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: Can you explain what is different about COVID-19 that we may so quickly have an effective vaccine if we still don’t have one for HIV/AIDS and other terrible diseases that have been around longer. What makes a vaccine for this virus easier to achieve? A: Scientists are hopeful because vaccines in development now are Read more…
A: We do too! Masks, while super important to prevent the spread of COVID-19, can be hard on the skin. You can develop problems like acne or skin irritation. But wait! There are some simple tips to help protect your skin. Maskne is a much more fun way to describe acne mechanica, a skin condition Read more…
A: Here’s the bottom line: you are not in control of other people’s thoughts, feelings, or actions. You can only control your own thoughts, feelings, and actions. And you do not have to sacrifice your comfort to make someone else happy. Be firm, be brief, focus on your own decisions rather than hers, and don’t Read more…
A: Welcome to the paradoxical feeling of acedia – an old word used to describe that very now feeling of apathetic restlessness. Good news: There are evidence-based ways to fight back. Background: Early Christian monks called acedia the “noonday demon” – the tough feelings you feel where you are alone, feeling listless and wonder why Read more…
A: The COVID “infodemic” has made it harder than ever to cut through the noise, and election season absolutely adds to this challenge. The good news is that Lindsey’s Laws for news diligence that we’ve been using here at Dear Pandemic to fight misinformation can ALSO apply to the political news cycle! As we laid Read more…
A: Imagine that you develop a serious allergy to bee stings. Your doctor tells you that if you get stung by a bee again, you might die unless you receive medication within minutes. You are planning to go on a hike. Do you ask a bunch of questions about the likelihood of there being bees Read more…
A: No. The CDC study showed that close contact with people who had COVID-19 or visiting locations that offered on-site eating and drinking were associated with getting COVID. This study does not offer any information about whether wearing a mask is a risk factor for getting COVID. So where does this 85% figure come from? Read more…
Hand sanitizer – a true 2020 must-have. But how much do we REALLY know about its benefits and dangers? Enter the FDA’s hand sanitizer IQ quiz! Let’s try our hand at a few questions. (Scroll to the bottom of the post for answers!) ❇️ T/F: Soap and water beats hand sanitizer at preventing the spread Read more…
Halloween is going to look a little different this year. . . Lots of resources to check out: Our popular post on safe trick-or-treating How to have a SMART Halloween Our printable “no contact trick-or-treating” sign Nerdy Girl Malia Jones on Halloween in Slate Link to original FB post
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…
