Do you have any other tips to help kids get used to wearing masks?
Masks Staying Safe
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: We get it, many of us have young children and are actively working on mask use with them as well! We previously posted some useful ideas for encouraging kids to wear masks and a video for kids by the fabulous Nerdy Girl, Dr. Aparna Kumar, explaining how and why they should wear them and we Read more…
Will a gaiter protect me from coronavirus?
Masks Staying Safe
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: Let’s discuss. The gaiters we are referring to are facial coverings that go around your neck and extend from above your nose down your neck. They are commonly used to protect against the sun, inhalation of dust, or during very cold outdoor activities like fishing, hiking, and skiing. Gaiters, to our knowledge, were not Read more…
Do masks work?
Infection and Spread Masks Staying Safe
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: Signs point to YES! As we’ve been heard to say, “absence of evidence is not evidence of absence.” While our gold standard randomized controlled trials are not very practical for testing the efficacy of masks during a pandemic (how would YOU like to be in that placebo group?!), accumulating evidence from different types of Read more…
With so much talk about schools and reopening, what factors are important to consider when weighing risks/benefits of doing so?
Families/Kids Reopening School Staying Safe
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
As nerdy girls, parents, and educators, we want so much to have clarity around school reopening. But, we just don’t yet know everything we need to know (and may not in 6 weeks!). So our best offering to you, our dear followers, is to share our ideas about how to assess the issue. We hope Read more…
I’m still confused about the “Is the virus airborne?” debate. Practical take-aways, please.
Infection and Spread Staying Safe
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
A: Individuals: Avoid poorly ventilated, crowded indoor spaces to the extent possible. Building owners/tenants: Beef up air filtration, especially in older buildings. Background: A very loud squabble emerged last week around the classification of SARS-CoV-2 in the scientific taxonomy. Nerdy Girl Alison wrote a wonderful post walking through the science discussing what an “airborne” classification Read more…
When should I get tested?
Infection and Spread Testing and Contact Tracing
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Introducing Nerdy Guest Ajay Sethi, PhD, MHS. Dr. Sethi is a leading infectious disease epidemiologist at UW-Madison’s School of Medicine and Public Health. (@AjayKSethi on Twitter!) ____________________________________________ Q: When should I get tested? When I’m sick? When I have specific symptoms? When I’m sick and not getting better after several days? When a family member Read more…
What is pool testing?
Testing and Contact Tracing
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
A: In simple terms, pool testing (also referred to as “group testing” or “batch testing”) combines many tests into one sample. The benefit is that it can facilitate an increase in testing capabilities as well as result in cost/resource savings (when supplies are low). This is not a new strategy to test individuals for infectious Read more…
Doctors discuss COVID-19 and what they have learned
Clinical Symptoms Families/Kids Infection and Spread Staying Safe Videos
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Drs. Vineet Arora and Eve Bloomgarden, MDs and co-founders of IMPACT, discuss what they’ve learned these last few months about how COVID-19 impacts physicians and patients with Dear Pandemic Nerdy Girls Malia Jones, PhD, MPH and Lindsey Leininger, PhD. Link to original FB post
How do I choose the best face mask?
Infection and Spread Masks Staying Safe
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: Awesome job wearing a mask! We know it’s a new habit and not always comfortable. Masks are effective in trapping droplets capable of spreading Covid-19. If we all wear one, we can greatly reduce the spread of the virus. Step one is committing to mask wearing. They all provide some level of protection. Step Read more…
What steps should families who want to visit relatives who are older and/or more vulnerable to complications of COVID-19 take to protect their loved ones?
Families/Kids Infection and Spread Staying Safe Travel
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: We all miss our families (yes, us too!) and while navigating how to keep loved ones safe can feel overwhelming, the Nerdy Girls are here to help you make the best decisions possible based on the best information available! Luckily there are some key things (as highlighted in the NPR article below) you can Read more…
Is it true that Covid-19 symptoms can last for months?
Clinical Symptoms Infection and Spread
Alison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
Introducing Nerdy Guest Michelle L. Frisco, PhD, who joins us to talk about “Covid long haulers”. Dr. Frisco is Associate Professor of Sociology & Demography at Penn State University. She studies population health. A: Yes. Some people who contract Covid-19 seem to deal with consistent or recurring symptoms for a long time. Q: How common Read more…
Talk to me about going to the dentist.
Infection and Spread Staying Safe
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
A: Here are a few factors to consider: (1) Your individual risk/benefit tradeoff; (2) The amount of circulating disease in your community; (3) The dentist’s infection control protocols. Heading back to the dentist safely is top of mind for the Nerdy Girls, as several of us have logged some serious time in the dental chair Read more…
Will temperature checks actually work? What else can schools and businesses do to quickly scan for potentially infectious people?
Clinical Symptoms Infection and Spread Reopening School
Lauren Hale, PhD MA
A: There’s reason to be skeptical about temperature checks. COVID-19 is infectious for several days before symptoms appear. Scanning folks as they enter a building for a fever won’t do much to prevent people who are pre-symptomatic from entering and spewing infectious droplets all over the place. Gross. At this point, we need to embrace Read more…
What is the real risk of death from COVID-19? Is it actually worse than the flu?
Biology/Immunity Infection and Spread Uncertainty and Misinformation
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: It’s complicated…. but YES! As a demographer and epidemiologist, mortality rates are in my wheelhouse so to speak, but getting a handle on COVID-19 has challenged us all. First some definitions: Case Fatality Rate (CFR): % of confirmed cases who die. In the U.S., the estimated CFR is currently 4.33% In the U.K., the Read more…
What’s happening in refugee camps?
Infection and Spread Social and Racial Justice
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Introducing Nerdy Guest Dr. Paula Tavrow, who joins us to talk to us about what’s happening with COVID-19 in refugee camps. Dr. Tavrow is an adjunct professor of Community Health Sciences at UCLA’s Fielding School of Public Health. She has been working on African public health issues since 1984. *** A: I can speak to Read more…
“What’s my risk when I’m doing _____?”
Families/Kids Infection and Spread Staying Safe Videos
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Why we can’t answer questions like “What’s my risk when I’m doing _____?” What is your risk when you’re doing _____? You may have noticed we won’t give you a straight answer to this question. Dr. Malia Jones chats about why. She shows the relationship between individual and community risk using her toy model COVID Read more…
How do I help fight the “infodemic?”
Uncertainty and Misinformation
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
A: Kindness + curiosity + scientific skepticism. Our second installment of Throwback Thursday is a re-share of “Lindsey’s Laws” for determining whether a piece of news is SOLID or SENSATIONAL. As the pandemic rages on, so does the ensuing whiplash from navigating splashy headlines and attention-grabbing claims. Some good news: We can all play a Read more…
Nerdy Guest chat with Dr. Valerie Paz-Soldan
Infection and Spread Videos
Alison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
We chat with Tulane professor, social scientist and public health researcher Dr. Valerie Paz Soldan about the COVID-19 pandemic in Peru. Charlamos con la Dra. Valerie Paz Soldan, profesora en la Universidad de Tulane, científica social e investigadora de salud pública, sobre la pandemia de COVID-19 en Perú See Less Link to original FB post
I am confused about my mask. COVID-19 poem
Masks Staying Safe Videos
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Poem inspired by Green Eggs & Ham about wearing masks during the COVID-19 Pandemic written and performed by Those Nerdy Girls of Dear Pandemic. Link to original FB post
Is the virus airborne?
Infection and Spread Staying Safe
Alison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
A: It depends what you mean by airborne. Fortunately, the guidance for avoiding the virus in your day-to-day life is the same either way. On July 4th, a New York Times article reported that 239 scientists from 32 countries had sent an open letter to the World Health Organization (WHO) asserting that “airborne transmission of Read more…
A: We get it, many of us have young children and are actively working on mask use with them as well! We previously posted some useful ideas for encouraging kids to wear masks and a video for kids by the fabulous Nerdy Girl, Dr. Aparna Kumar, explaining how and why they should wear them and we Read more…
Will a gaiter protect me from coronavirus?
Masks Staying SafeAshley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: Let’s discuss. The gaiters we are referring to are facial coverings that go around your neck and extend from above your nose down your neck. They are commonly used to protect against the sun, inhalation of dust, or during very cold outdoor activities like fishing, hiking, and skiing. Gaiters, to our knowledge, were not Read more…
Do masks work?
Infection and Spread Masks Staying Safe
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: Signs point to YES! As we’ve been heard to say, “absence of evidence is not evidence of absence.” While our gold standard randomized controlled trials are not very practical for testing the efficacy of masks during a pandemic (how would YOU like to be in that placebo group?!), accumulating evidence from different types of Read more…
With so much talk about schools and reopening, what factors are important to consider when weighing risks/benefits of doing so?
Families/Kids Reopening School Staying Safe
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
As nerdy girls, parents, and educators, we want so much to have clarity around school reopening. But, we just don’t yet know everything we need to know (and may not in 6 weeks!). So our best offering to you, our dear followers, is to share our ideas about how to assess the issue. We hope Read more…
I’m still confused about the “Is the virus airborne?” debate. Practical take-aways, please.
Infection and Spread Staying Safe
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
A: Individuals: Avoid poorly ventilated, crowded indoor spaces to the extent possible. Building owners/tenants: Beef up air filtration, especially in older buildings. Background: A very loud squabble emerged last week around the classification of SARS-CoV-2 in the scientific taxonomy. Nerdy Girl Alison wrote a wonderful post walking through the science discussing what an “airborne” classification Read more…
When should I get tested?
Infection and Spread Testing and Contact Tracing
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Introducing Nerdy Guest Ajay Sethi, PhD, MHS. Dr. Sethi is a leading infectious disease epidemiologist at UW-Madison’s School of Medicine and Public Health. (@AjayKSethi on Twitter!) ____________________________________________ Q: When should I get tested? When I’m sick? When I have specific symptoms? When I’m sick and not getting better after several days? When a family member Read more…
What is pool testing?
Testing and Contact Tracing
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
A: In simple terms, pool testing (also referred to as “group testing” or “batch testing”) combines many tests into one sample. The benefit is that it can facilitate an increase in testing capabilities as well as result in cost/resource savings (when supplies are low). This is not a new strategy to test individuals for infectious Read more…
Doctors discuss COVID-19 and what they have learned
Clinical Symptoms Families/Kids Infection and Spread Staying Safe Videos
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Drs. Vineet Arora and Eve Bloomgarden, MDs and co-founders of IMPACT, discuss what they’ve learned these last few months about how COVID-19 impacts physicians and patients with Dear Pandemic Nerdy Girls Malia Jones, PhD, MPH and Lindsey Leininger, PhD. Link to original FB post
How do I choose the best face mask?
