Should I get an antibody test?
Biology/Immunity Testing and Contact Tracing
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
Q: Will it help me know if I’m already immune and can safely go about daily life? A: No….not yet. While the many antibody test being marketed are improving rapidly, there are still too many fundamental challenges in order to use these as a tool for knowledge about your *individual* exposure or immunity. Very briefly, Read more…
If someone in my household tests positive for COVID-19, how can I best care for them and keep the rest of my household safe?
Clinical Symptoms Families/Kids Staying Safe Treatments
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: If someone in your household develops symptoms of COVID-19 (see link below for symptom list), or suspects they have been exposed to COVID-19, they should contact their health care provider to get a test or, if available, visit a community testing site to get tested for COVID-19. If COVID-19 is suspected based on symptoms Read more…
Can anything even be done about racial/ethnic disparities in COVID-19?
Social and Racial Justice
Sandra Albrecht, PhD MPH
A. Although the reasons for the disparities are numerous and complex, a few of our posts this week point to potential targets for intervention (e.g. segregation, healthcare system, and others). Clinicians and scientists have also offered data and policy solutions to address the high burden COVID-19 infections, hospitalizations, and deaths that are disproportionately impacting minority Read more…
What role does the healthcare system play in contributing to worse outcomes for communities of color?
Social and Racial Justice
Sandra Albrecht, PhD MPH
Q: I hear that communities of color are experiencing more severe illness and death from COVID-19. What role does the healthcare system play in contributing to worse outcomes? A. One way to think about the healthcare system is to imagine links in a chain. Researchers have used a framework like this (“cascades of care”) to Read more…
Any recent news on the treatment/vaccine front?
Treatments Vaccines
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
A: Yes! Three happy pieces of news this week: (1) The launch of an early-stage clinical trial for what’s believed to be the world’s first antibody treatment against COVID-19; (2) A Stat News interview with Dr. Fauci showcasing his cautious optimism about vaccine development; (3) New data on the anti-viral Remdesivir indicating the treatment’s effectiveness Read more…
Why are we seeing such disparities in COVID cases and deaths?
Social and Racial Justice
Alison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
Today we welcome Dr. Bridgette M. Brawner as a guest Nerdy Girl to discuss racial disparities and COVID-19. She is an Associate Professor at the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing. Find her on Twitter at @DrBMBrawner. A. One word: racism. In all of its forms (e.g., individual, institutional, structural). There is no genetic or Read more…
Nerdy Guest Dr. Michael Levy on CDC Reporting of COVID-19 Test Results
Data and Metrics
Alison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
Today’s Nerdy Guest post is from Dr. Michael Levy, associate professor of epidemiology at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. Dr. Levy studies disease ecology and control of vector-borne infectious disease. He likes bugs. Dr. Levy’s post addresses the CDC’s reporting of COVID-19 test results. He is quoted in this story. Read more…
How might I make decisions about home repairs and maintenance in the age of social distancing?
Staying Safe
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: Even if that leaky faucet or chipped paint wasn’t bothering you before the pandemic, chances are your extended exposure to these major and minor home issues is getting to you now. When making choices about how to approach home repairs and regular maintenance, here are a few guidelines. 1) What happens if this waits? Read more…
How do I know what is going on in my county/state in order to calibrate my activities and risk as things open up?
Data and Metrics Reopening Staying Safe
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: “Covid Act Now” has put together a really useful website with COVID data and risk levels for all 50 states and 2100+ counties. They use four key indicators for gauging risk: 1) Is COVID spreading? Are cases and deaths increasing? 2) Are we testing enough? Is COVID testing widespread enough to identify new cases? Read more…
I keep seeing headlines reporting that CDC changed their guidelines regarding whether SARS-CoV-2 is transmitted via touching contaminated surfaces, is that true?
Infection and Spread
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: As highlighted in this NPR article, after CDC recently re-arranged some content on their website, there was confusion over whether contact with surfaces contaminated with the virus was still considered a possible mode of transmission. CDC has since provided an update clarifying that while person-to-person transmission via droplets continues to be considered the predominant way Read more…
Happy Memorial Day Weekend, everyone!
Families/Kids Socializing Staying Safe
Sandra Albrecht, PhD MPH
With the unofficial start of summer, and as states begin to re-open, this is just a follow-up on our previous post to help you assess which activities are low, medium, and high risk for transmission this weekend and beyond. These are a couple of graphics to help you visualize the spectrum of risk. Hang on your Read more…
Our neighborhood pool plans to reopen in a couple of weeks when our state eases lockdowns. Is the pool a risky place for COVID-19 transmission?
Families/Kids Infection and Spread Reopening Staying Safe
Alison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
A: You’re unlikely to get COVID-19 *from* the pool, but you could certainly be exposed *at* the pool. To clarify: Pool water is heavily chlorinated, and COVID-19 is not waterborne in any case. So, being immersed in the pool or otherwise exposed to pool water is not risky in and of itself. The problem, of Read more…
What else do I need to know about my risks as my state reopens?
Reopening Staying Safe
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
A: The nerdy girls have answered several questions about this topic recently, but we love another amazing smart lady’s interpretation (#DrLeanaWen), detailed here with a few more pearls. 1-Relative risk: For COVID-19, this is determined by type of activity, duration of activity, and how close you are to other people (see our previous posts). The Read more…
What’s brought you hope this week?
Reopening Staying Safe
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
A: Food trucks! Pittsburgh Magazine’s recent article showcases scrappy food truck owners working hard to re-open *safely.* It’s a joy to see the amazing work ethic and bright minds of these small business owners innovating evidence-based ways forward. What’s in their secret sauce? (Please pardon the pun). Three key themes: (1) METRICS: The food truck Read more…
I see advertisements for Covid-19 antibody tests. Is it worth getting tested? What will an antibody test tell me?
Testing and Contact Tracing
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: Antibody tests are important in understanding Covid-19 and its spread through a population, but the information might not be as useful on a personal level just yet. When considering a serology test, we encourage you to think about why you are getting the test, where you will receive the test, and how it will Read more…
What’s my personal risk for a bad COVID outcome should I become infected?
Clinical Symptoms Infection and Spread Staying Safe
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
A: A variety of “risk calculators” have been developed to help you answer this very question (Links below). BIG CAVEAT: There are huge margins of error on the results, often making the risk scores MORE PRECISE THAN ACCURATE. Background: As much of the country continues to move through re-opening phases, we as individuals are having Read more…
Is there anything new I can try to improve my mental health during the COVID-19 crisis?
Mental Health
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
A: Yes, there is and there is hope! Let’s start with the facts. A recent report from the Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) noted that up to 45% of Americans reported that their mental health has worsened since the start of the pandemic. This appears to be more than the one in five Americans who are Read more…
What is this news about an antibody “100% cure” I just heard? Please tell me this is true!
Treatments
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: The Nerdy Girls want nothing more to wake up one day to this type of COVID-19 “game-changer” news. Maybe this was all a bad dream! For now, we lean towards consuming this stream of press with both cautious optimism AND skepticism. The news story in question from Friday came from a press release by Read more…
I keep hearing about a move towards a “harm reduction” phase of the pandemic response, what does this mean?
Reopening Staying Safe
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: As defined in the article below, “harm reduction refers to policies and practices designed to minimize negative health, social and legal impacts of a particular activity.” An example of public health efforts aimed at harm reduction are needle exchange programs where individuals using injected drugs can exchange used needles for clean ones as a Read more…
I need to know more about this virus. With all this talk about church choirs being risky events, does this imply that the virus is spread through the air?
Clinical Symptoms Infection and Spread
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
A: We still believe that the virus is transmitted primarily through droplets. But, here’s the truth: there is a very fine line between droplet and airborne transmission. Airborne: Transmitted by tiny droplets that remain suspended in the air. Can travel distances. (Hypothesized for SARS and MERS) Droplet: Transmitted by larger droplets that fall to the Read more…
Q: Will it help me know if I’m already immune and can safely go about daily life? A: No….not yet. While the many antibody test being marketed are improving rapidly, there are still too many fundamental challenges in order to use these as a tool for knowledge about your *individual* exposure or immunity. Very briefly, Read more…
If someone in my household tests positive for COVID-19, how can I best care for them and keep the rest of my household safe?
Clinical Symptoms Families/Kids Staying Safe TreatmentsAmanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: If someone in your household develops symptoms of COVID-19 (see link below for symptom list), or suspects they have been exposed to COVID-19, they should contact their health care provider to get a test or, if available, visit a community testing site to get tested for COVID-19. If COVID-19 is suspected based on symptoms Read more…
Can anything even be done about racial/ethnic disparities in COVID-19?
Social and Racial Justice
Sandra Albrecht, PhD MPH
A. Although the reasons for the disparities are numerous and complex, a few of our posts this week point to potential targets for intervention (e.g. segregation, healthcare system, and others). Clinicians and scientists have also offered data and policy solutions to address the high burden COVID-19 infections, hospitalizations, and deaths that are disproportionately impacting minority Read more…
What role does the healthcare system play in contributing to worse outcomes for communities of color?
Social and Racial Justice
Sandra Albrecht, PhD MPH
Q: I hear that communities of color are experiencing more severe illness and death from COVID-19. What role does the healthcare system play in contributing to worse outcomes? A. One way to think about the healthcare system is to imagine links in a chain. Researchers have used a framework like this (“cascades of care”) to Read more…
Any recent news on the treatment/vaccine front?
Treatments Vaccines
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
A: Yes! Three happy pieces of news this week: (1) The launch of an early-stage clinical trial for what’s believed to be the world’s first antibody treatment against COVID-19; (2) A Stat News interview with Dr. Fauci showcasing his cautious optimism about vaccine development; (3) New data on the anti-viral Remdesivir indicating the treatment’s effectiveness Read more…
Why are we seeing such disparities in COVID cases and deaths?
Social and Racial Justice
Alison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
Today we welcome Dr. Bridgette M. Brawner as a guest Nerdy Girl to discuss racial disparities and COVID-19. She is an Associate Professor at the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing. Find her on Twitter at @DrBMBrawner. A. One word: racism. In all of its forms (e.g., individual, institutional, structural). There is no genetic or Read more…
Nerdy Guest Dr. Michael Levy on CDC Reporting of COVID-19 Test Results
Data and Metrics
Alison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
Today’s Nerdy Guest post is from Dr. Michael Levy, associate professor of epidemiology at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. Dr. Levy studies disease ecology and control of vector-borne infectious disease. He likes bugs. Dr. Levy’s post addresses the CDC’s reporting of COVID-19 test results. He is quoted in this story. Read more…
How might I make decisions about home repairs and maintenance in the age of social distancing?
Staying Safe
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: Even if that leaky faucet or chipped paint wasn’t bothering you before the pandemic, chances are your extended exposure to these major and minor home issues is getting to you now. When making choices about how to approach home repairs and regular maintenance, here are a few guidelines. 1) What happens if this waits? Read more…
How do I know what is going on in my county/state in order to calibrate my activities and risk as things open up?
