As a working parent, I’m already at my limit on stress–how am I supposed to manage holiday stress too?? Help me!
Mental HealthMalia Jones, PhD MPH
A: We know that many parents are struggling for balance: working, virtual school, housework, and now also the holidays! To keep stress from putting a damper on the holidays, use proven strategies to take a pause. As parents, we experience all of the emotions for ourselves and for our kids. Compound that with the stress Read more…
November 30, 2020
Is Bamlanivimab effective in the treatment of COVID-19?
Treatments
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
A: Currently, the evidence is not yet clear, and we need lots more data. The FDA issued an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for bamlanivimab use in non-hospitalized patients with mild to moderate COVID-19 on November 9th. Bamlanivimab is a neutralizing monoclonal antibody that targets the spike protein on the SARS-CoV-2 virus. The goal of neutralizing Read more…
November 30, 2020
How is it possible that my friends are social distancing and yet have colds??
Infection and Spread Uncertainty and Misinformation
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
A: The interventions we use to reduce COVID-19 transmission–such as wearing masks, improving ventilation, and keeping physical distance from other people–don’t target the common cold as well. Unlike the virus that causes COVID-19, which is transmitted through sharing air with infected people, most of the many viruses that cause the common cold–called rhinoviruses–love to hang Read more…
November 29, 2020
How is COVID-19 affecting international slum communities?
Data and Metrics Social and Racial Justice
Lauren Hale, PhD MA
A: TL, DR. COVID-19 has disproportionately affected the lives and health of residents of slum communities, or informal settlements characterized by poverty, lack of basic services, crowding, unstable homes. Due to data limitations, it’s difficult to know a lot of detail about the spread of the disease and the impact on mortality. We at Dear Read more…
November 28, 2020
Today is Small Business Saturday, what can I do to stay safe and support small business today?
Uncategorized
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: Great question! We Nerdy Girls love our local small businesses and luckily there are lots of ways we can make an added effort to support small businesses today and everyday while staying safe at the same time! Here are some ideas we came up with: -Order delivery or curbside pick-up from your favorite local Read more…
November 28, 2020
Dear Pandemic COVID Q&A
Biology/Immunity Clinical Symptoms Infection and Spread Staying Safe Uncertainty and Misinformation Videos
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Drs. Lindsey Leininger and Malia Jones take your thorny COVID questions in this Live Q&A! If you have a question, submit it at our website! www.dearpandemic.org. This week we discuss: ➡️ Intro…with TV show rec’s! (0:00 – 3:00) Related link ➡️ The latest on quarantine timelines (3:35 – 8:40) Related link ➡️ Handling conspiracy theories Read more…
November 27, 2020
How do COVID-19 and the flu compare?
Infection and Spread
A: They are VERY different. In short – COVID-19 is more deadly, more people are susceptible to it, we have fewer treatments, and even “mild” bouts can leave long-term symptoms. To address the elephant in the room: **COVID-19 is MUCH deadlier than the flu.** In fact, since December 2019, COVID-19 has killed more people in Read more…
November 27, 2020
Well, here it is. I got COVID19. What can I do to take care of myself?
Treatments
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
A: Taking care of yourself and focusing on getting better is priority #1! Get rest, stay hydrated, isolate physically but connect emotionally, and watch out for warning signs. COVID19 is widespread and more and more folks are getting sick. Now is a good time to remind ourselves of the basics of self-care when diagnosed with Read more…
November 26, 2020
I like hearing about pandemic response success stories. Can you share another one?
Data and Metrics Infection and Spread
Alison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
A: We can! On this Thanksgiving evening, we want to share the impressive and successful public health response of the Cherokee Nation. Their recipe: strong leadership, early decisive action, data-driven decisions, widespread testing, and a mask mandate. Compared to surrounding areas of Oklahoma State, the Cherokee Nation has experienced much lower case and mortality rates. Read more…
November 26, 2020
Thanksgiving Gratitude
Uncategorized
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Today, Dear Pandemic celebrates gratitude. We are so grateful to each and every one of you, our readers, for coming along with us on this strange, surprising, and often difficult journey. We’ve grown so much this past year–as individuals and as a community. We are so grateful for our readers and especially all our volunteers. Read more…
November 25, 2020
What is a mRNA vaccine? Does it affect your DNA?
Vaccines
Michelle Kinder, PhD
A: mRNA vaccines contain a message which instructs your cells to make a protein shaped like a small part of the virus. This does not affect your DNA, and it happens temporarily and locally at the injection site. In your body, your DNA makes messenger RNA to make proteins. Your DNA has all the information Read more…
November 25, 2020
What’s the “she-cession?”
Data and Metrics Families/Kids
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
A: Women are currently leaving the labor force at higher rates than men. Mothers account for the starkest declines. To quote social scientists Drs. Kerri Raissian and Jennifer Dineen: “We need to realize that mothers can’t continue to be our shock absorbers.” Context: The steep relative decline in female labor participation – most pronounced among Read more…
November 24, 2020
How is the homeless/transient population doing during this pandemic?
Social and Racial Justice
Shoshana Aronowitz, PhD FNP-BC
In the United States, hundreds of thousands of people are experiencing homelessness each night. There are many reasons why people might be experiencing homelessness: some people are chronically homeless, some were recently evicted or lost their housing, some are leaving a violent situation, and some are staying with friends or family temporarily but might not Read more…
November 24, 2020
What do the new results from the Oxford/Astrazeneca vaccine trial mean?
Vaccines
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: More good news! While efficacy was not as high as that reported in the recent Pfizer and Moderna trials, this vaccine has some important advantages with regard to cost and ease of storage. But as with much of the recent “science by press release,” we’ll be anxiously awaiting further details. For the 3rd Monday Read more…
November 23, 2020
Can SARS-CoV-2 infection be passed to babies in breastmilk?
Families/Kids Infection and Spread Treatments
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: There is no evidence that SARS-CoV-2 infection can pass to babies via breastmilk with NEW findings to suggest breastmilk in mothers who have had Covid-19 contains specific SARS-CoV-2 antibodies. Insert tiny happy dance here. A recent study of breastmilk in 15 women who had recovered from Covid-19 found specific antibodies to the virus in Read more…
November 23, 2020
Has my COVID bubble gotten out of control? How can I tell?
Families/Kids Infection and Spread School Socializing Staying Safe Testing and Contact Tracing
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
A: Your “bubble” might be far bigger than you think. To figure out exactly how big and who you might be sharing germs with, think like a contact tracer and sketch out your contact network. 🖧 If you need to pull out a piece of paper to figure this out, that’s a whole lot of Read more…
A: We know that many parents are struggling for balance: working, virtual school, housework, and now also the holidays! To keep stress from putting a damper on the holidays, use proven strategies to take a pause. As parents, we experience all of the emotions for ourselves and for our kids. Compound that with the stress Read more…
Is Bamlanivimab effective in the treatment of COVID-19?
