📣 Have you heard about the new covid.gov website?
Masks Testing and Contact Tracing Treatments Vaccines
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
Yes! ✋🏾 We have! ✋🏾 It is still early, but it is pretty neat from a nerdy girl standpoint. It helps people get a lot of questions answered in one place. We tried it out and especially thought it was helpful to order free COVID-19 tests and to find COVID-19 treatment once someone receives a Read more…
April 2, 2022
Is there any easy way to determine whether and for how long I need to isolate or quarantine?
Infection and Spread Staying Safe
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: Yes! The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention just released a handy on-line calculator! Enter answers to a few short questions into the calculator here and get an estimate of the date you can stop isolating if you have COVID-19 or quarantining if you were exposed to someone who does! The calculator takes Read more…
April 1, 2022
What does the science say about Daylight Saving Time?
Health Policy
Lauren Hale, PhD MA
Q: What does the science say about Daylight Saving Time? A: TL; DR. Permanent Standard Time is best for our sleep and circadian biology, which is fundamental to overall health and well-being. Sleep and circadian scientists advocate for ending the twice annual shifting of the clock. However, rather than switching to permanent Daylight Saving Time Read more…
March 30, 2022
Meet Those Nerdy Girls: Dr. Kristen Panthagani
Women in STEM
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Do you love our recent series on logical fallacies as much as I do? Well then, get excited because you’re about to meet the woman who writes them! Dr. Panthagani is our only contributor who has both an M.D. and a Ph.D., which she earned from Baylor College of Medicine’s Medical Scientist Training Program. Her Read more…
March 29, 2022
US FDA Approves Extra Booster For Adults 50+ and the Immunocompromised
Health Policy Vaccines
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
NEWS: The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorized a “2nd booster” of Pfizer or Moderna vaccines for adults over age 50. Key points: A 4th dose is authorized for anyone 50 and over who received a booster of an authorized COVID-19 vaccine more than 4 months ago. An additional booster (a 5th dose) is Read more…
March 29, 2022
If an unvaccinated person gets blood from a vaccinated person, will the vaccine transfer?
Vaccines
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Q: If an unvaccinated person gets blood from a vaccinated person, will the vaccine transfer? A: No. If an unvaccinated person gets a blood transfusion from a vaccinated donor, the unvaccinated person does not become vaccinated. That’s true for COVID-19 vaccines and all other vaccines, too. Not even if the blood donation happens right after Read more…
March 25, 2022
What do you know about that COVID-19 treatment Molnupiravir?
Treatments
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
Molnupiravir is an antiviral pill that can be used in the treatment of adults with mild to moderate COVID-19 illness who are at high risk of serious illness. It should be taken within 5 days of the first symptom and only when other antiviral treatments are not available. How does molnupiravir work? Get ready for Read more…
March 24, 2022
Moderna will submit for approval of its kids’ vaccine
Families/Kids Vaccines
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
TL;DR: Moderna’s kids vaccine hit high marks for safety and antibody response, but efficacy against mild illness was not as high as earlier trials (likely due to Omicron). Moderna announced yesterday (via press release) that they will submit for Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) of their vaccine for kids aged 6 months to < 6 years. Read more…
March 23, 2022
Meet Those Nerdy Girls – Dr. Rachael Piltch-Loeb
Women in STEM
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Today, we continue our little adventure in finding out just who *are* #ThoseNerdyGirls. We’re talking with Dr. Rachael Piltch-Loeb. Dr. Piltch-Loeb is a risk communications expert. When she’s not contributing to research efforts here at #DearPandemic, Dr. Piltch-Loeb is working on research projects as a research associate at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health Read more…
March 23, 2022
Series on Logical Fallacies – The Post Hoc Fallacy
Uncertainty and Misinformation
Kristen Panthagani, MD, PhD
At Dear Pandemic, we want to dish out science facts AND equip our readers with tools to make sense of data and science themselves. This is the 5th post in an ongoing series by Dr. Kristen Panthagani of You Can Know Things, in which she dissects common logical fallacies that have led people astray during Read more…
March 22, 2022
Is blood in short supply? What can I do?
General Health
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
🩸 Yes, the Red Cross declared a national blood crisis in January 2022 during the peak omicron surge. The Red Cross started the first civilian blood donation program in the 1940s and provides almost half of all blood products in the U.S. So when they state there is a crisis, we can be pretty confident Read more…
March 21, 2022
Will a positive COVID test thwart your spring break plans?