Data and Metrics Reopening Staying Safe
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: “Covid Act Now” has put together a really useful website with COVID data and risk levels for all 50 states and 2100+ counties. They use four key indicators for gauging risk: 1) Is COVID spreading? Are cases and deaths increasing? 2) Are we testing enough? Is COVID testing widespread enough to identify new cases? Read more…
I keep seeing headlines reporting that CDC changed their guidelines regarding whether SARS-CoV-2 is transmitted via touching contaminated surfaces, is that true?
Infection and Spread
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: As highlighted in this NPR article, after CDC recently re-arranged some content on their website, there was confusion over whether contact with surfaces contaminated with the virus was still considered a possible mode of transmission. CDC has since provided an update clarifying that while person-to-person transmission via droplets continues to be considered the predominant way Read more…
Happy Memorial Day Weekend, everyone!
Families/Kids Socializing Staying Safe
Sandra Albrecht, PhD MPH
With the unofficial start of summer, and as states begin to re-open, this is just a follow-up on our previous post to help you assess which activities are low, medium, and high risk for transmission this weekend and beyond. These are a couple of graphics to help you visualize the spectrum of risk. Hang on your Read more…
Our neighborhood pool plans to reopen in a couple of weeks when our state eases lockdowns. Is the pool a risky place for COVID-19 transmission?
Families/Kids Infection and Spread Reopening Staying Safe
Alison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
A: You’re unlikely to get COVID-19 *from* the pool, but you could certainly be exposed *at* the pool. To clarify: Pool water is heavily chlorinated, and COVID-19 is not waterborne in any case. So, being immersed in the pool or otherwise exposed to pool water is not risky in and of itself. The problem, of Read more…
What else do I need to know about my risks as my state reopens?
Reopening Staying Safe
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
A: The nerdy girls have answered several questions about this topic recently, but we love another amazing smart lady’s interpretation (#DrLeanaWen), detailed here with a few more pearls. 1-Relative risk: For COVID-19, this is determined by type of activity, duration of activity, and how close you are to other people (see our previous posts). The Read more…
What’s brought you hope this week?
Reopening Staying Safe
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
A: Food trucks! Pittsburgh Magazine’s recent article showcases scrappy food truck owners working hard to re-open *safely.* It’s a joy to see the amazing work ethic and bright minds of these small business owners innovating evidence-based ways forward. What’s in their secret sauce? (Please pardon the pun). Three key themes: (1) METRICS: The food truck Read more…
I see advertisements for Covid-19 antibody tests. Is it worth getting tested? What will an antibody test tell me?
Testing and Contact Tracing
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: Antibody tests are important in understanding Covid-19 and its spread through a population, but the information might not be as useful on a personal level just yet. When considering a serology test, we encourage you to think about why you are getting the test, where you will receive the test, and how it will Read more…
What’s my personal risk for a bad COVID outcome should I become infected?
Clinical Symptoms Infection and Spread Staying Safe
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
A: A variety of “risk calculators” have been developed to help you answer this very question (Links below). BIG CAVEAT: There are huge margins of error on the results, often making the risk scores MORE PRECISE THAN ACCURATE. Background: As much of the country continues to move through re-opening phases, we as individuals are having Read more…
Is there anything new I can try to improve my mental health during the COVID-19 crisis?
Mental Health
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
A: Yes, there is and there is hope! Let’s start with the facts. A recent report from the Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) noted that up to 45% of Americans reported that their mental health has worsened since the start of the pandemic. This appears to be more than the one in five Americans who are Read more…
What is this news about an antibody “100% cure” I just heard? Please tell me this is true!
Treatments
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: The Nerdy Girls want nothing more to wake up one day to this type of COVID-19 “game-changer” news. Maybe this was all a bad dream! For now, we lean towards consuming this stream of press with both cautious optimism AND skepticism. The news story in question from Friday came from a press release by Read more…
I keep hearing about a move towards a “harm reduction” phase of the pandemic response, what does this mean?
Reopening Staying Safe
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: As defined in the article below, “harm reduction refers to policies and practices designed to minimize negative health, social and legal impacts of a particular activity.” An example of public health efforts aimed at harm reduction are needle exchange programs where individuals using injected drugs can exchange used needles for clean ones as a Read more…
I need to know more about this virus. With all this talk about church choirs being risky events, does this imply that the virus is spread through the air?
Clinical Symptoms Infection and Spread
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
A: We still believe that the virus is transmitted primarily through droplets. But, here’s the truth: there is a very fine line between droplet and airborne transmission. Airborne: Transmitted by tiny droplets that remain suspended in the air. Can travel distances. (Hypothesized for SARS and MERS) Droplet: Transmitted by larger droplets that fall to the Read more…
A: If someone in your household develops symptoms of COVID-19 (see link below for symptom list), or suspects they have been exposed to COVID-19, they should contact their health care provider to get a test or, if available, visit a community testing site to get tested for COVID-19. If COVID-19 is suspected based on symptoms Read more…
Can anything even be done about racial/ethnic disparities in COVID-19?
Social and Racial JusticeSandra Albrecht, PhD MPH
A. Although the reasons for the disparities are numerous and complex, a few of our posts this week point to potential targets for intervention (e.g. segregation, healthcare system, and others). Clinicians and scientists have also offered data and policy solutions to address the high burden COVID-19 infections, hospitalizations, and deaths that are disproportionately impacting minority Read more…
What role does the healthcare system play in contributing to worse outcomes for communities of color?
Social and Racial Justice
Sandra Albrecht, PhD MPH
Q: I hear that communities of color are experiencing more severe illness and death from COVID-19. What role does the healthcare system play in contributing to worse outcomes? A. One way to think about the healthcare system is to imagine links in a chain. Researchers have used a framework like this (“cascades of care”) to Read more…
Any recent news on the treatment/vaccine front?
Treatments Vaccines
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
A: Yes! Three happy pieces of news this week: (1) The launch of an early-stage clinical trial for what’s believed to be the world’s first antibody treatment against COVID-19; (2) A Stat News interview with Dr. Fauci showcasing his cautious optimism about vaccine development; (3) New data on the anti-viral Remdesivir indicating the treatment’s effectiveness Read more…
Why are we seeing such disparities in COVID cases and deaths?
Social and Racial Justice
Alison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
Today we welcome Dr. Bridgette M. Brawner as a guest Nerdy Girl to discuss racial disparities and COVID-19. She is an Associate Professor at the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing. Find her on Twitter at @DrBMBrawner. A. One word: racism. In all of its forms (e.g., individual, institutional, structural). There is no genetic or Read more…
Nerdy Guest Dr. Michael Levy on CDC Reporting of COVID-19 Test Results
Data and Metrics
Alison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
Today’s Nerdy Guest post is from Dr. Michael Levy, associate professor of epidemiology at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. Dr. Levy studies disease ecology and control of vector-borne infectious disease. He likes bugs. Dr. Levy’s post addresses the CDC’s reporting of COVID-19 test results. He is quoted in this story. Read more…
How might I make decisions about home repairs and maintenance in the age of social distancing?
Staying Safe
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: Even if that leaky faucet or chipped paint wasn’t bothering you before the pandemic, chances are your extended exposure to these major and minor home issues is getting to you now. When making choices about how to approach home repairs and regular maintenance, here are a few guidelines. 1) What happens if this waits? Read more…
How do I know what is going on in my county/state in order to calibrate my activities and risk as things open up?
Data and Metrics Reopening Staying Safe
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: “Covid Act Now” has put together a really useful website with COVID data and risk levels for all 50 states and 2100+ counties. They use four key indicators for gauging risk: 1) Is COVID spreading? Are cases and deaths increasing? 2) Are we testing enough? Is COVID testing widespread enough to identify new cases? Read more…
I keep seeing headlines reporting that CDC changed their guidelines regarding whether SARS-CoV-2 is transmitted via touching contaminated surfaces, is that true?
Infection and Spread
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: As highlighted in this NPR article, after CDC recently re-arranged some content on their website, there was confusion over whether contact with surfaces contaminated with the virus was still considered a possible mode of transmission. CDC has since provided an update clarifying that while person-to-person transmission via droplets continues to be considered the predominant way Read more…
Happy Memorial Day Weekend, everyone!
Families/Kids Socializing Staying Safe
Sandra Albrecht, PhD MPH
With the unofficial start of summer, and as states begin to re-open, this is just a follow-up on our previous post to help you assess which activities are low, medium, and high risk for transmission this weekend and beyond. These are a couple of graphics to help you visualize the spectrum of risk. Hang on your Read more…
Our neighborhood pool plans to reopen in a couple of weeks when our state eases lockdowns. Is the pool a risky place for COVID-19 transmission?
Families/Kids Infection and Spread Reopening Staying Safe
Alison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
A: You’re unlikely to get COVID-19 *from* the pool, but you could certainly be exposed *at* the pool. To clarify: Pool water is heavily chlorinated, and COVID-19 is not waterborne in any case. So, being immersed in the pool or otherwise exposed to pool water is not risky in and of itself. The problem, of Read more…
What else do I need to know about my risks as my state reopens?
Reopening Staying Safe
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
A: The nerdy girls have answered several questions about this topic recently, but we love another amazing smart lady’s interpretation (#DrLeanaWen), detailed here with a few more pearls. 1-Relative risk: For COVID-19, this is determined by type of activity, duration of activity, and how close you are to other people (see our previous posts). The Read more…
What’s brought you hope this week?
Reopening Staying Safe
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
A: Food trucks! Pittsburgh Magazine’s recent article showcases scrappy food truck owners working hard to re-open *safely.* It’s a joy to see the amazing work ethic and bright minds of these small business owners innovating evidence-based ways forward. What’s in their secret sauce? (Please pardon the pun). Three key themes: (1) METRICS: The food truck Read more…
I see advertisements for Covid-19 antibody tests. Is it worth getting tested? What will an antibody test tell me?
Testing and Contact Tracing
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: Antibody tests are important in understanding Covid-19 and its spread through a population, but the information might not be as useful on a personal level just yet. When considering a serology test, we encourage you to think about why you are getting the test, where you will receive the test, and how it will Read more…
What’s my personal risk for a bad COVID outcome should I become infected?
Clinical Symptoms Infection and Spread Staying Safe
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
A: A variety of “risk calculators” have been developed to help you answer this very question (Links below). BIG CAVEAT: There are huge margins of error on the results, often making the risk scores MORE PRECISE THAN ACCURATE. Background: As much of the country continues to move through re-opening phases, we as individuals are having Read more…
Is there anything new I can try to improve my mental health during the COVID-19 crisis?
Mental Health
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
A: Yes, there is and there is hope! Let’s start with the facts. A recent report from the Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) noted that up to 45% of Americans reported that their mental health has worsened since the start of the pandemic. This appears to be more than the one in five Americans who are Read more…
What is this news about an antibody “100% cure” I just heard? Please tell me this is true!
