Meet Those Nerdy Girls – Dr. Ashley Ritter, PhD, CNRP
Uncategorized
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Dr. Ritter is one of our fantastic team of clinicians here at Dear Pandemic. She’s a geriatric nurse practitioner and health services researcher. In her clinical practice, she helps people with complicated medical and social needs make a personalized plan for continued care. Her research examines better ways to provide care following hospitalization, specifically in Read more…
Dear Pandemic COVID Q&A
Data and Metrics Infection and Spread Masks Vaccines Videos
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
In this live Q&A, Dear Pandemic contributing scientists Drs. Malia Jones & Jennifer Beam Dowd will be tackling more pandemic questions from our readers. If you have a question, put it in our question box at www.dearpandemic.org! We are *very* excited to announce that we have live closed captioning and #ASL interpretation available during the Read more…
Is there a timeline for vaccinations for children? Do the “herd immunity” projections include children?
Biology/Immunity Families/Kids Vaccines
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: Trials for children 12+ are currently in progress for both the Moderna (ages 12-17; still enrolling!) and Pfizer (ages 12-15; done enrolling!) vaccines with the most optimistic timeline for vaccine approval in kids 12+ by the start of the 2021 school year. Children will need to be vaccinated for us to achieve herd immunity, Read more…
¿Hay algo de verdad en que la ivermectina previene o disminuye la severidad del COVID-19?
Posts en Español Treatments Uncertainty and Misinformation
Sandra Albrecht, PhD MPH
R. Hasta el momento, todavía no tenemos buena evidencia científica de que la ivermectina sea segura y eficaz para la prevención o el tratamiento del COVID-19. Sin embargo, actualmente se están llevando a cabo varios Ensayos Clínicos Aleatorios (ECA) que ojalá nos proporcionen una respuesta a esta pregunta tan importante . ¿Qué es la ivermectina? Read more…
Addressing vaccine-related misinformation among essential workers
Uncertainty and Misinformation Vaccines
Sandra Albrecht, PhD MPH
Today we’d like to showcase an example of a strategy to address vaccine-related misinformation among essential workers. The linked video was made by Dr. Eain Murphy, a Bronx-born virologist, together with the Uniformed Firefighters Association of Greater New York (UFA), the union representing the New York City Fire Department (FDNY). Dr. Murphy was a childhood Read more…
Is there any reason to avoid fever reducers such as acetaminophen and ibuprofen with vaccine administration?
Vaccines
Michelle Kinder, PhD
A: It is generally recommended NOT to pretreat with fever reducers prior to vaccine administration, but if you develop a fever or feel uncomfortable after the vaccine you can take over the counter medicines. Pretreating may decrease the immune response to the vaccine. Acetaminophen and ibuprofen work by dampening the immune response. Ibuprofen is in Read more…
La Biblioteca Nacional de Medicina presenta este video para aprender acerca de lo que es una vacuna.
Posts en Español Vaccines
Tita Smyth Escobedo, PM-IT
La Biblioteca Nacional de Medicina presenta este video para aprender acerca de lo que es una vacuna, incluyendo cómo se hacen las vacunas y lo que ocurre con el sistema inmunológico de una persona después de recibir la vacuna. Puede ver el video original en este vínculo #QueridaPandemia #Vacunas #SistemaInmunologico Enlace a la publicación Read more…
Can kids get “long COVID?”
Clinical Symptoms Families/Kids
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
A: We don’t know, but it may be possible. People are described as having “long-Covid” or being a “long-hauler” if they continue to experience symptoms for weeks or even months. There are some case reports of children having prolonged symptoms after presumed COVID19 infection and much more research is needed to figure out how often Read more…
Dear Pandemic T-Shirts For Sale Until 1/31
Uncategorized
Gretchen Peterson, Chief Operations Officer
If you’re nerdy and you know it, wear a Dear Pandemic t-shirt! Occasionally we offer our branded t-shirts for purchase by our community, and this is one of those opportunities to proudly display your support and your nerdiness. So, here’s the deal: Click the link below to order and pay for your very own t-shirts Read more…
COVID-19 in Jails and Prisons
Social and Racial Justice Vaccines
Lauren Hale, PhD MA
Q: We know that individuals in jails and prisons are disproportionately getting COVID-19. What are the reasons for this and what can be done about it? How much more likely are incarcerated people to get COVID-19 than the rest of the population? A: Incarcerated individuals are approximately 5 times as likely as the general population Read more…
How can I cope with the constant state of change during the pandemic?
Mental Health
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
A: 🍃 Change is never easy. And we have been dealing with a lot of it over the past year. Change challenges our minds because it creates uncertainty in our thoughts and the actions of our daily lives. But there ARE things we can do to manage our discomfort with uncertainty: control what we can, Read more…
Does in-person schooling contribute to COVID-19 spread?
Infection and Spread School
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: It’s complicated. TL;DR: Two new well-designed studies find evidence that in-person schooling *does not* contribute to COVID spread when baseline community spread is LOW, but that in-person schooling *does* contribute to worsening COVID metrics when baseline COVID transmission is high. Thus far the research on schools and COVID-19 has been quite muddy, but two Read more…
¿Las precauciones existentes funcionan para proteger contra la nueva cepa de COVID-19?
Masks Posts en Español Staying Safe
Daisey Velazquez, Spanish Translation
R: Por suerte, si. La nueva cepa de COVID-19 es más transmisible que la cepa anterior. Pero, esto no significa que nuestras precauciones habituales (utilizar mascarilla, 2 metros de distancia, estar al aire libre) son menos efectivas. Las mutaciones de virus aún no desafían las leyes de la física. Pero debemos estar más atentos a Read more…
You asked for more Heroes of the Pandemic. We’ve got ’em! Dr. Ala Stanford
Social and Racial Justice Vaccines Women in STEM
Alison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
Tonight we’re honored to introduce Dr. Ala Stanford, pediatric surgeon and founder of Black Doctors Covid-19 Consortium in Philadelphia. Dr. Stanford has had an extraordinary career in medicine filled with both adventure and service. No stranger to “stepping up and stepping in”, she leapt into action in April, 2020 when she realized that Black Philadelphians Read more…
I’ve reached a new mental low. It doesn’t seem like I’m getting the vaccine any time soon, and I’m just … done.
Mental Health
Christine Whelan, PhD
A: Deep breath. Experts told us the winter was going to be hard, and here we are. Research suggests that choosing (and accomplishing) a highlight each day — one activity, goal or project that is most important to you – will boost your self-efficacy and help you keep on keepin’ on. Feeling bored, anxious, irritable Read more…
¿Qué se sabe de los síntomas de COVID-19 a largo plazo?
Clinical Symptoms Posts en Español
Daisey Velazquez, Spanish Translation
R: Desafortunadamente aún no sabemos porqué una persona experimenta síntomas a largo plazo o la mejor manera de ayudarlas. Sin embargo, estos desafiantes casos a largo plazo de COVID-19 están recibiendo más atención nacional, ¡con un enfoque renovado en ayudar a estos pacientes! El COVID-19 a largo plazo, en inglés conocido como “long-haulers” o “long Read more…
Honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Social and Racial Justice
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
The pandemic has shone a new light on the harms of racism in our society. Narrowly viewed, COVID-19 affects Black, brown, and Native people more often and more seriously than people who are white. And broadly speaking, the pandemic has also laid bare fundamental injustices in our social order. Today, we pause to honor Dr. Read more…
Is it safe to play on a playground?
Families/Kids Socializing Staying Safe
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: YES, playgrounds can be safe with some guidelines. The risk of transmission on an outdoor playground is low (but not zero). The greatest risk of infection comes from the people on the playground, not the equipment. Skip the snack, pack some hand sanitizer, and stay SMART. SPREAD OUT. Keep space between your crew and Read more…
Meet Those Nerdy Girls – Dr. Sandra Albrecht
Uncategorized
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Time for us to meet our next Nerdy Girl! Introducing Dr. Sandra Albrecht, PhD, MPH. Dr. Albrecht is a regular contributor here at Dear Pandemic, and is also the Editor-in-Chief at our Spanish-language sister site, Querida Pandemia. Like several of the other NG’s, Dr. Albrecht is a researcher trained in social epidemiology. She studies the Read more…
If I get vaccinated and I’m with another person who has gotten vaccinated, is it safe to spend time together without masks?
Socializing Staying Safe Vaccines
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: It will be much safer for the two of you to spend time in close contact than if one or both of you were not vaccinated, but keep in mind protection is not immediate nor 100%. You will also still need to take steps to prevent spreading infection to others until your community gets Read more…
Dr. Ritter is one of our fantastic team of clinicians here at Dear Pandemic. She’s a geriatric nurse practitioner and health services researcher. In her clinical practice, she helps people with complicated medical and social needs make a personalized plan for continued care. Her research examines better ways to provide care following hospitalization, specifically in Read more…
Dear Pandemic COVID Q&A
Data and Metrics Infection and Spread Masks Vaccines VideosMalia Jones, PhD MPH
In this live Q&A, Dear Pandemic contributing scientists Drs. Malia Jones & Jennifer Beam Dowd will be tackling more pandemic questions from our readers. If you have a question, put it in our question box at www.dearpandemic.org! We are *very* excited to announce that we have live closed captioning and #ASL interpretation available during the Read more…
Is there a timeline for vaccinations for children? Do the “herd immunity” projections include children?
Biology/Immunity Families/Kids Vaccines
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: Trials for children 12+ are currently in progress for both the Moderna (ages 12-17; still enrolling!) and Pfizer (ages 12-15; done enrolling!) vaccines with the most optimistic timeline for vaccine approval in kids 12+ by the start of the 2021 school year. Children will need to be vaccinated for us to achieve herd immunity, Read more…
¿Hay algo de verdad en que la ivermectina previene o disminuye la severidad del COVID-19?
Posts en Español Treatments Uncertainty and Misinformation
Sandra Albrecht, PhD MPH
R. Hasta el momento, todavía no tenemos buena evidencia científica de que la ivermectina sea segura y eficaz para la prevención o el tratamiento del COVID-19. Sin embargo, actualmente se están llevando a cabo varios Ensayos Clínicos Aleatorios (ECA) que ojalá nos proporcionen una respuesta a esta pregunta tan importante . ¿Qué es la ivermectina? Read more…
Addressing vaccine-related misinformation among essential workers
Uncertainty and Misinformation Vaccines
Sandra Albrecht, PhD MPH
Today we’d like to showcase an example of a strategy to address vaccine-related misinformation among essential workers. The linked video was made by Dr. Eain Murphy, a Bronx-born virologist, together with the Uniformed Firefighters Association of Greater New York (UFA), the union representing the New York City Fire Department (FDNY). Dr. Murphy was a childhood Read more…
Is there any reason to avoid fever reducers such as acetaminophen and ibuprofen with vaccine administration?
Vaccines
Michelle Kinder, PhD
A: It is generally recommended NOT to pretreat with fever reducers prior to vaccine administration, but if you develop a fever or feel uncomfortable after the vaccine you can take over the counter medicines. Pretreating may decrease the immune response to the vaccine. Acetaminophen and ibuprofen work by dampening the immune response. Ibuprofen is in Read more…
La Biblioteca Nacional de Medicina presenta este video para aprender acerca de lo que es una vacuna.
Posts en Español Vaccines
Tita Smyth Escobedo, PM-IT
La Biblioteca Nacional de Medicina presenta este video para aprender acerca de lo que es una vacuna, incluyendo cómo se hacen las vacunas y lo que ocurre con el sistema inmunológico de una persona después de recibir la vacuna. Puede ver el video original en este vínculo #QueridaPandemia #Vacunas #SistemaInmunologico Enlace a la publicación Read more…
Can kids get “long COVID?”
