The CDC’s Updated Guidance on Isolation
Infection and Spread Staying Safe Testing and Contact Tracing
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
The one certainty in this pandemic is CHANGE….. And in science, changing evidence means that we learn more about what we are studying. And that means that we update based on new knowledge. This is sort of, kind of, what happened this week. See Dr. Lindsey’s earlier post on this…..and the WHY….https://tinyurl.com/d9tyjs5s Before diving in, Read more…
Is the new CDC isolation policy good or bad?
Health Policy
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
A: There are no easy answers, only tough tradeoffs. Read below to learn how to stay calm and think on. 💥Think Like a Health Policy Nerd: A New Occasional Series💥 Pandemic policy chatter is a bit like an epidemic curve. A controversial health policy decision lands. It’s met with loud cheers by some and louder Read more…
What should I do if I can’t get a COVID-19 test and I am symptomatic?
Clinical Symptoms
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
Stay calm and isolate. Let someone know you are not feeling well if you are alone. Continue to monitor for worsening symptoms. Call for help if symptoms worsen. Seek emergency care if you are unable to care for yourself at home. COVID-19 testing is difficult to find at the moment in many places. If you Read more…
Dear Pandemic wishes you a safe and peaceful holiday season.
Mental Health
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
Dear Pandemic wishes you a safe and peaceful holiday season – and that means taking care of your mental health in addition to keeping your #SMARTS* for COVID-19 safety. With Love, Those Nerdy Girls *SMARTS are our nerdy way to remember: Space, Masks, Air, Restricting people, Limiting time with them, and getting your Shots! Remember Read more…
News Alert! The CDC now recommends mRNA vaccines over the Janssen (J&J) COVID-19 vaccine.
Vaccines
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
TL;DR: The Janssen vaccine is still definitely better than no vaccine at all, but the mRNA vaccine appears to be safer and more effective. If you haven’t gotten your first vaccine yet, Pfizer or Moderna is preferred. If you already got the first Janssen shot but haven’t yet got your booster, the mRNA is recommended Read more…
My family stares at screens all day! What are the effects on our eyes? What can we do about it?
Families/Kids School
Lauren Hale, PhD MA
A.) TL; DR: Your eyes need a holiday! Increased time on screens is linked to vision changes, dry eyes, blurry vision, eye fatigue, and headaches. Here are some ocular health tips for you and your family. * GO OUTSIDE. Outdoor time exposes your eyes to a different type of light than screens. Bright natural light Read more…
What’s the best MASK to protect me from the Omicron variant?
COVID Variants Masks
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: A well-fitted, high filtration mask such as N95, KN95, FFP2 or KF94. ⚠️ Omicron may be even more transmissible than previous variants, possibly due to faster replication in the upper airways, meaning people will expel lots of virus when breathing and talking. While vaccination is still your #1 defense against Omicron, it’s also a Read more…
Why should we get a booster with the existing COVID vaccine when a new one is in the works for Omicron?
COVID Variants Vaccines
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: Boosters with the original Pfizer and Moderna vaccines increase protection against the omicron variant…NOW. A few weeks ago we posted on results from Pfizer showing that: 🔵 A third dose of the original Pfizer vaccine increased neutralizing antibody titers against the omicron variant by 25-fold, compared to levels seen with only two doses 🔵 Read more…
Is it true that Omicron is less severe than previous variants?
COVID Variants
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: We HOPE so, but we don’t know yet. The evidence so far is mixed. TL;DR We are WAY past due for some good variant news. But pinning our Omicron hopes on a less virulent variant is not wise for two reasons: 1) It might not be less severe in those who are “immune naïve” Read more…
Can I boost with an mRNA vaccine if I got Sinovac or Sinopharm originally?
Vaccines
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
A: Yes, you can. If you got Sinovac or Sinopharm originally, it won’t hurt to boost with an mRNA vaccine–and it might help. No one really knows what the BEST combination is at this point, but overall protection is higher for those who do opt for a different brand booster shot. And most important, there Read more…
A slight delay to Pfizer’s vaccine trial for <5 year olds
Families/Kids Vaccines
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
💥Breaking News Friday💥 TL:DR: A slight delay to Pfizer’s vaccine trial for <5 year olds: The trial is adding a 3rd dose to boost immune response, and now expects submission of data “in the first half of 2022.” The vaccine news the past 12 months has mostly been WAY better than expected. Today the news Read more…
I just got my third vaccine dose, but I tested positive for COVID19…..Now what?
Infection and Spread Testing and Contact Tracing
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
Positively confusing! I just got my third vaccine dose, but I tested positive for COVID19…..Now what? QUICK ANSWER: ➡️ Tell your healthcare provider you have had a positive test result right away. ➡️ Isolate for 10 days after symptoms appeared or after your positive test if you never had symptoms. ➡️ Make sure you don’t Read more…
POSTCARDS FROM THE UK: Buckle up America (and everywhere else).