TreatmentsSarah Whitley Coles, MD
A: Currently, the evidence is not yet clear, and we need lots more data. The FDA issued an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for bamlanivimab use in non-hospitalized patients with mild to moderate COVID-19 on November 9th. Bamlanivimab is a neutralizing monoclonal antibody that targets the spike protein on the SARS-CoV-2 virus. The goal of neutralizing Read more…
November 30, 2020
How is it possible that my friends are social distancing and yet have colds??
Infection and Spread Uncertainty and Misinformation
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
A: The interventions we use to reduce COVID-19 transmission–such as wearing masks, improving ventilation, and keeping physical distance from other people–don’t target the common cold as well. Unlike the virus that causes COVID-19, which is transmitted through sharing air with infected people, most of the many viruses that cause the common cold–called rhinoviruses–love to hang Read more…
November 29, 2020
How is COVID-19 affecting international slum communities?
Data and Metrics Social and Racial Justice
Lauren Hale, PhD MA
A: TL, DR. COVID-19 has disproportionately affected the lives and health of residents of slum communities, or informal settlements characterized by poverty, lack of basic services, crowding, unstable homes. Due to data limitations, it’s difficult to know a lot of detail about the spread of the disease and the impact on mortality. We at Dear Read more…
November 28, 2020
Today is Small Business Saturday, what can I do to stay safe and support small business today?
Uncategorized
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: Great question! We Nerdy Girls love our local small businesses and luckily there are lots of ways we can make an added effort to support small businesses today and everyday while staying safe at the same time! Here are some ideas we came up with: -Order delivery or curbside pick-up from your favorite local Read more…
November 28, 2020
Dear Pandemic COVID Q&A
Biology/Immunity Clinical Symptoms Infection and Spread Staying Safe Uncertainty and Misinformation Videos
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Drs. Lindsey Leininger and Malia Jones take your thorny COVID questions in this Live Q&A! If you have a question, submit it at our website! www.dearpandemic.org. This week we discuss: ➡️ Intro…with TV show rec’s! (0:00 – 3:00) Related link ➡️ The latest on quarantine timelines (3:35 – 8:40) Related link ➡️ Handling conspiracy theories Read more…
November 27, 2020
How do COVID-19 and the flu compare?
Infection and Spread
A: They are VERY different. In short – COVID-19 is more deadly, more people are susceptible to it, we have fewer treatments, and even “mild” bouts can leave long-term symptoms. To address the elephant in the room: **COVID-19 is MUCH deadlier than the flu.** In fact, since December 2019, COVID-19 has killed more people in Read more…
November 27, 2020
Well, here it is. I got COVID19. What can I do to take care of myself?
Treatments
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
A: Taking care of yourself and focusing on getting better is priority #1! Get rest, stay hydrated, isolate physically but connect emotionally, and watch out for warning signs. COVID19 is widespread and more and more folks are getting sick. Now is a good time to remind ourselves of the basics of self-care when diagnosed with Read more…
November 26, 2020
I like hearing about pandemic response success stories. Can you share another one?
Data and Metrics Infection and Spread
Alison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
A: We can! On this Thanksgiving evening, we want to share the impressive and successful public health response of the Cherokee Nation. Their recipe: strong leadership, early decisive action, data-driven decisions, widespread testing, and a mask mandate. Compared to surrounding areas of Oklahoma State, the Cherokee Nation has experienced much lower case and mortality rates. Read more…
November 26, 2020
Thanksgiving Gratitude
Uncategorized
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Today, Dear Pandemic celebrates gratitude. We are so grateful to each and every one of you, our readers, for coming along with us on this strange, surprising, and often difficult journey. We’ve grown so much this past year–as individuals and as a community. We are so grateful for our readers and especially all our volunteers. Read more…
November 25, 2020
What is a mRNA vaccine? Does it affect your DNA?
Vaccines
Michelle Kinder, PhD
A: mRNA vaccines contain a message which instructs your cells to make a protein shaped like a small part of the virus. This does not affect your DNA, and it happens temporarily and locally at the injection site. In your body, your DNA makes messenger RNA to make proteins. Your DNA has all the information Read more…
November 25, 2020
What’s the “she-cession?”
Data and Metrics Families/Kids
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
A: Women are currently leaving the labor force at higher rates than men. Mothers account for the starkest declines. To quote social scientists Drs. Kerri Raissian and Jennifer Dineen: “We need to realize that mothers can’t continue to be our shock absorbers.” Context: The steep relative decline in female labor participation – most pronounced among Read more…
November 24, 2020
How is the homeless/transient population doing during this pandemic?
Social and Racial Justice
Shoshana Aronowitz, PhD FNP-BC
In the United States, hundreds of thousands of people are experiencing homelessness each night. There are many reasons why people might be experiencing homelessness: some people are chronically homeless, some were recently evicted or lost their housing, some are leaving a violent situation, and some are staying with friends or family temporarily but might not Read more…
November 24, 2020
What do the new results from the Oxford/Astrazeneca vaccine trial mean?
Vaccines
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: More good news! While efficacy was not as high as that reported in the recent Pfizer and Moderna trials, this vaccine has some important advantages with regard to cost and ease of storage. But as with much of the recent “science by press release,” we’ll be anxiously awaiting further details. For the 3rd Monday Read more…
November 23, 2020
Can SARS-CoV-2 infection be passed to babies in breastmilk?
Families/Kids Infection and Spread Treatments
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: There is no evidence that SARS-CoV-2 infection can pass to babies via breastmilk with NEW findings to suggest breastmilk in mothers who have had Covid-19 contains specific SARS-CoV-2 antibodies. Insert tiny happy dance here. A recent study of breastmilk in 15 women who had recovered from Covid-19 found specific antibodies to the virus in Read more…
November 23, 2020
Has my COVID bubble gotten out of control? How can I tell?
Families/Kids Infection and Spread School Socializing Staying Safe Testing and Contact Tracing
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
A: Your “bubble” might be far bigger than you think. To figure out exactly how big and who you might be sharing germs with, think like a contact tracer and sketch out your contact network. 🖧 If you need to pull out a piece of paper to figure this out, that’s a whole lot of Read more…
A: Currently, the evidence is not yet clear, and we need lots more data. The FDA issued an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for bamlanivimab use in non-hospitalized patients with mild to moderate COVID-19 on November 9th. Bamlanivimab is a neutralizing monoclonal antibody that targets the spike protein on the SARS-CoV-2 virus. The goal of neutralizing Read more…
How is it possible that my friends are social distancing and yet have colds??
Infection and Spread Uncertainty and MisinformationMalia Jones, PhD MPH
A: The interventions we use to reduce COVID-19 transmission–such as wearing masks, improving ventilation, and keeping physical distance from other people–don’t target the common cold as well. Unlike the virus that causes COVID-19, which is transmitted through sharing air with infected people, most of the many viruses that cause the common cold–called rhinoviruses–love to hang Read more…
November 29, 2020
How is COVID-19 affecting international slum communities?
