What’s the link between deforestation and public health/infectious diseases?
Infectious Diseases
Lauren Hale, PhD MA
We are thrilled to introduce Nerdy Guest Andrea Johnson to talk about deforestation and infectious disease. 1.) Tell me about your background and training. I’m currently an Advisor to the Climate and Land Use Alliance, a philanthropic alliance that helps major foundations align their grantmaking end to fight deforestation and secure the rights and livelihoods Read more…
Do I have OCD?
Mental Health
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
Help! The pandemic has me worrying about germs 🧫…do I have OCD? 🤔 Not necessarily. OCD can include worries about germs, but can be a LOT more than that. Let’s talk a little bit more about OCD to understand why. OCD is a chronic mental health condition with typical symptoms including frequent and unwanted thoughts Read more…
Which vaccine is best for little kids?
Families/Kids Vaccines
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Two vaccines were authorized for children in the 6 months-5 years age group on the same day, leaving many parents wondering which is best. Each has its pros and cons. The bottom line: if low side effects is your priority and you don’t mind three visits to the clinic over the course of three months, Read more…
Meet Novavax, Which May Be the US’ Next Authorized COVID Vaccine
Vaccines
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
A fourth vaccine against COVID-19 may be authorized in the near future in the US. Meet: Novavax! What is Novavax? Novavax is a little different than the other COVID-19 vaccines available in the US. The SARS-CoV2 spike protein is the little piece of the virus that allows it to enter cells where it can make Read more…
What are the health impacts of COVID-19 on young children?
Families/Kids Long COVID Vaccines
Chana Davis, PhD
What are the health impacts of COVID-19 on young children? How does the burden of COVID-19 compare to other vaccine-preventable diseases? COVID-19 is usually mild and short-lived in young kids. Yet, a small fraction of cases result in severe outcomes like Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome, long-term symptoms, or even death. These tragedies strike children with and Read more…
Should I vaccinate my kids even if they’ve already been infected with COVID-19?
Families/Kids Vaccines
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
With COVID-19 vaccines for kids down to 6 months becoming available this week in the U.S., our Nerdy friend Dr. Katelyn Jetelina of Your Local Epidemiologist makes the strong case for vaccinating your kids, *even* if they’ve already been infected. TL;DR: ➡️ Kids ARE at risk from COVID. Thankfully kids die less often of almost Read more…
HELP! I can’t focus. Do I have ADHD?
Health & Wellness Mental Health
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
Maybe. Maybe not. A lot of people have been asking this question during the pandemic. Some of this is because more people are working from home or having changes to their work schedules and routines. And this has made people aware of distractibility, changes in work habits, or difficulty adjusting to the demands of home Read more…
Meet Those Nerdy Girls: Dr. Jennifer Wheeler
Women in STEM
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
In this post series, we’re introducing the women behind Dear Pandemic and TNG. Today we are meeting Dr. Jennifer Wheeler! Jennifer works on the Spanish language team at Querida Pandemia. She has a Ph.D. and a Master of Public Health in International Health and Development from Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine Read more…
Latest hepatitis headlines don’t tell the whole story!
Infectious Diseases
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
A new CDC analysis concludes that “the number of children hospitalized for hepatitis of unknown cause *has not increased* compared to before the COVID-19 pandemic.” (Emphasis in the original.) Great–but this study is full of important limitations. The real takeaway here is “We couldn’t find any difference, but that could have been because of data Read more…
FDA approves Moderna & Pfizer COVID vaccines for kids under 5
Vaccines
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
BREAKING NEWS: The Vaccine and Other Related Biological Products Advisory Committee (VRBPAC), an FDA advisory committee, met over the last two days to discuss data for COVID-19 vaccines in children under 5 years of age (among other topics). Here are the big takeaways!!! The committee voted unanimously that the benefits of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine Read more…
Get the Facts on Predatory Publishing and Fake Scientific Journals
Uncertainty and Misinformation
Kristen Panthagani, MD, PhD
Misinformation Alert Predatory scientific publishing is a thing. There is an entire industry of essentially fake, for-profit “journals” that will publish just about anything for a fee. Academics get “invitations” to publish in these journals all the time. Most often they have humorous flaws like odd salutations “Greetings of the day, Respected Doctor!” or other Read more…
Why is my PCR test still positive if I’ve taken Paxlovid, isolated and have been asymptomatic for many days?