Clinical Symptoms Families/Kids
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
A: We don’t know, but it may be possible. People are described as having “long-Covid” or being a “long-hauler” if they continue to experience symptoms for weeks or even months. There are some case reports of children having prolonged symptoms after presumed COVID19 infection and much more research is needed to figure out how often Read more…
Dear Pandemic T-Shirts For Sale Until 1/31
Uncategorized
Gretchen Peterson, Chief Operations Officer
If you’re nerdy and you know it, wear a Dear Pandemic t-shirt! Occasionally we offer our branded t-shirts for purchase by our community, and this is one of those opportunities to proudly display your support and your nerdiness. So, here’s the deal: Click the link below to order and pay for your very own t-shirts Read more…
COVID-19 in Jails and Prisons
Social and Racial Justice Vaccines
Lauren Hale, PhD MA
Q: We know that individuals in jails and prisons are disproportionately getting COVID-19. What are the reasons for this and what can be done about it? How much more likely are incarcerated people to get COVID-19 than the rest of the population? A: Incarcerated individuals are approximately 5 times as likely as the general population Read more…
How can I cope with the constant state of change during the pandemic?
Mental Health
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
A: 🍃 Change is never easy. And we have been dealing with a lot of it over the past year. Change challenges our minds because it creates uncertainty in our thoughts and the actions of our daily lives. But there ARE things we can do to manage our discomfort with uncertainty: control what we can, Read more…
Does in-person schooling contribute to COVID-19 spread?
Infection and Spread School
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: It’s complicated. TL;DR: Two new well-designed studies find evidence that in-person schooling *does not* contribute to COVID spread when baseline community spread is LOW, but that in-person schooling *does* contribute to worsening COVID metrics when baseline COVID transmission is high. Thus far the research on schools and COVID-19 has been quite muddy, but two Read more…
¿Las precauciones existentes funcionan para proteger contra la nueva cepa de COVID-19?
Masks Posts en Español Staying Safe
Daisey Velazquez, Spanish Translation
R: Por suerte, si. La nueva cepa de COVID-19 es más transmisible que la cepa anterior. Pero, esto no significa que nuestras precauciones habituales (utilizar mascarilla, 2 metros de distancia, estar al aire libre) son menos efectivas. Las mutaciones de virus aún no desafían las leyes de la física. Pero debemos estar más atentos a Read more…
You asked for more Heroes of the Pandemic. We’ve got ’em! Dr. Ala Stanford
Social and Racial Justice Vaccines Women in STEM
Alison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
Tonight we’re honored to introduce Dr. Ala Stanford, pediatric surgeon and founder of Black Doctors Covid-19 Consortium in Philadelphia. Dr. Stanford has had an extraordinary career in medicine filled with both adventure and service. No stranger to “stepping up and stepping in”, she leapt into action in April, 2020 when she realized that Black Philadelphians Read more…
I’ve reached a new mental low. It doesn’t seem like I’m getting the vaccine any time soon, and I’m just … done.
Mental Health
Christine Whelan, PhD
A: Deep breath. Experts told us the winter was going to be hard, and here we are. Research suggests that choosing (and accomplishing) a highlight each day — one activity, goal or project that is most important to you – will boost your self-efficacy and help you keep on keepin’ on. Feeling bored, anxious, irritable Read more…
¿Qué se sabe de los síntomas de COVID-19 a largo plazo?
Clinical Symptoms Posts en Español
Daisey Velazquez, Spanish Translation
R: Desafortunadamente aún no sabemos porqué una persona experimenta síntomas a largo plazo o la mejor manera de ayudarlas. Sin embargo, estos desafiantes casos a largo plazo de COVID-19 están recibiendo más atención nacional, ¡con un enfoque renovado en ayudar a estos pacientes! El COVID-19 a largo plazo, en inglés conocido como “long-haulers” o “long Read more…
Honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Social and Racial Justice
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
The pandemic has shone a new light on the harms of racism in our society. Narrowly viewed, COVID-19 affects Black, brown, and Native people more often and more seriously than people who are white. And broadly speaking, the pandemic has also laid bare fundamental injustices in our social order. Today, we pause to honor Dr. Read more…
Is it safe to play on a playground?
Families/Kids Socializing Staying Safe
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: YES, playgrounds can be safe with some guidelines. The risk of transmission on an outdoor playground is low (but not zero). The greatest risk of infection comes from the people on the playground, not the equipment. Skip the snack, pack some hand sanitizer, and stay SMART. SPREAD OUT. Keep space between your crew and Read more…
Meet Those Nerdy Girls – Dr. Sandra Albrecht
Uncategorized
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Time for us to meet our next Nerdy Girl! Introducing Dr. Sandra Albrecht, PhD, MPH. Dr. Albrecht is a regular contributor here at Dear Pandemic, and is also the Editor-in-Chief at our Spanish-language sister site, Querida Pandemia. Like several of the other NG’s, Dr. Albrecht is a researcher trained in social epidemiology. She studies the Read more…
If I get vaccinated and I’m with another person who has gotten vaccinated, is it safe to spend time together without masks?
Socializing Staying Safe Vaccines
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: It will be much safer for the two of you to spend time in close contact than if one or both of you were not vaccinated, but keep in mind protection is not immediate nor 100%. You will also still need to take steps to prevent spreading infection to others until your community gets Read more…
In this live Q&A, Dear Pandemic contributing scientists Drs. Malia Jones & Jennifer Beam Dowd will be tackling more pandemic questions from our readers. If you have a question, put it in our question box at www.dearpandemic.org! We are *very* excited to announce that we have live closed captioning and #ASL interpretation available during the Read more…
Is there a timeline for vaccinations for children? Do the “herd immunity” projections include children?
Biology/Immunity Families/Kids VaccinesAmanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: Trials for children 12+ are currently in progress for both the Moderna (ages 12-17; still enrolling!) and Pfizer (ages 12-15; done enrolling!) vaccines with the most optimistic timeline for vaccine approval in kids 12+ by the start of the 2021 school year. Children will need to be vaccinated for us to achieve herd immunity, Read more…
¿Hay algo de verdad en que la ivermectina previene o disminuye la severidad del COVID-19?
Posts en Español Treatments Uncertainty and Misinformation
Sandra Albrecht, PhD MPH
R. Hasta el momento, todavía no tenemos buena evidencia científica de que la ivermectina sea segura y eficaz para la prevención o el tratamiento del COVID-19. Sin embargo, actualmente se están llevando a cabo varios Ensayos Clínicos Aleatorios (ECA) que ojalá nos proporcionen una respuesta a esta pregunta tan importante . ¿Qué es la ivermectina? Read more…
Addressing vaccine-related misinformation among essential workers
Uncertainty and Misinformation Vaccines
Sandra Albrecht, PhD MPH
Today we’d like to showcase an example of a strategy to address vaccine-related misinformation among essential workers. The linked video was made by Dr. Eain Murphy, a Bronx-born virologist, together with the Uniformed Firefighters Association of Greater New York (UFA), the union representing the New York City Fire Department (FDNY). Dr. Murphy was a childhood Read more…
Is there any reason to avoid fever reducers such as acetaminophen and ibuprofen with vaccine administration?
Vaccines
Michelle Kinder, PhD
A: It is generally recommended NOT to pretreat with fever reducers prior to vaccine administration, but if you develop a fever or feel uncomfortable after the vaccine you can take over the counter medicines. Pretreating may decrease the immune response to the vaccine. Acetaminophen and ibuprofen work by dampening the immune response. Ibuprofen is in Read more…
La Biblioteca Nacional de Medicina presenta este video para aprender acerca de lo que es una vacuna.
Posts en Español Vaccines
Tita Smyth Escobedo, PM-IT
La Biblioteca Nacional de Medicina presenta este video para aprender acerca de lo que es una vacuna, incluyendo cómo se hacen las vacunas y lo que ocurre con el sistema inmunológico de una persona después de recibir la vacuna. Puede ver el video original en este vínculo #QueridaPandemia #Vacunas #SistemaInmunologico Enlace a la publicación Read more…
Can kids get “long COVID?”
Clinical Symptoms Families/Kids
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
A: We don’t know, but it may be possible. People are described as having “long-Covid” or being a “long-hauler” if they continue to experience symptoms for weeks or even months. There are some case reports of children having prolonged symptoms after presumed COVID19 infection and much more research is needed to figure out how often Read more…
Dear Pandemic T-Shirts For Sale Until 1/31
Uncategorized
Gretchen Peterson, Chief Operations Officer
If you’re nerdy and you know it, wear a Dear Pandemic t-shirt! Occasionally we offer our branded t-shirts for purchase by our community, and this is one of those opportunities to proudly display your support and your nerdiness. So, here’s the deal: Click the link below to order and pay for your very own t-shirts Read more…
COVID-19 in Jails and Prisons
Social and Racial Justice Vaccines
Lauren Hale, PhD MA
Q: We know that individuals in jails and prisons are disproportionately getting COVID-19. What are the reasons for this and what can be done about it? How much more likely are incarcerated people to get COVID-19 than the rest of the population? A: Incarcerated individuals are approximately 5 times as likely as the general population Read more…
How can I cope with the constant state of change during the pandemic?
Mental Health
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
A: 🍃 Change is never easy. And we have been dealing with a lot of it over the past year. Change challenges our minds because it creates uncertainty in our thoughts and the actions of our daily lives. But there ARE things we can do to manage our discomfort with uncertainty: control what we can, Read more…
Does in-person schooling contribute to COVID-19 spread?
Infection and Spread School
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: It’s complicated. TL;DR: Two new well-designed studies find evidence that in-person schooling *does not* contribute to COVID spread when baseline community spread is LOW, but that in-person schooling *does* contribute to worsening COVID metrics when baseline COVID transmission is high. Thus far the research on schools and COVID-19 has been quite muddy, but two Read more…
¿Las precauciones existentes funcionan para proteger contra la nueva cepa de COVID-19?
Masks Posts en Español Staying Safe
Daisey Velazquez, Spanish Translation
R: Por suerte, si. La nueva cepa de COVID-19 es más transmisible que la cepa anterior. Pero, esto no significa que nuestras precauciones habituales (utilizar mascarilla, 2 metros de distancia, estar al aire libre) son menos efectivas. Las mutaciones de virus aún no desafían las leyes de la física. Pero debemos estar más atentos a Read more…
You asked for more Heroes of the Pandemic. We’ve got ’em! Dr. Ala Stanford
Social and Racial Justice Vaccines Women in STEM
Alison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
Tonight we’re honored to introduce Dr. Ala Stanford, pediatric surgeon and founder of Black Doctors Covid-19 Consortium in Philadelphia. Dr. Stanford has had an extraordinary career in medicine filled with both adventure and service. No stranger to “stepping up and stepping in”, she leapt into action in April, 2020 when she realized that Black Philadelphians Read more…
I’ve reached a new mental low. It doesn’t seem like I’m getting the vaccine any time soon, and I’m just … done.
Mental Health
Christine Whelan, PhD
A: Deep breath. Experts told us the winter was going to be hard, and here we are. Research suggests that choosing (and accomplishing) a highlight each day — one activity, goal or project that is most important to you – will boost your self-efficacy and help you keep on keepin’ on. Feeling bored, anxious, irritable Read more…
¿Qué se sabe de los síntomas de COVID-19 a largo plazo?
