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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March 25, 2021

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?

Malia Jones, PhD MPH and Verdena Jennings, DO

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…

March 24, 2021

Why is Covid-19 less risky and less severe in children than adults?

Biology/Immunity Families/Kids

Michelle Kinder, PhD

A: The SARS-CoV2 virus that causes COVID-19 gets into your body using a protein door on your cells called ACE2. Children have less ACE2 than adults so the virus has a harder time getting into children’s bodies than adult bodies. There are other reasons why children are more protected than adults. Older adults can have Read more…

March 24, 2021

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

Treatments

Sarah Whitley Coles, MD

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…

March 23, 2021

What is the right distance for spacing students in classrooms?

Infection and Spread School

Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA

A: There is no magic distance, at 3 feet or 6 feet, that the coronavirus, or any virus for that matter, respects. A recent study has generated lots of buzz with its conclusion that 3 feet of physical distance is just as good as 6 feet of space between students (link below). But the study’s Read more…

March 23, 2021

What’s the latest guidance on in-person school in the US?

School

Rachael Piltch-Loeb, PhD MSPH

A: Schools re-opening for in-person learning remains a big priority. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has provided guidance for K-12 schools on reopening for in-person learning. The guidance focuses on what can be done within a school to make in-person learning as safe as possible as well as what needs to be Read more…

March 22, 2021

CDC Guidance on What Fully Vaccinated People Can Safely Do

Socializing Staying Safe Vaccines

Malia Jones, PhD MPH

Last week, the United States Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued new guidelines stating that fully vaccinated people can safely: 🌟 Visit other vaccinated people indoors–without wearing masks or physically distancing! 🌟 Visit unvaccinated people–without wearing masks or physical distancing, as long as the unvaccinated people (and the people they live with) are Read more…

March 20, 2021

When we need a booster for the new variants, will we need to have the same company’s vaccine as our first?

Biology/Immunity Vaccines

Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH

A: If booster shots or vaccines adapted to new variants of the SARS-CoV-2 virus become necessary, it is likely they will be able to be used by those originally vaccinated with a different type of vaccine. This strategy might even have added benefits! While it is currently not recommended that we mix and match COVID-19 Read more…

March 20, 2021

I’m fully vaccinated, but my kids are not. What does the new United States CDC guidance for fully vaccinated people say about our situation? I am so confused.

Families/Kids Staying Safe Vaccines

Malia Jones, PhD MPH

A: This question is on many minds. If you’re confused about this, you’re not alone! The CDC guidance allows us to do away with wearing masks and physical distancing if everyone at your upcoming private get-together is either 1️⃣ fully vaccinated OR 2️⃣ ALL of these: unvaccinated, not high-risk for severe COVID-19, doesn’t live with Read more…

March 20, 2021

Dear Pandemic COVID Q&A

Data and Metrics Families/Kids Infection and Spread Socializing Vaccines Videos

Malia Jones, PhD MPH

In this live Q&A, Dr. Malia Jones and Dr. Lauren Hale will be tackling questions about vaccines, takeout food, daylight savings time, and the ways in which kids are (and are not) like vaccinated grandmas. ➡️ Welcome and Intros (0:00-0:55) Related Link to Data Hero Awards ➡️ Sleep and the effects of Daylight Saving Time on Read more…

March 19, 2021

What’s the latest on the vaccine timeline for kids?

Families/Kids Vaccines

Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA

A: Best-case scenario: late summer/fall 2021 for older kids (12+); early 2022 for younger kids. All the usual pandemic-era caveats about uncertain timelines apply! We dedicate today’s TGIF post to all of the children and teens volunteering for vaccine clinical trials. Hooray and thank you! And thank you to all of the (adult) scientists who Read more…

March 18, 2021

Any update on safety of the COVID-19 mRNA vaccines in pregnancy?

Families/Kids Vaccines

Sarah Whitley Coles, MD

A: Preliminary data presented to the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) are reassuring. Pregnant persons who received the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna vaccines did not have increased risk of side effects from the vaccines or bad outcomes (like preeclampsia, miscarriage, preterm birth, neonatal death, or congenital anomalies). More studies and safety monitoring are ongoing, but Read more…

March 18, 2021

Are COVID-19 cases going down globally?

Data and Metrics

Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD

A: Unfortunately no. While there has been good news of late in the U.S. and U.K. with steep declines in cases, many countries in Europe and elsewhere are seeing rising cases and deaths. TL;DR: Don’t pop the champagne cork quite yet. While the vaccine roll-out in some countries is a triumph and likely slowing transmission Read more…

March 17, 2021

Is it safe to go to the dentist?

Staying Safe

Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD

A: YES! Delaying preventative and emergency dental care can have negative consequences on your overall health. COVID-19 infection among dental health professionals remains low despite the close proximity to patients and open mouths. It’s important to 1) maintain risk mitigation strategies we can control in dental offices, 2) monitor local infection rates, and 3) stay Read more…

Nerdy Merch

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