Testing and Contact Tracing Travel
Chana Davis, PhD
A: If it’s been fewer than 5 days since your COVID-19 infection began, you’re out of luck. Please stay home! During the Day 5-10 window, your odds of being cleared for travel are roughly 50-50 for rapid antigen tests. After two weeks, most of us can breathe easily on test day. 👉🏽Note: For molecular tests like Read more…
Yes! ✋🏾 We have! ✋🏾 It is still early, but it is pretty neat from a nerdy girl standpoint. It helps people get a lot of questions answered in one place. We tried it out and especially thought it was helpful to order free COVID-19 tests and to find COVID-19 treatment once someone receives a Read more…
Is there any easy way to determine whether and for how long I need to isolate or quarantine?
Infection and Spread Staying Safe
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: Yes! The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention just released a handy on-line calculator! Enter answers to a few short questions into the calculator here and get an estimate of the date you can stop isolating if you have COVID-19 or quarantining if you were exposed to someone who does! The calculator takes Read more…
April 1, 2022
What does the science say about Daylight Saving Time?
Health Policy
Lauren Hale, PhD MA
Q: What does the science say about Daylight Saving Time? A: TL; DR. Permanent Standard Time is best for our sleep and circadian biology, which is fundamental to overall health and well-being. Sleep and circadian scientists advocate for ending the twice annual shifting of the clock. However, rather than switching to permanent Daylight Saving Time Read more…
March 30, 2022
Meet Those Nerdy Girls: Dr. Kristen Panthagani
Women in STEM
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Do you love our recent series on logical fallacies as much as I do? Well then, get excited because you’re about to meet the woman who writes them! Dr. Panthagani is our only contributor who has both an M.D. and a Ph.D., which she earned from Baylor College of Medicine’s Medical Scientist Training Program. Her Read more…
March 29, 2022
US FDA Approves Extra Booster For Adults 50+ and the Immunocompromised
Health Policy Vaccines
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
NEWS: The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorized a “2nd booster” of Pfizer or Moderna vaccines for adults over age 50. Key points: A 4th dose is authorized for anyone 50 and over who received a booster of an authorized COVID-19 vaccine more than 4 months ago. An additional booster (a 5th dose) is Read more…
March 29, 2022
If an unvaccinated person gets blood from a vaccinated person, will the vaccine transfer?
Vaccines
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Q: If an unvaccinated person gets blood from a vaccinated person, will the vaccine transfer? A: No. If an unvaccinated person gets a blood transfusion from a vaccinated donor, the unvaccinated person does not become vaccinated. That’s true for COVID-19 vaccines and all other vaccines, too. Not even if the blood donation happens right after Read more…
March 25, 2022
What do you know about that COVID-19 treatment Molnupiravir?
Treatments
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
Molnupiravir is an antiviral pill that can be used in the treatment of adults with mild to moderate COVID-19 illness who are at high risk of serious illness. It should be taken within 5 days of the first symptom and only when other antiviral treatments are not available. How does molnupiravir work? Get ready for Read more…
March 24, 2022
Moderna will submit for approval of its kids’ vaccine
Families/Kids Vaccines
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
TL;DR: Moderna’s kids vaccine hit high marks for safety and antibody response, but efficacy against mild illness was not as high as earlier trials (likely due to Omicron). Moderna announced yesterday (via press release) that they will submit for Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) of their vaccine for kids aged 6 months to < 6 years. Read more…
March 23, 2022
Meet Those Nerdy Girls – Dr. Rachael Piltch-Loeb
Women in STEM
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Today, we continue our little adventure in finding out just who *are* #ThoseNerdyGirls. We’re talking with Dr. Rachael Piltch-Loeb. Dr. Piltch-Loeb is a risk communications expert. When she’s not contributing to research efforts here at #DearPandemic, Dr. Piltch-Loeb is working on research projects as a research associate at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health Read more…
March 23, 2022
Series on Logical Fallacies – The Post Hoc Fallacy
Uncertainty and Misinformation
Kristen Panthagani, MD, PhD
At Dear Pandemic, we want to dish out science facts AND equip our readers with tools to make sense of data and science themselves. This is the 5th post in an ongoing series by Dr. Kristen Panthagani of You Can Know Things, in which she dissects common logical fallacies that have led people astray during Read more…
March 22, 2022
Is blood in short supply? What can I do?