Data and Metrics Social and Racial Justice
Lauren Hale, PhD MA
A: TL, DR. COVID-19 has disproportionately affected the lives and health of residents of slum communities, or informal settlements characterized by poverty, lack of basic services, crowding, unstable homes. Due to data limitations, it’s difficult to know a lot of detail about the spread of the disease and the impact on mortality. We at Dear Read more…
November 28, 2020
Today is Small Business Saturday, what can I do to stay safe and support small business today?
Uncategorized
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: Great question! We Nerdy Girls love our local small businesses and luckily there are lots of ways we can make an added effort to support small businesses today and everyday while staying safe at the same time! Here are some ideas we came up with: -Order delivery or curbside pick-up from your favorite local Read more…
November 28, 2020
Dear Pandemic COVID Q&A
Biology/Immunity Clinical Symptoms Infection and Spread Staying Safe Uncertainty and Misinformation Videos
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Drs. Lindsey Leininger and Malia Jones take your thorny COVID questions in this Live Q&A! If you have a question, submit it at our website! www.dearpandemic.org. This week we discuss: ➡️ Intro…with TV show rec’s! (0:00 – 3:00) Related link ➡️ The latest on quarantine timelines (3:35 – 8:40) Related link ➡️ Handling conspiracy theories Read more…
November 27, 2020
How do COVID-19 and the flu compare?
Infection and Spread
A: They are VERY different. In short – COVID-19 is more deadly, more people are susceptible to it, we have fewer treatments, and even “mild” bouts can leave long-term symptoms. To address the elephant in the room: **COVID-19 is MUCH deadlier than the flu.** In fact, since December 2019, COVID-19 has killed more people in Read more…
November 27, 2020
Well, here it is. I got COVID19. What can I do to take care of myself?
Treatments
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
A: Taking care of yourself and focusing on getting better is priority #1! Get rest, stay hydrated, isolate physically but connect emotionally, and watch out for warning signs. COVID19 is widespread and more and more folks are getting sick. Now is a good time to remind ourselves of the basics of self-care when diagnosed with Read more…
November 26, 2020
I like hearing about pandemic response success stories. Can you share another one?
Data and Metrics Infection and Spread
Alison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
A: We can! On this Thanksgiving evening, we want to share the impressive and successful public health response of the Cherokee Nation. Their recipe: strong leadership, early decisive action, data-driven decisions, widespread testing, and a mask mandate. Compared to surrounding areas of Oklahoma State, the Cherokee Nation has experienced much lower case and mortality rates. Read more…
November 26, 2020
Thanksgiving Gratitude
Uncategorized
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Today, Dear Pandemic celebrates gratitude. We are so grateful to each and every one of you, our readers, for coming along with us on this strange, surprising, and often difficult journey. We’ve grown so much this past year–as individuals and as a community. We are so grateful for our readers and especially all our volunteers. Read more…
November 25, 2020
What is a mRNA vaccine? Does it affect your DNA?
Vaccines
Michelle Kinder, PhD
A: mRNA vaccines contain a message which instructs your cells to make a protein shaped like a small part of the virus. This does not affect your DNA, and it happens temporarily and locally at the injection site. In your body, your DNA makes messenger RNA to make proteins. Your DNA has all the information Read more…
November 25, 2020
What’s the “she-cession?”
Data and Metrics Families/Kids
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
A: Women are currently leaving the labor force at higher rates than men. Mothers account for the starkest declines. To quote social scientists Drs. Kerri Raissian and Jennifer Dineen: “We need to realize that mothers can’t continue to be our shock absorbers.” Context: The steep relative decline in female labor participation – most pronounced among Read more…
November 24, 2020
How is the homeless/transient population doing during this pandemic?
Social and Racial Justice
Shoshana Aronowitz, PhD FNP-BC
In the United States, hundreds of thousands of people are experiencing homelessness each night. There are many reasons why people might be experiencing homelessness: some people are chronically homeless, some were recently evicted or lost their housing, some are leaving a violent situation, and some are staying with friends or family temporarily but might not Read more…
November 24, 2020
What do the new results from the Oxford/Astrazeneca vaccine trial mean?
Vaccines
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: More good news! While efficacy was not as high as that reported in the recent Pfizer and Moderna trials, this vaccine has some important advantages with regard to cost and ease of storage. But as with much of the recent “science by press release,” we’ll be anxiously awaiting further details. For the 3rd Monday Read more…
November 23, 2020
Can SARS-CoV-2 infection be passed to babies in breastmilk?
Families/Kids Infection and Spread Treatments
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: There is no evidence that SARS-CoV-2 infection can pass to babies via breastmilk with NEW findings to suggest breastmilk in mothers who have had Covid-19 contains specific SARS-CoV-2 antibodies. Insert tiny happy dance here. A recent study of breastmilk in 15 women who had recovered from Covid-19 found specific antibodies to the virus in Read more…
November 23, 2020
Has my COVID bubble gotten out of control? How can I tell?
Families/Kids Infection and Spread School Socializing Staying Safe Testing and Contact Tracing
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
A: Your “bubble” might be far bigger than you think. To figure out exactly how big and who you might be sharing germs with, think like a contact tracer and sketch out your contact network. 🖧 If you need to pull out a piece of paper to figure this out, that’s a whole lot of Read more…
A: The interventions we use to reduce COVID-19 transmission–such as wearing masks, improving ventilation, and keeping physical distance from other people–don’t target the common cold as well. Unlike the virus that causes COVID-19, which is transmitted through sharing air with infected people, most of the many viruses that cause the common cold–called rhinoviruses–love to hang Read more…
How is COVID-19 affecting international slum communities?
Data and Metrics Social and Racial JusticeLauren Hale, PhD MA
A: TL, DR. COVID-19 has disproportionately affected the lives and health of residents of slum communities, or informal settlements characterized by poverty, lack of basic services, crowding, unstable homes. Due to data limitations, it’s difficult to know a lot of detail about the spread of the disease and the impact on mortality. We at Dear Read more…
November 28, 2020
Today is Small Business Saturday, what can I do to stay safe and support small business today?
Uncategorized
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: Great question! We Nerdy Girls love our local small businesses and luckily there are lots of ways we can make an added effort to support small businesses today and everyday while staying safe at the same time! Here are some ideas we came up with: -Order delivery or curbside pick-up from your favorite local Read more…
November 28, 2020
Dear Pandemic COVID Q&A
Biology/Immunity Clinical Symptoms Infection and Spread Staying Safe Uncertainty and Misinformation Videos
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Drs. Lindsey Leininger and Malia Jones take your thorny COVID questions in this Live Q&A! If you have a question, submit it at our website! www.dearpandemic.org. This week we discuss: ➡️ Intro…with TV show rec’s! (0:00 – 3:00) Related link ➡️ The latest on quarantine timelines (3:35 – 8:40) Related link ➡️ Handling conspiracy theories Read more…
November 27, 2020
How do COVID-19 and the flu compare?
Infection and Spread
A: They are VERY different. In short – COVID-19 is more deadly, more people are susceptible to it, we have fewer treatments, and even “mild” bouts can leave long-term symptoms. To address the elephant in the room: **COVID-19 is MUCH deadlier than the flu.** In fact, since December 2019, COVID-19 has killed more people in Read more…
November 27, 2020
Well, here it is. I got COVID19. What can I do to take care of myself?
