All the posts from our Those Nerdy Girls Facebook page dating back to May 1st, 2020, are currently archived here and can be searched for by category, key words, etc. Be sure to check back often as additional posts are being added each day.
Q: We’re entering the season where I typically give it to my family as a flu prevention, but I’ve read that it can aggravate some COVID symptoms.” A: No scientific studies have been done using elderberry syrup to prevent or treat COVID-19. Similarly, there has been no information on whether elderberry syrup has negative impacts Read more…
Q: Do we need to wipe the groceries again? Thanks for this great question from Kat in LA and Katey in the UK. A: No need to return to grocery wiping, but wipe down your phone regularly and keep those hands clean. A new study released last week from the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Read more…
https://www.facebook.com/thosenerdygirls/videos/380034256456524 Dr. Lindsey Leininger and Dr. Malia Jones answer your COVID questions! This week we tackle: ☑️ Reinfection (2:25 – 7:45) ☑️ Psychology of risky behavior (7:55 – 13:06) ☑️ Election-day poll volunteering (13:19 – 17:45) ☑️ Are schools superspreaders? (18:00 – 25:55) ☑️ It’s OK to donate blood! (26:03 – 27:30) Big thanks to Read more…
A: Not currently. But there’s hope in the clinical trial pipeline. For many viral diseases, treatment with a prescribed “post-exposure prophylaxis” (PEP) can block an exposure from developing into a full-blown infection. Tamiflu is perhaps the best-known example. TL;DR about PEP prospects for COVID-19: ✔️ Several older drugs repurposed for COVID-19 PEP have failed in Read more…
Q: Madeleine from Plano, TX asks, could you provide any updates on safety of air travel at this time in advance of holidays? A: Yes! Since we last posted on this topic in August, a few new studies have suggested that risk of transmission of COVID-19 ON AIRPLANES themselves is fairly low *when masks are Read more…
Thanks to Christa from Michigan for this excellent question! A: No doubt family and friends are excited to meet your gorgeous baby! Deciding on when to introduce family members to your newborn baby is a personal choice and there is no right or wrong answer. Let’s talk about some things to consider when making your Read more…
A: There are several organizations offering quick handouts, videos, and additional supports as needed related to COVID-19. Below we highlight a few, sourced from our network and our followers (thank you!). 1) State health departments in addition to the CDC website offer Web and printable information on COVID-19. Examples: –CDC Communication Toolkit –Greater New York Read more…
Q: I have been drinking a bit more since this pandemic started. Many of my friends have too. I am having a harder time not drinking every day. What should I do? A: The first step is recognizing that you may have a drinking problem. Then: 1) Seek social connections. 2) Prioritize healthy coping mechanisms. Read more…
A: Yes, since it began spreading, the virus has picked up several mutations, but not necessarily more than expected, and as Ed Yong explains in this article, these changes to the virus are not necessarily cause for alarm. Key Points: -When viruses infect a host, they make new copies and while duplicating their genes, mutations Read more…
A: With only 3 weeks until November 3rd, it’s such an important time to check and double check the rules and deadlines. First, check out our September post for tips and tricks on completing and sending in your mail-in ballot. Next, CHECK THOSE DEADLINES! If you already requested your mail-in ballot, but haven’t received it, Read more…
Q: Jennifer from Texas asks: Are there really false-positives from COVID tests? If so, how is it possible for a test to pick up something that is not there? A: Yep, they exist. High-profile false-positive COVID tests are making the news again after Michael Burton of the New Orleans Saints erroneously tested positive the day Read more…
A: Thank you for drawing attention to this important topic. By now, you’ve probably heard that racial and ethnic minorities are disproportionately affected by COVID-19. Unfortunately, Native American populations are not an exception. ** Native Americans are more than 5 times as likely to be hospitalized than non-Hispanic white Americans. This is a larger COVID-19 Read more…
A: We *wish* it were this easy, but sadly it’s not. While this approach sounds appealing on the surface, the deeper you dig the more the argument collapses in on itself. Let me explain. No, there is too much. Let me sum up: • The death and hospitalization toll even in under 65s would be Read more…
A: “Come Home and Stay Home” or “Don’t Come Home” are your best options. Coming home just for the Thanksgiving holiday and then returning to campus is *not* a good plan. Thanks to Ellen for voicing a common concern. Back in August, the big question for college kids was how they could return to campus Read more…
Your daily dose of laughter can help decrease stress, relax your body, and increase endorphins (happy chemicals!). We hope you enjoy this little dose of Sunday laughter. If it helps, why not schedule some time for laughter every day (a favorite show, podcast, cartoons, laughs with friends, or even laughter yoga)? Share your favorite daily Read more…
A: Today we focus on the importance of sleep health as an evidence-based strategy for improving your immune system during the COVID-19 pandemic. ** Long-term sleep deficiency is associated with a range of co-morbidities (type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, dementia) that put you at higher susceptibility and more severe outcomes of COVID-19. You can reduce Read more…