General Health
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
🩸 Yes, the Red Cross declared a national blood crisis in January 2022 during the peak omicron surge. The Red Cross started the first civilian blood donation program in the 1940s and provides almost half of all blood products in the U.S. So when they state there is a crisis, we can be pretty confident Read more…
March 21, 2022
Will a positive COVID test thwart your spring break plans?
Testing and Contact Tracing Travel
Chana Davis, PhD
A: If it’s been fewer than 5 days since your COVID-19 infection began, you’re out of luck. Please stay home! During the Day 5-10 window, your odds of being cleared for travel are roughly 50-50 for rapid antigen tests. After two weeks, most of us can breathe easily on test day. 👉🏽Note: For molecular tests like Read more…
A: Yes! The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention just released a handy on-line calculator! Enter answers to a few short questions into the calculator here and get an estimate of the date you can stop isolating if you have COVID-19 or quarantining if you were exposed to someone who does! The calculator takes Read more…
What does the science say about Daylight Saving Time?
Health Policy
Lauren Hale, PhD MA
Q: What does the science say about Daylight Saving Time? A: TL; DR. Permanent Standard Time is best for our sleep and circadian biology, which is fundamental to overall health and well-being. Sleep and circadian scientists advocate for ending the twice annual shifting of the clock. However, rather than switching to permanent Daylight Saving Time Read more…
March 30, 2022
Meet Those Nerdy Girls: Dr. Kristen Panthagani
Women in STEM
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Do you love our recent series on logical fallacies as much as I do? Well then, get excited because you’re about to meet the woman who writes them! Dr. Panthagani is our only contributor who has both an M.D. and a Ph.D., which she earned from Baylor College of Medicine’s Medical Scientist Training Program. Her Read more…
March 29, 2022
US FDA Approves Extra Booster For Adults 50+ and the Immunocompromised
Health Policy Vaccines
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
NEWS: The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorized a “2nd booster” of Pfizer or Moderna vaccines for adults over age 50. Key points: A 4th dose is authorized for anyone 50 and over who received a booster of an authorized COVID-19 vaccine more than 4 months ago. An additional booster (a 5th dose) is Read more…
March 29, 2022
If an unvaccinated person gets blood from a vaccinated person, will the vaccine transfer?
Vaccines
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Q: If an unvaccinated person gets blood from a vaccinated person, will the vaccine transfer? A: No. If an unvaccinated person gets a blood transfusion from a vaccinated donor, the unvaccinated person does not become vaccinated. That’s true for COVID-19 vaccines and all other vaccines, too. Not even if the blood donation happens right after Read more…
March 25, 2022
What do you know about that COVID-19 treatment Molnupiravir?
Treatments
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
Molnupiravir is an antiviral pill that can be used in the treatment of adults with mild to moderate COVID-19 illness who are at high risk of serious illness. It should be taken within 5 days of the first symptom and only when other antiviral treatments are not available. How does molnupiravir work? Get ready for Read more…
March 24, 2022
Moderna will submit for approval of its kids’ vaccine
Families/Kids Vaccines
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
TL;DR: Moderna’s kids vaccine hit high marks for safety and antibody response, but efficacy against mild illness was not as high as earlier trials (likely due to Omicron). Moderna announced yesterday (via press release) that they will submit for Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) of their vaccine for kids aged 6 months to < 6 years. Read more…
March 23, 2022
Meet Those Nerdy Girls – Dr. Rachael Piltch-Loeb
Women in STEM
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Today, we continue our little adventure in finding out just who *are* #ThoseNerdyGirls. We’re talking with Dr. Rachael Piltch-Loeb. Dr. Piltch-Loeb is a risk communications expert. When she’s not contributing to research efforts here at #DearPandemic, Dr. Piltch-Loeb is working on research projects as a research associate at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health Read more…
March 23, 2022
Series on Logical Fallacies – The Post Hoc Fallacy
Uncertainty and Misinformation
Kristen Panthagani, MD, PhD
At Dear Pandemic, we want to dish out science facts AND equip our readers with tools to make sense of data and science themselves. This is the 5th post in an ongoing series by Dr. Kristen Panthagani of You Can Know Things, in which she dissects common logical fallacies that have led people astray during Read more…
March 22, 2022
Is blood in short supply? What can I do?
