2021 isn’t turning out to be the calm, awesome year I’d hoped for. Can we start over?
Mental HealthLindsey Leininger, PhD MA
A: Sigh. From riots to record pandemic death tolls, anxieties are running high … and our resolutions have stalled out already. Research shows that taking a step back to ask what matters most (and why) can help shore up well-being, even in tumultuous times. Read more for a purpose-finding playbook. The good news is living Read more…
January 11, 2021
What new information do we have about the B.1.1.7 variant?
Biology/Immunity Infection and Spread Vaccines
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: This is an evolving situation. Actions today could result in great success or tragic loss. Key take aways— B.1.1.7 is in the US. Growing evidence suggests the B.1.1.7 variant spreads more easily than previous variants. New evidence supports the hypothesis that current vaccines are effective against B.1.1.7. Early efforts to contain B.1.1.7 buys time Read more…
January 10, 2021
Meet Those Nerdy Girls – Dr. Aparna Kumar
Uncategorized
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
This week we are delighted to be introducing our readers to nerdy girl extraordinaire, Dr. Aparna Kumar, PhD, MPH, CRNP. Dr. Kumar is a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP-BC) and researcher specializing in child, adolescent, and women’s mental health. Her career has focused on decreasing stigma in mental health through research and education. As Read more…
January 9, 2021
Melatonin and COVID-19
Treatments
Lauren Hale, PhD MA
Q: I’m seeing chatter around a study re: melatonin and COVID-19 prevention and recovery. Should we be taking melatonin every night? What’s an appropriate amount to avoid disrupting our sleep hormones TOO much and having a dose that might actually help?” A: TL;DR: Sufficient restorative sleep is essential for a healthy immune system. Melatonin, which Read more…
January 9, 2021
Dear Pandemic COVID Q&A
Uncertainty and Misinformation Vaccines Videos
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
In this live Q&A, Drs. Malia Jones & Ashley Ritter will be tackling pandemic questions from our readers. Today’s we’re answering questions from readers about whether you should get the vaccine if you’ve already had COVID and much more! ➡️ Welcome and NG Ashley gets her vax! (0:00-3:07) ➡️ Vaccination info for those who have Read more…
January 8, 2021
Is there any truth that ivermectin prevents or lessens the severity of COVID-19?
Treatments Uncertainty and Misinformation
Sandra Albrecht, PhD MPH
A. So far, we still have no evidence from well-designed randomized clinical trials (RCTs) that ivermectin is safe and effective for the prevention or treatment of COVID-19. However, several RCTs are currently underway which will hopefully provide us with an answer to this important question. ➡️What is ivermectin? Ivermectin (Iv) is a drug FDA-approved for Read more…
January 7, 2021
What is the relationship of Antibody-Dependent Enhancement (ADE) to heightened COVID symptoms?
Vaccines
Michelle Kinder, PhD
Q: Is this a worry with the vaccine? What about with reinfection?” A: Antibody-dependent enhancement or ADE is not a concern with the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines and will not likely be a concern with the other vaccines that will be approved. Vaccine developers and the FDA are all looking carefully for any evidence of Read more…
January 7, 2021
Are usual precautions effective against new strain of COVID-19?
Infection and Spread Staying Safe
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
Q: The new coronavirus strain is more transmissible than the older strain. Does this mean our usual precautions (masks, 6 foot distance, being outside) are less effective? A: Luckily, no. Virus mutations still don’t defy the laws of physics. But we need to be more vigilant about existing precautions. The new variant is transmitted the Read more…
January 6, 2021
New Rapid Home Test for COVID-19
Infection and Spread Testing and Contact Tracing
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
Q: I heard that the FDA approved several new rapid home test for diagnosis of COVID-19. Are the rapid tests just as good as the others? Can I take this one before I visit family? A: TL; DR: No, rapid tests are not quite as good at picking up positives (someone who really has COVID-19) Read more…
January 6, 2021
Why is vaccine rollout so slow!?!
Vaccines
Alison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
Q: Why can’t we get available vaccine doses administered more quickly? A: Many factors: The holidays, lack of funding, staffing and logistical challenges, getting large-scale vaccine operations up and running, sticking to prioritization schemes, and lower take-up among high-priority groups. Things should be speeding up in the next few weeks. It’s frustrating to see statistics Read more…
January 5, 2021
What does it mean when hospitals are talking about starting “Crisis Standards of Care?”
Treatments
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
A: As many places see a significant surge in COVID19 cases, hospitals and resources become strained. Crisis standards of care represent a big change from usual healthcare made necessary by a major disaster. ➡️So, what does that actually mean? Crisis standards help guide decisions that must be made in extreme scarcity of resources (including staff, Read more…
January 5, 2021
A happier, healthier 2021 sounds great… but how do I make it happen?
Mental Health
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
Q: A happier, healthier 2021 sounds great… but how do I make it happen? I’m not really feeling up for New Year’s Resolutions this year. A: Get yourself ship-shape for 2021 with an anchors, sails and rudders exercise that honors the lessons we’ve learned in 2020 while also prioritizing forward movement for 2021. Psychologists (and Read more…
January 4, 2021
I’m reading that the new strain of COVID-19 is 70% more transmissible. What does this mean? How transmissible was the first strain?
Infection and Spread
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
A: “Transmissibility” in infectious disease means how readily it is passed from one person to another, given the peculiarities of a specific time and place (in this case, in the UK this Fall). Transmissibility is measured in numbers with something called R-value. The R-value for the old SARS-CoV-2 variant was hovering right around 1 (in Read more…
January 4, 2021
Are we over-counting COVID-19 deaths?
Data and Metrics Data Literacy
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
Q: Wouldn’t lots of people dying of COVID19 be dying from other causes anyway? A: Sadly, we are likely UNDER-counting deaths due to COVID-19. Among the COVID-19 myths that just won’t die, we continue to hear chatter that COVID-19 deaths are being over-counted, such as stories of victims of motorcycle accidents getting tested in the Read more…
January 3, 2021
Meet Those Nerdy Girls – Dr. Jennifer Beam Dowd
Uncategorized
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
This week we are featuring Dr. Jennifer Beam Dowd, our incoming Nerdy Girl-In-Chief & scientist extraordinaire. Dr. Dowd is a health and social scientist who identifies most as a “demographer.” What’s a demographer? We’re glad you asked. Dr. Dowd uses statistics to study patterns in human populations–especially how long people live and why. Her impressive Read more…
A: Sigh. From riots to record pandemic death tolls, anxieties are running high … and our resolutions have stalled out already. Research shows that taking a step back to ask what matters most (and why) can help shore up well-being, even in tumultuous times. Read more for a purpose-finding playbook. The good news is living Read more…
What new information do we have about the B.1.1.7 variant?