COVID Variants Data and Metrics Infection and Spread
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
And by buckle up, I mean BOOST-UP. And take other sensible precautions, especially leading up to the holidays. Nerdy Girl Jenn (🇺🇸 in 🇬🇧 ) writing from not-so-sunny England, home of the strangest shaped epidemic curve ever seen (Figure 1). Delta has been raging here since June and never went away. Omicron has a significant Read more…
The one certainty in this pandemic is CHANGE….. And in science, changing evidence means that we learn more about what we are studying. And that means that we update based on new knowledge. This is sort of, kind of, what happened this week. See Dr. Lindsey’s earlier post on this…..and the WHY….https://tinyurl.com/d9tyjs5s Before diving in, Read more…
Is the new CDC isolation policy good or bad?
Health PolicyLindsey Leininger, PhD MA
A: There are no easy answers, only tough tradeoffs. Read below to learn how to stay calm and think on. 💥Think Like a Health Policy Nerd: A New Occasional Series💥 Pandemic policy chatter is a bit like an epidemic curve. A controversial health policy decision lands. It’s met with loud cheers by some and louder Read more…
What should I do if I can’t get a COVID-19 test and I am symptomatic?
Clinical Symptoms
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
Stay calm and isolate. Let someone know you are not feeling well if you are alone. Continue to monitor for worsening symptoms. Call for help if symptoms worsen. Seek emergency care if you are unable to care for yourself at home. COVID-19 testing is difficult to find at the moment in many places. If you Read more…
Dear Pandemic wishes you a safe and peaceful holiday season.
Mental Health
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
Dear Pandemic wishes you a safe and peaceful holiday season – and that means taking care of your mental health in addition to keeping your #SMARTS* for COVID-19 safety. With Love, Those Nerdy Girls *SMARTS are our nerdy way to remember: Space, Masks, Air, Restricting people, Limiting time with them, and getting your Shots! Remember Read more…
News Alert! The CDC now recommends mRNA vaccines over the Janssen (J&J) COVID-19 vaccine.
Vaccines
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
TL;DR: The Janssen vaccine is still definitely better than no vaccine at all, but the mRNA vaccine appears to be safer and more effective. If you haven’t gotten your first vaccine yet, Pfizer or Moderna is preferred. If you already got the first Janssen shot but haven’t yet got your booster, the mRNA is recommended Read more…
My family stares at screens all day! What are the effects on our eyes? What can we do about it?
Families/Kids School
Lauren Hale, PhD MA
A.) TL; DR: Your eyes need a holiday! Increased time on screens is linked to vision changes, dry eyes, blurry vision, eye fatigue, and headaches. Here are some ocular health tips for you and your family. * GO OUTSIDE. Outdoor time exposes your eyes to a different type of light than screens. Bright natural light Read more…
What’s the best MASK to protect me from the Omicron variant?
COVID Variants Masks
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: A well-fitted, high filtration mask such as N95, KN95, FFP2 or KF94. ⚠️ Omicron may be even more transmissible than previous variants, possibly due to faster replication in the upper airways, meaning people will expel lots of virus when breathing and talking. While vaccination is still your #1 defense against Omicron, it’s also a Read more…
Why should we get a booster with the existing COVID vaccine when a new one is in the works for Omicron?
COVID Variants Vaccines
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: Boosters with the original Pfizer and Moderna vaccines increase protection against the omicron variant…NOW. A few weeks ago we posted on results from Pfizer showing that: 🔵 A third dose of the original Pfizer vaccine increased neutralizing antibody titers against the omicron variant by 25-fold, compared to levels seen with only two doses 🔵 Read more…
Is it true that Omicron is less severe than previous variants?
COVID Variants
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: We HOPE so, but we don’t know yet. The evidence so far is mixed. TL;DR We are WAY past due for some good variant news. But pinning our Omicron hopes on a less virulent variant is not wise for two reasons: 1) It might not be less severe in those who are “immune naïve” Read more…
Can I boost with an mRNA vaccine if I got Sinovac or Sinopharm originally?
Vaccines
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
A: Yes, you can. If you got Sinovac or Sinopharm originally, it won’t hurt to boost with an mRNA vaccine–and it might help. No one really knows what the BEST combination is at this point, but overall protection is higher for those who do opt for a different brand booster shot. And most important, there Read more…
A slight delay to Pfizer’s vaccine trial for <5 year olds
Families/Kids Vaccines
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
💥Breaking News Friday💥 TL:DR: A slight delay to Pfizer’s vaccine trial for <5 year olds: The trial is adding a 3rd dose to boost immune response, and now expects submission of data “in the first half of 2022.” The vaccine news the past 12 months has mostly been WAY better than expected. Today the news Read more…
I just got my third vaccine dose, but I tested positive for COVID19…..Now what?
Infection and Spread Testing and Contact Tracing
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
Positively confusing! I just got my third vaccine dose, but I tested positive for COVID19…..Now what? QUICK ANSWER: ➡️ Tell your healthcare provider you have had a positive test result right away. ➡️ Isolate for 10 days after symptoms appeared or after your positive test if you never had symptoms. ➡️ Make sure you don’t Read more…
POSTCARDS FROM THE UK: Buckle up America (and everywhere else).