General Health
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
🩸 Yes, the Red Cross declared a national blood crisis in January 2022 during the peak omicron surge. The Red Cross started the first civilian blood donation program in the 1940s and provides almost half of all blood products in the U.S. So when they state there is a crisis, we can be pretty confident Read more…
March 21, 2022
Will a positive COVID test thwart your spring break plans?
Testing and Contact Tracing Travel
Chana Davis, PhD
A: If it’s been fewer than 5 days since your COVID-19 infection began, you’re out of luck. Please stay home! During the Day 5-10 window, your odds of being cleared for travel are roughly 50-50 for rapid antigen tests. After two weeks, most of us can breathe easily on test day. 👉🏽Note: For molecular tests like Read more…
Q: What does the science say about Daylight Saving Time? A: TL; DR. Permanent Standard Time is best for our sleep and circadian biology, which is fundamental to overall health and well-being. Sleep and circadian scientists advocate for ending the twice annual shifting of the clock. However, rather than switching to permanent Daylight Saving Time Read more…
Meet Those Nerdy Girls: Dr. Kristen Panthagani
Women in STEM
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Do you love our recent series on logical fallacies as much as I do? Well then, get excited because you’re about to meet the woman who writes them! Dr. Panthagani is our only contributor who has both an M.D. and a Ph.D., which she earned from Baylor College of Medicine’s Medical Scientist Training Program. Her Read more…
March 29, 2022
US FDA Approves Extra Booster For Adults 50+ and the Immunocompromised
Health Policy Vaccines
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
NEWS: The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorized a “2nd booster” of Pfizer or Moderna vaccines for adults over age 50. Key points: A 4th dose is authorized for anyone 50 and over who received a booster of an authorized COVID-19 vaccine more than 4 months ago. An additional booster (a 5th dose) is Read more…
March 29, 2022
If an unvaccinated person gets blood from a vaccinated person, will the vaccine transfer?
Vaccines
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Q: If an unvaccinated person gets blood from a vaccinated person, will the vaccine transfer? A: No. If an unvaccinated person gets a blood transfusion from a vaccinated donor, the unvaccinated person does not become vaccinated. That’s true for COVID-19 vaccines and all other vaccines, too. Not even if the blood donation happens right after Read more…
March 25, 2022
What do you know about that COVID-19 treatment Molnupiravir?
Treatments
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
Molnupiravir is an antiviral pill that can be used in the treatment of adults with mild to moderate COVID-19 illness who are at high risk of serious illness. It should be taken within 5 days of the first symptom and only when other antiviral treatments are not available. How does molnupiravir work? Get ready for Read more…
March 24, 2022
Moderna will submit for approval of its kids’ vaccine
Families/Kids Vaccines
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
TL;DR: Moderna’s kids vaccine hit high marks for safety and antibody response, but efficacy against mild illness was not as high as earlier trials (likely due to Omicron). Moderna announced yesterday (via press release) that they will submit for Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) of their vaccine for kids aged 6 months to < 6 years. Read more…
March 23, 2022
Meet Those Nerdy Girls – Dr. Rachael Piltch-Loeb
Women in STEM
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Today, we continue our little adventure in finding out just who *are* #ThoseNerdyGirls. We’re talking with Dr. Rachael Piltch-Loeb. Dr. Piltch-Loeb is a risk communications expert. When she’s not contributing to research efforts here at #DearPandemic, Dr. Piltch-Loeb is working on research projects as a research associate at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health Read more…
March 23, 2022
Series on Logical Fallacies – The Post Hoc Fallacy
Uncertainty and Misinformation
Kristen Panthagani, MD, PhD
At Dear Pandemic, we want to dish out science facts AND equip our readers with tools to make sense of data and science themselves. This is the 5th post in an ongoing series by Dr. Kristen Panthagani of You Can Know Things, in which she dissects common logical fallacies that have led people astray during Read more…
March 22, 2022
Is blood in short supply? What can I do?
General Health
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
🩸 Yes, the Red Cross declared a national blood crisis in January 2022 during the peak omicron surge. The Red Cross started the first civilian blood donation program in the 1940s and provides almost half of all blood products in the U.S. So when they state there is a crisis, we can be pretty confident Read more…
March 21, 2022
Will a positive COVID test thwart your spring break plans?
