Posts by Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD

It’s National Clean Out Your Medicine Cabinet Day! How should I celebrate? April 19, 2024

Avoiding Potential Drug Interactions with Paxlovid March 21, 2024

I’m over 65. Do I really need another dose of the COVID-19 vaccine? March 6, 2024

NOW is a good time to dial up your strategic masking. December 19, 2023

What can I do to stop my eyes from feeling like sandpaper or watering like crazy, especially in the winter? December 12, 2023

How can I reduce the risk of infection at an event I really care about attending? October 18, 2023

How can I prevent falls at home? August 28, 2023

How long does it take to grieve the death of a loved one? June 28, 2023

How can I support the mission of Those Nerdy Girls on Giving Tuesday? November 29, 2022

What is the best way to wear a mask sometimes? October 21, 2022

Does Paxlovid decrease the risk of hospitalization and death from COVID-19 infection even if you are fully vaccinated? October 6, 2022

Should I get my COVID-19 and flu vaccines at the same time? September 7, 2022

What does a deep dive into the immune system of people with long COVID reveal? August 22, 2022

Threats to reproductive rights are a public health crisis. June 30, 2022

FDA approves Moderna & Pfizer COVID vaccines for kids under 5 June 15, 2022

Frequently Asked Questions about when to BOOST May 28, 2022

Should I get boosted now or wait? May 7, 2022

Does my mask protect me if no one else is wearing one? April 25, 2022

SO many reflections on the TWO YEAR anniversary of Dear Pandemic from Those Nerdy Girls. March 14, 2022

How do I get back to my normal exercise after a COVID-19 infection? February 17, 2022

Who is authorized to take Evusheld, the new COVID-19 monoclonal antibody treatment? February 4, 2022

Can I be a vaccine ambassador? January 26, 2022

What can I do for a school nurse today? January 3, 2022

Case numbers are jumping QUICK! What should I be doing? December 30, 2021

What should I do if I can’t get a COVID-19 test and I am symptomatic? December 28, 2021

Q: What can I share with Dear Pandemic on Giving Tuesday? November 30, 2021

A Nerdy Girl and her family get COVID-19! November 16, 2021

This week’s “dose” of vaccine news! (10/16/21) October 16, 2021

Who is eligible for a third dose of the COVID-19 vaccine? September 25, 2021

Can I get a flu shot and a COVID-19 vaccine at the same time? September 15, 2021

New evidence shows mask wearing reduces COVID-19 infections in the community. September 4, 2021

Can the framing of a message change how I process that information? August 23, 2021

What can I do to prepare for back to school? August 14, 2021

What to do if you are exposed to someone with symptoms of or confirmed COVID-19 August 9, 2021

What should I do about the large discrepancies in vaccine efficacy against the Delta variant being reported across studies? July 28, 2021

Engaging in Conversations About COVID-19 Vaccination July 8, 2021

BIG Thank You to All School Nurses! June 21, 2021

How do I navigate summer with unvaccinated kids? HELP! June 10, 2021

Series Finale of FB Nerdy Girl Live Broadcasts May 27, 2021

Do COVID-19 vaccinations work to prevent infections in nursing homes? May 20, 2021

CDC Mask Recommendation Update 5/14/21 May 14, 2021

Can pregnant people receive the COVID-19 vaccination? May 7, 2021

Do the COVID-19 vaccines cause infertility? April 30, 2021

The local bar is now open for indoor drinks. Is this a good idea? April 15, 2021

Is there some benefit to people publicly trumpeting it once they’ve been vaccinated, say, by donning stickers, buttons, bumper stickers, etc.? April 9, 2021

How might vaccinated adults with unvaccinated kids think about getting together with other families? March 26, 2021

Is it safe to go to the dentist? March 17, 2021

Are we setting ourselves up for a worsening of common illnesses by isolating our immune systems this year? March 8, 2021

What are the rules for family get-togethers with vaccinated adults and unvaccinated kids? March 3, 2021

500,000 deaths in the US February 23, 2021

Is it normal to have pain in my armpit or breast after the COVID-19 vaccine? February 19, 2021

What can I do to support a caregiver? February 15, 2021

Tips for Improving Communication While Masked February 10, 2021

What kind of mask should I be wearing in my community? January 25, 2021

Is it safe to play on a playground? January 18, 2021

What new information do we have about the B.1.1.7 variant? January 11, 2021

What is all the fuss about the “mutant” strain of SARS-CoV-2 in England? December 28, 2020

How can I help encourage my colleagues in healthcare settings to get the Covid-19 vaccination? December 21, 2020

Is the SARS-CoV-2 virus mutating and should I be concerned? December 18, 2020

How many days do I need to quarantine if I plan to see family and friends for Christmas? December 11, 2020

Why can’t I ditch the masks and distancing if I already recovered from Covid-19? December 7, 2020

How can I navigate mourning the death of loved ones during Covid-19? December 3, 2020