COVID Variants Data and Metrics Infection and Spread
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
And by buckle up, I mean BOOST-UP. And take other sensible precautions, especially leading up to the holidays. Nerdy Girl Jenn (🇺🇸 in 🇬🇧 ) writing from not-so-sunny England, home of the strangest shaped epidemic curve ever seen (Figure 1). Delta has been raging here since June and never went away. Omicron has a significant Read more…
A: There are no easy answers, only tough tradeoffs. Read below to learn how to stay calm and think on. 💥Think Like a Health Policy Nerd: A New Occasional Series💥 Pandemic policy chatter is a bit like an epidemic curve. A controversial health policy decision lands. It’s met with loud cheers by some and louder Read more…
What should I do if I can’t get a COVID-19 test and I am symptomatic?
Clinical SymptomsAshley Ritter, APRN, PhD
Stay calm and isolate. Let someone know you are not feeling well if you are alone. Continue to monitor for worsening symptoms. Call for help if symptoms worsen. Seek emergency care if you are unable to care for yourself at home. COVID-19 testing is difficult to find at the moment in many places. If you Read more…
Dear Pandemic wishes you a safe and peaceful holiday season.
Mental Health
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
Dear Pandemic wishes you a safe and peaceful holiday season – and that means taking care of your mental health in addition to keeping your #SMARTS* for COVID-19 safety. With Love, Those Nerdy Girls *SMARTS are our nerdy way to remember: Space, Masks, Air, Restricting people, Limiting time with them, and getting your Shots! Remember Read more…
News Alert! The CDC now recommends mRNA vaccines over the Janssen (J&J) COVID-19 vaccine.
Vaccines
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
TL;DR: The Janssen vaccine is still definitely better than no vaccine at all, but the mRNA vaccine appears to be safer and more effective. If you haven’t gotten your first vaccine yet, Pfizer or Moderna is preferred. If you already got the first Janssen shot but haven’t yet got your booster, the mRNA is recommended Read more…
My family stares at screens all day! What are the effects on our eyes? What can we do about it?
Families/Kids School
Lauren Hale, PhD MA
A.) TL; DR: Your eyes need a holiday! Increased time on screens is linked to vision changes, dry eyes, blurry vision, eye fatigue, and headaches. Here are some ocular health tips for you and your family. * GO OUTSIDE. Outdoor time exposes your eyes to a different type of light than screens. Bright natural light Read more…
What’s the best MASK to protect me from the Omicron variant?
COVID Variants Masks
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: A well-fitted, high filtration mask such as N95, KN95, FFP2 or KF94. ⚠️ Omicron may be even more transmissible than previous variants, possibly due to faster replication in the upper airways, meaning people will expel lots of virus when breathing and talking. While vaccination is still your #1 defense against Omicron, it’s also a Read more…
Why should we get a booster with the existing COVID vaccine when a new one is in the works for Omicron?
COVID Variants Vaccines
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: Boosters with the original Pfizer and Moderna vaccines increase protection against the omicron variant…NOW. A few weeks ago we posted on results from Pfizer showing that: 🔵 A third dose of the original Pfizer vaccine increased neutralizing antibody titers against the omicron variant by 25-fold, compared to levels seen with only two doses 🔵 Read more…
Is it true that Omicron is less severe than previous variants?
COVID Variants
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: We HOPE so, but we don’t know yet. The evidence so far is mixed. TL;DR We are WAY past due for some good variant news. But pinning our Omicron hopes on a less virulent variant is not wise for two reasons: 1) It might not be less severe in those who are “immune naïve” Read more…
Can I boost with an mRNA vaccine if I got Sinovac or Sinopharm originally?
Vaccines
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
A: Yes, you can. If you got Sinovac or Sinopharm originally, it won’t hurt to boost with an mRNA vaccine–and it might help. No one really knows what the BEST combination is at this point, but overall protection is higher for those who do opt for a different brand booster shot. And most important, there Read more…
A slight delay to Pfizer’s vaccine trial for <5 year olds
Families/Kids Vaccines
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
💥Breaking News Friday💥 TL:DR: A slight delay to Pfizer’s vaccine trial for <5 year olds: The trial is adding a 3rd dose to boost immune response, and now expects submission of data “in the first half of 2022.” The vaccine news the past 12 months has mostly been WAY better than expected. Today the news Read more…
I just got my third vaccine dose, but I tested positive for COVID19…..Now what?
Infection and Spread Testing and Contact Tracing
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
Positively confusing! I just got my third vaccine dose, but I tested positive for COVID19…..Now what? QUICK ANSWER: ➡️ Tell your healthcare provider you have had a positive test result right away. ➡️ Isolate for 10 days after symptoms appeared or after your positive test if you never had symptoms. ➡️ Make sure you don’t Read more…
POSTCARDS FROM THE UK: Buckle up America (and everywhere else).
COVID Variants Data and Metrics Infection and Spread
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
And by buckle up, I mean BOOST-UP. And take other sensible precautions, especially leading up to the holidays. Nerdy Girl Jenn (🇺🇸 in 🇬🇧 ) writing from not-so-sunny England, home of the strangest shaped epidemic curve ever seen (Figure 1). Delta has been raging here since June and never went away. Omicron has a significant Read more…
Stay calm and isolate. Let someone know you are not feeling well if you are alone. Continue to monitor for worsening symptoms. Call for help if symptoms worsen. Seek emergency care if you are unable to care for yourself at home. COVID-19 testing is difficult to find at the moment in many places. If you Read more…
Dear Pandemic wishes you a safe and peaceful holiday season.