Biology/Immunity Infection and Spread VaccinesAshley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: This is an evolving situation. Actions today could result in great success or tragic loss. Key take aways— B.1.1.7 is in the US. Growing evidence suggests the B.1.1.7 variant spreads more easily than previous variants. New evidence supports the hypothesis that current vaccines are effective against B.1.1.7. Early efforts to contain B.1.1.7 buys time Read more…
January 10, 2021
Meet Those Nerdy Girls – Dr. Aparna Kumar
Uncategorized
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
This week we are delighted to be introducing our readers to nerdy girl extraordinaire, Dr. Aparna Kumar, PhD, MPH, CRNP. Dr. Kumar is a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP-BC) and researcher specializing in child, adolescent, and women’s mental health. Her career has focused on decreasing stigma in mental health through research and education. As Read more…
January 9, 2021
Melatonin and COVID-19
Treatments
Lauren Hale, PhD MA
Q: I’m seeing chatter around a study re: melatonin and COVID-19 prevention and recovery. Should we be taking melatonin every night? What’s an appropriate amount to avoid disrupting our sleep hormones TOO much and having a dose that might actually help?” A: TL;DR: Sufficient restorative sleep is essential for a healthy immune system. Melatonin, which Read more…
January 9, 2021
Dear Pandemic COVID Q&A
Uncertainty and Misinformation Vaccines Videos
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
In this live Q&A, Drs. Malia Jones & Ashley Ritter will be tackling pandemic questions from our readers. Today’s we’re answering questions from readers about whether you should get the vaccine if you’ve already had COVID and much more! ➡️ Welcome and NG Ashley gets her vax! (0:00-3:07) ➡️ Vaccination info for those who have Read more…
January 8, 2021
Is there any truth that ivermectin prevents or lessens the severity of COVID-19?
Treatments Uncertainty and Misinformation
Sandra Albrecht, PhD MPH
A. So far, we still have no evidence from well-designed randomized clinical trials (RCTs) that ivermectin is safe and effective for the prevention or treatment of COVID-19. However, several RCTs are currently underway which will hopefully provide us with an answer to this important question. ➡️What is ivermectin? Ivermectin (Iv) is a drug FDA-approved for Read more…
January 7, 2021
What is the relationship of Antibody-Dependent Enhancement (ADE) to heightened COVID symptoms?
Vaccines
Michelle Kinder, PhD
Q: Is this a worry with the vaccine? What about with reinfection?” A: Antibody-dependent enhancement or ADE is not a concern with the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines and will not likely be a concern with the other vaccines that will be approved. Vaccine developers and the FDA are all looking carefully for any evidence of Read more…
January 7, 2021
Are usual precautions effective against new strain of COVID-19?
Infection and Spread Staying Safe
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
Q: The new coronavirus strain is more transmissible than the older strain. Does this mean our usual precautions (masks, 6 foot distance, being outside) are less effective? A: Luckily, no. Virus mutations still don’t defy the laws of physics. But we need to be more vigilant about existing precautions. The new variant is transmitted the Read more…
January 6, 2021
New Rapid Home Test for COVID-19
Infection and Spread Testing and Contact Tracing
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
Q: I heard that the FDA approved several new rapid home test for diagnosis of COVID-19. Are the rapid tests just as good as the others? Can I take this one before I visit family? A: TL; DR: No, rapid tests are not quite as good at picking up positives (someone who really has COVID-19) Read more…
January 6, 2021
Why is vaccine rollout so slow!?!
Vaccines
Alison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
Q: Why can’t we get available vaccine doses administered more quickly? A: Many factors: The holidays, lack of funding, staffing and logistical challenges, getting large-scale vaccine operations up and running, sticking to prioritization schemes, and lower take-up among high-priority groups. Things should be speeding up in the next few weeks. It’s frustrating to see statistics Read more…
January 5, 2021
What does it mean when hospitals are talking about starting “Crisis Standards of Care?”
Treatments
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
A: As many places see a significant surge in COVID19 cases, hospitals and resources become strained. Crisis standards of care represent a big change from usual healthcare made necessary by a major disaster. ➡️So, what does that actually mean? Crisis standards help guide decisions that must be made in extreme scarcity of resources (including staff, Read more…
January 5, 2021
A happier, healthier 2021 sounds great… but how do I make it happen?
Mental Health
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
Q: A happier, healthier 2021 sounds great… but how do I make it happen? I’m not really feeling up for New Year’s Resolutions this year. A: Get yourself ship-shape for 2021 with an anchors, sails and rudders exercise that honors the lessons we’ve learned in 2020 while also prioritizing forward movement for 2021. Psychologists (and Read more…
January 4, 2021
I’m reading that the new strain of COVID-19 is 70% more transmissible. What does this mean? How transmissible was the first strain?
Infection and Spread
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
A: “Transmissibility” in infectious disease means how readily it is passed from one person to another, given the peculiarities of a specific time and place (in this case, in the UK this Fall). Transmissibility is measured in numbers with something called R-value. The R-value for the old SARS-CoV-2 variant was hovering right around 1 (in Read more…
January 4, 2021
Are we over-counting COVID-19 deaths?
Data and Metrics Data Literacy
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
Q: Wouldn’t lots of people dying of COVID19 be dying from other causes anyway? A: Sadly, we are likely UNDER-counting deaths due to COVID-19. Among the COVID-19 myths that just won’t die, we continue to hear chatter that COVID-19 deaths are being over-counted, such as stories of victims of motorcycle accidents getting tested in the Read more…
January 3, 2021
Meet Those Nerdy Girls – Dr. Jennifer Beam Dowd
Uncategorized
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
This week we are featuring Dr. Jennifer Beam Dowd, our incoming Nerdy Girl-In-Chief & scientist extraordinaire. Dr. Dowd is a health and social scientist who identifies most as a “demographer.” What’s a demographer? We’re glad you asked. Dr. Dowd uses statistics to study patterns in human populations–especially how long people live and why. Her impressive Read more…
A: This is an evolving situation. Actions today could result in great success or tragic loss. Key take aways— B.1.1.7 is in the US. Growing evidence suggests the B.1.1.7 variant spreads more easily than previous variants. New evidence supports the hypothesis that current vaccines are effective against B.1.1.7. Early efforts to contain B.1.1.7 buys time Read more…
Meet Those Nerdy Girls – Dr. Aparna Kumar
UncategorizedMalia Jones, PhD MPH
This week we are delighted to be introducing our readers to nerdy girl extraordinaire, Dr. Aparna Kumar, PhD, MPH, CRNP. Dr. Kumar is a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP-BC) and researcher specializing in child, adolescent, and women’s mental health. Her career has focused on decreasing stigma in mental health through research and education. As Read more…
January 9, 2021
Melatonin and COVID-19
Treatments
Lauren Hale, PhD MA
Q: I’m seeing chatter around a study re: melatonin and COVID-19 prevention and recovery. Should we be taking melatonin every night? What’s an appropriate amount to avoid disrupting our sleep hormones TOO much and having a dose that might actually help?” A: TL;DR: Sufficient restorative sleep is essential for a healthy immune system. Melatonin, which Read more…
January 9, 2021
Dear Pandemic COVID Q&A
Uncertainty and Misinformation Vaccines Videos
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
In this live Q&A, Drs. Malia Jones & Ashley Ritter will be tackling pandemic questions from our readers. Today’s we’re answering questions from readers about whether you should get the vaccine if you’ve already had COVID and much more! ➡️ Welcome and NG Ashley gets her vax! (0:00-3:07) ➡️ Vaccination info for those who have Read more…
January 8, 2021
Is there any truth that ivermectin prevents or lessens the severity of COVID-19?
