What are some ways the average person can support vaccine efforts?”
Vaccines
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
Dr. Aparna here to answer: This question just warms our hearts. And hits home for all of us here at Dear Pandemic. TL; DR: You can support by donating money, donating time/resources, following public health guidance, and learning more about local efforts (and vaccine distribution) so that you can be a vaccine ambassador during this Read more…
What do we know about Dr. Gregory Michael’s death a couple of weeks after getting his COVID-19 vaccine?
Uncertainty and Misinformation Vaccines
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
A: A doctor in Florida named Gregory Michael recently died from a hemorrhagic stroke related to extremely low platelets two weeks after receiving his first dose of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine. Whether his death is linked to the vaccine or not–which is under investigation by appropriate safety monitoring systems–doesn’t change the fact that the vaccines Read more…
What is trust? Does trust impact the US COVID-19 vaccine response effort?
Social and Racial Justice Uncertainty and Misinformation Vaccines
A: Trust in our health system is influenced by our beliefs about its benefits and consequences to ourselves and others. Low trust can derail the best of public health and medical treatments. Trust in the US health system is complicated by experiences and historical events that non-majority communities. People need time, reliable information, and repeated Read more…
Is COVID really worse than the flu?
Data and Metrics
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: Yes. Many, many more people are being hospitalized and dying with COVID than even a very bad flu season. To visualize ICU admissions in England compared to recent flu seasons, check out this animation from Jonathan Burn-Murdoch at the Financial Times. We’ve previously written on the current best estimates of the COVID-19 infection fatality Read more…
2021 isn’t turning out to be the calm, awesome year I’d hoped for. Can we start over?
Mental Health
Lindsey 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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
Dr. Aparna here to answer: This question just warms our hearts. And hits home for all of us here at Dear Pandemic. TL; DR: You can support by donating money, donating time/resources, following public health guidance, and learning more about local efforts (and vaccine distribution) so that you can be a vaccine ambassador during this Read more…
What do we know about Dr. Gregory Michael’s death a couple of weeks after getting his COVID-19 vaccine?
Uncertainty and Misinformation VaccinesMalia Jones, PhD MPH
A: A doctor in Florida named Gregory Michael recently died from a hemorrhagic stroke related to extremely low platelets two weeks after receiving his first dose of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine. Whether his death is linked to the vaccine or not–which is under investigation by appropriate safety monitoring systems–doesn’t change the fact that the vaccines Read more…
What is trust? Does trust impact the US COVID-19 vaccine response effort?
Social and Racial Justice Uncertainty and Misinformation Vaccines
A: Trust in our health system is influenced by our beliefs about its benefits and consequences to ourselves and others. Low trust can derail the best of public health and medical treatments. Trust in the US health system is complicated by experiences and historical events that non-majority communities. People need time, reliable information, and repeated Read more…
Is COVID really worse than the flu?
Data and Metrics
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: Yes. Many, many more people are being hospitalized and dying with COVID than even a very bad flu season. To visualize ICU admissions in England compared to recent flu seasons, check out this animation from Jonathan Burn-Murdoch at the Financial Times. We’ve previously written on the current best estimates of the COVID-19 infection fatality Read more…
2021 isn’t turning out to be the calm, awesome year I’d hoped for. Can we start over?
Mental Health
Lindsey 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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
A: A doctor in Florida named Gregory Michael recently died from a hemorrhagic stroke related to extremely low platelets two weeks after receiving his first dose of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine. Whether his death is linked to the vaccine or not–which is under investigation by appropriate safety monitoring systems–doesn’t change the fact that the vaccines Read more…
What is trust? Does trust impact the US COVID-19 vaccine response effort?
Social and Racial Justice Uncertainty and Misinformation VaccinesA: Trust in our health system is influenced by our beliefs about its benefits and consequences to ourselves and others. Low trust can derail the best of public health and medical treatments. Trust in the US health system is complicated by experiences and historical events that non-majority communities. People need time, reliable information, and repeated Read more…
Is COVID really worse than the flu?
Data and MetricsJennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: Yes. Many, many more people are being hospitalized and dying with COVID than even a very bad flu season. To visualize ICU admissions in England compared to recent flu seasons, check out this animation from Jonathan Burn-Murdoch at the Financial Times. We’ve previously written on the current best estimates of the COVID-19 infection fatality Read more…
2021 isn’t turning out to be the calm, awesome year I’d hoped for. Can we start over?
Mental Health
Lindsey 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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
A: Yes. Many, many more people are being hospitalized and dying with COVID than even a very bad flu season. To visualize ICU admissions in England compared to recent flu seasons, check out this animation from Jonathan Burn-Murdoch at the Financial Times. We’ve previously written on the current best estimates of the COVID-19 infection fatality Read more…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
