So, I might want to vote by mail. What should I be planning for?
Staying Safe
Rebecca Doyle, Graduate Assistant
A: The very first step in ANY voting plan is checking your voter registration or registering to vote, and we’re ready to help you with that too – it just so happens that today is National Voter Registration Day! Voting by mail is a safe and secure way to make your voice heard in November, Read more…
COVID19 and Pregnancy
Families/Kids Staying Safe
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Today we share an update from Your local epidemiologist on what we know about COVID19 and pregnancy. Here’s the TL;DR: “Severe illness and adverse birth outcomes were observed among pregnant women with COVID19. Pregnant women should especially be careful during this time: avoid close contact with persons with confirmed or suspected COVID-19, maintain 6 feet Read more…
How do I keep my pod from growing into a swarm?
Families/Kids Infection and Spread Socializing Staying Safe
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: Reflect and refine. Small, stable pods work best in limiting the spread of SARS-CoV-2 while maintaining essential functions like work, school, and sanity. Everyday actions will help keep your pod from growing out of control. Reflection- It’s easy to minimize risk when we face them one at a time. We often think only of Read more…
Stress related to the pandemic has accelerated my substance use. How can I find the support I need?
Mental Health
Shoshana Aronowitz, PhD FNP-BC
A: As we’ve discussed in past posts, the pandemic and other stressful current events have taken a toll on many people’s mental health. For some folks, this can exacerbate substance use issues. It can be really scary to feel like you don’t have control over your substance use, but there are places you can find Read more…
Are temperature checks an adequate screening tool for COVID-19?
Clinical Symptoms Infection and Spread Staying Safe
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: Unfortunately, no. Being fever-free at the time of a temperature check is not a guarantee that a person doesn’t have COVID-19, nor that someone with COVID-19 won’t spread the infection to others. Why is that? The period of infectiousness for someone with COVID-19 (i.e., the window of time when someone can infect others) starts Read more…
I wear glasses. How can I prevent them from fogging up when I wear my mask?
Staying Safe
Lauren Hale, PhD MA
A. Thank you for wearing a mask! This is such a key step in preventing transmission. We also appreciate that it’s not always easy to wear a mask, especially if you wear glasses. They often fog up! Why? Well, in general, when warm air hits cool surfaces, there’s condensation. When you are wearing a mask, Read more…
Announcing the Dear Pandemic podcast!
Uncategorized
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Good news! Dear Pandemic now has a podcast! It’s called I Have Questions. Find it wherever you get podcasts, or at https://anchor.fm/dearpandemic. For now, the podcast is weekly Q&A with follower questions and Dear Pandemic contributor answers. We’ll be adding longer-format interviews with other experts soon, so stay tuned. If you have a question, put Read more…
Dear Pandemic COVID Q&A
Infection and Spread Staying Safe Videos
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Dear Pandemic: COVID Q&A Those Nerdy Girls Dr. Jennifer Beam Dowd and Dr. Malia Jones take follower questions in this Facebook Live event. Link to original FB post
Tribute to Ruth Bader Ginsburg
Social and Racial Justice Uncategorized
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
Dear Ruth Bader Ginsburg, You inspired us. You led through persistence and action. You paved the way for many women to achieve their dreams. You will be terribly missed and forever a guiding light. Love, Those Nerdy Girls 12 Powerful Quotes from RBG – Town and Country RBG Obit – The Guardian Link to original Read more…
I recently saw an article stating SARS-CoV-2 was made in a lab.
Uncertainty and Misinformation
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
Q: How do I evaluate the quality of this claim and support good science? A: This extraordinary claim requires some serious evaluation to prevent the spread of misinformation. Curiosity and scientific skepticism are quite healthy, though the new pre-print article violates many foundational principles of scientific inquiry. Lindsay’s Laws of Infodemiology provide a useful guide Read more…
What’s the most likely way to catch SARS-CoV-2? Do I still need to Lysol the bejeesus out of everything?
Infection and Spread Socializing Staying Safe
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: You are most likely to catch SARS-CoV-2 from the AIR you breathe. General cleanliness rules for surfaces apply but you can stop obsessive purchases of Lysol and Clorox wipes. We’ve come a long way from those whimsical days in March when our hands were cracked from too much hand sanitizer and the high touch Read more…
With the holidays approaching, I am wondering….does a pod still make sense?
Families/Kids Socializing Staying Safe
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
A: Time for a TBT moment (Previous post)! Yes, a pod can help you socialize while minimizing your risk of infection. The basics: What is it? A pod (aka social bubble, bubble) is a small, stable, self-contained group of people (usually children and adults) who interact with one another in a limited or not socially Read more…
Can a face mask act like a vaccine?
Infection and Spread Masks Staying Safe Uncertainty and Misinformation
A: Although we ❤️ the part where it promotes mask-wearing, this intriguing idea has not been proven. For now, keep wearing your mask (because it DOES reduce your likelihood of infecting others) and wait for the science to catch up with this hypothesis. It is not safe to put on a mask and purposely expose Read more…
Can COVID-19 literally break my heart? What the heck is myocarditis?
Clinical Symptoms
A: In short, yes—COVID-19 infection can damage your heart. Myocarditis is inflammation of the heart, and recently social media has been blowing up with reports of athletes opting out of play due to myocarditis. We’ve got your back to give you some answers about myocarditis. The most recent reports suggest that myocarditis, or inflammation of Read more…
Lottsa Vaccine Questions Answered
Vaccines
Alison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
Q: How much longer until there’s a $#&^#% vaccine?!?! Q: How do vaccine trials work, by the way? Q: Once there’s a vaccine, the pandemic is over, right? Q: How will I know if it’s safe to get the vaccine? Q: What about that AstraZeneca trial that was stopped? A: Lotsa vaccine questions! Answers below. Read more…
What do voting and COVID-19 have in common?
Staying Safe
Rebecca Doyle, Graduate Assistant
A: A LOT! We Nerdy Girls are proud to be engaged citizens and passionate advocates for exercising our right to vote. In fact, we are launching a weekly series to help offer you some practical tips for voting safely and supporting your community. **As a friendly reminder, the Dear Pandemic community is strictly non-partisan, and Read more…
How can I tell if I have symptoms from exposure to wildfire smoke or COVID?
Clinical Symptoms
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
A: In dramatic satellite images released yesterday, smoke from wildfires on the West coast is shown stretching across much of the United States. As if 2020 hasn’t already offered us enough uncertainty, wildfire smoke and COVID cause a set of common symptoms, making it hard to tell which you’re facing. Shared symptoms include coughing, wheezing, Read more…
I am struggling with anxiety and maybe depression during this pandemic and nothing I have tried, from journaling to gratitude journaling, has worked.
Mental Health
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
Q: I think I need a therapist. Where do I start? A: We will walk you through it. Before we do, we want to acknowledge your bravery. Many of us are going through this and we thank you for asking openly and honestly about how to find help. In fact, approximately 40% of Americans report Read more…
What’s going on with the rise in SARS-CoV-2 cases in Spain? It sounds really bad.
Biology/Immunity Data and Metrics Infection and Spread
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
Q: Since they were already hit hard once, shouldn’t they have some herd immunity? A: Spain has seen an alarming increase in confirmed cases since mid-July, even surpassing the U.S. in daily cases per capita. But so far, deaths have only ticked up slightly compared to the height of their epidemic in March and April Read more…
As we approach seasonal influenza season, how will I know if my symptoms are from the flu or covid-19? If I am not sure, what should I do?
Clinical Symptoms Staying Safe
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: Spoiler alert: It will be challenging. Many symptoms overlap between seasonal flu and COVID-19 which will unfortunately make it hard to know whether you have flu or COVID-19. For a thorough comparison of symptoms and other clinical characteristics of flu vs. COVID-19 see here. Symptoms common to both COVID-19 and flu include: -Fever or Read more…
A: The very first step in ANY voting plan is checking your voter registration or registering to vote, and we’re ready to help you with that too – it just so happens that today is National Voter Registration Day! Voting by mail is a safe and secure way to make your voice heard in November, Read more…
COVID19 and Pregnancy
Families/Kids Staying SafeMalia Jones, PhD MPH
Today we share an update from Your local epidemiologist on what we know about COVID19 and pregnancy. Here’s the TL;DR: “Severe illness and adverse birth outcomes were observed among pregnant women with COVID19. Pregnant women should especially be careful during this time: avoid close contact with persons with confirmed or suspected COVID-19, maintain 6 feet Read more…
How do I keep my pod from growing into a swarm?
Families/Kids Infection and Spread Socializing Staying Safe
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: Reflect and refine. Small, stable pods work best in limiting the spread of SARS-CoV-2 while maintaining essential functions like work, school, and sanity. Everyday actions will help keep your pod from growing out of control. Reflection- It’s easy to minimize risk when we face them one at a time. We often think only of Read more…
Stress related to the pandemic has accelerated my substance use. How can I find the support I need?
Mental Health
Shoshana Aronowitz, PhD FNP-BC
A: As we’ve discussed in past posts, the pandemic and other stressful current events have taken a toll on many people’s mental health. For some folks, this can exacerbate substance use issues. It can be really scary to feel like you don’t have control over your substance use, but there are places you can find Read more…
Are temperature checks an adequate screening tool for COVID-19?
Clinical Symptoms Infection and Spread Staying Safe
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: Unfortunately, no. Being fever-free at the time of a temperature check is not a guarantee that a person doesn’t have COVID-19, nor that someone with COVID-19 won’t spread the infection to others. Why is that? The period of infectiousness for someone with COVID-19 (i.e., the window of time when someone can infect others) starts Read more…
I wear glasses. How can I prevent them from fogging up when I wear my mask?
Staying Safe
Lauren Hale, PhD MA
A. Thank you for wearing a mask! This is such a key step in preventing transmission. We also appreciate that it’s not always easy to wear a mask, especially if you wear glasses. They often fog up! Why? Well, in general, when warm air hits cool surfaces, there’s condensation. When you are wearing a mask, Read more…
Announcing the Dear Pandemic podcast!
