Posts from Those Nerdy Girls

All the posts from our Those Nerdy Girls Facebook page dating back to May 1st, 2020, are currently archived here and can be searched for by category, key words, etc. Be sure to check back often as additional posts are being added each day.

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Why does social distancing work?

Staying Safe

Q: Is this just another rule, or is there science behind it? A: Social distancing works to stop the spread of germs that are airborne after a cough, sneeze, singing, or even speaking. Some argue that the parameters are based on older science models. Newer models suggest that distances longer than 6 ft (2m) are Read more…

Is it a HIPAA violation for someone to ask me if I got the Covid-19 vaccine?

Vaccines

A: No. Businesses, employers, family, or friends can ask about someone’s vaccine status without violating HIPAA. The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) is a US federal law that created national standards to protect patient health information from being disclosed without that person’s consent. This law only applies to certain organizations and businesses, called Read more…

What is gene therapy? How is it different from vaccines?

Biology/Immunity Uncertainty and Misinformation Vaccines

A: Gene therapies treat diseases using genetic tools. They usually work by making lasting changes to your DNA — the genetic “cookbook” that provides instructions to make you. Vaccines, by contrast, deliver a short-lived signal (e.g. a burst of protein), then disappear. Vaccines and gene therapies both use customized genetic tools to achieve their goals. Read more…