Can SARS-CoV-2 infection be passed to babies in breastmilk? November 23, 2020

If I already recovered from Covid-19 infection, can I be sure I won’t get it again or pass it to others? November 18, 2020

What are the 14 days of Thanksgiving 2020? November 12, 2020

How do I safely take off, store, and reapply my mask? October 28, 2020

Do I need to wear a mask when I am alone outside? October 24, 2020

What does the new study from last week add to our knowledge about surface transmission of SARS-CoV-2? October 17, 2020

Is it safe to give or receive hugs? October 7, 2020

Can you put the United States death toll from Covid-19 into context? September 30, 2020

How do I keep my pod from growing into a swarm? September 21, 2020

Tribute to Ruth Bader Ginsburg September 19, 2020

I recently saw an article stating SARS-CoV-2 was made in a lab. September 18, 2020

How do I care for myself or someone I live with who becomes sick with Covid-19? September 11, 2020

I live alone. What things should I think about to keep on keeping on during this pandemic? September 4, 2020

Vaccines and the Immune System August 28, 2020

How does a vaccine work? What viruses are particularly difficult to design a vaccine for? August 28, 2020

Will staying isolated weaken our immune systems since we are not being exposed to other viruses like the common cold? August 22, 2020

Does UV light kill coronavirus on surfaces? How about in the air? August 13, 2020

Is it safe for my child to play on public playground equipment when no other kids are around? August 3, 2020

How might the increased number of deaths in the world due to Covid-19 affect the people who are alive? July 28, 2020

How might we use information from studies of Covid-19 outbreaks in nursing homes and summer camps to inform the reopening of schools? July 22, 2020

Is sex dead?? July 18, 2020

Will a gaiter protect me from coronavirus? July 15, 2020

How do I choose the best face mask? July 12, 2020

What have we learned about treatment of Covid-19 to date? July 5, 2020

Why don’t my pants fit? Can I blame it on Covid-19? June 29, 2020

What have we learned about Covid-19 transmission in nursing homes that could be helpful in tailoring our approach to infection control across settings? June 20, 2020

How did Dear Pandemic begin as a trusted source of Covid-19 information? June 19, 2020

Should I still be wearing a mask when I am out of my home in the presence of other people? June 16, 2020

What Covid-19 metrics are best suited to guide our actions as a society moving forward? June 13, 2020

I live with a toddler. How can we all survive the summer together? June 8, 2020

Is Covid-19 a disease of the lungs or the blood vessels? June 6, 2020

How might I make decisions about home repairs and maintenance in the age of social distancing? May 29, 2020

Why are people responding so differently to the threats of Covid-19? May 28, 2020

What activities can we do safely and which are better to avoid this summer? May 26, 2020

When can we reunite the grandparents and grandchildren? May 22, 2020

I see advertisements for Covid-19 antibody tests. Is it worth getting tested? What will an antibody test tell me? May 20, 2020

What does new evidence tell us about the risk of Covid-19 to pets? May 16, 2020

My diet consists of ice cream, bagel bites, and other processed foods. What’s up with these “Covid Cravings”? May 15, 2020

Do all interactions carry the same risk for Covid-19 infection? May 12, 2020

What is Kawasaki disease? Is it linked to Covid-19 in children? May 9, 2020

Shelter-in-place orders are beginning to lift in my area. What activities are safe to resume? May 8, 2020

Is it morbid or wrong to start a conversation about end-of-life wishes with my family right now? May 5, 2020

What might socializing look like when shelter-in-place orders are lifted? May 2, 2020

Where can I direct my energy to safely help my community at this challenging time? May 1, 2020

Wondering about the status of your state’s response to the pandemic? April 25, 2020

What things should I consider if I want to move my loved one out of a nursing home or assisted living facility during the current pandemic? April 22, 2020

Meet COVID CRUSH April 21, 2020

Is my online shopping for non-essential items supporting the economy or putting people at risk? April 18, 2020

When will we go back to normal? April 17, 2020

How do you know if someone is immune to Covid-19? April 13, 2020

I miss my family and friends. What is the risk of getting together for a small gathering? April 11, 2020

Where do I start if I’m interested in making or updating advance care planning documents? April 6, 2020

Do all encounters with the coronavirus present the same risks for becoming infected and becoming very sick? April 4, 2020

MASK FAQs: Here’s some science behind the changing recommendations for wearing face masks in public April 3, 2020

COVID-19 and Pregnancy March 30, 2020

Is social distancing worth it? March 29, 2020

COVID-19 Vocabulary List March 27, 2020

Video conferencing is not just for conference calls. March 25, 2020

Need a break from the news? March 24, 2020

How to Donate PPE Equipment to Healthcare Workers March 22, 2020

I got the hand washing down, but what do I do with my clothes? March 21, 2020

Can the novel coronavirus present with digestive symptoms instead of respiratory symptoms? March 20, 2020

Pets and Coronavirus March 19, 2020

Who’s in your POD? March 18, 2020