Treatments Uncertainty and Misinformation
Sandra Albrecht, PhD MPH
A. So far, we still have no evidence from well-designed randomized clinical trials (RCTs) that ivermectin is safe and effective for the prevention or treatment of COVID-19. However, several RCTs are currently underway which will hopefully provide us with an answer to this important question. ➡️What is ivermectin? Ivermectin (Iv) is a drug FDA-approved for Read more…
January 7, 2021
What is the relationship of Antibody-Dependent Enhancement (ADE) to heightened COVID symptoms?
Vaccines
Michelle Kinder, PhD
Q: Is this a worry with the vaccine? What about with reinfection?” A: Antibody-dependent enhancement or ADE is not a concern with the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines and will not likely be a concern with the other vaccines that will be approved. Vaccine developers and the FDA are all looking carefully for any evidence of Read more…
January 7, 2021
Are usual precautions effective against new strain of COVID-19?
Infection and Spread Staying Safe
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
Q: The new coronavirus strain is more transmissible than the older strain. Does this mean our usual precautions (masks, 6 foot distance, being outside) are less effective? A: Luckily, no. Virus mutations still don’t defy the laws of physics. But we need to be more vigilant about existing precautions. The new variant is transmitted the Read more…
January 6, 2021
New Rapid Home Test for COVID-19
Infection and Spread Testing and Contact Tracing
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
Q: I heard that the FDA approved several new rapid home test for diagnosis of COVID-19. Are the rapid tests just as good as the others? Can I take this one before I visit family? A: TL; DR: No, rapid tests are not quite as good at picking up positives (someone who really has COVID-19) Read more…
January 6, 2021
Why is vaccine rollout so slow!?!
Vaccines
Alison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
Q: Why can’t we get available vaccine doses administered more quickly? A: Many factors: The holidays, lack of funding, staffing and logistical challenges, getting large-scale vaccine operations up and running, sticking to prioritization schemes, and lower take-up among high-priority groups. Things should be speeding up in the next few weeks. It’s frustrating to see statistics Read more…
January 5, 2021
What does it mean when hospitals are talking about starting “Crisis Standards of Care?”
Treatments
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
A: As many places see a significant surge in COVID19 cases, hospitals and resources become strained. Crisis standards of care represent a big change from usual healthcare made necessary by a major disaster. ➡️So, what does that actually mean? Crisis standards help guide decisions that must be made in extreme scarcity of resources (including staff, Read more…
January 5, 2021
A happier, healthier 2021 sounds great… but how do I make it happen?
Mental Health
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
Q: A happier, healthier 2021 sounds great… but how do I make it happen? I’m not really feeling up for New Year’s Resolutions this year. A: Get yourself ship-shape for 2021 with an anchors, sails and rudders exercise that honors the lessons we’ve learned in 2020 while also prioritizing forward movement for 2021. Psychologists (and Read more…
January 4, 2021
I’m reading that the new strain of COVID-19 is 70% more transmissible. What does this mean? How transmissible was the first strain?
Infection and Spread
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
A: “Transmissibility” in infectious disease means how readily it is passed from one person to another, given the peculiarities of a specific time and place (in this case, in the UK this Fall). Transmissibility is measured in numbers with something called R-value. The R-value for the old SARS-CoV-2 variant was hovering right around 1 (in Read more…
January 4, 2021
Are we over-counting COVID-19 deaths?
Data and Metrics Data Literacy
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
Q: Wouldn’t lots of people dying of COVID19 be dying from other causes anyway? A: Sadly, we are likely UNDER-counting deaths due to COVID-19. Among the COVID-19 myths that just won’t die, we continue to hear chatter that COVID-19 deaths are being over-counted, such as stories of victims of motorcycle accidents getting tested in the Read more…
January 3, 2021
Meet Those Nerdy Girls – Dr. Jennifer Beam Dowd
Uncategorized
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
This week we are featuring Dr. Jennifer Beam Dowd, our incoming Nerdy Girl-In-Chief & scientist extraordinaire. Dr. Dowd is a health and social scientist who identifies most as a “demographer.” What’s a demographer? We’re glad you asked. Dr. Dowd uses statistics to study patterns in human populations–especially how long people live and why. Her impressive Read more…
This week we are delighted to be introducing our readers to nerdy girl extraordinaire, Dr. Aparna Kumar, PhD, MPH, CRNP. Dr. Kumar is a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP-BC) and researcher specializing in child, adolescent, and women’s mental health. Her career has focused on decreasing stigma in mental health through research and education. As Read more…
Melatonin and COVID-19
TreatmentsLauren Hale, PhD MA
Q: I’m seeing chatter around a study re: melatonin and COVID-19 prevention and recovery. Should we be taking melatonin every night? What’s an appropriate amount to avoid disrupting our sleep hormones TOO much and having a dose that might actually help?” A: TL;DR: Sufficient restorative sleep is essential for a healthy immune system. Melatonin, which Read more…
January 9, 2021
Dear Pandemic COVID Q&A
Uncertainty and Misinformation Vaccines Videos
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
In this live Q&A, Drs. Malia Jones & Ashley Ritter will be tackling pandemic questions from our readers. Today’s we’re answering questions from readers about whether you should get the vaccine if you’ve already had COVID and much more! ➡️ Welcome and NG Ashley gets her vax! (0:00-3:07) ➡️ Vaccination info for those who have Read more…
January 8, 2021
Is there any truth that ivermectin prevents or lessens the severity of COVID-19?
Treatments Uncertainty and Misinformation
Sandra Albrecht, PhD MPH
A. So far, we still have no evidence from well-designed randomized clinical trials (RCTs) that ivermectin is safe and effective for the prevention or treatment of COVID-19. However, several RCTs are currently underway which will hopefully provide us with an answer to this important question. ➡️What is ivermectin? Ivermectin (Iv) is a drug FDA-approved for Read more…
January 7, 2021
What is the relationship of Antibody-Dependent Enhancement (ADE) to heightened COVID symptoms?
Vaccines
Michelle Kinder, PhD
Q: Is this a worry with the vaccine? What about with reinfection?” A: Antibody-dependent enhancement or ADE is not a concern with the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines and will not likely be a concern with the other vaccines that will be approved. Vaccine developers and the FDA are all looking carefully for any evidence of Read more…
January 7, 2021
Are usual precautions effective against new strain of COVID-19?