Treatments
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
A: Taking care of yourself and focusing on getting better is priority #1! Get rest, stay hydrated, isolate physically but connect emotionally, and watch out for warning signs. COVID19 is widespread and more and more folks are getting sick. Now is a good time to remind ourselves of the basics of self-care when diagnosed with Read more…
November 26, 2020
I like hearing about pandemic response success stories. Can you share another one?
Data and Metrics Infection and Spread
Alison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
A: We can! On this Thanksgiving evening, we want to share the impressive and successful public health response of the Cherokee Nation. Their recipe: strong leadership, early decisive action, data-driven decisions, widespread testing, and a mask mandate. Compared to surrounding areas of Oklahoma State, the Cherokee Nation has experienced much lower case and mortality rates. Read more…
November 26, 2020
Thanksgiving Gratitude
Uncategorized
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Today, Dear Pandemic celebrates gratitude. We are so grateful to each and every one of you, our readers, for coming along with us on this strange, surprising, and often difficult journey. We’ve grown so much this past year–as individuals and as a community. We are so grateful for our readers and especially all our volunteers. Read more…
November 25, 2020
What is a mRNA vaccine? Does it affect your DNA?
Vaccines
Michelle Kinder, PhD
A: mRNA vaccines contain a message which instructs your cells to make a protein shaped like a small part of the virus. This does not affect your DNA, and it happens temporarily and locally at the injection site. In your body, your DNA makes messenger RNA to make proteins. Your DNA has all the information Read more…
November 25, 2020
What’s the “she-cession?”
Data and Metrics Families/Kids
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
A: Women are currently leaving the labor force at higher rates than men. Mothers account for the starkest declines. To quote social scientists Drs. Kerri Raissian and Jennifer Dineen: “We need to realize that mothers can’t continue to be our shock absorbers.” Context: The steep relative decline in female labor participation – most pronounced among Read more…
November 24, 2020
How is the homeless/transient population doing during this pandemic?
Social and Racial Justice
Shoshana Aronowitz, PhD FNP-BC
In the United States, hundreds of thousands of people are experiencing homelessness each night. There are many reasons why people might be experiencing homelessness: some people are chronically homeless, some were recently evicted or lost their housing, some are leaving a violent situation, and some are staying with friends or family temporarily but might not Read more…
November 24, 2020
What do the new results from the Oxford/Astrazeneca vaccine trial mean?
Vaccines
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: More good news! While efficacy was not as high as that reported in the recent Pfizer and Moderna trials, this vaccine has some important advantages with regard to cost and ease of storage. But as with much of the recent “science by press release,” we’ll be anxiously awaiting further details. For the 3rd Monday Read more…
November 23, 2020
Can SARS-CoV-2 infection be passed to babies in breastmilk?
Families/Kids Infection and Spread Treatments
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: There is no evidence that SARS-CoV-2 infection can pass to babies via breastmilk with NEW findings to suggest breastmilk in mothers who have had Covid-19 contains specific SARS-CoV-2 antibodies. Insert tiny happy dance here. A recent study of breastmilk in 15 women who had recovered from Covid-19 found specific antibodies to the virus in Read more…
November 23, 2020
Has my COVID bubble gotten out of control? How can I tell?
Families/Kids Infection and Spread School Socializing Staying Safe Testing and Contact Tracing
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
A: Your “bubble” might be far bigger than you think. To figure out exactly how big and who you might be sharing germs with, think like a contact tracer and sketch out your contact network. 🖧 If you need to pull out a piece of paper to figure this out, that’s a whole lot of Read more…
A: TL, DR. COVID-19 has disproportionately affected the lives and health of residents of slum communities, or informal settlements characterized by poverty, lack of basic services, crowding, unstable homes. Due to data limitations, it’s difficult to know a lot of detail about the spread of the disease and the impact on mortality. We at Dear Read more…
Today is Small Business Saturday, what can I do to stay safe and support small business today?
UncategorizedAmanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: Great question! We Nerdy Girls love our local small businesses and luckily there are lots of ways we can make an added effort to support small businesses today and everyday while staying safe at the same time! Here are some ideas we came up with: -Order delivery or curbside pick-up from your favorite local Read more…
November 28, 2020
Dear Pandemic COVID Q&A
Biology/Immunity Clinical Symptoms Infection and Spread Staying Safe Uncertainty and Misinformation Videos
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Drs. Lindsey Leininger and Malia Jones take your thorny COVID questions in this Live Q&A! If you have a question, submit it at our website! www.dearpandemic.org. This week we discuss: ➡️ Intro…with TV show rec’s! (0:00 – 3:00) Related link ➡️ The latest on quarantine timelines (3:35 – 8:40) Related link ➡️ Handling conspiracy theories Read more…
November 27, 2020
How do COVID-19 and the flu compare?
Infection and Spread
A: They are VERY different. In short – COVID-19 is more deadly, more people are susceptible to it, we have fewer treatments, and even “mild” bouts can leave long-term symptoms. To address the elephant in the room: **COVID-19 is MUCH deadlier than the flu.** In fact, since December 2019, COVID-19 has killed more people in Read more…
November 27, 2020
Well, here it is. I got COVID19. What can I do to take care of myself?
Treatments
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
A: Taking care of yourself and focusing on getting better is priority #1! Get rest, stay hydrated, isolate physically but connect emotionally, and watch out for warning signs. COVID19 is widespread and more and more folks are getting sick. Now is a good time to remind ourselves of the basics of self-care when diagnosed with Read more…
November 26, 2020
I like hearing about pandemic response success stories. Can you share another one?
Data and Metrics Infection and Spread
Alison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
A: We can! On this Thanksgiving evening, we want to share the impressive and successful public health response of the Cherokee Nation. Their recipe: strong leadership, early decisive action, data-driven decisions, widespread testing, and a mask mandate. Compared to surrounding areas of Oklahoma State, the Cherokee Nation has experienced much lower case and mortality rates. Read more…
November 26, 2020
Thanksgiving Gratitude
Uncategorized
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Today, Dear Pandemic celebrates gratitude. We are so grateful to each and every one of you, our readers, for coming along with us on this strange, surprising, and often difficult journey. We’ve grown so much this past year–as individuals and as a community. We are so grateful for our readers and especially all our volunteers. Read more…
November 25, 2020
What is a mRNA vaccine? Does it affect your DNA?
Vaccines
Michelle Kinder, PhD
A: mRNA vaccines contain a message which instructs your cells to make a protein shaped like a small part of the virus. This does not affect your DNA, and it happens temporarily and locally at the injection site. In your body, your DNA makes messenger RNA to make proteins. Your DNA has all the information Read more…
November 25, 2020
What’s the “she-cession?”