Infection and Spread Masks Staying Safe
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: Awesome job wearing a mask! We know it’s a new habit and not always comfortable. Masks are effective in trapping droplets capable of spreading Covid-19. If we all wear one, we can greatly reduce the spread of the virus. Step one is committing to mask wearing. They all provide some level of protection. Step Read more…
What steps should families who want to visit relatives who are older and/or more vulnerable to complications of COVID-19 take to protect their loved ones?
Families/Kids Infection and Spread Staying Safe Travel
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: We all miss our families (yes, us too!) and while navigating how to keep loved ones safe can feel overwhelming, the Nerdy Girls are here to help you make the best decisions possible based on the best information available! Luckily there are some key things (as highlighted in the NPR article below) you can Read more…
Is it true that Covid-19 symptoms can last for months?
Clinical Symptoms Infection and Spread
Alison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
Introducing Nerdy Guest Michelle L. Frisco, PhD, who joins us to talk about “Covid long haulers”. Dr. Frisco is Associate Professor of Sociology & Demography at Penn State University. She studies population health. A: Yes. Some people who contract Covid-19 seem to deal with consistent or recurring symptoms for a long time. Q: How common Read more…
Talk to me about going to the dentist.
Infection and Spread Staying Safe
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
A: Here are a few factors to consider: (1) Your individual risk/benefit tradeoff; (2) The amount of circulating disease in your community; (3) The dentist’s infection control protocols. Heading back to the dentist safely is top of mind for the Nerdy Girls, as several of us have logged some serious time in the dental chair Read more…
Will temperature checks actually work? What else can schools and businesses do to quickly scan for potentially infectious people?
Clinical Symptoms Infection and Spread Reopening School
Lauren Hale, PhD MA
A: There’s reason to be skeptical about temperature checks. COVID-19 is infectious for several days before symptoms appear. Scanning folks as they enter a building for a fever won’t do much to prevent people who are pre-symptomatic from entering and spewing infectious droplets all over the place. Gross. At this point, we need to embrace Read more…
What is the real risk of death from COVID-19? Is it actually worse than the flu?
Biology/Immunity Infection and Spread Uncertainty and Misinformation
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: It’s complicated…. but YES! As a demographer and epidemiologist, mortality rates are in my wheelhouse so to speak, but getting a handle on COVID-19 has challenged us all. First some definitions: Case Fatality Rate (CFR): % of confirmed cases who die. In the U.S., the estimated CFR is currently 4.33% In the U.K., the Read more…
What’s happening in refugee camps?
Infection and Spread Social and Racial Justice
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Introducing Nerdy Guest Dr. Paula Tavrow, who joins us to talk to us about what’s happening with COVID-19 in refugee camps. Dr. Tavrow is an adjunct professor of Community Health Sciences at UCLA’s Fielding School of Public Health. She has been working on African public health issues since 1984. *** A: I can speak to Read more…
“What’s my risk when I’m doing _____?”
Families/Kids Infection and Spread Staying Safe Videos
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Why we can’t answer questions like “What’s my risk when I’m doing _____?” What is your risk when you’re doing _____? You may have noticed we won’t give you a straight answer to this question. Dr. Malia Jones chats about why. She shows the relationship between individual and community risk using her toy model COVID Read more…
How do I help fight the “infodemic?”
Uncertainty and Misinformation
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
A: Kindness + curiosity + scientific skepticism. Our second installment of Throwback Thursday is a re-share of “Lindsey’s Laws” for determining whether a piece of news is SOLID or SENSATIONAL. As the pandemic rages on, so does the ensuing whiplash from navigating splashy headlines and attention-grabbing claims. Some good news: We can all play a Read more…
Nerdy Guest chat with Dr. Valerie Paz-Soldan
Infection and Spread Videos
Alison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
We chat with Tulane professor, social scientist and public health researcher Dr. Valerie Paz Soldan about the COVID-19 pandemic in Peru. Charlamos con la Dra. Valerie Paz Soldan, profesora en la Universidad de Tulane, científica social e investigadora de salud pública, sobre la pandemia de COVID-19 en Perú See Less Link to original FB post
I am confused about my mask. COVID-19 poem
Masks Staying Safe Videos
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Poem inspired by Green Eggs & Ham about wearing masks during the COVID-19 Pandemic written and performed by Those Nerdy Girls of Dear Pandemic. Link to original FB post
Is the virus airborne?
Infection and Spread Staying Safe
Alison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
A: It depends what you mean by airborne. Fortunately, the guidance for avoiding the virus in your day-to-day life is the same either way. On July 4th, a New York Times article reported that 239 scientists from 32 countries had sent an open letter to the World Health Organization (WHO) asserting that “airborne transmission of Read more…
A: Let’s discuss. The gaiters we are referring to are facial coverings that go around your neck and extend from above your nose down your neck. They are commonly used to protect against the sun, inhalation of dust, or during very cold outdoor activities like fishing, hiking, and skiing. Gaiters, to our knowledge, were not Read more…
Do masks work?
Infection and Spread Masks Staying SafeJennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: Signs point to YES! As we’ve been heard to say, “absence of evidence is not evidence of absence.” While our gold standard randomized controlled trials are not very practical for testing the efficacy of masks during a pandemic (how would YOU like to be in that placebo group?!), accumulating evidence from different types of Read more…
With so much talk about schools and reopening, what factors are important to consider when weighing risks/benefits of doing so?
Families/Kids Reopening School Staying Safe
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
As nerdy girls, parents, and educators, we want so much to have clarity around school reopening. But, we just don’t yet know everything we need to know (and may not in 6 weeks!). So our best offering to you, our dear followers, is to share our ideas about how to assess the issue. We hope Read more…
I’m still confused about the “Is the virus airborne?” debate. Practical take-aways, please.
Infection and Spread Staying Safe
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
A: Individuals: Avoid poorly ventilated, crowded indoor spaces to the extent possible. Building owners/tenants: Beef up air filtration, especially in older buildings. Background: A very loud squabble emerged last week around the classification of SARS-CoV-2 in the scientific taxonomy. Nerdy Girl Alison wrote a wonderful post walking through the science discussing what an “airborne” classification Read more…
When should I get tested?
Infection and Spread Testing and Contact Tracing
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Introducing Nerdy Guest Ajay Sethi, PhD, MHS. Dr. Sethi is a leading infectious disease epidemiologist at UW-Madison’s School of Medicine and Public Health. (@AjayKSethi on Twitter!) ____________________________________________ Q: When should I get tested? When I’m sick? When I have specific symptoms? When I’m sick and not getting better after several days? When a family member Read more…
What is pool testing?
Testing and Contact Tracing
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
A: In simple terms, pool testing (also referred to as “group testing” or “batch testing”) combines many tests into one sample. The benefit is that it can facilitate an increase in testing capabilities as well as result in cost/resource savings (when supplies are low). This is not a new strategy to test individuals for infectious Read more…
Doctors discuss COVID-19 and what they have learned
Clinical Symptoms Families/Kids Infection and Spread Staying Safe Videos
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Drs. Vineet Arora and Eve Bloomgarden, MDs and co-founders of IMPACT, discuss what they’ve learned these last few months about how COVID-19 impacts physicians and patients with Dear Pandemic Nerdy Girls Malia Jones, PhD, MPH and Lindsey Leininger, PhD. Link to original FB post
How do I choose the best face mask?
Infection and Spread Masks Staying Safe
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: Awesome job wearing a mask! We know it’s a new habit and not always comfortable. Masks are effective in trapping droplets capable of spreading Covid-19. If we all wear one, we can greatly reduce the spread of the virus. Step one is committing to mask wearing. They all provide some level of protection. Step Read more…
What steps should families who want to visit relatives who are older and/or more vulnerable to complications of COVID-19 take to protect their loved ones?
Families/Kids Infection and Spread Staying Safe Travel
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: We all miss our families (yes, us too!) and while navigating how to keep loved ones safe can feel overwhelming, the Nerdy Girls are here to help you make the best decisions possible based on the best information available! Luckily there are some key things (as highlighted in the NPR article below) you can Read more…
Is it true that Covid-19 symptoms can last for months?
Clinical Symptoms Infection and Spread
Alison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
Introducing Nerdy Guest Michelle L. Frisco, PhD, who joins us to talk about “Covid long haulers”. Dr. Frisco is Associate Professor of Sociology & Demography at Penn State University. She studies population health. A: Yes. Some people who contract Covid-19 seem to deal with consistent or recurring symptoms for a long time. Q: How common Read more…
Talk to me about going to the dentist.
Infection and Spread Staying Safe
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
A: Here are a few factors to consider: (1) Your individual risk/benefit tradeoff; (2) The amount of circulating disease in your community; (3) The dentist’s infection control protocols. Heading back to the dentist safely is top of mind for the Nerdy Girls, as several of us have logged some serious time in the dental chair Read more…
Will temperature checks actually work? What else can schools and businesses do to quickly scan for potentially infectious people?
Clinical Symptoms Infection and Spread Reopening School
Lauren Hale, PhD MA
A: There’s reason to be skeptical about temperature checks. COVID-19 is infectious for several days before symptoms appear. Scanning folks as they enter a building for a fever won’t do much to prevent people who are pre-symptomatic from entering and spewing infectious droplets all over the place. Gross. At this point, we need to embrace Read more…
What is the real risk of death from COVID-19? Is it actually worse than the flu?
Biology/Immunity Infection and Spread Uncertainty and Misinformation
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: It’s complicated…. but YES! As a demographer and epidemiologist, mortality rates are in my wheelhouse so to speak, but getting a handle on COVID-19 has challenged us all. First some definitions: Case Fatality Rate (CFR): % of confirmed cases who die. In the U.S., the estimated CFR is currently 4.33% In the U.K., the Read more…
What’s happening in refugee camps?
Infection and Spread Social and Racial Justice
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Introducing Nerdy Guest Dr. Paula Tavrow, who joins us to talk to us about what’s happening with COVID-19 in refugee camps. Dr. Tavrow is an adjunct professor of Community Health Sciences at UCLA’s Fielding School of Public Health. She has been working on African public health issues since 1984. *** A: I can speak to Read more…
“What’s my risk when I’m doing _____?”
Families/Kids Infection and Spread Staying Safe Videos
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Why we can’t answer questions like “What’s my risk when I’m doing _____?” What is your risk when you’re doing _____? You may have noticed we won’t give you a straight answer to this question. Dr. Malia Jones chats about why. She shows the relationship between individual and community risk using her toy model COVID Read more…
How do I help fight the “infodemic?”
