POSTCARDS FROM THE UK: Delta Delta Delta
COVID Variants Data and Metrics
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
Cases continue to rise here in the UK, despite very high vaccination levels. The Delta variant now comprises over 90% of infections in the UK and is estimated to be 40-50% more transmissible than the previously dominant Alpha variant. The steep rise in cases despite high vaccination levels is a cautionary tale to the US Read more…
Did the World Health Organization say kids should *not* get the COVID-19 vaccine?
Uncertainty and Misinformation Vaccines
A: No. The WHO said that where vaccine supplies are limited, vaccinating children is not a priority. Viral social media posts and some popular anti-vaccine channels did a great job this week spreading misinformation about the World Health Organization’s stance on vaccinating children with available COVID-19 vaccines. As is often the case with misinformation, it’s Read more…
Dr. Lindsey Leininger Addresses “Hygiene Theatre”
Staying Safe Videos
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
Nerdy Girl Dr. Lindsey Leininger of Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth discussing “hygiene theatre” on the The Donlon Report: An over focus on cleaning can distract from the real priorities of getting vaxxed and minding your air. But be kind- it’s been a tough year & old habits die hard. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VD8OD4lsJBs Link to Original Read more…
Were COVID-19 vaccines developed too fast to be safe?
Vaccines
A: No. There are several reasons why COVID-19 vaccines were able to be developed safely AND quickly! Here’s how: *SARS-CoV-2 was new, but research on coronaviruses was not. Scientists have studied this family of viruses for a long time. They already knew that spike protein plays a key role in how coronaviruses enter our cells. Read more…
Why do I cough when I have a respiratory infection?
General Health
Q: Why do I cough when I have a respiratory infection? Is there a benefit or should I suppress it? A: A cough is one way the body protects the airway so we can breathe and exchange carbon dioxide (bad air) for oxygen (good air). Whether moving mucus which can block the airway or caused Read more…
UPDATE ON mRNA VACCINES AND MYOCARDITIS:
Vaccines
The U.S. CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) met today (June 23rd) to review evidence of rare reports of myocarditis (inflammation of the heart) following mRNA vaccination. 💥 KEY TAKEAWAYS: Scientists determined there IS likely an association between mRNA vaccines and myocarditis (inflammation of the heart) in adolescents and young adults—meaning the observed rates Read more…
Do I have the right to know if the health care workers taking care of me got the COVID-19 vaccine?”
Vaccines
A: You absolutely can ask your clinician (or any other professional you are interacting with) if they got the COVID-19 vaccine. But they don’t have to answer you. You do not have the right to know their vaccine status. But if you would be uncomfortable with a “no” or a no-answer, you should feel empowered Read more…
What is the likelihood that psychiatric issues will arise in COVID-19 survivors?
Mental Health
Q: It seems like COVID-19 can have some short and long-term effects on the brain. What is the likelihood that psychiatric issues will arise in COVID-19 survivors?” THE QUICK ANSWER: We do not yet know if SARS COV-2 can get to the brain (cross the blood brain barrier), but we have some evidence that more Read more…
If the Delta variant is more transmissible, are normal precautions (masks, 6 foot distance, being outside) less effective?
COVID Variants Staying Safe Vaccines
A: Luckily, no. Virus mutations still don’t defy the laws of physics. But we need to be more vigilant about existing precautions, including getting BOTH doses of your vaccination. TL;DR: The new variants are transmitted the same way as all the other variants of SARS-CoV-2, so you can reduce risk by using your #SMARTS: ↔️ Read more…
What is pandemic fatigue and what can I do about it?
Infection and Spread Mental Health
A: Pandemic fatigue can be defined as being in a fight or flight state for an extended period of time. This can cause a stress like reaction, which eventually leads to behavioral fatigue. In other words, initially many of us were fearful of the new virus and abided by restrictions such as limiting gatherings, avoiding Read more…
BIG Thank You to All School Nurses!
Families/Kids Women in STEM
Sending a BIG thank you to all the school nurses for everything they have done to keep students safe through an unpredictable school year. School nurses are a vital link between education and health for students. As health providers with expertise in school-age children, they are responsible for preventative measures and daily health management of Read more…
If I got the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, can I get the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine if a booster shot is needed?
Vaccines
A: Most likely. In fact, this “mix and match” strategy can lead to a more robust immune response overall, because different vaccines often cause the body to generate an immune response targeted against SARS-CoV-2 in slightly different ways! TL; DR Vaccines work by showing our immune system a W.A.N.T.E.D. poster of the SARS-CoV-2 virus so Read more…
Do COVID-19 vaccines lower sperm counts?
General Health Vaccines
A: Nope! You can knock that worry off your list. The COVID-19 mRNA vaccines do not lower sperm counts. A recent study looked at sperm counts before and after vaccination with an mRNA vaccine (either Pfizer or Moderna). The long and the short of it, there was no significant change in sperm count or any Read more…
Can COVID-19 vaccines alter or weaken my existing immune response against other viruses?