Treatments
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: The Nerdy Girls want nothing more to wake up one day to this type of COVID-19 “game-changer” news. Maybe this was all a bad dream! For now, we lean towards consuming this stream of press with both cautious optimism AND skepticism. The news story in question from Friday came from a press release by Read more…
I keep hearing about a move towards a “harm reduction” phase of the pandemic response, what does this mean?
Reopening Staying Safe
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: As defined in the article below, “harm reduction refers to policies and practices designed to minimize negative health, social and legal impacts of a particular activity.” An example of public health efforts aimed at harm reduction are needle exchange programs where individuals using injected drugs can exchange used needles for clean ones as a Read more…
I need to know more about this virus. With all this talk about church choirs being risky events, does this imply that the virus is spread through the air?
Clinical Symptoms Infection and Spread
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
A: We still believe that the virus is transmitted primarily through droplets. But, here’s the truth: there is a very fine line between droplet and airborne transmission. Airborne: Transmitted by tiny droplets that remain suspended in the air. Can travel distances. (Hypothesized for SARS and MERS) Droplet: Transmitted by larger droplets that fall to the Read more…
A. Although the reasons for the disparities are numerous and complex, a few of our posts this week point to potential targets for intervention (e.g. segregation, healthcare system, and others). Clinicians and scientists have also offered data and policy solutions to address the high burden COVID-19 infections, hospitalizations, and deaths that are disproportionately impacting minority Read more…
What role does the healthcare system play in contributing to worse outcomes for communities of color?
Social and Racial JusticeSandra Albrecht, PhD MPH
Q: I hear that communities of color are experiencing more severe illness and death from COVID-19. What role does the healthcare system play in contributing to worse outcomes? A. One way to think about the healthcare system is to imagine links in a chain. Researchers have used a framework like this (“cascades of care”) to Read more…
Any recent news on the treatment/vaccine front?
Treatments Vaccines
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
A: Yes! Three happy pieces of news this week: (1) The launch of an early-stage clinical trial for what’s believed to be the world’s first antibody treatment against COVID-19; (2) A Stat News interview with Dr. Fauci showcasing his cautious optimism about vaccine development; (3) New data on the anti-viral Remdesivir indicating the treatment’s effectiveness Read more…
Why are we seeing such disparities in COVID cases and deaths?
Social and Racial Justice
Alison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
Today we welcome Dr. Bridgette M. Brawner as a guest Nerdy Girl to discuss racial disparities and COVID-19. She is an Associate Professor at the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing. Find her on Twitter at @DrBMBrawner. A. One word: racism. In all of its forms (e.g., individual, institutional, structural). There is no genetic or Read more…
Nerdy Guest Dr. Michael Levy on CDC Reporting of COVID-19 Test Results
Data and Metrics
Alison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
Today’s Nerdy Guest post is from Dr. Michael Levy, associate professor of epidemiology at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. Dr. Levy studies disease ecology and control of vector-borne infectious disease. He likes bugs. Dr. Levy’s post addresses the CDC’s reporting of COVID-19 test results. He is quoted in this story. Read more…
How might I make decisions about home repairs and maintenance in the age of social distancing?
Staying Safe
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: Even if that leaky faucet or chipped paint wasn’t bothering you before the pandemic, chances are your extended exposure to these major and minor home issues is getting to you now. When making choices about how to approach home repairs and regular maintenance, here are a few guidelines. 1) What happens if this waits? Read more…
How do I know what is going on in my county/state in order to calibrate my activities and risk as things open up?
Data and Metrics Reopening Staying Safe
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: “Covid Act Now” has put together a really useful website with COVID data and risk levels for all 50 states and 2100+ counties. They use four key indicators for gauging risk: 1) Is COVID spreading? Are cases and deaths increasing? 2) Are we testing enough? Is COVID testing widespread enough to identify new cases? Read more…
I keep seeing headlines reporting that CDC changed their guidelines regarding whether SARS-CoV-2 is transmitted via touching contaminated surfaces, is that true?
Infection and Spread
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: As highlighted in this NPR article, after CDC recently re-arranged some content on their website, there was confusion over whether contact with surfaces contaminated with the virus was still considered a possible mode of transmission. CDC has since provided an update clarifying that while person-to-person transmission via droplets continues to be considered the predominant way Read more…
Happy Memorial Day Weekend, everyone!
Families/Kids Socializing Staying Safe
Sandra Albrecht, PhD MPH
With the unofficial start of summer, and as states begin to re-open, this is just a follow-up on our previous post to help you assess which activities are low, medium, and high risk for transmission this weekend and beyond. These are a couple of graphics to help you visualize the spectrum of risk. Hang on your Read more…
Our neighborhood pool plans to reopen in a couple of weeks when our state eases lockdowns. Is the pool a risky place for COVID-19 transmission?
Families/Kids Infection and Spread Reopening Staying Safe
Alison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
A: You’re unlikely to get COVID-19 *from* the pool, but you could certainly be exposed *at* the pool. To clarify: Pool water is heavily chlorinated, and COVID-19 is not waterborne in any case. So, being immersed in the pool or otherwise exposed to pool water is not risky in and of itself. The problem, of Read more…
What else do I need to know about my risks as my state reopens?
Reopening Staying Safe
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
A: The nerdy girls have answered several questions about this topic recently, but we love another amazing smart lady’s interpretation (#DrLeanaWen), detailed here with a few more pearls. 1-Relative risk: For COVID-19, this is determined by type of activity, duration of activity, and how close you are to other people (see our previous posts). The Read more…
What’s brought you hope this week?
Reopening Staying Safe
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
A: Food trucks! Pittsburgh Magazine’s recent article showcases scrappy food truck owners working hard to re-open *safely.* It’s a joy to see the amazing work ethic and bright minds of these small business owners innovating evidence-based ways forward. What’s in their secret sauce? (Please pardon the pun). Three key themes: (1) METRICS: The food truck Read more…
I see advertisements for Covid-19 antibody tests. Is it worth getting tested? What will an antibody test tell me?
Testing and Contact Tracing
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: Antibody tests are important in understanding Covid-19 and its spread through a population, but the information might not be as useful on a personal level just yet. When considering a serology test, we encourage you to think about why you are getting the test, where you will receive the test, and how it will Read more…
What’s my personal risk for a bad COVID outcome should I become infected?
Clinical Symptoms Infection and Spread Staying Safe
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
A: A variety of “risk calculators” have been developed to help you answer this very question (Links below). BIG CAVEAT: There are huge margins of error on the results, often making the risk scores MORE PRECISE THAN ACCURATE. Background: As much of the country continues to move through re-opening phases, we as individuals are having Read more…
Is there anything new I can try to improve my mental health during the COVID-19 crisis?
Mental Health
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
A: Yes, there is and there is hope! Let’s start with the facts. A recent report from the Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) noted that up to 45% of Americans reported that their mental health has worsened since the start of the pandemic. This appears to be more than the one in five Americans who are Read more…
What is this news about an antibody “100% cure” I just heard? Please tell me this is true!
Treatments
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: The Nerdy Girls want nothing more to wake up one day to this type of COVID-19 “game-changer” news. Maybe this was all a bad dream! For now, we lean towards consuming this stream of press with both cautious optimism AND skepticism. The news story in question from Friday came from a press release by Read more…
I keep hearing about a move towards a “harm reduction” phase of the pandemic response, what does this mean?
Reopening Staying Safe
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: As defined in the article below, “harm reduction refers to policies and practices designed to minimize negative health, social and legal impacts of a particular activity.” An example of public health efforts aimed at harm reduction are needle exchange programs where individuals using injected drugs can exchange used needles for clean ones as a Read more…
I need to know more about this virus. With all this talk about church choirs being risky events, does this imply that the virus is spread through the air?
Clinical Symptoms Infection and Spread
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
A: We still believe that the virus is transmitted primarily through droplets. But, here’s the truth: there is a very fine line between droplet and airborne transmission. Airborne: Transmitted by tiny droplets that remain suspended in the air. Can travel distances. (Hypothesized for SARS and MERS) Droplet: Transmitted by larger droplets that fall to the Read more…
Q: I hear that communities of color are experiencing more severe illness and death from COVID-19. What role does the healthcare system play in contributing to worse outcomes? A. One way to think about the healthcare system is to imagine links in a chain. Researchers have used a framework like this (“cascades of care”) to Read more…
Any recent news on the treatment/vaccine front?
Treatments VaccinesLindsey Leininger, PhD MA
A: Yes! Three happy pieces of news this week: (1) The launch of an early-stage clinical trial for what’s believed to be the world’s first antibody treatment against COVID-19; (2) A Stat News interview with Dr. Fauci showcasing his cautious optimism about vaccine development; (3) New data on the anti-viral Remdesivir indicating the treatment’s effectiveness Read more…
Why are we seeing such disparities in COVID cases and deaths?
Social and Racial Justice
Alison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
Today we welcome Dr. Bridgette M. Brawner as a guest Nerdy Girl to discuss racial disparities and COVID-19. She is an Associate Professor at the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing. Find her on Twitter at @DrBMBrawner. A. One word: racism. In all of its forms (e.g., individual, institutional, structural). There is no genetic or Read more…
Nerdy Guest Dr. Michael Levy on CDC Reporting of COVID-19 Test Results
Data and Metrics
Alison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
Today’s Nerdy Guest post is from Dr. Michael Levy, associate professor of epidemiology at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. Dr. Levy studies disease ecology and control of vector-borne infectious disease. He likes bugs. Dr. Levy’s post addresses the CDC’s reporting of COVID-19 test results. He is quoted in this story. Read more…
How might I make decisions about home repairs and maintenance in the age of social distancing?
Staying Safe
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: Even if that leaky faucet or chipped paint wasn’t bothering you before the pandemic, chances are your extended exposure to these major and minor home issues is getting to you now. When making choices about how to approach home repairs and regular maintenance, here are a few guidelines. 1) What happens if this waits? Read more…
How do I know what is going on in my county/state in order to calibrate my activities and risk as things open up?
Data and Metrics Reopening Staying Safe
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: “Covid Act Now” has put together a really useful website with COVID data and risk levels for all 50 states and 2100+ counties. They use four key indicators for gauging risk: 1) Is COVID spreading? Are cases and deaths increasing? 2) Are we testing enough? Is COVID testing widespread enough to identify new cases? Read more…
I keep seeing headlines reporting that CDC changed their guidelines regarding whether SARS-CoV-2 is transmitted via touching contaminated surfaces, is that true?
Infection and Spread
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: As highlighted in this NPR article, after CDC recently re-arranged some content on their website, there was confusion over whether contact with surfaces contaminated with the virus was still considered a possible mode of transmission. CDC has since provided an update clarifying that while person-to-person transmission via droplets continues to be considered the predominant way Read more…
Happy Memorial Day Weekend, everyone!