Uncertainty and Misinformation
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
A: Kindness + curiosity + scientific skepticism. Our second installment of Throwback Thursday is a re-share of “Lindsey’s Laws” for determining whether a piece of news is SOLID or SENSATIONAL. As the pandemic rages on, so does the ensuing whiplash from navigating splashy headlines and attention-grabbing claims. Some good news: We can all play a Read more…
Nerdy Guest chat with Dr. Valerie Paz-Soldan
Infection and Spread Videos
Alison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
We chat with Tulane professor, social scientist and public health researcher Dr. Valerie Paz Soldan about the COVID-19 pandemic in Peru. Charlamos con la Dra. Valerie Paz Soldan, profesora en la Universidad de Tulane, científica social e investigadora de salud pública, sobre la pandemia de COVID-19 en Perú See Less Link to original FB post
I am confused about my mask. COVID-19 poem
Masks Staying Safe Videos
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Poem inspired by Green Eggs & Ham about wearing masks during the COVID-19 Pandemic written and performed by Those Nerdy Girls of Dear Pandemic. Link to original FB post
Is the virus airborne?
Infection and Spread Staying Safe
Alison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
A: It depends what you mean by airborne. Fortunately, the guidance for avoiding the virus in your day-to-day life is the same either way. On July 4th, a New York Times article reported that 239 scientists from 32 countries had sent an open letter to the World Health Organization (WHO) asserting that “airborne transmission of Read more…
A: Signs point to YES! As we’ve been heard to say, “absence of evidence is not evidence of absence.” While our gold standard randomized controlled trials are not very practical for testing the efficacy of masks during a pandemic (how would YOU like to be in that placebo group?!), accumulating evidence from different types of Read more…
With so much talk about schools and reopening, what factors are important to consider when weighing risks/benefits of doing so?
Families/Kids Reopening School Staying SafeAparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
As nerdy girls, parents, and educators, we want so much to have clarity around school reopening. But, we just don’t yet know everything we need to know (and may not in 6 weeks!). So our best offering to you, our dear followers, is to share our ideas about how to assess the issue. We hope Read more…
I’m still confused about the “Is the virus airborne?” debate. Practical take-aways, please.
Infection and Spread Staying Safe
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
A: Individuals: Avoid poorly ventilated, crowded indoor spaces to the extent possible. Building owners/tenants: Beef up air filtration, especially in older buildings. Background: A very loud squabble emerged last week around the classification of SARS-CoV-2 in the scientific taxonomy. Nerdy Girl Alison wrote a wonderful post walking through the science discussing what an “airborne” classification Read more…
When should I get tested?
Infection and Spread Testing and Contact Tracing
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Introducing Nerdy Guest Ajay Sethi, PhD, MHS. Dr. Sethi is a leading infectious disease epidemiologist at UW-Madison’s School of Medicine and Public Health. (@AjayKSethi on Twitter!) ____________________________________________ Q: When should I get tested? When I’m sick? When I have specific symptoms? When I’m sick and not getting better after several days? When a family member Read more…
What is pool testing?
Testing and Contact Tracing
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
A: In simple terms, pool testing (also referred to as “group testing” or “batch testing”) combines many tests into one sample. The benefit is that it can facilitate an increase in testing capabilities as well as result in cost/resource savings (when supplies are low). This is not a new strategy to test individuals for infectious Read more…
Doctors discuss COVID-19 and what they have learned
Clinical Symptoms Families/Kids Infection and Spread Staying Safe Videos
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Drs. Vineet Arora and Eve Bloomgarden, MDs and co-founders of IMPACT, discuss what they’ve learned these last few months about how COVID-19 impacts physicians and patients with Dear Pandemic Nerdy Girls Malia Jones, PhD, MPH and Lindsey Leininger, PhD. Link to original FB post
How do I choose the best face mask?
Infection and Spread Masks Staying Safe
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: Awesome job wearing a mask! We know it’s a new habit and not always comfortable. Masks are effective in trapping droplets capable of spreading Covid-19. If we all wear one, we can greatly reduce the spread of the virus. Step one is committing to mask wearing. They all provide some level of protection. Step Read more…
What steps should families who want to visit relatives who are older and/or more vulnerable to complications of COVID-19 take to protect their loved ones?
Families/Kids Infection and Spread Staying Safe Travel
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: We all miss our families (yes, us too!) and while navigating how to keep loved ones safe can feel overwhelming, the Nerdy Girls are here to help you make the best decisions possible based on the best information available! Luckily there are some key things (as highlighted in the NPR article below) you can Read more…
Is it true that Covid-19 symptoms can last for months?
Clinical Symptoms Infection and Spread
Alison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
Introducing Nerdy Guest Michelle L. Frisco, PhD, who joins us to talk about “Covid long haulers”. Dr. Frisco is Associate Professor of Sociology & Demography at Penn State University. She studies population health. A: Yes. Some people who contract Covid-19 seem to deal with consistent or recurring symptoms for a long time. Q: How common Read more…
Talk to me about going to the dentist.
Infection and Spread Staying Safe
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
A: Here are a few factors to consider: (1) Your individual risk/benefit tradeoff; (2) The amount of circulating disease in your community; (3) The dentist’s infection control protocols. Heading back to the dentist safely is top of mind for the Nerdy Girls, as several of us have logged some serious time in the dental chair Read more…
Will temperature checks actually work? What else can schools and businesses do to quickly scan for potentially infectious people?
Clinical Symptoms Infection and Spread Reopening School
Lauren Hale, PhD MA
A: There’s reason to be skeptical about temperature checks. COVID-19 is infectious for several days before symptoms appear. Scanning folks as they enter a building for a fever won’t do much to prevent people who are pre-symptomatic from entering and spewing infectious droplets all over the place. Gross. At this point, we need to embrace Read more…
What is the real risk of death from COVID-19? Is it actually worse than the flu?
Biology/Immunity Infection and Spread Uncertainty and Misinformation
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: It’s complicated…. but YES! As a demographer and epidemiologist, mortality rates are in my wheelhouse so to speak, but getting a handle on COVID-19 has challenged us all. First some definitions: Case Fatality Rate (CFR): % of confirmed cases who die. In the U.S., the estimated CFR is currently 4.33% In the U.K., the Read more…
What’s happening in refugee camps?
Infection and Spread Social and Racial Justice
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Introducing Nerdy Guest Dr. Paula Tavrow, who joins us to talk to us about what’s happening with COVID-19 in refugee camps. Dr. Tavrow is an adjunct professor of Community Health Sciences at UCLA’s Fielding School of Public Health. She has been working on African public health issues since 1984. *** A: I can speak to Read more…
“What’s my risk when I’m doing _____?”
Families/Kids Infection and Spread Staying Safe Videos
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Why we can’t answer questions like “What’s my risk when I’m doing _____?” What is your risk when you’re doing _____? You may have noticed we won’t give you a straight answer to this question. Dr. Malia Jones chats about why. She shows the relationship between individual and community risk using her toy model COVID Read more…
How do I help fight the “infodemic?”
Uncertainty and Misinformation
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
A: Kindness + curiosity + scientific skepticism. Our second installment of Throwback Thursday is a re-share of “Lindsey’s Laws” for determining whether a piece of news is SOLID or SENSATIONAL. As the pandemic rages on, so does the ensuing whiplash from navigating splashy headlines and attention-grabbing claims. Some good news: We can all play a Read more…
Nerdy Guest chat with Dr. Valerie Paz-Soldan
Infection and Spread Videos
Alison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
We chat with Tulane professor, social scientist and public health researcher Dr. Valerie Paz Soldan about the COVID-19 pandemic in Peru. Charlamos con la Dra. Valerie Paz Soldan, profesora en la Universidad de Tulane, científica social e investigadora de salud pública, sobre la pandemia de COVID-19 en Perú See Less Link to original FB post
I am confused about my mask. COVID-19 poem
Masks Staying Safe Videos
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Poem inspired by Green Eggs & Ham about wearing masks during the COVID-19 Pandemic written and performed by Those Nerdy Girls of Dear Pandemic. Link to original FB post
Is the virus airborne?
Infection and Spread Staying Safe
Alison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
A: It depends what you mean by airborne. Fortunately, the guidance for avoiding the virus in your day-to-day life is the same either way. On July 4th, a New York Times article reported that 239 scientists from 32 countries had sent an open letter to the World Health Organization (WHO) asserting that “airborne transmission of Read more…
As nerdy girls, parents, and educators, we want so much to have clarity around school reopening. But, we just don’t yet know everything we need to know (and may not in 6 weeks!). So our best offering to you, our dear followers, is to share our ideas about how to assess the issue. We hope Read more…
I’m still confused about the “Is the virus airborne?” debate. Practical take-aways, please.
Infection and Spread Staying SafeLindsey Leininger, PhD MA
A: Individuals: Avoid poorly ventilated, crowded indoor spaces to the extent possible. Building owners/tenants: Beef up air filtration, especially in older buildings. Background: A very loud squabble emerged last week around the classification of SARS-CoV-2 in the scientific taxonomy. Nerdy Girl Alison wrote a wonderful post walking through the science discussing what an “airborne” classification Read more…
When should I get tested?
Infection and Spread Testing and Contact Tracing
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Introducing Nerdy Guest Ajay Sethi, PhD, MHS. Dr. Sethi is a leading infectious disease epidemiologist at UW-Madison’s School of Medicine and Public Health. (@AjayKSethi on Twitter!) ____________________________________________ Q: When should I get tested? When I’m sick? When I have specific symptoms? When I’m sick and not getting better after several days? When a family member Read more…
What is pool testing?
Testing and Contact Tracing
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
A: In simple terms, pool testing (also referred to as “group testing” or “batch testing”) combines many tests into one sample. The benefit is that it can facilitate an increase in testing capabilities as well as result in cost/resource savings (when supplies are low). This is not a new strategy to test individuals for infectious Read more…
Doctors discuss COVID-19 and what they have learned
Clinical Symptoms Families/Kids Infection and Spread Staying Safe Videos
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Drs. Vineet Arora and Eve Bloomgarden, MDs and co-founders of IMPACT, discuss what they’ve learned these last few months about how COVID-19 impacts physicians and patients with Dear Pandemic Nerdy Girls Malia Jones, PhD, MPH and Lindsey Leininger, PhD. Link to original FB post
How do I choose the best face mask?
Infection and Spread Masks Staying Safe
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: Awesome job wearing a mask! We know it’s a new habit and not always comfortable. Masks are effective in trapping droplets capable of spreading Covid-19. If we all wear one, we can greatly reduce the spread of the virus. Step one is committing to mask wearing. They all provide some level of protection. Step Read more…
What steps should families who want to visit relatives who are older and/or more vulnerable to complications of COVID-19 take to protect their loved ones?
Families/Kids Infection and Spread Staying Safe Travel
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: We all miss our families (yes, us too!) and while navigating how to keep loved ones safe can feel overwhelming, the Nerdy Girls are here to help you make the best decisions possible based on the best information available! Luckily there are some key things (as highlighted in the NPR article below) you can Read more…
Is it true that Covid-19 symptoms can last for months?
Clinical Symptoms Infection and Spread
Alison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
Introducing Nerdy Guest Michelle L. Frisco, PhD, who joins us to talk about “Covid long haulers”. Dr. Frisco is Associate Professor of Sociology & Demography at Penn State University. She studies population health. A: Yes. Some people who contract Covid-19 seem to deal with consistent or recurring symptoms for a long time. Q: How common Read more…
Talk to me about going to the dentist.