Infection and Spread Staying Safe
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
Q: The new coronavirus strain is more transmissible than the older strain. Does this mean our usual precautions (masks, 6 foot distance, being outside) are less effective? A: Luckily, no. Virus mutations still don’t defy the laws of physics. But we need to be more vigilant about existing precautions. The new variant is transmitted the Read more…
January 6, 2021
New Rapid Home Test for COVID-19
Infection and Spread Testing and Contact Tracing
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
Q: I heard that the FDA approved several new rapid home test for diagnosis of COVID-19. Are the rapid tests just as good as the others? Can I take this one before I visit family? A: TL; DR: No, rapid tests are not quite as good at picking up positives (someone who really has COVID-19) Read more…
January 6, 2021
Why is vaccine rollout so slow!?!
Vaccines
Alison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
Q: Why can’t we get available vaccine doses administered more quickly? A: Many factors: The holidays, lack of funding, staffing and logistical challenges, getting large-scale vaccine operations up and running, sticking to prioritization schemes, and lower take-up among high-priority groups. Things should be speeding up in the next few weeks. It’s frustrating to see statistics Read more…
January 5, 2021
What does it mean when hospitals are talking about starting “Crisis Standards of Care?”
Treatments
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
A: As many places see a significant surge in COVID19 cases, hospitals and resources become strained. Crisis standards of care represent a big change from usual healthcare made necessary by a major disaster. ➡️So, what does that actually mean? Crisis standards help guide decisions that must be made in extreme scarcity of resources (including staff, Read more…
January 5, 2021
A happier, healthier 2021 sounds great… but how do I make it happen?
Mental Health
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
Q: A happier, healthier 2021 sounds great… but how do I make it happen? I’m not really feeling up for New Year’s Resolutions this year. A: Get yourself ship-shape for 2021 with an anchors, sails and rudders exercise that honors the lessons we’ve learned in 2020 while also prioritizing forward movement for 2021. Psychologists (and Read more…
January 4, 2021
I’m reading that the new strain of COVID-19 is 70% more transmissible. What does this mean? How transmissible was the first strain?
Infection and Spread
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
A: “Transmissibility” in infectious disease means how readily it is passed from one person to another, given the peculiarities of a specific time and place (in this case, in the UK this Fall). Transmissibility is measured in numbers with something called R-value. The R-value for the old SARS-CoV-2 variant was hovering right around 1 (in Read more…
January 4, 2021
Are we over-counting COVID-19 deaths?
Data and Metrics Data Literacy
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
Q: Wouldn’t lots of people dying of COVID19 be dying from other causes anyway? A: Sadly, we are likely UNDER-counting deaths due to COVID-19. Among the COVID-19 myths that just won’t die, we continue to hear chatter that COVID-19 deaths are being over-counted, such as stories of victims of motorcycle accidents getting tested in the Read more…
January 3, 2021
Meet Those Nerdy Girls – Dr. Jennifer Beam Dowd
Uncategorized
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
This week we are featuring Dr. Jennifer Beam Dowd, our incoming Nerdy Girl-In-Chief & scientist extraordinaire. Dr. Dowd is a health and social scientist who identifies most as a “demographer.” What’s a demographer? We’re glad you asked. Dr. Dowd uses statistics to study patterns in human populations–especially how long people live and why. Her impressive Read more…
Q: I’m seeing chatter around a study re: melatonin and COVID-19 prevention and recovery. Should we be taking melatonin every night? What’s an appropriate amount to avoid disrupting our sleep hormones TOO much and having a dose that might actually help?” A: TL;DR: Sufficient restorative sleep is essential for a healthy immune system. Melatonin, which Read more…
Dear Pandemic COVID Q&A
Uncertainty and Misinformation Vaccines VideosMalia Jones, PhD MPH
In this live Q&A, Drs. Malia Jones & Ashley Ritter will be tackling pandemic questions from our readers. Today’s we’re answering questions from readers about whether you should get the vaccine if you’ve already had COVID and much more! ➡️ Welcome and NG Ashley gets her vax! (0:00-3:07) ➡️ Vaccination info for those who have Read more…
January 8, 2021
Is there any truth that ivermectin prevents or lessens the severity of COVID-19?
Treatments Uncertainty and Misinformation
Sandra Albrecht, PhD MPH
A. So far, we still have no evidence from well-designed randomized clinical trials (RCTs) that ivermectin is safe and effective for the prevention or treatment of COVID-19. However, several RCTs are currently underway which will hopefully provide us with an answer to this important question. ➡️What is ivermectin? Ivermectin (Iv) is a drug FDA-approved for Read more…
January 7, 2021
What is the relationship of Antibody-Dependent Enhancement (ADE) to heightened COVID symptoms?
Vaccines
Michelle Kinder, PhD
Q: Is this a worry with the vaccine? What about with reinfection?” A: Antibody-dependent enhancement or ADE is not a concern with the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines and will not likely be a concern with the other vaccines that will be approved. Vaccine developers and the FDA are all looking carefully for any evidence of Read more…
January 7, 2021
Are usual precautions effective against new strain of COVID-19?
Infection and Spread Staying Safe
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
Q: The new coronavirus strain is more transmissible than the older strain. Does this mean our usual precautions (masks, 6 foot distance, being outside) are less effective? A: Luckily, no. Virus mutations still don’t defy the laws of physics. But we need to be more vigilant about existing precautions. The new variant is transmitted the Read more…
January 6, 2021
New Rapid Home Test for COVID-19
Infection and Spread Testing and Contact Tracing
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
Q: I heard that the FDA approved several new rapid home test for diagnosis of COVID-19. Are the rapid tests just as good as the others? Can I take this one before I visit family? A: TL; DR: No, rapid tests are not quite as good at picking up positives (someone who really has COVID-19) Read more…
January 6, 2021
Why is vaccine rollout so slow!?!
Vaccines
Alison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
Q: Why can’t we get available vaccine doses administered more quickly? A: Many factors: The holidays, lack of funding, staffing and logistical challenges, getting large-scale vaccine operations up and running, sticking to prioritization schemes, and lower take-up among high-priority groups. Things should be speeding up in the next few weeks. It’s frustrating to see statistics Read more…
January 5, 2021
What does it mean when hospitals are talking about starting “Crisis Standards of Care?”
Treatments
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
A: As many places see a significant surge in COVID19 cases, hospitals and resources become strained. Crisis standards of care represent a big change from usual healthcare made necessary by a major disaster. ➡️So, what does that actually mean? Crisis standards help guide decisions that must be made in extreme scarcity of resources (including staff, Read more…
January 5, 2021
A happier, healthier 2021 sounds great… but how do I make it happen?
Mental Health
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
Q: A happier, healthier 2021 sounds great… but how do I make it happen? I’m not really feeling up for New Year’s Resolutions this year. A: Get yourself ship-shape for 2021 with an anchors, sails and rudders exercise that honors the lessons we’ve learned in 2020 while also prioritizing forward movement for 2021. Psychologists (and Read more…
January 4, 2021
I’m reading that the new strain of COVID-19 is 70% more transmissible. What does this mean? How transmissible was the first strain?