Families/Kids Socializing Staying Safe
Sandra Albrecht, PhD MPH
With the unofficial start of summer, and as states begin to re-open, this is just a follow-up on our previous post to help you assess which activities are low, medium, and high risk for transmission this weekend and beyond. These are a couple of graphics to help you visualize the spectrum of risk. Hang on your Read more…
Our neighborhood pool plans to reopen in a couple of weeks when our state eases lockdowns. Is the pool a risky place for COVID-19 transmission?
Families/Kids Infection and Spread Reopening Staying Safe
Alison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
A: You’re unlikely to get COVID-19 *from* the pool, but you could certainly be exposed *at* the pool. To clarify: Pool water is heavily chlorinated, and COVID-19 is not waterborne in any case. So, being immersed in the pool or otherwise exposed to pool water is not risky in and of itself. The problem, of Read more…
What else do I need to know about my risks as my state reopens?
Reopening Staying Safe
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
A: The nerdy girls have answered several questions about this topic recently, but we love another amazing smart lady’s interpretation (#DrLeanaWen), detailed here with a few more pearls. 1-Relative risk: For COVID-19, this is determined by type of activity, duration of activity, and how close you are to other people (see our previous posts). The Read more…
What’s brought you hope this week?
Reopening Staying Safe
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
A: Food trucks! Pittsburgh Magazine’s recent article showcases scrappy food truck owners working hard to re-open *safely.* It’s a joy to see the amazing work ethic and bright minds of these small business owners innovating evidence-based ways forward. What’s in their secret sauce? (Please pardon the pun). Three key themes: (1) METRICS: The food truck Read more…
I see advertisements for Covid-19 antibody tests. Is it worth getting tested? What will an antibody test tell me?
Testing and Contact Tracing
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: Antibody tests are important in understanding Covid-19 and its spread through a population, but the information might not be as useful on a personal level just yet. When considering a serology test, we encourage you to think about why you are getting the test, where you will receive the test, and how it will Read more…
What’s my personal risk for a bad COVID outcome should I become infected?
Clinical Symptoms Infection and Spread Staying Safe
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
A: A variety of “risk calculators” have been developed to help you answer this very question (Links below). BIG CAVEAT: There are huge margins of error on the results, often making the risk scores MORE PRECISE THAN ACCURATE. Background: As much of the country continues to move through re-opening phases, we as individuals are having Read more…
Is there anything new I can try to improve my mental health during the COVID-19 crisis?
Mental Health
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
A: Yes, there is and there is hope! Let’s start with the facts. A recent report from the Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) noted that up to 45% of Americans reported that their mental health has worsened since the start of the pandemic. This appears to be more than the one in five Americans who are Read more…
What is this news about an antibody “100% cure” I just heard? Please tell me this is true!
Treatments
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: The Nerdy Girls want nothing more to wake up one day to this type of COVID-19 “game-changer” news. Maybe this was all a bad dream! For now, we lean towards consuming this stream of press with both cautious optimism AND skepticism. The news story in question from Friday came from a press release by Read more…
I keep hearing about a move towards a “harm reduction” phase of the pandemic response, what does this mean?
Reopening Staying Safe
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: As defined in the article below, “harm reduction refers to policies and practices designed to minimize negative health, social and legal impacts of a particular activity.” An example of public health efforts aimed at harm reduction are needle exchange programs where individuals using injected drugs can exchange used needles for clean ones as a Read more…
I need to know more about this virus. With all this talk about church choirs being risky events, does this imply that the virus is spread through the air?
Clinical Symptoms Infection and Spread
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
A: We still believe that the virus is transmitted primarily through droplets. But, here’s the truth: there is a very fine line between droplet and airborne transmission. Airborne: Transmitted by tiny droplets that remain suspended in the air. Can travel distances. (Hypothesized for SARS and MERS) Droplet: Transmitted by larger droplets that fall to the Read more…
A: Yes! Three happy pieces of news this week: (1) The launch of an early-stage clinical trial for what’s believed to be the world’s first antibody treatment against COVID-19; (2) A Stat News interview with Dr. Fauci showcasing his cautious optimism about vaccine development; (3) New data on the anti-viral Remdesivir indicating the treatment’s effectiveness Read more…
Why are we seeing such disparities in COVID cases and deaths?
Social and Racial JusticeAlison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
Today we welcome Dr. Bridgette M. Brawner as a guest Nerdy Girl to discuss racial disparities and COVID-19. She is an Associate Professor at the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing. Find her on Twitter at @DrBMBrawner. A. One word: racism. In all of its forms (e.g., individual, institutional, structural). There is no genetic or Read more…
Nerdy Guest Dr. Michael Levy on CDC Reporting of COVID-19 Test Results
Data and Metrics
Alison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
Today’s Nerdy Guest post is from Dr. Michael Levy, associate professor of epidemiology at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. Dr. Levy studies disease ecology and control of vector-borne infectious disease. He likes bugs. Dr. Levy’s post addresses the CDC’s reporting of COVID-19 test results. He is quoted in this story. Read more…
How might I make decisions about home repairs and maintenance in the age of social distancing?
Staying Safe
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: Even if that leaky faucet or chipped paint wasn’t bothering you before the pandemic, chances are your extended exposure to these major and minor home issues is getting to you now. When making choices about how to approach home repairs and regular maintenance, here are a few guidelines. 1) What happens if this waits? Read more…
How do I know what is going on in my county/state in order to calibrate my activities and risk as things open up?
Data and Metrics Reopening Staying Safe
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: “Covid Act Now” has put together a really useful website with COVID data and risk levels for all 50 states and 2100+ counties. They use four key indicators for gauging risk: 1) Is COVID spreading? Are cases and deaths increasing? 2) Are we testing enough? Is COVID testing widespread enough to identify new cases? Read more…
I keep seeing headlines reporting that CDC changed their guidelines regarding whether SARS-CoV-2 is transmitted via touching contaminated surfaces, is that true?
Infection and Spread
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: As highlighted in this NPR article, after CDC recently re-arranged some content on their website, there was confusion over whether contact with surfaces contaminated with the virus was still considered a possible mode of transmission. CDC has since provided an update clarifying that while person-to-person transmission via droplets continues to be considered the predominant way Read more…
Happy Memorial Day Weekend, everyone!
Families/Kids Socializing Staying Safe
Sandra Albrecht, PhD MPH
With the unofficial start of summer, and as states begin to re-open, this is just a follow-up on our previous post to help you assess which activities are low, medium, and high risk for transmission this weekend and beyond. These are a couple of graphics to help you visualize the spectrum of risk. Hang on your Read more…
Our neighborhood pool plans to reopen in a couple of weeks when our state eases lockdowns. Is the pool a risky place for COVID-19 transmission?
Families/Kids Infection and Spread Reopening Staying Safe
Alison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
A: You’re unlikely to get COVID-19 *from* the pool, but you could certainly be exposed *at* the pool. To clarify: Pool water is heavily chlorinated, and COVID-19 is not waterborne in any case. So, being immersed in the pool or otherwise exposed to pool water is not risky in and of itself. The problem, of Read more…
What else do I need to know about my risks as my state reopens?
Reopening Staying Safe
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
A: The nerdy girls have answered several questions about this topic recently, but we love another amazing smart lady’s interpretation (#DrLeanaWen), detailed here with a few more pearls. 1-Relative risk: For COVID-19, this is determined by type of activity, duration of activity, and how close you are to other people (see our previous posts). The Read more…
What’s brought you hope this week?
Reopening Staying Safe
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
A: Food trucks! Pittsburgh Magazine’s recent article showcases scrappy food truck owners working hard to re-open *safely.* It’s a joy to see the amazing work ethic and bright minds of these small business owners innovating evidence-based ways forward. What’s in their secret sauce? (Please pardon the pun). Three key themes: (1) METRICS: The food truck Read more…
I see advertisements for Covid-19 antibody tests. Is it worth getting tested? What will an antibody test tell me?
Testing and Contact Tracing
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: Antibody tests are important in understanding Covid-19 and its spread through a population, but the information might not be as useful on a personal level just yet. When considering a serology test, we encourage you to think about why you are getting the test, where you will receive the test, and how it will Read more…
What’s my personal risk for a bad COVID outcome should I become infected?
Clinical Symptoms Infection and Spread Staying Safe
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
A: A variety of “risk calculators” have been developed to help you answer this very question (Links below). BIG CAVEAT: There are huge margins of error on the results, often making the risk scores MORE PRECISE THAN ACCURATE. Background: As much of the country continues to move through re-opening phases, we as individuals are having Read more…
Is there anything new I can try to improve my mental health during the COVID-19 crisis?
Mental Health
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
A: Yes, there is and there is hope! Let’s start with the facts. A recent report from the Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) noted that up to 45% of Americans reported that their mental health has worsened since the start of the pandemic. This appears to be more than the one in five Americans who are Read more…
What is this news about an antibody “100% cure” I just heard? Please tell me this is true!
Treatments
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: The Nerdy Girls want nothing more to wake up one day to this type of COVID-19 “game-changer” news. Maybe this was all a bad dream! For now, we lean towards consuming this stream of press with both cautious optimism AND skepticism. The news story in question from Friday came from a press release by Read more…
I keep hearing about a move towards a “harm reduction” phase of the pandemic response, what does this mean?
Reopening Staying Safe
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: As defined in the article below, “harm reduction refers to policies and practices designed to minimize negative health, social and legal impacts of a particular activity.” An example of public health efforts aimed at harm reduction are needle exchange programs where individuals using injected drugs can exchange used needles for clean ones as a Read more…
I need to know more about this virus. With all this talk about church choirs being risky events, does this imply that the virus is spread through the air?
Clinical Symptoms Infection and Spread
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
A: We still believe that the virus is transmitted primarily through droplets. But, here’s the truth: there is a very fine line between droplet and airborne transmission. Airborne: Transmitted by tiny droplets that remain suspended in the air. Can travel distances. (Hypothesized for SARS and MERS) Droplet: Transmitted by larger droplets that fall to the Read more…
Today we welcome Dr. Bridgette M. Brawner as a guest Nerdy Girl to discuss racial disparities and COVID-19. She is an Associate Professor at the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing. Find her on Twitter at @DrBMBrawner. A. One word: racism. In all of its forms (e.g., individual, institutional, structural). There is no genetic or Read more…
Nerdy Guest Dr. Michael Levy on CDC Reporting of COVID-19 Test Results
Data and MetricsAlison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
Today’s Nerdy Guest post is from Dr. Michael Levy, associate professor of epidemiology at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. Dr. Levy studies disease ecology and control of vector-borne infectious disease. He likes bugs. Dr. Levy’s post addresses the CDC’s reporting of COVID-19 test results. He is quoted in this story. Read more…
How might I make decisions about home repairs and maintenance in the age of social distancing?
Staying Safe
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: Even if that leaky faucet or chipped paint wasn’t bothering you before the pandemic, chances are your extended exposure to these major and minor home issues is getting to you now. When making choices about how to approach home repairs and regular maintenance, here are a few guidelines. 1) What happens if this waits? Read more…
How do I know what is going on in my county/state in order to calibrate my activities and risk as things open up?