Mental HealthAparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
Dear Pandemic wishes you a safe and peaceful holiday season – and that means taking care of your mental health in addition to keeping your #SMARTS* for COVID-19 safety. With Love, Those Nerdy Girls *SMARTS are our nerdy way to remember: Space, Masks, Air, Restricting people, Limiting time with them, and getting your Shots! Remember Read more…
News Alert! The CDC now recommends mRNA vaccines over the Janssen (J&J) COVID-19 vaccine.
Vaccines
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
TL;DR: The Janssen vaccine is still definitely better than no vaccine at all, but the mRNA vaccine appears to be safer and more effective. If you haven’t gotten your first vaccine yet, Pfizer or Moderna is preferred. If you already got the first Janssen shot but haven’t yet got your booster, the mRNA is recommended Read more…
My family stares at screens all day! What are the effects on our eyes? What can we do about it?
Families/Kids School
Lauren Hale, PhD MA
A.) TL; DR: Your eyes need a holiday! Increased time on screens is linked to vision changes, dry eyes, blurry vision, eye fatigue, and headaches. Here are some ocular health tips for you and your family. * GO OUTSIDE. Outdoor time exposes your eyes to a different type of light than screens. Bright natural light Read more…
What’s the best MASK to protect me from the Omicron variant?
COVID Variants Masks
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: A well-fitted, high filtration mask such as N95, KN95, FFP2 or KF94. ⚠️ Omicron may be even more transmissible than previous variants, possibly due to faster replication in the upper airways, meaning people will expel lots of virus when breathing and talking. While vaccination is still your #1 defense against Omicron, it’s also a Read more…
Why should we get a booster with the existing COVID vaccine when a new one is in the works for Omicron?
COVID Variants Vaccines
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: Boosters with the original Pfizer and Moderna vaccines increase protection against the omicron variant…NOW. A few weeks ago we posted on results from Pfizer showing that: 🔵 A third dose of the original Pfizer vaccine increased neutralizing antibody titers against the omicron variant by 25-fold, compared to levels seen with only two doses 🔵 Read more…
Is it true that Omicron is less severe than previous variants?
COVID Variants
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: We HOPE so, but we don’t know yet. The evidence so far is mixed. TL;DR We are WAY past due for some good variant news. But pinning our Omicron hopes on a less virulent variant is not wise for two reasons: 1) It might not be less severe in those who are “immune naïve” Read more…
Can I boost with an mRNA vaccine if I got Sinovac or Sinopharm originally?
Vaccines
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
A: Yes, you can. If you got Sinovac or Sinopharm originally, it won’t hurt to boost with an mRNA vaccine–and it might help. No one really knows what the BEST combination is at this point, but overall protection is higher for those who do opt for a different brand booster shot. And most important, there Read more…
A slight delay to Pfizer’s vaccine trial for <5 year olds
Families/Kids Vaccines
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
💥Breaking News Friday💥 TL:DR: A slight delay to Pfizer’s vaccine trial for <5 year olds: The trial is adding a 3rd dose to boost immune response, and now expects submission of data “in the first half of 2022.” The vaccine news the past 12 months has mostly been WAY better than expected. Today the news Read more…
I just got my third vaccine dose, but I tested positive for COVID19…..Now what?
Infection and Spread Testing and Contact Tracing
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
Positively confusing! I just got my third vaccine dose, but I tested positive for COVID19…..Now what? QUICK ANSWER: ➡️ Tell your healthcare provider you have had a positive test result right away. ➡️ Isolate for 10 days after symptoms appeared or after your positive test if you never had symptoms. ➡️ Make sure you don’t Read more…
POSTCARDS FROM THE UK: Buckle up America (and everywhere else).
COVID Variants Data and Metrics Infection and Spread
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
And by buckle up, I mean BOOST-UP. And take other sensible precautions, especially leading up to the holidays. Nerdy Girl Jenn (🇺🇸 in 🇬🇧 ) writing from not-so-sunny England, home of the strangest shaped epidemic curve ever seen (Figure 1). Delta has been raging here since June and never went away. Omicron has a significant Read more…
Dear Pandemic wishes you a safe and peaceful holiday season – and that means taking care of your mental health in addition to keeping your #SMARTS* for COVID-19 safety. With Love, Those Nerdy Girls *SMARTS are our nerdy way to remember: Space, Masks, Air, Restricting people, Limiting time with them, and getting your Shots! Remember Read more…
News Alert! The CDC now recommends mRNA vaccines over the Janssen (J&J) COVID-19 vaccine.
VaccinesSarah Whitley Coles, MD
TL;DR: The Janssen vaccine is still definitely better than no vaccine at all, but the mRNA vaccine appears to be safer and more effective. If you haven’t gotten your first vaccine yet, Pfizer or Moderna is preferred. If you already got the first Janssen shot but haven’t yet got your booster, the mRNA is recommended Read more…
My family stares at screens all day! What are the effects on our eyes? What can we do about it?