Clinical Symptoms Posts en Español
Daisey Velazquez, Spanish Translation
R: Desafortunadamente aún no sabemos porqué una persona experimenta síntomas a largo plazo o la mejor manera de ayudarlas. Sin embargo, estos desafiantes casos a largo plazo de COVID-19 están recibiendo más atención nacional, ¡con un enfoque renovado en ayudar a estos pacientes! El COVID-19 a largo plazo, en inglés conocido como “long-haulers” o “long Read more…
Honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Social and Racial Justice
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
The pandemic has shone a new light on the harms of racism in our society. Narrowly viewed, COVID-19 affects Black, brown, and Native people more often and more seriously than people who are white. And broadly speaking, the pandemic has also laid bare fundamental injustices in our social order. Today, we pause to honor Dr. Read more…
Is it safe to play on a playground?
Families/Kids Socializing Staying Safe
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: YES, playgrounds can be safe with some guidelines. The risk of transmission on an outdoor playground is low (but not zero). The greatest risk of infection comes from the people on the playground, not the equipment. Skip the snack, pack some hand sanitizer, and stay SMART. SPREAD OUT. Keep space between your crew and Read more…
Meet Those Nerdy Girls – Dr. Sandra Albrecht
Uncategorized
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Time for us to meet our next Nerdy Girl! Introducing Dr. Sandra Albrecht, PhD, MPH. Dr. Albrecht is a regular contributor here at Dear Pandemic, and is also the Editor-in-Chief at our Spanish-language sister site, Querida Pandemia. Like several of the other NG’s, Dr. Albrecht is a researcher trained in social epidemiology. She studies the Read more…
If I get vaccinated and I’m with another person who has gotten vaccinated, is it safe to spend time together without masks?
Socializing Staying Safe Vaccines
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: It will be much safer for the two of you to spend time in close contact than if one or both of you were not vaccinated, but keep in mind protection is not immediate nor 100%. You will also still need to take steps to prevent spreading infection to others until your community gets Read more…
A: Trials for children 12+ are currently in progress for both the Moderna (ages 12-17; still enrolling!) and Pfizer (ages 12-15; done enrolling!) vaccines with the most optimistic timeline for vaccine approval in kids 12+ by the start of the 2021 school year. Children will need to be vaccinated for us to achieve herd immunity, Read more…
¿Hay algo de verdad en que la ivermectina previene o disminuye la severidad del COVID-19?
Posts en Español Treatments Uncertainty and MisinformationSandra Albrecht, PhD MPH
R. Hasta el momento, todavía no tenemos buena evidencia científica de que la ivermectina sea segura y eficaz para la prevención o el tratamiento del COVID-19. Sin embargo, actualmente se están llevando a cabo varios Ensayos Clínicos Aleatorios (ECA) que ojalá nos proporcionen una respuesta a esta pregunta tan importante . ¿Qué es la ivermectina? Read more…
Addressing vaccine-related misinformation among essential workers
Uncertainty and Misinformation Vaccines
Sandra Albrecht, PhD MPH
Today we’d like to showcase an example of a strategy to address vaccine-related misinformation among essential workers. The linked video was made by Dr. Eain Murphy, a Bronx-born virologist, together with the Uniformed Firefighters Association of Greater New York (UFA), the union representing the New York City Fire Department (FDNY). Dr. Murphy was a childhood Read more…
Is there any reason to avoid fever reducers such as acetaminophen and ibuprofen with vaccine administration?
Vaccines
Michelle Kinder, PhD
A: It is generally recommended NOT to pretreat with fever reducers prior to vaccine administration, but if you develop a fever or feel uncomfortable after the vaccine you can take over the counter medicines. Pretreating may decrease the immune response to the vaccine. Acetaminophen and ibuprofen work by dampening the immune response. Ibuprofen is in Read more…
La Biblioteca Nacional de Medicina presenta este video para aprender acerca de lo que es una vacuna.
Posts en Español Vaccines
Tita Smyth Escobedo, PM-IT
La Biblioteca Nacional de Medicina presenta este video para aprender acerca de lo que es una vacuna, incluyendo cómo se hacen las vacunas y lo que ocurre con el sistema inmunológico de una persona después de recibir la vacuna. Puede ver el video original en este vínculo #QueridaPandemia #Vacunas #SistemaInmunologico Enlace a la publicación Read more…
Can kids get “long COVID?”
Clinical Symptoms Families/Kids
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
A: We don’t know, but it may be possible. People are described as having “long-Covid” or being a “long-hauler” if they continue to experience symptoms for weeks or even months. There are some case reports of children having prolonged symptoms after presumed COVID19 infection and much more research is needed to figure out how often Read more…
Dear Pandemic T-Shirts For Sale Until 1/31
Uncategorized
Gretchen Peterson, Chief Operations Officer
If you’re nerdy and you know it, wear a Dear Pandemic t-shirt! Occasionally we offer our branded t-shirts for purchase by our community, and this is one of those opportunities to proudly display your support and your nerdiness. So, here’s the deal: Click the link below to order and pay for your very own t-shirts Read more…
COVID-19 in Jails and Prisons
Social and Racial Justice Vaccines
Lauren Hale, PhD MA
Q: We know that individuals in jails and prisons are disproportionately getting COVID-19. What are the reasons for this and what can be done about it? How much more likely are incarcerated people to get COVID-19 than the rest of the population? A: Incarcerated individuals are approximately 5 times as likely as the general population Read more…
How can I cope with the constant state of change during the pandemic?
Mental Health
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
A: 🍃 Change is never easy. And we have been dealing with a lot of it over the past year. Change challenges our minds because it creates uncertainty in our thoughts and the actions of our daily lives. But there ARE things we can do to manage our discomfort with uncertainty: control what we can, Read more…
Does in-person schooling contribute to COVID-19 spread?
Infection and Spread School
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: It’s complicated. TL;DR: Two new well-designed studies find evidence that in-person schooling *does not* contribute to COVID spread when baseline community spread is LOW, but that in-person schooling *does* contribute to worsening COVID metrics when baseline COVID transmission is high. Thus far the research on schools and COVID-19 has been quite muddy, but two Read more…
¿Las precauciones existentes funcionan para proteger contra la nueva cepa de COVID-19?
Masks Posts en Español Staying Safe
Daisey Velazquez, Spanish Translation
R: Por suerte, si. La nueva cepa de COVID-19 es más transmisible que la cepa anterior. Pero, esto no significa que nuestras precauciones habituales (utilizar mascarilla, 2 metros de distancia, estar al aire libre) son menos efectivas. Las mutaciones de virus aún no desafían las leyes de la física. Pero debemos estar más atentos a Read more…
You asked for more Heroes of the Pandemic. We’ve got ’em! Dr. Ala Stanford
Social and Racial Justice Vaccines Women in STEM
Alison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
Tonight we’re honored to introduce Dr. Ala Stanford, pediatric surgeon and founder of Black Doctors Covid-19 Consortium in Philadelphia. Dr. Stanford has had an extraordinary career in medicine filled with both adventure and service. No stranger to “stepping up and stepping in”, she leapt into action in April, 2020 when she realized that Black Philadelphians Read more…
I’ve reached a new mental low. It doesn’t seem like I’m getting the vaccine any time soon, and I’m just … done.
Mental Health
Christine Whelan, PhD
A: Deep breath. Experts told us the winter was going to be hard, and here we are. Research suggests that choosing (and accomplishing) a highlight each day — one activity, goal or project that is most important to you – will boost your self-efficacy and help you keep on keepin’ on. Feeling bored, anxious, irritable Read more…
¿Qué se sabe de los síntomas de COVID-19 a largo plazo?
Clinical Symptoms Posts en Español
Daisey Velazquez, Spanish Translation
R: Desafortunadamente aún no sabemos porqué una persona experimenta síntomas a largo plazo o la mejor manera de ayudarlas. Sin embargo, estos desafiantes casos a largo plazo de COVID-19 están recibiendo más atención nacional, ¡con un enfoque renovado en ayudar a estos pacientes! El COVID-19 a largo plazo, en inglés conocido como “long-haulers” o “long Read more…
Honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Social and Racial Justice
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
The pandemic has shone a new light on the harms of racism in our society. Narrowly viewed, COVID-19 affects Black, brown, and Native people more often and more seriously than people who are white. And broadly speaking, the pandemic has also laid bare fundamental injustices in our social order. Today, we pause to honor Dr. Read more…
Is it safe to play on a playground?
Families/Kids Socializing Staying Safe
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: YES, playgrounds can be safe with some guidelines. The risk of transmission on an outdoor playground is low (but not zero). The greatest risk of infection comes from the people on the playground, not the equipment. Skip the snack, pack some hand sanitizer, and stay SMART. SPREAD OUT. Keep space between your crew and Read more…
Meet Those Nerdy Girls – Dr. Sandra Albrecht
Uncategorized
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Time for us to meet our next Nerdy Girl! Introducing Dr. Sandra Albrecht, PhD, MPH. Dr. Albrecht is a regular contributor here at Dear Pandemic, and is also the Editor-in-Chief at our Spanish-language sister site, Querida Pandemia. Like several of the other NG’s, Dr. Albrecht is a researcher trained in social epidemiology. She studies the Read more…
If I get vaccinated and I’m with another person who has gotten vaccinated, is it safe to spend time together without masks?
Socializing Staying Safe Vaccines
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: It will be much safer for the two of you to spend time in close contact than if one or both of you were not vaccinated, but keep in mind protection is not immediate nor 100%. You will also still need to take steps to prevent spreading infection to others until your community gets Read more…
R. Hasta el momento, todavía no tenemos buena evidencia científica de que la ivermectina sea segura y eficaz para la prevención o el tratamiento del COVID-19. Sin embargo, actualmente se están llevando a cabo varios Ensayos Clínicos Aleatorios (ECA) que ojalá nos proporcionen una respuesta a esta pregunta tan importante . ¿Qué es la ivermectina? Read more…
Addressing vaccine-related misinformation among essential workers
Uncertainty and Misinformation VaccinesSandra Albrecht, PhD MPH
Today we’d like to showcase an example of a strategy to address vaccine-related misinformation among essential workers. The linked video was made by Dr. Eain Murphy, a Bronx-born virologist, together with the Uniformed Firefighters Association of Greater New York (UFA), the union representing the New York City Fire Department (FDNY). Dr. Murphy was a childhood Read more…
Is there any reason to avoid fever reducers such as acetaminophen and ibuprofen with vaccine administration?
Vaccines
Michelle Kinder, PhD
A: It is generally recommended NOT to pretreat with fever reducers prior to vaccine administration, but if you develop a fever or feel uncomfortable after the vaccine you can take over the counter medicines. Pretreating may decrease the immune response to the vaccine. Acetaminophen and ibuprofen work by dampening the immune response. Ibuprofen is in Read more…
La Biblioteca Nacional de Medicina presenta este video para aprender acerca de lo que es una vacuna.
Posts en Español Vaccines
Tita Smyth Escobedo, PM-IT
La Biblioteca Nacional de Medicina presenta este video para aprender acerca de lo que es una vacuna, incluyendo cómo se hacen las vacunas y lo que ocurre con el sistema inmunológico de una persona después de recibir la vacuna. Puede ver el video original en este vínculo #QueridaPandemia #Vacunas #SistemaInmunologico Enlace a la publicación Read more…
Can kids get “long COVID?”
Clinical Symptoms Families/Kids
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
A: We don’t know, but it may be possible. People are described as having “long-Covid” or being a “long-hauler” if they continue to experience symptoms for weeks or even months. There are some case reports of children having prolonged symptoms after presumed COVID19 infection and much more research is needed to figure out how often Read more…
Dear Pandemic T-Shirts For Sale Until 1/31
Uncategorized
Gretchen Peterson, Chief Operations Officer
If you’re nerdy and you know it, wear a Dear Pandemic t-shirt! Occasionally we offer our branded t-shirts for purchase by our community, and this is one of those opportunities to proudly display your support and your nerdiness. So, here’s the deal: Click the link below to order and pay for your very own t-shirts Read more…
COVID-19 in Jails and Prisons
Social and Racial Justice Vaccines
Lauren Hale, PhD MA
Q: We know that individuals in jails and prisons are disproportionately getting COVID-19. What are the reasons for this and what can be done about it? How much more likely are incarcerated people to get COVID-19 than the rest of the population? A: Incarcerated individuals are approximately 5 times as likely as the general population Read more…
How can I cope with the constant state of change during the pandemic?