Data and Metrics Reopening Staying Safe
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: “Covid Act Now” has put together a really useful website with COVID data and risk levels for all 50 states and 2100+ counties. They use four key indicators for gauging risk: 1) Is COVID spreading? Are cases and deaths increasing? 2) Are we testing enough? Is COVID testing widespread enough to identify new cases? Read more…
I keep seeing headlines reporting that CDC changed their guidelines regarding whether SARS-CoV-2 is transmitted via touching contaminated surfaces, is that true?
Infection and Spread
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: As highlighted in this NPR article, after CDC recently re-arranged some content on their website, there was confusion over whether contact with surfaces contaminated with the virus was still considered a possible mode of transmission. CDC has since provided an update clarifying that while person-to-person transmission via droplets continues to be considered the predominant way Read more…
Happy Memorial Day Weekend, everyone!
Families/Kids Socializing Staying Safe
Sandra Albrecht, PhD MPH
With the unofficial start of summer, and as states begin to re-open, this is just a follow-up on our previous post to help you assess which activities are low, medium, and high risk for transmission this weekend and beyond. These are a couple of graphics to help you visualize the spectrum of risk. Hang on your Read more…
Our neighborhood pool plans to reopen in a couple of weeks when our state eases lockdowns. Is the pool a risky place for COVID-19 transmission?
Families/Kids Infection and Spread Reopening Staying Safe
Alison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
A: You’re unlikely to get COVID-19 *from* the pool, but you could certainly be exposed *at* the pool. To clarify: Pool water is heavily chlorinated, and COVID-19 is not waterborne in any case. So, being immersed in the pool or otherwise exposed to pool water is not risky in and of itself. The problem, of Read more…
What else do I need to know about my risks as my state reopens?
Reopening Staying Safe
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
A: The nerdy girls have answered several questions about this topic recently, but we love another amazing smart lady’s interpretation (#DrLeanaWen), detailed here with a few more pearls. 1-Relative risk: For COVID-19, this is determined by type of activity, duration of activity, and how close you are to other people (see our previous posts). The Read more…
What’s brought you hope this week?
Reopening Staying Safe
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
A: Food trucks! Pittsburgh Magazine’s recent article showcases scrappy food truck owners working hard to re-open *safely.* It’s a joy to see the amazing work ethic and bright minds of these small business owners innovating evidence-based ways forward. What’s in their secret sauce? (Please pardon the pun). Three key themes: (1) METRICS: The food truck Read more…
I see advertisements for Covid-19 antibody tests. Is it worth getting tested? What will an antibody test tell me?
Testing and Contact Tracing
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: Antibody tests are important in understanding Covid-19 and its spread through a population, but the information might not be as useful on a personal level just yet. When considering a serology test, we encourage you to think about why you are getting the test, where you will receive the test, and how it will Read more…
What’s my personal risk for a bad COVID outcome should I become infected?
Clinical Symptoms Infection and Spread Staying Safe
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
A: A variety of “risk calculators” have been developed to help you answer this very question (Links below). BIG CAVEAT: There are huge margins of error on the results, often making the risk scores MORE PRECISE THAN ACCURATE. Background: As much of the country continues to move through re-opening phases, we as individuals are having Read more…
Is there anything new I can try to improve my mental health during the COVID-19 crisis?
Mental Health
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
A: Yes, there is and there is hope! Let’s start with the facts. A recent report from the Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) noted that up to 45% of Americans reported that their mental health has worsened since the start of the pandemic. This appears to be more than the one in five Americans who are Read more…
What is this news about an antibody “100% cure” I just heard? Please tell me this is true!
Treatments
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: The Nerdy Girls want nothing more to wake up one day to this type of COVID-19 “game-changer” news. Maybe this was all a bad dream! For now, we lean towards consuming this stream of press with both cautious optimism AND skepticism. The news story in question from Friday came from a press release by Read more…
I keep hearing about a move towards a “harm reduction” phase of the pandemic response, what does this mean?
Reopening Staying Safe
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: As defined in the article below, “harm reduction refers to policies and practices designed to minimize negative health, social and legal impacts of a particular activity.” An example of public health efforts aimed at harm reduction are needle exchange programs where individuals using injected drugs can exchange used needles for clean ones as a Read more…
I need to know more about this virus. With all this talk about church choirs being risky events, does this imply that the virus is spread through the air?
Clinical Symptoms Infection and Spread
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
A: We still believe that the virus is transmitted primarily through droplets. But, here’s the truth: there is a very fine line between droplet and airborne transmission. Airborne: Transmitted by tiny droplets that remain suspended in the air. Can travel distances. (Hypothesized for SARS and MERS) Droplet: Transmitted by larger droplets that fall to the Read more…
Today’s Nerdy Guest post is from Dr. Michael Levy, associate professor of epidemiology at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. Dr. Levy studies disease ecology and control of vector-borne infectious disease. He likes bugs. Dr. Levy’s post addresses the CDC’s reporting of COVID-19 test results. He is quoted in this story. Read more…
How might I make decisions about home repairs and maintenance in the age of social distancing?
Staying SafeAshley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: Even if that leaky faucet or chipped paint wasn’t bothering you before the pandemic, chances are your extended exposure to these major and minor home issues is getting to you now. When making choices about how to approach home repairs and regular maintenance, here are a few guidelines. 1) What happens if this waits? Read more…
How do I know what is going on in my county/state in order to calibrate my activities and risk as things open up?
Data and Metrics Reopening Staying Safe
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: “Covid Act Now” has put together a really useful website with COVID data and risk levels for all 50 states and 2100+ counties. They use four key indicators for gauging risk: 1) Is COVID spreading? Are cases and deaths increasing? 2) Are we testing enough? Is COVID testing widespread enough to identify new cases? Read more…
I keep seeing headlines reporting that CDC changed their guidelines regarding whether SARS-CoV-2 is transmitted via touching contaminated surfaces, is that true?
Infection and Spread
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: As highlighted in this NPR article, after CDC recently re-arranged some content on their website, there was confusion over whether contact with surfaces contaminated with the virus was still considered a possible mode of transmission. CDC has since provided an update clarifying that while person-to-person transmission via droplets continues to be considered the predominant way Read more…
Happy Memorial Day Weekend, everyone!
Families/Kids Socializing Staying Safe
Sandra Albrecht, PhD MPH
With the unofficial start of summer, and as states begin to re-open, this is just a follow-up on our previous post to help you assess which activities are low, medium, and high risk for transmission this weekend and beyond. These are a couple of graphics to help you visualize the spectrum of risk. Hang on your Read more…
Our neighborhood pool plans to reopen in a couple of weeks when our state eases lockdowns. Is the pool a risky place for COVID-19 transmission?
Families/Kids Infection and Spread Reopening Staying Safe
Alison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
A: You’re unlikely to get COVID-19 *from* the pool, but you could certainly be exposed *at* the pool. To clarify: Pool water is heavily chlorinated, and COVID-19 is not waterborne in any case. So, being immersed in the pool or otherwise exposed to pool water is not risky in and of itself. The problem, of Read more…
What else do I need to know about my risks as my state reopens?
Reopening Staying Safe
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
A: The nerdy girls have answered several questions about this topic recently, but we love another amazing smart lady’s interpretation (#DrLeanaWen), detailed here with a few more pearls. 1-Relative risk: For COVID-19, this is determined by type of activity, duration of activity, and how close you are to other people (see our previous posts). The Read more…
What’s brought you hope this week?
Reopening Staying Safe
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
A: Food trucks! Pittsburgh Magazine’s recent article showcases scrappy food truck owners working hard to re-open *safely.* It’s a joy to see the amazing work ethic and bright minds of these small business owners innovating evidence-based ways forward. What’s in their secret sauce? (Please pardon the pun). Three key themes: (1) METRICS: The food truck Read more…
I see advertisements for Covid-19 antibody tests. Is it worth getting tested? What will an antibody test tell me?
Testing and Contact Tracing
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: Antibody tests are important in understanding Covid-19 and its spread through a population, but the information might not be as useful on a personal level just yet. When considering a serology test, we encourage you to think about why you are getting the test, where you will receive the test, and how it will Read more…
What’s my personal risk for a bad COVID outcome should I become infected?
Clinical Symptoms Infection and Spread Staying Safe
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
A: A variety of “risk calculators” have been developed to help you answer this very question (Links below). BIG CAVEAT: There are huge margins of error on the results, often making the risk scores MORE PRECISE THAN ACCURATE. Background: As much of the country continues to move through re-opening phases, we as individuals are having Read more…
Is there anything new I can try to improve my mental health during the COVID-19 crisis?
Mental Health
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
A: Yes, there is and there is hope! Let’s start with the facts. A recent report from the Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) noted that up to 45% of Americans reported that their mental health has worsened since the start of the pandemic. This appears to be more than the one in five Americans who are Read more…
What is this news about an antibody “100% cure” I just heard? Please tell me this is true!
Treatments
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: The Nerdy Girls want nothing more to wake up one day to this type of COVID-19 “game-changer” news. Maybe this was all a bad dream! For now, we lean towards consuming this stream of press with both cautious optimism AND skepticism. The news story in question from Friday came from a press release by Read more…
I keep hearing about a move towards a “harm reduction” phase of the pandemic response, what does this mean?
Reopening Staying Safe
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: As defined in the article below, “harm reduction refers to policies and practices designed to minimize negative health, social and legal impacts of a particular activity.” An example of public health efforts aimed at harm reduction are needle exchange programs where individuals using injected drugs can exchange used needles for clean ones as a Read more…
I need to know more about this virus. With all this talk about church choirs being risky events, does this imply that the virus is spread through the air?
Clinical Symptoms Infection and Spread
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
A: We still believe that the virus is transmitted primarily through droplets. But, here’s the truth: there is a very fine line between droplet and airborne transmission. Airborne: Transmitted by tiny droplets that remain suspended in the air. Can travel distances. (Hypothesized for SARS and MERS) Droplet: Transmitted by larger droplets that fall to the Read more…
A: Even if that leaky faucet or chipped paint wasn’t bothering you before the pandemic, chances are your extended exposure to these major and minor home issues is getting to you now. When making choices about how to approach home repairs and regular maintenance, here are a few guidelines. 1) What happens if this waits? Read more…
How do I know what is going on in my county/state in order to calibrate my activities and risk as things open up?
Data and Metrics Reopening Staying SafeJennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: “Covid Act Now” has put together a really useful website with COVID data and risk levels for all 50 states and 2100+ counties. They use four key indicators for gauging risk: 1) Is COVID spreading? Are cases and deaths increasing? 2) Are we testing enough? Is COVID testing widespread enough to identify new cases? Read more…
I keep seeing headlines reporting that CDC changed their guidelines regarding whether SARS-CoV-2 is transmitted via touching contaminated surfaces, is that true?