Data and Metrics Families/Kids
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
A: Women are currently leaving the labor force at higher rates than men. Mothers account for the starkest declines. To quote social scientists Drs. Kerri Raissian and Jennifer Dineen: “We need to realize that mothers can’t continue to be our shock absorbers.” Context: The steep relative decline in female labor participation – most pronounced among Read more…
November 24, 2020
How is the homeless/transient population doing during this pandemic?
Social and Racial Justice
Shoshana Aronowitz, PhD FNP-BC
In the United States, hundreds of thousands of people are experiencing homelessness each night. There are many reasons why people might be experiencing homelessness: some people are chronically homeless, some were recently evicted or lost their housing, some are leaving a violent situation, and some are staying with friends or family temporarily but might not Read more…
November 24, 2020
What do the new results from the Oxford/Astrazeneca vaccine trial mean?
Vaccines
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: More good news! While efficacy was not as high as that reported in the recent Pfizer and Moderna trials, this vaccine has some important advantages with regard to cost and ease of storage. But as with much of the recent “science by press release,” we’ll be anxiously awaiting further details. For the 3rd Monday Read more…
November 23, 2020
Can SARS-CoV-2 infection be passed to babies in breastmilk?
Families/Kids Infection and Spread Treatments
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: There is no evidence that SARS-CoV-2 infection can pass to babies via breastmilk with NEW findings to suggest breastmilk in mothers who have had Covid-19 contains specific SARS-CoV-2 antibodies. Insert tiny happy dance here. A recent study of breastmilk in 15 women who had recovered from Covid-19 found specific antibodies to the virus in Read more…
November 23, 2020
Has my COVID bubble gotten out of control? How can I tell?
Families/Kids Infection and Spread School Socializing Staying Safe Testing and Contact Tracing
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
A: Your “bubble” might be far bigger than you think. To figure out exactly how big and who you might be sharing germs with, think like a contact tracer and sketch out your contact network. 🖧 If you need to pull out a piece of paper to figure this out, that’s a whole lot of Read more…
A: Great question! We Nerdy Girls love our local small businesses and luckily there are lots of ways we can make an added effort to support small businesses today and everyday while staying safe at the same time! Here are some ideas we came up with: -Order delivery or curbside pick-up from your favorite local Read more…
Dear Pandemic COVID Q&A
Biology/Immunity Clinical Symptoms Infection and Spread Staying Safe Uncertainty and Misinformation VideosMalia Jones, PhD MPH
Drs. Lindsey Leininger and Malia Jones take your thorny COVID questions in this Live Q&A! If you have a question, submit it at our website! www.dearpandemic.org. This week we discuss: ➡️ Intro…with TV show rec’s! (0:00 – 3:00) Related link ➡️ The latest on quarantine timelines (3:35 – 8:40) Related link ➡️ Handling conspiracy theories Read more…
November 27, 2020
How do COVID-19 and the flu compare?
Infection and Spread
A: They are VERY different. In short – COVID-19 is more deadly, more people are susceptible to it, we have fewer treatments, and even “mild” bouts can leave long-term symptoms. To address the elephant in the room: **COVID-19 is MUCH deadlier than the flu.** In fact, since December 2019, COVID-19 has killed more people in Read more…
November 27, 2020
Well, here it is. I got COVID19. What can I do to take care of myself?
Treatments
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
A: Taking care of yourself and focusing on getting better is priority #1! Get rest, stay hydrated, isolate physically but connect emotionally, and watch out for warning signs. COVID19 is widespread and more and more folks are getting sick. Now is a good time to remind ourselves of the basics of self-care when diagnosed with Read more…
November 26, 2020
I like hearing about pandemic response success stories. Can you share another one?
Data and Metrics Infection and Spread
Alison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
A: We can! On this Thanksgiving evening, we want to share the impressive and successful public health response of the Cherokee Nation. Their recipe: strong leadership, early decisive action, data-driven decisions, widespread testing, and a mask mandate. Compared to surrounding areas of Oklahoma State, the Cherokee Nation has experienced much lower case and mortality rates. Read more…
November 26, 2020
Thanksgiving Gratitude
Uncategorized
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Today, Dear Pandemic celebrates gratitude. We are so grateful to each and every one of you, our readers, for coming along with us on this strange, surprising, and often difficult journey. We’ve grown so much this past year–as individuals and as a community. We are so grateful for our readers and especially all our volunteers. Read more…
November 25, 2020
What is a mRNA vaccine? Does it affect your DNA?
Vaccines
Michelle Kinder, PhD
A: mRNA vaccines contain a message which instructs your cells to make a protein shaped like a small part of the virus. This does not affect your DNA, and it happens temporarily and locally at the injection site. In your body, your DNA makes messenger RNA to make proteins. Your DNA has all the information Read more…
November 25, 2020
What’s the “she-cession?”
Data and Metrics Families/Kids
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
A: Women are currently leaving the labor force at higher rates than men. Mothers account for the starkest declines. To quote social scientists Drs. Kerri Raissian and Jennifer Dineen: “We need to realize that mothers can’t continue to be our shock absorbers.” Context: The steep relative decline in female labor participation – most pronounced among Read more…
November 24, 2020
How is the homeless/transient population doing during this pandemic?
Social and Racial Justice
Shoshana Aronowitz, PhD FNP-BC
In the United States, hundreds of thousands of people are experiencing homelessness each night. There are many reasons why people might be experiencing homelessness: some people are chronically homeless, some were recently evicted or lost their housing, some are leaving a violent situation, and some are staying with friends or family temporarily but might not Read more…
November 24, 2020
What do the new results from the Oxford/Astrazeneca vaccine trial mean?
Vaccines
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: More good news! While efficacy was not as high as that reported in the recent Pfizer and Moderna trials, this vaccine has some important advantages with regard to cost and ease of storage. But as with much of the recent “science by press release,” we’ll be anxiously awaiting further details. For the 3rd Monday Read more…
November 23, 2020
Can SARS-CoV-2 infection be passed to babies in breastmilk?
Families/Kids Infection and Spread Treatments
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: There is no evidence that SARS-CoV-2 infection can pass to babies via breastmilk with NEW findings to suggest breastmilk in mothers who have had Covid-19 contains specific SARS-CoV-2 antibodies. Insert tiny happy dance here. A recent study of breastmilk in 15 women who had recovered from Covid-19 found specific antibodies to the virus in Read more…
November 23, 2020
Has my COVID bubble gotten out of control? How can I tell?
Families/Kids Infection and Spread School Socializing Staying Safe Testing and Contact Tracing
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
A: Your “bubble” might be far bigger than you think. To figure out exactly how big and who you might be sharing germs with, think like a contact tracer and sketch out your contact network. 🖧 If you need to pull out a piece of paper to figure this out, that’s a whole lot of Read more…
Drs. Lindsey Leininger and Malia Jones take your thorny COVID questions in this Live Q&A! If you have a question, submit it at our website! www.dearpandemic.org. This week we discuss: ➡️ Intro…with TV show rec’s! (0:00 – 3:00) Related link ➡️ The latest on quarantine timelines (3:35 – 8:40) Related link ➡️ Handling conspiracy theories Read more…
How do COVID-19 and the flu compare?
