When will we go back to normal?
Reopening
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: “There is no going back (to normal). The only way out is through.” This Atlantic article summarizes key steps as the United States enters the next phases of this pandemic. 1) Reopening – We are currently in lockdown (in most places) which was the last line of defense in slowing the spread of the Read more…
What is an “infectious dose?” What is the “viral load”? Does high viral load increase ability to pass the virus to others?
Biology/Immunity Infection and Spread
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: Full explainer in the link below from two microbiology Profs. “In general, the more virus you have in your airways, the more you will release when you exhale or cough, although there is a lot of person-to-person variation. Multiple studies have reported that patients have the highest viral load of the coronavirus at the Read more…
Are COVID-19 deaths being undercounted?
Data and Metrics Data Literacy
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: Yes, very likely. Since thus far most COVID-19 deaths are only recorded as such if the person has tested positive prior to death, deaths at home or in nursing/care homes and even in hospitals may not be counted. In New York City this week, officials released additional data on “presumptive” cases due to their Read more…
DATA NERD ALERT
Data and Metrics Data Literacy
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
StatNews has produced a cool new data dashboard with county-level COVID preparedness scores. The tool synthesizes a variety of county-level factors (e.g. access to care, % population at risk for severe infections, and socioeconomic vulnerability) and incorporates epidemiological estimates from a leading modeling group (IHME at the University of Washington). EDITED UPDATE: The dashboard is Read more…
I have been hearing about CT scans as possibly being better at testing for COVID-19 than the current swab test. Is this true?
Clinical Symptoms Testing and Contact Tracing
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
A: It’s a little more complicated. Experts believe that the false negative rate (people who have a negative test result but are actually positive) can be around 30% with the swab test, generally due to improper sample collection. CT scans check for lung appearance, specifically ”ground glass” opacities, which are common to several diseases (pneumonia, Read more…
COVID-19 Multilingual Resources
Staying Safe
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
Q: I know where to find information on COVID-19. But how can I share this information with clients/patients/friends/people in my family who do not speak English as a primary language? A: While we have a long way to go in making information equally accessible to all populations, there are some excellent resources out there. Here Read more…
Okay the curve seems to be flattening in my area… so now what’s the plan?
Reopening
A: Hey great job! All the hard work we have done to cooperate on social distancing really is working! In many areas the new case counts are starting to flatten or even fall. So you might be wondering–now what? Can we all go back to normal? Short answer: several things need to fall into place Read more…
What is proning?
Treatments
Lauren Hale, PhD MA
A: Proning refers to putting patients on their stomachs rather than their backs. It helps with getting oxygen to the patients’ lungs. Link to CNN Article on Proning Link to original FB post
What do individuals who are infected with coronavirus and are asymptomatic, pre-symptomatic or mildly symptomatic have in common?
Infection and Spread
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: All three types of infected individuals may be able to transmit coronavirus to others without realizing they themselves have been infected. ASYMPTOMATIC individuals are those that carry the active virus in their body but never develop any symptoms. PRE-SYMPTOMATIC individuals are those that have been infected with the virus but haven’t started to show Read more…
What is the correct way to wear a cloth mask?
Masks
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: CDC recommends your cloth mask: -fit snugly but comfortably against the side of the face -be secured with ties or ear loops -include multiple layers of fabric -allow for breathing without restriction -be able to be laundered and machine dried without damage or change to shape Most importantly, cloth masks are to be worn Read more…
Dr. Malia Jones in Crossroads of Ideas Lecture Series
Staying Safe
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Bona fide nerdy girl & Dear Pandemic contributor Malia Jones was on a panel about UW-Madison’s rapid scientific response to COVID-19, hosted by the UW-Madison Discovery Building. It will be the first in a series of COVID lectures from the Crossroads of Ideas lecture series. And this is the first time they’ve gone online! Watch Read more…
What’s the bottom line from the International Monetary Fund’s latest estimates?
Uncategorized
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
A: Bracingly, the IMF projects the deepest recession since the Great Depression — and urges countries to stay the course on social distancing to stop virus spread. This quote sums it up well: “There is no trade-off between saving lives and saving livelihoods,” the report states. Read more take-aways here. Link to original FB post
When will social distancing end?
Reopening Socializing
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
Q: Will opening up contribute to second wave of disease? A: One of our most trusted scientific sources Marc Lipsitch answers the tough questions. Link to original FB post
Should I avoid eating fresh produce?
Infection and Spread Staying Safe
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
A: No! According to food scientist Dr. Donald Schaffer, the greater infection risk is “standing next to that person at the apple bin.” More great food safety info in this Consumer Reports article. H/T Claire Grosel and Haylle Reidy Link to original FB post
How do you know if someone is immune to Covid-19?
Biology/Immunity
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: This is a tricky one. Scientists are currently examining blood serum of individuals who have tested positive for Covid-19 to study their immune system response. At the moment, there are more questions than answers. Here are a few highlights about immunity and an article summarizing the challenges around determining how infection with Covid-19 or Read more…
I am pregnant and am worried about my delivery and my mental health. Where can I turn?
Families/Kids Mental Health
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
A: You are not alone. More than 20% of new mothers experience a perinatal mood and/or anxiety disorder. Increasing evidence from top journals such as the Lancet are telling us that the effects of COVID-19 isolation policies are influencing our mental health, regardless of whether we had any mental health issues prior to this crisis. Read more…
The numbers of cases and deaths in some parts of the country are looking better than expected. Did we overreact with all the distancing measures and closures?
Data and Metrics Infection and Spread
Alison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
A: So much no. No, no, nopeity nope. It’s very tempting to Monday morning quarterback the decisions that cities and states have made over the past few weeks, and the recommendations from the CDC. The physical distancing measures, the school closures and the near total shut-down of the economy feel extreme, particularly given some glimmers Read more…
What are four key measures to bend the COVID-19 curve downwards?
Infection and Spread Staying Safe
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
“Four key measures, on top of treating the ill and maintaining physical distancing, must be in place not just to slow the rise of Covid-19 cases, but also to bend the curve downward. These are: test widely, isolate the infected, trace the contacts of those infected and quarantine appropriately.” Links: The New York Times Original Read more…
Why is everyone suddenly talking about the positivity rate? Is this positive psychology or something else?
Data and Metrics Data Literacy Infection and Spread Testing and Contact Tracing
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
A: Definitely not positive psychology! The positivity rate is simply the fraction of people who test positive for COVID-19 out of all the people who get tested. It is important because it is a rough indicator of how much of the true extent of COVID-19 infection is being detected and diagnosed. In other words, a Read more…
I miss my family and friends. What is the risk of getting together for a small gathering?
Families/Kids Socializing
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: Small gatherings of any size are highly discouraged. A recent publication by the CDC outlines the sequence of infections (contact tracing) among a cluster of Covid-19 infections in Chicago following a funeral and a birthday party. One positive individual attended both events and subsequently infected *15* family and friends, not counting asymptomatic carriers and Read more…
A: “There is no going back (to normal). The only way out is through.” This Atlantic article summarizes key steps as the United States enters the next phases of this pandemic. 1) Reopening – We are currently in lockdown (in most places) which was the last line of defense in slowing the spread of the Read more…
What is an “infectious dose?” What is the “viral load”? Does high viral load increase ability to pass the virus to others?
Biology/Immunity Infection and SpreadJennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: Full explainer in the link below from two microbiology Profs. “In general, the more virus you have in your airways, the more you will release when you exhale or cough, although there is a lot of person-to-person variation. Multiple studies have reported that patients have the highest viral load of the coronavirus at the Read more…
Are COVID-19 deaths being undercounted?
Data and Metrics Data Literacy
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: Yes, very likely. Since thus far most COVID-19 deaths are only recorded as such if the person has tested positive prior to death, deaths at home or in nursing/care homes and even in hospitals may not be counted. In New York City this week, officials released additional data on “presumptive” cases due to their Read more…
DATA NERD ALERT
Data and Metrics Data Literacy
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
StatNews has produced a cool new data dashboard with county-level COVID preparedness scores. The tool synthesizes a variety of county-level factors (e.g. access to care, % population at risk for severe infections, and socioeconomic vulnerability) and incorporates epidemiological estimates from a leading modeling group (IHME at the University of Washington). EDITED UPDATE: The dashboard is Read more…
I have been hearing about CT scans as possibly being better at testing for COVID-19 than the current swab test. Is this true?
Clinical Symptoms Testing and Contact Tracing
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
A: It’s a little more complicated. Experts believe that the false negative rate (people who have a negative test result but are actually positive) can be around 30% with the swab test, generally due to improper sample collection. CT scans check for lung appearance, specifically ”ground glass” opacities, which are common to several diseases (pneumonia, Read more…
COVID-19 Multilingual Resources
Staying Safe
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
Q: I know where to find information on COVID-19. But how can I share this information with clients/patients/friends/people in my family who do not speak English as a primary language? A: While we have a long way to go in making information equally accessible to all populations, there are some excellent resources out there. Here Read more…
Okay the curve seems to be flattening in my area… so now what’s the plan?
Reopening
A: Hey great job! All the hard work we have done to cooperate on social distancing really is working! In many areas the new case counts are starting to flatten or even fall. So you might be wondering–now what? Can we all go back to normal? Short answer: several things need to fall into place Read more…
What is proning?