Families/Kids School
Lauren Hale, PhD MA
A.) TL; DR: Your eyes need a holiday! Increased time on screens is linked to vision changes, dry eyes, blurry vision, eye fatigue, and headaches. Here are some ocular health tips for you and your family. * GO OUTSIDE. Outdoor time exposes your eyes to a different type of light than screens. Bright natural light Read more…
What’s the best MASK to protect me from the Omicron variant?
COVID Variants Masks
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: A well-fitted, high filtration mask such as N95, KN95, FFP2 or KF94. ⚠️ Omicron may be even more transmissible than previous variants, possibly due to faster replication in the upper airways, meaning people will expel lots of virus when breathing and talking. While vaccination is still your #1 defense against Omicron, it’s also a Read more…
Why should we get a booster with the existing COVID vaccine when a new one is in the works for Omicron?
COVID Variants Vaccines
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: Boosters with the original Pfizer and Moderna vaccines increase protection against the omicron variant…NOW. A few weeks ago we posted on results from Pfizer showing that: 🔵 A third dose of the original Pfizer vaccine increased neutralizing antibody titers against the omicron variant by 25-fold, compared to levels seen with only two doses 🔵 Read more…
Is it true that Omicron is less severe than previous variants?
COVID Variants
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: We HOPE so, but we don’t know yet. The evidence so far is mixed. TL;DR We are WAY past due for some good variant news. But pinning our Omicron hopes on a less virulent variant is not wise for two reasons: 1) It might not be less severe in those who are “immune naïve” Read more…
Can I boost with an mRNA vaccine if I got Sinovac or Sinopharm originally?
Vaccines
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
A: Yes, you can. If you got Sinovac or Sinopharm originally, it won’t hurt to boost with an mRNA vaccine–and it might help. No one really knows what the BEST combination is at this point, but overall protection is higher for those who do opt for a different brand booster shot. And most important, there Read more…
A slight delay to Pfizer’s vaccine trial for <5 year olds
Families/Kids Vaccines
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
💥Breaking News Friday💥 TL:DR: A slight delay to Pfizer’s vaccine trial for <5 year olds: The trial is adding a 3rd dose to boost immune response, and now expects submission of data “in the first half of 2022.” The vaccine news the past 12 months has mostly been WAY better than expected. Today the news Read more…
I just got my third vaccine dose, but I tested positive for COVID19…..Now what?
Infection and Spread Testing and Contact Tracing
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
Positively confusing! I just got my third vaccine dose, but I tested positive for COVID19…..Now what? QUICK ANSWER: ➡️ Tell your healthcare provider you have had a positive test result right away. ➡️ Isolate for 10 days after symptoms appeared or after your positive test if you never had symptoms. ➡️ Make sure you don’t Read more…
POSTCARDS FROM THE UK: Buckle up America (and everywhere else).
COVID Variants Data and Metrics Infection and Spread
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
And by buckle up, I mean BOOST-UP. And take other sensible precautions, especially leading up to the holidays. Nerdy Girl Jenn (🇺🇸 in 🇬🇧 ) writing from not-so-sunny England, home of the strangest shaped epidemic curve ever seen (Figure 1). Delta has been raging here since June and never went away. Omicron has a significant Read more…
TL;DR: The Janssen vaccine is still definitely better than no vaccine at all, but the mRNA vaccine appears to be safer and more effective. If you haven’t gotten your first vaccine yet, Pfizer or Moderna is preferred. If you already got the first Janssen shot but haven’t yet got your booster, the mRNA is recommended Read more…
My family stares at screens all day! What are the effects on our eyes? What can we do about it?
Families/Kids SchoolLauren Hale, PhD MA
A.) TL; DR: Your eyes need a holiday! Increased time on screens is linked to vision changes, dry eyes, blurry vision, eye fatigue, and headaches. Here are some ocular health tips for you and your family. * GO OUTSIDE. Outdoor time exposes your eyes to a different type of light than screens. Bright natural light Read more…
What’s the best MASK to protect me from the Omicron variant?
COVID Variants Masks
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: A well-fitted, high filtration mask such as N95, KN95, FFP2 or KF94. ⚠️ Omicron may be even more transmissible than previous variants, possibly due to faster replication in the upper airways, meaning people will expel lots of virus when breathing and talking. While vaccination is still your #1 defense against Omicron, it’s also a Read more…
Why should we get a booster with the existing COVID vaccine when a new one is in the works for Omicron?
COVID Variants Vaccines
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: Boosters with the original Pfizer and Moderna vaccines increase protection against the omicron variant…NOW. A few weeks ago we posted on results from Pfizer showing that: 🔵 A third dose of the original Pfizer vaccine increased neutralizing antibody titers against the omicron variant by 25-fold, compared to levels seen with only two doses 🔵 Read more…
Is it true that Omicron is less severe than previous variants?
COVID Variants
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: We HOPE so, but we don’t know yet. The evidence so far is mixed. TL;DR We are WAY past due for some good variant news. But pinning our Omicron hopes on a less virulent variant is not wise for two reasons: 1) It might not be less severe in those who are “immune naïve” Read more…
Can I boost with an mRNA vaccine if I got Sinovac or Sinopharm originally?