Uncategorized
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Good news! Dear Pandemic now has a podcast! It’s called I Have Questions. Find it wherever you get podcasts, or at https://anchor.fm/dearpandemic. For now, the podcast is weekly Q&A with follower questions and Dear Pandemic contributor answers. We’ll be adding longer-format interviews with other experts soon, so stay tuned. If you have a question, put Read more…
Dear Pandemic COVID Q&A
Infection and Spread Staying Safe Videos
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Dear Pandemic: COVID Q&A Those Nerdy Girls Dr. Jennifer Beam Dowd and Dr. Malia Jones take follower questions in this Facebook Live event. Link to original FB post
Tribute to Ruth Bader Ginsburg
Social and Racial Justice Uncategorized
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
Dear Ruth Bader Ginsburg, You inspired us. You led through persistence and action. You paved the way for many women to achieve their dreams. You will be terribly missed and forever a guiding light. Love, Those Nerdy Girls 12 Powerful Quotes from RBG – Town and Country RBG Obit – The Guardian Link to original Read more…
I recently saw an article stating SARS-CoV-2 was made in a lab.
Uncertainty and Misinformation
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
Q: How do I evaluate the quality of this claim and support good science? A: This extraordinary claim requires some serious evaluation to prevent the spread of misinformation. Curiosity and scientific skepticism are quite healthy, though the new pre-print article violates many foundational principles of scientific inquiry. Lindsay’s Laws of Infodemiology provide a useful guide Read more…
What’s the most likely way to catch SARS-CoV-2? Do I still need to Lysol the bejeesus out of everything?
Infection and Spread Socializing Staying Safe
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: You are most likely to catch SARS-CoV-2 from the AIR you breathe. General cleanliness rules for surfaces apply but you can stop obsessive purchases of Lysol and Clorox wipes. We’ve come a long way from those whimsical days in March when our hands were cracked from too much hand sanitizer and the high touch Read more…
With the holidays approaching, I am wondering….does a pod still make sense?
Families/Kids Socializing Staying Safe
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
A: Time for a TBT moment (Previous post)! Yes, a pod can help you socialize while minimizing your risk of infection. The basics: What is it? A pod (aka social bubble, bubble) is a small, stable, self-contained group of people (usually children and adults) who interact with one another in a limited or not socially Read more…
Can a face mask act like a vaccine?
Infection and Spread Masks Staying Safe Uncertainty and Misinformation
A: Although we ❤️ the part where it promotes mask-wearing, this intriguing idea has not been proven. For now, keep wearing your mask (because it DOES reduce your likelihood of infecting others) and wait for the science to catch up with this hypothesis. It is not safe to put on a mask and purposely expose Read more…
Can COVID-19 literally break my heart? What the heck is myocarditis?
Clinical Symptoms
A: In short, yes—COVID-19 infection can damage your heart. Myocarditis is inflammation of the heart, and recently social media has been blowing up with reports of athletes opting out of play due to myocarditis. We’ve got your back to give you some answers about myocarditis. The most recent reports suggest that myocarditis, or inflammation of Read more…
Lottsa Vaccine Questions Answered
Vaccines
Alison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
Q: How much longer until there’s a $#&^#% vaccine?!?! Q: How do vaccine trials work, by the way? Q: Once there’s a vaccine, the pandemic is over, right? Q: How will I know if it’s safe to get the vaccine? Q: What about that AstraZeneca trial that was stopped? A: Lotsa vaccine questions! Answers below. Read more…
What do voting and COVID-19 have in common?
Staying Safe
Rebecca Doyle, Graduate Assistant
A: A LOT! We Nerdy Girls are proud to be engaged citizens and passionate advocates for exercising our right to vote. In fact, we are launching a weekly series to help offer you some practical tips for voting safely and supporting your community. **As a friendly reminder, the Dear Pandemic community is strictly non-partisan, and Read more…
How can I tell if I have symptoms from exposure to wildfire smoke or COVID?
Clinical Symptoms
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
A: In dramatic satellite images released yesterday, smoke from wildfires on the West coast is shown stretching across much of the United States. As if 2020 hasn’t already offered us enough uncertainty, wildfire smoke and COVID cause a set of common symptoms, making it hard to tell which you’re facing. Shared symptoms include coughing, wheezing, Read more…
I am struggling with anxiety and maybe depression during this pandemic and nothing I have tried, from journaling to gratitude journaling, has worked.
Mental Health
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
Q: I think I need a therapist. Where do I start? A: We will walk you through it. Before we do, we want to acknowledge your bravery. Many of us are going through this and we thank you for asking openly and honestly about how to find help. In fact, approximately 40% of Americans report Read more…
What’s going on with the rise in SARS-CoV-2 cases in Spain? It sounds really bad.
Biology/Immunity Data and Metrics Infection and Spread
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
Q: Since they were already hit hard once, shouldn’t they have some herd immunity? A: Spain has seen an alarming increase in confirmed cases since mid-July, even surpassing the U.S. in daily cases per capita. But so far, deaths have only ticked up slightly compared to the height of their epidemic in March and April Read more…
As we approach seasonal influenza season, how will I know if my symptoms are from the flu or covid-19? If I am not sure, what should I do?
Clinical Symptoms Staying Safe
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: Spoiler alert: It will be challenging. Many symptoms overlap between seasonal flu and COVID-19 which will unfortunately make it hard to know whether you have flu or COVID-19. For a thorough comparison of symptoms and other clinical characteristics of flu vs. COVID-19 see here. Symptoms common to both COVID-19 and flu include: -Fever or Read more…
Today we share an update from Your local epidemiologist on what we know about COVID19 and pregnancy. Here’s the TL;DR: “Severe illness and adverse birth outcomes were observed among pregnant women with COVID19. Pregnant women should especially be careful during this time: avoid close contact with persons with confirmed or suspected COVID-19, maintain 6 feet Read more…
How do I keep my pod from growing into a swarm?
Families/Kids Infection and Spread Socializing Staying SafeAshley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: Reflect and refine. Small, stable pods work best in limiting the spread of SARS-CoV-2 while maintaining essential functions like work, school, and sanity. Everyday actions will help keep your pod from growing out of control. Reflection- It’s easy to minimize risk when we face them one at a time. We often think only of Read more…
Stress related to the pandemic has accelerated my substance use. How can I find the support I need?
Mental Health
Shoshana Aronowitz, PhD FNP-BC
A: As we’ve discussed in past posts, the pandemic and other stressful current events have taken a toll on many people’s mental health. For some folks, this can exacerbate substance use issues. It can be really scary to feel like you don’t have control over your substance use, but there are places you can find Read more…
Are temperature checks an adequate screening tool for COVID-19?
Clinical Symptoms Infection and Spread Staying Safe
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: Unfortunately, no. Being fever-free at the time of a temperature check is not a guarantee that a person doesn’t have COVID-19, nor that someone with COVID-19 won’t spread the infection to others. Why is that? The period of infectiousness for someone with COVID-19 (i.e., the window of time when someone can infect others) starts Read more…
I wear glasses. How can I prevent them from fogging up when I wear my mask?
Staying Safe
Lauren Hale, PhD MA
A. Thank you for wearing a mask! This is such a key step in preventing transmission. We also appreciate that it’s not always easy to wear a mask, especially if you wear glasses. They often fog up! Why? Well, in general, when warm air hits cool surfaces, there’s condensation. When you are wearing a mask, Read more…
Announcing the Dear Pandemic podcast!
Uncategorized
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Good news! Dear Pandemic now has a podcast! It’s called I Have Questions. Find it wherever you get podcasts, or at https://anchor.fm/dearpandemic. For now, the podcast is weekly Q&A with follower questions and Dear Pandemic contributor answers. We’ll be adding longer-format interviews with other experts soon, so stay tuned. If you have a question, put Read more…
Dear Pandemic COVID Q&A
Infection and Spread Staying Safe Videos
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Dear Pandemic: COVID Q&A Those Nerdy Girls Dr. Jennifer Beam Dowd and Dr. Malia Jones take follower questions in this Facebook Live event. Link to original FB post
Tribute to Ruth Bader Ginsburg
Social and Racial Justice Uncategorized
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
Dear Ruth Bader Ginsburg, You inspired us. You led through persistence and action. You paved the way for many women to achieve their dreams. You will be terribly missed and forever a guiding light. Love, Those Nerdy Girls 12 Powerful Quotes from RBG – Town and Country RBG Obit – The Guardian Link to original Read more…
I recently saw an article stating SARS-CoV-2 was made in a lab.
Uncertainty and Misinformation
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
Q: How do I evaluate the quality of this claim and support good science? A: This extraordinary claim requires some serious evaluation to prevent the spread of misinformation. Curiosity and scientific skepticism are quite healthy, though the new pre-print article violates many foundational principles of scientific inquiry. Lindsay’s Laws of Infodemiology provide a useful guide Read more…
What’s the most likely way to catch SARS-CoV-2? Do I still need to Lysol the bejeesus out of everything?
Infection and Spread Socializing Staying Safe
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: You are most likely to catch SARS-CoV-2 from the AIR you breathe. General cleanliness rules for surfaces apply but you can stop obsessive purchases of Lysol and Clorox wipes. We’ve come a long way from those whimsical days in March when our hands were cracked from too much hand sanitizer and the high touch Read more…
With the holidays approaching, I am wondering….does a pod still make sense?
Families/Kids Socializing Staying Safe
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
A: Time for a TBT moment (Previous post)! Yes, a pod can help you socialize while minimizing your risk of infection. The basics: What is it? A pod (aka social bubble, bubble) is a small, stable, self-contained group of people (usually children and adults) who interact with one another in a limited or not socially Read more…
Can a face mask act like a vaccine?
Infection and Spread Masks Staying Safe Uncertainty and Misinformation
A: Although we ❤️ the part where it promotes mask-wearing, this intriguing idea has not been proven. For now, keep wearing your mask (because it DOES reduce your likelihood of infecting others) and wait for the science to catch up with this hypothesis. It is not safe to put on a mask and purposely expose Read more…
Can COVID-19 literally break my heart? What the heck is myocarditis?
Clinical Symptoms
A: In short, yes—COVID-19 infection can damage your heart. Myocarditis is inflammation of the heart, and recently social media has been blowing up with reports of athletes opting out of play due to myocarditis. We’ve got your back to give you some answers about myocarditis. The most recent reports suggest that myocarditis, or inflammation of Read more…
Lottsa Vaccine Questions Answered
Vaccines
Alison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
Q: How much longer until there’s a $#&^#% vaccine?!?! Q: How do vaccine trials work, by the way? Q: Once there’s a vaccine, the pandemic is over, right? Q: How will I know if it’s safe to get the vaccine? Q: What about that AstraZeneca trial that was stopped? A: Lotsa vaccine questions! Answers below. Read more…
What do voting and COVID-19 have in common?