Mental Health
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
A: 🍃 Change is never easy. And we have been dealing with a lot of it over the past year. Change challenges our minds because it creates uncertainty in our thoughts and the actions of our daily lives. But there ARE things we can do to manage our discomfort with uncertainty: control what we can, Read more…
Does in-person schooling contribute to COVID-19 spread?
Infection and Spread School
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: It’s complicated. TL;DR: Two new well-designed studies find evidence that in-person schooling *does not* contribute to COVID spread when baseline community spread is LOW, but that in-person schooling *does* contribute to worsening COVID metrics when baseline COVID transmission is high. Thus far the research on schools and COVID-19 has been quite muddy, but two Read more…
¿Las precauciones existentes funcionan para proteger contra la nueva cepa de COVID-19?
Masks Posts en Español Staying Safe
Daisey Velazquez, Spanish Translation
R: Por suerte, si. La nueva cepa de COVID-19 es más transmisible que la cepa anterior. Pero, esto no significa que nuestras precauciones habituales (utilizar mascarilla, 2 metros de distancia, estar al aire libre) son menos efectivas. Las mutaciones de virus aún no desafían las leyes de la física. Pero debemos estar más atentos a Read more…
You asked for more Heroes of the Pandemic. We’ve got ’em! Dr. Ala Stanford
Social and Racial Justice Vaccines Women in STEM
Alison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
Tonight we’re honored to introduce Dr. Ala Stanford, pediatric surgeon and founder of Black Doctors Covid-19 Consortium in Philadelphia. Dr. Stanford has had an extraordinary career in medicine filled with both adventure and service. No stranger to “stepping up and stepping in”, she leapt into action in April, 2020 when she realized that Black Philadelphians Read more…
I’ve reached a new mental low. It doesn’t seem like I’m getting the vaccine any time soon, and I’m just … done.
Mental Health
Christine Whelan, PhD
A: Deep breath. Experts told us the winter was going to be hard, and here we are. Research suggests that choosing (and accomplishing) a highlight each day — one activity, goal or project that is most important to you – will boost your self-efficacy and help you keep on keepin’ on. Feeling bored, anxious, irritable Read more…
¿Qué se sabe de los síntomas de COVID-19 a largo plazo?
Clinical Symptoms Posts en Español
Daisey Velazquez, Spanish Translation
R: Desafortunadamente aún no sabemos porqué una persona experimenta síntomas a largo plazo o la mejor manera de ayudarlas. Sin embargo, estos desafiantes casos a largo plazo de COVID-19 están recibiendo más atención nacional, ¡con un enfoque renovado en ayudar a estos pacientes! El COVID-19 a largo plazo, en inglés conocido como “long-haulers” o “long Read more…
Honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Social and Racial Justice
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
The pandemic has shone a new light on the harms of racism in our society. Narrowly viewed, COVID-19 affects Black, brown, and Native people more often and more seriously than people who are white. And broadly speaking, the pandemic has also laid bare fundamental injustices in our social order. Today, we pause to honor Dr. Read more…
Is it safe to play on a playground?
Families/Kids Socializing Staying Safe
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: YES, playgrounds can be safe with some guidelines. The risk of transmission on an outdoor playground is low (but not zero). The greatest risk of infection comes from the people on the playground, not the equipment. Skip the snack, pack some hand sanitizer, and stay SMART. SPREAD OUT. Keep space between your crew and Read more…
Meet Those Nerdy Girls – Dr. Sandra Albrecht
Uncategorized
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Time for us to meet our next Nerdy Girl! Introducing Dr. Sandra Albrecht, PhD, MPH. Dr. Albrecht is a regular contributor here at Dear Pandemic, and is also the Editor-in-Chief at our Spanish-language sister site, Querida Pandemia. Like several of the other NG’s, Dr. Albrecht is a researcher trained in social epidemiology. She studies the Read more…
If I get vaccinated and I’m with another person who has gotten vaccinated, is it safe to spend time together without masks?
Socializing Staying Safe Vaccines
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: It will be much safer for the two of you to spend time in close contact than if one or both of you were not vaccinated, but keep in mind protection is not immediate nor 100%. You will also still need to take steps to prevent spreading infection to others until your community gets Read more…
Today we’d like to showcase an example of a strategy to address vaccine-related misinformation among essential workers. The linked video was made by Dr. Eain Murphy, a Bronx-born virologist, together with the Uniformed Firefighters Association of Greater New York (UFA), the union representing the New York City Fire Department (FDNY). Dr. Murphy was a childhood Read more…
Is there any reason to avoid fever reducers such as acetaminophen and ibuprofen with vaccine administration?
VaccinesMichelle Kinder, PhD
A: It is generally recommended NOT to pretreat with fever reducers prior to vaccine administration, but if you develop a fever or feel uncomfortable after the vaccine you can take over the counter medicines. Pretreating may decrease the immune response to the vaccine. Acetaminophen and ibuprofen work by dampening the immune response. Ibuprofen is in Read more…
La Biblioteca Nacional de Medicina presenta este video para aprender acerca de lo que es una vacuna.
Posts en Español Vaccines
Tita Smyth Escobedo, PM-IT
La Biblioteca Nacional de Medicina presenta este video para aprender acerca de lo que es una vacuna, incluyendo cómo se hacen las vacunas y lo que ocurre con el sistema inmunológico de una persona después de recibir la vacuna. Puede ver el video original en este vínculo #QueridaPandemia #Vacunas #SistemaInmunologico Enlace a la publicación Read more…
Can kids get “long COVID?”
Clinical Symptoms Families/Kids
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
A: We don’t know, but it may be possible. People are described as having “long-Covid” or being a “long-hauler” if they continue to experience symptoms for weeks or even months. There are some case reports of children having prolonged symptoms after presumed COVID19 infection and much more research is needed to figure out how often Read more…
Dear Pandemic T-Shirts For Sale Until 1/31
Uncategorized
Gretchen Peterson, Chief Operations Officer
If you’re nerdy and you know it, wear a Dear Pandemic t-shirt! Occasionally we offer our branded t-shirts for purchase by our community, and this is one of those opportunities to proudly display your support and your nerdiness. So, here’s the deal: Click the link below to order and pay for your very own t-shirts Read more…
COVID-19 in Jails and Prisons
Social and Racial Justice Vaccines
Lauren Hale, PhD MA
Q: We know that individuals in jails and prisons are disproportionately getting COVID-19. What are the reasons for this and what can be done about it? How much more likely are incarcerated people to get COVID-19 than the rest of the population? A: Incarcerated individuals are approximately 5 times as likely as the general population Read more…
How can I cope with the constant state of change during the pandemic?
Mental Health
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
A: 🍃 Change is never easy. And we have been dealing with a lot of it over the past year. Change challenges our minds because it creates uncertainty in our thoughts and the actions of our daily lives. But there ARE things we can do to manage our discomfort with uncertainty: control what we can, Read more…
Does in-person schooling contribute to COVID-19 spread?
Infection and Spread School
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: It’s complicated. TL;DR: Two new well-designed studies find evidence that in-person schooling *does not* contribute to COVID spread when baseline community spread is LOW, but that in-person schooling *does* contribute to worsening COVID metrics when baseline COVID transmission is high. Thus far the research on schools and COVID-19 has been quite muddy, but two Read more…
¿Las precauciones existentes funcionan para proteger contra la nueva cepa de COVID-19?
Masks Posts en Español Staying Safe
Daisey Velazquez, Spanish Translation
R: Por suerte, si. La nueva cepa de COVID-19 es más transmisible que la cepa anterior. Pero, esto no significa que nuestras precauciones habituales (utilizar mascarilla, 2 metros de distancia, estar al aire libre) son menos efectivas. Las mutaciones de virus aún no desafían las leyes de la física. Pero debemos estar más atentos a Read more…
You asked for more Heroes of the Pandemic. We’ve got ’em! Dr. Ala Stanford
Social and Racial Justice Vaccines Women in STEM
Alison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
Tonight we’re honored to introduce Dr. Ala Stanford, pediatric surgeon and founder of Black Doctors Covid-19 Consortium in Philadelphia. Dr. Stanford has had an extraordinary career in medicine filled with both adventure and service. No stranger to “stepping up and stepping in”, she leapt into action in April, 2020 when she realized that Black Philadelphians Read more…
I’ve reached a new mental low. It doesn’t seem like I’m getting the vaccine any time soon, and I’m just … done.
Mental Health
Christine Whelan, PhD
A: Deep breath. Experts told us the winter was going to be hard, and here we are. Research suggests that choosing (and accomplishing) a highlight each day — one activity, goal or project that is most important to you – will boost your self-efficacy and help you keep on keepin’ on. Feeling bored, anxious, irritable Read more…
¿Qué se sabe de los síntomas de COVID-19 a largo plazo?
Clinical Symptoms Posts en Español
Daisey Velazquez, Spanish Translation
R: Desafortunadamente aún no sabemos porqué una persona experimenta síntomas a largo plazo o la mejor manera de ayudarlas. Sin embargo, estos desafiantes casos a largo plazo de COVID-19 están recibiendo más atención nacional, ¡con un enfoque renovado en ayudar a estos pacientes! El COVID-19 a largo plazo, en inglés conocido como “long-haulers” o “long Read more…
Honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Social and Racial Justice
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
The pandemic has shone a new light on the harms of racism in our society. Narrowly viewed, COVID-19 affects Black, brown, and Native people more often and more seriously than people who are white. And broadly speaking, the pandemic has also laid bare fundamental injustices in our social order. Today, we pause to honor Dr. Read more…
Is it safe to play on a playground?
Families/Kids Socializing Staying Safe
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: YES, playgrounds can be safe with some guidelines. The risk of transmission on an outdoor playground is low (but not zero). The greatest risk of infection comes from the people on the playground, not the equipment. Skip the snack, pack some hand sanitizer, and stay SMART. SPREAD OUT. Keep space between your crew and Read more…
Meet Those Nerdy Girls – Dr. Sandra Albrecht
Uncategorized
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Time for us to meet our next Nerdy Girl! Introducing Dr. Sandra Albrecht, PhD, MPH. Dr. Albrecht is a regular contributor here at Dear Pandemic, and is also the Editor-in-Chief at our Spanish-language sister site, Querida Pandemia. Like several of the other NG’s, Dr. Albrecht is a researcher trained in social epidemiology. She studies the Read more…
If I get vaccinated and I’m with another person who has gotten vaccinated, is it safe to spend time together without masks?
Socializing Staying Safe Vaccines
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: It will be much safer for the two of you to spend time in close contact than if one or both of you were not vaccinated, but keep in mind protection is not immediate nor 100%. You will also still need to take steps to prevent spreading infection to others until your community gets Read more…
A: It is generally recommended NOT to pretreat with fever reducers prior to vaccine administration, but if you develop a fever or feel uncomfortable after the vaccine you can take over the counter medicines. Pretreating may decrease the immune response to the vaccine. Acetaminophen and ibuprofen work by dampening the immune response. Ibuprofen is in Read more…
La Biblioteca Nacional de Medicina presenta este video para aprender acerca de lo que es una vacuna.