Vaccines
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
A: Yes, you can. If you got Sinovac or Sinopharm originally, it won’t hurt to boost with an mRNA vaccine–and it might help. No one really knows what the BEST combination is at this point, but overall protection is higher for those who do opt for a different brand booster shot. And most important, there Read more…
A slight delay to Pfizer’s vaccine trial for <5 year olds
Families/Kids Vaccines
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
💥Breaking News Friday💥 TL:DR: A slight delay to Pfizer’s vaccine trial for <5 year olds: The trial is adding a 3rd dose to boost immune response, and now expects submission of data “in the first half of 2022.” The vaccine news the past 12 months has mostly been WAY better than expected. Today the news Read more…
I just got my third vaccine dose, but I tested positive for COVID19…..Now what?
Infection and Spread Testing and Contact Tracing
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
Positively confusing! I just got my third vaccine dose, but I tested positive for COVID19…..Now what? QUICK ANSWER: ➡️ Tell your healthcare provider you have had a positive test result right away. ➡️ Isolate for 10 days after symptoms appeared or after your positive test if you never had symptoms. ➡️ Make sure you don’t Read more…
POSTCARDS FROM THE UK: Buckle up America (and everywhere else).
COVID Variants Data and Metrics Infection and Spread
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
And by buckle up, I mean BOOST-UP. And take other sensible precautions, especially leading up to the holidays. Nerdy Girl Jenn (🇺🇸 in 🇬🇧 ) writing from not-so-sunny England, home of the strangest shaped epidemic curve ever seen (Figure 1). Delta has been raging here since June and never went away. Omicron has a significant Read more…
A.) TL; DR: Your eyes need a holiday! Increased time on screens is linked to vision changes, dry eyes, blurry vision, eye fatigue, and headaches. Here are some ocular health tips for you and your family. * GO OUTSIDE. Outdoor time exposes your eyes to a different type of light than screens. Bright natural light Read more…
What’s the best MASK to protect me from the Omicron variant?
COVID Variants MasksJennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: A well-fitted, high filtration mask such as N95, KN95, FFP2 or KF94. ⚠️ Omicron may be even more transmissible than previous variants, possibly due to faster replication in the upper airways, meaning people will expel lots of virus when breathing and talking. While vaccination is still your #1 defense against Omicron, it’s also a Read more…
Why should we get a booster with the existing COVID vaccine when a new one is in the works for Omicron?
COVID Variants Vaccines
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: Boosters with the original Pfizer and Moderna vaccines increase protection against the omicron variant…NOW. A few weeks ago we posted on results from Pfizer showing that: 🔵 A third dose of the original Pfizer vaccine increased neutralizing antibody titers against the omicron variant by 25-fold, compared to levels seen with only two doses 🔵 Read more…
Is it true that Omicron is less severe than previous variants?
COVID Variants
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: We HOPE so, but we don’t know yet. The evidence so far is mixed. TL;DR We are WAY past due for some good variant news. But pinning our Omicron hopes on a less virulent variant is not wise for two reasons: 1) It might not be less severe in those who are “immune naïve” Read more…
Can I boost with an mRNA vaccine if I got Sinovac or Sinopharm originally?
Vaccines
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
A: Yes, you can. If you got Sinovac or Sinopharm originally, it won’t hurt to boost with an mRNA vaccine–and it might help. No one really knows what the BEST combination is at this point, but overall protection is higher for those who do opt for a different brand booster shot. And most important, there Read more…
A slight delay to Pfizer’s vaccine trial for <5 year olds
Families/Kids Vaccines
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
💥Breaking News Friday💥 TL:DR: A slight delay to Pfizer’s vaccine trial for <5 year olds: The trial is adding a 3rd dose to boost immune response, and now expects submission of data “in the first half of 2022.” The vaccine news the past 12 months has mostly been WAY better than expected. Today the news Read more…
I just got my third vaccine dose, but I tested positive for COVID19…..Now what?
Infection and Spread Testing and Contact Tracing
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
Positively confusing! I just got my third vaccine dose, but I tested positive for COVID19…..Now what? QUICK ANSWER: ➡️ Tell your healthcare provider you have had a positive test result right away. ➡️ Isolate for 10 days after symptoms appeared or after your positive test if you never had symptoms. ➡️ Make sure you don’t Read more…
POSTCARDS FROM THE UK: Buckle up America (and everywhere else).
COVID Variants Data and Metrics Infection and Spread
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
And by buckle up, I mean BOOST-UP. And take other sensible precautions, especially leading up to the holidays. Nerdy Girl Jenn (🇺🇸 in 🇬🇧 ) writing from not-so-sunny England, home of the strangest shaped epidemic curve ever seen (Figure 1). Delta has been raging here since June and never went away. Omicron has a significant Read more…
A: A well-fitted, high filtration mask such as N95, KN95, FFP2 or KF94. ⚠️ Omicron may be even more transmissible than previous variants, possibly due to faster replication in the upper airways, meaning people will expel lots of virus when breathing and talking. While vaccination is still your #1 defense against Omicron, it’s also a Read more…
Why should we get a booster with the existing COVID vaccine when a new one is in the works for Omicron?
COVID Variants VaccinesAmanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: Boosters with the original Pfizer and Moderna vaccines increase protection against the omicron variant…NOW. A few weeks ago we posted on results from Pfizer showing that: 🔵 A third dose of the original Pfizer vaccine increased neutralizing antibody titers against the omicron variant by 25-fold, compared to levels seen with only two doses 🔵 Read more…
Is it true that Omicron is less severe than previous variants?