Testing and Contact Tracing
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
Constance from Astoria, NY asks: “I tested positive for COVID-19, took Paxlovid, and isolated for 12 days. My symptoms are gone. Why does my PCR test show I’m positive?” Great question, Constance! PCR tests are very sensitive, picking up even old fragments of viral RNA that may be leftover in your body but not capable Read more…
We are thrilled to introduce Nerdy Guest Andrea Johnson to talk about deforestation and infectious disease. 1.) Tell me about your background and training. I’m currently an Advisor to the Climate and Land Use Alliance, a philanthropic alliance that helps major foundations align their grantmaking end to fight deforestation and secure the rights and livelihoods Read more…
Do I have OCD?
Mental HealthAparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
Help! The pandemic has me worrying about germs 🧫…do I have OCD? 🤔 Not necessarily. OCD can include worries about germs, but can be a LOT more than that. Let’s talk a little bit more about OCD to understand why. OCD is a chronic mental health condition with typical symptoms including frequent and unwanted thoughts Read more…
Which vaccine is best for little kids?
Families/Kids Vaccines
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Two vaccines were authorized for children in the 6 months-5 years age group on the same day, leaving many parents wondering which is best. Each has its pros and cons. The bottom line: if low side effects is your priority and you don’t mind three visits to the clinic over the course of three months, Read more…
Meet Novavax, Which May Be the US’ Next Authorized COVID Vaccine
Vaccines
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
A fourth vaccine against COVID-19 may be authorized in the near future in the US. Meet: Novavax! What is Novavax? Novavax is a little different than the other COVID-19 vaccines available in the US. The SARS-CoV2 spike protein is the little piece of the virus that allows it to enter cells where it can make Read more…
What are the health impacts of COVID-19 on young children?
Families/Kids Long COVID Vaccines
Chana Davis, PhD
What are the health impacts of COVID-19 on young children? How does the burden of COVID-19 compare to other vaccine-preventable diseases? COVID-19 is usually mild and short-lived in young kids. Yet, a small fraction of cases result in severe outcomes like Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome, long-term symptoms, or even death. These tragedies strike children with and Read more…
Should I vaccinate my kids even if they’ve already been infected with COVID-19?
Families/Kids Vaccines
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
With COVID-19 vaccines for kids down to 6 months becoming available this week in the U.S., our Nerdy friend Dr. Katelyn Jetelina of Your Local Epidemiologist makes the strong case for vaccinating your kids, *even* if they’ve already been infected. TL;DR: ➡️ Kids ARE at risk from COVID. Thankfully kids die less often of almost Read more…
HELP! I can’t focus. Do I have ADHD?
Health & Wellness Mental Health
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
Maybe. Maybe not. A lot of people have been asking this question during the pandemic. Some of this is because more people are working from home or having changes to their work schedules and routines. And this has made people aware of distractibility, changes in work habits, or difficulty adjusting to the demands of home Read more…
Meet Those Nerdy Girls: Dr. Jennifer Wheeler
Women in STEM
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
In this post series, we’re introducing the women behind Dear Pandemic and TNG. Today we are meeting Dr. Jennifer Wheeler! Jennifer works on the Spanish language team at Querida Pandemia. She has a Ph.D. and a Master of Public Health in International Health and Development from Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine Read more…
Latest hepatitis headlines don’t tell the whole story!
Infectious Diseases
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
A new CDC analysis concludes that “the number of children hospitalized for hepatitis of unknown cause *has not increased* compared to before the COVID-19 pandemic.” (Emphasis in the original.) Great–but this study is full of important limitations. The real takeaway here is “We couldn’t find any difference, but that could have been because of data Read more…
FDA approves Moderna & Pfizer COVID vaccines for kids under 5
Vaccines
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
BREAKING NEWS: The Vaccine and Other Related Biological Products Advisory Committee (VRBPAC), an FDA advisory committee, met over the last two days to discuss data for COVID-19 vaccines in children under 5 years of age (among other topics). Here are the big takeaways!!! The committee voted unanimously that the benefits of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine Read more…
Get the Facts on Predatory Publishing and Fake Scientific Journals
Uncertainty and Misinformation
Kristen Panthagani, MD, PhD
Misinformation Alert Predatory scientific publishing is a thing. There is an entire industry of essentially fake, for-profit “journals” that will publish just about anything for a fee. Academics get “invitations” to publish in these journals all the time. Most often they have humorous flaws like odd salutations “Greetings of the day, Respected Doctor!” or other Read more…
Why is my PCR test still positive if I’ve taken Paxlovid, isolated and have been asymptomatic for many days?