Staying Safe
Rebecca Doyle, Graduate Assistant
A: A LOT! We Nerdy Girls are proud to be engaged citizens and passionate advocates for exercising our right to vote. In fact, we are launching a weekly series to help offer you some practical tips for voting safely and supporting your community. **As a friendly reminder, the Dear Pandemic community is strictly non-partisan, and Read more…
How can I tell if I have symptoms from exposure to wildfire smoke or COVID?
Clinical Symptoms
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
A: In dramatic satellite images released yesterday, smoke from wildfires on the West coast is shown stretching across much of the United States. As if 2020 hasn’t already offered us enough uncertainty, wildfire smoke and COVID cause a set of common symptoms, making it hard to tell which you’re facing. Shared symptoms include coughing, wheezing, Read more…
I am struggling with anxiety and maybe depression during this pandemic and nothing I have tried, from journaling to gratitude journaling, has worked.
Mental Health
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
Q: I think I need a therapist. Where do I start? A: We will walk you through it. Before we do, we want to acknowledge your bravery. Many of us are going through this and we thank you for asking openly and honestly about how to find help. In fact, approximately 40% of Americans report Read more…
What’s going on with the rise in SARS-CoV-2 cases in Spain? It sounds really bad.
Biology/Immunity Data and Metrics Infection and Spread
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
Q: Since they were already hit hard once, shouldn’t they have some herd immunity? A: Spain has seen an alarming increase in confirmed cases since mid-July, even surpassing the U.S. in daily cases per capita. But so far, deaths have only ticked up slightly compared to the height of their epidemic in March and April Read more…
As we approach seasonal influenza season, how will I know if my symptoms are from the flu or covid-19? If I am not sure, what should I do?
Clinical Symptoms Staying Safe
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: Spoiler alert: It will be challenging. Many symptoms overlap between seasonal flu and COVID-19 which will unfortunately make it hard to know whether you have flu or COVID-19. For a thorough comparison of symptoms and other clinical characteristics of flu vs. COVID-19 see here. Symptoms common to both COVID-19 and flu include: -Fever or Read more…
A: Reflect and refine. Small, stable pods work best in limiting the spread of SARS-CoV-2 while maintaining essential functions like work, school, and sanity. Everyday actions will help keep your pod from growing out of control. Reflection- It’s easy to minimize risk when we face them one at a time. We often think only of Read more…
Stress related to the pandemic has accelerated my substance use. How can I find the support I need?
Mental HealthShoshana Aronowitz, PhD FNP-BC
A: As we’ve discussed in past posts, the pandemic and other stressful current events have taken a toll on many people’s mental health. For some folks, this can exacerbate substance use issues. It can be really scary to feel like you don’t have control over your substance use, but there are places you can find Read more…
Are temperature checks an adequate screening tool for COVID-19?
Clinical Symptoms Infection and Spread Staying Safe
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: Unfortunately, no. Being fever-free at the time of a temperature check is not a guarantee that a person doesn’t have COVID-19, nor that someone with COVID-19 won’t spread the infection to others. Why is that? The period of infectiousness for someone with COVID-19 (i.e., the window of time when someone can infect others) starts Read more…
I wear glasses. How can I prevent them from fogging up when I wear my mask?
Staying Safe
Lauren Hale, PhD MA
A. Thank you for wearing a mask! This is such a key step in preventing transmission. We also appreciate that it’s not always easy to wear a mask, especially if you wear glasses. They often fog up! Why? Well, in general, when warm air hits cool surfaces, there’s condensation. When you are wearing a mask, Read more…
Announcing the Dear Pandemic podcast!
Uncategorized
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Good news! Dear Pandemic now has a podcast! It’s called I Have Questions. Find it wherever you get podcasts, or at https://anchor.fm/dearpandemic. For now, the podcast is weekly Q&A with follower questions and Dear Pandemic contributor answers. We’ll be adding longer-format interviews with other experts soon, so stay tuned. If you have a question, put Read more…
Dear Pandemic COVID Q&A
Infection and Spread Staying Safe Videos
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Dear Pandemic: COVID Q&A Those Nerdy Girls Dr. Jennifer Beam Dowd and Dr. Malia Jones take follower questions in this Facebook Live event. Link to original FB post
Tribute to Ruth Bader Ginsburg
Social and Racial Justice Uncategorized
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
Dear Ruth Bader Ginsburg, You inspired us. You led through persistence and action. You paved the way for many women to achieve their dreams. You will be terribly missed and forever a guiding light. Love, Those Nerdy Girls 12 Powerful Quotes from RBG – Town and Country RBG Obit – The Guardian Link to original Read more…
I recently saw an article stating SARS-CoV-2 was made in a lab.
Uncertainty and Misinformation
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
Q: How do I evaluate the quality of this claim and support good science? A: This extraordinary claim requires some serious evaluation to prevent the spread of misinformation. Curiosity and scientific skepticism are quite healthy, though the new pre-print article violates many foundational principles of scientific inquiry. Lindsay’s Laws of Infodemiology provide a useful guide Read more…
What’s the most likely way to catch SARS-CoV-2? Do I still need to Lysol the bejeesus out of everything?
Infection and Spread Socializing Staying Safe
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: You are most likely to catch SARS-CoV-2 from the AIR you breathe. General cleanliness rules for surfaces apply but you can stop obsessive purchases of Lysol and Clorox wipes. We’ve come a long way from those whimsical days in March when our hands were cracked from too much hand sanitizer and the high touch Read more…
With the holidays approaching, I am wondering….does a pod still make sense?
Families/Kids Socializing Staying Safe
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
A: Time for a TBT moment (Previous post)! Yes, a pod can help you socialize while minimizing your risk of infection. The basics: What is it? A pod (aka social bubble, bubble) is a small, stable, self-contained group of people (usually children and adults) who interact with one another in a limited or not socially Read more…
Can a face mask act like a vaccine?
Infection and Spread Masks Staying Safe Uncertainty and Misinformation
A: Although we ❤️ the part where it promotes mask-wearing, this intriguing idea has not been proven. For now, keep wearing your mask (because it DOES reduce your likelihood of infecting others) and wait for the science to catch up with this hypothesis. It is not safe to put on a mask and purposely expose Read more…
Can COVID-19 literally break my heart? What the heck is myocarditis?
Clinical Symptoms
A: In short, yes—COVID-19 infection can damage your heart. Myocarditis is inflammation of the heart, and recently social media has been blowing up with reports of athletes opting out of play due to myocarditis. We’ve got your back to give you some answers about myocarditis. The most recent reports suggest that myocarditis, or inflammation of Read more…
Lottsa Vaccine Questions Answered
Vaccines
Alison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
Q: How much longer until there’s a $#&^#% vaccine?!?! Q: How do vaccine trials work, by the way? Q: Once there’s a vaccine, the pandemic is over, right? Q: How will I know if it’s safe to get the vaccine? Q: What about that AstraZeneca trial that was stopped? A: Lotsa vaccine questions! Answers below. Read more…
What do voting and COVID-19 have in common?
Staying Safe
Rebecca Doyle, Graduate Assistant
A: A LOT! We Nerdy Girls are proud to be engaged citizens and passionate advocates for exercising our right to vote. In fact, we are launching a weekly series to help offer you some practical tips for voting safely and supporting your community. **As a friendly reminder, the Dear Pandemic community is strictly non-partisan, and Read more…
How can I tell if I have symptoms from exposure to wildfire smoke or COVID?
Clinical Symptoms
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
A: In dramatic satellite images released yesterday, smoke from wildfires on the West coast is shown stretching across much of the United States. As if 2020 hasn’t already offered us enough uncertainty, wildfire smoke and COVID cause a set of common symptoms, making it hard to tell which you’re facing. Shared symptoms include coughing, wheezing, Read more…
I am struggling with anxiety and maybe depression during this pandemic and nothing I have tried, from journaling to gratitude journaling, has worked.
Mental Health
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
Q: I think I need a therapist. Where do I start? A: We will walk you through it. Before we do, we want to acknowledge your bravery. Many of us are going through this and we thank you for asking openly and honestly about how to find help. In fact, approximately 40% of Americans report Read more…
What’s going on with the rise in SARS-CoV-2 cases in Spain? It sounds really bad.
Biology/Immunity Data and Metrics Infection and Spread
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
Q: Since they were already hit hard once, shouldn’t they have some herd immunity? A: Spain has seen an alarming increase in confirmed cases since mid-July, even surpassing the U.S. in daily cases per capita. But so far, deaths have only ticked up slightly compared to the height of their epidemic in March and April Read more…
As we approach seasonal influenza season, how will I know if my symptoms are from the flu or covid-19? If I am not sure, what should I do?
Clinical Symptoms Staying Safe
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: Spoiler alert: It will be challenging. Many symptoms overlap between seasonal flu and COVID-19 which will unfortunately make it hard to know whether you have flu or COVID-19. For a thorough comparison of symptoms and other clinical characteristics of flu vs. COVID-19 see here. Symptoms common to both COVID-19 and flu include: -Fever or Read more…
A: As we’ve discussed in past posts, the pandemic and other stressful current events have taken a toll on many people’s mental health. For some folks, this can exacerbate substance use issues. It can be really scary to feel like you don’t have control over your substance use, but there are places you can find Read more…
Are temperature checks an adequate screening tool for COVID-19?
Clinical Symptoms Infection and Spread Staying SafeAmanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: Unfortunately, no. Being fever-free at the time of a temperature check is not a guarantee that a person doesn’t have COVID-19, nor that someone with COVID-19 won’t spread the infection to others. Why is that? The period of infectiousness for someone with COVID-19 (i.e., the window of time when someone can infect others) starts Read more…
I wear glasses. How can I prevent them from fogging up when I wear my mask?
Staying Safe
Lauren Hale, PhD MA
A. Thank you for wearing a mask! This is such a key step in preventing transmission. We also appreciate that it’s not always easy to wear a mask, especially if you wear glasses. They often fog up! Why? Well, in general, when warm air hits cool surfaces, there’s condensation. When you are wearing a mask, Read more…
Announcing the Dear Pandemic podcast!