Infection and SpreadA: They are VERY different. In short – COVID-19 is more deadly, more people are susceptible to it, we have fewer treatments, and even “mild” bouts can leave long-term symptoms. To address the elephant in the room: **COVID-19 is MUCH deadlier than the flu.** In fact, since December 2019, COVID-19 has killed more people in Read more…
Well, here it is. I got COVID19. What can I do to take care of myself?
TreatmentsSarah Whitley Coles, MD
A: Taking care of yourself and focusing on getting better is priority #1! Get rest, stay hydrated, isolate physically but connect emotionally, and watch out for warning signs. COVID19 is widespread and more and more folks are getting sick. Now is a good time to remind ourselves of the basics of self-care when diagnosed with Read more…
November 26, 2020
I like hearing about pandemic response success stories. Can you share another one?
Data and Metrics Infection and Spread
Alison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
A: We can! On this Thanksgiving evening, we want to share the impressive and successful public health response of the Cherokee Nation. Their recipe: strong leadership, early decisive action, data-driven decisions, widespread testing, and a mask mandate. Compared to surrounding areas of Oklahoma State, the Cherokee Nation has experienced much lower case and mortality rates. Read more…
November 26, 2020
Thanksgiving Gratitude
Uncategorized
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Today, Dear Pandemic celebrates gratitude. We are so grateful to each and every one of you, our readers, for coming along with us on this strange, surprising, and often difficult journey. We’ve grown so much this past year–as individuals and as a community. We are so grateful for our readers and especially all our volunteers. Read more…
November 25, 2020
What is a mRNA vaccine? Does it affect your DNA?
Vaccines
Michelle Kinder, PhD
A: mRNA vaccines contain a message which instructs your cells to make a protein shaped like a small part of the virus. This does not affect your DNA, and it happens temporarily and locally at the injection site. In your body, your DNA makes messenger RNA to make proteins. Your DNA has all the information Read more…
November 25, 2020
What’s the “she-cession?”
Data and Metrics Families/Kids
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
A: Women are currently leaving the labor force at higher rates than men. Mothers account for the starkest declines. To quote social scientists Drs. Kerri Raissian and Jennifer Dineen: “We need to realize that mothers can’t continue to be our shock absorbers.” Context: The steep relative decline in female labor participation – most pronounced among Read more…
November 24, 2020
How is the homeless/transient population doing during this pandemic?
Social and Racial Justice
Shoshana Aronowitz, PhD FNP-BC
In the United States, hundreds of thousands of people are experiencing homelessness each night. There are many reasons why people might be experiencing homelessness: some people are chronically homeless, some were recently evicted or lost their housing, some are leaving a violent situation, and some are staying with friends or family temporarily but might not Read more…
November 24, 2020
What do the new results from the Oxford/Astrazeneca vaccine trial mean?
Vaccines
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: More good news! While efficacy was not as high as that reported in the recent Pfizer and Moderna trials, this vaccine has some important advantages with regard to cost and ease of storage. But as with much of the recent “science by press release,” we’ll be anxiously awaiting further details. For the 3rd Monday Read more…
November 23, 2020
Can SARS-CoV-2 infection be passed to babies in breastmilk?
Families/Kids Infection and Spread Treatments
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: There is no evidence that SARS-CoV-2 infection can pass to babies via breastmilk with NEW findings to suggest breastmilk in mothers who have had Covid-19 contains specific SARS-CoV-2 antibodies. Insert tiny happy dance here. A recent study of breastmilk in 15 women who had recovered from Covid-19 found specific antibodies to the virus in Read more…
November 23, 2020
Has my COVID bubble gotten out of control? How can I tell?
Families/Kids Infection and Spread School Socializing Staying Safe Testing and Contact Tracing
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
A: Your “bubble” might be far bigger than you think. To figure out exactly how big and who you might be sharing germs with, think like a contact tracer and sketch out your contact network. 🖧 If you need to pull out a piece of paper to figure this out, that’s a whole lot of Read more…
A: Taking care of yourself and focusing on getting better is priority #1! Get rest, stay hydrated, isolate physically but connect emotionally, and watch out for warning signs. COVID19 is widespread and more and more folks are getting sick. Now is a good time to remind ourselves of the basics of self-care when diagnosed with Read more…
I like hearing about pandemic response success stories. Can you share another one?
Data and Metrics Infection and SpreadAlison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
A: We can! On this Thanksgiving evening, we want to share the impressive and successful public health response of the Cherokee Nation. Their recipe: strong leadership, early decisive action, data-driven decisions, widespread testing, and a mask mandate. Compared to surrounding areas of Oklahoma State, the Cherokee Nation has experienced much lower case and mortality rates. Read more…
November 26, 2020
Thanksgiving Gratitude
Uncategorized
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Today, Dear Pandemic celebrates gratitude. We are so grateful to each and every one of you, our readers, for coming along with us on this strange, surprising, and often difficult journey. We’ve grown so much this past year–as individuals and as a community. We are so grateful for our readers and especially all our volunteers. Read more…
November 25, 2020
What is a mRNA vaccine? Does it affect your DNA?
Vaccines
Michelle Kinder, PhD
A: mRNA vaccines contain a message which instructs your cells to make a protein shaped like a small part of the virus. This does not affect your DNA, and it happens temporarily and locally at the injection site. In your body, your DNA makes messenger RNA to make proteins. Your DNA has all the information Read more…
November 25, 2020
What’s the “she-cession?”
Data and Metrics Families/Kids
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
A: Women are currently leaving the labor force at higher rates than men. Mothers account for the starkest declines. To quote social scientists Drs. Kerri Raissian and Jennifer Dineen: “We need to realize that mothers can’t continue to be our shock absorbers.” Context: The steep relative decline in female labor participation – most pronounced among Read more…
November 24, 2020
How is the homeless/transient population doing during this pandemic?
Social and Racial Justice
Shoshana Aronowitz, PhD FNP-BC
In the United States, hundreds of thousands of people are experiencing homelessness each night. There are many reasons why people might be experiencing homelessness: some people are chronically homeless, some were recently evicted or lost their housing, some are leaving a violent situation, and some are staying with friends or family temporarily but might not Read more…
November 24, 2020
What do the new results from the Oxford/Astrazeneca vaccine trial mean?
Vaccines
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: More good news! While efficacy was not as high as that reported in the recent Pfizer and Moderna trials, this vaccine has some important advantages with regard to cost and ease of storage. But as with much of the recent “science by press release,” we’ll be anxiously awaiting further details. For the 3rd Monday Read more…
November 23, 2020
Can SARS-CoV-2 infection be passed to babies in breastmilk?
Families/Kids Infection and Spread Treatments
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: There is no evidence that SARS-CoV-2 infection can pass to babies via breastmilk with NEW findings to suggest breastmilk in mothers who have had Covid-19 contains specific SARS-CoV-2 antibodies. Insert tiny happy dance here. A recent study of breastmilk in 15 women who had recovered from Covid-19 found specific antibodies to the virus in Read more…
November 23, 2020
Has my COVID bubble gotten out of control? How can I tell?