Infection and Spread Staying Safe
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
A: Here are a few factors to consider: (1) Your individual risk/benefit tradeoff; (2) The amount of circulating disease in your community; (3) The dentist’s infection control protocols. Heading back to the dentist safely is top of mind for the Nerdy Girls, as several of us have logged some serious time in the dental chair Read more…
Will temperature checks actually work? What else can schools and businesses do to quickly scan for potentially infectious people?
Clinical Symptoms Infection and Spread Reopening School
Lauren Hale, PhD MA
A: There’s reason to be skeptical about temperature checks. COVID-19 is infectious for several days before symptoms appear. Scanning folks as they enter a building for a fever won’t do much to prevent people who are pre-symptomatic from entering and spewing infectious droplets all over the place. Gross. At this point, we need to embrace Read more…
What is the real risk of death from COVID-19? Is it actually worse than the flu?
Biology/Immunity Infection and Spread Uncertainty and Misinformation
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: It’s complicated…. but YES! As a demographer and epidemiologist, mortality rates are in my wheelhouse so to speak, but getting a handle on COVID-19 has challenged us all. First some definitions: Case Fatality Rate (CFR): % of confirmed cases who die. In the U.S., the estimated CFR is currently 4.33% In the U.K., the Read more…
What’s happening in refugee camps?
Infection and Spread Social and Racial Justice
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Introducing Nerdy Guest Dr. Paula Tavrow, who joins us to talk to us about what’s happening with COVID-19 in refugee camps. Dr. Tavrow is an adjunct professor of Community Health Sciences at UCLA’s Fielding School of Public Health. She has been working on African public health issues since 1984. *** A: I can speak to Read more…
“What’s my risk when I’m doing _____?”
Families/Kids Infection and Spread Staying Safe Videos
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Why we can’t answer questions like “What’s my risk when I’m doing _____?” What is your risk when you’re doing _____? You may have noticed we won’t give you a straight answer to this question. Dr. Malia Jones chats about why. She shows the relationship between individual and community risk using her toy model COVID Read more…
How do I help fight the “infodemic?”
Uncertainty and Misinformation
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
A: Kindness + curiosity + scientific skepticism. Our second installment of Throwback Thursday is a re-share of “Lindsey’s Laws” for determining whether a piece of news is SOLID or SENSATIONAL. As the pandemic rages on, so does the ensuing whiplash from navigating splashy headlines and attention-grabbing claims. Some good news: We can all play a Read more…
Nerdy Guest chat with Dr. Valerie Paz-Soldan
Infection and Spread Videos
Alison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
We chat with Tulane professor, social scientist and public health researcher Dr. Valerie Paz Soldan about the COVID-19 pandemic in Peru. Charlamos con la Dra. Valerie Paz Soldan, profesora en la Universidad de Tulane, científica social e investigadora de salud pública, sobre la pandemia de COVID-19 en Perú See Less Link to original FB post
I am confused about my mask. COVID-19 poem
Masks Staying Safe Videos
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Poem inspired by Green Eggs & Ham about wearing masks during the COVID-19 Pandemic written and performed by Those Nerdy Girls of Dear Pandemic. Link to original FB post
Is the virus airborne?
Infection and Spread Staying Safe
Alison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
A: It depends what you mean by airborne. Fortunately, the guidance for avoiding the virus in your day-to-day life is the same either way. On July 4th, a New York Times article reported that 239 scientists from 32 countries had sent an open letter to the World Health Organization (WHO) asserting that “airborne transmission of Read more…
A: Individuals: Avoid poorly ventilated, crowded indoor spaces to the extent possible. Building owners/tenants: Beef up air filtration, especially in older buildings. Background: A very loud squabble emerged last week around the classification of SARS-CoV-2 in the scientific taxonomy. Nerdy Girl Alison wrote a wonderful post walking through the science discussing what an “airborne” classification Read more…
When should I get tested?
Infection and Spread Testing and Contact TracingMalia Jones, PhD MPH
Introducing Nerdy Guest Ajay Sethi, PhD, MHS. Dr. Sethi is a leading infectious disease epidemiologist at UW-Madison’s School of Medicine and Public Health. (@AjayKSethi on Twitter!) ____________________________________________ Q: When should I get tested? When I’m sick? When I have specific symptoms? When I’m sick and not getting better after several days? When a family member Read more…
What is pool testing?
Testing and Contact Tracing
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
A: In simple terms, pool testing (also referred to as “group testing” or “batch testing”) combines many tests into one sample. The benefit is that it can facilitate an increase in testing capabilities as well as result in cost/resource savings (when supplies are low). This is not a new strategy to test individuals for infectious Read more…
Doctors discuss COVID-19 and what they have learned
Clinical Symptoms Families/Kids Infection and Spread Staying Safe Videos
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Drs. Vineet Arora and Eve Bloomgarden, MDs and co-founders of IMPACT, discuss what they’ve learned these last few months about how COVID-19 impacts physicians and patients with Dear Pandemic Nerdy Girls Malia Jones, PhD, MPH and Lindsey Leininger, PhD. Link to original FB post
How do I choose the best face mask?
Infection and Spread Masks Staying Safe
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: Awesome job wearing a mask! We know it’s a new habit and not always comfortable. Masks are effective in trapping droplets capable of spreading Covid-19. If we all wear one, we can greatly reduce the spread of the virus. Step one is committing to mask wearing. They all provide some level of protection. Step Read more…
What steps should families who want to visit relatives who are older and/or more vulnerable to complications of COVID-19 take to protect their loved ones?
Families/Kids Infection and Spread Staying Safe Travel
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: We all miss our families (yes, us too!) and while navigating how to keep loved ones safe can feel overwhelming, the Nerdy Girls are here to help you make the best decisions possible based on the best information available! Luckily there are some key things (as highlighted in the NPR article below) you can Read more…
Is it true that Covid-19 symptoms can last for months?
Clinical Symptoms Infection and Spread
Alison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
Introducing Nerdy Guest Michelle L. Frisco, PhD, who joins us to talk about “Covid long haulers”. Dr. Frisco is Associate Professor of Sociology & Demography at Penn State University. She studies population health. A: Yes. Some people who contract Covid-19 seem to deal with consistent or recurring symptoms for a long time. Q: How common Read more…
Talk to me about going to the dentist.
Infection and Spread Staying Safe
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
A: Here are a few factors to consider: (1) Your individual risk/benefit tradeoff; (2) The amount of circulating disease in your community; (3) The dentist’s infection control protocols. Heading back to the dentist safely is top of mind for the Nerdy Girls, as several of us have logged some serious time in the dental chair Read more…
Will temperature checks actually work? What else can schools and businesses do to quickly scan for potentially infectious people?
Clinical Symptoms Infection and Spread Reopening School
Lauren Hale, PhD MA
A: There’s reason to be skeptical about temperature checks. COVID-19 is infectious for several days before symptoms appear. Scanning folks as they enter a building for a fever won’t do much to prevent people who are pre-symptomatic from entering and spewing infectious droplets all over the place. Gross. At this point, we need to embrace Read more…
What is the real risk of death from COVID-19? Is it actually worse than the flu?
Biology/Immunity Infection and Spread Uncertainty and Misinformation
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: It’s complicated…. but YES! As a demographer and epidemiologist, mortality rates are in my wheelhouse so to speak, but getting a handle on COVID-19 has challenged us all. First some definitions: Case Fatality Rate (CFR): % of confirmed cases who die. In the U.S., the estimated CFR is currently 4.33% In the U.K., the Read more…
What’s happening in refugee camps?
Infection and Spread Social and Racial Justice
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Introducing Nerdy Guest Dr. Paula Tavrow, who joins us to talk to us about what’s happening with COVID-19 in refugee camps. Dr. Tavrow is an adjunct professor of Community Health Sciences at UCLA’s Fielding School of Public Health. She has been working on African public health issues since 1984. *** A: I can speak to Read more…
“What’s my risk when I’m doing _____?”
Families/Kids Infection and Spread Staying Safe Videos
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Why we can’t answer questions like “What’s my risk when I’m doing _____?” What is your risk when you’re doing _____? You may have noticed we won’t give you a straight answer to this question. Dr. Malia Jones chats about why. She shows the relationship between individual and community risk using her toy model COVID Read more…
How do I help fight the “infodemic?”
Uncertainty and Misinformation
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
A: Kindness + curiosity + scientific skepticism. Our second installment of Throwback Thursday is a re-share of “Lindsey’s Laws” for determining whether a piece of news is SOLID or SENSATIONAL. As the pandemic rages on, so does the ensuing whiplash from navigating splashy headlines and attention-grabbing claims. Some good news: We can all play a Read more…
Nerdy Guest chat with Dr. Valerie Paz-Soldan
Infection and Spread Videos
Alison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
We chat with Tulane professor, social scientist and public health researcher Dr. Valerie Paz Soldan about the COVID-19 pandemic in Peru. Charlamos con la Dra. Valerie Paz Soldan, profesora en la Universidad de Tulane, científica social e investigadora de salud pública, sobre la pandemia de COVID-19 en Perú See Less Link to original FB post
I am confused about my mask. COVID-19 poem
Masks Staying Safe Videos
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Poem inspired by Green Eggs & Ham about wearing masks during the COVID-19 Pandemic written and performed by Those Nerdy Girls of Dear Pandemic. Link to original FB post
Is the virus airborne?
Infection and Spread Staying Safe
Alison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
A: It depends what you mean by airborne. Fortunately, the guidance for avoiding the virus in your day-to-day life is the same either way. On July 4th, a New York Times article reported that 239 scientists from 32 countries had sent an open letter to the World Health Organization (WHO) asserting that “airborne transmission of Read more…
Introducing Nerdy Guest Ajay Sethi, PhD, MHS. Dr. Sethi is a leading infectious disease epidemiologist at UW-Madison’s School of Medicine and Public Health. (@AjayKSethi on Twitter!) ____________________________________________ Q: When should I get tested? When I’m sick? When I have specific symptoms? When I’m sick and not getting better after several days? When a family member Read more…
What is pool testing?
Testing and Contact TracingAparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
A: In simple terms, pool testing (also referred to as “group testing” or “batch testing”) combines many tests into one sample. The benefit is that it can facilitate an increase in testing capabilities as well as result in cost/resource savings (when supplies are low). This is not a new strategy to test individuals for infectious Read more…
Doctors discuss COVID-19 and what they have learned
Clinical Symptoms Families/Kids Infection and Spread Staying Safe Videos
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Drs. Vineet Arora and Eve Bloomgarden, MDs and co-founders of IMPACT, discuss what they’ve learned these last few months about how COVID-19 impacts physicians and patients with Dear Pandemic Nerdy Girls Malia Jones, PhD, MPH and Lindsey Leininger, PhD. Link to original FB post
How do I choose the best face mask?