Uncategorized
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Good news! Dear Pandemic now has a podcast! It’s called I Have Questions. Find it wherever you get podcasts, or at https://anchor.fm/dearpandemic. For now, the podcast is weekly Q&A with follower questions and Dear Pandemic contributor answers. We’ll be adding longer-format interviews with other experts soon, so stay tuned. If you have a question, put Read more…
Dear Pandemic COVID Q&A
Infection and Spread Staying Safe Videos
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Dear Pandemic: COVID Q&A Those Nerdy Girls Dr. Jennifer Beam Dowd and Dr. Malia Jones take follower questions in this Facebook Live event. Link to original FB post
Tribute to Ruth Bader Ginsburg
Social and Racial Justice Uncategorized
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
Dear Ruth Bader Ginsburg, You inspired us. You led through persistence and action. You paved the way for many women to achieve their dreams. You will be terribly missed and forever a guiding light. Love, Those Nerdy Girls 12 Powerful Quotes from RBG – Town and Country RBG Obit – The Guardian Link to original Read more…
I recently saw an article stating SARS-CoV-2 was made in a lab.
Uncertainty and Misinformation
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
Q: How do I evaluate the quality of this claim and support good science? A: This extraordinary claim requires some serious evaluation to prevent the spread of misinformation. Curiosity and scientific skepticism are quite healthy, though the new pre-print article violates many foundational principles of scientific inquiry. Lindsay’s Laws of Infodemiology provide a useful guide Read more…
What’s the most likely way to catch SARS-CoV-2? Do I still need to Lysol the bejeesus out of everything?
Infection and Spread Socializing Staying Safe
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: You are most likely to catch SARS-CoV-2 from the AIR you breathe. General cleanliness rules for surfaces apply but you can stop obsessive purchases of Lysol and Clorox wipes. We’ve come a long way from those whimsical days in March when our hands were cracked from too much hand sanitizer and the high touch Read more…
With the holidays approaching, I am wondering….does a pod still make sense?
Families/Kids Socializing Staying Safe
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
A: Time for a TBT moment (Previous post)! Yes, a pod can help you socialize while minimizing your risk of infection. The basics: What is it? A pod (aka social bubble, bubble) is a small, stable, self-contained group of people (usually children and adults) who interact with one another in a limited or not socially Read more…
Can a face mask act like a vaccine?
Infection and Spread Masks Staying Safe Uncertainty and Misinformation
A: Although we ❤️ the part where it promotes mask-wearing, this intriguing idea has not been proven. For now, keep wearing your mask (because it DOES reduce your likelihood of infecting others) and wait for the science to catch up with this hypothesis. It is not safe to put on a mask and purposely expose Read more…
Can COVID-19 literally break my heart? What the heck is myocarditis?
Clinical Symptoms
A: In short, yes—COVID-19 infection can damage your heart. Myocarditis is inflammation of the heart, and recently social media has been blowing up with reports of athletes opting out of play due to myocarditis. We’ve got your back to give you some answers about myocarditis. The most recent reports suggest that myocarditis, or inflammation of Read more…
Lottsa Vaccine Questions Answered
Vaccines
Alison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
Q: How much longer until there’s a $#&^#% vaccine?!?! Q: How do vaccine trials work, by the way? Q: Once there’s a vaccine, the pandemic is over, right? Q: How will I know if it’s safe to get the vaccine? Q: What about that AstraZeneca trial that was stopped? A: Lotsa vaccine questions! Answers below. Read more…
What do voting and COVID-19 have in common?
Staying Safe
Rebecca Doyle, Graduate Assistant
A: A LOT! We Nerdy Girls are proud to be engaged citizens and passionate advocates for exercising our right to vote. In fact, we are launching a weekly series to help offer you some practical tips for voting safely and supporting your community. **As a friendly reminder, the Dear Pandemic community is strictly non-partisan, and Read more…
How can I tell if I have symptoms from exposure to wildfire smoke or COVID?
Clinical Symptoms
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
A: In dramatic satellite images released yesterday, smoke from wildfires on the West coast is shown stretching across much of the United States. As if 2020 hasn’t already offered us enough uncertainty, wildfire smoke and COVID cause a set of common symptoms, making it hard to tell which you’re facing. Shared symptoms include coughing, wheezing, Read more…
I am struggling with anxiety and maybe depression during this pandemic and nothing I have tried, from journaling to gratitude journaling, has worked.
Mental Health
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
Q: I think I need a therapist. Where do I start? A: We will walk you through it. Before we do, we want to acknowledge your bravery. Many of us are going through this and we thank you for asking openly and honestly about how to find help. In fact, approximately 40% of Americans report Read more…
What’s going on with the rise in SARS-CoV-2 cases in Spain? It sounds really bad.
Biology/Immunity Data and Metrics Infection and Spread
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
Q: Since they were already hit hard once, shouldn’t they have some herd immunity? A: Spain has seen an alarming increase in confirmed cases since mid-July, even surpassing the U.S. in daily cases per capita. But so far, deaths have only ticked up slightly compared to the height of their epidemic in March and April Read more…
As we approach seasonal influenza season, how will I know if my symptoms are from the flu or covid-19? If I am not sure, what should I do?
Clinical Symptoms Staying Safe
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: Spoiler alert: It will be challenging. Many symptoms overlap between seasonal flu and COVID-19 which will unfortunately make it hard to know whether you have flu or COVID-19. For a thorough comparison of symptoms and other clinical characteristics of flu vs. COVID-19 see here. Symptoms common to both COVID-19 and flu include: -Fever or Read more…
A: Unfortunately, no. Being fever-free at the time of a temperature check is not a guarantee that a person doesn’t have COVID-19, nor that someone with COVID-19 won’t spread the infection to others. Why is that? The period of infectiousness for someone with COVID-19 (i.e., the window of time when someone can infect others) starts Read more…
I wear glasses. How can I prevent them from fogging up when I wear my mask?
Staying SafeLauren Hale, PhD MA
A. Thank you for wearing a mask! This is such a key step in preventing transmission. We also appreciate that it’s not always easy to wear a mask, especially if you wear glasses. They often fog up! Why? Well, in general, when warm air hits cool surfaces, there’s condensation. When you are wearing a mask, Read more…
Announcing the Dear Pandemic podcast!
Uncategorized
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Good news! Dear Pandemic now has a podcast! It’s called I Have Questions. Find it wherever you get podcasts, or at https://anchor.fm/dearpandemic. For now, the podcast is weekly Q&A with follower questions and Dear Pandemic contributor answers. We’ll be adding longer-format interviews with other experts soon, so stay tuned. If you have a question, put Read more…
Dear Pandemic COVID Q&A
Infection and Spread Staying Safe Videos
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Dear Pandemic: COVID Q&A Those Nerdy Girls Dr. Jennifer Beam Dowd and Dr. Malia Jones take follower questions in this Facebook Live event. Link to original FB post
Tribute to Ruth Bader Ginsburg
Social and Racial Justice Uncategorized
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
Dear Ruth Bader Ginsburg, You inspired us. You led through persistence and action. You paved the way for many women to achieve their dreams. You will be terribly missed and forever a guiding light. Love, Those Nerdy Girls 12 Powerful Quotes from RBG – Town and Country RBG Obit – The Guardian Link to original Read more…
I recently saw an article stating SARS-CoV-2 was made in a lab.
Uncertainty and Misinformation
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
Q: How do I evaluate the quality of this claim and support good science? A: This extraordinary claim requires some serious evaluation to prevent the spread of misinformation. Curiosity and scientific skepticism are quite healthy, though the new pre-print article violates many foundational principles of scientific inquiry. Lindsay’s Laws of Infodemiology provide a useful guide Read more…
What’s the most likely way to catch SARS-CoV-2? Do I still need to Lysol the bejeesus out of everything?
Infection and Spread Socializing Staying Safe
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: You are most likely to catch SARS-CoV-2 from the AIR you breathe. General cleanliness rules for surfaces apply but you can stop obsessive purchases of Lysol and Clorox wipes. We’ve come a long way from those whimsical days in March when our hands were cracked from too much hand sanitizer and the high touch Read more…
With the holidays approaching, I am wondering….does a pod still make sense?
Families/Kids Socializing Staying Safe
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
A: Time for a TBT moment (Previous post)! Yes, a pod can help you socialize while minimizing your risk of infection. The basics: What is it? A pod (aka social bubble, bubble) is a small, stable, self-contained group of people (usually children and adults) who interact with one another in a limited or not socially Read more…
Can a face mask act like a vaccine?
Infection and Spread Masks Staying Safe Uncertainty and Misinformation
A: Although we ❤️ the part where it promotes mask-wearing, this intriguing idea has not been proven. For now, keep wearing your mask (because it DOES reduce your likelihood of infecting others) and wait for the science to catch up with this hypothesis. It is not safe to put on a mask and purposely expose Read more…
Can COVID-19 literally break my heart? What the heck is myocarditis?
Clinical Symptoms
A: In short, yes—COVID-19 infection can damage your heart. Myocarditis is inflammation of the heart, and recently social media has been blowing up with reports of athletes opting out of play due to myocarditis. We’ve got your back to give you some answers about myocarditis. The most recent reports suggest that myocarditis, or inflammation of Read more…
Lottsa Vaccine Questions Answered
Vaccines
Alison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
Q: How much longer until there’s a $#&^#% vaccine?!?! Q: How do vaccine trials work, by the way? Q: Once there’s a vaccine, the pandemic is over, right? Q: How will I know if it’s safe to get the vaccine? Q: What about that AstraZeneca trial that was stopped? A: Lotsa vaccine questions! Answers below. Read more…
What do voting and COVID-19 have in common?
Staying Safe
Rebecca Doyle, Graduate Assistant
A: A LOT! We Nerdy Girls are proud to be engaged citizens and passionate advocates for exercising our right to vote. In fact, we are launching a weekly series to help offer you some practical tips for voting safely and supporting your community. **As a friendly reminder, the Dear Pandemic community is strictly non-partisan, and Read more…
How can I tell if I have symptoms from exposure to wildfire smoke or COVID?
Clinical Symptoms
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
A: In dramatic satellite images released yesterday, smoke from wildfires on the West coast is shown stretching across much of the United States. As if 2020 hasn’t already offered us enough uncertainty, wildfire smoke and COVID cause a set of common symptoms, making it hard to tell which you’re facing. Shared symptoms include coughing, wheezing, Read more…
I am struggling with anxiety and maybe depression during this pandemic and nothing I have tried, from journaling to gratitude journaling, has worked.
Mental Health
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
Q: I think I need a therapist. Where do I start? A: We will walk you through it. Before we do, we want to acknowledge your bravery. Many of us are going through this and we thank you for asking openly and honestly about how to find help. In fact, approximately 40% of Americans report Read more…
What’s going on with the rise in SARS-CoV-2 cases in Spain? It sounds really bad.