Testing and Contact Tracing Travel
Chana Davis, PhD
A: If it’s been fewer than 5 days since your COVID-19 infection began, you’re out of luck. Please stay home! During the Day 5-10 window, your odds of being cleared for travel are roughly 50-50 for rapid antigen tests. After two weeks, most of us can breathe easily on test day. 👉🏽Note: For molecular tests like Read more…
Do you love our recent series on logical fallacies as much as I do? Well then, get excited because you’re about to meet the woman who writes them! Dr. Panthagani is our only contributor who has both an M.D. and a Ph.D., which she earned from Baylor College of Medicine’s Medical Scientist Training Program. Her Read more…
US FDA Approves Extra Booster For Adults 50+ and the Immunocompromised
Health Policy Vaccines
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
NEWS: The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorized a “2nd booster” of Pfizer or Moderna vaccines for adults over age 50. Key points: A 4th dose is authorized for anyone 50 and over who received a booster of an authorized COVID-19 vaccine more than 4 months ago. An additional booster (a 5th dose) is Read more…
March 29, 2022
If an unvaccinated person gets blood from a vaccinated person, will the vaccine transfer?
Vaccines
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Q: If an unvaccinated person gets blood from a vaccinated person, will the vaccine transfer? A: No. If an unvaccinated person gets a blood transfusion from a vaccinated donor, the unvaccinated person does not become vaccinated. That’s true for COVID-19 vaccines and all other vaccines, too. Not even if the blood donation happens right after Read more…
March 25, 2022
What do you know about that COVID-19 treatment Molnupiravir?
Treatments
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
Molnupiravir is an antiviral pill that can be used in the treatment of adults with mild to moderate COVID-19 illness who are at high risk of serious illness. It should be taken within 5 days of the first symptom and only when other antiviral treatments are not available. How does molnupiravir work? Get ready for Read more…
March 24, 2022
Moderna will submit for approval of its kids’ vaccine
Families/Kids Vaccines
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
TL;DR: Moderna’s kids vaccine hit high marks for safety and antibody response, but efficacy against mild illness was not as high as earlier trials (likely due to Omicron). Moderna announced yesterday (via press release) that they will submit for Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) of their vaccine for kids aged 6 months to < 6 years. Read more…
March 23, 2022
Meet Those Nerdy Girls – Dr. Rachael Piltch-Loeb
Women in STEM
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Today, we continue our little adventure in finding out just who *are* #ThoseNerdyGirls. We’re talking with Dr. Rachael Piltch-Loeb. Dr. Piltch-Loeb is a risk communications expert. When she’s not contributing to research efforts here at #DearPandemic, Dr. Piltch-Loeb is working on research projects as a research associate at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health Read more…
March 23, 2022
Series on Logical Fallacies – The Post Hoc Fallacy
Uncertainty and Misinformation
Kristen Panthagani, MD, PhD
At Dear Pandemic, we want to dish out science facts AND equip our readers with tools to make sense of data and science themselves. This is the 5th post in an ongoing series by Dr. Kristen Panthagani of You Can Know Things, in which she dissects common logical fallacies that have led people astray during Read more…
March 22, 2022
Is blood in short supply? What can I do?
General Health
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
🩸 Yes, the Red Cross declared a national blood crisis in January 2022 during the peak omicron surge. The Red Cross started the first civilian blood donation program in the 1940s and provides almost half of all blood products in the U.S. So when they state there is a crisis, we can be pretty confident Read more…
March 21, 2022
Will a positive COVID test thwart your spring break plans?
Testing and Contact Tracing Travel
Chana Davis, PhD
A: If it’s been fewer than 5 days since your COVID-19 infection began, you’re out of luck. Please stay home! During the Day 5-10 window, your odds of being cleared for travel are roughly 50-50 for rapid antigen tests. After two weeks, most of us can breathe easily on test day. 👉🏽Note: For molecular tests like Read more…
NEWS: The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorized a “2nd booster” of Pfizer or Moderna vaccines for adults over age 50. Key points: A 4th dose is authorized for anyone 50 and over who received a booster of an authorized COVID-19 vaccine more than 4 months ago. An additional booster (a 5th dose) is Read more…
If an unvaccinated person gets blood from a vaccinated person, will the vaccine transfer?