Infection and Spread Masks Staying Safe
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: Awesome job wearing a mask! We know it’s a new habit and not always comfortable. Masks are effective in trapping droplets capable of spreading Covid-19. If we all wear one, we can greatly reduce the spread of the virus. Step one is committing to mask wearing. They all provide some level of protection. Step Read more…
What steps should families who want to visit relatives who are older and/or more vulnerable to complications of COVID-19 take to protect their loved ones?
Families/Kids Infection and Spread Staying Safe Travel
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: We all miss our families (yes, us too!) and while navigating how to keep loved ones safe can feel overwhelming, the Nerdy Girls are here to help you make the best decisions possible based on the best information available! Luckily there are some key things (as highlighted in the NPR article below) you can Read more…
Is it true that Covid-19 symptoms can last for months?
Clinical Symptoms Infection and Spread
Alison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
Introducing Nerdy Guest Michelle L. Frisco, PhD, who joins us to talk about “Covid long haulers”. Dr. Frisco is Associate Professor of Sociology & Demography at Penn State University. She studies population health. A: Yes. Some people who contract Covid-19 seem to deal with consistent or recurring symptoms for a long time. Q: How common Read more…
Talk to me about going to the dentist.
Infection and Spread Staying Safe
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
A: Here are a few factors to consider: (1) Your individual risk/benefit tradeoff; (2) The amount of circulating disease in your community; (3) The dentist’s infection control protocols. Heading back to the dentist safely is top of mind for the Nerdy Girls, as several of us have logged some serious time in the dental chair Read more…
Will temperature checks actually work? What else can schools and businesses do to quickly scan for potentially infectious people?
Clinical Symptoms Infection and Spread Reopening School
Lauren Hale, PhD MA
A: There’s reason to be skeptical about temperature checks. COVID-19 is infectious for several days before symptoms appear. Scanning folks as they enter a building for a fever won’t do much to prevent people who are pre-symptomatic from entering and spewing infectious droplets all over the place. Gross. At this point, we need to embrace Read more…
What is the real risk of death from COVID-19? Is it actually worse than the flu?
Biology/Immunity Infection and Spread Uncertainty and Misinformation
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: It’s complicated…. but YES! As a demographer and epidemiologist, mortality rates are in my wheelhouse so to speak, but getting a handle on COVID-19 has challenged us all. First some definitions: Case Fatality Rate (CFR): % of confirmed cases who die. In the U.S., the estimated CFR is currently 4.33% In the U.K., the Read more…
What’s happening in refugee camps?
Infection and Spread Social and Racial Justice
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Introducing Nerdy Guest Dr. Paula Tavrow, who joins us to talk to us about what’s happening with COVID-19 in refugee camps. Dr. Tavrow is an adjunct professor of Community Health Sciences at UCLA’s Fielding School of Public Health. She has been working on African public health issues since 1984. *** A: I can speak to Read more…
“What’s my risk when I’m doing _____?”
Families/Kids Infection and Spread Staying Safe Videos
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Why we can’t answer questions like “What’s my risk when I’m doing _____?” What is your risk when you’re doing _____? You may have noticed we won’t give you a straight answer to this question. Dr. Malia Jones chats about why. She shows the relationship between individual and community risk using her toy model COVID Read more…
How do I help fight the “infodemic?”
Uncertainty and Misinformation
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
A: Kindness + curiosity + scientific skepticism. Our second installment of Throwback Thursday is a re-share of “Lindsey’s Laws” for determining whether a piece of news is SOLID or SENSATIONAL. As the pandemic rages on, so does the ensuing whiplash from navigating splashy headlines and attention-grabbing claims. Some good news: We can all play a Read more…
Nerdy Guest chat with Dr. Valerie Paz-Soldan
Infection and Spread Videos
Alison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
We chat with Tulane professor, social scientist and public health researcher Dr. Valerie Paz Soldan about the COVID-19 pandemic in Peru. Charlamos con la Dra. Valerie Paz Soldan, profesora en la Universidad de Tulane, científica social e investigadora de salud pública, sobre la pandemia de COVID-19 en Perú See Less Link to original FB post
I am confused about my mask. COVID-19 poem
Masks Staying Safe Videos
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Poem inspired by Green Eggs & Ham about wearing masks during the COVID-19 Pandemic written and performed by Those Nerdy Girls of Dear Pandemic. Link to original FB post
Is the virus airborne?
Infection and Spread Staying Safe
Alison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
A: It depends what you mean by airborne. Fortunately, the guidance for avoiding the virus in your day-to-day life is the same either way. On July 4th, a New York Times article reported that 239 scientists from 32 countries had sent an open letter to the World Health Organization (WHO) asserting that “airborne transmission of Read more…
A: In simple terms, pool testing (also referred to as “group testing” or “batch testing”) combines many tests into one sample. The benefit is that it can facilitate an increase in testing capabilities as well as result in cost/resource savings (when supplies are low). This is not a new strategy to test individuals for infectious Read more…
Doctors discuss COVID-19 and what they have learned
Clinical Symptoms Families/Kids Infection and Spread Staying Safe VideosMalia Jones, PhD MPH
Drs. Vineet Arora and Eve Bloomgarden, MDs and co-founders of IMPACT, discuss what they’ve learned these last few months about how COVID-19 impacts physicians and patients with Dear Pandemic Nerdy Girls Malia Jones, PhD, MPH and Lindsey Leininger, PhD. Link to original FB post
How do I choose the best face mask?
Infection and Spread Masks Staying Safe
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: Awesome job wearing a mask! We know it’s a new habit and not always comfortable. Masks are effective in trapping droplets capable of spreading Covid-19. If we all wear one, we can greatly reduce the spread of the virus. Step one is committing to mask wearing. They all provide some level of protection. Step Read more…
What steps should families who want to visit relatives who are older and/or more vulnerable to complications of COVID-19 take to protect their loved ones?
Families/Kids Infection and Spread Staying Safe Travel
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: We all miss our families (yes, us too!) and while navigating how to keep loved ones safe can feel overwhelming, the Nerdy Girls are here to help you make the best decisions possible based on the best information available! Luckily there are some key things (as highlighted in the NPR article below) you can Read more…
Is it true that Covid-19 symptoms can last for months?
Clinical Symptoms Infection and Spread
Alison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
Introducing Nerdy Guest Michelle L. Frisco, PhD, who joins us to talk about “Covid long haulers”. Dr. Frisco is Associate Professor of Sociology & Demography at Penn State University. She studies population health. A: Yes. Some people who contract Covid-19 seem to deal with consistent or recurring symptoms for a long time. Q: How common Read more…
Talk to me about going to the dentist.
Infection and Spread Staying Safe
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
A: Here are a few factors to consider: (1) Your individual risk/benefit tradeoff; (2) The amount of circulating disease in your community; (3) The dentist’s infection control protocols. Heading back to the dentist safely is top of mind for the Nerdy Girls, as several of us have logged some serious time in the dental chair Read more…
Will temperature checks actually work? What else can schools and businesses do to quickly scan for potentially infectious people?
Clinical Symptoms Infection and Spread Reopening School
Lauren Hale, PhD MA
A: There’s reason to be skeptical about temperature checks. COVID-19 is infectious for several days before symptoms appear. Scanning folks as they enter a building for a fever won’t do much to prevent people who are pre-symptomatic from entering and spewing infectious droplets all over the place. Gross. At this point, we need to embrace Read more…
What is the real risk of death from COVID-19? Is it actually worse than the flu?
Biology/Immunity Infection and Spread Uncertainty and Misinformation
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: It’s complicated…. but YES! As a demographer and epidemiologist, mortality rates are in my wheelhouse so to speak, but getting a handle on COVID-19 has challenged us all. First some definitions: Case Fatality Rate (CFR): % of confirmed cases who die. In the U.S., the estimated CFR is currently 4.33% In the U.K., the Read more…
What’s happening in refugee camps?
Infection and Spread Social and Racial Justice
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Introducing Nerdy Guest Dr. Paula Tavrow, who joins us to talk to us about what’s happening with COVID-19 in refugee camps. Dr. Tavrow is an adjunct professor of Community Health Sciences at UCLA’s Fielding School of Public Health. She has been working on African public health issues since 1984. *** A: I can speak to Read more…
“What’s my risk when I’m doing _____?”
Families/Kids Infection and Spread Staying Safe Videos
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Why we can’t answer questions like “What’s my risk when I’m doing _____?” What is your risk when you’re doing _____? You may have noticed we won’t give you a straight answer to this question. Dr. Malia Jones chats about why. She shows the relationship between individual and community risk using her toy model COVID Read more…
How do I help fight the “infodemic?”
Uncertainty and Misinformation
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
A: Kindness + curiosity + scientific skepticism. Our second installment of Throwback Thursday is a re-share of “Lindsey’s Laws” for determining whether a piece of news is SOLID or SENSATIONAL. As the pandemic rages on, so does the ensuing whiplash from navigating splashy headlines and attention-grabbing claims. Some good news: We can all play a Read more…
Nerdy Guest chat with Dr. Valerie Paz-Soldan
Infection and Spread Videos
Alison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
We chat with Tulane professor, social scientist and public health researcher Dr. Valerie Paz Soldan about the COVID-19 pandemic in Peru. Charlamos con la Dra. Valerie Paz Soldan, profesora en la Universidad de Tulane, científica social e investigadora de salud pública, sobre la pandemia de COVID-19 en Perú See Less Link to original FB post
I am confused about my mask. COVID-19 poem
Masks Staying Safe Videos
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Poem inspired by Green Eggs & Ham about wearing masks during the COVID-19 Pandemic written and performed by Those Nerdy Girls of Dear Pandemic. Link to original FB post
Is the virus airborne?
Infection and Spread Staying Safe
Alison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
A: It depends what you mean by airborne. Fortunately, the guidance for avoiding the virus in your day-to-day life is the same either way. On July 4th, a New York Times article reported that 239 scientists from 32 countries had sent an open letter to the World Health Organization (WHO) asserting that “airborne transmission of Read more…
Drs. Vineet Arora and Eve Bloomgarden, MDs and co-founders of IMPACT, discuss what they’ve learned these last few months about how COVID-19 impacts physicians and patients with Dear Pandemic Nerdy Girls Malia Jones, PhD, MPH and Lindsey Leininger, PhD. Link to original FB post
How do I choose the best face mask?
Infection and Spread Masks Staying SafeAshley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: Awesome job wearing a mask! We know it’s a new habit and not always comfortable. Masks are effective in trapping droplets capable of spreading Covid-19. If we all wear one, we can greatly reduce the spread of the virus. Step one is committing to mask wearing. They all provide some level of protection. Step Read more…
What steps should families who want to visit relatives who are older and/or more vulnerable to complications of COVID-19 take to protect their loved ones?