Treatments
Lauren Hale, PhD MA
A: Proning refers to putting patients on their stomachs rather than their backs. It helps with getting oxygen to the patients’ lungs. Link to CNN Article on Proning Link to original FB post
What do individuals who are infected with coronavirus and are asymptomatic, pre-symptomatic or mildly symptomatic have in common?
Infection and Spread
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: All three types of infected individuals may be able to transmit coronavirus to others without realizing they themselves have been infected. ASYMPTOMATIC individuals are those that carry the active virus in their body but never develop any symptoms. PRE-SYMPTOMATIC individuals are those that have been infected with the virus but haven’t started to show Read more…
What is the correct way to wear a cloth mask?
Masks
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: CDC recommends your cloth mask: -fit snugly but comfortably against the side of the face -be secured with ties or ear loops -include multiple layers of fabric -allow for breathing without restriction -be able to be laundered and machine dried without damage or change to shape Most importantly, cloth masks are to be worn Read more…
Dr. Malia Jones in Crossroads of Ideas Lecture Series
Staying Safe
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Bona fide nerdy girl & Dear Pandemic contributor Malia Jones was on a panel about UW-Madison’s rapid scientific response to COVID-19, hosted by the UW-Madison Discovery Building. It will be the first in a series of COVID lectures from the Crossroads of Ideas lecture series. And this is the first time they’ve gone online! Watch Read more…
What’s the bottom line from the International Monetary Fund’s latest estimates?
Uncategorized
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
A: Bracingly, the IMF projects the deepest recession since the Great Depression — and urges countries to stay the course on social distancing to stop virus spread. This quote sums it up well: “There is no trade-off between saving lives and saving livelihoods,” the report states. Read more take-aways here. Link to original FB post
When will social distancing end?
Reopening Socializing
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
Q: Will opening up contribute to second wave of disease? A: One of our most trusted scientific sources Marc Lipsitch answers the tough questions. Link to original FB post
Should I avoid eating fresh produce?
Infection and Spread Staying Safe
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
A: No! According to food scientist Dr. Donald Schaffer, the greater infection risk is “standing next to that person at the apple bin.” More great food safety info in this Consumer Reports article. H/T Claire Grosel and Haylle Reidy Link to original FB post
How do you know if someone is immune to Covid-19?
Biology/Immunity
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: This is a tricky one. Scientists are currently examining blood serum of individuals who have tested positive for Covid-19 to study their immune system response. At the moment, there are more questions than answers. Here are a few highlights about immunity and an article summarizing the challenges around determining how infection with Covid-19 or Read more…
I am pregnant and am worried about my delivery and my mental health. Where can I turn?
Families/Kids Mental Health
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
A: You are not alone. More than 20% of new mothers experience a perinatal mood and/or anxiety disorder. Increasing evidence from top journals such as the Lancet are telling us that the effects of COVID-19 isolation policies are influencing our mental health, regardless of whether we had any mental health issues prior to this crisis. Read more…
The numbers of cases and deaths in some parts of the country are looking better than expected. Did we overreact with all the distancing measures and closures?
Data and Metrics Infection and Spread
Alison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
A: So much no. No, no, nopeity nope. It’s very tempting to Monday morning quarterback the decisions that cities and states have made over the past few weeks, and the recommendations from the CDC. The physical distancing measures, the school closures and the near total shut-down of the economy feel extreme, particularly given some glimmers Read more…
What are four key measures to bend the COVID-19 curve downwards?
Infection and Spread Staying Safe
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
“Four key measures, on top of treating the ill and maintaining physical distancing, must be in place not just to slow the rise of Covid-19 cases, but also to bend the curve downward. These are: test widely, isolate the infected, trace the contacts of those infected and quarantine appropriately.” Links: The New York Times Original Read more…
Why is everyone suddenly talking about the positivity rate? Is this positive psychology or something else?
Data and Metrics Data Literacy Infection and Spread Testing and Contact Tracing
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
A: Definitely not positive psychology! The positivity rate is simply the fraction of people who test positive for COVID-19 out of all the people who get tested. It is important because it is a rough indicator of how much of the true extent of COVID-19 infection is being detected and diagnosed. In other words, a Read more…
I miss my family and friends. What is the risk of getting together for a small gathering?
Families/Kids Socializing
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: Small gatherings of any size are highly discouraged. A recent publication by the CDC outlines the sequence of infections (contact tracing) among a cluster of Covid-19 infections in Chicago following a funeral and a birthday party. One positive individual attended both events and subsequently infected *15* family and friends, not counting asymptomatic carriers and Read more…
A: Full explainer in the link below from two microbiology Profs. “In general, the more virus you have in your airways, the more you will release when you exhale or cough, although there is a lot of person-to-person variation. Multiple studies have reported that patients have the highest viral load of the coronavirus at the Read more…
Are COVID-19 deaths being undercounted?
Data and Metrics Data LiteracyJennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: Yes, very likely. Since thus far most COVID-19 deaths are only recorded as such if the person has tested positive prior to death, deaths at home or in nursing/care homes and even in hospitals may not be counted. In New York City this week, officials released additional data on “presumptive” cases due to their Read more…
DATA NERD ALERT
Data and Metrics Data Literacy
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
StatNews has produced a cool new data dashboard with county-level COVID preparedness scores. The tool synthesizes a variety of county-level factors (e.g. access to care, % population at risk for severe infections, and socioeconomic vulnerability) and incorporates epidemiological estimates from a leading modeling group (IHME at the University of Washington). EDITED UPDATE: The dashboard is Read more…
I have been hearing about CT scans as possibly being better at testing for COVID-19 than the current swab test. Is this true?
Clinical Symptoms Testing and Contact Tracing
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
A: It’s a little more complicated. Experts believe that the false negative rate (people who have a negative test result but are actually positive) can be around 30% with the swab test, generally due to improper sample collection. CT scans check for lung appearance, specifically ”ground glass” opacities, which are common to several diseases (pneumonia, Read more…
COVID-19 Multilingual Resources
Staying Safe
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
Q: I know where to find information on COVID-19. But how can I share this information with clients/patients/friends/people in my family who do not speak English as a primary language? A: While we have a long way to go in making information equally accessible to all populations, there are some excellent resources out there. Here Read more…
Okay the curve seems to be flattening in my area… so now what’s the plan?
Reopening
A: Hey great job! All the hard work we have done to cooperate on social distancing really is working! In many areas the new case counts are starting to flatten or even fall. So you might be wondering–now what? Can we all go back to normal? Short answer: several things need to fall into place Read more…
What is proning?
Treatments
Lauren Hale, PhD MA
A: Proning refers to putting patients on their stomachs rather than their backs. It helps with getting oxygen to the patients’ lungs. Link to CNN Article on Proning Link to original FB post
What do individuals who are infected with coronavirus and are asymptomatic, pre-symptomatic or mildly symptomatic have in common?
Infection and Spread
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: All three types of infected individuals may be able to transmit coronavirus to others without realizing they themselves have been infected. ASYMPTOMATIC individuals are those that carry the active virus in their body but never develop any symptoms. PRE-SYMPTOMATIC individuals are those that have been infected with the virus but haven’t started to show Read more…
What is the correct way to wear a cloth mask?
Masks
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: CDC recommends your cloth mask: -fit snugly but comfortably against the side of the face -be secured with ties or ear loops -include multiple layers of fabric -allow for breathing without restriction -be able to be laundered and machine dried without damage or change to shape Most importantly, cloth masks are to be worn Read more…
Dr. Malia Jones in Crossroads of Ideas Lecture Series
Staying Safe
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Bona fide nerdy girl & Dear Pandemic contributor Malia Jones was on a panel about UW-Madison’s rapid scientific response to COVID-19, hosted by the UW-Madison Discovery Building. It will be the first in a series of COVID lectures from the Crossroads of Ideas lecture series. And this is the first time they’ve gone online! Watch Read more…
What’s the bottom line from the International Monetary Fund’s latest estimates?
Uncategorized
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
A: Bracingly, the IMF projects the deepest recession since the Great Depression — and urges countries to stay the course on social distancing to stop virus spread. This quote sums it up well: “There is no trade-off between saving lives and saving livelihoods,” the report states. Read more take-aways here. Link to original FB post
When will social distancing end?
Reopening Socializing
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
Q: Will opening up contribute to second wave of disease? A: One of our most trusted scientific sources Marc Lipsitch answers the tough questions. Link to original FB post
Should I avoid eating fresh produce?
Infection and Spread Staying Safe
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
A: No! According to food scientist Dr. Donald Schaffer, the greater infection risk is “standing next to that person at the apple bin.” More great food safety info in this Consumer Reports article. H/T Claire Grosel and Haylle Reidy Link to original FB post
How do you know if someone is immune to Covid-19?
Biology/Immunity
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: This is a tricky one. Scientists are currently examining blood serum of individuals who have tested positive for Covid-19 to study their immune system response. At the moment, there are more questions than answers. Here are a few highlights about immunity and an article summarizing the challenges around determining how infection with Covid-19 or Read more…
I am pregnant and am worried about my delivery and my mental health. Where can I turn?
Families/Kids Mental Health
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
A: You are not alone. More than 20% of new mothers experience a perinatal mood and/or anxiety disorder. Increasing evidence from top journals such as the Lancet are telling us that the effects of COVID-19 isolation policies are influencing our mental health, regardless of whether we had any mental health issues prior to this crisis. Read more…
The numbers of cases and deaths in some parts of the country are looking better than expected. Did we overreact with all the distancing measures and closures?