Infection and Spread
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
A: “Transmissibility” in infectious disease means how readily it is passed from one person to another, given the peculiarities of a specific time and place (in this case, in the UK this Fall). Transmissibility is measured in numbers with something called R-value. The R-value for the old SARS-CoV-2 variant was hovering right around 1 (in Read more…
January 4, 2021
Are we over-counting COVID-19 deaths?
Data and Metrics Data Literacy
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
Q: Wouldn’t lots of people dying of COVID19 be dying from other causes anyway? A: Sadly, we are likely UNDER-counting deaths due to COVID-19. Among the COVID-19 myths that just won’t die, we continue to hear chatter that COVID-19 deaths are being over-counted, such as stories of victims of motorcycle accidents getting tested in the Read more…
January 3, 2021
Meet Those Nerdy Girls – Dr. Jennifer Beam Dowd
Uncategorized
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
This week we are featuring Dr. Jennifer Beam Dowd, our incoming Nerdy Girl-In-Chief & scientist extraordinaire. Dr. Dowd is a health and social scientist who identifies most as a “demographer.” What’s a demographer? We’re glad you asked. Dr. Dowd uses statistics to study patterns in human populations–especially how long people live and why. Her impressive Read more…
In this live Q&A, Drs. Malia Jones & Ashley Ritter will be tackling pandemic questions from our readers. Today’s we’re answering questions from readers about whether you should get the vaccine if you’ve already had COVID and much more! ➡️ Welcome and NG Ashley gets her vax! (0:00-3:07) ➡️ Vaccination info for those who have Read more…
Is there any truth that ivermectin prevents or lessens the severity of COVID-19?
Treatments Uncertainty and MisinformationSandra Albrecht, PhD MPH
A. So far, we still have no evidence from well-designed randomized clinical trials (RCTs) that ivermectin is safe and effective for the prevention or treatment of COVID-19. However, several RCTs are currently underway which will hopefully provide us with an answer to this important question. ➡️What is ivermectin? Ivermectin (Iv) is a drug FDA-approved for Read more…
January 7, 2021
What is the relationship of Antibody-Dependent Enhancement (ADE) to heightened COVID symptoms?
Vaccines
Michelle Kinder, PhD
Q: Is this a worry with the vaccine? What about with reinfection?” A: Antibody-dependent enhancement or ADE is not a concern with the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines and will not likely be a concern with the other vaccines that will be approved. Vaccine developers and the FDA are all looking carefully for any evidence of Read more…
January 7, 2021
Are usual precautions effective against new strain of COVID-19?
Infection and Spread Staying Safe
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
Q: The new coronavirus strain is more transmissible than the older strain. Does this mean our usual precautions (masks, 6 foot distance, being outside) are less effective? A: Luckily, no. Virus mutations still don’t defy the laws of physics. But we need to be more vigilant about existing precautions. The new variant is transmitted the Read more…
January 6, 2021
New Rapid Home Test for COVID-19
Infection and Spread Testing and Contact Tracing
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
Q: I heard that the FDA approved several new rapid home test for diagnosis of COVID-19. Are the rapid tests just as good as the others? Can I take this one before I visit family? A: TL; DR: No, rapid tests are not quite as good at picking up positives (someone who really has COVID-19) Read more…
January 6, 2021
Why is vaccine rollout so slow!?!
Vaccines
Alison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
Q: Why can’t we get available vaccine doses administered more quickly? A: Many factors: The holidays, lack of funding, staffing and logistical challenges, getting large-scale vaccine operations up and running, sticking to prioritization schemes, and lower take-up among high-priority groups. Things should be speeding up in the next few weeks. It’s frustrating to see statistics Read more…
January 5, 2021
What does it mean when hospitals are talking about starting “Crisis Standards of Care?”
Treatments
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
A: As many places see a significant surge in COVID19 cases, hospitals and resources become strained. Crisis standards of care represent a big change from usual healthcare made necessary by a major disaster. ➡️So, what does that actually mean? Crisis standards help guide decisions that must be made in extreme scarcity of resources (including staff, Read more…
January 5, 2021
A happier, healthier 2021 sounds great… but how do I make it happen?
Mental Health
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
Q: A happier, healthier 2021 sounds great… but how do I make it happen? I’m not really feeling up for New Year’s Resolutions this year. A: Get yourself ship-shape for 2021 with an anchors, sails and rudders exercise that honors the lessons we’ve learned in 2020 while also prioritizing forward movement for 2021. Psychologists (and Read more…
January 4, 2021
I’m reading that the new strain of COVID-19 is 70% more transmissible. What does this mean? How transmissible was the first strain?
Infection and Spread
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
A: “Transmissibility” in infectious disease means how readily it is passed from one person to another, given the peculiarities of a specific time and place (in this case, in the UK this Fall). Transmissibility is measured in numbers with something called R-value. The R-value for the old SARS-CoV-2 variant was hovering right around 1 (in Read more…
January 4, 2021
Are we over-counting COVID-19 deaths?
Data and Metrics Data Literacy
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
Q: Wouldn’t lots of people dying of COVID19 be dying from other causes anyway? A: Sadly, we are likely UNDER-counting deaths due to COVID-19. Among the COVID-19 myths that just won’t die, we continue to hear chatter that COVID-19 deaths are being over-counted, such as stories of victims of motorcycle accidents getting tested in the Read more…
January 3, 2021
Meet Those Nerdy Girls – Dr. Jennifer Beam Dowd
Uncategorized
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
This week we are featuring Dr. Jennifer Beam Dowd, our incoming Nerdy Girl-In-Chief & scientist extraordinaire. Dr. Dowd is a health and social scientist who identifies most as a “demographer.” What’s a demographer? We’re glad you asked. Dr. Dowd uses statistics to study patterns in human populations–especially how long people live and why. Her impressive Read more…
A. So far, we still have no evidence from well-designed randomized clinical trials (RCTs) that ivermectin is safe and effective for the prevention or treatment of COVID-19. However, several RCTs are currently underway which will hopefully provide us with an answer to this important question. ➡️What is ivermectin? Ivermectin (Iv) is a drug FDA-approved for Read more…
What is the relationship of Antibody-Dependent Enhancement (ADE) to heightened COVID symptoms?
VaccinesMichelle Kinder, PhD
Q: Is this a worry with the vaccine? What about with reinfection?” A: Antibody-dependent enhancement or ADE is not a concern with the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines and will not likely be a concern with the other vaccines that will be approved. Vaccine developers and the FDA are all looking carefully for any evidence of Read more…
January 7, 2021
Are usual precautions effective against new strain of COVID-19?
Infection and Spread Staying Safe
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
Q: The new coronavirus strain is more transmissible than the older strain. Does this mean our usual precautions (masks, 6 foot distance, being outside) are less effective? A: Luckily, no. Virus mutations still don’t defy the laws of physics. But we need to be more vigilant about existing precautions. The new variant is transmitted the Read more…
January 6, 2021
New Rapid Home Test for COVID-19
Infection and Spread Testing and Contact Tracing
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
Q: I heard that the FDA approved several new rapid home test for diagnosis of COVID-19. Are the rapid tests just as good as the others? Can I take this one before I visit family? A: TL; DR: No, rapid tests are not quite as good at picking up positives (someone who really has COVID-19) Read more…
January 6, 2021
Why is vaccine rollout so slow!?!