Posts en Español VaccinesTita Smyth Escobedo, PM-IT
La Biblioteca Nacional de Medicina presenta este video para aprender acerca de lo que es una vacuna, incluyendo cómo se hacen las vacunas y lo que ocurre con el sistema inmunológico de una persona después de recibir la vacuna. Puede ver el video original en este vínculo #QueridaPandemia #Vacunas #SistemaInmunologico Enlace a la publicación Read more…
Can kids get “long COVID?”
Clinical Symptoms Families/Kids
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
A: We don’t know, but it may be possible. People are described as having “long-Covid” or being a “long-hauler” if they continue to experience symptoms for weeks or even months. There are some case reports of children having prolonged symptoms after presumed COVID19 infection and much more research is needed to figure out how often Read more…
Dear Pandemic T-Shirts For Sale Until 1/31
Uncategorized
Gretchen Peterson, Chief Operations Officer
If you’re nerdy and you know it, wear a Dear Pandemic t-shirt! Occasionally we offer our branded t-shirts for purchase by our community, and this is one of those opportunities to proudly display your support and your nerdiness. So, here’s the deal: Click the link below to order and pay for your very own t-shirts Read more…
COVID-19 in Jails and Prisons
Social and Racial Justice Vaccines
Lauren Hale, PhD MA
Q: We know that individuals in jails and prisons are disproportionately getting COVID-19. What are the reasons for this and what can be done about it? How much more likely are incarcerated people to get COVID-19 than the rest of the population? A: Incarcerated individuals are approximately 5 times as likely as the general population Read more…
How can I cope with the constant state of change during the pandemic?
Mental Health
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
A: 🍃 Change is never easy. And we have been dealing with a lot of it over the past year. Change challenges our minds because it creates uncertainty in our thoughts and the actions of our daily lives. But there ARE things we can do to manage our discomfort with uncertainty: control what we can, Read more…
Does in-person schooling contribute to COVID-19 spread?
Infection and Spread School
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: It’s complicated. TL;DR: Two new well-designed studies find evidence that in-person schooling *does not* contribute to COVID spread when baseline community spread is LOW, but that in-person schooling *does* contribute to worsening COVID metrics when baseline COVID transmission is high. Thus far the research on schools and COVID-19 has been quite muddy, but two Read more…
¿Las precauciones existentes funcionan para proteger contra la nueva cepa de COVID-19?
Masks Posts en Español Staying Safe
Daisey Velazquez, Spanish Translation
R: Por suerte, si. La nueva cepa de COVID-19 es más transmisible que la cepa anterior. Pero, esto no significa que nuestras precauciones habituales (utilizar mascarilla, 2 metros de distancia, estar al aire libre) son menos efectivas. Las mutaciones de virus aún no desafían las leyes de la física. Pero debemos estar más atentos a Read more…
You asked for more Heroes of the Pandemic. We’ve got ’em! Dr. Ala Stanford
Social and Racial Justice Vaccines Women in STEM
Alison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
Tonight we’re honored to introduce Dr. Ala Stanford, pediatric surgeon and founder of Black Doctors Covid-19 Consortium in Philadelphia. Dr. Stanford has had an extraordinary career in medicine filled with both adventure and service. No stranger to “stepping up and stepping in”, she leapt into action in April, 2020 when she realized that Black Philadelphians Read more…
I’ve reached a new mental low. It doesn’t seem like I’m getting the vaccine any time soon, and I’m just … done.
Mental Health
Christine Whelan, PhD
A: Deep breath. Experts told us the winter was going to be hard, and here we are. Research suggests that choosing (and accomplishing) a highlight each day — one activity, goal or project that is most important to you – will boost your self-efficacy and help you keep on keepin’ on. Feeling bored, anxious, irritable Read more…
¿Qué se sabe de los síntomas de COVID-19 a largo plazo?
Clinical Symptoms Posts en Español
Daisey Velazquez, Spanish Translation
R: Desafortunadamente aún no sabemos porqué una persona experimenta síntomas a largo plazo o la mejor manera de ayudarlas. Sin embargo, estos desafiantes casos a largo plazo de COVID-19 están recibiendo más atención nacional, ¡con un enfoque renovado en ayudar a estos pacientes! El COVID-19 a largo plazo, en inglés conocido como “long-haulers” o “long Read more…
Honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Social and Racial Justice
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
The pandemic has shone a new light on the harms of racism in our society. Narrowly viewed, COVID-19 affects Black, brown, and Native people more often and more seriously than people who are white. And broadly speaking, the pandemic has also laid bare fundamental injustices in our social order. Today, we pause to honor Dr. Read more…
Is it safe to play on a playground?
Families/Kids Socializing Staying Safe
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: YES, playgrounds can be safe with some guidelines. The risk of transmission on an outdoor playground is low (but not zero). The greatest risk of infection comes from the people on the playground, not the equipment. Skip the snack, pack some hand sanitizer, and stay SMART. SPREAD OUT. Keep space between your crew and Read more…
Meet Those Nerdy Girls – Dr. Sandra Albrecht
Uncategorized
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Time for us to meet our next Nerdy Girl! Introducing Dr. Sandra Albrecht, PhD, MPH. Dr. Albrecht is a regular contributor here at Dear Pandemic, and is also the Editor-in-Chief at our Spanish-language sister site, Querida Pandemia. Like several of the other NG’s, Dr. Albrecht is a researcher trained in social epidemiology. She studies the Read more…
If I get vaccinated and I’m with another person who has gotten vaccinated, is it safe to spend time together without masks?
Socializing Staying Safe Vaccines
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: It will be much safer for the two of you to spend time in close contact than if one or both of you were not vaccinated, but keep in mind protection is not immediate nor 100%. You will also still need to take steps to prevent spreading infection to others until your community gets Read more…
La Biblioteca Nacional de Medicina presenta este video para aprender acerca de lo que es una vacuna, incluyendo cómo se hacen las vacunas y lo que ocurre con el sistema inmunológico de una persona después de recibir la vacuna. Puede ver el video original en este vínculo #QueridaPandemia #Vacunas #SistemaInmunologico Enlace a la publicación Read more…
Can kids get “long COVID?”
Clinical Symptoms Families/KidsSarah Whitley Coles, MD
A: We don’t know, but it may be possible. People are described as having “long-Covid” or being a “long-hauler” if they continue to experience symptoms for weeks or even months. There are some case reports of children having prolonged symptoms after presumed COVID19 infection and much more research is needed to figure out how often Read more…
Dear Pandemic T-Shirts For Sale Until 1/31
Uncategorized
Gretchen Peterson, Chief Operations Officer
If you’re nerdy and you know it, wear a Dear Pandemic t-shirt! Occasionally we offer our branded t-shirts for purchase by our community, and this is one of those opportunities to proudly display your support and your nerdiness. So, here’s the deal: Click the link below to order and pay for your very own t-shirts Read more…
COVID-19 in Jails and Prisons
Social and Racial Justice Vaccines
Lauren Hale, PhD MA
Q: We know that individuals in jails and prisons are disproportionately getting COVID-19. What are the reasons for this and what can be done about it? How much more likely are incarcerated people to get COVID-19 than the rest of the population? A: Incarcerated individuals are approximately 5 times as likely as the general population Read more…
How can I cope with the constant state of change during the pandemic?
Mental Health
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
A: 🍃 Change is never easy. And we have been dealing with a lot of it over the past year. Change challenges our minds because it creates uncertainty in our thoughts and the actions of our daily lives. But there ARE things we can do to manage our discomfort with uncertainty: control what we can, Read more…
Does in-person schooling contribute to COVID-19 spread?
Infection and Spread School
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: It’s complicated. TL;DR: Two new well-designed studies find evidence that in-person schooling *does not* contribute to COVID spread when baseline community spread is LOW, but that in-person schooling *does* contribute to worsening COVID metrics when baseline COVID transmission is high. Thus far the research on schools and COVID-19 has been quite muddy, but two Read more…
¿Las precauciones existentes funcionan para proteger contra la nueva cepa de COVID-19?
Masks Posts en Español Staying Safe
Daisey Velazquez, Spanish Translation
R: Por suerte, si. La nueva cepa de COVID-19 es más transmisible que la cepa anterior. Pero, esto no significa que nuestras precauciones habituales (utilizar mascarilla, 2 metros de distancia, estar al aire libre) son menos efectivas. Las mutaciones de virus aún no desafían las leyes de la física. Pero debemos estar más atentos a Read more…
You asked for more Heroes of the Pandemic. We’ve got ’em! Dr. Ala Stanford
Social and Racial Justice Vaccines Women in STEM
Alison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
Tonight we’re honored to introduce Dr. Ala Stanford, pediatric surgeon and founder of Black Doctors Covid-19 Consortium in Philadelphia. Dr. Stanford has had an extraordinary career in medicine filled with both adventure and service. No stranger to “stepping up and stepping in”, she leapt into action in April, 2020 when she realized that Black Philadelphians Read more…
I’ve reached a new mental low. It doesn’t seem like I’m getting the vaccine any time soon, and I’m just … done.
Mental Health
Christine Whelan, PhD
A: Deep breath. Experts told us the winter was going to be hard, and here we are. Research suggests that choosing (and accomplishing) a highlight each day — one activity, goal or project that is most important to you – will boost your self-efficacy and help you keep on keepin’ on. Feeling bored, anxious, irritable Read more…
¿Qué se sabe de los síntomas de COVID-19 a largo plazo?
Clinical Symptoms Posts en Español
Daisey Velazquez, Spanish Translation
R: Desafortunadamente aún no sabemos porqué una persona experimenta síntomas a largo plazo o la mejor manera de ayudarlas. Sin embargo, estos desafiantes casos a largo plazo de COVID-19 están recibiendo más atención nacional, ¡con un enfoque renovado en ayudar a estos pacientes! El COVID-19 a largo plazo, en inglés conocido como “long-haulers” o “long Read more…
Honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Social and Racial Justice
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
The pandemic has shone a new light on the harms of racism in our society. Narrowly viewed, COVID-19 affects Black, brown, and Native people more often and more seriously than people who are white. And broadly speaking, the pandemic has also laid bare fundamental injustices in our social order. Today, we pause to honor Dr. Read more…
Is it safe to play on a playground?
Families/Kids Socializing Staying Safe
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: YES, playgrounds can be safe with some guidelines. The risk of transmission on an outdoor playground is low (but not zero). The greatest risk of infection comes from the people on the playground, not the equipment. Skip the snack, pack some hand sanitizer, and stay SMART. SPREAD OUT. Keep space between your crew and Read more…
Meet Those Nerdy Girls – Dr. Sandra Albrecht
Uncategorized
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Time for us to meet our next Nerdy Girl! Introducing Dr. Sandra Albrecht, PhD, MPH. Dr. Albrecht is a regular contributor here at Dear Pandemic, and is also the Editor-in-Chief at our Spanish-language sister site, Querida Pandemia. Like several of the other NG’s, Dr. Albrecht is a researcher trained in social epidemiology. She studies the Read more…
If I get vaccinated and I’m with another person who has gotten vaccinated, is it safe to spend time together without masks?