Testing and Contact Tracing
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
Constance from Astoria, NY asks: “I tested positive for COVID-19, took Paxlovid, and isolated for 12 days. My symptoms are gone. Why does my PCR test show I’m positive?” Great question, Constance! PCR tests are very sensitive, picking up even old fragments of viral RNA that may be leftover in your body but not capable Read more…
Help! The pandemic has me worrying about germs 🧫…do I have OCD? 🤔 Not necessarily. OCD can include worries about germs, but can be a LOT more than that. Let’s talk a little bit more about OCD to understand why. OCD is a chronic mental health condition with typical symptoms including frequent and unwanted thoughts Read more…
Which vaccine is best for little kids?
Families/Kids VaccinesMalia Jones, PhD MPH
Two vaccines were authorized for children in the 6 months-5 years age group on the same day, leaving many parents wondering which is best. Each has its pros and cons. The bottom line: if low side effects is your priority and you don’t mind three visits to the clinic over the course of three months, Read more…
Meet Novavax, Which May Be the US’ Next Authorized COVID Vaccine
Vaccines
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
A fourth vaccine against COVID-19 may be authorized in the near future in the US. Meet: Novavax! What is Novavax? Novavax is a little different than the other COVID-19 vaccines available in the US. The SARS-CoV2 spike protein is the little piece of the virus that allows it to enter cells where it can make Read more…
What are the health impacts of COVID-19 on young children?
Families/Kids Long COVID Vaccines
Chana Davis, PhD
What are the health impacts of COVID-19 on young children? How does the burden of COVID-19 compare to other vaccine-preventable diseases? COVID-19 is usually mild and short-lived in young kids. Yet, a small fraction of cases result in severe outcomes like Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome, long-term symptoms, or even death. These tragedies strike children with and Read more…
Should I vaccinate my kids even if they’ve already been infected with COVID-19?
Families/Kids Vaccines
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
With COVID-19 vaccines for kids down to 6 months becoming available this week in the U.S., our Nerdy friend Dr. Katelyn Jetelina of Your Local Epidemiologist makes the strong case for vaccinating your kids, *even* if they’ve already been infected. TL;DR: ➡️ Kids ARE at risk from COVID. Thankfully kids die less often of almost Read more…
HELP! I can’t focus. Do I have ADHD?
Health & Wellness Mental Health
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
Maybe. Maybe not. A lot of people have been asking this question during the pandemic. Some of this is because more people are working from home or having changes to their work schedules and routines. And this has made people aware of distractibility, changes in work habits, or difficulty adjusting to the demands of home Read more…
Meet Those Nerdy Girls: Dr. Jennifer Wheeler
Women in STEM
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
In this post series, we’re introducing the women behind Dear Pandemic and TNG. Today we are meeting Dr. Jennifer Wheeler! Jennifer works on the Spanish language team at Querida Pandemia. She has a Ph.D. and a Master of Public Health in International Health and Development from Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine Read more…
Latest hepatitis headlines don’t tell the whole story!
Infectious Diseases
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
A new CDC analysis concludes that “the number of children hospitalized for hepatitis of unknown cause *has not increased* compared to before the COVID-19 pandemic.” (Emphasis in the original.) Great–but this study is full of important limitations. The real takeaway here is “We couldn’t find any difference, but that could have been because of data Read more…
FDA approves Moderna & Pfizer COVID vaccines for kids under 5
Vaccines
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
BREAKING NEWS: The Vaccine and Other Related Biological Products Advisory Committee (VRBPAC), an FDA advisory committee, met over the last two days to discuss data for COVID-19 vaccines in children under 5 years of age (among other topics). Here are the big takeaways!!! The committee voted unanimously that the benefits of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine Read more…
Get the Facts on Predatory Publishing and Fake Scientific Journals
Uncertainty and Misinformation
Kristen Panthagani, MD, PhD
Misinformation Alert Predatory scientific publishing is a thing. There is an entire industry of essentially fake, for-profit “journals” that will publish just about anything for a fee. Academics get “invitations” to publish in these journals all the time. Most often they have humorous flaws like odd salutations “Greetings of the day, Respected Doctor!” or other Read more…
Why is my PCR test still positive if I’ve taken Paxlovid, isolated and have been asymptomatic for many days?