Infection and Spread
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: As highlighted in this NPR article, after CDC recently re-arranged some content on their website, there was confusion over whether contact with surfaces contaminated with the virus was still considered a possible mode of transmission. CDC has since provided an update clarifying that while person-to-person transmission via droplets continues to be considered the predominant way Read more…
Happy Memorial Day Weekend, everyone!
Families/Kids Socializing Staying Safe
Sandra Albrecht, PhD MPH
With the unofficial start of summer, and as states begin to re-open, this is just a follow-up on our previous post to help you assess which activities are low, medium, and high risk for transmission this weekend and beyond. These are a couple of graphics to help you visualize the spectrum of risk. Hang on your Read more…
Our neighborhood pool plans to reopen in a couple of weeks when our state eases lockdowns. Is the pool a risky place for COVID-19 transmission?
Families/Kids Infection and Spread Reopening Staying Safe
Alison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
A: You’re unlikely to get COVID-19 *from* the pool, but you could certainly be exposed *at* the pool. To clarify: Pool water is heavily chlorinated, and COVID-19 is not waterborne in any case. So, being immersed in the pool or otherwise exposed to pool water is not risky in and of itself. The problem, of Read more…
What else do I need to know about my risks as my state reopens?
Reopening Staying Safe
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
A: The nerdy girls have answered several questions about this topic recently, but we love another amazing smart lady’s interpretation (#DrLeanaWen), detailed here with a few more pearls. 1-Relative risk: For COVID-19, this is determined by type of activity, duration of activity, and how close you are to other people (see our previous posts). The Read more…
What’s brought you hope this week?
Reopening Staying Safe
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
A: Food trucks! Pittsburgh Magazine’s recent article showcases scrappy food truck owners working hard to re-open *safely.* It’s a joy to see the amazing work ethic and bright minds of these small business owners innovating evidence-based ways forward. What’s in their secret sauce? (Please pardon the pun). Three key themes: (1) METRICS: The food truck Read more…
I see advertisements for Covid-19 antibody tests. Is it worth getting tested? What will an antibody test tell me?
Testing and Contact Tracing
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: Antibody tests are important in understanding Covid-19 and its spread through a population, but the information might not be as useful on a personal level just yet. When considering a serology test, we encourage you to think about why you are getting the test, where you will receive the test, and how it will Read more…
What’s my personal risk for a bad COVID outcome should I become infected?
Clinical Symptoms Infection and Spread Staying Safe
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
A: A variety of “risk calculators” have been developed to help you answer this very question (Links below). BIG CAVEAT: There are huge margins of error on the results, often making the risk scores MORE PRECISE THAN ACCURATE. Background: As much of the country continues to move through re-opening phases, we as individuals are having Read more…
Is there anything new I can try to improve my mental health during the COVID-19 crisis?
Mental Health
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
A: Yes, there is and there is hope! Let’s start with the facts. A recent report from the Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) noted that up to 45% of Americans reported that their mental health has worsened since the start of the pandemic. This appears to be more than the one in five Americans who are Read more…
What is this news about an antibody “100% cure” I just heard? Please tell me this is true!
Treatments
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: The Nerdy Girls want nothing more to wake up one day to this type of COVID-19 “game-changer” news. Maybe this was all a bad dream! For now, we lean towards consuming this stream of press with both cautious optimism AND skepticism. The news story in question from Friday came from a press release by Read more…
I keep hearing about a move towards a “harm reduction” phase of the pandemic response, what does this mean?
Reopening Staying Safe
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: As defined in the article below, “harm reduction refers to policies and practices designed to minimize negative health, social and legal impacts of a particular activity.” An example of public health efforts aimed at harm reduction are needle exchange programs where individuals using injected drugs can exchange used needles for clean ones as a Read more…
I need to know more about this virus. With all this talk about church choirs being risky events, does this imply that the virus is spread through the air?
Clinical Symptoms Infection and Spread
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
A: We still believe that the virus is transmitted primarily through droplets. But, here’s the truth: there is a very fine line between droplet and airborne transmission. Airborne: Transmitted by tiny droplets that remain suspended in the air. Can travel distances. (Hypothesized for SARS and MERS) Droplet: Transmitted by larger droplets that fall to the Read more…
A: “Covid Act Now” has put together a really useful website with COVID data and risk levels for all 50 states and 2100+ counties. They use four key indicators for gauging risk: 1) Is COVID spreading? Are cases and deaths increasing? 2) Are we testing enough? Is COVID testing widespread enough to identify new cases? Read more…
I keep seeing headlines reporting that CDC changed their guidelines regarding whether SARS-CoV-2 is transmitted via touching contaminated surfaces, is that true?
Infection and SpreadAmanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: As highlighted in this NPR article, after CDC recently re-arranged some content on their website, there was confusion over whether contact with surfaces contaminated with the virus was still considered a possible mode of transmission. CDC has since provided an update clarifying that while person-to-person transmission via droplets continues to be considered the predominant way Read more…
Happy Memorial Day Weekend, everyone!
Families/Kids Socializing Staying Safe
Sandra Albrecht, PhD MPH
With the unofficial start of summer, and as states begin to re-open, this is just a follow-up on our previous post to help you assess which activities are low, medium, and high risk for transmission this weekend and beyond. These are a couple of graphics to help you visualize the spectrum of risk. Hang on your Read more…
Our neighborhood pool plans to reopen in a couple of weeks when our state eases lockdowns. Is the pool a risky place for COVID-19 transmission?
Families/Kids Infection and Spread Reopening Staying Safe
Alison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
A: You’re unlikely to get COVID-19 *from* the pool, but you could certainly be exposed *at* the pool. To clarify: Pool water is heavily chlorinated, and COVID-19 is not waterborne in any case. So, being immersed in the pool or otherwise exposed to pool water is not risky in and of itself. The problem, of Read more…
What else do I need to know about my risks as my state reopens?
Reopening Staying Safe
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
A: The nerdy girls have answered several questions about this topic recently, but we love another amazing smart lady’s interpretation (#DrLeanaWen), detailed here with a few more pearls. 1-Relative risk: For COVID-19, this is determined by type of activity, duration of activity, and how close you are to other people (see our previous posts). The Read more…
What’s brought you hope this week?
Reopening Staying Safe
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
A: Food trucks! Pittsburgh Magazine’s recent article showcases scrappy food truck owners working hard to re-open *safely.* It’s a joy to see the amazing work ethic and bright minds of these small business owners innovating evidence-based ways forward. What’s in their secret sauce? (Please pardon the pun). Three key themes: (1) METRICS: The food truck Read more…
I see advertisements for Covid-19 antibody tests. Is it worth getting tested? What will an antibody test tell me?
Testing and Contact Tracing
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: Antibody tests are important in understanding Covid-19 and its spread through a population, but the information might not be as useful on a personal level just yet. When considering a serology test, we encourage you to think about why you are getting the test, where you will receive the test, and how it will Read more…
What’s my personal risk for a bad COVID outcome should I become infected?
Clinical Symptoms Infection and Spread Staying Safe
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
A: A variety of “risk calculators” have been developed to help you answer this very question (Links below). BIG CAVEAT: There are huge margins of error on the results, often making the risk scores MORE PRECISE THAN ACCURATE. Background: As much of the country continues to move through re-opening phases, we as individuals are having Read more…
Is there anything new I can try to improve my mental health during the COVID-19 crisis?
Mental Health
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
A: Yes, there is and there is hope! Let’s start with the facts. A recent report from the Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) noted that up to 45% of Americans reported that their mental health has worsened since the start of the pandemic. This appears to be more than the one in five Americans who are Read more…
What is this news about an antibody “100% cure” I just heard? Please tell me this is true!
Treatments
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: The Nerdy Girls want nothing more to wake up one day to this type of COVID-19 “game-changer” news. Maybe this was all a bad dream! For now, we lean towards consuming this stream of press with both cautious optimism AND skepticism. The news story in question from Friday came from a press release by Read more…
I keep hearing about a move towards a “harm reduction” phase of the pandemic response, what does this mean?
Reopening Staying Safe
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: As defined in the article below, “harm reduction refers to policies and practices designed to minimize negative health, social and legal impacts of a particular activity.” An example of public health efforts aimed at harm reduction are needle exchange programs where individuals using injected drugs can exchange used needles for clean ones as a Read more…
I need to know more about this virus. With all this talk about church choirs being risky events, does this imply that the virus is spread through the air?
Clinical Symptoms Infection and Spread
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
A: We still believe that the virus is transmitted primarily through droplets. But, here’s the truth: there is a very fine line between droplet and airborne transmission. Airborne: Transmitted by tiny droplets that remain suspended in the air. Can travel distances. (Hypothesized for SARS and MERS) Droplet: Transmitted by larger droplets that fall to the Read more…
A: As highlighted in this NPR article, after CDC recently re-arranged some content on their website, there was confusion over whether contact with surfaces contaminated with the virus was still considered a possible mode of transmission. CDC has since provided an update clarifying that while person-to-person transmission via droplets continues to be considered the predominant way Read more…
Happy Memorial Day Weekend, everyone!
Families/Kids Socializing Staying SafeSandra Albrecht, PhD MPH
With the unofficial start of summer, and as states begin to re-open, this is just a follow-up on our previous post to help you assess which activities are low, medium, and high risk for transmission this weekend and beyond. These are a couple of graphics to help you visualize the spectrum of risk. Hang on your Read more…
Our neighborhood pool plans to reopen in a couple of weeks when our state eases lockdowns. Is the pool a risky place for COVID-19 transmission?
Families/Kids Infection and Spread Reopening Staying Safe
Alison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
A: You’re unlikely to get COVID-19 *from* the pool, but you could certainly be exposed *at* the pool. To clarify: Pool water is heavily chlorinated, and COVID-19 is not waterborne in any case. So, being immersed in the pool or otherwise exposed to pool water is not risky in and of itself. The problem, of Read more…
What else do I need to know about my risks as my state reopens?
Reopening Staying Safe
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
A: The nerdy girls have answered several questions about this topic recently, but we love another amazing smart lady’s interpretation (#DrLeanaWen), detailed here with a few more pearls. 1-Relative risk: For COVID-19, this is determined by type of activity, duration of activity, and how close you are to other people (see our previous posts). The Read more…
What’s brought you hope this week?
Reopening Staying Safe
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
A: Food trucks! Pittsburgh Magazine’s recent article showcases scrappy food truck owners working hard to re-open *safely.* It’s a joy to see the amazing work ethic and bright minds of these small business owners innovating evidence-based ways forward. What’s in their secret sauce? (Please pardon the pun). Three key themes: (1) METRICS: The food truck Read more…
I see advertisements for Covid-19 antibody tests. Is it worth getting tested? What will an antibody test tell me?