COVID Variants
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: We HOPE so, but we don’t know yet. The evidence so far is mixed. TL;DR We are WAY past due for some good variant news. But pinning our Omicron hopes on a less virulent variant is not wise for two reasons: 1) It might not be less severe in those who are “immune naïve” Read more…
Can I boost with an mRNA vaccine if I got Sinovac or Sinopharm originally?
Vaccines
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
A: Yes, you can. If you got Sinovac or Sinopharm originally, it won’t hurt to boost with an mRNA vaccine–and it might help. No one really knows what the BEST combination is at this point, but overall protection is higher for those who do opt for a different brand booster shot. And most important, there Read more…
A slight delay to Pfizer’s vaccine trial for <5 year olds
Families/Kids Vaccines
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
💥Breaking News Friday💥 TL:DR: A slight delay to Pfizer’s vaccine trial for <5 year olds: The trial is adding a 3rd dose to boost immune response, and now expects submission of data “in the first half of 2022.” The vaccine news the past 12 months has mostly been WAY better than expected. Today the news Read more…
I just got my third vaccine dose, but I tested positive for COVID19…..Now what?
Infection and Spread Testing and Contact Tracing
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
Positively confusing! I just got my third vaccine dose, but I tested positive for COVID19…..Now what? QUICK ANSWER: ➡️ Tell your healthcare provider you have had a positive test result right away. ➡️ Isolate for 10 days after symptoms appeared or after your positive test if you never had symptoms. ➡️ Make sure you don’t Read more…
POSTCARDS FROM THE UK: Buckle up America (and everywhere else).
COVID Variants Data and Metrics Infection and Spread
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
And by buckle up, I mean BOOST-UP. And take other sensible precautions, especially leading up to the holidays. Nerdy Girl Jenn (🇺🇸 in 🇬🇧 ) writing from not-so-sunny England, home of the strangest shaped epidemic curve ever seen (Figure 1). Delta has been raging here since June and never went away. Omicron has a significant Read more…
A: Boosters with the original Pfizer and Moderna vaccines increase protection against the omicron variant…NOW. A few weeks ago we posted on results from Pfizer showing that: 🔵 A third dose of the original Pfizer vaccine increased neutralizing antibody titers against the omicron variant by 25-fold, compared to levels seen with only two doses 🔵 Read more…
Is it true that Omicron is less severe than previous variants?
COVID VariantsJennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: We HOPE so, but we don’t know yet. The evidence so far is mixed. TL;DR We are WAY past due for some good variant news. But pinning our Omicron hopes on a less virulent variant is not wise for two reasons: 1) It might not be less severe in those who are “immune naïve” Read more…
Can I boost with an mRNA vaccine if I got Sinovac or Sinopharm originally?
Vaccines
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
A: Yes, you can. If you got Sinovac or Sinopharm originally, it won’t hurt to boost with an mRNA vaccine–and it might help. No one really knows what the BEST combination is at this point, but overall protection is higher for those who do opt for a different brand booster shot. And most important, there Read more…
A slight delay to Pfizer’s vaccine trial for <5 year olds
Families/Kids Vaccines
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
💥Breaking News Friday💥 TL:DR: A slight delay to Pfizer’s vaccine trial for <5 year olds: The trial is adding a 3rd dose to boost immune response, and now expects submission of data “in the first half of 2022.” The vaccine news the past 12 months has mostly been WAY better than expected. Today the news Read more…
I just got my third vaccine dose, but I tested positive for COVID19…..Now what?
Infection and Spread Testing and Contact Tracing
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
Positively confusing! I just got my third vaccine dose, but I tested positive for COVID19…..Now what? QUICK ANSWER: ➡️ Tell your healthcare provider you have had a positive test result right away. ➡️ Isolate for 10 days after symptoms appeared or after your positive test if you never had symptoms. ➡️ Make sure you don’t Read more…
POSTCARDS FROM THE UK: Buckle up America (and everywhere else).
COVID Variants Data and Metrics Infection and Spread
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
And by buckle up, I mean BOOST-UP. And take other sensible precautions, especially leading up to the holidays. Nerdy Girl Jenn (🇺🇸 in 🇬🇧 ) writing from not-so-sunny England, home of the strangest shaped epidemic curve ever seen (Figure 1). Delta has been raging here since June and never went away. Omicron has a significant Read more…
A: We HOPE so, but we don’t know yet. The evidence so far is mixed. TL;DR We are WAY past due for some good variant news. But pinning our Omicron hopes on a less virulent variant is not wise for two reasons: 1) It might not be less severe in those who are “immune naïve” Read more…
Can I boost with an mRNA vaccine if I got Sinovac or Sinopharm originally?