Testing and Contact Tracing
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
Constance from Astoria, NY asks: “I tested positive for COVID-19, took Paxlovid, and isolated for 12 days. My symptoms are gone. Why does my PCR test show I’m positive?” Great question, Constance! PCR tests are very sensitive, picking up even old fragments of viral RNA that may be leftover in your body but not capable Read more…
Two vaccines were authorized for children in the 6 months-5 years age group on the same day, leaving many parents wondering which is best. Each has its pros and cons. The bottom line: if low side effects is your priority and you don’t mind three visits to the clinic over the course of three months, Read more…
Meet Novavax, Which May Be the US’ Next Authorized COVID Vaccine
VaccinesSarah Whitley Coles, MD
A fourth vaccine against COVID-19 may be authorized in the near future in the US. Meet: Novavax! What is Novavax? Novavax is a little different than the other COVID-19 vaccines available in the US. The SARS-CoV2 spike protein is the little piece of the virus that allows it to enter cells where it can make Read more…
What are the health impacts of COVID-19 on young children?
Families/Kids Long COVID Vaccines
Chana Davis, PhD
What are the health impacts of COVID-19 on young children? How does the burden of COVID-19 compare to other vaccine-preventable diseases? COVID-19 is usually mild and short-lived in young kids. Yet, a small fraction of cases result in severe outcomes like Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome, long-term symptoms, or even death. These tragedies strike children with and Read more…
Should I vaccinate my kids even if they’ve already been infected with COVID-19?
Families/Kids Vaccines
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
With COVID-19 vaccines for kids down to 6 months becoming available this week in the U.S., our Nerdy friend Dr. Katelyn Jetelina of Your Local Epidemiologist makes the strong case for vaccinating your kids, *even* if they’ve already been infected. TL;DR: ➡️ Kids ARE at risk from COVID. Thankfully kids die less often of almost Read more…
HELP! I can’t focus. Do I have ADHD?
Health & Wellness Mental Health
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
Maybe. Maybe not. A lot of people have been asking this question during the pandemic. Some of this is because more people are working from home or having changes to their work schedules and routines. And this has made people aware of distractibility, changes in work habits, or difficulty adjusting to the demands of home Read more…
Meet Those Nerdy Girls: Dr. Jennifer Wheeler
Women in STEM
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
In this post series, we’re introducing the women behind Dear Pandemic and TNG. Today we are meeting Dr. Jennifer Wheeler! Jennifer works on the Spanish language team at Querida Pandemia. She has a Ph.D. and a Master of Public Health in International Health and Development from Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine Read more…
Latest hepatitis headlines don’t tell the whole story!
Infectious Diseases
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
A new CDC analysis concludes that “the number of children hospitalized for hepatitis of unknown cause *has not increased* compared to before the COVID-19 pandemic.” (Emphasis in the original.) Great–but this study is full of important limitations. The real takeaway here is “We couldn’t find any difference, but that could have been because of data Read more…
FDA approves Moderna & Pfizer COVID vaccines for kids under 5
Vaccines
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
BREAKING NEWS: The Vaccine and Other Related Biological Products Advisory Committee (VRBPAC), an FDA advisory committee, met over the last two days to discuss data for COVID-19 vaccines in children under 5 years of age (among other topics). Here are the big takeaways!!! The committee voted unanimously that the benefits of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine Read more…
Get the Facts on Predatory Publishing and Fake Scientific Journals
Uncertainty and Misinformation
Kristen Panthagani, MD, PhD
Misinformation Alert Predatory scientific publishing is a thing. There is an entire industry of essentially fake, for-profit “journals” that will publish just about anything for a fee. Academics get “invitations” to publish in these journals all the time. Most often they have humorous flaws like odd salutations “Greetings of the day, Respected Doctor!” or other Read more…
Why is my PCR test still positive if I’ve taken Paxlovid, isolated and have been asymptomatic for many days?
Testing and Contact Tracing
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
Constance from Astoria, NY asks: “I tested positive for COVID-19, took Paxlovid, and isolated for 12 days. My symptoms are gone. Why does my PCR test show I’m positive?” Great question, Constance! PCR tests are very sensitive, picking up even old fragments of viral RNA that may be leftover in your body but not capable Read more…
A fourth vaccine against COVID-19 may be authorized in the near future in the US. Meet: Novavax! What is Novavax? Novavax is a little different than the other COVID-19 vaccines available in the US. The SARS-CoV2 spike protein is the little piece of the virus that allows it to enter cells where it can make Read more…
What are the health impacts of COVID-19 on young children?