Families/Kids Infection and Spread Staying Safe Travel
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: We all miss our families (yes, us too!) and while navigating how to keep loved ones safe can feel overwhelming, the Nerdy Girls are here to help you make the best decisions possible based on the best information available! Luckily there are some key things (as highlighted in the NPR article below) you can Read more…
Is it true that Covid-19 symptoms can last for months?
Clinical Symptoms Infection and Spread
Alison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
Introducing Nerdy Guest Michelle L. Frisco, PhD, who joins us to talk about “Covid long haulers”. Dr. Frisco is Associate Professor of Sociology & Demography at Penn State University. She studies population health. A: Yes. Some people who contract Covid-19 seem to deal with consistent or recurring symptoms for a long time. Q: How common Read more…
Talk to me about going to the dentist.
Infection and Spread Staying Safe
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
A: Here are a few factors to consider: (1) Your individual risk/benefit tradeoff; (2) The amount of circulating disease in your community; (3) The dentist’s infection control protocols. Heading back to the dentist safely is top of mind for the Nerdy Girls, as several of us have logged some serious time in the dental chair Read more…
Will temperature checks actually work? What else can schools and businesses do to quickly scan for potentially infectious people?
Clinical Symptoms Infection and Spread Reopening School
Lauren Hale, PhD MA
A: There’s reason to be skeptical about temperature checks. COVID-19 is infectious for several days before symptoms appear. Scanning folks as they enter a building for a fever won’t do much to prevent people who are pre-symptomatic from entering and spewing infectious droplets all over the place. Gross. At this point, we need to embrace Read more…
What is the real risk of death from COVID-19? Is it actually worse than the flu?
Biology/Immunity Infection and Spread Uncertainty and Misinformation
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: It’s complicated…. but YES! As a demographer and epidemiologist, mortality rates are in my wheelhouse so to speak, but getting a handle on COVID-19 has challenged us all. First some definitions: Case Fatality Rate (CFR): % of confirmed cases who die. In the U.S., the estimated CFR is currently 4.33% In the U.K., the Read more…
What’s happening in refugee camps?
Infection and Spread Social and Racial Justice
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Introducing Nerdy Guest Dr. Paula Tavrow, who joins us to talk to us about what’s happening with COVID-19 in refugee camps. Dr. Tavrow is an adjunct professor of Community Health Sciences at UCLA’s Fielding School of Public Health. She has been working on African public health issues since 1984. *** A: I can speak to Read more…
“What’s my risk when I’m doing _____?”
Families/Kids Infection and Spread Staying Safe Videos
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Why we can’t answer questions like “What’s my risk when I’m doing _____?” What is your risk when you’re doing _____? You may have noticed we won’t give you a straight answer to this question. Dr. Malia Jones chats about why. She shows the relationship between individual and community risk using her toy model COVID Read more…
How do I help fight the “infodemic?”
Uncertainty and Misinformation
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
A: Kindness + curiosity + scientific skepticism. Our second installment of Throwback Thursday is a re-share of “Lindsey’s Laws” for determining whether a piece of news is SOLID or SENSATIONAL. As the pandemic rages on, so does the ensuing whiplash from navigating splashy headlines and attention-grabbing claims. Some good news: We can all play a Read more…
Nerdy Guest chat with Dr. Valerie Paz-Soldan
Infection and Spread Videos
Alison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
We chat with Tulane professor, social scientist and public health researcher Dr. Valerie Paz Soldan about the COVID-19 pandemic in Peru. Charlamos con la Dra. Valerie Paz Soldan, profesora en la Universidad de Tulane, científica social e investigadora de salud pública, sobre la pandemia de COVID-19 en Perú See Less Link to original FB post
I am confused about my mask. COVID-19 poem
Masks Staying Safe Videos
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Poem inspired by Green Eggs & Ham about wearing masks during the COVID-19 Pandemic written and performed by Those Nerdy Girls of Dear Pandemic. Link to original FB post
Is the virus airborne?
Infection and Spread Staying Safe
Alison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
A: It depends what you mean by airborne. Fortunately, the guidance for avoiding the virus in your day-to-day life is the same either way. On July 4th, a New York Times article reported that 239 scientists from 32 countries had sent an open letter to the World Health Organization (WHO) asserting that “airborne transmission of Read more…
A: Awesome job wearing a mask! We know it’s a new habit and not always comfortable. Masks are effective in trapping droplets capable of spreading Covid-19. If we all wear one, we can greatly reduce the spread of the virus. Step one is committing to mask wearing. They all provide some level of protection. Step Read more…
What steps should families who want to visit relatives who are older and/or more vulnerable to complications of COVID-19 take to protect their loved ones?
Families/Kids Infection and Spread Staying Safe TravelAmanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: We all miss our families (yes, us too!) and while navigating how to keep loved ones safe can feel overwhelming, the Nerdy Girls are here to help you make the best decisions possible based on the best information available! Luckily there are some key things (as highlighted in the NPR article below) you can Read more…
Is it true that Covid-19 symptoms can last for months?
Clinical Symptoms Infection and Spread
Alison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
Introducing Nerdy Guest Michelle L. Frisco, PhD, who joins us to talk about “Covid long haulers”. Dr. Frisco is Associate Professor of Sociology & Demography at Penn State University. She studies population health. A: Yes. Some people who contract Covid-19 seem to deal with consistent or recurring symptoms for a long time. Q: How common Read more…
Talk to me about going to the dentist.
Infection and Spread Staying Safe
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
A: Here are a few factors to consider: (1) Your individual risk/benefit tradeoff; (2) The amount of circulating disease in your community; (3) The dentist’s infection control protocols. Heading back to the dentist safely is top of mind for the Nerdy Girls, as several of us have logged some serious time in the dental chair Read more…
Will temperature checks actually work? What else can schools and businesses do to quickly scan for potentially infectious people?
Clinical Symptoms Infection and Spread Reopening School
Lauren Hale, PhD MA
A: There’s reason to be skeptical about temperature checks. COVID-19 is infectious for several days before symptoms appear. Scanning folks as they enter a building for a fever won’t do much to prevent people who are pre-symptomatic from entering and spewing infectious droplets all over the place. Gross. At this point, we need to embrace Read more…
What is the real risk of death from COVID-19? Is it actually worse than the flu?
Biology/Immunity Infection and Spread Uncertainty and Misinformation
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: It’s complicated…. but YES! As a demographer and epidemiologist, mortality rates are in my wheelhouse so to speak, but getting a handle on COVID-19 has challenged us all. First some definitions: Case Fatality Rate (CFR): % of confirmed cases who die. In the U.S., the estimated CFR is currently 4.33% In the U.K., the Read more…
What’s happening in refugee camps?
Infection and Spread Social and Racial Justice
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Introducing Nerdy Guest Dr. Paula Tavrow, who joins us to talk to us about what’s happening with COVID-19 in refugee camps. Dr. Tavrow is an adjunct professor of Community Health Sciences at UCLA’s Fielding School of Public Health. She has been working on African public health issues since 1984. *** A: I can speak to Read more…
“What’s my risk when I’m doing _____?”
Families/Kids Infection and Spread Staying Safe Videos
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Why we can’t answer questions like “What’s my risk when I’m doing _____?” What is your risk when you’re doing _____? You may have noticed we won’t give you a straight answer to this question. Dr. Malia Jones chats about why. She shows the relationship between individual and community risk using her toy model COVID Read more…
How do I help fight the “infodemic?”
Uncertainty and Misinformation
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
A: Kindness + curiosity + scientific skepticism. Our second installment of Throwback Thursday is a re-share of “Lindsey’s Laws” for determining whether a piece of news is SOLID or SENSATIONAL. As the pandemic rages on, so does the ensuing whiplash from navigating splashy headlines and attention-grabbing claims. Some good news: We can all play a Read more…
Nerdy Guest chat with Dr. Valerie Paz-Soldan
Infection and Spread Videos
Alison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
We chat with Tulane professor, social scientist and public health researcher Dr. Valerie Paz Soldan about the COVID-19 pandemic in Peru. Charlamos con la Dra. Valerie Paz Soldan, profesora en la Universidad de Tulane, científica social e investigadora de salud pública, sobre la pandemia de COVID-19 en Perú See Less Link to original FB post
I am confused about my mask. COVID-19 poem
Masks Staying Safe Videos
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Poem inspired by Green Eggs & Ham about wearing masks during the COVID-19 Pandemic written and performed by Those Nerdy Girls of Dear Pandemic. Link to original FB post
Is the virus airborne?
Infection and Spread Staying Safe
Alison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
A: It depends what you mean by airborne. Fortunately, the guidance for avoiding the virus in your day-to-day life is the same either way. On July 4th, a New York Times article reported that 239 scientists from 32 countries had sent an open letter to the World Health Organization (WHO) asserting that “airborne transmission of Read more…
A: We all miss our families (yes, us too!) and while navigating how to keep loved ones safe can feel overwhelming, the Nerdy Girls are here to help you make the best decisions possible based on the best information available! Luckily there are some key things (as highlighted in the NPR article below) you can Read more…
Is it true that Covid-19 symptoms can last for months?
Clinical Symptoms Infection and SpreadAlison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
Introducing Nerdy Guest Michelle L. Frisco, PhD, who joins us to talk about “Covid long haulers”. Dr. Frisco is Associate Professor of Sociology & Demography at Penn State University. She studies population health. A: Yes. Some people who contract Covid-19 seem to deal with consistent or recurring symptoms for a long time. Q: How common Read more…
Talk to me about going to the dentist.
Infection and Spread Staying Safe
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
A: Here are a few factors to consider: (1) Your individual risk/benefit tradeoff; (2) The amount of circulating disease in your community; (3) The dentist’s infection control protocols. Heading back to the dentist safely is top of mind for the Nerdy Girls, as several of us have logged some serious time in the dental chair Read more…
Will temperature checks actually work? What else can schools and businesses do to quickly scan for potentially infectious people?
Clinical Symptoms Infection and Spread Reopening School
Lauren Hale, PhD MA
A: There’s reason to be skeptical about temperature checks. COVID-19 is infectious for several days before symptoms appear. Scanning folks as they enter a building for a fever won’t do much to prevent people who are pre-symptomatic from entering and spewing infectious droplets all over the place. Gross. At this point, we need to embrace Read more…
What is the real risk of death from COVID-19? Is it actually worse than the flu?
Biology/Immunity Infection and Spread Uncertainty and Misinformation
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: It’s complicated…. but YES! As a demographer and epidemiologist, mortality rates are in my wheelhouse so to speak, but getting a handle on COVID-19 has challenged us all. First some definitions: Case Fatality Rate (CFR): % of confirmed cases who die. In the U.S., the estimated CFR is currently 4.33% In the U.K., the Read more…
What’s happening in refugee camps?