Data and Metrics Infection and Spread
Alison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
A: So much no. No, no, nopeity nope. It’s very tempting to Monday morning quarterback the decisions that cities and states have made over the past few weeks, and the recommendations from the CDC. The physical distancing measures, the school closures and the near total shut-down of the economy feel extreme, particularly given some glimmers Read more…
What are four key measures to bend the COVID-19 curve downwards?
Infection and Spread Staying Safe
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
“Four key measures, on top of treating the ill and maintaining physical distancing, must be in place not just to slow the rise of Covid-19 cases, but also to bend the curve downward. These are: test widely, isolate the infected, trace the contacts of those infected and quarantine appropriately.” Links: The New York Times Original Read more…
Why is everyone suddenly talking about the positivity rate? Is this positive psychology or something else?
Data and Metrics Data Literacy Infection and Spread Testing and Contact Tracing
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
A: Definitely not positive psychology! The positivity rate is simply the fraction of people who test positive for COVID-19 out of all the people who get tested. It is important because it is a rough indicator of how much of the true extent of COVID-19 infection is being detected and diagnosed. In other words, a Read more…
I miss my family and friends. What is the risk of getting together for a small gathering?
Families/Kids Socializing
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: Small gatherings of any size are highly discouraged. A recent publication by the CDC outlines the sequence of infections (contact tracing) among a cluster of Covid-19 infections in Chicago following a funeral and a birthday party. One positive individual attended both events and subsequently infected *15* family and friends, not counting asymptomatic carriers and Read more…
A: Yes, very likely. Since thus far most COVID-19 deaths are only recorded as such if the person has tested positive prior to death, deaths at home or in nursing/care homes and even in hospitals may not be counted. In New York City this week, officials released additional data on “presumptive” cases due to their Read more…
DATA NERD ALERT
Data and Metrics Data LiteracyLindsey Leininger, PhD MA
StatNews has produced a cool new data dashboard with county-level COVID preparedness scores. The tool synthesizes a variety of county-level factors (e.g. access to care, % population at risk for severe infections, and socioeconomic vulnerability) and incorporates epidemiological estimates from a leading modeling group (IHME at the University of Washington). EDITED UPDATE: The dashboard is Read more…
I have been hearing about CT scans as possibly being better at testing for COVID-19 than the current swab test. Is this true?
Clinical Symptoms Testing and Contact Tracing
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
A: It’s a little more complicated. Experts believe that the false negative rate (people who have a negative test result but are actually positive) can be around 30% with the swab test, generally due to improper sample collection. CT scans check for lung appearance, specifically ”ground glass” opacities, which are common to several diseases (pneumonia, Read more…
COVID-19 Multilingual Resources
Staying Safe
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
Q: I know where to find information on COVID-19. But how can I share this information with clients/patients/friends/people in my family who do not speak English as a primary language? A: While we have a long way to go in making information equally accessible to all populations, there are some excellent resources out there. Here Read more…
Okay the curve seems to be flattening in my area… so now what’s the plan?
Reopening
A: Hey great job! All the hard work we have done to cooperate on social distancing really is working! In many areas the new case counts are starting to flatten or even fall. So you might be wondering–now what? Can we all go back to normal? Short answer: several things need to fall into place Read more…
What is proning?
Treatments
Lauren Hale, PhD MA
A: Proning refers to putting patients on their stomachs rather than their backs. It helps with getting oxygen to the patients’ lungs. Link to CNN Article on Proning Link to original FB post
What do individuals who are infected with coronavirus and are asymptomatic, pre-symptomatic or mildly symptomatic have in common?
Infection and Spread
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: All three types of infected individuals may be able to transmit coronavirus to others without realizing they themselves have been infected. ASYMPTOMATIC individuals are those that carry the active virus in their body but never develop any symptoms. PRE-SYMPTOMATIC individuals are those that have been infected with the virus but haven’t started to show Read more…
What is the correct way to wear a cloth mask?
Masks
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: CDC recommends your cloth mask: -fit snugly but comfortably against the side of the face -be secured with ties or ear loops -include multiple layers of fabric -allow for breathing without restriction -be able to be laundered and machine dried without damage or change to shape Most importantly, cloth masks are to be worn Read more…
Dr. Malia Jones in Crossroads of Ideas Lecture Series
Staying Safe
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Bona fide nerdy girl & Dear Pandemic contributor Malia Jones was on a panel about UW-Madison’s rapid scientific response to COVID-19, hosted by the UW-Madison Discovery Building. It will be the first in a series of COVID lectures from the Crossroads of Ideas lecture series. And this is the first time they’ve gone online! Watch Read more…
What’s the bottom line from the International Monetary Fund’s latest estimates?
Uncategorized
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
A: Bracingly, the IMF projects the deepest recession since the Great Depression — and urges countries to stay the course on social distancing to stop virus spread. This quote sums it up well: “There is no trade-off between saving lives and saving livelihoods,” the report states. Read more take-aways here. Link to original FB post
When will social distancing end?
Reopening Socializing
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
Q: Will opening up contribute to second wave of disease? A: One of our most trusted scientific sources Marc Lipsitch answers the tough questions. Link to original FB post
Should I avoid eating fresh produce?
Infection and Spread Staying Safe
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
A: No! According to food scientist Dr. Donald Schaffer, the greater infection risk is “standing next to that person at the apple bin.” More great food safety info in this Consumer Reports article. H/T Claire Grosel and Haylle Reidy Link to original FB post
How do you know if someone is immune to Covid-19?
Biology/Immunity
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: This is a tricky one. Scientists are currently examining blood serum of individuals who have tested positive for Covid-19 to study their immune system response. At the moment, there are more questions than answers. Here are a few highlights about immunity and an article summarizing the challenges around determining how infection with Covid-19 or Read more…
I am pregnant and am worried about my delivery and my mental health. Where can I turn?
Families/Kids Mental Health
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
A: You are not alone. More than 20% of new mothers experience a perinatal mood and/or anxiety disorder. Increasing evidence from top journals such as the Lancet are telling us that the effects of COVID-19 isolation policies are influencing our mental health, regardless of whether we had any mental health issues prior to this crisis. Read more…
The numbers of cases and deaths in some parts of the country are looking better than expected. Did we overreact with all the distancing measures and closures?
Data and Metrics Infection and Spread
Alison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
A: So much no. No, no, nopeity nope. It’s very tempting to Monday morning quarterback the decisions that cities and states have made over the past few weeks, and the recommendations from the CDC. The physical distancing measures, the school closures and the near total shut-down of the economy feel extreme, particularly given some glimmers Read more…
What are four key measures to bend the COVID-19 curve downwards?
Infection and Spread Staying Safe
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
“Four key measures, on top of treating the ill and maintaining physical distancing, must be in place not just to slow the rise of Covid-19 cases, but also to bend the curve downward. These are: test widely, isolate the infected, trace the contacts of those infected and quarantine appropriately.” Links: The New York Times Original Read more…
Why is everyone suddenly talking about the positivity rate? Is this positive psychology or something else?
Data and Metrics Data Literacy Infection and Spread Testing and Contact Tracing
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
A: Definitely not positive psychology! The positivity rate is simply the fraction of people who test positive for COVID-19 out of all the people who get tested. It is important because it is a rough indicator of how much of the true extent of COVID-19 infection is being detected and diagnosed. In other words, a Read more…
I miss my family and friends. What is the risk of getting together for a small gathering?
Families/Kids Socializing
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: Small gatherings of any size are highly discouraged. A recent publication by the CDC outlines the sequence of infections (contact tracing) among a cluster of Covid-19 infections in Chicago following a funeral and a birthday party. One positive individual attended both events and subsequently infected *15* family and friends, not counting asymptomatic carriers and Read more…
StatNews has produced a cool new data dashboard with county-level COVID preparedness scores. The tool synthesizes a variety of county-level factors (e.g. access to care, % population at risk for severe infections, and socioeconomic vulnerability) and incorporates epidemiological estimates from a leading modeling group (IHME at the University of Washington). EDITED UPDATE: The dashboard is Read more…
I have been hearing about CT scans as possibly being better at testing for COVID-19 than the current swab test. Is this true?
Clinical Symptoms Testing and Contact TracingAparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
A: It’s a little more complicated. Experts believe that the false negative rate (people who have a negative test result but are actually positive) can be around 30% with the swab test, generally due to improper sample collection. CT scans check for lung appearance, specifically ”ground glass” opacities, which are common to several diseases (pneumonia, Read more…
COVID-19 Multilingual Resources
Staying Safe
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
Q: I know where to find information on COVID-19. But how can I share this information with clients/patients/friends/people in my family who do not speak English as a primary language? A: While we have a long way to go in making information equally accessible to all populations, there are some excellent resources out there. Here Read more…
Okay the curve seems to be flattening in my area… so now what’s the plan?
Reopening
A: Hey great job! All the hard work we have done to cooperate on social distancing really is working! In many areas the new case counts are starting to flatten or even fall. So you might be wondering–now what? Can we all go back to normal? Short answer: several things need to fall into place Read more…
What is proning?