Socializing Staying Safe Vaccines
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: It will be much safer for the two of you to spend time in close contact than if one or both of you were not vaccinated, but keep in mind protection is not immediate nor 100%. You will also still need to take steps to prevent spreading infection to others until your community gets Read more…
A: We don’t know, but it may be possible. People are described as having “long-Covid” or being a “long-hauler” if they continue to experience symptoms for weeks or even months. There are some case reports of children having prolonged symptoms after presumed COVID19 infection and much more research is needed to figure out how often Read more…
Dear Pandemic T-Shirts For Sale Until 1/31
UncategorizedGretchen Peterson, Chief Operations Officer
If you’re nerdy and you know it, wear a Dear Pandemic t-shirt! Occasionally we offer our branded t-shirts for purchase by our community, and this is one of those opportunities to proudly display your support and your nerdiness. So, here’s the deal: Click the link below to order and pay for your very own t-shirts Read more…
COVID-19 in Jails and Prisons
Social and Racial Justice Vaccines
Lauren Hale, PhD MA
Q: We know that individuals in jails and prisons are disproportionately getting COVID-19. What are the reasons for this and what can be done about it? How much more likely are incarcerated people to get COVID-19 than the rest of the population? A: Incarcerated individuals are approximately 5 times as likely as the general population Read more…
How can I cope with the constant state of change during the pandemic?
Mental Health
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
A: 🍃 Change is never easy. And we have been dealing with a lot of it over the past year. Change challenges our minds because it creates uncertainty in our thoughts and the actions of our daily lives. But there ARE things we can do to manage our discomfort with uncertainty: control what we can, Read more…
Does in-person schooling contribute to COVID-19 spread?
Infection and Spread School
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: It’s complicated. TL;DR: Two new well-designed studies find evidence that in-person schooling *does not* contribute to COVID spread when baseline community spread is LOW, but that in-person schooling *does* contribute to worsening COVID metrics when baseline COVID transmission is high. Thus far the research on schools and COVID-19 has been quite muddy, but two Read more…
¿Las precauciones existentes funcionan para proteger contra la nueva cepa de COVID-19?
Masks Posts en Español Staying Safe
Daisey Velazquez, Spanish Translation
R: Por suerte, si. La nueva cepa de COVID-19 es más transmisible que la cepa anterior. Pero, esto no significa que nuestras precauciones habituales (utilizar mascarilla, 2 metros de distancia, estar al aire libre) son menos efectivas. Las mutaciones de virus aún no desafían las leyes de la física. Pero debemos estar más atentos a Read more…
You asked for more Heroes of the Pandemic. We’ve got ’em! Dr. Ala Stanford
Social and Racial Justice Vaccines Women in STEM
Alison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
Tonight we’re honored to introduce Dr. Ala Stanford, pediatric surgeon and founder of Black Doctors Covid-19 Consortium in Philadelphia. Dr. Stanford has had an extraordinary career in medicine filled with both adventure and service. No stranger to “stepping up and stepping in”, she leapt into action in April, 2020 when she realized that Black Philadelphians Read more…
I’ve reached a new mental low. It doesn’t seem like I’m getting the vaccine any time soon, and I’m just … done.
Mental Health
Christine Whelan, PhD
A: Deep breath. Experts told us the winter was going to be hard, and here we are. Research suggests that choosing (and accomplishing) a highlight each day — one activity, goal or project that is most important to you – will boost your self-efficacy and help you keep on keepin’ on. Feeling bored, anxious, irritable Read more…
¿Qué se sabe de los síntomas de COVID-19 a largo plazo?
Clinical Symptoms Posts en Español
Daisey Velazquez, Spanish Translation
R: Desafortunadamente aún no sabemos porqué una persona experimenta síntomas a largo plazo o la mejor manera de ayudarlas. Sin embargo, estos desafiantes casos a largo plazo de COVID-19 están recibiendo más atención nacional, ¡con un enfoque renovado en ayudar a estos pacientes! El COVID-19 a largo plazo, en inglés conocido como “long-haulers” o “long Read more…
Honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Social and Racial Justice
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
The pandemic has shone a new light on the harms of racism in our society. Narrowly viewed, COVID-19 affects Black, brown, and Native people more often and more seriously than people who are white. And broadly speaking, the pandemic has also laid bare fundamental injustices in our social order. Today, we pause to honor Dr. Read more…
Is it safe to play on a playground?
Families/Kids Socializing Staying Safe
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: YES, playgrounds can be safe with some guidelines. The risk of transmission on an outdoor playground is low (but not zero). The greatest risk of infection comes from the people on the playground, not the equipment. Skip the snack, pack some hand sanitizer, and stay SMART. SPREAD OUT. Keep space between your crew and Read more…
Meet Those Nerdy Girls – Dr. Sandra Albrecht
Uncategorized
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Time for us to meet our next Nerdy Girl! Introducing Dr. Sandra Albrecht, PhD, MPH. Dr. Albrecht is a regular contributor here at Dear Pandemic, and is also the Editor-in-Chief at our Spanish-language sister site, Querida Pandemia. Like several of the other NG’s, Dr. Albrecht is a researcher trained in social epidemiology. She studies the Read more…
If I get vaccinated and I’m with another person who has gotten vaccinated, is it safe to spend time together without masks?
Socializing Staying Safe Vaccines
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: It will be much safer for the two of you to spend time in close contact than if one or both of you were not vaccinated, but keep in mind protection is not immediate nor 100%. You will also still need to take steps to prevent spreading infection to others until your community gets Read more…
If you’re nerdy and you know it, wear a Dear Pandemic t-shirt! Occasionally we offer our branded t-shirts for purchase by our community, and this is one of those opportunities to proudly display your support and your nerdiness. So, here’s the deal: Click the link below to order and pay for your very own t-shirts Read more…
COVID-19 in Jails and Prisons
Social and Racial Justice VaccinesLauren Hale, PhD MA
Q: We know that individuals in jails and prisons are disproportionately getting COVID-19. What are the reasons for this and what can be done about it? How much more likely are incarcerated people to get COVID-19 than the rest of the population? A: Incarcerated individuals are approximately 5 times as likely as the general population Read more…
How can I cope with the constant state of change during the pandemic?
Mental Health
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
A: 🍃 Change is never easy. And we have been dealing with a lot of it over the past year. Change challenges our minds because it creates uncertainty in our thoughts and the actions of our daily lives. But there ARE things we can do to manage our discomfort with uncertainty: control what we can, Read more…
Does in-person schooling contribute to COVID-19 spread?
Infection and Spread School
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: It’s complicated. TL;DR: Two new well-designed studies find evidence that in-person schooling *does not* contribute to COVID spread when baseline community spread is LOW, but that in-person schooling *does* contribute to worsening COVID metrics when baseline COVID transmission is high. Thus far the research on schools and COVID-19 has been quite muddy, but two Read more…
¿Las precauciones existentes funcionan para proteger contra la nueva cepa de COVID-19?
Masks Posts en Español Staying Safe
Daisey Velazquez, Spanish Translation
R: Por suerte, si. La nueva cepa de COVID-19 es más transmisible que la cepa anterior. Pero, esto no significa que nuestras precauciones habituales (utilizar mascarilla, 2 metros de distancia, estar al aire libre) son menos efectivas. Las mutaciones de virus aún no desafían las leyes de la física. Pero debemos estar más atentos a Read more…
You asked for more Heroes of the Pandemic. We’ve got ’em! Dr. Ala Stanford
Social and Racial Justice Vaccines Women in STEM
Alison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
Tonight we’re honored to introduce Dr. Ala Stanford, pediatric surgeon and founder of Black Doctors Covid-19 Consortium in Philadelphia. Dr. Stanford has had an extraordinary career in medicine filled with both adventure and service. No stranger to “stepping up and stepping in”, she leapt into action in April, 2020 when she realized that Black Philadelphians Read more…
I’ve reached a new mental low. It doesn’t seem like I’m getting the vaccine any time soon, and I’m just … done.
Mental Health
Christine Whelan, PhD
A: Deep breath. Experts told us the winter was going to be hard, and here we are. Research suggests that choosing (and accomplishing) a highlight each day — one activity, goal or project that is most important to you – will boost your self-efficacy and help you keep on keepin’ on. Feeling bored, anxious, irritable Read more…
¿Qué se sabe de los síntomas de COVID-19 a largo plazo?
Clinical Symptoms Posts en Español
Daisey Velazquez, Spanish Translation
R: Desafortunadamente aún no sabemos porqué una persona experimenta síntomas a largo plazo o la mejor manera de ayudarlas. Sin embargo, estos desafiantes casos a largo plazo de COVID-19 están recibiendo más atención nacional, ¡con un enfoque renovado en ayudar a estos pacientes! El COVID-19 a largo plazo, en inglés conocido como “long-haulers” o “long Read more…
Honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Social and Racial Justice
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
The pandemic has shone a new light on the harms of racism in our society. Narrowly viewed, COVID-19 affects Black, brown, and Native people more often and more seriously than people who are white. And broadly speaking, the pandemic has also laid bare fundamental injustices in our social order. Today, we pause to honor Dr. Read more…
Is it safe to play on a playground?
Families/Kids Socializing Staying Safe
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: YES, playgrounds can be safe with some guidelines. The risk of transmission on an outdoor playground is low (but not zero). The greatest risk of infection comes from the people on the playground, not the equipment. Skip the snack, pack some hand sanitizer, and stay SMART. SPREAD OUT. Keep space between your crew and Read more…
Meet Those Nerdy Girls – Dr. Sandra Albrecht
Uncategorized
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Time for us to meet our next Nerdy Girl! Introducing Dr. Sandra Albrecht, PhD, MPH. Dr. Albrecht is a regular contributor here at Dear Pandemic, and is also the Editor-in-Chief at our Spanish-language sister site, Querida Pandemia. Like several of the other NG’s, Dr. Albrecht is a researcher trained in social epidemiology. She studies the Read more…
If I get vaccinated and I’m with another person who has gotten vaccinated, is it safe to spend time together without masks?
Socializing Staying Safe Vaccines
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: It will be much safer for the two of you to spend time in close contact than if one or both of you were not vaccinated, but keep in mind protection is not immediate nor 100%. You will also still need to take steps to prevent spreading infection to others until your community gets Read more…
Q: We know that individuals in jails and prisons are disproportionately getting COVID-19. What are the reasons for this and what can be done about it? How much more likely are incarcerated people to get COVID-19 than the rest of the population? A: Incarcerated individuals are approximately 5 times as likely as the general population Read more…
How can I cope with the constant state of change during the pandemic?
Mental HealthAparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
A: 🍃 Change is never easy. And we have been dealing with a lot of it over the past year. Change challenges our minds because it creates uncertainty in our thoughts and the actions of our daily lives. But there ARE things we can do to manage our discomfort with uncertainty: control what we can, Read more…
Does in-person schooling contribute to COVID-19 spread?
Infection and Spread School
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: It’s complicated. TL;DR: Two new well-designed studies find evidence that in-person schooling *does not* contribute to COVID spread when baseline community spread is LOW, but that in-person schooling *does* contribute to worsening COVID metrics when baseline COVID transmission is high. Thus far the research on schools and COVID-19 has been quite muddy, but two Read more…
¿Las precauciones existentes funcionan para proteger contra la nueva cepa de COVID-19?
Masks Posts en Español Staying Safe
Daisey Velazquez, Spanish Translation
R: Por suerte, si. La nueva cepa de COVID-19 es más transmisible que la cepa anterior. Pero, esto no significa que nuestras precauciones habituales (utilizar mascarilla, 2 metros de distancia, estar al aire libre) son menos efectivas. Las mutaciones de virus aún no desafían las leyes de la física. Pero debemos estar más atentos a Read more…
You asked for more Heroes of the Pandemic. We’ve got ’em! Dr. Ala Stanford
Social and Racial Justice Vaccines Women in STEM
Alison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
Tonight we’re honored to introduce Dr. Ala Stanford, pediatric surgeon and founder of Black Doctors Covid-19 Consortium in Philadelphia. Dr. Stanford has had an extraordinary career in medicine filled with both adventure and service. No stranger to “stepping up and stepping in”, she leapt into action in April, 2020 when she realized that Black Philadelphians Read more…
I’ve reached a new mental low. It doesn’t seem like I’m getting the vaccine any time soon, and I’m just … done.