Infection and Spread Social and Racial Justice
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Introducing Nerdy Guest Dr. Paula Tavrow, who joins us to talk to us about what’s happening with COVID-19 in refugee camps. Dr. Tavrow is an adjunct professor of Community Health Sciences at UCLA’s Fielding School of Public Health. She has been working on African public health issues since 1984. *** A: I can speak to Read more…
“What’s my risk when I’m doing _____?”
Families/Kids Infection and Spread Staying Safe Videos
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Why we can’t answer questions like “What’s my risk when I’m doing _____?” What is your risk when you’re doing _____? You may have noticed we won’t give you a straight answer to this question. Dr. Malia Jones chats about why. She shows the relationship between individual and community risk using her toy model COVID Read more…
How do I help fight the “infodemic?”
Uncertainty and Misinformation
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
A: Kindness + curiosity + scientific skepticism. Our second installment of Throwback Thursday is a re-share of “Lindsey’s Laws” for determining whether a piece of news is SOLID or SENSATIONAL. As the pandemic rages on, so does the ensuing whiplash from navigating splashy headlines and attention-grabbing claims. Some good news: We can all play a Read more…
Nerdy Guest chat with Dr. Valerie Paz-Soldan
Infection and Spread Videos
Alison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
We chat with Tulane professor, social scientist and public health researcher Dr. Valerie Paz Soldan about the COVID-19 pandemic in Peru. Charlamos con la Dra. Valerie Paz Soldan, profesora en la Universidad de Tulane, científica social e investigadora de salud pública, sobre la pandemia de COVID-19 en Perú See Less Link to original FB post
I am confused about my mask. COVID-19 poem
Masks Staying Safe Videos
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Poem inspired by Green Eggs & Ham about wearing masks during the COVID-19 Pandemic written and performed by Those Nerdy Girls of Dear Pandemic. Link to original FB post
Is the virus airborne?
Infection and Spread Staying Safe
Alison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
A: It depends what you mean by airborne. Fortunately, the guidance for avoiding the virus in your day-to-day life is the same either way. On July 4th, a New York Times article reported that 239 scientists from 32 countries had sent an open letter to the World Health Organization (WHO) asserting that “airborne transmission of Read more…
Introducing Nerdy Guest Michelle L. Frisco, PhD, who joins us to talk about “Covid long haulers”. Dr. Frisco is Associate Professor of Sociology & Demography at Penn State University. She studies population health. A: Yes. Some people who contract Covid-19 seem to deal with consistent or recurring symptoms for a long time. Q: How common Read more…
Talk to me about going to the dentist.
Infection and Spread Staying SafeLindsey Leininger, PhD MA
A: Here are a few factors to consider: (1) Your individual risk/benefit tradeoff; (2) The amount of circulating disease in your community; (3) The dentist’s infection control protocols. Heading back to the dentist safely is top of mind for the Nerdy Girls, as several of us have logged some serious time in the dental chair Read more…
Will temperature checks actually work? What else can schools and businesses do to quickly scan for potentially infectious people?
Clinical Symptoms Infection and Spread Reopening School
Lauren Hale, PhD MA
A: There’s reason to be skeptical about temperature checks. COVID-19 is infectious for several days before symptoms appear. Scanning folks as they enter a building for a fever won’t do much to prevent people who are pre-symptomatic from entering and spewing infectious droplets all over the place. Gross. At this point, we need to embrace Read more…
What is the real risk of death from COVID-19? Is it actually worse than the flu?
Biology/Immunity Infection and Spread Uncertainty and Misinformation
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: It’s complicated…. but YES! As a demographer and epidemiologist, mortality rates are in my wheelhouse so to speak, but getting a handle on COVID-19 has challenged us all. First some definitions: Case Fatality Rate (CFR): % of confirmed cases who die. In the U.S., the estimated CFR is currently 4.33% In the U.K., the Read more…
What’s happening in refugee camps?
Infection and Spread Social and Racial Justice
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Introducing Nerdy Guest Dr. Paula Tavrow, who joins us to talk to us about what’s happening with COVID-19 in refugee camps. Dr. Tavrow is an adjunct professor of Community Health Sciences at UCLA’s Fielding School of Public Health. She has been working on African public health issues since 1984. *** A: I can speak to Read more…
“What’s my risk when I’m doing _____?”
Families/Kids Infection and Spread Staying Safe Videos
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Why we can’t answer questions like “What’s my risk when I’m doing _____?” What is your risk when you’re doing _____? You may have noticed we won’t give you a straight answer to this question. Dr. Malia Jones chats about why. She shows the relationship between individual and community risk using her toy model COVID Read more…
How do I help fight the “infodemic?”
Uncertainty and Misinformation
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
A: Kindness + curiosity + scientific skepticism. Our second installment of Throwback Thursday is a re-share of “Lindsey’s Laws” for determining whether a piece of news is SOLID or SENSATIONAL. As the pandemic rages on, so does the ensuing whiplash from navigating splashy headlines and attention-grabbing claims. Some good news: We can all play a Read more…
Nerdy Guest chat with Dr. Valerie Paz-Soldan
Infection and Spread Videos
Alison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
We chat with Tulane professor, social scientist and public health researcher Dr. Valerie Paz Soldan about the COVID-19 pandemic in Peru. Charlamos con la Dra. Valerie Paz Soldan, profesora en la Universidad de Tulane, científica social e investigadora de salud pública, sobre la pandemia de COVID-19 en Perú See Less Link to original FB post
I am confused about my mask. COVID-19 poem
Masks Staying Safe Videos
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Poem inspired by Green Eggs & Ham about wearing masks during the COVID-19 Pandemic written and performed by Those Nerdy Girls of Dear Pandemic. Link to original FB post
Is the virus airborne?
Infection and Spread Staying Safe
Alison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
A: It depends what you mean by airborne. Fortunately, the guidance for avoiding the virus in your day-to-day life is the same either way. On July 4th, a New York Times article reported that 239 scientists from 32 countries had sent an open letter to the World Health Organization (WHO) asserting that “airborne transmission of Read more…
A: Here are a few factors to consider: (1) Your individual risk/benefit tradeoff; (2) The amount of circulating disease in your community; (3) The dentist’s infection control protocols. Heading back to the dentist safely is top of mind for the Nerdy Girls, as several of us have logged some serious time in the dental chair Read more…
Will temperature checks actually work? What else can schools and businesses do to quickly scan for potentially infectious people?
Clinical Symptoms Infection and Spread Reopening SchoolLauren Hale, PhD MA
A: There’s reason to be skeptical about temperature checks. COVID-19 is infectious for several days before symptoms appear. Scanning folks as they enter a building for a fever won’t do much to prevent people who are pre-symptomatic from entering and spewing infectious droplets all over the place. Gross. At this point, we need to embrace Read more…
What is the real risk of death from COVID-19? Is it actually worse than the flu?
Biology/Immunity Infection and Spread Uncertainty and Misinformation
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: It’s complicated…. but YES! As a demographer and epidemiologist, mortality rates are in my wheelhouse so to speak, but getting a handle on COVID-19 has challenged us all. First some definitions: Case Fatality Rate (CFR): % of confirmed cases who die. In the U.S., the estimated CFR is currently 4.33% In the U.K., the Read more…
What’s happening in refugee camps?
Infection and Spread Social and Racial Justice
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Introducing Nerdy Guest Dr. Paula Tavrow, who joins us to talk to us about what’s happening with COVID-19 in refugee camps. Dr. Tavrow is an adjunct professor of Community Health Sciences at UCLA’s Fielding School of Public Health. She has been working on African public health issues since 1984. *** A: I can speak to Read more…
“What’s my risk when I’m doing _____?”
Families/Kids Infection and Spread Staying Safe Videos
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Why we can’t answer questions like “What’s my risk when I’m doing _____?” What is your risk when you’re doing _____? You may have noticed we won’t give you a straight answer to this question. Dr. Malia Jones chats about why. She shows the relationship between individual and community risk using her toy model COVID Read more…
How do I help fight the “infodemic?”
Uncertainty and Misinformation
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
A: Kindness + curiosity + scientific skepticism. Our second installment of Throwback Thursday is a re-share of “Lindsey’s Laws” for determining whether a piece of news is SOLID or SENSATIONAL. As the pandemic rages on, so does the ensuing whiplash from navigating splashy headlines and attention-grabbing claims. Some good news: We can all play a Read more…
Nerdy Guest chat with Dr. Valerie Paz-Soldan
Infection and Spread Videos
Alison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
We chat with Tulane professor, social scientist and public health researcher Dr. Valerie Paz Soldan about the COVID-19 pandemic in Peru. Charlamos con la Dra. Valerie Paz Soldan, profesora en la Universidad de Tulane, científica social e investigadora de salud pública, sobre la pandemia de COVID-19 en Perú See Less Link to original FB post
I am confused about my mask. COVID-19 poem
Masks Staying Safe Videos
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Poem inspired by Green Eggs & Ham about wearing masks during the COVID-19 Pandemic written and performed by Those Nerdy Girls of Dear Pandemic. Link to original FB post
Is the virus airborne?
Infection and Spread Staying Safe
Alison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
A: It depends what you mean by airborne. Fortunately, the guidance for avoiding the virus in your day-to-day life is the same either way. On July 4th, a New York Times article reported that 239 scientists from 32 countries had sent an open letter to the World Health Organization (WHO) asserting that “airborne transmission of Read more…
A: There’s reason to be skeptical about temperature checks. COVID-19 is infectious for several days before symptoms appear. Scanning folks as they enter a building for a fever won’t do much to prevent people who are pre-symptomatic from entering and spewing infectious droplets all over the place. Gross. At this point, we need to embrace Read more…
What is the real risk of death from COVID-19? Is it actually worse than the flu?
Biology/Immunity Infection and Spread Uncertainty and MisinformationJennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: It’s complicated…. but YES! As a demographer and epidemiologist, mortality rates are in my wheelhouse so to speak, but getting a handle on COVID-19 has challenged us all. First some definitions: Case Fatality Rate (CFR): % of confirmed cases who die. In the U.S., the estimated CFR is currently 4.33% In the U.K., the Read more…
What’s happening in refugee camps?
Infection and Spread Social and Racial Justice
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Introducing Nerdy Guest Dr. Paula Tavrow, who joins us to talk to us about what’s happening with COVID-19 in refugee camps. Dr. Tavrow is an adjunct professor of Community Health Sciences at UCLA’s Fielding School of Public Health. She has been working on African public health issues since 1984. *** A: I can speak to Read more…
“What’s my risk when I’m doing _____?”
Families/Kids Infection and Spread Staying Safe Videos
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Why we can’t answer questions like “What’s my risk when I’m doing _____?” What is your risk when you’re doing _____? You may have noticed we won’t give you a straight answer to this question. Dr. Malia Jones chats about why. She shows the relationship between individual and community risk using her toy model COVID Read more…
How do I help fight the “infodemic?”