Vaccines
Alison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
Q: Why can’t we get available vaccine doses administered more quickly? A: Many factors: The holidays, lack of funding, staffing and logistical challenges, getting large-scale vaccine operations up and running, sticking to prioritization schemes, and lower take-up among high-priority groups. Things should be speeding up in the next few weeks. It’s frustrating to see statistics Read more…
January 5, 2021
What does it mean when hospitals are talking about starting “Crisis Standards of Care?”
Treatments
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
A: As many places see a significant surge in COVID19 cases, hospitals and resources become strained. Crisis standards of care represent a big change from usual healthcare made necessary by a major disaster. ➡️So, what does that actually mean? Crisis standards help guide decisions that must be made in extreme scarcity of resources (including staff, Read more…
January 5, 2021
A happier, healthier 2021 sounds great… but how do I make it happen?
Mental Health
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
Q: A happier, healthier 2021 sounds great… but how do I make it happen? I’m not really feeling up for New Year’s Resolutions this year. A: Get yourself ship-shape for 2021 with an anchors, sails and rudders exercise that honors the lessons we’ve learned in 2020 while also prioritizing forward movement for 2021. Psychologists (and Read more…
January 4, 2021
I’m reading that the new strain of COVID-19 is 70% more transmissible. What does this mean? How transmissible was the first strain?
Infection and Spread
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
A: “Transmissibility” in infectious disease means how readily it is passed from one person to another, given the peculiarities of a specific time and place (in this case, in the UK this Fall). Transmissibility is measured in numbers with something called R-value. The R-value for the old SARS-CoV-2 variant was hovering right around 1 (in Read more…
January 4, 2021
Are we over-counting COVID-19 deaths?
Data and Metrics Data Literacy
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
Q: Wouldn’t lots of people dying of COVID19 be dying from other causes anyway? A: Sadly, we are likely UNDER-counting deaths due to COVID-19. Among the COVID-19 myths that just won’t die, we continue to hear chatter that COVID-19 deaths are being over-counted, such as stories of victims of motorcycle accidents getting tested in the Read more…
January 3, 2021
Meet Those Nerdy Girls – Dr. Jennifer Beam Dowd
Uncategorized
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
This week we are featuring Dr. Jennifer Beam Dowd, our incoming Nerdy Girl-In-Chief & scientist extraordinaire. Dr. Dowd is a health and social scientist who identifies most as a “demographer.” What’s a demographer? We’re glad you asked. Dr. Dowd uses statistics to study patterns in human populations–especially how long people live and why. Her impressive Read more…
Q: Is this a worry with the vaccine? What about with reinfection?” A: Antibody-dependent enhancement or ADE is not a concern with the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines and will not likely be a concern with the other vaccines that will be approved. Vaccine developers and the FDA are all looking carefully for any evidence of Read more…
Are usual precautions effective against new strain of COVID-19?
Infection and Spread Staying SafeJennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
Q: The new coronavirus strain is more transmissible than the older strain. Does this mean our usual precautions (masks, 6 foot distance, being outside) are less effective? A: Luckily, no. Virus mutations still don’t defy the laws of physics. But we need to be more vigilant about existing precautions. The new variant is transmitted the Read more…
January 6, 2021
New Rapid Home Test for COVID-19
Infection and Spread Testing and Contact Tracing
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
Q: I heard that the FDA approved several new rapid home test for diagnosis of COVID-19. Are the rapid tests just as good as the others? Can I take this one before I visit family? A: TL; DR: No, rapid tests are not quite as good at picking up positives (someone who really has COVID-19) Read more…
January 6, 2021
Why is vaccine rollout so slow!?!
Vaccines
Alison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
Q: Why can’t we get available vaccine doses administered more quickly? A: Many factors: The holidays, lack of funding, staffing and logistical challenges, getting large-scale vaccine operations up and running, sticking to prioritization schemes, and lower take-up among high-priority groups. Things should be speeding up in the next few weeks. It’s frustrating to see statistics Read more…
January 5, 2021
What does it mean when hospitals are talking about starting “Crisis Standards of Care?”
Treatments
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
A: As many places see a significant surge in COVID19 cases, hospitals and resources become strained. Crisis standards of care represent a big change from usual healthcare made necessary by a major disaster. ➡️So, what does that actually mean? Crisis standards help guide decisions that must be made in extreme scarcity of resources (including staff, Read more…
January 5, 2021
A happier, healthier 2021 sounds great… but how do I make it happen?
Mental Health
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
Q: A happier, healthier 2021 sounds great… but how do I make it happen? I’m not really feeling up for New Year’s Resolutions this year. A: Get yourself ship-shape for 2021 with an anchors, sails and rudders exercise that honors the lessons we’ve learned in 2020 while also prioritizing forward movement for 2021. Psychologists (and Read more…
January 4, 2021
I’m reading that the new strain of COVID-19 is 70% more transmissible. What does this mean? How transmissible was the first strain?
Infection and Spread
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
A: “Transmissibility” in infectious disease means how readily it is passed from one person to another, given the peculiarities of a specific time and place (in this case, in the UK this Fall). Transmissibility is measured in numbers with something called R-value. The R-value for the old SARS-CoV-2 variant was hovering right around 1 (in Read more…
January 4, 2021
Are we over-counting COVID-19 deaths?
Data and Metrics Data Literacy
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
Q: Wouldn’t lots of people dying of COVID19 be dying from other causes anyway? A: Sadly, we are likely UNDER-counting deaths due to COVID-19. Among the COVID-19 myths that just won’t die, we continue to hear chatter that COVID-19 deaths are being over-counted, such as stories of victims of motorcycle accidents getting tested in the Read more…
January 3, 2021
Meet Those Nerdy Girls – Dr. Jennifer Beam Dowd
Uncategorized
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
This week we are featuring Dr. Jennifer Beam Dowd, our incoming Nerdy Girl-In-Chief & scientist extraordinaire. Dr. Dowd is a health and social scientist who identifies most as a “demographer.” What’s a demographer? We’re glad you asked. Dr. Dowd uses statistics to study patterns in human populations–especially how long people live and why. Her impressive Read more…
Q: The new coronavirus strain is more transmissible than the older strain. Does this mean our usual precautions (masks, 6 foot distance, being outside) are less effective? A: Luckily, no. Virus mutations still don’t defy the laws of physics. But we need to be more vigilant about existing precautions. The new variant is transmitted the Read more…
New Rapid Home Test for COVID-19
Infection and Spread Testing and Contact TracingAparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
Q: I heard that the FDA approved several new rapid home test for diagnosis of COVID-19. Are the rapid tests just as good as the others? Can I take this one before I visit family? A: TL; DR: No, rapid tests are not quite as good at picking up positives (someone who really has COVID-19) Read more…
January 6, 2021
Why is vaccine rollout so slow!?!