Vaccines
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Q: If an unvaccinated person gets blood from a vaccinated person, will the vaccine transfer? A: No. If an unvaccinated person gets a blood transfusion from a vaccinated donor, the unvaccinated person does not become vaccinated. That’s true for COVID-19 vaccines and all other vaccines, too. Not even if the blood donation happens right after Read more…
March 25, 2022
What do you know about that COVID-19 treatment Molnupiravir?
Treatments
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
Molnupiravir is an antiviral pill that can be used in the treatment of adults with mild to moderate COVID-19 illness who are at high risk of serious illness. It should be taken within 5 days of the first symptom and only when other antiviral treatments are not available. How does molnupiravir work? Get ready for Read more…
March 24, 2022
Moderna will submit for approval of its kids’ vaccine
Families/Kids Vaccines
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
TL;DR: Moderna’s kids vaccine hit high marks for safety and antibody response, but efficacy against mild illness was not as high as earlier trials (likely due to Omicron). Moderna announced yesterday (via press release) that they will submit for Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) of their vaccine for kids aged 6 months to < 6 years. Read more…
March 23, 2022
Meet Those Nerdy Girls – Dr. Rachael Piltch-Loeb
Women in STEM
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Today, we continue our little adventure in finding out just who *are* #ThoseNerdyGirls. We’re talking with Dr. Rachael Piltch-Loeb. Dr. Piltch-Loeb is a risk communications expert. When she’s not contributing to research efforts here at #DearPandemic, Dr. Piltch-Loeb is working on research projects as a research associate at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health Read more…
March 23, 2022
Series on Logical Fallacies – The Post Hoc Fallacy
Uncertainty and Misinformation
Kristen Panthagani, MD, PhD
At Dear Pandemic, we want to dish out science facts AND equip our readers with tools to make sense of data and science themselves. This is the 5th post in an ongoing series by Dr. Kristen Panthagani of You Can Know Things, in which she dissects common logical fallacies that have led people astray during Read more…
March 22, 2022
Is blood in short supply? What can I do?
General Health
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
🩸 Yes, the Red Cross declared a national blood crisis in January 2022 during the peak omicron surge. The Red Cross started the first civilian blood donation program in the 1940s and provides almost half of all blood products in the U.S. So when they state there is a crisis, we can be pretty confident Read more…
March 21, 2022
Will a positive COVID test thwart your spring break plans?
Testing and Contact Tracing Travel
Chana Davis, PhD
A: If it’s been fewer than 5 days since your COVID-19 infection began, you’re out of luck. Please stay home! During the Day 5-10 window, your odds of being cleared for travel are roughly 50-50 for rapid antigen tests. After two weeks, most of us can breathe easily on test day. 👉🏽Note: For molecular tests like Read more…
Q: If an unvaccinated person gets blood from a vaccinated person, will the vaccine transfer? A: No. If an unvaccinated person gets a blood transfusion from a vaccinated donor, the unvaccinated person does not become vaccinated. That’s true for COVID-19 vaccines and all other vaccines, too. Not even if the blood donation happens right after Read more…
What do you know about that COVID-19 treatment Molnupiravir?
Treatments
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
Molnupiravir is an antiviral pill that can be used in the treatment of adults with mild to moderate COVID-19 illness who are at high risk of serious illness. It should be taken within 5 days of the first symptom and only when other antiviral treatments are not available. How does molnupiravir work? Get ready for Read more…
March 24, 2022
Moderna will submit for approval of its kids’ vaccine
Families/Kids Vaccines
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
TL;DR: Moderna’s kids vaccine hit high marks for safety and antibody response, but efficacy against mild illness was not as high as earlier trials (likely due to Omicron). Moderna announced yesterday (via press release) that they will submit for Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) of their vaccine for kids aged 6 months to < 6 years. Read more…
March 23, 2022
Meet Those Nerdy Girls – Dr. Rachael Piltch-Loeb
Women in STEM
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Today, we continue our little adventure in finding out just who *are* #ThoseNerdyGirls. We’re talking with Dr. Rachael Piltch-Loeb. Dr. Piltch-Loeb is a risk communications expert. When she’s not contributing to research efforts here at #DearPandemic, Dr. Piltch-Loeb is working on research projects as a research associate at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health Read more…
March 23, 2022
Series on Logical Fallacies – The Post Hoc Fallacy
Uncertainty and Misinformation
Kristen Panthagani, MD, PhD
At Dear Pandemic, we want to dish out science facts AND equip our readers with tools to make sense of data and science themselves. This is the 5th post in an ongoing series by Dr. Kristen Panthagani of You Can Know Things, in which she dissects common logical fallacies that have led people astray during Read more…
March 22, 2022
Is blood in short supply? What can I do?