Families/Kids Long COVID VaccinesChana Davis, PhD
What are the health impacts of COVID-19 on young children? How does the burden of COVID-19 compare to other vaccine-preventable diseases? COVID-19 is usually mild and short-lived in young kids. Yet, a small fraction of cases result in severe outcomes like Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome, long-term symptoms, or even death. These tragedies strike children with and Read more…
Should I vaccinate my kids even if they’ve already been infected with COVID-19?
Families/Kids Vaccines
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
With COVID-19 vaccines for kids down to 6 months becoming available this week in the U.S., our Nerdy friend Dr. Katelyn Jetelina of Your Local Epidemiologist makes the strong case for vaccinating your kids, *even* if they’ve already been infected. TL;DR: ➡️ Kids ARE at risk from COVID. Thankfully kids die less often of almost Read more…
HELP! I can’t focus. Do I have ADHD?
Health & Wellness Mental Health
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
Maybe. Maybe not. A lot of people have been asking this question during the pandemic. Some of this is because more people are working from home or having changes to their work schedules and routines. And this has made people aware of distractibility, changes in work habits, or difficulty adjusting to the demands of home Read more…
Meet Those Nerdy Girls: Dr. Jennifer Wheeler
Women in STEM
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
In this post series, we’re introducing the women behind Dear Pandemic and TNG. Today we are meeting Dr. Jennifer Wheeler! Jennifer works on the Spanish language team at Querida Pandemia. She has a Ph.D. and a Master of Public Health in International Health and Development from Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine Read more…
Latest hepatitis headlines don’t tell the whole story!
Infectious Diseases
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
A new CDC analysis concludes that “the number of children hospitalized for hepatitis of unknown cause *has not increased* compared to before the COVID-19 pandemic.” (Emphasis in the original.) Great–but this study is full of important limitations. The real takeaway here is “We couldn’t find any difference, but that could have been because of data Read more…
FDA approves Moderna & Pfizer COVID vaccines for kids under 5
Vaccines
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
BREAKING NEWS: The Vaccine and Other Related Biological Products Advisory Committee (VRBPAC), an FDA advisory committee, met over the last two days to discuss data for COVID-19 vaccines in children under 5 years of age (among other topics). Here are the big takeaways!!! The committee voted unanimously that the benefits of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine Read more…
Get the Facts on Predatory Publishing and Fake Scientific Journals
Uncertainty and Misinformation
Kristen Panthagani, MD, PhD
Misinformation Alert Predatory scientific publishing is a thing. There is an entire industry of essentially fake, for-profit “journals” that will publish just about anything for a fee. Academics get “invitations” to publish in these journals all the time. Most often they have humorous flaws like odd salutations “Greetings of the day, Respected Doctor!” or other Read more…
Why is my PCR test still positive if I’ve taken Paxlovid, isolated and have been asymptomatic for many days?
Testing and Contact Tracing
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
Constance from Astoria, NY asks: “I tested positive for COVID-19, took Paxlovid, and isolated for 12 days. My symptoms are gone. Why does my PCR test show I’m positive?” Great question, Constance! PCR tests are very sensitive, picking up even old fragments of viral RNA that may be leftover in your body but not capable Read more…
What are the health impacts of COVID-19 on young children? How does the burden of COVID-19 compare to other vaccine-preventable diseases? COVID-19 is usually mild and short-lived in young kids. Yet, a small fraction of cases result in severe outcomes like Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome, long-term symptoms, or even death. These tragedies strike children with and Read more…
Should I vaccinate my kids even if they’ve already been infected with COVID-19?
Families/Kids VaccinesJennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
With COVID-19 vaccines for kids down to 6 months becoming available this week in the U.S., our Nerdy friend Dr. Katelyn Jetelina of Your Local Epidemiologist makes the strong case for vaccinating your kids, *even* if they’ve already been infected. TL;DR: ➡️ Kids ARE at risk from COVID. Thankfully kids die less often of almost Read more…
HELP! I can’t focus. Do I have ADHD?