VaccinesMalia Jones, PhD MPH
A: Yes, you can. If you got Sinovac or Sinopharm originally, it won’t hurt to boost with an mRNA vaccine–and it might help. No one really knows what the BEST combination is at this point, but overall protection is higher for those who do opt for a different brand booster shot. And most important, there Read more…
A slight delay to Pfizer’s vaccine trial for <5 year olds
Families/Kids Vaccines
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
💥Breaking News Friday💥 TL:DR: A slight delay to Pfizer’s vaccine trial for <5 year olds: The trial is adding a 3rd dose to boost immune response, and now expects submission of data “in the first half of 2022.” The vaccine news the past 12 months has mostly been WAY better than expected. Today the news Read more…
I just got my third vaccine dose, but I tested positive for COVID19…..Now what?
Infection and Spread Testing and Contact Tracing
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
Positively confusing! I just got my third vaccine dose, but I tested positive for COVID19…..Now what? QUICK ANSWER: ➡️ Tell your healthcare provider you have had a positive test result right away. ➡️ Isolate for 10 days after symptoms appeared or after your positive test if you never had symptoms. ➡️ Make sure you don’t Read more…
POSTCARDS FROM THE UK: Buckle up America (and everywhere else).
COVID Variants Data and Metrics Infection and Spread
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
And by buckle up, I mean BOOST-UP. And take other sensible precautions, especially leading up to the holidays. Nerdy Girl Jenn (🇺🇸 in 🇬🇧 ) writing from not-so-sunny England, home of the strangest shaped epidemic curve ever seen (Figure 1). Delta has been raging here since June and never went away. Omicron has a significant Read more…
A: Yes, you can. If you got Sinovac or Sinopharm originally, it won’t hurt to boost with an mRNA vaccine–and it might help. No one really knows what the BEST combination is at this point, but overall protection is higher for those who do opt for a different brand booster shot. And most important, there Read more…
A slight delay to Pfizer’s vaccine trial for <5 year olds
Families/Kids VaccinesJennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
💥Breaking News Friday💥 TL:DR: A slight delay to Pfizer’s vaccine trial for <5 year olds: The trial is adding a 3rd dose to boost immune response, and now expects submission of data “in the first half of 2022.” The vaccine news the past 12 months has mostly been WAY better than expected. Today the news Read more…
I just got my third vaccine dose, but I tested positive for COVID19…..Now what?
Infection and Spread Testing and Contact Tracing
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
Positively confusing! I just got my third vaccine dose, but I tested positive for COVID19…..Now what? QUICK ANSWER: ➡️ Tell your healthcare provider you have had a positive test result right away. ➡️ Isolate for 10 days after symptoms appeared or after your positive test if you never had symptoms. ➡️ Make sure you don’t Read more…
POSTCARDS FROM THE UK: Buckle up America (and everywhere else).
COVID Variants Data and Metrics Infection and Spread
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
And by buckle up, I mean BOOST-UP. And take other sensible precautions, especially leading up to the holidays. Nerdy Girl Jenn (🇺🇸 in 🇬🇧 ) writing from not-so-sunny England, home of the strangest shaped epidemic curve ever seen (Figure 1). Delta has been raging here since June and never went away. Omicron has a significant Read more…
💥Breaking News Friday💥 TL:DR: A slight delay to Pfizer’s vaccine trial for <5 year olds: The trial is adding a 3rd dose to boost immune response, and now expects submission of data “in the first half of 2022.” The vaccine news the past 12 months has mostly been WAY better than expected. Today the news Read more…
I just got my third vaccine dose, but I tested positive for COVID19…..Now what?
Infection and Spread Testing and Contact TracingAparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
Positively confusing! I just got my third vaccine dose, but I tested positive for COVID19…..Now what? QUICK ANSWER: ➡️ Tell your healthcare provider you have had a positive test result right away. ➡️ Isolate for 10 days after symptoms appeared or after your positive test if you never had symptoms. ➡️ Make sure you don’t Read more…
POSTCARDS FROM THE UK: Buckle up America (and everywhere else).
COVID Variants Data and Metrics Infection and Spread
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
And by buckle up, I mean BOOST-UP. And take other sensible precautions, especially leading up to the holidays. Nerdy Girl Jenn (🇺🇸 in 🇬🇧 ) writing from not-so-sunny England, home of the strangest shaped epidemic curve ever seen (Figure 1). Delta has been raging here since June and never went away. Omicron has a significant Read more…
Positively confusing! I just got my third vaccine dose, but I tested positive for COVID19…..Now what? QUICK ANSWER: ➡️ Tell your healthcare provider you have had a positive test result right away. ➡️ Isolate for 10 days after symptoms appeared or after your positive test if you never had symptoms. ➡️ Make sure you don’t Read more…
POSTCARDS FROM THE UK: Buckle up America (and everywhere else).
COVID Variants Data and Metrics Infection and SpreadJennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
And by buckle up, I mean BOOST-UP. And take other sensible precautions, especially leading up to the holidays. Nerdy Girl Jenn (🇺🇸 in 🇬🇧 ) writing from not-so-sunny England, home of the strangest shaped epidemic curve ever seen (Figure 1). Delta has been raging here since June and never went away. Omicron has a significant Read more…
And by buckle up, I mean BOOST-UP. And take other sensible precautions, especially leading up to the holidays. Nerdy Girl Jenn (🇺🇸 in 🇬🇧 ) writing from not-so-sunny England, home of the strangest shaped epidemic curve ever seen (Figure 1). Delta has been raging here since June and never went away. Omicron has a significant Read more…