Biology/Immunity Data and Metrics Infection and Spread
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
Q: Since they were already hit hard once, shouldn’t they have some herd immunity? A: Spain has seen an alarming increase in confirmed cases since mid-July, even surpassing the U.S. in daily cases per capita. But so far, deaths have only ticked up slightly compared to the height of their epidemic in March and April Read more…
As we approach seasonal influenza season, how will I know if my symptoms are from the flu or covid-19? If I am not sure, what should I do?
Clinical Symptoms Staying Safe
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: Spoiler alert: It will be challenging. Many symptoms overlap between seasonal flu and COVID-19 which will unfortunately make it hard to know whether you have flu or COVID-19. For a thorough comparison of symptoms and other clinical characteristics of flu vs. COVID-19 see here. Symptoms common to both COVID-19 and flu include: -Fever or Read more…
A. Thank you for wearing a mask! This is such a key step in preventing transmission. We also appreciate that it’s not always easy to wear a mask, especially if you wear glasses. They often fog up! Why? Well, in general, when warm air hits cool surfaces, there’s condensation. When you are wearing a mask, Read more…
Announcing the Dear Pandemic podcast!
UncategorizedMalia Jones, PhD MPH
Good news! Dear Pandemic now has a podcast! It’s called I Have Questions. Find it wherever you get podcasts, or at https://anchor.fm/dearpandemic. For now, the podcast is weekly Q&A with follower questions and Dear Pandemic contributor answers. We’ll be adding longer-format interviews with other experts soon, so stay tuned. If you have a question, put Read more…
Dear Pandemic COVID Q&A
Infection and Spread Staying Safe Videos
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Dear Pandemic: COVID Q&A Those Nerdy Girls Dr. Jennifer Beam Dowd and Dr. Malia Jones take follower questions in this Facebook Live event. Link to original FB post
Tribute to Ruth Bader Ginsburg
Social and Racial Justice Uncategorized
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
Dear Ruth Bader Ginsburg, You inspired us. You led through persistence and action. You paved the way for many women to achieve their dreams. You will be terribly missed and forever a guiding light. Love, Those Nerdy Girls 12 Powerful Quotes from RBG – Town and Country RBG Obit – The Guardian Link to original Read more…
I recently saw an article stating SARS-CoV-2 was made in a lab.
Uncertainty and Misinformation
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
Q: How do I evaluate the quality of this claim and support good science? A: This extraordinary claim requires some serious evaluation to prevent the spread of misinformation. Curiosity and scientific skepticism are quite healthy, though the new pre-print article violates many foundational principles of scientific inquiry. Lindsay’s Laws of Infodemiology provide a useful guide Read more…
What’s the most likely way to catch SARS-CoV-2? Do I still need to Lysol the bejeesus out of everything?
Infection and Spread Socializing Staying Safe
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: You are most likely to catch SARS-CoV-2 from the AIR you breathe. General cleanliness rules for surfaces apply but you can stop obsessive purchases of Lysol and Clorox wipes. We’ve come a long way from those whimsical days in March when our hands were cracked from too much hand sanitizer and the high touch Read more…
With the holidays approaching, I am wondering….does a pod still make sense?
Families/Kids Socializing Staying Safe
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
A: Time for a TBT moment (Previous post)! Yes, a pod can help you socialize while minimizing your risk of infection. The basics: What is it? A pod (aka social bubble, bubble) is a small, stable, self-contained group of people (usually children and adults) who interact with one another in a limited or not socially Read more…
Can a face mask act like a vaccine?
Infection and Spread Masks Staying Safe Uncertainty and Misinformation
A: Although we ❤️ the part where it promotes mask-wearing, this intriguing idea has not been proven. For now, keep wearing your mask (because it DOES reduce your likelihood of infecting others) and wait for the science to catch up with this hypothesis. It is not safe to put on a mask and purposely expose Read more…
Can COVID-19 literally break my heart? What the heck is myocarditis?
Clinical Symptoms
A: In short, yes—COVID-19 infection can damage your heart. Myocarditis is inflammation of the heart, and recently social media has been blowing up with reports of athletes opting out of play due to myocarditis. We’ve got your back to give you some answers about myocarditis. The most recent reports suggest that myocarditis, or inflammation of Read more…
Lottsa Vaccine Questions Answered
Vaccines
Alison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
Q: How much longer until there’s a $#&^#% vaccine?!?! Q: How do vaccine trials work, by the way? Q: Once there’s a vaccine, the pandemic is over, right? Q: How will I know if it’s safe to get the vaccine? Q: What about that AstraZeneca trial that was stopped? A: Lotsa vaccine questions! Answers below. Read more…
What do voting and COVID-19 have in common?
Staying Safe
Rebecca Doyle, Graduate Assistant
A: A LOT! We Nerdy Girls are proud to be engaged citizens and passionate advocates for exercising our right to vote. In fact, we are launching a weekly series to help offer you some practical tips for voting safely and supporting your community. **As a friendly reminder, the Dear Pandemic community is strictly non-partisan, and Read more…
How can I tell if I have symptoms from exposure to wildfire smoke or COVID?
Clinical Symptoms
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
A: In dramatic satellite images released yesterday, smoke from wildfires on the West coast is shown stretching across much of the United States. As if 2020 hasn’t already offered us enough uncertainty, wildfire smoke and COVID cause a set of common symptoms, making it hard to tell which you’re facing. Shared symptoms include coughing, wheezing, Read more…
I am struggling with anxiety and maybe depression during this pandemic and nothing I have tried, from journaling to gratitude journaling, has worked.
Mental Health
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
Q: I think I need a therapist. Where do I start? A: We will walk you through it. Before we do, we want to acknowledge your bravery. Many of us are going through this and we thank you for asking openly and honestly about how to find help. In fact, approximately 40% of Americans report Read more…
What’s going on with the rise in SARS-CoV-2 cases in Spain? It sounds really bad.
Biology/Immunity Data and Metrics Infection and Spread
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
Q: Since they were already hit hard once, shouldn’t they have some herd immunity? A: Spain has seen an alarming increase in confirmed cases since mid-July, even surpassing the U.S. in daily cases per capita. But so far, deaths have only ticked up slightly compared to the height of their epidemic in March and April Read more…
As we approach seasonal influenza season, how will I know if my symptoms are from the flu or covid-19? If I am not sure, what should I do?
Clinical Symptoms Staying Safe
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: Spoiler alert: It will be challenging. Many symptoms overlap between seasonal flu and COVID-19 which will unfortunately make it hard to know whether you have flu or COVID-19. For a thorough comparison of symptoms and other clinical characteristics of flu vs. COVID-19 see here. Symptoms common to both COVID-19 and flu include: -Fever or Read more…
Good news! Dear Pandemic now has a podcast! It’s called I Have Questions. Find it wherever you get podcasts, or at https://anchor.fm/dearpandemic. For now, the podcast is weekly Q&A with follower questions and Dear Pandemic contributor answers. We’ll be adding longer-format interviews with other experts soon, so stay tuned. If you have a question, put Read more…
Dear Pandemic COVID Q&A
Infection and Spread Staying Safe VideosMalia Jones, PhD MPH
Dear Pandemic: COVID Q&A Those Nerdy Girls Dr. Jennifer Beam Dowd and Dr. Malia Jones take follower questions in this Facebook Live event. Link to original FB post
Tribute to Ruth Bader Ginsburg
Social and Racial Justice Uncategorized
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
Dear Ruth Bader Ginsburg, You inspired us. You led through persistence and action. You paved the way for many women to achieve their dreams. You will be terribly missed and forever a guiding light. Love, Those Nerdy Girls 12 Powerful Quotes from RBG – Town and Country RBG Obit – The Guardian Link to original Read more…
I recently saw an article stating SARS-CoV-2 was made in a lab.
Uncertainty and Misinformation
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
Q: How do I evaluate the quality of this claim and support good science? A: This extraordinary claim requires some serious evaluation to prevent the spread of misinformation. Curiosity and scientific skepticism are quite healthy, though the new pre-print article violates many foundational principles of scientific inquiry. Lindsay’s Laws of Infodemiology provide a useful guide Read more…
What’s the most likely way to catch SARS-CoV-2? Do I still need to Lysol the bejeesus out of everything?
Infection and Spread Socializing Staying Safe
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: You are most likely to catch SARS-CoV-2 from the AIR you breathe. General cleanliness rules for surfaces apply but you can stop obsessive purchases of Lysol and Clorox wipes. We’ve come a long way from those whimsical days in March when our hands were cracked from too much hand sanitizer and the high touch Read more…
With the holidays approaching, I am wondering….does a pod still make sense?
Families/Kids Socializing Staying Safe
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
A: Time for a TBT moment (Previous post)! Yes, a pod can help you socialize while minimizing your risk of infection. The basics: What is it? A pod (aka social bubble, bubble) is a small, stable, self-contained group of people (usually children and adults) who interact with one another in a limited or not socially Read more…
Can a face mask act like a vaccine?
Infection and Spread Masks Staying Safe Uncertainty and Misinformation
A: Although we ❤️ the part where it promotes mask-wearing, this intriguing idea has not been proven. For now, keep wearing your mask (because it DOES reduce your likelihood of infecting others) and wait for the science to catch up with this hypothesis. It is not safe to put on a mask and purposely expose Read more…
Can COVID-19 literally break my heart? What the heck is myocarditis?
Clinical Symptoms
A: In short, yes—COVID-19 infection can damage your heart. Myocarditis is inflammation of the heart, and recently social media has been blowing up with reports of athletes opting out of play due to myocarditis. We’ve got your back to give you some answers about myocarditis. The most recent reports suggest that myocarditis, or inflammation of Read more…
Lottsa Vaccine Questions Answered
Vaccines
Alison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
Q: How much longer until there’s a $#&^#% vaccine?!?! Q: How do vaccine trials work, by the way? Q: Once there’s a vaccine, the pandemic is over, right? Q: How will I know if it’s safe to get the vaccine? Q: What about that AstraZeneca trial that was stopped? A: Lotsa vaccine questions! Answers below. Read more…
What do voting and COVID-19 have in common?
Staying Safe
Rebecca Doyle, Graduate Assistant
A: A LOT! We Nerdy Girls are proud to be engaged citizens and passionate advocates for exercising our right to vote. In fact, we are launching a weekly series to help offer you some practical tips for voting safely and supporting your community. **As a friendly reminder, the Dear Pandemic community is strictly non-partisan, and Read more…
How can I tell if I have symptoms from exposure to wildfire smoke or COVID?