Treatments
Lauren Hale, PhD MA
A: Proning refers to putting patients on their stomachs rather than their backs. It helps with getting oxygen to the patients’ lungs. Link to CNN Article on Proning Link to original FB post
What do individuals who are infected with coronavirus and are asymptomatic, pre-symptomatic or mildly symptomatic have in common?
Infection and Spread
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: All three types of infected individuals may be able to transmit coronavirus to others without realizing they themselves have been infected. ASYMPTOMATIC individuals are those that carry the active virus in their body but never develop any symptoms. PRE-SYMPTOMATIC individuals are those that have been infected with the virus but haven’t started to show Read more…
What is the correct way to wear a cloth mask?
Masks
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: CDC recommends your cloth mask: -fit snugly but comfortably against the side of the face -be secured with ties or ear loops -include multiple layers of fabric -allow for breathing without restriction -be able to be laundered and machine dried without damage or change to shape Most importantly, cloth masks are to be worn Read more…
Dr. Malia Jones in Crossroads of Ideas Lecture Series
Staying Safe
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Bona fide nerdy girl & Dear Pandemic contributor Malia Jones was on a panel about UW-Madison’s rapid scientific response to COVID-19, hosted by the UW-Madison Discovery Building. It will be the first in a series of COVID lectures from the Crossroads of Ideas lecture series. And this is the first time they’ve gone online! Watch Read more…
What’s the bottom line from the International Monetary Fund’s latest estimates?
Uncategorized
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
A: Bracingly, the IMF projects the deepest recession since the Great Depression — and urges countries to stay the course on social distancing to stop virus spread. This quote sums it up well: “There is no trade-off between saving lives and saving livelihoods,” the report states. Read more take-aways here. Link to original FB post
When will social distancing end?
Reopening Socializing
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
Q: Will opening up contribute to second wave of disease? A: One of our most trusted scientific sources Marc Lipsitch answers the tough questions. Link to original FB post
Should I avoid eating fresh produce?
Infection and Spread Staying Safe
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
A: No! According to food scientist Dr. Donald Schaffer, the greater infection risk is “standing next to that person at the apple bin.” More great food safety info in this Consumer Reports article. H/T Claire Grosel and Haylle Reidy Link to original FB post
How do you know if someone is immune to Covid-19?
Biology/Immunity
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: This is a tricky one. Scientists are currently examining blood serum of individuals who have tested positive for Covid-19 to study their immune system response. At the moment, there are more questions than answers. Here are a few highlights about immunity and an article summarizing the challenges around determining how infection with Covid-19 or Read more…
I am pregnant and am worried about my delivery and my mental health. Where can I turn?
Families/Kids Mental Health
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
A: You are not alone. More than 20% of new mothers experience a perinatal mood and/or anxiety disorder. Increasing evidence from top journals such as the Lancet are telling us that the effects of COVID-19 isolation policies are influencing our mental health, regardless of whether we had any mental health issues prior to this crisis. Read more…
The numbers of cases and deaths in some parts of the country are looking better than expected. Did we overreact with all the distancing measures and closures?
Data and Metrics Infection and Spread
Alison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
A: So much no. No, no, nopeity nope. It’s very tempting to Monday morning quarterback the decisions that cities and states have made over the past few weeks, and the recommendations from the CDC. The physical distancing measures, the school closures and the near total shut-down of the economy feel extreme, particularly given some glimmers Read more…
What are four key measures to bend the COVID-19 curve downwards?
Infection and Spread Staying Safe
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
“Four key measures, on top of treating the ill and maintaining physical distancing, must be in place not just to slow the rise of Covid-19 cases, but also to bend the curve downward. These are: test widely, isolate the infected, trace the contacts of those infected and quarantine appropriately.” Links: The New York Times Original Read more…
Why is everyone suddenly talking about the positivity rate? Is this positive psychology or something else?
Data and Metrics Data Literacy Infection and Spread Testing and Contact Tracing
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
A: Definitely not positive psychology! The positivity rate is simply the fraction of people who test positive for COVID-19 out of all the people who get tested. It is important because it is a rough indicator of how much of the true extent of COVID-19 infection is being detected and diagnosed. In other words, a Read more…
I miss my family and friends. What is the risk of getting together for a small gathering?
Families/Kids Socializing
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: Small gatherings of any size are highly discouraged. A recent publication by the CDC outlines the sequence of infections (contact tracing) among a cluster of Covid-19 infections in Chicago following a funeral and a birthday party. One positive individual attended both events and subsequently infected *15* family and friends, not counting asymptomatic carriers and Read more…
A: It’s a little more complicated. Experts believe that the false negative rate (people who have a negative test result but are actually positive) can be around 30% with the swab test, generally due to improper sample collection. CT scans check for lung appearance, specifically ”ground glass” opacities, which are common to several diseases (pneumonia, Read more…
COVID-19 Multilingual Resources
Staying SafeAparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
Q: I know where to find information on COVID-19. But how can I share this information with clients/patients/friends/people in my family who do not speak English as a primary language? A: While we have a long way to go in making information equally accessible to all populations, there are some excellent resources out there. Here Read more…
Okay the curve seems to be flattening in my area… so now what’s the plan?
Reopening
A: Hey great job! All the hard work we have done to cooperate on social distancing really is working! In many areas the new case counts are starting to flatten or even fall. So you might be wondering–now what? Can we all go back to normal? Short answer: several things need to fall into place Read more…
What is proning?
Treatments
Lauren Hale, PhD MA
A: Proning refers to putting patients on their stomachs rather than their backs. It helps with getting oxygen to the patients’ lungs. Link to CNN Article on Proning Link to original FB post
What do individuals who are infected with coronavirus and are asymptomatic, pre-symptomatic or mildly symptomatic have in common?
Infection and Spread
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: All three types of infected individuals may be able to transmit coronavirus to others without realizing they themselves have been infected. ASYMPTOMATIC individuals are those that carry the active virus in their body but never develop any symptoms. PRE-SYMPTOMATIC individuals are those that have been infected with the virus but haven’t started to show Read more…
What is the correct way to wear a cloth mask?
Masks
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: CDC recommends your cloth mask: -fit snugly but comfortably against the side of the face -be secured with ties or ear loops -include multiple layers of fabric -allow for breathing without restriction -be able to be laundered and machine dried without damage or change to shape Most importantly, cloth masks are to be worn Read more…
Dr. Malia Jones in Crossroads of Ideas Lecture Series
Staying Safe
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Bona fide nerdy girl & Dear Pandemic contributor Malia Jones was on a panel about UW-Madison’s rapid scientific response to COVID-19, hosted by the UW-Madison Discovery Building. It will be the first in a series of COVID lectures from the Crossroads of Ideas lecture series. And this is the first time they’ve gone online! Watch Read more…
What’s the bottom line from the International Monetary Fund’s latest estimates?
Uncategorized
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
A: Bracingly, the IMF projects the deepest recession since the Great Depression — and urges countries to stay the course on social distancing to stop virus spread. This quote sums it up well: “There is no trade-off between saving lives and saving livelihoods,” the report states. Read more take-aways here. Link to original FB post
When will social distancing end?
Reopening Socializing
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
Q: Will opening up contribute to second wave of disease? A: One of our most trusted scientific sources Marc Lipsitch answers the tough questions. Link to original FB post
Should I avoid eating fresh produce?
Infection and Spread Staying Safe
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
A: No! According to food scientist Dr. Donald Schaffer, the greater infection risk is “standing next to that person at the apple bin.” More great food safety info in this Consumer Reports article. H/T Claire Grosel and Haylle Reidy Link to original FB post
How do you know if someone is immune to Covid-19?
Biology/Immunity
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: This is a tricky one. Scientists are currently examining blood serum of individuals who have tested positive for Covid-19 to study their immune system response. At the moment, there are more questions than answers. Here are a few highlights about immunity and an article summarizing the challenges around determining how infection with Covid-19 or Read more…
I am pregnant and am worried about my delivery and my mental health. Where can I turn?
Families/Kids Mental Health
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
A: You are not alone. More than 20% of new mothers experience a perinatal mood and/or anxiety disorder. Increasing evidence from top journals such as the Lancet are telling us that the effects of COVID-19 isolation policies are influencing our mental health, regardless of whether we had any mental health issues prior to this crisis. Read more…
The numbers of cases and deaths in some parts of the country are looking better than expected. Did we overreact with all the distancing measures and closures?
Data and Metrics Infection and Spread
Alison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
A: So much no. No, no, nopeity nope. It’s very tempting to Monday morning quarterback the decisions that cities and states have made over the past few weeks, and the recommendations from the CDC. The physical distancing measures, the school closures and the near total shut-down of the economy feel extreme, particularly given some glimmers Read more…
What are four key measures to bend the COVID-19 curve downwards?
Infection and Spread Staying Safe
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
“Four key measures, on top of treating the ill and maintaining physical distancing, must be in place not just to slow the rise of Covid-19 cases, but also to bend the curve downward. These are: test widely, isolate the infected, trace the contacts of those infected and quarantine appropriately.” Links: The New York Times Original Read more…
Why is everyone suddenly talking about the positivity rate? Is this positive psychology or something else?
Data and Metrics Data Literacy Infection and Spread Testing and Contact Tracing
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
A: Definitely not positive psychology! The positivity rate is simply the fraction of people who test positive for COVID-19 out of all the people who get tested. It is important because it is a rough indicator of how much of the true extent of COVID-19 infection is being detected and diagnosed. In other words, a Read more…
I miss my family and friends. What is the risk of getting together for a small gathering?