General Health
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
🩸 Yes, the Red Cross declared a national blood crisis in January 2022 during the peak omicron surge. The Red Cross started the first civilian blood donation program in the 1940s and provides almost half of all blood products in the U.S. So when they state there is a crisis, we can be pretty confident Read more…
March 21, 2022
Will a positive COVID test thwart your spring break plans?
Testing and Contact Tracing Travel
Chana Davis, PhD
A: If it’s been fewer than 5 days since your COVID-19 infection began, you’re out of luck. Please stay home! During the Day 5-10 window, your odds of being cleared for travel are roughly 50-50 for rapid antigen tests. After two weeks, most of us can breathe easily on test day. 👉🏽Note: For molecular tests like Read more…
Molnupiravir is an antiviral pill that can be used in the treatment of adults with mild to moderate COVID-19 illness who are at high risk of serious illness. It should be taken within 5 days of the first symptom and only when other antiviral treatments are not available. How does molnupiravir work? Get ready for Read more…
Moderna will submit for approval of its kids’ vaccine
Families/Kids Vaccines
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
TL;DR: Moderna’s kids vaccine hit high marks for safety and antibody response, but efficacy against mild illness was not as high as earlier trials (likely due to Omicron). Moderna announced yesterday (via press release) that they will submit for Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) of their vaccine for kids aged 6 months to < 6 years. Read more…
March 23, 2022
Meet Those Nerdy Girls – Dr. Rachael Piltch-Loeb
Women in STEM
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Today, we continue our little adventure in finding out just who *are* #ThoseNerdyGirls. We’re talking with Dr. Rachael Piltch-Loeb. Dr. Piltch-Loeb is a risk communications expert. When she’s not contributing to research efforts here at #DearPandemic, Dr. Piltch-Loeb is working on research projects as a research associate at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health Read more…
March 23, 2022
Series on Logical Fallacies – The Post Hoc Fallacy
Uncertainty and Misinformation
Kristen Panthagani, MD, PhD
At Dear Pandemic, we want to dish out science facts AND equip our readers with tools to make sense of data and science themselves. This is the 5th post in an ongoing series by Dr. Kristen Panthagani of You Can Know Things, in which she dissects common logical fallacies that have led people astray during Read more…
March 22, 2022
Is blood in short supply? What can I do?
General Health
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
🩸 Yes, the Red Cross declared a national blood crisis in January 2022 during the peak omicron surge. The Red Cross started the first civilian blood donation program in the 1940s and provides almost half of all blood products in the U.S. So when they state there is a crisis, we can be pretty confident Read more…
March 21, 2022
Will a positive COVID test thwart your spring break plans?
Testing and Contact Tracing Travel
Chana Davis, PhD
A: If it’s been fewer than 5 days since your COVID-19 infection began, you’re out of luck. Please stay home! During the Day 5-10 window, your odds of being cleared for travel are roughly 50-50 for rapid antigen tests. After two weeks, most of us can breathe easily on test day. 👉🏽Note: For molecular tests like Read more…
TL;DR: Moderna’s kids vaccine hit high marks for safety and antibody response, but efficacy against mild illness was not as high as earlier trials (likely due to Omicron). Moderna announced yesterday (via press release) that they will submit for Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) of their vaccine for kids aged 6 months to < 6 years. Read more…
Meet Those Nerdy Girls – Dr. Rachael Piltch-Loeb
Women in STEM
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Today, we continue our little adventure in finding out just who *are* #ThoseNerdyGirls. We’re talking with Dr. Rachael Piltch-Loeb. Dr. Piltch-Loeb is a risk communications expert. When she’s not contributing to research efforts here at #DearPandemic, Dr. Piltch-Loeb is working on research projects as a research associate at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health Read more…
March 23, 2022
Series on Logical Fallacies – The Post Hoc Fallacy
Uncertainty and Misinformation
Kristen Panthagani, MD, PhD
At Dear Pandemic, we want to dish out science facts AND equip our readers with tools to make sense of data and science themselves. This is the 5th post in an ongoing series by Dr. Kristen Panthagani of You Can Know Things, in which she dissects common logical fallacies that have led people astray during Read more…
March 22, 2022
Is blood in short supply? What can I do?