Health & Wellness Mental Health
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
Maybe. Maybe not. A lot of people have been asking this question during the pandemic. Some of this is because more people are working from home or having changes to their work schedules and routines. And this has made people aware of distractibility, changes in work habits, or difficulty adjusting to the demands of home Read more…
Meet Those Nerdy Girls: Dr. Jennifer Wheeler
Women in STEM
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
In this post series, we’re introducing the women behind Dear Pandemic and TNG. Today we are meeting Dr. Jennifer Wheeler! Jennifer works on the Spanish language team at Querida Pandemia. She has a Ph.D. and a Master of Public Health in International Health and Development from Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine Read more…
Latest hepatitis headlines don’t tell the whole story!
Infectious Diseases
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
A new CDC analysis concludes that “the number of children hospitalized for hepatitis of unknown cause *has not increased* compared to before the COVID-19 pandemic.” (Emphasis in the original.) Great–but this study is full of important limitations. The real takeaway here is “We couldn’t find any difference, but that could have been because of data Read more…
FDA approves Moderna & Pfizer COVID vaccines for kids under 5
Vaccines
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
BREAKING NEWS: The Vaccine and Other Related Biological Products Advisory Committee (VRBPAC), an FDA advisory committee, met over the last two days to discuss data for COVID-19 vaccines in children under 5 years of age (among other topics). Here are the big takeaways!!! The committee voted unanimously that the benefits of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine Read more…
Get the Facts on Predatory Publishing and Fake Scientific Journals
Uncertainty and Misinformation
Kristen Panthagani, MD, PhD
Misinformation Alert Predatory scientific publishing is a thing. There is an entire industry of essentially fake, for-profit “journals” that will publish just about anything for a fee. Academics get “invitations” to publish in these journals all the time. Most often they have humorous flaws like odd salutations “Greetings of the day, Respected Doctor!” or other Read more…
Why is my PCR test still positive if I’ve taken Paxlovid, isolated and have been asymptomatic for many days?
Testing and Contact Tracing
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
Constance from Astoria, NY asks: “I tested positive for COVID-19, took Paxlovid, and isolated for 12 days. My symptoms are gone. Why does my PCR test show I’m positive?” Great question, Constance! PCR tests are very sensitive, picking up even old fragments of viral RNA that may be leftover in your body but not capable Read more…
With COVID-19 vaccines for kids down to 6 months becoming available this week in the U.S., our Nerdy friend Dr. Katelyn Jetelina of Your Local Epidemiologist makes the strong case for vaccinating your kids, *even* if they’ve already been infected. TL;DR: ➡️ Kids ARE at risk from COVID. Thankfully kids die less often of almost Read more…
HELP! I can’t focus. Do I have ADHD?
Health & Wellness Mental HealthAparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
Maybe. Maybe not. A lot of people have been asking this question during the pandemic. Some of this is because more people are working from home or having changes to their work schedules and routines. And this has made people aware of distractibility, changes in work habits, or difficulty adjusting to the demands of home Read more…
Meet Those Nerdy Girls: Dr. Jennifer Wheeler
Women in STEM
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
In this post series, we’re introducing the women behind Dear Pandemic and TNG. Today we are meeting Dr. Jennifer Wheeler! Jennifer works on the Spanish language team at Querida Pandemia. She has a Ph.D. and a Master of Public Health in International Health and Development from Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine Read more…
Latest hepatitis headlines don’t tell the whole story!
Infectious Diseases
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
A new CDC analysis concludes that “the number of children hospitalized for hepatitis of unknown cause *has not increased* compared to before the COVID-19 pandemic.” (Emphasis in the original.) Great–but this study is full of important limitations. The real takeaway here is “We couldn’t find any difference, but that could have been because of data Read more…
FDA approves Moderna & Pfizer COVID vaccines for kids under 5
Vaccines
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
BREAKING NEWS: The Vaccine and Other Related Biological Products Advisory Committee (VRBPAC), an FDA advisory committee, met over the last two days to discuss data for COVID-19 vaccines in children under 5 years of age (among other topics). Here are the big takeaways!!! The committee voted unanimously that the benefits of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine Read more…
Get the Facts on Predatory Publishing and Fake Scientific Journals
Uncertainty and Misinformation
Kristen Panthagani, MD, PhD
Misinformation Alert Predatory scientific publishing is a thing. There is an entire industry of essentially fake, for-profit “journals” that will publish just about anything for a fee. Academics get “invitations” to publish in these journals all the time. Most often they have humorous flaws like odd salutations “Greetings of the day, Respected Doctor!” or other Read more…
Why is my PCR test still positive if I’ve taken Paxlovid, isolated and have been asymptomatic for many days?