Mental Health
Christine Whelan, PhD
A: Deep breath. Experts told us the winter was going to be hard, and here we are. Research suggests that choosing (and accomplishing) a highlight each day — one activity, goal or project that is most important to you – will boost your self-efficacy and help you keep on keepin’ on. Feeling bored, anxious, irritable Read more…
¿Qué se sabe de los síntomas de COVID-19 a largo plazo?
Clinical Symptoms Posts en Español
Daisey Velazquez, Spanish Translation
R: Desafortunadamente aún no sabemos porqué una persona experimenta síntomas a largo plazo o la mejor manera de ayudarlas. Sin embargo, estos desafiantes casos a largo plazo de COVID-19 están recibiendo más atención nacional, ¡con un enfoque renovado en ayudar a estos pacientes! El COVID-19 a largo plazo, en inglés conocido como “long-haulers” o “long Read more…
Honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Social and Racial Justice
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
The pandemic has shone a new light on the harms of racism in our society. Narrowly viewed, COVID-19 affects Black, brown, and Native people more often and more seriously than people who are white. And broadly speaking, the pandemic has also laid bare fundamental injustices in our social order. Today, we pause to honor Dr. Read more…
Is it safe to play on a playground?
Families/Kids Socializing Staying Safe
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: YES, playgrounds can be safe with some guidelines. The risk of transmission on an outdoor playground is low (but not zero). The greatest risk of infection comes from the people on the playground, not the equipment. Skip the snack, pack some hand sanitizer, and stay SMART. SPREAD OUT. Keep space between your crew and Read more…
Meet Those Nerdy Girls – Dr. Sandra Albrecht
Uncategorized
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Time for us to meet our next Nerdy Girl! Introducing Dr. Sandra Albrecht, PhD, MPH. Dr. Albrecht is a regular contributor here at Dear Pandemic, and is also the Editor-in-Chief at our Spanish-language sister site, Querida Pandemia. Like several of the other NG’s, Dr. Albrecht is a researcher trained in social epidemiology. She studies the Read more…
If I get vaccinated and I’m with another person who has gotten vaccinated, is it safe to spend time together without masks?
Socializing Staying Safe Vaccines
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: It will be much safer for the two of you to spend time in close contact than if one or both of you were not vaccinated, but keep in mind protection is not immediate nor 100%. You will also still need to take steps to prevent spreading infection to others until your community gets Read more…
A: 🍃 Change is never easy. And we have been dealing with a lot of it over the past year. Change challenges our minds because it creates uncertainty in our thoughts and the actions of our daily lives. But there ARE things we can do to manage our discomfort with uncertainty: control what we can, Read more…
Does in-person schooling contribute to COVID-19 spread?
Infection and Spread SchoolJennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: It’s complicated. TL;DR: Two new well-designed studies find evidence that in-person schooling *does not* contribute to COVID spread when baseline community spread is LOW, but that in-person schooling *does* contribute to worsening COVID metrics when baseline COVID transmission is high. Thus far the research on schools and COVID-19 has been quite muddy, but two Read more…
¿Las precauciones existentes funcionan para proteger contra la nueva cepa de COVID-19?
Masks Posts en Español Staying Safe
Daisey Velazquez, Spanish Translation
R: Por suerte, si. La nueva cepa de COVID-19 es más transmisible que la cepa anterior. Pero, esto no significa que nuestras precauciones habituales (utilizar mascarilla, 2 metros de distancia, estar al aire libre) son menos efectivas. Las mutaciones de virus aún no desafían las leyes de la física. Pero debemos estar más atentos a Read more…
You asked for more Heroes of the Pandemic. We’ve got ’em! Dr. Ala Stanford
Social and Racial Justice Vaccines Women in STEM
Alison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
Tonight we’re honored to introduce Dr. Ala Stanford, pediatric surgeon and founder of Black Doctors Covid-19 Consortium in Philadelphia. Dr. Stanford has had an extraordinary career in medicine filled with both adventure and service. No stranger to “stepping up and stepping in”, she leapt into action in April, 2020 when she realized that Black Philadelphians Read more…
I’ve reached a new mental low. It doesn’t seem like I’m getting the vaccine any time soon, and I’m just … done.
Mental Health
Christine Whelan, PhD
A: Deep breath. Experts told us the winter was going to be hard, and here we are. Research suggests that choosing (and accomplishing) a highlight each day — one activity, goal or project that is most important to you – will boost your self-efficacy and help you keep on keepin’ on. Feeling bored, anxious, irritable Read more…
¿Qué se sabe de los síntomas de COVID-19 a largo plazo?
Clinical Symptoms Posts en Español
Daisey Velazquez, Spanish Translation
R: Desafortunadamente aún no sabemos porqué una persona experimenta síntomas a largo plazo o la mejor manera de ayudarlas. Sin embargo, estos desafiantes casos a largo plazo de COVID-19 están recibiendo más atención nacional, ¡con un enfoque renovado en ayudar a estos pacientes! El COVID-19 a largo plazo, en inglés conocido como “long-haulers” o “long Read more…
Honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Social and Racial Justice
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
The pandemic has shone a new light on the harms of racism in our society. Narrowly viewed, COVID-19 affects Black, brown, and Native people more often and more seriously than people who are white. And broadly speaking, the pandemic has also laid bare fundamental injustices in our social order. Today, we pause to honor Dr. Read more…
Is it safe to play on a playground?
Families/Kids Socializing Staying Safe
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: YES, playgrounds can be safe with some guidelines. The risk of transmission on an outdoor playground is low (but not zero). The greatest risk of infection comes from the people on the playground, not the equipment. Skip the snack, pack some hand sanitizer, and stay SMART. SPREAD OUT. Keep space between your crew and Read more…
Meet Those Nerdy Girls – Dr. Sandra Albrecht
Uncategorized
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Time for us to meet our next Nerdy Girl! Introducing Dr. Sandra Albrecht, PhD, MPH. Dr. Albrecht is a regular contributor here at Dear Pandemic, and is also the Editor-in-Chief at our Spanish-language sister site, Querida Pandemia. Like several of the other NG’s, Dr. Albrecht is a researcher trained in social epidemiology. She studies the Read more…
If I get vaccinated and I’m with another person who has gotten vaccinated, is it safe to spend time together without masks?
Socializing Staying Safe Vaccines
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: It will be much safer for the two of you to spend time in close contact than if one or both of you were not vaccinated, but keep in mind protection is not immediate nor 100%. You will also still need to take steps to prevent spreading infection to others until your community gets Read more…
A: It’s complicated. TL;DR: Two new well-designed studies find evidence that in-person schooling *does not* contribute to COVID spread when baseline community spread is LOW, but that in-person schooling *does* contribute to worsening COVID metrics when baseline COVID transmission is high. Thus far the research on schools and COVID-19 has been quite muddy, but two Read more…
¿Las precauciones existentes funcionan para proteger contra la nueva cepa de COVID-19?
Masks Posts en Español Staying SafeDaisey Velazquez, Spanish Translation
R: Por suerte, si. La nueva cepa de COVID-19 es más transmisible que la cepa anterior. Pero, esto no significa que nuestras precauciones habituales (utilizar mascarilla, 2 metros de distancia, estar al aire libre) son menos efectivas. Las mutaciones de virus aún no desafían las leyes de la física. Pero debemos estar más atentos a Read more…
You asked for more Heroes of the Pandemic. We’ve got ’em! Dr. Ala Stanford
Social and Racial Justice Vaccines Women in STEM
Alison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
Tonight we’re honored to introduce Dr. Ala Stanford, pediatric surgeon and founder of Black Doctors Covid-19 Consortium in Philadelphia. Dr. Stanford has had an extraordinary career in medicine filled with both adventure and service. No stranger to “stepping up and stepping in”, she leapt into action in April, 2020 when she realized that Black Philadelphians Read more…
I’ve reached a new mental low. It doesn’t seem like I’m getting the vaccine any time soon, and I’m just … done.
Mental Health
Christine Whelan, PhD
A: Deep breath. Experts told us the winter was going to be hard, and here we are. Research suggests that choosing (and accomplishing) a highlight each day — one activity, goal or project that is most important to you – will boost your self-efficacy and help you keep on keepin’ on. Feeling bored, anxious, irritable Read more…
¿Qué se sabe de los síntomas de COVID-19 a largo plazo?
Clinical Symptoms Posts en Español
Daisey Velazquez, Spanish Translation
R: Desafortunadamente aún no sabemos porqué una persona experimenta síntomas a largo plazo o la mejor manera de ayudarlas. Sin embargo, estos desafiantes casos a largo plazo de COVID-19 están recibiendo más atención nacional, ¡con un enfoque renovado en ayudar a estos pacientes! El COVID-19 a largo plazo, en inglés conocido como “long-haulers” o “long Read more…
Honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Social and Racial Justice
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
The pandemic has shone a new light on the harms of racism in our society. Narrowly viewed, COVID-19 affects Black, brown, and Native people more often and more seriously than people who are white. And broadly speaking, the pandemic has also laid bare fundamental injustices in our social order. Today, we pause to honor Dr. Read more…
Is it safe to play on a playground?
Families/Kids Socializing Staying Safe
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: YES, playgrounds can be safe with some guidelines. The risk of transmission on an outdoor playground is low (but not zero). The greatest risk of infection comes from the people on the playground, not the equipment. Skip the snack, pack some hand sanitizer, and stay SMART. SPREAD OUT. Keep space between your crew and Read more…
Meet Those Nerdy Girls – Dr. Sandra Albrecht
Uncategorized
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Time for us to meet our next Nerdy Girl! Introducing Dr. Sandra Albrecht, PhD, MPH. Dr. Albrecht is a regular contributor here at Dear Pandemic, and is also the Editor-in-Chief at our Spanish-language sister site, Querida Pandemia. Like several of the other NG’s, Dr. Albrecht is a researcher trained in social epidemiology. She studies the Read more…
If I get vaccinated and I’m with another person who has gotten vaccinated, is it safe to spend time together without masks?
Socializing Staying Safe Vaccines
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: It will be much safer for the two of you to spend time in close contact than if one or both of you were not vaccinated, but keep in mind protection is not immediate nor 100%. You will also still need to take steps to prevent spreading infection to others until your community gets Read more…
R: Por suerte, si. La nueva cepa de COVID-19 es más transmisible que la cepa anterior. Pero, esto no significa que nuestras precauciones habituales (utilizar mascarilla, 2 metros de distancia, estar al aire libre) son menos efectivas. Las mutaciones de virus aún no desafían las leyes de la física. Pero debemos estar más atentos a Read more…
You asked for more Heroes of the Pandemic. We’ve got ’em! Dr. Ala Stanford
Social and Racial Justice Vaccines Women in STEMAlison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
Tonight we’re honored to introduce Dr. Ala Stanford, pediatric surgeon and founder of Black Doctors Covid-19 Consortium in Philadelphia. Dr. Stanford has had an extraordinary career in medicine filled with both adventure and service. No stranger to “stepping up and stepping in”, she leapt into action in April, 2020 when she realized that Black Philadelphians Read more…
I’ve reached a new mental low. It doesn’t seem like I’m getting the vaccine any time soon, and I’m just … done.
Mental Health
Christine Whelan, PhD
A: Deep breath. Experts told us the winter was going to be hard, and here we are. Research suggests that choosing (and accomplishing) a highlight each day — one activity, goal or project that is most important to you – will boost your self-efficacy and help you keep on keepin’ on. Feeling bored, anxious, irritable Read more…
¿Qué se sabe de los síntomas de COVID-19 a largo plazo?