Vaccines
Alison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
Q: Why can’t we get available vaccine doses administered more quickly? A: Many factors: The holidays, lack of funding, staffing and logistical challenges, getting large-scale vaccine operations up and running, sticking to prioritization schemes, and lower take-up among high-priority groups. Things should be speeding up in the next few weeks. It’s frustrating to see statistics Read more…
January 5, 2021
What does it mean when hospitals are talking about starting “Crisis Standards of Care?”
Treatments
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
A: As many places see a significant surge in COVID19 cases, hospitals and resources become strained. Crisis standards of care represent a big change from usual healthcare made necessary by a major disaster. ➡️So, what does that actually mean? Crisis standards help guide decisions that must be made in extreme scarcity of resources (including staff, Read more…
January 5, 2021
A happier, healthier 2021 sounds great… but how do I make it happen?
Mental Health
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
Q: A happier, healthier 2021 sounds great… but how do I make it happen? I’m not really feeling up for New Year’s Resolutions this year. A: Get yourself ship-shape for 2021 with an anchors, sails and rudders exercise that honors the lessons we’ve learned in 2020 while also prioritizing forward movement for 2021. Psychologists (and Read more…
January 4, 2021
I’m reading that the new strain of COVID-19 is 70% more transmissible. What does this mean? How transmissible was the first strain?
Infection and Spread
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
A: “Transmissibility” in infectious disease means how readily it is passed from one person to another, given the peculiarities of a specific time and place (in this case, in the UK this Fall). Transmissibility is measured in numbers with something called R-value. The R-value for the old SARS-CoV-2 variant was hovering right around 1 (in Read more…
January 4, 2021
Are we over-counting COVID-19 deaths?
Data and Metrics Data Literacy
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
Q: Wouldn’t lots of people dying of COVID19 be dying from other causes anyway? A: Sadly, we are likely UNDER-counting deaths due to COVID-19. Among the COVID-19 myths that just won’t die, we continue to hear chatter that COVID-19 deaths are being over-counted, such as stories of victims of motorcycle accidents getting tested in the Read more…
January 3, 2021
Meet Those Nerdy Girls – Dr. Jennifer Beam Dowd
Uncategorized
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
This week we are featuring Dr. Jennifer Beam Dowd, our incoming Nerdy Girl-In-Chief & scientist extraordinaire. Dr. Dowd is a health and social scientist who identifies most as a “demographer.” What’s a demographer? We’re glad you asked. Dr. Dowd uses statistics to study patterns in human populations–especially how long people live and why. Her impressive Read more…
Q: I heard that the FDA approved several new rapid home test for diagnosis of COVID-19. Are the rapid tests just as good as the others? Can I take this one before I visit family? A: TL; DR: No, rapid tests are not quite as good at picking up positives (someone who really has COVID-19) Read more…
Why is vaccine rollout so slow!?!
VaccinesAlison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
Q: Why can’t we get available vaccine doses administered more quickly? A: Many factors: The holidays, lack of funding, staffing and logistical challenges, getting large-scale vaccine operations up and running, sticking to prioritization schemes, and lower take-up among high-priority groups. Things should be speeding up in the next few weeks. It’s frustrating to see statistics Read more…
January 5, 2021
What does it mean when hospitals are talking about starting “Crisis Standards of Care?”
Treatments
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
A: As many places see a significant surge in COVID19 cases, hospitals and resources become strained. Crisis standards of care represent a big change from usual healthcare made necessary by a major disaster. ➡️So, what does that actually mean? Crisis standards help guide decisions that must be made in extreme scarcity of resources (including staff, Read more…
January 5, 2021
A happier, healthier 2021 sounds great… but how do I make it happen?
Mental Health
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
Q: A happier, healthier 2021 sounds great… but how do I make it happen? I’m not really feeling up for New Year’s Resolutions this year. A: Get yourself ship-shape for 2021 with an anchors, sails and rudders exercise that honors the lessons we’ve learned in 2020 while also prioritizing forward movement for 2021. Psychologists (and Read more…
January 4, 2021
I’m reading that the new strain of COVID-19 is 70% more transmissible. What does this mean? How transmissible was the first strain?
Infection and Spread
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
A: “Transmissibility” in infectious disease means how readily it is passed from one person to another, given the peculiarities of a specific time and place (in this case, in the UK this Fall). Transmissibility is measured in numbers with something called R-value. The R-value for the old SARS-CoV-2 variant was hovering right around 1 (in Read more…
January 4, 2021
Are we over-counting COVID-19 deaths?
Data and Metrics Data Literacy
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
Q: Wouldn’t lots of people dying of COVID19 be dying from other causes anyway? A: Sadly, we are likely UNDER-counting deaths due to COVID-19. Among the COVID-19 myths that just won’t die, we continue to hear chatter that COVID-19 deaths are being over-counted, such as stories of victims of motorcycle accidents getting tested in the Read more…
January 3, 2021
Meet Those Nerdy Girls – Dr. Jennifer Beam Dowd
Uncategorized
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
This week we are featuring Dr. Jennifer Beam Dowd, our incoming Nerdy Girl-In-Chief & scientist extraordinaire. Dr. Dowd is a health and social scientist who identifies most as a “demographer.” What’s a demographer? We’re glad you asked. Dr. Dowd uses statistics to study patterns in human populations–especially how long people live and why. Her impressive Read more…
Q: Why can’t we get available vaccine doses administered more quickly? A: Many factors: The holidays, lack of funding, staffing and logistical challenges, getting large-scale vaccine operations up and running, sticking to prioritization schemes, and lower take-up among high-priority groups. Things should be speeding up in the next few weeks. It’s frustrating to see statistics Read more…
What does it mean when hospitals are talking about starting “Crisis Standards of Care?”
TreatmentsSarah Whitley Coles, MD
A: As many places see a significant surge in COVID19 cases, hospitals and resources become strained. Crisis standards of care represent a big change from usual healthcare made necessary by a major disaster. ➡️So, what does that actually mean? Crisis standards help guide decisions that must be made in extreme scarcity of resources (including staff, Read more…
January 5, 2021
A happier, healthier 2021 sounds great… but how do I make it happen?
Mental Health
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
Q: A happier, healthier 2021 sounds great… but how do I make it happen? I’m not really feeling up for New Year’s Resolutions this year. A: Get yourself ship-shape for 2021 with an anchors, sails and rudders exercise that honors the lessons we’ve learned in 2020 while also prioritizing forward movement for 2021. Psychologists (and Read more…
January 4, 2021
I’m reading that the new strain of COVID-19 is 70% more transmissible. What does this mean? How transmissible was the first strain?
Infection and Spread
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
A: “Transmissibility” in infectious disease means how readily it is passed from one person to another, given the peculiarities of a specific time and place (in this case, in the UK this Fall). Transmissibility is measured in numbers with something called R-value. The R-value for the old SARS-CoV-2 variant was hovering right around 1 (in Read more…
January 4, 2021
Are we over-counting COVID-19 deaths?