Testing and Contact Tracing
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
Constance from Astoria, NY asks: “I tested positive for COVID-19, took Paxlovid, and isolated for 12 days. My symptoms are gone. Why does my PCR test show I’m positive?” Great question, Constance! PCR tests are very sensitive, picking up even old fragments of viral RNA that may be leftover in your body but not capable Read more…
Maybe. Maybe not. A lot of people have been asking this question during the pandemic. Some of this is because more people are working from home or having changes to their work schedules and routines. And this has made people aware of distractibility, changes in work habits, or difficulty adjusting to the demands of home Read more…
Meet Those Nerdy Girls: Dr. Jennifer Wheeler
Women in STEMMalia Jones, PhD MPH
In this post series, we’re introducing the women behind Dear Pandemic and TNG. Today we are meeting Dr. Jennifer Wheeler! Jennifer works on the Spanish language team at Querida Pandemia. She has a Ph.D. and a Master of Public Health in International Health and Development from Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine Read more…
Latest hepatitis headlines don’t tell the whole story!
Infectious Diseases
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
A new CDC analysis concludes that “the number of children hospitalized for hepatitis of unknown cause *has not increased* compared to before the COVID-19 pandemic.” (Emphasis in the original.) Great–but this study is full of important limitations. The real takeaway here is “We couldn’t find any difference, but that could have been because of data Read more…
FDA approves Moderna & Pfizer COVID vaccines for kids under 5
Vaccines
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
BREAKING NEWS: The Vaccine and Other Related Biological Products Advisory Committee (VRBPAC), an FDA advisory committee, met over the last two days to discuss data for COVID-19 vaccines in children under 5 years of age (among other topics). Here are the big takeaways!!! The committee voted unanimously that the benefits of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine Read more…
Get the Facts on Predatory Publishing and Fake Scientific Journals
Uncertainty and Misinformation
Kristen Panthagani, MD, PhD
Misinformation Alert Predatory scientific publishing is a thing. There is an entire industry of essentially fake, for-profit “journals” that will publish just about anything for a fee. Academics get “invitations” to publish in these journals all the time. Most often they have humorous flaws like odd salutations “Greetings of the day, Respected Doctor!” or other Read more…
Why is my PCR test still positive if I’ve taken Paxlovid, isolated and have been asymptomatic for many days?
Testing and Contact Tracing
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
Constance from Astoria, NY asks: “I tested positive for COVID-19, took Paxlovid, and isolated for 12 days. My symptoms are gone. Why does my PCR test show I’m positive?” Great question, Constance! PCR tests are very sensitive, picking up even old fragments of viral RNA that may be leftover in your body but not capable Read more…
In this post series, we’re introducing the women behind Dear Pandemic and TNG. Today we are meeting Dr. Jennifer Wheeler! Jennifer works on the Spanish language team at Querida Pandemia. She has a Ph.D. and a Master of Public Health in International Health and Development from Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine Read more…
Latest hepatitis headlines don’t tell the whole story!
Infectious DiseasesMalia Jones, PhD MPH
A new CDC analysis concludes that “the number of children hospitalized for hepatitis of unknown cause *has not increased* compared to before the COVID-19 pandemic.” (Emphasis in the original.) Great–but this study is full of important limitations. The real takeaway here is “We couldn’t find any difference, but that could have been because of data Read more…
FDA approves Moderna & Pfizer COVID vaccines for kids under 5
Vaccines
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
BREAKING NEWS: The Vaccine and Other Related Biological Products Advisory Committee (VRBPAC), an FDA advisory committee, met over the last two days to discuss data for COVID-19 vaccines in children under 5 years of age (among other topics). Here are the big takeaways!!! The committee voted unanimously that the benefits of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine Read more…
Get the Facts on Predatory Publishing and Fake Scientific Journals
Uncertainty and Misinformation
Kristen Panthagani, MD, PhD
Misinformation Alert Predatory scientific publishing is a thing. There is an entire industry of essentially fake, for-profit “journals” that will publish just about anything for a fee. Academics get “invitations” to publish in these journals all the time. Most often they have humorous flaws like odd salutations “Greetings of the day, Respected Doctor!” or other Read more…
Why is my PCR test still positive if I’ve taken Paxlovid, isolated and have been asymptomatic for many days?