Testing and Contact Tracing
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: Antibody tests are important in understanding Covid-19 and its spread through a population, but the information might not be as useful on a personal level just yet. When considering a serology test, we encourage you to think about why you are getting the test, where you will receive the test, and how it will Read more…
What’s my personal risk for a bad COVID outcome should I become infected?
Clinical Symptoms Infection and Spread Staying Safe
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
A: A variety of “risk calculators” have been developed to help you answer this very question (Links below). BIG CAVEAT: There are huge margins of error on the results, often making the risk scores MORE PRECISE THAN ACCURATE. Background: As much of the country continues to move through re-opening phases, we as individuals are having Read more…
Is there anything new I can try to improve my mental health during the COVID-19 crisis?
Mental Health
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
A: Yes, there is and there is hope! Let’s start with the facts. A recent report from the Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) noted that up to 45% of Americans reported that their mental health has worsened since the start of the pandemic. This appears to be more than the one in five Americans who are Read more…
What is this news about an antibody “100% cure” I just heard? Please tell me this is true!
Treatments
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: The Nerdy Girls want nothing more to wake up one day to this type of COVID-19 “game-changer” news. Maybe this was all a bad dream! For now, we lean towards consuming this stream of press with both cautious optimism AND skepticism. The news story in question from Friday came from a press release by Read more…
I keep hearing about a move towards a “harm reduction” phase of the pandemic response, what does this mean?
Reopening Staying Safe
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: As defined in the article below, “harm reduction refers to policies and practices designed to minimize negative health, social and legal impacts of a particular activity.” An example of public health efforts aimed at harm reduction are needle exchange programs where individuals using injected drugs can exchange used needles for clean ones as a Read more…
I need to know more about this virus. With all this talk about church choirs being risky events, does this imply that the virus is spread through the air?
Clinical Symptoms Infection and Spread
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
A: We still believe that the virus is transmitted primarily through droplets. But, here’s the truth: there is a very fine line between droplet and airborne transmission. Airborne: Transmitted by tiny droplets that remain suspended in the air. Can travel distances. (Hypothesized for SARS and MERS) Droplet: Transmitted by larger droplets that fall to the Read more…
With the unofficial start of summer, and as states begin to re-open, this is just a follow-up on our previous post to help you assess which activities are low, medium, and high risk for transmission this weekend and beyond. These are a couple of graphics to help you visualize the spectrum of risk. Hang on your Read more…
Our neighborhood pool plans to reopen in a couple of weeks when our state eases lockdowns. Is the pool a risky place for COVID-19 transmission?
Families/Kids Infection and Spread Reopening Staying SafeAlison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
A: You’re unlikely to get COVID-19 *from* the pool, but you could certainly be exposed *at* the pool. To clarify: Pool water is heavily chlorinated, and COVID-19 is not waterborne in any case. So, being immersed in the pool or otherwise exposed to pool water is not risky in and of itself. The problem, of Read more…
What else do I need to know about my risks as my state reopens?
Reopening Staying Safe
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
A: The nerdy girls have answered several questions about this topic recently, but we love another amazing smart lady’s interpretation (#DrLeanaWen), detailed here with a few more pearls. 1-Relative risk: For COVID-19, this is determined by type of activity, duration of activity, and how close you are to other people (see our previous posts). The Read more…
What’s brought you hope this week?
Reopening Staying Safe
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
A: Food trucks! Pittsburgh Magazine’s recent article showcases scrappy food truck owners working hard to re-open *safely.* It’s a joy to see the amazing work ethic and bright minds of these small business owners innovating evidence-based ways forward. What’s in their secret sauce? (Please pardon the pun). Three key themes: (1) METRICS: The food truck Read more…
I see advertisements for Covid-19 antibody tests. Is it worth getting tested? What will an antibody test tell me?
Testing and Contact Tracing
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: Antibody tests are important in understanding Covid-19 and its spread through a population, but the information might not be as useful on a personal level just yet. When considering a serology test, we encourage you to think about why you are getting the test, where you will receive the test, and how it will Read more…
What’s my personal risk for a bad COVID outcome should I become infected?
Clinical Symptoms Infection and Spread Staying Safe
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
A: A variety of “risk calculators” have been developed to help you answer this very question (Links below). BIG CAVEAT: There are huge margins of error on the results, often making the risk scores MORE PRECISE THAN ACCURATE. Background: As much of the country continues to move through re-opening phases, we as individuals are having Read more…
Is there anything new I can try to improve my mental health during the COVID-19 crisis?
Mental Health
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
A: Yes, there is and there is hope! Let’s start with the facts. A recent report from the Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) noted that up to 45% of Americans reported that their mental health has worsened since the start of the pandemic. This appears to be more than the one in five Americans who are Read more…
What is this news about an antibody “100% cure” I just heard? Please tell me this is true!
Treatments
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: The Nerdy Girls want nothing more to wake up one day to this type of COVID-19 “game-changer” news. Maybe this was all a bad dream! For now, we lean towards consuming this stream of press with both cautious optimism AND skepticism. The news story in question from Friday came from a press release by Read more…
I keep hearing about a move towards a “harm reduction” phase of the pandemic response, what does this mean?
Reopening Staying Safe
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: As defined in the article below, “harm reduction refers to policies and practices designed to minimize negative health, social and legal impacts of a particular activity.” An example of public health efforts aimed at harm reduction are needle exchange programs where individuals using injected drugs can exchange used needles for clean ones as a Read more…
I need to know more about this virus. With all this talk about church choirs being risky events, does this imply that the virus is spread through the air?
Clinical Symptoms Infection and Spread
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
A: We still believe that the virus is transmitted primarily through droplets. But, here’s the truth: there is a very fine line between droplet and airborne transmission. Airborne: Transmitted by tiny droplets that remain suspended in the air. Can travel distances. (Hypothesized for SARS and MERS) Droplet: Transmitted by larger droplets that fall to the Read more…
A: You’re unlikely to get COVID-19 *from* the pool, but you could certainly be exposed *at* the pool. To clarify: Pool water is heavily chlorinated, and COVID-19 is not waterborne in any case. So, being immersed in the pool or otherwise exposed to pool water is not risky in and of itself. The problem, of Read more…
What else do I need to know about my risks as my state reopens?
Reopening Staying SafeAparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
A: The nerdy girls have answered several questions about this topic recently, but we love another amazing smart lady’s interpretation (#DrLeanaWen), detailed here with a few more pearls. 1-Relative risk: For COVID-19, this is determined by type of activity, duration of activity, and how close you are to other people (see our previous posts). The Read more…
What’s brought you hope this week?
Reopening Staying Safe
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
A: Food trucks! Pittsburgh Magazine’s recent article showcases scrappy food truck owners working hard to re-open *safely.* It’s a joy to see the amazing work ethic and bright minds of these small business owners innovating evidence-based ways forward. What’s in their secret sauce? (Please pardon the pun). Three key themes: (1) METRICS: The food truck Read more…
I see advertisements for Covid-19 antibody tests. Is it worth getting tested? What will an antibody test tell me?
Testing and Contact Tracing
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: Antibody tests are important in understanding Covid-19 and its spread through a population, but the information might not be as useful on a personal level just yet. When considering a serology test, we encourage you to think about why you are getting the test, where you will receive the test, and how it will Read more…
What’s my personal risk for a bad COVID outcome should I become infected?
Clinical Symptoms Infection and Spread Staying Safe
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
A: A variety of “risk calculators” have been developed to help you answer this very question (Links below). BIG CAVEAT: There are huge margins of error on the results, often making the risk scores MORE PRECISE THAN ACCURATE. Background: As much of the country continues to move through re-opening phases, we as individuals are having Read more…
Is there anything new I can try to improve my mental health during the COVID-19 crisis?
Mental Health
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
A: Yes, there is and there is hope! Let’s start with the facts. A recent report from the Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) noted that up to 45% of Americans reported that their mental health has worsened since the start of the pandemic. This appears to be more than the one in five Americans who are Read more…
What is this news about an antibody “100% cure” I just heard? Please tell me this is true!
Treatments
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: The Nerdy Girls want nothing more to wake up one day to this type of COVID-19 “game-changer” news. Maybe this was all a bad dream! For now, we lean towards consuming this stream of press with both cautious optimism AND skepticism. The news story in question from Friday came from a press release by Read more…
I keep hearing about a move towards a “harm reduction” phase of the pandemic response, what does this mean?
Reopening Staying Safe
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: As defined in the article below, “harm reduction refers to policies and practices designed to minimize negative health, social and legal impacts of a particular activity.” An example of public health efforts aimed at harm reduction are needle exchange programs where individuals using injected drugs can exchange used needles for clean ones as a Read more…
I need to know more about this virus. With all this talk about church choirs being risky events, does this imply that the virus is spread through the air?
Clinical Symptoms Infection and Spread
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
A: We still believe that the virus is transmitted primarily through droplets. But, here’s the truth: there is a very fine line between droplet and airborne transmission. Airborne: Transmitted by tiny droplets that remain suspended in the air. Can travel distances. (Hypothesized for SARS and MERS) Droplet: Transmitted by larger droplets that fall to the Read more…
A: The nerdy girls have answered several questions about this topic recently, but we love another amazing smart lady’s interpretation (#DrLeanaWen), detailed here with a few more pearls. 1-Relative risk: For COVID-19, this is determined by type of activity, duration of activity, and how close you are to other people (see our previous posts). The Read more…
What’s brought you hope this week?
Reopening Staying SafeLindsey Leininger, PhD MA
A: Food trucks! Pittsburgh Magazine’s recent article showcases scrappy food truck owners working hard to re-open *safely.* It’s a joy to see the amazing work ethic and bright minds of these small business owners innovating evidence-based ways forward. What’s in their secret sauce? (Please pardon the pun). Three key themes: (1) METRICS: The food truck Read more…
I see advertisements for Covid-19 antibody tests. Is it worth getting tested? What will an antibody test tell me?
Testing and Contact Tracing
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: Antibody tests are important in understanding Covid-19 and its spread through a population, but the information might not be as useful on a personal level just yet. When considering a serology test, we encourage you to think about why you are getting the test, where you will receive the test, and how it will Read more…
What’s my personal risk for a bad COVID outcome should I become infected?
Clinical Symptoms Infection and Spread Staying Safe
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
A: A variety of “risk calculators” have been developed to help you answer this very question (Links below). BIG CAVEAT: There are huge margins of error on the results, often making the risk scores MORE PRECISE THAN ACCURATE. Background: As much of the country continues to move through re-opening phases, we as individuals are having Read more…
Is there anything new I can try to improve my mental health during the COVID-19 crisis?
Mental Health
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
A: Yes, there is and there is hope! Let’s start with the facts. A recent report from the Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) noted that up to 45% of Americans reported that their mental health has worsened since the start of the pandemic. This appears to be more than the one in five Americans who are Read more…
What is this news about an antibody “100% cure” I just heard? Please tell me this is true!