General Health
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
🩸 Yes, the Red Cross declared a national blood crisis in January 2022 during the peak omicron surge. The Red Cross started the first civilian blood donation program in the 1940s and provides almost half of all blood products in the U.S. So when they state there is a crisis, we can be pretty confident Read more…
March 21, 2022
Will a positive COVID test thwart your spring break plans?
Testing and Contact Tracing Travel
Chana Davis, PhD
A: If it’s been fewer than 5 days since your COVID-19 infection began, you’re out of luck. Please stay home! During the Day 5-10 window, your odds of being cleared for travel are roughly 50-50 for rapid antigen tests. After two weeks, most of us can breathe easily on test day. 👉🏽Note: For molecular tests like Read more…
Today, we continue our little adventure in finding out just who *are* #ThoseNerdyGirls. We’re talking with Dr. Rachael Piltch-Loeb. Dr. Piltch-Loeb is a risk communications expert. When she’s not contributing to research efforts here at #DearPandemic, Dr. Piltch-Loeb is working on research projects as a research associate at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health Read more…
Series on Logical Fallacies – The Post Hoc Fallacy
Uncertainty and Misinformation
Kristen Panthagani, MD, PhD
At Dear Pandemic, we want to dish out science facts AND equip our readers with tools to make sense of data and science themselves. This is the 5th post in an ongoing series by Dr. Kristen Panthagani of You Can Know Things, in which she dissects common logical fallacies that have led people astray during Read more…
March 22, 2022
Is blood in short supply? What can I do?
General Health
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
🩸 Yes, the Red Cross declared a national blood crisis in January 2022 during the peak omicron surge. The Red Cross started the first civilian blood donation program in the 1940s and provides almost half of all blood products in the U.S. So when they state there is a crisis, we can be pretty confident Read more…
March 21, 2022
Will a positive COVID test thwart your spring break plans?
Testing and Contact Tracing Travel
Chana Davis, PhD
A: If it’s been fewer than 5 days since your COVID-19 infection began, you’re out of luck. Please stay home! During the Day 5-10 window, your odds of being cleared for travel are roughly 50-50 for rapid antigen tests. After two weeks, most of us can breathe easily on test day. 👉🏽Note: For molecular tests like Read more…
At Dear Pandemic, we want to dish out science facts AND equip our readers with tools to make sense of data and science themselves. This is the 5th post in an ongoing series by Dr. Kristen Panthagani of You Can Know Things, in which she dissects common logical fallacies that have led people astray during Read more…
Is blood in short supply? What can I do?
General Health
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
🩸 Yes, the Red Cross declared a national blood crisis in January 2022 during the peak omicron surge. The Red Cross started the first civilian blood donation program in the 1940s and provides almost half of all blood products in the U.S. So when they state there is a crisis, we can be pretty confident Read more…
March 21, 2022
Will a positive COVID test thwart your spring break plans?
Testing and Contact Tracing Travel
Chana Davis, PhD
A: If it’s been fewer than 5 days since your COVID-19 infection began, you’re out of luck. Please stay home! During the Day 5-10 window, your odds of being cleared for travel are roughly 50-50 for rapid antigen tests. After two weeks, most of us can breathe easily on test day. 👉🏽Note: For molecular tests like Read more…
🩸 Yes, the Red Cross declared a national blood crisis in January 2022 during the peak omicron surge. The Red Cross started the first civilian blood donation program in the 1940s and provides almost half of all blood products in the U.S. So when they state there is a crisis, we can be pretty confident Read more…
Will a positive COVID test thwart your spring break plans?
Testing and Contact Tracing Travel
Chana Davis, PhD
A: If it’s been fewer than 5 days since your COVID-19 infection began, you’re out of luck. Please stay home! During the Day 5-10 window, your odds of being cleared for travel are roughly 50-50 for rapid antigen tests. After two weeks, most of us can breathe easily on test day. 👉🏽Note: For molecular tests like Read more…
A: If it’s been fewer than 5 days since your COVID-19 infection began, you’re out of luck. Please stay home! During the Day 5-10 window, your odds of being cleared for travel are roughly 50-50 for rapid antigen tests. After two weeks, most of us can breathe easily on test day. 👉🏽Note: For molecular tests like Read more…