Testing and Contact Tracing
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
Constance from Astoria, NY asks: “I tested positive for COVID-19, took Paxlovid, and isolated for 12 days. My symptoms are gone. Why does my PCR test show I’m positive?” Great question, Constance! PCR tests are very sensitive, picking up even old fragments of viral RNA that may be leftover in your body but not capable Read more…
A new CDC analysis concludes that “the number of children hospitalized for hepatitis of unknown cause *has not increased* compared to before the COVID-19 pandemic.” (Emphasis in the original.) Great–but this study is full of important limitations. The real takeaway here is “We couldn’t find any difference, but that could have been because of data Read more…
FDA approves Moderna & Pfizer COVID vaccines for kids under 5
VaccinesAshley Ritter, APRN, PhD
BREAKING NEWS: The Vaccine and Other Related Biological Products Advisory Committee (VRBPAC), an FDA advisory committee, met over the last two days to discuss data for COVID-19 vaccines in children under 5 years of age (among other topics). Here are the big takeaways!!! The committee voted unanimously that the benefits of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine Read more…
Get the Facts on Predatory Publishing and Fake Scientific Journals
Uncertainty and Misinformation
Kristen Panthagani, MD, PhD
Misinformation Alert Predatory scientific publishing is a thing. There is an entire industry of essentially fake, for-profit “journals” that will publish just about anything for a fee. Academics get “invitations” to publish in these journals all the time. Most often they have humorous flaws like odd salutations “Greetings of the day, Respected Doctor!” or other Read more…
Why is my PCR test still positive if I’ve taken Paxlovid, isolated and have been asymptomatic for many days?
Testing and Contact Tracing
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
Constance from Astoria, NY asks: “I tested positive for COVID-19, took Paxlovid, and isolated for 12 days. My symptoms are gone. Why does my PCR test show I’m positive?” Great question, Constance! PCR tests are very sensitive, picking up even old fragments of viral RNA that may be leftover in your body but not capable Read more…
BREAKING NEWS: The Vaccine and Other Related Biological Products Advisory Committee (VRBPAC), an FDA advisory committee, met over the last two days to discuss data for COVID-19 vaccines in children under 5 years of age (among other topics). Here are the big takeaways!!! The committee voted unanimously that the benefits of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine Read more…
Get the Facts on Predatory Publishing and Fake Scientific Journals
Uncertainty and MisinformationKristen Panthagani, MD, PhD
Misinformation Alert Predatory scientific publishing is a thing. There is an entire industry of essentially fake, for-profit “journals” that will publish just about anything for a fee. Academics get “invitations” to publish in these journals all the time. Most often they have humorous flaws like odd salutations “Greetings of the day, Respected Doctor!” or other Read more…
Why is my PCR test still positive if I’ve taken Paxlovid, isolated and have been asymptomatic for many days?
Testing and Contact Tracing
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
Constance from Astoria, NY asks: “I tested positive for COVID-19, took Paxlovid, and isolated for 12 days. My symptoms are gone. Why does my PCR test show I’m positive?” Great question, Constance! PCR tests are very sensitive, picking up even old fragments of viral RNA that may be leftover in your body but not capable Read more…
Misinformation Alert Predatory scientific publishing is a thing. There is an entire industry of essentially fake, for-profit “journals” that will publish just about anything for a fee. Academics get “invitations” to publish in these journals all the time. Most often they have humorous flaws like odd salutations “Greetings of the day, Respected Doctor!” or other Read more…
Why is my PCR test still positive if I’ve taken Paxlovid, isolated and have been asymptomatic for many days?
Testing and Contact TracingJennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
Constance from Astoria, NY asks: “I tested positive for COVID-19, took Paxlovid, and isolated for 12 days. My symptoms are gone. Why does my PCR test show I’m positive?” Great question, Constance! PCR tests are very sensitive, picking up even old fragments of viral RNA that may be leftover in your body but not capable Read more…
Constance from Astoria, NY asks: “I tested positive for COVID-19, took Paxlovid, and isolated for 12 days. My symptoms are gone. Why does my PCR test show I’m positive?” Great question, Constance! PCR tests are very sensitive, picking up even old fragments of viral RNA that may be leftover in your body but not capable Read more…