Families/Kids Infection and Spread School Socializing Staying Safe Testing and Contact Tracing
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
A: Your “bubble” might be far bigger than you think. To figure out exactly how big and who you might be sharing germs with, think like a contact tracer and sketch out your contact network. 🖧 If you need to pull out a piece of paper to figure this out, that’s a whole lot of Read more…
A: We can! On this Thanksgiving evening, we want to share the impressive and successful public health response of the Cherokee Nation. Their recipe: strong leadership, early decisive action, data-driven decisions, widespread testing, and a mask mandate. Compared to surrounding areas of Oklahoma State, the Cherokee Nation has experienced much lower case and mortality rates. Read more…
Thanksgiving Gratitude
UncategorizedMalia Jones, PhD MPH
Today, Dear Pandemic celebrates gratitude. We are so grateful to each and every one of you, our readers, for coming along with us on this strange, surprising, and often difficult journey. We’ve grown so much this past year–as individuals and as a community. We are so grateful for our readers and especially all our volunteers. Read more…
November 25, 2020
What is a mRNA vaccine? Does it affect your DNA?
Vaccines
Michelle Kinder, PhD
A: mRNA vaccines contain a message which instructs your cells to make a protein shaped like a small part of the virus. This does not affect your DNA, and it happens temporarily and locally at the injection site. In your body, your DNA makes messenger RNA to make proteins. Your DNA has all the information Read more…
November 25, 2020
What’s the “she-cession?”
Data and Metrics Families/Kids
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
A: Women are currently leaving the labor force at higher rates than men. Mothers account for the starkest declines. To quote social scientists Drs. Kerri Raissian and Jennifer Dineen: “We need to realize that mothers can’t continue to be our shock absorbers.” Context: The steep relative decline in female labor participation – most pronounced among Read more…
November 24, 2020
How is the homeless/transient population doing during this pandemic?
Social and Racial Justice
Shoshana Aronowitz, PhD FNP-BC
In the United States, hundreds of thousands of people are experiencing homelessness each night. There are many reasons why people might be experiencing homelessness: some people are chronically homeless, some were recently evicted or lost their housing, some are leaving a violent situation, and some are staying with friends or family temporarily but might not Read more…
November 24, 2020
What do the new results from the Oxford/Astrazeneca vaccine trial mean?
Vaccines
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: More good news! While efficacy was not as high as that reported in the recent Pfizer and Moderna trials, this vaccine has some important advantages with regard to cost and ease of storage. But as with much of the recent “science by press release,” we’ll be anxiously awaiting further details. For the 3rd Monday Read more…
November 23, 2020
Can SARS-CoV-2 infection be passed to babies in breastmilk?
Families/Kids Infection and Spread Treatments
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: There is no evidence that SARS-CoV-2 infection can pass to babies via breastmilk with NEW findings to suggest breastmilk in mothers who have had Covid-19 contains specific SARS-CoV-2 antibodies. Insert tiny happy dance here. A recent study of breastmilk in 15 women who had recovered from Covid-19 found specific antibodies to the virus in Read more…
November 23, 2020
Has my COVID bubble gotten out of control? How can I tell?
Families/Kids Infection and Spread School Socializing Staying Safe Testing and Contact Tracing
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
A: Your “bubble” might be far bigger than you think. To figure out exactly how big and who you might be sharing germs with, think like a contact tracer and sketch out your contact network. 🖧 If you need to pull out a piece of paper to figure this out, that’s a whole lot of Read more…
Today, Dear Pandemic celebrates gratitude. We are so grateful to each and every one of you, our readers, for coming along with us on this strange, surprising, and often difficult journey. We’ve grown so much this past year–as individuals and as a community. We are so grateful for our readers and especially all our volunteers. Read more…
What is a mRNA vaccine? Does it affect your DNA?
VaccinesMichelle Kinder, PhD
A: mRNA vaccines contain a message which instructs your cells to make a protein shaped like a small part of the virus. This does not affect your DNA, and it happens temporarily and locally at the injection site. In your body, your DNA makes messenger RNA to make proteins. Your DNA has all the information Read more…
November 25, 2020
What’s the “she-cession?”
Data and Metrics Families/Kids
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
A: Women are currently leaving the labor force at higher rates than men. Mothers account for the starkest declines. To quote social scientists Drs. Kerri Raissian and Jennifer Dineen: “We need to realize that mothers can’t continue to be our shock absorbers.” Context: The steep relative decline in female labor participation – most pronounced among Read more…
November 24, 2020
How is the homeless/transient population doing during this pandemic?
Social and Racial Justice
Shoshana Aronowitz, PhD FNP-BC
In the United States, hundreds of thousands of people are experiencing homelessness each night. There are many reasons why people might be experiencing homelessness: some people are chronically homeless, some were recently evicted or lost their housing, some are leaving a violent situation, and some are staying with friends or family temporarily but might not Read more…
November 24, 2020
What do the new results from the Oxford/Astrazeneca vaccine trial mean?
Vaccines
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: More good news! While efficacy was not as high as that reported in the recent Pfizer and Moderna trials, this vaccine has some important advantages with regard to cost and ease of storage. But as with much of the recent “science by press release,” we’ll be anxiously awaiting further details. For the 3rd Monday Read more…
November 23, 2020
Can SARS-CoV-2 infection be passed to babies in breastmilk?
Families/Kids Infection and Spread Treatments
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: There is no evidence that SARS-CoV-2 infection can pass to babies via breastmilk with NEW findings to suggest breastmilk in mothers who have had Covid-19 contains specific SARS-CoV-2 antibodies. Insert tiny happy dance here. A recent study of breastmilk in 15 women who had recovered from Covid-19 found specific antibodies to the virus in Read more…
November 23, 2020
Has my COVID bubble gotten out of control? How can I tell?
Families/Kids Infection and Spread School Socializing Staying Safe Testing and Contact Tracing
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
A: Your “bubble” might be far bigger than you think. To figure out exactly how big and who you might be sharing germs with, think like a contact tracer and sketch out your contact network. 🖧 If you need to pull out a piece of paper to figure this out, that’s a whole lot of Read more…
A: mRNA vaccines contain a message which instructs your cells to make a protein shaped like a small part of the virus. This does not affect your DNA, and it happens temporarily and locally at the injection site. In your body, your DNA makes messenger RNA to make proteins. Your DNA has all the information Read more…
What’s the “she-cession?”
Data and Metrics Families/KidsLindsey Leininger, PhD MA
A: Women are currently leaving the labor force at higher rates than men. Mothers account for the starkest declines. To quote social scientists Drs. Kerri Raissian and Jennifer Dineen: “We need to realize that mothers can’t continue to be our shock absorbers.” Context: The steep relative decline in female labor participation – most pronounced among Read more…
November 24, 2020
How is the homeless/transient population doing during this pandemic?