Clinical Symptoms
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
A: In dramatic satellite images released yesterday, smoke from wildfires on the West coast is shown stretching across much of the United States. As if 2020 hasn’t already offered us enough uncertainty, wildfire smoke and COVID cause a set of common symptoms, making it hard to tell which you’re facing. Shared symptoms include coughing, wheezing, Read more…
I am struggling with anxiety and maybe depression during this pandemic and nothing I have tried, from journaling to gratitude journaling, has worked.
Mental Health
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
Q: I think I need a therapist. Where do I start? A: We will walk you through it. Before we do, we want to acknowledge your bravery. Many of us are going through this and we thank you for asking openly and honestly about how to find help. In fact, approximately 40% of Americans report Read more…
What’s going on with the rise in SARS-CoV-2 cases in Spain? It sounds really bad.
Biology/Immunity Data and Metrics Infection and Spread
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
Q: Since they were already hit hard once, shouldn’t they have some herd immunity? A: Spain has seen an alarming increase in confirmed cases since mid-July, even surpassing the U.S. in daily cases per capita. But so far, deaths have only ticked up slightly compared to the height of their epidemic in March and April Read more…
As we approach seasonal influenza season, how will I know if my symptoms are from the flu or covid-19? If I am not sure, what should I do?
Clinical Symptoms Staying Safe
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: Spoiler alert: It will be challenging. Many symptoms overlap between seasonal flu and COVID-19 which will unfortunately make it hard to know whether you have flu or COVID-19. For a thorough comparison of symptoms and other clinical characteristics of flu vs. COVID-19 see here. Symptoms common to both COVID-19 and flu include: -Fever or Read more…
Dear Pandemic: COVID Q&A Those Nerdy Girls Dr. Jennifer Beam Dowd and Dr. Malia Jones take follower questions in this Facebook Live event. Link to original FB post
Tribute to Ruth Bader Ginsburg
Social and Racial Justice UncategorizedAshley Ritter, APRN, PhD
Dear Ruth Bader Ginsburg, You inspired us. You led through persistence and action. You paved the way for many women to achieve their dreams. You will be terribly missed and forever a guiding light. Love, Those Nerdy Girls 12 Powerful Quotes from RBG – Town and Country RBG Obit – The Guardian Link to original Read more…
I recently saw an article stating SARS-CoV-2 was made in a lab.
Uncertainty and Misinformation
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
Q: How do I evaluate the quality of this claim and support good science? A: This extraordinary claim requires some serious evaluation to prevent the spread of misinformation. Curiosity and scientific skepticism are quite healthy, though the new pre-print article violates many foundational principles of scientific inquiry. Lindsay’s Laws of Infodemiology provide a useful guide Read more…
What’s the most likely way to catch SARS-CoV-2? Do I still need to Lysol the bejeesus out of everything?
Infection and Spread Socializing Staying Safe
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: You are most likely to catch SARS-CoV-2 from the AIR you breathe. General cleanliness rules for surfaces apply but you can stop obsessive purchases of Lysol and Clorox wipes. We’ve come a long way from those whimsical days in March when our hands were cracked from too much hand sanitizer and the high touch Read more…
With the holidays approaching, I am wondering….does a pod still make sense?
Families/Kids Socializing Staying Safe
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
A: Time for a TBT moment (Previous post)! Yes, a pod can help you socialize while minimizing your risk of infection. The basics: What is it? A pod (aka social bubble, bubble) is a small, stable, self-contained group of people (usually children and adults) who interact with one another in a limited or not socially Read more…
Can a face mask act like a vaccine?
Infection and Spread Masks Staying Safe Uncertainty and Misinformation
A: Although we ❤️ the part where it promotes mask-wearing, this intriguing idea has not been proven. For now, keep wearing your mask (because it DOES reduce your likelihood of infecting others) and wait for the science to catch up with this hypothesis. It is not safe to put on a mask and purposely expose Read more…
Can COVID-19 literally break my heart? What the heck is myocarditis?
Clinical Symptoms
A: In short, yes—COVID-19 infection can damage your heart. Myocarditis is inflammation of the heart, and recently social media has been blowing up with reports of athletes opting out of play due to myocarditis. We’ve got your back to give you some answers about myocarditis. The most recent reports suggest that myocarditis, or inflammation of Read more…
Lottsa Vaccine Questions Answered
Vaccines
Alison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
Q: How much longer until there’s a $#&^#% vaccine?!?! Q: How do vaccine trials work, by the way? Q: Once there’s a vaccine, the pandemic is over, right? Q: How will I know if it’s safe to get the vaccine? Q: What about that AstraZeneca trial that was stopped? A: Lotsa vaccine questions! Answers below. Read more…
What do voting and COVID-19 have in common?
Staying Safe
Rebecca Doyle, Graduate Assistant
A: A LOT! We Nerdy Girls are proud to be engaged citizens and passionate advocates for exercising our right to vote. In fact, we are launching a weekly series to help offer you some practical tips for voting safely and supporting your community. **As a friendly reminder, the Dear Pandemic community is strictly non-partisan, and Read more…
How can I tell if I have symptoms from exposure to wildfire smoke or COVID?
Clinical Symptoms
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
A: In dramatic satellite images released yesterday, smoke from wildfires on the West coast is shown stretching across much of the United States. As if 2020 hasn’t already offered us enough uncertainty, wildfire smoke and COVID cause a set of common symptoms, making it hard to tell which you’re facing. Shared symptoms include coughing, wheezing, Read more…
I am struggling with anxiety and maybe depression during this pandemic and nothing I have tried, from journaling to gratitude journaling, has worked.
Mental Health
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
Q: I think I need a therapist. Where do I start? A: We will walk you through it. Before we do, we want to acknowledge your bravery. Many of us are going through this and we thank you for asking openly and honestly about how to find help. In fact, approximately 40% of Americans report Read more…
What’s going on with the rise in SARS-CoV-2 cases in Spain? It sounds really bad.
Biology/Immunity Data and Metrics Infection and Spread
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
Q: Since they were already hit hard once, shouldn’t they have some herd immunity? A: Spain has seen an alarming increase in confirmed cases since mid-July, even surpassing the U.S. in daily cases per capita. But so far, deaths have only ticked up slightly compared to the height of their epidemic in March and April Read more…
As we approach seasonal influenza season, how will I know if my symptoms are from the flu or covid-19? If I am not sure, what should I do?
Clinical Symptoms Staying Safe
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: Spoiler alert: It will be challenging. Many symptoms overlap between seasonal flu and COVID-19 which will unfortunately make it hard to know whether you have flu or COVID-19. For a thorough comparison of symptoms and other clinical characteristics of flu vs. COVID-19 see here. Symptoms common to both COVID-19 and flu include: -Fever or Read more…
Dear Ruth Bader Ginsburg, You inspired us. You led through persistence and action. You paved the way for many women to achieve their dreams. You will be terribly missed and forever a guiding light. Love, Those Nerdy Girls 12 Powerful Quotes from RBG – Town and Country RBG Obit – The Guardian Link to original Read more…
I recently saw an article stating SARS-CoV-2 was made in a lab.
Uncertainty and MisinformationAshley Ritter, APRN, PhD
Q: How do I evaluate the quality of this claim and support good science? A: This extraordinary claim requires some serious evaluation to prevent the spread of misinformation. Curiosity and scientific skepticism are quite healthy, though the new pre-print article violates many foundational principles of scientific inquiry. Lindsay’s Laws of Infodemiology provide a useful guide Read more…
What’s the most likely way to catch SARS-CoV-2? Do I still need to Lysol the bejeesus out of everything?
Infection and Spread Socializing Staying Safe
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: You are most likely to catch SARS-CoV-2 from the AIR you breathe. General cleanliness rules for surfaces apply but you can stop obsessive purchases of Lysol and Clorox wipes. We’ve come a long way from those whimsical days in March when our hands were cracked from too much hand sanitizer and the high touch Read more…
With the holidays approaching, I am wondering….does a pod still make sense?
Families/Kids Socializing Staying Safe
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
A: Time for a TBT moment (Previous post)! Yes, a pod can help you socialize while minimizing your risk of infection. The basics: What is it? A pod (aka social bubble, bubble) is a small, stable, self-contained group of people (usually children and adults) who interact with one another in a limited or not socially Read more…
Can a face mask act like a vaccine?
Infection and Spread Masks Staying Safe Uncertainty and Misinformation
A: Although we ❤️ the part where it promotes mask-wearing, this intriguing idea has not been proven. For now, keep wearing your mask (because it DOES reduce your likelihood of infecting others) and wait for the science to catch up with this hypothesis. It is not safe to put on a mask and purposely expose Read more…
Can COVID-19 literally break my heart? What the heck is myocarditis?
Clinical Symptoms
A: In short, yes—COVID-19 infection can damage your heart. Myocarditis is inflammation of the heart, and recently social media has been blowing up with reports of athletes opting out of play due to myocarditis. We’ve got your back to give you some answers about myocarditis. The most recent reports suggest that myocarditis, or inflammation of Read more…
Lottsa Vaccine Questions Answered
Vaccines
Alison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
Q: How much longer until there’s a $#&^#% vaccine?!?! Q: How do vaccine trials work, by the way? Q: Once there’s a vaccine, the pandemic is over, right? Q: How will I know if it’s safe to get the vaccine? Q: What about that AstraZeneca trial that was stopped? A: Lotsa vaccine questions! Answers below. Read more…
What do voting and COVID-19 have in common?
Staying Safe
Rebecca Doyle, Graduate Assistant
A: A LOT! We Nerdy Girls are proud to be engaged citizens and passionate advocates for exercising our right to vote. In fact, we are launching a weekly series to help offer you some practical tips for voting safely and supporting your community. **As a friendly reminder, the Dear Pandemic community is strictly non-partisan, and Read more…
How can I tell if I have symptoms from exposure to wildfire smoke or COVID?
Clinical Symptoms
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
A: In dramatic satellite images released yesterday, smoke from wildfires on the West coast is shown stretching across much of the United States. As if 2020 hasn’t already offered us enough uncertainty, wildfire smoke and COVID cause a set of common symptoms, making it hard to tell which you’re facing. Shared symptoms include coughing, wheezing, Read more…
I am struggling with anxiety and maybe depression during this pandemic and nothing I have tried, from journaling to gratitude journaling, has worked.
Mental Health
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
Q: I think I need a therapist. Where do I start? A: We will walk you through it. Before we do, we want to acknowledge your bravery. Many of us are going through this and we thank you for asking openly and honestly about how to find help. In fact, approximately 40% of Americans report Read more…
What’s going on with the rise in SARS-CoV-2 cases in Spain? It sounds really bad.