Families/Kids Socializing
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: Small gatherings of any size are highly discouraged. A recent publication by the CDC outlines the sequence of infections (contact tracing) among a cluster of Covid-19 infections in Chicago following a funeral and a birthday party. One positive individual attended both events and subsequently infected *15* family and friends, not counting asymptomatic carriers and Read more…
Q: I know where to find information on COVID-19. But how can I share this information with clients/patients/friends/people in my family who do not speak English as a primary language? A: While we have a long way to go in making information equally accessible to all populations, there are some excellent resources out there. Here Read more…
Okay the curve seems to be flattening in my area… so now what’s the plan?
ReopeningA: Hey great job! All the hard work we have done to cooperate on social distancing really is working! In many areas the new case counts are starting to flatten or even fall. So you might be wondering–now what? Can we all go back to normal? Short answer: several things need to fall into place Read more…
What is proning?
TreatmentsLauren Hale, PhD MA
A: Proning refers to putting patients on their stomachs rather than their backs. It helps with getting oxygen to the patients’ lungs. Link to CNN Article on Proning Link to original FB post
What do individuals who are infected with coronavirus and are asymptomatic, pre-symptomatic or mildly symptomatic have in common?
Infection and Spread
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: All three types of infected individuals may be able to transmit coronavirus to others without realizing they themselves have been infected. ASYMPTOMATIC individuals are those that carry the active virus in their body but never develop any symptoms. PRE-SYMPTOMATIC individuals are those that have been infected with the virus but haven’t started to show Read more…
What is the correct way to wear a cloth mask?
Masks
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: CDC recommends your cloth mask: -fit snugly but comfortably against the side of the face -be secured with ties or ear loops -include multiple layers of fabric -allow for breathing without restriction -be able to be laundered and machine dried without damage or change to shape Most importantly, cloth masks are to be worn Read more…
Dr. Malia Jones in Crossroads of Ideas Lecture Series
Staying Safe
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Bona fide nerdy girl & Dear Pandemic contributor Malia Jones was on a panel about UW-Madison’s rapid scientific response to COVID-19, hosted by the UW-Madison Discovery Building. It will be the first in a series of COVID lectures from the Crossroads of Ideas lecture series. And this is the first time they’ve gone online! Watch Read more…
What’s the bottom line from the International Monetary Fund’s latest estimates?
Uncategorized
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
A: Bracingly, the IMF projects the deepest recession since the Great Depression — and urges countries to stay the course on social distancing to stop virus spread. This quote sums it up well: “There is no trade-off between saving lives and saving livelihoods,” the report states. Read more take-aways here. Link to original FB post
When will social distancing end?
Reopening Socializing
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
Q: Will opening up contribute to second wave of disease? A: One of our most trusted scientific sources Marc Lipsitch answers the tough questions. Link to original FB post
Should I avoid eating fresh produce?
Infection and Spread Staying Safe
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
A: No! According to food scientist Dr. Donald Schaffer, the greater infection risk is “standing next to that person at the apple bin.” More great food safety info in this Consumer Reports article. H/T Claire Grosel and Haylle Reidy Link to original FB post
How do you know if someone is immune to Covid-19?
Biology/Immunity
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: This is a tricky one. Scientists are currently examining blood serum of individuals who have tested positive for Covid-19 to study their immune system response. At the moment, there are more questions than answers. Here are a few highlights about immunity and an article summarizing the challenges around determining how infection with Covid-19 or Read more…
I am pregnant and am worried about my delivery and my mental health. Where can I turn?
Families/Kids Mental Health
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
A: You are not alone. More than 20% of new mothers experience a perinatal mood and/or anxiety disorder. Increasing evidence from top journals such as the Lancet are telling us that the effects of COVID-19 isolation policies are influencing our mental health, regardless of whether we had any mental health issues prior to this crisis. Read more…
The numbers of cases and deaths in some parts of the country are looking better than expected. Did we overreact with all the distancing measures and closures?
Data and Metrics Infection and Spread
Alison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
A: So much no. No, no, nopeity nope. It’s very tempting to Monday morning quarterback the decisions that cities and states have made over the past few weeks, and the recommendations from the CDC. The physical distancing measures, the school closures and the near total shut-down of the economy feel extreme, particularly given some glimmers Read more…
What are four key measures to bend the COVID-19 curve downwards?
Infection and Spread Staying Safe
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
“Four key measures, on top of treating the ill and maintaining physical distancing, must be in place not just to slow the rise of Covid-19 cases, but also to bend the curve downward. These are: test widely, isolate the infected, trace the contacts of those infected and quarantine appropriately.” Links: The New York Times Original Read more…
Why is everyone suddenly talking about the positivity rate? Is this positive psychology or something else?
Data and Metrics Data Literacy Infection and Spread Testing and Contact Tracing
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
A: Definitely not positive psychology! The positivity rate is simply the fraction of people who test positive for COVID-19 out of all the people who get tested. It is important because it is a rough indicator of how much of the true extent of COVID-19 infection is being detected and diagnosed. In other words, a Read more…
I miss my family and friends. What is the risk of getting together for a small gathering?
Families/Kids Socializing
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: Small gatherings of any size are highly discouraged. A recent publication by the CDC outlines the sequence of infections (contact tracing) among a cluster of Covid-19 infections in Chicago following a funeral and a birthday party. One positive individual attended both events and subsequently infected *15* family and friends, not counting asymptomatic carriers and Read more…
A: Proning refers to putting patients on their stomachs rather than their backs. It helps with getting oxygen to the patients’ lungs. Link to CNN Article on Proning Link to original FB post
What do individuals who are infected with coronavirus and are asymptomatic, pre-symptomatic or mildly symptomatic have in common?
Infection and SpreadAmanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: All three types of infected individuals may be able to transmit coronavirus to others without realizing they themselves have been infected. ASYMPTOMATIC individuals are those that carry the active virus in their body but never develop any symptoms. PRE-SYMPTOMATIC individuals are those that have been infected with the virus but haven’t started to show Read more…
What is the correct way to wear a cloth mask?
Masks
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: CDC recommends your cloth mask: -fit snugly but comfortably against the side of the face -be secured with ties or ear loops -include multiple layers of fabric -allow for breathing without restriction -be able to be laundered and machine dried without damage or change to shape Most importantly, cloth masks are to be worn Read more…
Dr. Malia Jones in Crossroads of Ideas Lecture Series
Staying Safe
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Bona fide nerdy girl & Dear Pandemic contributor Malia Jones was on a panel about UW-Madison’s rapid scientific response to COVID-19, hosted by the UW-Madison Discovery Building. It will be the first in a series of COVID lectures from the Crossroads of Ideas lecture series. And this is the first time they’ve gone online! Watch Read more…
What’s the bottom line from the International Monetary Fund’s latest estimates?
Uncategorized
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
A: Bracingly, the IMF projects the deepest recession since the Great Depression — and urges countries to stay the course on social distancing to stop virus spread. This quote sums it up well: “There is no trade-off between saving lives and saving livelihoods,” the report states. Read more take-aways here. Link to original FB post
When will social distancing end?
Reopening Socializing
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
Q: Will opening up contribute to second wave of disease? A: One of our most trusted scientific sources Marc Lipsitch answers the tough questions. Link to original FB post
Should I avoid eating fresh produce?
Infection and Spread Staying Safe
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
A: No! According to food scientist Dr. Donald Schaffer, the greater infection risk is “standing next to that person at the apple bin.” More great food safety info in this Consumer Reports article. H/T Claire Grosel and Haylle Reidy Link to original FB post
How do you know if someone is immune to Covid-19?
Biology/Immunity
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: This is a tricky one. Scientists are currently examining blood serum of individuals who have tested positive for Covid-19 to study their immune system response. At the moment, there are more questions than answers. Here are a few highlights about immunity and an article summarizing the challenges around determining how infection with Covid-19 or Read more…
I am pregnant and am worried about my delivery and my mental health. Where can I turn?
Families/Kids Mental Health
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
A: You are not alone. More than 20% of new mothers experience a perinatal mood and/or anxiety disorder. Increasing evidence from top journals such as the Lancet are telling us that the effects of COVID-19 isolation policies are influencing our mental health, regardless of whether we had any mental health issues prior to this crisis. Read more…
The numbers of cases and deaths in some parts of the country are looking better than expected. Did we overreact with all the distancing measures and closures?
Data and Metrics Infection and Spread
Alison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
A: So much no. No, no, nopeity nope. It’s very tempting to Monday morning quarterback the decisions that cities and states have made over the past few weeks, and the recommendations from the CDC. The physical distancing measures, the school closures and the near total shut-down of the economy feel extreme, particularly given some glimmers Read more…
What are four key measures to bend the COVID-19 curve downwards?
Infection and Spread Staying Safe
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
“Four key measures, on top of treating the ill and maintaining physical distancing, must be in place not just to slow the rise of Covid-19 cases, but also to bend the curve downward. These are: test widely, isolate the infected, trace the contacts of those infected and quarantine appropriately.” Links: The New York Times Original Read more…
Why is everyone suddenly talking about the positivity rate? Is this positive psychology or something else?