Social and Racial Justice
Shoshana Aronowitz, PhD FNP-BC
In the United States, hundreds of thousands of people are experiencing homelessness each night. There are many reasons why people might be experiencing homelessness: some people are chronically homeless, some were recently evicted or lost their housing, some are leaving a violent situation, and some are staying with friends or family temporarily but might not Read more…
November 24, 2020
What do the new results from the Oxford/Astrazeneca vaccine trial mean?
Vaccines
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: More good news! While efficacy was not as high as that reported in the recent Pfizer and Moderna trials, this vaccine has some important advantages with regard to cost and ease of storage. But as with much of the recent “science by press release,” we’ll be anxiously awaiting further details. For the 3rd Monday Read more…
November 23, 2020
Can SARS-CoV-2 infection be passed to babies in breastmilk?
Families/Kids Infection and Spread Treatments
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: There is no evidence that SARS-CoV-2 infection can pass to babies via breastmilk with NEW findings to suggest breastmilk in mothers who have had Covid-19 contains specific SARS-CoV-2 antibodies. Insert tiny happy dance here. A recent study of breastmilk in 15 women who had recovered from Covid-19 found specific antibodies to the virus in Read more…
November 23, 2020
Has my COVID bubble gotten out of control? How can I tell?
Families/Kids Infection and Spread School Socializing Staying Safe Testing and Contact Tracing
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
A: Your “bubble” might be far bigger than you think. To figure out exactly how big and who you might be sharing germs with, think like a contact tracer and sketch out your contact network. 🖧 If you need to pull out a piece of paper to figure this out, that’s a whole lot of Read more…
A: Women are currently leaving the labor force at higher rates than men. Mothers account for the starkest declines. To quote social scientists Drs. Kerri Raissian and Jennifer Dineen: “We need to realize that mothers can’t continue to be our shock absorbers.” Context: The steep relative decline in female labor participation – most pronounced among Read more…
How is the homeless/transient population doing during this pandemic?
Social and Racial JusticeShoshana Aronowitz, PhD FNP-BC
In the United States, hundreds of thousands of people are experiencing homelessness each night. There are many reasons why people might be experiencing homelessness: some people are chronically homeless, some were recently evicted or lost their housing, some are leaving a violent situation, and some are staying with friends or family temporarily but might not Read more…
November 24, 2020
What do the new results from the Oxford/Astrazeneca vaccine trial mean?
Vaccines
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: More good news! While efficacy was not as high as that reported in the recent Pfizer and Moderna trials, this vaccine has some important advantages with regard to cost and ease of storage. But as with much of the recent “science by press release,” we’ll be anxiously awaiting further details. For the 3rd Monday Read more…
November 23, 2020
Can SARS-CoV-2 infection be passed to babies in breastmilk?
Families/Kids Infection and Spread Treatments
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: There is no evidence that SARS-CoV-2 infection can pass to babies via breastmilk with NEW findings to suggest breastmilk in mothers who have had Covid-19 contains specific SARS-CoV-2 antibodies. Insert tiny happy dance here. A recent study of breastmilk in 15 women who had recovered from Covid-19 found specific antibodies to the virus in Read more…
November 23, 2020
Has my COVID bubble gotten out of control? How can I tell?
Families/Kids Infection and Spread School Socializing Staying Safe Testing and Contact Tracing
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
A: Your “bubble” might be far bigger than you think. To figure out exactly how big and who you might be sharing germs with, think like a contact tracer and sketch out your contact network. 🖧 If you need to pull out a piece of paper to figure this out, that’s a whole lot of Read more…
In the United States, hundreds of thousands of people are experiencing homelessness each night. There are many reasons why people might be experiencing homelessness: some people are chronically homeless, some were recently evicted or lost their housing, some are leaving a violent situation, and some are staying with friends or family temporarily but might not Read more…
What do the new results from the Oxford/Astrazeneca vaccine trial mean?
VaccinesJennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: More good news! While efficacy was not as high as that reported in the recent Pfizer and Moderna trials, this vaccine has some important advantages with regard to cost and ease of storage. But as with much of the recent “science by press release,” we’ll be anxiously awaiting further details. For the 3rd Monday Read more…
November 23, 2020
Can SARS-CoV-2 infection be passed to babies in breastmilk?
Families/Kids Infection and Spread Treatments
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: There is no evidence that SARS-CoV-2 infection can pass to babies via breastmilk with NEW findings to suggest breastmilk in mothers who have had Covid-19 contains specific SARS-CoV-2 antibodies. Insert tiny happy dance here. A recent study of breastmilk in 15 women who had recovered from Covid-19 found specific antibodies to the virus in Read more…
November 23, 2020
Has my COVID bubble gotten out of control? How can I tell?
Families/Kids Infection and Spread School Socializing Staying Safe Testing and Contact Tracing
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
A: Your “bubble” might be far bigger than you think. To figure out exactly how big and who you might be sharing germs with, think like a contact tracer and sketch out your contact network. 🖧 If you need to pull out a piece of paper to figure this out, that’s a whole lot of Read more…
A: More good news! While efficacy was not as high as that reported in the recent Pfizer and Moderna trials, this vaccine has some important advantages with regard to cost and ease of storage. But as with much of the recent “science by press release,” we’ll be anxiously awaiting further details. For the 3rd Monday Read more…
Can SARS-CoV-2 infection be passed to babies in breastmilk?
Families/Kids Infection and Spread TreatmentsAshley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: There is no evidence that SARS-CoV-2 infection can pass to babies via breastmilk with NEW findings to suggest breastmilk in mothers who have had Covid-19 contains specific SARS-CoV-2 antibodies. Insert tiny happy dance here. A recent study of breastmilk in 15 women who had recovered from Covid-19 found specific antibodies to the virus in Read more…
November 23, 2020
Has my COVID bubble gotten out of control? How can I tell?
Families/Kids Infection and Spread School Socializing Staying Safe Testing and Contact Tracing
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
A: Your “bubble” might be far bigger than you think. To figure out exactly how big and who you might be sharing germs with, think like a contact tracer and sketch out your contact network. 🖧 If you need to pull out a piece of paper to figure this out, that’s a whole lot of Read more…
A: There is no evidence that SARS-CoV-2 infection can pass to babies via breastmilk with NEW findings to suggest breastmilk in mothers who have had Covid-19 contains specific SARS-CoV-2 antibodies. Insert tiny happy dance here. A recent study of breastmilk in 15 women who had recovered from Covid-19 found specific antibodies to the virus in Read more…
Has my COVID bubble gotten out of control? How can I tell?
Families/Kids Infection and Spread School Socializing Staying Safe Testing and Contact TracingMalia Jones, PhD MPH
A: Your “bubble” might be far bigger than you think. To figure out exactly how big and who you might be sharing germs with, think like a contact tracer and sketch out your contact network. 🖧 If you need to pull out a piece of paper to figure this out, that’s a whole lot of Read more…
A: Your “bubble” might be far bigger than you think. To figure out exactly how big and who you might be sharing germs with, think like a contact tracer and sketch out your contact network. 🖧 If you need to pull out a piece of paper to figure this out, that’s a whole lot of Read more…