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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My uncle is knee-deep in COVID conspiracy theories. Any tips for respectfully engaging him?

Uncertainty and Misinformation

A: Experts recommend the SART strategy: Show empathy; Affirm critical thinking; avoid Ridicule; and invoke conspiracy theory “exiters” as Trusted messengers. And it never hurts to remember that as humans we need to feel heard before we can truly listen. Ah, conspiracy theories. We’ve all been exposed to them – wildly inaccurate hot-takes about COVID, Read more…

Is there treatment for persistent fatigue experienced months after testing positive for COVID-19?

Clinical Symptoms

A: Yes. While there is no easy fix, there are ways to manage and improve post-viral fatigue. The constellation of symptoms suffered weeks and even months after being diagnosed with COVID-19 is called “long COVID”, post-COVID-19 syndrome, or post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 (PASC). People with this condition have been dubbed “long haulers.” Fatigue is one Read more…

Do I need the vaccine if I’ve already been infected with COVID-19?

Biology/Immunity Vaccines

Q: Do I need the vaccine if I’ve already been infected with COVID-19? Isn’t natural immunity better? A: Vaccines produce STRONGER and MORE CONSISTENT antibody responses to SARS-CoV-2 than natural infection, meaning EVERYONE can benefit from the protection. 💥 Don’t give away your shot! As more people become eligible for the COVID-19, we’ve heard some Read more…

Dear Pandemic COVID Q&A

Families/Kids Socializing Staying Safe Vaccines Videos

In this live Q&A, Dr. Jennifer Beam Dowd and Dr. Lindsey Leininger will be tackling questions about vaccines, kids and outdoor play, safety of swimming lessons, and more. ➡️ Welcome, Intros, and Chit Chat (0:20-1:50) ➡️ Vaccines Updates – for pregnant people, kids, and the AZ vaccine trial kerfuffle (1:51-5:09) Related Link ➡️ Announcements (5:13-7:01) Read more…

How might vaccinated adults with unvaccinated kids think about getting together with other families?

Families/Kids Socializing Vaccines

A: Spring and Summer 2021 will continue to require caution, but have far more hope and opportunity than Winter 2021. (PHEW!) Remember your SMART precautions (Space, Masks, Air, Restricted Networks, and Time). When possible, choose less risky options. Gatherings with unvaccinated people, children included, create opportunities for SARS-CoV-2 to spread. We need to continue to Read more…

What the heck is a fomite?

Staying Safe

A. TL; DR: The term fomite refers to a contaminated surface or object (e.g., serving spoon, door knob) that allows for the transmission of an infectious agent. The good news is that fomite transmission is not common for the virus that causes COVID-19. The Nerdy Girls love words! Let’s take a dive into the origin Read more…

Based on information gathered from Emily Oster’s recent article in The Atlantic, can I consider it safe for children to travel and have unmasked/indoor playdates, especially looking ahead to summer?

Families/Kids Staying Safe Vaccines

A: No. Dr. Oster’s article did not suggest that it’s safe for children to have unmasked playdates and return to 100% normal life this summer. As science journalist Tara Haelle put it, “it’s fine for your unvaccinated kids to go on a road trip and hug their vaccinated grandmas. It’s just not okay to pretend Read more…

What works for the treatment of COVID-19 infection for people who are not in the hospital?

Treatments

A: It’s been a minute since we updated you about COVID-19 treatments. This will take a couple of posts, but let’s start with patients who do not need to be hospitalized (called outpatients or ambulatory patients). There are still more questions than answers, but let’s go through the evidence. In short, the bamlanivimab/etesevimab combo may Read more…