Uncertainty and Misinformation
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
A: Kindness + curiosity + scientific skepticism. Our second installment of Throwback Thursday is a re-share of “Lindsey’s Laws” for determining whether a piece of news is SOLID or SENSATIONAL. As the pandemic rages on, so does the ensuing whiplash from navigating splashy headlines and attention-grabbing claims. Some good news: We can all play a Read more…
Nerdy Guest chat with Dr. Valerie Paz-Soldan
Infection and Spread Videos
Alison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
We chat with Tulane professor, social scientist and public health researcher Dr. Valerie Paz Soldan about the COVID-19 pandemic in Peru. Charlamos con la Dra. Valerie Paz Soldan, profesora en la Universidad de Tulane, científica social e investigadora de salud pública, sobre la pandemia de COVID-19 en Perú See Less Link to original FB post
I am confused about my mask. COVID-19 poem
Masks Staying Safe Videos
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Poem inspired by Green Eggs & Ham about wearing masks during the COVID-19 Pandemic written and performed by Those Nerdy Girls of Dear Pandemic. Link to original FB post
Is the virus airborne?
Infection and Spread Staying Safe
Alison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
A: It depends what you mean by airborne. Fortunately, the guidance for avoiding the virus in your day-to-day life is the same either way. On July 4th, a New York Times article reported that 239 scientists from 32 countries had sent an open letter to the World Health Organization (WHO) asserting that “airborne transmission of Read more…
A: It’s complicated…. but YES! As a demographer and epidemiologist, mortality rates are in my wheelhouse so to speak, but getting a handle on COVID-19 has challenged us all. First some definitions: Case Fatality Rate (CFR): % of confirmed cases who die. In the U.S., the estimated CFR is currently 4.33% In the U.K., the Read more…
What’s happening in refugee camps?
Infection and Spread Social and Racial JusticeMalia Jones, PhD MPH
Introducing Nerdy Guest Dr. Paula Tavrow, who joins us to talk to us about what’s happening with COVID-19 in refugee camps. Dr. Tavrow is an adjunct professor of Community Health Sciences at UCLA’s Fielding School of Public Health. She has been working on African public health issues since 1984. *** A: I can speak to Read more…
“What’s my risk when I’m doing _____?”
Families/Kids Infection and Spread Staying Safe Videos
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Why we can’t answer questions like “What’s my risk when I’m doing _____?” What is your risk when you’re doing _____? You may have noticed we won’t give you a straight answer to this question. Dr. Malia Jones chats about why. She shows the relationship between individual and community risk using her toy model COVID Read more…
How do I help fight the “infodemic?”
Uncertainty and Misinformation
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
A: Kindness + curiosity + scientific skepticism. Our second installment of Throwback Thursday is a re-share of “Lindsey’s Laws” for determining whether a piece of news is SOLID or SENSATIONAL. As the pandemic rages on, so does the ensuing whiplash from navigating splashy headlines and attention-grabbing claims. Some good news: We can all play a Read more…
Nerdy Guest chat with Dr. Valerie Paz-Soldan
Infection and Spread Videos
Alison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
We chat with Tulane professor, social scientist and public health researcher Dr. Valerie Paz Soldan about the COVID-19 pandemic in Peru. Charlamos con la Dra. Valerie Paz Soldan, profesora en la Universidad de Tulane, científica social e investigadora de salud pública, sobre la pandemia de COVID-19 en Perú See Less Link to original FB post
I am confused about my mask. COVID-19 poem
Masks Staying Safe Videos
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Poem inspired by Green Eggs & Ham about wearing masks during the COVID-19 Pandemic written and performed by Those Nerdy Girls of Dear Pandemic. Link to original FB post
Is the virus airborne?
Infection and Spread Staying Safe
Alison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
A: It depends what you mean by airborne. Fortunately, the guidance for avoiding the virus in your day-to-day life is the same either way. On July 4th, a New York Times article reported that 239 scientists from 32 countries had sent an open letter to the World Health Organization (WHO) asserting that “airborne transmission of Read more…
Introducing Nerdy Guest Dr. Paula Tavrow, who joins us to talk to us about what’s happening with COVID-19 in refugee camps. Dr. Tavrow is an adjunct professor of Community Health Sciences at UCLA’s Fielding School of Public Health. She has been working on African public health issues since 1984. *** A: I can speak to Read more…
“What’s my risk when I’m doing _____?”
Families/Kids Infection and Spread Staying Safe VideosMalia Jones, PhD MPH
Why we can’t answer questions like “What’s my risk when I’m doing _____?” What is your risk when you’re doing _____? You may have noticed we won’t give you a straight answer to this question. Dr. Malia Jones chats about why. She shows the relationship between individual and community risk using her toy model COVID Read more…
How do I help fight the “infodemic?”
Uncertainty and Misinformation
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
A: Kindness + curiosity + scientific skepticism. Our second installment of Throwback Thursday is a re-share of “Lindsey’s Laws” for determining whether a piece of news is SOLID or SENSATIONAL. As the pandemic rages on, so does the ensuing whiplash from navigating splashy headlines and attention-grabbing claims. Some good news: We can all play a Read more…
Nerdy Guest chat with Dr. Valerie Paz-Soldan
Infection and Spread Videos
Alison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
We chat with Tulane professor, social scientist and public health researcher Dr. Valerie Paz Soldan about the COVID-19 pandemic in Peru. Charlamos con la Dra. Valerie Paz Soldan, profesora en la Universidad de Tulane, científica social e investigadora de salud pública, sobre la pandemia de COVID-19 en Perú See Less Link to original FB post
I am confused about my mask. COVID-19 poem
Masks Staying Safe Videos
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Poem inspired by Green Eggs & Ham about wearing masks during the COVID-19 Pandemic written and performed by Those Nerdy Girls of Dear Pandemic. Link to original FB post
Is the virus airborne?
Infection and Spread Staying Safe
Alison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
A: It depends what you mean by airborne. Fortunately, the guidance for avoiding the virus in your day-to-day life is the same either way. On July 4th, a New York Times article reported that 239 scientists from 32 countries had sent an open letter to the World Health Organization (WHO) asserting that “airborne transmission of Read more…
Why we can’t answer questions like “What’s my risk when I’m doing _____?” What is your risk when you’re doing _____? You may have noticed we won’t give you a straight answer to this question. Dr. Malia Jones chats about why. She shows the relationship between individual and community risk using her toy model COVID Read more…
How do I help fight the “infodemic?”
Uncertainty and MisinformationMalia Jones, PhD MPH
A: Kindness + curiosity + scientific skepticism. Our second installment of Throwback Thursday is a re-share of “Lindsey’s Laws” for determining whether a piece of news is SOLID or SENSATIONAL. As the pandemic rages on, so does the ensuing whiplash from navigating splashy headlines and attention-grabbing claims. Some good news: We can all play a Read more…
Nerdy Guest chat with Dr. Valerie Paz-Soldan
Infection and Spread Videos
Alison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
We chat with Tulane professor, social scientist and public health researcher Dr. Valerie Paz Soldan about the COVID-19 pandemic in Peru. Charlamos con la Dra. Valerie Paz Soldan, profesora en la Universidad de Tulane, científica social e investigadora de salud pública, sobre la pandemia de COVID-19 en Perú See Less Link to original FB post
I am confused about my mask. COVID-19 poem
Masks Staying Safe Videos
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Poem inspired by Green Eggs & Ham about wearing masks during the COVID-19 Pandemic written and performed by Those Nerdy Girls of Dear Pandemic. Link to original FB post
Is the virus airborne?
Infection and Spread Staying Safe
Alison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
A: It depends what you mean by airborne. Fortunately, the guidance for avoiding the virus in your day-to-day life is the same either way. On July 4th, a New York Times article reported that 239 scientists from 32 countries had sent an open letter to the World Health Organization (WHO) asserting that “airborne transmission of Read more…
A: Kindness + curiosity + scientific skepticism. Our second installment of Throwback Thursday is a re-share of “Lindsey’s Laws” for determining whether a piece of news is SOLID or SENSATIONAL. As the pandemic rages on, so does the ensuing whiplash from navigating splashy headlines and attention-grabbing claims. Some good news: We can all play a Read more…
Nerdy Guest chat with Dr. Valerie Paz-Soldan
Infection and Spread VideosAlison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
We chat with Tulane professor, social scientist and public health researcher Dr. Valerie Paz Soldan about the COVID-19 pandemic in Peru. Charlamos con la Dra. Valerie Paz Soldan, profesora en la Universidad de Tulane, científica social e investigadora de salud pública, sobre la pandemia de COVID-19 en Perú See Less Link to original FB post
I am confused about my mask. COVID-19 poem
Masks Staying Safe Videos
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Poem inspired by Green Eggs & Ham about wearing masks during the COVID-19 Pandemic written and performed by Those Nerdy Girls of Dear Pandemic. Link to original FB post
Is the virus airborne?
Infection and Spread Staying Safe
Alison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
A: It depends what you mean by airborne. Fortunately, the guidance for avoiding the virus in your day-to-day life is the same either way. On July 4th, a New York Times article reported that 239 scientists from 32 countries had sent an open letter to the World Health Organization (WHO) asserting that “airborne transmission of Read more…
We chat with Tulane professor, social scientist and public health researcher Dr. Valerie Paz Soldan about the COVID-19 pandemic in Peru. Charlamos con la Dra. Valerie Paz Soldan, profesora en la Universidad de Tulane, científica social e investigadora de salud pública, sobre la pandemia de COVID-19 en Perú See Less Link to original FB post
I am confused about my mask. COVID-19 poem
Masks Staying Safe VideosMalia Jones, PhD MPH
Poem inspired by Green Eggs & Ham about wearing masks during the COVID-19 Pandemic written and performed by Those Nerdy Girls of Dear Pandemic. Link to original FB post
Is the virus airborne?
Infection and Spread Staying Safe
Alison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
A: It depends what you mean by airborne. Fortunately, the guidance for avoiding the virus in your day-to-day life is the same either way. On July 4th, a New York Times article reported that 239 scientists from 32 countries had sent an open letter to the World Health Organization (WHO) asserting that “airborne transmission of Read more…
Poem inspired by Green Eggs & Ham about wearing masks during the COVID-19 Pandemic written and performed by Those Nerdy Girls of Dear Pandemic. Link to original FB post
Is the virus airborne?
Infection and Spread Staying SafeAlison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
A: It depends what you mean by airborne. Fortunately, the guidance for avoiding the virus in your day-to-day life is the same either way. On July 4th, a New York Times article reported that 239 scientists from 32 countries had sent an open letter to the World Health Organization (WHO) asserting that “airborne transmission of Read more…
A: It depends what you mean by airborne. Fortunately, the guidance for avoiding the virus in your day-to-day life is the same either way. On July 4th, a New York Times article reported that 239 scientists from 32 countries had sent an open letter to the World Health Organization (WHO) asserting that “airborne transmission of Read more…