Data and Metrics Data Literacy Infection and Spread Testing and Contact Tracing
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
A: Definitely not positive psychology! The positivity rate is simply the fraction of people who test positive for COVID-19 out of all the people who get tested. It is important because it is a rough indicator of how much of the true extent of COVID-19 infection is being detected and diagnosed. In other words, a Read more…
I miss my family and friends. What is the risk of getting together for a small gathering?
Families/Kids Socializing
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: Small gatherings of any size are highly discouraged. A recent publication by the CDC outlines the sequence of infections (contact tracing) among a cluster of Covid-19 infections in Chicago following a funeral and a birthday party. One positive individual attended both events and subsequently infected *15* family and friends, not counting asymptomatic carriers and Read more…
A: All three types of infected individuals may be able to transmit coronavirus to others without realizing they themselves have been infected. ASYMPTOMATIC individuals are those that carry the active virus in their body but never develop any symptoms. PRE-SYMPTOMATIC individuals are those that have been infected with the virus but haven’t started to show Read more…
What is the correct way to wear a cloth mask?
MasksAmanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: CDC recommends your cloth mask: -fit snugly but comfortably against the side of the face -be secured with ties or ear loops -include multiple layers of fabric -allow for breathing without restriction -be able to be laundered and machine dried without damage or change to shape Most importantly, cloth masks are to be worn Read more…
Dr. Malia Jones in Crossroads of Ideas Lecture Series
Staying Safe
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Bona fide nerdy girl & Dear Pandemic contributor Malia Jones was on a panel about UW-Madison’s rapid scientific response to COVID-19, hosted by the UW-Madison Discovery Building. It will be the first in a series of COVID lectures from the Crossroads of Ideas lecture series. And this is the first time they’ve gone online! Watch Read more…
What’s the bottom line from the International Monetary Fund’s latest estimates?
Uncategorized
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
A: Bracingly, the IMF projects the deepest recession since the Great Depression — and urges countries to stay the course on social distancing to stop virus spread. This quote sums it up well: “There is no trade-off between saving lives and saving livelihoods,” the report states. Read more take-aways here. Link to original FB post
When will social distancing end?
Reopening Socializing
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
Q: Will opening up contribute to second wave of disease? A: One of our most trusted scientific sources Marc Lipsitch answers the tough questions. Link to original FB post
Should I avoid eating fresh produce?
Infection and Spread Staying Safe
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
A: No! According to food scientist Dr. Donald Schaffer, the greater infection risk is “standing next to that person at the apple bin.” More great food safety info in this Consumer Reports article. H/T Claire Grosel and Haylle Reidy Link to original FB post
How do you know if someone is immune to Covid-19?
Biology/Immunity
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: This is a tricky one. Scientists are currently examining blood serum of individuals who have tested positive for Covid-19 to study their immune system response. At the moment, there are more questions than answers. Here are a few highlights about immunity and an article summarizing the challenges around determining how infection with Covid-19 or Read more…
I am pregnant and am worried about my delivery and my mental health. Where can I turn?
Families/Kids Mental Health
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
A: You are not alone. More than 20% of new mothers experience a perinatal mood and/or anxiety disorder. Increasing evidence from top journals such as the Lancet are telling us that the effects of COVID-19 isolation policies are influencing our mental health, regardless of whether we had any mental health issues prior to this crisis. Read more…
The numbers of cases and deaths in some parts of the country are looking better than expected. Did we overreact with all the distancing measures and closures?
Data and Metrics Infection and Spread
Alison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
A: So much no. No, no, nopeity nope. It’s very tempting to Monday morning quarterback the decisions that cities and states have made over the past few weeks, and the recommendations from the CDC. The physical distancing measures, the school closures and the near total shut-down of the economy feel extreme, particularly given some glimmers Read more…
What are four key measures to bend the COVID-19 curve downwards?
Infection and Spread Staying Safe
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
“Four key measures, on top of treating the ill and maintaining physical distancing, must be in place not just to slow the rise of Covid-19 cases, but also to bend the curve downward. These are: test widely, isolate the infected, trace the contacts of those infected and quarantine appropriately.” Links: The New York Times Original Read more…
Why is everyone suddenly talking about the positivity rate? Is this positive psychology or something else?
Data and Metrics Data Literacy Infection and Spread Testing and Contact Tracing
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
A: Definitely not positive psychology! The positivity rate is simply the fraction of people who test positive for COVID-19 out of all the people who get tested. It is important because it is a rough indicator of how much of the true extent of COVID-19 infection is being detected and diagnosed. In other words, a Read more…
I miss my family and friends. What is the risk of getting together for a small gathering?
Families/Kids Socializing
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: Small gatherings of any size are highly discouraged. A recent publication by the CDC outlines the sequence of infections (contact tracing) among a cluster of Covid-19 infections in Chicago following a funeral and a birthday party. One positive individual attended both events and subsequently infected *15* family and friends, not counting asymptomatic carriers and Read more…
A: CDC recommends your cloth mask: -fit snugly but comfortably against the side of the face -be secured with ties or ear loops -include multiple layers of fabric -allow for breathing without restriction -be able to be laundered and machine dried without damage or change to shape Most importantly, cloth masks are to be worn Read more…
Dr. Malia Jones in Crossroads of Ideas Lecture Series
Staying SafeMalia Jones, PhD MPH
Bona fide nerdy girl & Dear Pandemic contributor Malia Jones was on a panel about UW-Madison’s rapid scientific response to COVID-19, hosted by the UW-Madison Discovery Building. It will be the first in a series of COVID lectures from the Crossroads of Ideas lecture series. And this is the first time they’ve gone online! Watch Read more…
What’s the bottom line from the International Monetary Fund’s latest estimates?
Uncategorized
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
A: Bracingly, the IMF projects the deepest recession since the Great Depression — and urges countries to stay the course on social distancing to stop virus spread. This quote sums it up well: “There is no trade-off between saving lives and saving livelihoods,” the report states. Read more take-aways here. Link to original FB post
When will social distancing end?
Reopening Socializing
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
Q: Will opening up contribute to second wave of disease? A: One of our most trusted scientific sources Marc Lipsitch answers the tough questions. Link to original FB post
Should I avoid eating fresh produce?
Infection and Spread Staying Safe
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
A: No! According to food scientist Dr. Donald Schaffer, the greater infection risk is “standing next to that person at the apple bin.” More great food safety info in this Consumer Reports article. H/T Claire Grosel and Haylle Reidy Link to original FB post
How do you know if someone is immune to Covid-19?
Biology/Immunity
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: This is a tricky one. Scientists are currently examining blood serum of individuals who have tested positive for Covid-19 to study their immune system response. At the moment, there are more questions than answers. Here are a few highlights about immunity and an article summarizing the challenges around determining how infection with Covid-19 or Read more…
I am pregnant and am worried about my delivery and my mental health. Where can I turn?
Families/Kids Mental Health
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
A: You are not alone. More than 20% of new mothers experience a perinatal mood and/or anxiety disorder. Increasing evidence from top journals such as the Lancet are telling us that the effects of COVID-19 isolation policies are influencing our mental health, regardless of whether we had any mental health issues prior to this crisis. Read more…
The numbers of cases and deaths in some parts of the country are looking better than expected. Did we overreact with all the distancing measures and closures?
Data and Metrics Infection and Spread
Alison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
A: So much no. No, no, nopeity nope. It’s very tempting to Monday morning quarterback the decisions that cities and states have made over the past few weeks, and the recommendations from the CDC. The physical distancing measures, the school closures and the near total shut-down of the economy feel extreme, particularly given some glimmers Read more…
What are four key measures to bend the COVID-19 curve downwards?
Infection and Spread Staying Safe
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
“Four key measures, on top of treating the ill and maintaining physical distancing, must be in place not just to slow the rise of Covid-19 cases, but also to bend the curve downward. These are: test widely, isolate the infected, trace the contacts of those infected and quarantine appropriately.” Links: The New York Times Original Read more…
Why is everyone suddenly talking about the positivity rate? Is this positive psychology or something else?
Data and Metrics Data Literacy Infection and Spread Testing and Contact Tracing
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
A: Definitely not positive psychology! The positivity rate is simply the fraction of people who test positive for COVID-19 out of all the people who get tested. It is important because it is a rough indicator of how much of the true extent of COVID-19 infection is being detected and diagnosed. In other words, a Read more…
I miss my family and friends. What is the risk of getting together for a small gathering?
Families/Kids Socializing
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: Small gatherings of any size are highly discouraged. A recent publication by the CDC outlines the sequence of infections (contact tracing) among a cluster of Covid-19 infections in Chicago following a funeral and a birthday party. One positive individual attended both events and subsequently infected *15* family and friends, not counting asymptomatic carriers and Read more…
Bona fide nerdy girl & Dear Pandemic contributor Malia Jones was on a panel about UW-Madison’s rapid scientific response to COVID-19, hosted by the UW-Madison Discovery Building. It will be the first in a series of COVID lectures from the Crossroads of Ideas lecture series. And this is the first time they’ve gone online! Watch Read more…
What’s the bottom line from the International Monetary Fund’s latest estimates?
UncategorizedLindsey Leininger, PhD MA
A: Bracingly, the IMF projects the deepest recession since the Great Depression — and urges countries to stay the course on social distancing to stop virus spread. This quote sums it up well: “There is no trade-off between saving lives and saving livelihoods,” the report states. Read more take-aways here. Link to original FB post
When will social distancing end?