Biology/Immunity Data and Metrics Infection and Spread
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
Q: Since they were already hit hard once, shouldn’t they have some herd immunity? A: Spain has seen an alarming increase in confirmed cases since mid-July, even surpassing the U.S. in daily cases per capita. But so far, deaths have only ticked up slightly compared to the height of their epidemic in March and April Read more…
As we approach seasonal influenza season, how will I know if my symptoms are from the flu or covid-19? If I am not sure, what should I do?
Clinical Symptoms Staying Safe
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: Spoiler alert: It will be challenging. Many symptoms overlap between seasonal flu and COVID-19 which will unfortunately make it hard to know whether you have flu or COVID-19. For a thorough comparison of symptoms and other clinical characteristics of flu vs. COVID-19 see here. Symptoms common to both COVID-19 and flu include: -Fever or Read more…
Q: How do I evaluate the quality of this claim and support good science? A: This extraordinary claim requires some serious evaluation to prevent the spread of misinformation. Curiosity and scientific skepticism are quite healthy, though the new pre-print article violates many foundational principles of scientific inquiry. Lindsay’s Laws of Infodemiology provide a useful guide Read more…
What’s the most likely way to catch SARS-CoV-2? Do I still need to Lysol the bejeesus out of everything?
Infection and Spread Socializing Staying SafeJennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: You are most likely to catch SARS-CoV-2 from the AIR you breathe. General cleanliness rules for surfaces apply but you can stop obsessive purchases of Lysol and Clorox wipes. We’ve come a long way from those whimsical days in March when our hands were cracked from too much hand sanitizer and the high touch Read more…
With the holidays approaching, I am wondering….does a pod still make sense?
Families/Kids Socializing Staying Safe
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
A: Time for a TBT moment (Previous post)! Yes, a pod can help you socialize while minimizing your risk of infection. The basics: What is it? A pod (aka social bubble, bubble) is a small, stable, self-contained group of people (usually children and adults) who interact with one another in a limited or not socially Read more…
Can a face mask act like a vaccine?
Infection and Spread Masks Staying Safe Uncertainty and Misinformation
A: Although we ❤️ the part where it promotes mask-wearing, this intriguing idea has not been proven. For now, keep wearing your mask (because it DOES reduce your likelihood of infecting others) and wait for the science to catch up with this hypothesis. It is not safe to put on a mask and purposely expose Read more…
Can COVID-19 literally break my heart? What the heck is myocarditis?
Clinical Symptoms
A: In short, yes—COVID-19 infection can damage your heart. Myocarditis is inflammation of the heart, and recently social media has been blowing up with reports of athletes opting out of play due to myocarditis. We’ve got your back to give you some answers about myocarditis. The most recent reports suggest that myocarditis, or inflammation of Read more…
Lottsa Vaccine Questions Answered
Vaccines
Alison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
Q: How much longer until there’s a $#&^#% vaccine?!?! Q: How do vaccine trials work, by the way? Q: Once there’s a vaccine, the pandemic is over, right? Q: How will I know if it’s safe to get the vaccine? Q: What about that AstraZeneca trial that was stopped? A: Lotsa vaccine questions! Answers below. Read more…
What do voting and COVID-19 have in common?
Staying Safe
Rebecca Doyle, Graduate Assistant
A: A LOT! We Nerdy Girls are proud to be engaged citizens and passionate advocates for exercising our right to vote. In fact, we are launching a weekly series to help offer you some practical tips for voting safely and supporting your community. **As a friendly reminder, the Dear Pandemic community is strictly non-partisan, and Read more…
How can I tell if I have symptoms from exposure to wildfire smoke or COVID?
Clinical Symptoms
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
A: In dramatic satellite images released yesterday, smoke from wildfires on the West coast is shown stretching across much of the United States. As if 2020 hasn’t already offered us enough uncertainty, wildfire smoke and COVID cause a set of common symptoms, making it hard to tell which you’re facing. Shared symptoms include coughing, wheezing, Read more…
I am struggling with anxiety and maybe depression during this pandemic and nothing I have tried, from journaling to gratitude journaling, has worked.
Mental Health
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
Q: I think I need a therapist. Where do I start? A: We will walk you through it. Before we do, we want to acknowledge your bravery. Many of us are going through this and we thank you for asking openly and honestly about how to find help. In fact, approximately 40% of Americans report Read more…
What’s going on with the rise in SARS-CoV-2 cases in Spain? It sounds really bad.
Biology/Immunity Data and Metrics Infection and Spread
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
Q: Since they were already hit hard once, shouldn’t they have some herd immunity? A: Spain has seen an alarming increase in confirmed cases since mid-July, even surpassing the U.S. in daily cases per capita. But so far, deaths have only ticked up slightly compared to the height of their epidemic in March and April Read more…
As we approach seasonal influenza season, how will I know if my symptoms are from the flu or covid-19? If I am not sure, what should I do?
Clinical Symptoms Staying Safe
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: Spoiler alert: It will be challenging. Many symptoms overlap between seasonal flu and COVID-19 which will unfortunately make it hard to know whether you have flu or COVID-19. For a thorough comparison of symptoms and other clinical characteristics of flu vs. COVID-19 see here. Symptoms common to both COVID-19 and flu include: -Fever or Read more…
A: You are most likely to catch SARS-CoV-2 from the AIR you breathe. General cleanliness rules for surfaces apply but you can stop obsessive purchases of Lysol and Clorox wipes. We’ve come a long way from those whimsical days in March when our hands were cracked from too much hand sanitizer and the high touch Read more…
With the holidays approaching, I am wondering….does a pod still make sense?
Families/Kids Socializing Staying SafeAparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
A: Time for a TBT moment (Previous post)! Yes, a pod can help you socialize while minimizing your risk of infection. The basics: What is it? A pod (aka social bubble, bubble) is a small, stable, self-contained group of people (usually children and adults) who interact with one another in a limited or not socially Read more…
Can a face mask act like a vaccine?
Infection and Spread Masks Staying Safe Uncertainty and Misinformation
A: Although we ❤️ the part where it promotes mask-wearing, this intriguing idea has not been proven. For now, keep wearing your mask (because it DOES reduce your likelihood of infecting others) and wait for the science to catch up with this hypothesis. It is not safe to put on a mask and purposely expose Read more…
Can COVID-19 literally break my heart? What the heck is myocarditis?
Clinical Symptoms
A: In short, yes—COVID-19 infection can damage your heart. Myocarditis is inflammation of the heart, and recently social media has been blowing up with reports of athletes opting out of play due to myocarditis. We’ve got your back to give you some answers about myocarditis. The most recent reports suggest that myocarditis, or inflammation of Read more…
Lottsa Vaccine Questions Answered
Vaccines
Alison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
Q: How much longer until there’s a $#&^#% vaccine?!?! Q: How do vaccine trials work, by the way? Q: Once there’s a vaccine, the pandemic is over, right? Q: How will I know if it’s safe to get the vaccine? Q: What about that AstraZeneca trial that was stopped? A: Lotsa vaccine questions! Answers below. Read more…
What do voting and COVID-19 have in common?
Staying Safe
Rebecca Doyle, Graduate Assistant
A: A LOT! We Nerdy Girls are proud to be engaged citizens and passionate advocates for exercising our right to vote. In fact, we are launching a weekly series to help offer you some practical tips for voting safely and supporting your community. **As a friendly reminder, the Dear Pandemic community is strictly non-partisan, and Read more…
How can I tell if I have symptoms from exposure to wildfire smoke or COVID?
Clinical Symptoms
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
A: In dramatic satellite images released yesterday, smoke from wildfires on the West coast is shown stretching across much of the United States. As if 2020 hasn’t already offered us enough uncertainty, wildfire smoke and COVID cause a set of common symptoms, making it hard to tell which you’re facing. Shared symptoms include coughing, wheezing, Read more…
I am struggling with anxiety and maybe depression during this pandemic and nothing I have tried, from journaling to gratitude journaling, has worked.
Mental Health
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
Q: I think I need a therapist. Where do I start? A: We will walk you through it. Before we do, we want to acknowledge your bravery. Many of us are going through this and we thank you for asking openly and honestly about how to find help. In fact, approximately 40% of Americans report Read more…
What’s going on with the rise in SARS-CoV-2 cases in Spain? It sounds really bad.
Biology/Immunity Data and Metrics Infection and Spread
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
Q: Since they were already hit hard once, shouldn’t they have some herd immunity? A: Spain has seen an alarming increase in confirmed cases since mid-July, even surpassing the U.S. in daily cases per capita. But so far, deaths have only ticked up slightly compared to the height of their epidemic in March and April Read more…
As we approach seasonal influenza season, how will I know if my symptoms are from the flu or covid-19? If I am not sure, what should I do?
Clinical Symptoms Staying Safe
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: Spoiler alert: It will be challenging. Many symptoms overlap between seasonal flu and COVID-19 which will unfortunately make it hard to know whether you have flu or COVID-19. For a thorough comparison of symptoms and other clinical characteristics of flu vs. COVID-19 see here. Symptoms common to both COVID-19 and flu include: -Fever or Read more…
A: Time for a TBT moment (Previous post)! Yes, a pod can help you socialize while minimizing your risk of infection. The basics: What is it? A pod (aka social bubble, bubble) is a small, stable, self-contained group of people (usually children and adults) who interact with one another in a limited or not socially Read more…
Can a face mask act like a vaccine?
Infection and Spread Masks Staying Safe Uncertainty and MisinformationA: Although we ❤️ the part where it promotes mask-wearing, this intriguing idea has not been proven. For now, keep wearing your mask (because it DOES reduce your likelihood of infecting others) and wait for the science to catch up with this hypothesis. It is not safe to put on a mask and purposely expose Read more…
Can COVID-19 literally break my heart? What the heck is myocarditis?
Clinical SymptomsA: In short, yes—COVID-19 infection can damage your heart. Myocarditis is inflammation of the heart, and recently social media has been blowing up with reports of athletes opting out of play due to myocarditis. We’ve got your back to give you some answers about myocarditis. The most recent reports suggest that myocarditis, or inflammation of Read more…
Lottsa Vaccine Questions Answered
VaccinesAlison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
Q: How much longer until there’s a $#&^#% vaccine?!?! Q: How do vaccine trials work, by the way? Q: Once there’s a vaccine, the pandemic is over, right? Q: How will I know if it’s safe to get the vaccine? Q: What about that AstraZeneca trial that was stopped? A: Lotsa vaccine questions! Answers below. Read more…
What do voting and COVID-19 have in common?
