this new study from South Korea about kids transmitting COVID-19?
Families/Kids Infection and Spread Reopening
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
Does this mean going back to school is more dangerous than we thought? A: As youāve noticed by now, headlines are often more sensational than the underlying facts. This is a large, solidly conducted study but doesnāt move the needle on what we already know: younger children seem less likely to contract and spread SARS-CoV-2, Read more…
Are there evidence-based tips for dealing with the uncertain state of ā¦ā¦everything?!
Mental Health Uncertainty and Misinformation
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
A: Our brains are wired to despise uncertainty. Cognitive scientists advise a COMPLY ā CONSOLIDATE ā CONSULT strategy to help cope. Context: During a pandemic ā and this current one is clearly on brand ā uncertainty reigns. As Drs. Geeta Menon and Ellie Kyung articulate in a recent Harvard Business Review article, itās natural to Read more…
A: Letās be sure we know what these numbers are telling us, and what they are not. The Florida Sun Sentinel recently reported that āNearly one-in-three children tested for the new coronavirus in Florida has been positive.ā Specifically, thatās 17,000 total positive tests among children. What’s more, 4 Florida children have died of COVID-19. What Read more…
Dear Pandemic talks to authors of recent PNAS opinion about parenting and women in science in a pandemic
Families/Kids Uncategorizedhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_pt7gvjAHn0 Dear Pandemic Nerdy Girls Dr. Malia Jones and Dr. Amanda Simanek chat with a collaboration of academic women who recently authored an opinion piece about women, parenting, academia and the sciences in heavy-hitting journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Our guests are Drs. Breanna Harris, Kristy Lewis, Jessica Mallish, Pimtiwitt McCarthy, Shanen Read more…
Ugh, whatās the deal with this new study from South Korea about kids transmitting COVID-19?
Families/Kids Infection and Spread ReopeningJennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
Does this mean going back to school is more dangerous than we thought? A: As youāve noticed by now, headlines are often more sensational than the underlying facts. This is a large, solidly conducted study but doesnāt move the needle on what we already know: younger children seem less likely to contract and spread SARS-CoV-2, Read more…
Are there evidence-based tips for dealing with the uncertain state of ā¦ā¦everything?!
Mental Health Uncertainty and Misinformation
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
A: Our brains are wired to despise uncertainty. Cognitive scientists advise a COMPLY ā CONSOLIDATE ā CONSULT strategy to help cope. Context: During a pandemic ā and this current one is clearly on brand ā uncertainty reigns. As Drs. Geeta Menon and Ellie Kyung articulate in a recent Harvard Business Review article, itās natural to Read more…
Does this mean going back to school is more dangerous than we thought? A: As youāve noticed by now, headlines are often more sensational than the underlying facts. This is a large, solidly conducted study but doesnāt move the needle on what we already know: younger children seem less likely to contract and spread SARS-CoV-2, Read more…
Are there evidence-based tips for dealing with the uncertain state of ā¦ā¦everything?!
Mental Health Uncertainty and MisinformationLindsey Leininger, PhD MA
A: Our brains are wired to despise uncertainty. Cognitive scientists advise a COMPLY ā CONSOLIDATE ā CONSULT strategy to help cope. Context: During a pandemic ā and this current one is clearly on brand ā uncertainty reigns. As Drs. Geeta Menon and Ellie Kyung articulate in a recent Harvard Business Review article, itās natural to Read more…
A: Our brains are wired to despise uncertainty. Cognitive scientists advise a COMPLY ā CONSOLIDATE ā CONSULT strategy to help cope. Context: During a pandemic ā and this current one is clearly on brand ā uncertainty reigns. As Drs. Geeta Menon and Ellie Kyung articulate in a recent Harvard Business Review article, itās natural to Read more…