Reopening Socializing
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
Q: Will opening up contribute to second wave of disease? A: One of our most trusted scientific sources Marc Lipsitch answers the tough questions. Link to original FB post
Should I avoid eating fresh produce?
Infection and Spread Staying Safe
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
A: No! According to food scientist Dr. Donald Schaffer, the greater infection risk is “standing next to that person at the apple bin.” More great food safety info in this Consumer Reports article. H/T Claire Grosel and Haylle Reidy Link to original FB post
How do you know if someone is immune to Covid-19?
Biology/Immunity
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: This is a tricky one. Scientists are currently examining blood serum of individuals who have tested positive for Covid-19 to study their immune system response. At the moment, there are more questions than answers. Here are a few highlights about immunity and an article summarizing the challenges around determining how infection with Covid-19 or Read more…
I am pregnant and am worried about my delivery and my mental health. Where can I turn?
Families/Kids Mental Health
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
A: You are not alone. More than 20% of new mothers experience a perinatal mood and/or anxiety disorder. Increasing evidence from top journals such as the Lancet are telling us that the effects of COVID-19 isolation policies are influencing our mental health, regardless of whether we had any mental health issues prior to this crisis. Read more…
The numbers of cases and deaths in some parts of the country are looking better than expected. Did we overreact with all the distancing measures and closures?
Data and Metrics Infection and Spread
Alison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
A: So much no. No, no, nopeity nope. It’s very tempting to Monday morning quarterback the decisions that cities and states have made over the past few weeks, and the recommendations from the CDC. The physical distancing measures, the school closures and the near total shut-down of the economy feel extreme, particularly given some glimmers Read more…
What are four key measures to bend the COVID-19 curve downwards?
Infection and Spread Staying Safe
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
“Four key measures, on top of treating the ill and maintaining physical distancing, must be in place not just to slow the rise of Covid-19 cases, but also to bend the curve downward. These are: test widely, isolate the infected, trace the contacts of those infected and quarantine appropriately.” Links: The New York Times Original Read more…
Why is everyone suddenly talking about the positivity rate? Is this positive psychology or something else?
Data and Metrics Data Literacy Infection and Spread Testing and Contact Tracing
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
A: Definitely not positive psychology! The positivity rate is simply the fraction of people who test positive for COVID-19 out of all the people who get tested. It is important because it is a rough indicator of how much of the true extent of COVID-19 infection is being detected and diagnosed. In other words, a Read more…
I miss my family and friends. What is the risk of getting together for a small gathering?
Families/Kids Socializing
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: Small gatherings of any size are highly discouraged. A recent publication by the CDC outlines the sequence of infections (contact tracing) among a cluster of Covid-19 infections in Chicago following a funeral and a birthday party. One positive individual attended both events and subsequently infected *15* family and friends, not counting asymptomatic carriers and Read more…
A: Bracingly, the IMF projects the deepest recession since the Great Depression — and urges countries to stay the course on social distancing to stop virus spread. This quote sums it up well: “There is no trade-off between saving lives and saving livelihoods,” the report states. Read more take-aways here. Link to original FB post
When will social distancing end?
Reopening SocializingJennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
Q: Will opening up contribute to second wave of disease? A: One of our most trusted scientific sources Marc Lipsitch answers the tough questions. Link to original FB post
Should I avoid eating fresh produce?
Infection and Spread Staying Safe
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
A: No! According to food scientist Dr. Donald Schaffer, the greater infection risk is “standing next to that person at the apple bin.” More great food safety info in this Consumer Reports article. H/T Claire Grosel and Haylle Reidy Link to original FB post
How do you know if someone is immune to Covid-19?
Biology/Immunity
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: This is a tricky one. Scientists are currently examining blood serum of individuals who have tested positive for Covid-19 to study their immune system response. At the moment, there are more questions than answers. Here are a few highlights about immunity and an article summarizing the challenges around determining how infection with Covid-19 or Read more…
I am pregnant and am worried about my delivery and my mental health. Where can I turn?
Families/Kids Mental Health
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
A: You are not alone. More than 20% of new mothers experience a perinatal mood and/or anxiety disorder. Increasing evidence from top journals such as the Lancet are telling us that the effects of COVID-19 isolation policies are influencing our mental health, regardless of whether we had any mental health issues prior to this crisis. Read more…
The numbers of cases and deaths in some parts of the country are looking better than expected. Did we overreact with all the distancing measures and closures?
Data and Metrics Infection and Spread
Alison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
A: So much no. No, no, nopeity nope. It’s very tempting to Monday morning quarterback the decisions that cities and states have made over the past few weeks, and the recommendations from the CDC. The physical distancing measures, the school closures and the near total shut-down of the economy feel extreme, particularly given some glimmers Read more…
What are four key measures to bend the COVID-19 curve downwards?
Infection and Spread Staying Safe
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
“Four key measures, on top of treating the ill and maintaining physical distancing, must be in place not just to slow the rise of Covid-19 cases, but also to bend the curve downward. These are: test widely, isolate the infected, trace the contacts of those infected and quarantine appropriately.” Links: The New York Times Original Read more…
Why is everyone suddenly talking about the positivity rate? Is this positive psychology or something else?
Data and Metrics Data Literacy Infection and Spread Testing and Contact Tracing
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
A: Definitely not positive psychology! The positivity rate is simply the fraction of people who test positive for COVID-19 out of all the people who get tested. It is important because it is a rough indicator of how much of the true extent of COVID-19 infection is being detected and diagnosed. In other words, a Read more…
I miss my family and friends. What is the risk of getting together for a small gathering?
Families/Kids Socializing
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: Small gatherings of any size are highly discouraged. A recent publication by the CDC outlines the sequence of infections (contact tracing) among a cluster of Covid-19 infections in Chicago following a funeral and a birthday party. One positive individual attended both events and subsequently infected *15* family and friends, not counting asymptomatic carriers and Read more…
Q: Will opening up contribute to second wave of disease? A: One of our most trusted scientific sources Marc Lipsitch answers the tough questions. Link to original FB post
Should I avoid eating fresh produce?
Infection and Spread Staying SafeLindsey Leininger, PhD MA
A: No! According to food scientist Dr. Donald Schaffer, the greater infection risk is “standing next to that person at the apple bin.” More great food safety info in this Consumer Reports article. H/T Claire Grosel and Haylle Reidy Link to original FB post
How do you know if someone is immune to Covid-19?
Biology/Immunity
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: This is a tricky one. Scientists are currently examining blood serum of individuals who have tested positive for Covid-19 to study their immune system response. At the moment, there are more questions than answers. Here are a few highlights about immunity and an article summarizing the challenges around determining how infection with Covid-19 or Read more…
I am pregnant and am worried about my delivery and my mental health. Where can I turn?
Families/Kids Mental Health
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
A: You are not alone. More than 20% of new mothers experience a perinatal mood and/or anxiety disorder. Increasing evidence from top journals such as the Lancet are telling us that the effects of COVID-19 isolation policies are influencing our mental health, regardless of whether we had any mental health issues prior to this crisis. Read more…
The numbers of cases and deaths in some parts of the country are looking better than expected. Did we overreact with all the distancing measures and closures?
Data and Metrics Infection and Spread
Alison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
A: So much no. No, no, nopeity nope. It’s very tempting to Monday morning quarterback the decisions that cities and states have made over the past few weeks, and the recommendations from the CDC. The physical distancing measures, the school closures and the near total shut-down of the economy feel extreme, particularly given some glimmers Read more…
What are four key measures to bend the COVID-19 curve downwards?
Infection and Spread Staying Safe
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
“Four key measures, on top of treating the ill and maintaining physical distancing, must be in place not just to slow the rise of Covid-19 cases, but also to bend the curve downward. These are: test widely, isolate the infected, trace the contacts of those infected and quarantine appropriately.” Links: The New York Times Original Read more…
Why is everyone suddenly talking about the positivity rate? Is this positive psychology or something else?
Data and Metrics Data Literacy Infection and Spread Testing and Contact Tracing
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
A: Definitely not positive psychology! The positivity rate is simply the fraction of people who test positive for COVID-19 out of all the people who get tested. It is important because it is a rough indicator of how much of the true extent of COVID-19 infection is being detected and diagnosed. In other words, a Read more…
I miss my family and friends. What is the risk of getting together for a small gathering?
Families/Kids Socializing
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: Small gatherings of any size are highly discouraged. A recent publication by the CDC outlines the sequence of infections (contact tracing) among a cluster of Covid-19 infections in Chicago following a funeral and a birthday party. One positive individual attended both events and subsequently infected *15* family and friends, not counting asymptomatic carriers and Read more…
A: No! According to food scientist Dr. Donald Schaffer, the greater infection risk is “standing next to that person at the apple bin.” More great food safety info in this Consumer Reports article. H/T Claire Grosel and Haylle Reidy Link to original FB post
How do you know if someone is immune to Covid-19?
Biology/ImmunityAshley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: This is a tricky one. Scientists are currently examining blood serum of individuals who have tested positive for Covid-19 to study their immune system response. At the moment, there are more questions than answers. Here are a few highlights about immunity and an article summarizing the challenges around determining how infection with Covid-19 or Read more…
I am pregnant and am worried about my delivery and my mental health. Where can I turn?