Staying Safe
Rebecca Doyle, Graduate Assistant
A: A LOT! We Nerdy Girls are proud to be engaged citizens and passionate advocates for exercising our right to vote. In fact, we are launching a weekly series to help offer you some practical tips for voting safely and supporting your community. **As a friendly reminder, the Dear Pandemic community is strictly non-partisan, and Read more…
How can I tell if I have symptoms from exposure to wildfire smoke or COVID?
Clinical Symptoms
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
A: In dramatic satellite images released yesterday, smoke from wildfires on the West coast is shown stretching across much of the United States. As if 2020 hasn’t already offered us enough uncertainty, wildfire smoke and COVID cause a set of common symptoms, making it hard to tell which you’re facing. Shared symptoms include coughing, wheezing, Read more…
I am struggling with anxiety and maybe depression during this pandemic and nothing I have tried, from journaling to gratitude journaling, has worked.
Mental Health
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
Q: I think I need a therapist. Where do I start? A: We will walk you through it. Before we do, we want to acknowledge your bravery. Many of us are going through this and we thank you for asking openly and honestly about how to find help. In fact, approximately 40% of Americans report Read more…
What’s going on with the rise in SARS-CoV-2 cases in Spain? It sounds really bad.
Biology/Immunity Data and Metrics Infection and Spread
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
Q: Since they were already hit hard once, shouldn’t they have some herd immunity? A: Spain has seen an alarming increase in confirmed cases since mid-July, even surpassing the U.S. in daily cases per capita. But so far, deaths have only ticked up slightly compared to the height of their epidemic in March and April Read more…
As we approach seasonal influenza season, how will I know if my symptoms are from the flu or covid-19? If I am not sure, what should I do?
Clinical Symptoms Staying Safe
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: Spoiler alert: It will be challenging. Many symptoms overlap between seasonal flu and COVID-19 which will unfortunately make it hard to know whether you have flu or COVID-19. For a thorough comparison of symptoms and other clinical characteristics of flu vs. COVID-19 see here. Symptoms common to both COVID-19 and flu include: -Fever or Read more…
Q: How much longer until there’s a $#&^#% vaccine?!?! Q: How do vaccine trials work, by the way? Q: Once there’s a vaccine, the pandemic is over, right? Q: How will I know if it’s safe to get the vaccine? Q: What about that AstraZeneca trial that was stopped? A: Lotsa vaccine questions! Answers below. Read more…
What do voting and COVID-19 have in common?
Staying SafeRebecca Doyle, Graduate Assistant
A: A LOT! We Nerdy Girls are proud to be engaged citizens and passionate advocates for exercising our right to vote. In fact, we are launching a weekly series to help offer you some practical tips for voting safely and supporting your community. **As a friendly reminder, the Dear Pandemic community is strictly non-partisan, and Read more…
How can I tell if I have symptoms from exposure to wildfire smoke or COVID?
Clinical Symptoms
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
A: In dramatic satellite images released yesterday, smoke from wildfires on the West coast is shown stretching across much of the United States. As if 2020 hasn’t already offered us enough uncertainty, wildfire smoke and COVID cause a set of common symptoms, making it hard to tell which you’re facing. Shared symptoms include coughing, wheezing, Read more…
I am struggling with anxiety and maybe depression during this pandemic and nothing I have tried, from journaling to gratitude journaling, has worked.
Mental Health
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
Q: I think I need a therapist. Where do I start? A: We will walk you through it. Before we do, we want to acknowledge your bravery. Many of us are going through this and we thank you for asking openly and honestly about how to find help. In fact, approximately 40% of Americans report Read more…
What’s going on with the rise in SARS-CoV-2 cases in Spain? It sounds really bad.
Biology/Immunity Data and Metrics Infection and Spread
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
Q: Since they were already hit hard once, shouldn’t they have some herd immunity? A: Spain has seen an alarming increase in confirmed cases since mid-July, even surpassing the U.S. in daily cases per capita. But so far, deaths have only ticked up slightly compared to the height of their epidemic in March and April Read more…
As we approach seasonal influenza season, how will I know if my symptoms are from the flu or covid-19? If I am not sure, what should I do?
Clinical Symptoms Staying Safe
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: Spoiler alert: It will be challenging. Many symptoms overlap between seasonal flu and COVID-19 which will unfortunately make it hard to know whether you have flu or COVID-19. For a thorough comparison of symptoms and other clinical characteristics of flu vs. COVID-19 see here. Symptoms common to both COVID-19 and flu include: -Fever or Read more…
A: A LOT! We Nerdy Girls are proud to be engaged citizens and passionate advocates for exercising our right to vote. In fact, we are launching a weekly series to help offer you some practical tips for voting safely and supporting your community. **As a friendly reminder, the Dear Pandemic community is strictly non-partisan, and Read more…
How can I tell if I have symptoms from exposure to wildfire smoke or COVID?
Clinical SymptomsMalia Jones, PhD MPH
A: In dramatic satellite images released yesterday, smoke from wildfires on the West coast is shown stretching across much of the United States. As if 2020 hasn’t already offered us enough uncertainty, wildfire smoke and COVID cause a set of common symptoms, making it hard to tell which you’re facing. Shared symptoms include coughing, wheezing, Read more…
I am struggling with anxiety and maybe depression during this pandemic and nothing I have tried, from journaling to gratitude journaling, has worked.
Mental Health
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
Q: I think I need a therapist. Where do I start? A: We will walk you through it. Before we do, we want to acknowledge your bravery. Many of us are going through this and we thank you for asking openly and honestly about how to find help. In fact, approximately 40% of Americans report Read more…
What’s going on with the rise in SARS-CoV-2 cases in Spain? It sounds really bad.
Biology/Immunity Data and Metrics Infection and Spread
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
Q: Since they were already hit hard once, shouldn’t they have some herd immunity? A: Spain has seen an alarming increase in confirmed cases since mid-July, even surpassing the U.S. in daily cases per capita. But so far, deaths have only ticked up slightly compared to the height of their epidemic in March and April Read more…
As we approach seasonal influenza season, how will I know if my symptoms are from the flu or covid-19? If I am not sure, what should I do?
Clinical Symptoms Staying Safe
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: Spoiler alert: It will be challenging. Many symptoms overlap between seasonal flu and COVID-19 which will unfortunately make it hard to know whether you have flu or COVID-19. For a thorough comparison of symptoms and other clinical characteristics of flu vs. COVID-19 see here. Symptoms common to both COVID-19 and flu include: -Fever or Read more…
A: In dramatic satellite images released yesterday, smoke from wildfires on the West coast is shown stretching across much of the United States. As if 2020 hasn’t already offered us enough uncertainty, wildfire smoke and COVID cause a set of common symptoms, making it hard to tell which you’re facing. Shared symptoms include coughing, wheezing, Read more…
I am struggling with anxiety and maybe depression during this pandemic and nothing I have tried, from journaling to gratitude journaling, has worked.
Mental HealthAparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
Q: I think I need a therapist. Where do I start? A: We will walk you through it. Before we do, we want to acknowledge your bravery. Many of us are going through this and we thank you for asking openly and honestly about how to find help. In fact, approximately 40% of Americans report Read more…
What’s going on with the rise in SARS-CoV-2 cases in Spain? It sounds really bad.
Biology/Immunity Data and Metrics Infection and Spread
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
Q: Since they were already hit hard once, shouldn’t they have some herd immunity? A: Spain has seen an alarming increase in confirmed cases since mid-July, even surpassing the U.S. in daily cases per capita. But so far, deaths have only ticked up slightly compared to the height of their epidemic in March and April Read more…
As we approach seasonal influenza season, how will I know if my symptoms are from the flu or covid-19? If I am not sure, what should I do?
Clinical Symptoms Staying Safe
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: Spoiler alert: It will be challenging. Many symptoms overlap between seasonal flu and COVID-19 which will unfortunately make it hard to know whether you have flu or COVID-19. For a thorough comparison of symptoms and other clinical characteristics of flu vs. COVID-19 see here. Symptoms common to both COVID-19 and flu include: -Fever or Read more…
Q: I think I need a therapist. Where do I start? A: We will walk you through it. Before we do, we want to acknowledge your bravery. Many of us are going through this and we thank you for asking openly and honestly about how to find help. In fact, approximately 40% of Americans report Read more…
What’s going on with the rise in SARS-CoV-2 cases in Spain? It sounds really bad.
Biology/Immunity Data and Metrics Infection and SpreadJennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
Q: Since they were already hit hard once, shouldn’t they have some herd immunity? A: Spain has seen an alarming increase in confirmed cases since mid-July, even surpassing the U.S. in daily cases per capita. But so far, deaths have only ticked up slightly compared to the height of their epidemic in March and April Read more…
As we approach seasonal influenza season, how will I know if my symptoms are from the flu or covid-19? If I am not sure, what should I do?
Clinical Symptoms Staying Safe
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: Spoiler alert: It will be challenging. Many symptoms overlap between seasonal flu and COVID-19 which will unfortunately make it hard to know whether you have flu or COVID-19. For a thorough comparison of symptoms and other clinical characteristics of flu vs. COVID-19 see here. Symptoms common to both COVID-19 and flu include: -Fever or Read more…
Q: Since they were already hit hard once, shouldn’t they have some herd immunity? A: Spain has seen an alarming increase in confirmed cases since mid-July, even surpassing the U.S. in daily cases per capita. But so far, deaths have only ticked up slightly compared to the height of their epidemic in March and April Read more…
As we approach seasonal influenza season, how will I know if my symptoms are from the flu or covid-19? If I am not sure, what should I do?
Clinical Symptoms Staying SafeAmanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: Spoiler alert: It will be challenging. Many symptoms overlap between seasonal flu and COVID-19 which will unfortunately make it hard to know whether you have flu or COVID-19. For a thorough comparison of symptoms and other clinical characteristics of flu vs. COVID-19 see here. Symptoms common to both COVID-19 and flu include: -Fever or Read more…
A: Spoiler alert: It will be challenging. Many symptoms overlap between seasonal flu and COVID-19 which will unfortunately make it hard to know whether you have flu or COVID-19. For a thorough comparison of symptoms and other clinical characteristics of flu vs. COVID-19 see here. Symptoms common to both COVID-19 and flu include: -Fever or Read more…