Treatments
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: The Nerdy Girls want nothing more to wake up one day to this type of COVID-19 “game-changer” news. Maybe this was all a bad dream! For now, we lean towards consuming this stream of press with both cautious optimism AND skepticism. The news story in question from Friday came from a press release by Read more…
I keep hearing about a move towards a “harm reduction” phase of the pandemic response, what does this mean?
Reopening Staying Safe
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: As defined in the article below, “harm reduction refers to policies and practices designed to minimize negative health, social and legal impacts of a particular activity.” An example of public health efforts aimed at harm reduction are needle exchange programs where individuals using injected drugs can exchange used needles for clean ones as a Read more…
I need to know more about this virus. With all this talk about church choirs being risky events, does this imply that the virus is spread through the air?
Clinical Symptoms Infection and Spread
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
A: We still believe that the virus is transmitted primarily through droplets. But, here’s the truth: there is a very fine line between droplet and airborne transmission. Airborne: Transmitted by tiny droplets that remain suspended in the air. Can travel distances. (Hypothesized for SARS and MERS) Droplet: Transmitted by larger droplets that fall to the Read more…
A: Food trucks! Pittsburgh Magazine’s recent article showcases scrappy food truck owners working hard to re-open *safely.* It’s a joy to see the amazing work ethic and bright minds of these small business owners innovating evidence-based ways forward. What’s in their secret sauce? (Please pardon the pun). Three key themes: (1) METRICS: The food truck Read more…
I see advertisements for Covid-19 antibody tests. Is it worth getting tested? What will an antibody test tell me?
Testing and Contact TracingAshley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: Antibody tests are important in understanding Covid-19 and its spread through a population, but the information might not be as useful on a personal level just yet. When considering a serology test, we encourage you to think about why you are getting the test, where you will receive the test, and how it will Read more…
What’s my personal risk for a bad COVID outcome should I become infected?
Clinical Symptoms Infection and Spread Staying Safe
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
A: A variety of “risk calculators” have been developed to help you answer this very question (Links below). BIG CAVEAT: There are huge margins of error on the results, often making the risk scores MORE PRECISE THAN ACCURATE. Background: As much of the country continues to move through re-opening phases, we as individuals are having Read more…
Is there anything new I can try to improve my mental health during the COVID-19 crisis?
Mental Health
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
A: Yes, there is and there is hope! Let’s start with the facts. A recent report from the Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) noted that up to 45% of Americans reported that their mental health has worsened since the start of the pandemic. This appears to be more than the one in five Americans who are Read more…
What is this news about an antibody “100% cure” I just heard? Please tell me this is true!
Treatments
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: The Nerdy Girls want nothing more to wake up one day to this type of COVID-19 “game-changer” news. Maybe this was all a bad dream! For now, we lean towards consuming this stream of press with both cautious optimism AND skepticism. The news story in question from Friday came from a press release by Read more…
I keep hearing about a move towards a “harm reduction” phase of the pandemic response, what does this mean?
Reopening Staying Safe
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: As defined in the article below, “harm reduction refers to policies and practices designed to minimize negative health, social and legal impacts of a particular activity.” An example of public health efforts aimed at harm reduction are needle exchange programs where individuals using injected drugs can exchange used needles for clean ones as a Read more…
I need to know more about this virus. With all this talk about church choirs being risky events, does this imply that the virus is spread through the air?
Clinical Symptoms Infection and Spread
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
A: We still believe that the virus is transmitted primarily through droplets. But, here’s the truth: there is a very fine line between droplet and airborne transmission. Airborne: Transmitted by tiny droplets that remain suspended in the air. Can travel distances. (Hypothesized for SARS and MERS) Droplet: Transmitted by larger droplets that fall to the Read more…
A: Antibody tests are important in understanding Covid-19 and its spread through a population, but the information might not be as useful on a personal level just yet. When considering a serology test, we encourage you to think about why you are getting the test, where you will receive the test, and how it will Read more…
What’s my personal risk for a bad COVID outcome should I become infected?
Clinical Symptoms Infection and Spread Staying SafeLindsey Leininger, PhD MA
A: A variety of “risk calculators” have been developed to help you answer this very question (Links below). BIG CAVEAT: There are huge margins of error on the results, often making the risk scores MORE PRECISE THAN ACCURATE. Background: As much of the country continues to move through re-opening phases, we as individuals are having Read more…
Is there anything new I can try to improve my mental health during the COVID-19 crisis?
Mental Health
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
A: Yes, there is and there is hope! Let’s start with the facts. A recent report from the Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) noted that up to 45% of Americans reported that their mental health has worsened since the start of the pandemic. This appears to be more than the one in five Americans who are Read more…
What is this news about an antibody “100% cure” I just heard? Please tell me this is true!
Treatments
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: The Nerdy Girls want nothing more to wake up one day to this type of COVID-19 “game-changer” news. Maybe this was all a bad dream! For now, we lean towards consuming this stream of press with both cautious optimism AND skepticism. The news story in question from Friday came from a press release by Read more…
I keep hearing about a move towards a “harm reduction” phase of the pandemic response, what does this mean?
Reopening Staying Safe
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: As defined in the article below, “harm reduction refers to policies and practices designed to minimize negative health, social and legal impacts of a particular activity.” An example of public health efforts aimed at harm reduction are needle exchange programs where individuals using injected drugs can exchange used needles for clean ones as a Read more…
I need to know more about this virus. With all this talk about church choirs being risky events, does this imply that the virus is spread through the air?
Clinical Symptoms Infection and Spread
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
A: We still believe that the virus is transmitted primarily through droplets. But, here’s the truth: there is a very fine line between droplet and airborne transmission. Airborne: Transmitted by tiny droplets that remain suspended in the air. Can travel distances. (Hypothesized for SARS and MERS) Droplet: Transmitted by larger droplets that fall to the Read more…
A: A variety of “risk calculators” have been developed to help you answer this very question (Links below). BIG CAVEAT: There are huge margins of error on the results, often making the risk scores MORE PRECISE THAN ACCURATE. Background: As much of the country continues to move through re-opening phases, we as individuals are having Read more…
Is there anything new I can try to improve my mental health during the COVID-19 crisis?
Mental HealthAparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
A: Yes, there is and there is hope! Let’s start with the facts. A recent report from the Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) noted that up to 45% of Americans reported that their mental health has worsened since the start of the pandemic. This appears to be more than the one in five Americans who are Read more…
What is this news about an antibody “100% cure” I just heard? Please tell me this is true!
Treatments
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: The Nerdy Girls want nothing more to wake up one day to this type of COVID-19 “game-changer” news. Maybe this was all a bad dream! For now, we lean towards consuming this stream of press with both cautious optimism AND skepticism. The news story in question from Friday came from a press release by Read more…
I keep hearing about a move towards a “harm reduction” phase of the pandemic response, what does this mean?
Reopening Staying Safe
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: As defined in the article below, “harm reduction refers to policies and practices designed to minimize negative health, social and legal impacts of a particular activity.” An example of public health efforts aimed at harm reduction are needle exchange programs where individuals using injected drugs can exchange used needles for clean ones as a Read more…
I need to know more about this virus. With all this talk about church choirs being risky events, does this imply that the virus is spread through the air?
Clinical Symptoms Infection and Spread
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
A: We still believe that the virus is transmitted primarily through droplets. But, here’s the truth: there is a very fine line between droplet and airborne transmission. Airborne: Transmitted by tiny droplets that remain suspended in the air. Can travel distances. (Hypothesized for SARS and MERS) Droplet: Transmitted by larger droplets that fall to the Read more…
A: Yes, there is and there is hope! Let’s start with the facts. A recent report from the Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) noted that up to 45% of Americans reported that their mental health has worsened since the start of the pandemic. This appears to be more than the one in five Americans who are Read more…
What is this news about an antibody “100% cure” I just heard? Please tell me this is true!
TreatmentsJennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: The Nerdy Girls want nothing more to wake up one day to this type of COVID-19 “game-changer” news. Maybe this was all a bad dream! For now, we lean towards consuming this stream of press with both cautious optimism AND skepticism. The news story in question from Friday came from a press release by Read more…
I keep hearing about a move towards a “harm reduction” phase of the pandemic response, what does this mean?
Reopening Staying Safe
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: As defined in the article below, “harm reduction refers to policies and practices designed to minimize negative health, social and legal impacts of a particular activity.” An example of public health efforts aimed at harm reduction are needle exchange programs where individuals using injected drugs can exchange used needles for clean ones as a Read more…
I need to know more about this virus. With all this talk about church choirs being risky events, does this imply that the virus is spread through the air?
Clinical Symptoms Infection and Spread
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
A: We still believe that the virus is transmitted primarily through droplets. But, here’s the truth: there is a very fine line between droplet and airborne transmission. Airborne: Transmitted by tiny droplets that remain suspended in the air. Can travel distances. (Hypothesized for SARS and MERS) Droplet: Transmitted by larger droplets that fall to the Read more…
A: The Nerdy Girls want nothing more to wake up one day to this type of COVID-19 “game-changer” news. Maybe this was all a bad dream! For now, we lean towards consuming this stream of press with both cautious optimism AND skepticism. The news story in question from Friday came from a press release by Read more…
I keep hearing about a move towards a “harm reduction” phase of the pandemic response, what does this mean?
Reopening Staying SafeAmanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: As defined in the article below, “harm reduction refers to policies and practices designed to minimize negative health, social and legal impacts of a particular activity.” An example of public health efforts aimed at harm reduction are needle exchange programs where individuals using injected drugs can exchange used needles for clean ones as a Read more…
I need to know more about this virus. With all this talk about church choirs being risky events, does this imply that the virus is spread through the air?
Clinical Symptoms Infection and Spread
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
A: We still believe that the virus is transmitted primarily through droplets. But, here’s the truth: there is a very fine line between droplet and airborne transmission. Airborne: Transmitted by tiny droplets that remain suspended in the air. Can travel distances. (Hypothesized for SARS and MERS) Droplet: Transmitted by larger droplets that fall to the Read more…
A: As defined in the article below, “harm reduction refers to policies and practices designed to minimize negative health, social and legal impacts of a particular activity.” An example of public health efforts aimed at harm reduction are needle exchange programs where individuals using injected drugs can exchange used needles for clean ones as a Read more…
I need to know more about this virus. With all this talk about church choirs being risky events, does this imply that the virus is spread through the air?
Clinical Symptoms Infection and SpreadAparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
A: We still believe that the virus is transmitted primarily through droplets. But, here’s the truth: there is a very fine line between droplet and airborne transmission. Airborne: Transmitted by tiny droplets that remain suspended in the air. Can travel distances. (Hypothesized for SARS and MERS) Droplet: Transmitted by larger droplets that fall to the Read more…
A: We still believe that the virus is transmitted primarily through droplets. But, here’s the truth: there is a very fine line between droplet and airborne transmission. Airborne: Transmitted by tiny droplets that remain suspended in the air. Can travel distances. (Hypothesized for SARS and MERS) Droplet: Transmitted by larger droplets that fall to the Read more…