Families/Kids Mental Health
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
A: You are not alone. More than 20% of new mothers experience a perinatal mood and/or anxiety disorder. Increasing evidence from top journals such as the Lancet are telling us that the effects of COVID-19 isolation policies are influencing our mental health, regardless of whether we had any mental health issues prior to this crisis. Read more…
The numbers of cases and deaths in some parts of the country are looking better than expected. Did we overreact with all the distancing measures and closures?
Data and Metrics Infection and Spread
Alison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
A: So much no. No, no, nopeity nope. It’s very tempting to Monday morning quarterback the decisions that cities and states have made over the past few weeks, and the recommendations from the CDC. The physical distancing measures, the school closures and the near total shut-down of the economy feel extreme, particularly given some glimmers Read more…
What are four key measures to bend the COVID-19 curve downwards?
Infection and Spread Staying Safe
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
“Four key measures, on top of treating the ill and maintaining physical distancing, must be in place not just to slow the rise of Covid-19 cases, but also to bend the curve downward. These are: test widely, isolate the infected, trace the contacts of those infected and quarantine appropriately.” Links: The New York Times Original Read more…
Why is everyone suddenly talking about the positivity rate? Is this positive psychology or something else?
Data and Metrics Data Literacy Infection and Spread Testing and Contact Tracing
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
A: Definitely not positive psychology! The positivity rate is simply the fraction of people who test positive for COVID-19 out of all the people who get tested. It is important because it is a rough indicator of how much of the true extent of COVID-19 infection is being detected and diagnosed. In other words, a Read more…
I miss my family and friends. What is the risk of getting together for a small gathering?
Families/Kids Socializing
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: Small gatherings of any size are highly discouraged. A recent publication by the CDC outlines the sequence of infections (contact tracing) among a cluster of Covid-19 infections in Chicago following a funeral and a birthday party. One positive individual attended both events and subsequently infected *15* family and friends, not counting asymptomatic carriers and Read more…
A: This is a tricky one. Scientists are currently examining blood serum of individuals who have tested positive for Covid-19 to study their immune system response. At the moment, there are more questions than answers. Here are a few highlights about immunity and an article summarizing the challenges around determining how infection with Covid-19 or Read more…
I am pregnant and am worried about my delivery and my mental health. Where can I turn?
Families/Kids Mental HealthAparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
A: You are not alone. More than 20% of new mothers experience a perinatal mood and/or anxiety disorder. Increasing evidence from top journals such as the Lancet are telling us that the effects of COVID-19 isolation policies are influencing our mental health, regardless of whether we had any mental health issues prior to this crisis. Read more…
The numbers of cases and deaths in some parts of the country are looking better than expected. Did we overreact with all the distancing measures and closures?
Data and Metrics Infection and Spread
Alison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
A: So much no. No, no, nopeity nope. It’s very tempting to Monday morning quarterback the decisions that cities and states have made over the past few weeks, and the recommendations from the CDC. The physical distancing measures, the school closures and the near total shut-down of the economy feel extreme, particularly given some glimmers Read more…
What are four key measures to bend the COVID-19 curve downwards?
Infection and Spread Staying Safe
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
“Four key measures, on top of treating the ill and maintaining physical distancing, must be in place not just to slow the rise of Covid-19 cases, but also to bend the curve downward. These are: test widely, isolate the infected, trace the contacts of those infected and quarantine appropriately.” Links: The New York Times Original Read more…
Why is everyone suddenly talking about the positivity rate? Is this positive psychology or something else?
Data and Metrics Data Literacy Infection and Spread Testing and Contact Tracing
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
A: Definitely not positive psychology! The positivity rate is simply the fraction of people who test positive for COVID-19 out of all the people who get tested. It is important because it is a rough indicator of how much of the true extent of COVID-19 infection is being detected and diagnosed. In other words, a Read more…
I miss my family and friends. What is the risk of getting together for a small gathering?
Families/Kids Socializing
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: Small gatherings of any size are highly discouraged. A recent publication by the CDC outlines the sequence of infections (contact tracing) among a cluster of Covid-19 infections in Chicago following a funeral and a birthday party. One positive individual attended both events and subsequently infected *15* family and friends, not counting asymptomatic carriers and Read more…
A: You are not alone. More than 20% of new mothers experience a perinatal mood and/or anxiety disorder. Increasing evidence from top journals such as the Lancet are telling us that the effects of COVID-19 isolation policies are influencing our mental health, regardless of whether we had any mental health issues prior to this crisis. Read more…
The numbers of cases and deaths in some parts of the country are looking better than expected. Did we overreact with all the distancing measures and closures?
Data and Metrics Infection and SpreadAlison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
A: So much no. No, no, nopeity nope. It’s very tempting to Monday morning quarterback the decisions that cities and states have made over the past few weeks, and the recommendations from the CDC. The physical distancing measures, the school closures and the near total shut-down of the economy feel extreme, particularly given some glimmers Read more…
What are four key measures to bend the COVID-19 curve downwards?
Infection and Spread Staying Safe
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
“Four key measures, on top of treating the ill and maintaining physical distancing, must be in place not just to slow the rise of Covid-19 cases, but also to bend the curve downward. These are: test widely, isolate the infected, trace the contacts of those infected and quarantine appropriately.” Links: The New York Times Original Read more…
Why is everyone suddenly talking about the positivity rate? Is this positive psychology or something else?
Data and Metrics Data Literacy Infection and Spread Testing and Contact Tracing
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
A: Definitely not positive psychology! The positivity rate is simply the fraction of people who test positive for COVID-19 out of all the people who get tested. It is important because it is a rough indicator of how much of the true extent of COVID-19 infection is being detected and diagnosed. In other words, a Read more…
I miss my family and friends. What is the risk of getting together for a small gathering?
Families/Kids Socializing
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: Small gatherings of any size are highly discouraged. A recent publication by the CDC outlines the sequence of infections (contact tracing) among a cluster of Covid-19 infections in Chicago following a funeral and a birthday party. One positive individual attended both events and subsequently infected *15* family and friends, not counting asymptomatic carriers and Read more…
A: So much no. No, no, nopeity nope. It’s very tempting to Monday morning quarterback the decisions that cities and states have made over the past few weeks, and the recommendations from the CDC. The physical distancing measures, the school closures and the near total shut-down of the economy feel extreme, particularly given some glimmers Read more…
What are four key measures to bend the COVID-19 curve downwards?
Infection and Spread Staying SafeJennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
“Four key measures, on top of treating the ill and maintaining physical distancing, must be in place not just to slow the rise of Covid-19 cases, but also to bend the curve downward. These are: test widely, isolate the infected, trace the contacts of those infected and quarantine appropriately.” Links: The New York Times Original Read more…
Why is everyone suddenly talking about the positivity rate? Is this positive psychology or something else?
Data and Metrics Data Literacy Infection and Spread Testing and Contact Tracing
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
A: Definitely not positive psychology! The positivity rate is simply the fraction of people who test positive for COVID-19 out of all the people who get tested. It is important because it is a rough indicator of how much of the true extent of COVID-19 infection is being detected and diagnosed. In other words, a Read more…
I miss my family and friends. What is the risk of getting together for a small gathering?
Families/Kids Socializing
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: Small gatherings of any size are highly discouraged. A recent publication by the CDC outlines the sequence of infections (contact tracing) among a cluster of Covid-19 infections in Chicago following a funeral and a birthday party. One positive individual attended both events and subsequently infected *15* family and friends, not counting asymptomatic carriers and Read more…
“Four key measures, on top of treating the ill and maintaining physical distancing, must be in place not just to slow the rise of Covid-19 cases, but also to bend the curve downward. These are: test widely, isolate the infected, trace the contacts of those infected and quarantine appropriately.” Links: The New York Times Original Read more…
Why is everyone suddenly talking about the positivity rate? Is this positive psychology or something else?
Data and Metrics Data Literacy Infection and Spread Testing and Contact TracingAparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
A: Definitely not positive psychology! The positivity rate is simply the fraction of people who test positive for COVID-19 out of all the people who get tested. It is important because it is a rough indicator of how much of the true extent of COVID-19 infection is being detected and diagnosed. In other words, a Read more…
I miss my family and friends. What is the risk of getting together for a small gathering?
Families/Kids Socializing
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: Small gatherings of any size are highly discouraged. A recent publication by the CDC outlines the sequence of infections (contact tracing) among a cluster of Covid-19 infections in Chicago following a funeral and a birthday party. One positive individual attended both events and subsequently infected *15* family and friends, not counting asymptomatic carriers and Read more…
A: Definitely not positive psychology! The positivity rate is simply the fraction of people who test positive for COVID-19 out of all the people who get tested. It is important because it is a rough indicator of how much of the true extent of COVID-19 infection is being detected and diagnosed. In other words, a Read more…
I miss my family and friends. What is the risk of getting together for a small gathering?
Families/Kids SocializingAshley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: Small gatherings of any size are highly discouraged. A recent publication by the CDC outlines the sequence of infections (contact tracing) among a cluster of Covid-19 infections in Chicago following a funeral and a birthday party. One positive individual attended both events and subsequently infected *15* family and friends, not counting asymptomatic carriers and Read more…
A: Small gatherings of any size are highly discouraged. A recent publication by the CDC outlines the sequence of infections (contact tracing) among a cluster of Covid-19 infections in Chicago following a funeral and a birthday party. One positive individual attended both events and subsequently infected *15* family and friends, not counting asymptomatic carriers and Read more…