Data and Metrics Data Literacy
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
Q: Wouldn’t lots of people dying of COVID19 be dying from other causes anyway? A: Sadly, we are likely UNDER-counting deaths due to COVID-19. Among the COVID-19 myths that just won’t die, we continue to hear chatter that COVID-19 deaths are being over-counted, such as stories of victims of motorcycle accidents getting tested in the Read more…
January 3, 2021
Meet Those Nerdy Girls – Dr. Jennifer Beam Dowd
Uncategorized
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
This week we are featuring Dr. Jennifer Beam Dowd, our incoming Nerdy Girl-In-Chief & scientist extraordinaire. Dr. Dowd is a health and social scientist who identifies most as a “demographer.” What’s a demographer? We’re glad you asked. Dr. Dowd uses statistics to study patterns in human populations–especially how long people live and why. Her impressive Read more…
A: As many places see a significant surge in COVID19 cases, hospitals and resources become strained. Crisis standards of care represent a big change from usual healthcare made necessary by a major disaster. ➡️So, what does that actually mean? Crisis standards help guide decisions that must be made in extreme scarcity of resources (including staff, Read more…
A happier, healthier 2021 sounds great… but how do I make it happen?
Mental HealthLindsey Leininger, PhD MA
Q: A happier, healthier 2021 sounds great… but how do I make it happen? I’m not really feeling up for New Year’s Resolutions this year. A: Get yourself ship-shape for 2021 with an anchors, sails and rudders exercise that honors the lessons we’ve learned in 2020 while also prioritizing forward movement for 2021. Psychologists (and Read more…
January 4, 2021
I’m reading that the new strain of COVID-19 is 70% more transmissible. What does this mean? How transmissible was the first strain?
Infection and Spread
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
A: “Transmissibility” in infectious disease means how readily it is passed from one person to another, given the peculiarities of a specific time and place (in this case, in the UK this Fall). Transmissibility is measured in numbers with something called R-value. The R-value for the old SARS-CoV-2 variant was hovering right around 1 (in Read more…
January 4, 2021
Are we over-counting COVID-19 deaths?
Data and Metrics Data Literacy
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
Q: Wouldn’t lots of people dying of COVID19 be dying from other causes anyway? A: Sadly, we are likely UNDER-counting deaths due to COVID-19. Among the COVID-19 myths that just won’t die, we continue to hear chatter that COVID-19 deaths are being over-counted, such as stories of victims of motorcycle accidents getting tested in the Read more…
January 3, 2021
Meet Those Nerdy Girls – Dr. Jennifer Beam Dowd
Uncategorized
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
This week we are featuring Dr. Jennifer Beam Dowd, our incoming Nerdy Girl-In-Chief & scientist extraordinaire. Dr. Dowd is a health and social scientist who identifies most as a “demographer.” What’s a demographer? We’re glad you asked. Dr. Dowd uses statistics to study patterns in human populations–especially how long people live and why. Her impressive Read more…
Q: A happier, healthier 2021 sounds great… but how do I make it happen? I’m not really feeling up for New Year’s Resolutions this year. A: Get yourself ship-shape for 2021 with an anchors, sails and rudders exercise that honors the lessons we’ve learned in 2020 while also prioritizing forward movement for 2021. Psychologists (and Read more…
I’m reading that the new strain of COVID-19 is 70% more transmissible. What does this mean? How transmissible was the first strain?
Infection and SpreadMalia Jones, PhD MPH
A: “Transmissibility” in infectious disease means how readily it is passed from one person to another, given the peculiarities of a specific time and place (in this case, in the UK this Fall). Transmissibility is measured in numbers with something called R-value. The R-value for the old SARS-CoV-2 variant was hovering right around 1 (in Read more…
January 4, 2021
Are we over-counting COVID-19 deaths?
Data and Metrics Data Literacy
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
Q: Wouldn’t lots of people dying of COVID19 be dying from other causes anyway? A: Sadly, we are likely UNDER-counting deaths due to COVID-19. Among the COVID-19 myths that just won’t die, we continue to hear chatter that COVID-19 deaths are being over-counted, such as stories of victims of motorcycle accidents getting tested in the Read more…
January 3, 2021
Meet Those Nerdy Girls – Dr. Jennifer Beam Dowd
Uncategorized
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
This week we are featuring Dr. Jennifer Beam Dowd, our incoming Nerdy Girl-In-Chief & scientist extraordinaire. Dr. Dowd is a health and social scientist who identifies most as a “demographer.” What’s a demographer? We’re glad you asked. Dr. Dowd uses statistics to study patterns in human populations–especially how long people live and why. Her impressive Read more…
A: “Transmissibility” in infectious disease means how readily it is passed from one person to another, given the peculiarities of a specific time and place (in this case, in the UK this Fall). Transmissibility is measured in numbers with something called R-value. The R-value for the old SARS-CoV-2 variant was hovering right around 1 (in Read more…
Are we over-counting COVID-19 deaths?
Data and Metrics Data LiteracyJennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
Q: Wouldn’t lots of people dying of COVID19 be dying from other causes anyway? A: Sadly, we are likely UNDER-counting deaths due to COVID-19. Among the COVID-19 myths that just won’t die, we continue to hear chatter that COVID-19 deaths are being over-counted, such as stories of victims of motorcycle accidents getting tested in the Read more…
January 3, 2021
Meet Those Nerdy Girls – Dr. Jennifer Beam Dowd
Uncategorized
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
This week we are featuring Dr. Jennifer Beam Dowd, our incoming Nerdy Girl-In-Chief & scientist extraordinaire. Dr. Dowd is a health and social scientist who identifies most as a “demographer.” What’s a demographer? We’re glad you asked. Dr. Dowd uses statistics to study patterns in human populations–especially how long people live and why. Her impressive Read more…
Q: Wouldn’t lots of people dying of COVID19 be dying from other causes anyway? A: Sadly, we are likely UNDER-counting deaths due to COVID-19. Among the COVID-19 myths that just won’t die, we continue to hear chatter that COVID-19 deaths are being over-counted, such as stories of victims of motorcycle accidents getting tested in the Read more…
Meet Those Nerdy Girls – Dr. Jennifer Beam Dowd
UncategorizedMalia Jones, PhD MPH
This week we are featuring Dr. Jennifer Beam Dowd, our incoming Nerdy Girl-In-Chief & scientist extraordinaire. Dr. Dowd is a health and social scientist who identifies most as a “demographer.” What’s a demographer? We’re glad you asked. Dr. Dowd uses statistics to study patterns in human populations–especially how long people live and why. Her impressive Read more…
This week we are featuring Dr. Jennifer Beam Dowd, our incoming Nerdy Girl-In-Chief & scientist extraordinaire. Dr. Dowd is a health and social scientist who identifies most as a “demographer.” What’s a demographer? We’re glad you asked. Dr. Dowd uses statistics to study patterns in human populations–especially how long people live and why. Her impressive Read more…