Biology/Immunity Vaccines
A. No. COVID-19 vaccines do not affect existing immune cells or antibodies that you have made against other viruses. Nor will it prevent you from making an immune response to another virus when you encounter it. 👉 TL;DR: Our immune system is designed for IMMENSE flexibility to be able to respond to thousands of pathogens Read more…
Cases continue to rise here in the UK, despite very high vaccination levels. The Delta variant now comprises over 90% of infections in the UK and is estimated to be 40-50% more transmissible than the previously dominant Alpha variant. The steep rise in cases despite high vaccination levels is a cautionary tale to the US Read more…
Did the World Health Organization say kids should *not* get the COVID-19 vaccine?
Uncertainty and Misinformation VaccinesA: No. The WHO said that where vaccine supplies are limited, vaccinating children is not a priority. Viral social media posts and some popular anti-vaccine channels did a great job this week spreading misinformation about the World Health Organization’s stance on vaccinating children with available COVID-19 vaccines. As is often the case with misinformation, it’s Read more…
Dr. Lindsey Leininger Addresses “Hygiene Theatre”
Staying Safe VideosJennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
Nerdy Girl Dr. Lindsey Leininger of Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth discussing “hygiene theatre” on the The Donlon Report: An over focus on cleaning can distract from the real priorities of getting vaxxed and minding your air. But be kind- it’s been a tough year & old habits die hard. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VD8OD4lsJBs Link to Original Read more…
Were COVID-19 vaccines developed too fast to be safe?
Vaccines
A: No. There are several reasons why COVID-19 vaccines were able to be developed safely AND quickly! Here’s how: *SARS-CoV-2 was new, but research on coronaviruses was not. Scientists have studied this family of viruses for a long time. They already knew that spike protein plays a key role in how coronaviruses enter our cells. Read more…
Why do I cough when I have a respiratory infection?
General Health
Q: Why do I cough when I have a respiratory infection? Is there a benefit or should I suppress it? A: A cough is one way the body protects the airway so we can breathe and exchange carbon dioxide (bad air) for oxygen (good air). Whether moving mucus which can block the airway or caused Read more…
UPDATE ON mRNA VACCINES AND MYOCARDITIS:
Vaccines
The U.S. CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) met today (June 23rd) to review evidence of rare reports of myocarditis (inflammation of the heart) following mRNA vaccination. 💥 KEY TAKEAWAYS: Scientists determined there IS likely an association between mRNA vaccines and myocarditis (inflammation of the heart) in adolescents and young adults—meaning the observed rates Read more…
Do I have the right to know if the health care workers taking care of me got the COVID-19 vaccine?”
Vaccines
A: You absolutely can ask your clinician (or any other professional you are interacting with) if they got the COVID-19 vaccine. But they don’t have to answer you. You do not have the right to know their vaccine status. But if you would be uncomfortable with a “no” or a no-answer, you should feel empowered Read more…
What is the likelihood that psychiatric issues will arise in COVID-19 survivors?
Mental Health
Q: It seems like COVID-19 can have some short and long-term effects on the brain. What is the likelihood that psychiatric issues will arise in COVID-19 survivors?” THE QUICK ANSWER: We do not yet know if SARS COV-2 can get to the brain (cross the blood brain barrier), but we have some evidence that more Read more…
If the Delta variant is more transmissible, are normal precautions (masks, 6 foot distance, being outside) less effective?
COVID Variants Staying Safe Vaccines
A: Luckily, no. Virus mutations still don’t defy the laws of physics. But we need to be more vigilant about existing precautions, including getting BOTH doses of your vaccination. TL;DR: The new variants are transmitted the same way as all the other variants of SARS-CoV-2, so you can reduce risk by using your #SMARTS: ↔️ Read more…
What is pandemic fatigue and what can I do about it?
Infection and Spread Mental Health
A: Pandemic fatigue can be defined as being in a fight or flight state for an extended period of time. This can cause a stress like reaction, which eventually leads to behavioral fatigue. In other words, initially many of us were fearful of the new virus and abided by restrictions such as limiting gatherings, avoiding Read more…
BIG Thank You to All School Nurses!
Families/Kids Women in STEM
Sending a BIG thank you to all the school nurses for everything they have done to keep students safe through an unpredictable school year. School nurses are a vital link between education and health for students. As health providers with expertise in school-age children, they are responsible for preventative measures and daily health management of Read more…
If I got the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, can I get the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine if a booster shot is needed?
Vaccines
A: Most likely. In fact, this “mix and match” strategy can lead to a more robust immune response overall, because different vaccines often cause the body to generate an immune response targeted against SARS-CoV-2 in slightly different ways! TL; DR Vaccines work by showing our immune system a W.A.N.T.E.D. poster of the SARS-CoV-2 virus so Read more…
Do COVID-19 vaccines lower sperm counts?
General Health Vaccines
A: Nope! You can knock that worry off your list. The COVID-19 mRNA vaccines do not lower sperm counts. A recent study looked at sperm counts before and after vaccination with an mRNA vaccine (either Pfizer or Moderna). The long and the short of it, there was no significant change in sperm count or any Read more…
Can COVID-19 vaccines alter or weaken my existing immune response against other viruses?
Biology/Immunity Vaccines
A. No. COVID-19 vaccines do not affect existing immune cells or antibodies that you have made against other viruses. Nor will it prevent you from making an immune response to another virus when you encounter it. 👉 TL;DR: Our immune system is designed for IMMENSE flexibility to be able to respond to thousands of pathogens Read more…
Nerdy Girl Dr. Lindsey Leininger of Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth discussing “hygiene theatre” on the The Donlon Report: An over focus on cleaning can distract from the real priorities of getting vaxxed and minding your air. But be kind- it’s been a tough year & old habits die hard. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VD8OD4lsJBs Link to Original Read more…
Were COVID-19 vaccines developed too fast to be safe?
VaccinesA: No. There are several reasons why COVID-19 vaccines were able to be developed safely AND quickly! Here’s how: *SARS-CoV-2 was new, but research on coronaviruses was not. Scientists have studied this family of viruses for a long time. They already knew that spike protein plays a key role in how coronaviruses enter our cells. Read more…
Why do I cough when I have a respiratory infection?
General HealthQ: Why do I cough when I have a respiratory infection? Is there a benefit or should I suppress it? A: A cough is one way the body protects the airway so we can breathe and exchange carbon dioxide (bad air) for oxygen (good air). Whether moving mucus which can block the airway or caused Read more…
UPDATE ON mRNA VACCINES AND MYOCARDITIS:
VaccinesThe U.S. CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) met today (June 23rd) to review evidence of rare reports of myocarditis (inflammation of the heart) following mRNA vaccination. 💥 KEY TAKEAWAYS: Scientists determined there IS likely an association between mRNA vaccines and myocarditis (inflammation of the heart) in adolescents and young adults—meaning the observed rates Read more…
Do I have the right to know if the health care workers taking care of me got the COVID-19 vaccine?”
VaccinesA: You absolutely can ask your clinician (or any other professional you are interacting with) if they got the COVID-19 vaccine. But they don’t have to answer you. You do not have the right to know their vaccine status. But if you would be uncomfortable with a “no” or a no-answer, you should feel empowered Read more…
What is the likelihood that psychiatric issues will arise in COVID-19 survivors?
Mental HealthQ: It seems like COVID-19 can have some short and long-term effects on the brain. What is the likelihood that psychiatric issues will arise in COVID-19 survivors?” THE QUICK ANSWER: We do not yet know if SARS COV-2 can get to the brain (cross the blood brain barrier), but we have some evidence that more Read more…
If the Delta variant is more transmissible, are normal precautions (masks, 6 foot distance, being outside) less effective?
COVID Variants Staying Safe VaccinesA: Luckily, no. Virus mutations still don’t defy the laws of physics. But we need to be more vigilant about existing precautions, including getting BOTH doses of your vaccination. TL;DR: The new variants are transmitted the same way as all the other variants of SARS-CoV-2, so you can reduce risk by using your #SMARTS: ↔️ Read more…
What is pandemic fatigue and what can I do about it?
Infection and Spread Mental HealthA: Pandemic fatigue can be defined as being in a fight or flight state for an extended period of time. This can cause a stress like reaction, which eventually leads to behavioral fatigue. In other words, initially many of us were fearful of the new virus and abided by restrictions such as limiting gatherings, avoiding Read more…
BIG Thank You to All School Nurses!
Families/Kids Women in STEMSending a BIG thank you to all the school nurses for everything they have done to keep students safe through an unpredictable school year. School nurses are a vital link between education and health for students. As health providers with expertise in school-age children, they are responsible for preventative measures and daily health management of Read more…
If I got the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, can I get the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine if a booster shot is needed?
VaccinesA: Most likely. In fact, this “mix and match” strategy can lead to a more robust immune response overall, because different vaccines often cause the body to generate an immune response targeted against SARS-CoV-2 in slightly different ways! TL; DR Vaccines work by showing our immune system a W.A.N.T.E.D. poster of the SARS-CoV-2 virus so Read more…
Do COVID-19 vaccines lower sperm counts?
General Health VaccinesA: Nope! You can knock that worry off your list. The COVID-19 mRNA vaccines do not lower sperm counts. A recent study looked at sperm counts before and after vaccination with an mRNA vaccine (either Pfizer or Moderna). The long and the short of it, there was no significant change in sperm count or any Read more…
Can COVID-19 vaccines alter or weaken my existing immune response against other viruses?
Biology/Immunity VaccinesA. No. COVID-19 vaccines do not affect existing immune cells or antibodies that you have made against other viruses. Nor will it prevent you from making an immune response to another virus when you encounter it. 👉 TL;DR: Our immune system is designed for IMMENSE flexibility to be able to respond to thousands of pathogens Read more…