Clinical Symptoms Posts en Español
Daisey Velazquez, Spanish Translation
R: Desafortunadamente aún no sabemos porqué una persona experimenta síntomas a largo plazo o la mejor manera de ayudarlas. Sin embargo, estos desafiantes casos a largo plazo de COVID-19 están recibiendo más atención nacional, ¡con un enfoque renovado en ayudar a estos pacientes! El COVID-19 a largo plazo, en inglés conocido como “long-haulers” o “long Read more…
Honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Social and Racial Justice
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
The pandemic has shone a new light on the harms of racism in our society. Narrowly viewed, COVID-19 affects Black, brown, and Native people more often and more seriously than people who are white. And broadly speaking, the pandemic has also laid bare fundamental injustices in our social order. Today, we pause to honor Dr. Read more…
Is it safe to play on a playground?
Families/Kids Socializing Staying Safe
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: YES, playgrounds can be safe with some guidelines. The risk of transmission on an outdoor playground is low (but not zero). The greatest risk of infection comes from the people on the playground, not the equipment. Skip the snack, pack some hand sanitizer, and stay SMART. SPREAD OUT. Keep space between your crew and Read more…
Meet Those Nerdy Girls – Dr. Sandra Albrecht
Uncategorized
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Time for us to meet our next Nerdy Girl! Introducing Dr. Sandra Albrecht, PhD, MPH. Dr. Albrecht is a regular contributor here at Dear Pandemic, and is also the Editor-in-Chief at our Spanish-language sister site, Querida Pandemia. Like several of the other NG’s, Dr. Albrecht is a researcher trained in social epidemiology. She studies the Read more…
If I get vaccinated and I’m with another person who has gotten vaccinated, is it safe to spend time together without masks?
Socializing Staying Safe Vaccines
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: It will be much safer for the two of you to spend time in close contact than if one or both of you were not vaccinated, but keep in mind protection is not immediate nor 100%. You will also still need to take steps to prevent spreading infection to others until your community gets Read more…
Tonight we’re honored to introduce Dr. Ala Stanford, pediatric surgeon and founder of Black Doctors Covid-19 Consortium in Philadelphia. Dr. Stanford has had an extraordinary career in medicine filled with both adventure and service. No stranger to “stepping up and stepping in”, she leapt into action in April, 2020 when she realized that Black Philadelphians Read more…
I’ve reached a new mental low. It doesn’t seem like I’m getting the vaccine any time soon, and I’m just … done.
Mental HealthChristine Whelan, PhD
A: Deep breath. Experts told us the winter was going to be hard, and here we are. Research suggests that choosing (and accomplishing) a highlight each day — one activity, goal or project that is most important to you – will boost your self-efficacy and help you keep on keepin’ on. Feeling bored, anxious, irritable Read more…
¿Qué se sabe de los síntomas de COVID-19 a largo plazo?
Clinical Symptoms Posts en Español
Daisey Velazquez, Spanish Translation
R: Desafortunadamente aún no sabemos porqué una persona experimenta síntomas a largo plazo o la mejor manera de ayudarlas. Sin embargo, estos desafiantes casos a largo plazo de COVID-19 están recibiendo más atención nacional, ¡con un enfoque renovado en ayudar a estos pacientes! El COVID-19 a largo plazo, en inglés conocido como “long-haulers” o “long Read more…
Honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Social and Racial Justice
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
The pandemic has shone a new light on the harms of racism in our society. Narrowly viewed, COVID-19 affects Black, brown, and Native people more often and more seriously than people who are white. And broadly speaking, the pandemic has also laid bare fundamental injustices in our social order. Today, we pause to honor Dr. Read more…
Is it safe to play on a playground?
Families/Kids Socializing Staying Safe
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: YES, playgrounds can be safe with some guidelines. The risk of transmission on an outdoor playground is low (but not zero). The greatest risk of infection comes from the people on the playground, not the equipment. Skip the snack, pack some hand sanitizer, and stay SMART. SPREAD OUT. Keep space between your crew and Read more…
Meet Those Nerdy Girls – Dr. Sandra Albrecht
Uncategorized
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Time for us to meet our next Nerdy Girl! Introducing Dr. Sandra Albrecht, PhD, MPH. Dr. Albrecht is a regular contributor here at Dear Pandemic, and is also the Editor-in-Chief at our Spanish-language sister site, Querida Pandemia. Like several of the other NG’s, Dr. Albrecht is a researcher trained in social epidemiology. She studies the Read more…
If I get vaccinated and I’m with another person who has gotten vaccinated, is it safe to spend time together without masks?
Socializing Staying Safe Vaccines
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: It will be much safer for the two of you to spend time in close contact than if one or both of you were not vaccinated, but keep in mind protection is not immediate nor 100%. You will also still need to take steps to prevent spreading infection to others until your community gets Read more…
A: Deep breath. Experts told us the winter was going to be hard, and here we are. Research suggests that choosing (and accomplishing) a highlight each day — one activity, goal or project that is most important to you – will boost your self-efficacy and help you keep on keepin’ on. Feeling bored, anxious, irritable Read more…
¿Qué se sabe de los síntomas de COVID-19 a largo plazo?
Clinical Symptoms Posts en EspañolDaisey Velazquez, Spanish Translation
R: Desafortunadamente aún no sabemos porqué una persona experimenta síntomas a largo plazo o la mejor manera de ayudarlas. Sin embargo, estos desafiantes casos a largo plazo de COVID-19 están recibiendo más atención nacional, ¡con un enfoque renovado en ayudar a estos pacientes! El COVID-19 a largo plazo, en inglés conocido como “long-haulers” o “long Read more…
Honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Social and Racial Justice
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
The pandemic has shone a new light on the harms of racism in our society. Narrowly viewed, COVID-19 affects Black, brown, and Native people more often and more seriously than people who are white. And broadly speaking, the pandemic has also laid bare fundamental injustices in our social order. Today, we pause to honor Dr. Read more…
Is it safe to play on a playground?
Families/Kids Socializing Staying Safe
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: YES, playgrounds can be safe with some guidelines. The risk of transmission on an outdoor playground is low (but not zero). The greatest risk of infection comes from the people on the playground, not the equipment. Skip the snack, pack some hand sanitizer, and stay SMART. SPREAD OUT. Keep space between your crew and Read more…
Meet Those Nerdy Girls – Dr. Sandra Albrecht
Uncategorized
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Time for us to meet our next Nerdy Girl! Introducing Dr. Sandra Albrecht, PhD, MPH. Dr. Albrecht is a regular contributor here at Dear Pandemic, and is also the Editor-in-Chief at our Spanish-language sister site, Querida Pandemia. Like several of the other NG’s, Dr. Albrecht is a researcher trained in social epidemiology. She studies the Read more…
If I get vaccinated and I’m with another person who has gotten vaccinated, is it safe to spend time together without masks?
Socializing Staying Safe Vaccines
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: It will be much safer for the two of you to spend time in close contact than if one or both of you were not vaccinated, but keep in mind protection is not immediate nor 100%. You will also still need to take steps to prevent spreading infection to others until your community gets Read more…
R: Desafortunadamente aún no sabemos porqué una persona experimenta síntomas a largo plazo o la mejor manera de ayudarlas. Sin embargo, estos desafiantes casos a largo plazo de COVID-19 están recibiendo más atención nacional, ¡con un enfoque renovado en ayudar a estos pacientes! El COVID-19 a largo plazo, en inglés conocido como “long-haulers” o “long Read more…
Honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Social and Racial JusticeMalia Jones, PhD MPH
The pandemic has shone a new light on the harms of racism in our society. Narrowly viewed, COVID-19 affects Black, brown, and Native people more often and more seriously than people who are white. And broadly speaking, the pandemic has also laid bare fundamental injustices in our social order. Today, we pause to honor Dr. Read more…
Is it safe to play on a playground?
Families/Kids Socializing Staying Safe
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: YES, playgrounds can be safe with some guidelines. The risk of transmission on an outdoor playground is low (but not zero). The greatest risk of infection comes from the people on the playground, not the equipment. Skip the snack, pack some hand sanitizer, and stay SMART. SPREAD OUT. Keep space between your crew and Read more…
Meet Those Nerdy Girls – Dr. Sandra Albrecht
Uncategorized
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Time for us to meet our next Nerdy Girl! Introducing Dr. Sandra Albrecht, PhD, MPH. Dr. Albrecht is a regular contributor here at Dear Pandemic, and is also the Editor-in-Chief at our Spanish-language sister site, Querida Pandemia. Like several of the other NG’s, Dr. Albrecht is a researcher trained in social epidemiology. She studies the Read more…
If I get vaccinated and I’m with another person who has gotten vaccinated, is it safe to spend time together without masks?
Socializing Staying Safe Vaccines
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: It will be much safer for the two of you to spend time in close contact than if one or both of you were not vaccinated, but keep in mind protection is not immediate nor 100%. You will also still need to take steps to prevent spreading infection to others until your community gets Read more…
The pandemic has shone a new light on the harms of racism in our society. Narrowly viewed, COVID-19 affects Black, brown, and Native people more often and more seriously than people who are white. And broadly speaking, the pandemic has also laid bare fundamental injustices in our social order. Today, we pause to honor Dr. Read more…
Is it safe to play on a playground?
Families/Kids Socializing Staying SafeAshley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: YES, playgrounds can be safe with some guidelines. The risk of transmission on an outdoor playground is low (but not zero). The greatest risk of infection comes from the people on the playground, not the equipment. Skip the snack, pack some hand sanitizer, and stay SMART. SPREAD OUT. Keep space between your crew and Read more…
Meet Those Nerdy Girls – Dr. Sandra Albrecht
Uncategorized
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Time for us to meet our next Nerdy Girl! Introducing Dr. Sandra Albrecht, PhD, MPH. Dr. Albrecht is a regular contributor here at Dear Pandemic, and is also the Editor-in-Chief at our Spanish-language sister site, Querida Pandemia. Like several of the other NG’s, Dr. Albrecht is a researcher trained in social epidemiology. She studies the Read more…
If I get vaccinated and I’m with another person who has gotten vaccinated, is it safe to spend time together without masks?
Socializing Staying Safe Vaccines
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: It will be much safer for the two of you to spend time in close contact than if one or both of you were not vaccinated, but keep in mind protection is not immediate nor 100%. You will also still need to take steps to prevent spreading infection to others until your community gets Read more…
A: YES, playgrounds can be safe with some guidelines. The risk of transmission on an outdoor playground is low (but not zero). The greatest risk of infection comes from the people on the playground, not the equipment. Skip the snack, pack some hand sanitizer, and stay SMART. SPREAD OUT. Keep space between your crew and Read more…
Meet Those Nerdy Girls – Dr. Sandra Albrecht
UncategorizedMalia Jones, PhD MPH
Time for us to meet our next Nerdy Girl! Introducing Dr. Sandra Albrecht, PhD, MPH. Dr. Albrecht is a regular contributor here at Dear Pandemic, and is also the Editor-in-Chief at our Spanish-language sister site, Querida Pandemia. Like several of the other NG’s, Dr. Albrecht is a researcher trained in social epidemiology. She studies the Read more…
If I get vaccinated and I’m with another person who has gotten vaccinated, is it safe to spend time together without masks?
Socializing Staying Safe Vaccines
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: It will be much safer for the two of you to spend time in close contact than if one or both of you were not vaccinated, but keep in mind protection is not immediate nor 100%. You will also still need to take steps to prevent spreading infection to others until your community gets Read more…
Time for us to meet our next Nerdy Girl! Introducing Dr. Sandra Albrecht, PhD, MPH. Dr. Albrecht is a regular contributor here at Dear Pandemic, and is also the Editor-in-Chief at our Spanish-language sister site, Querida Pandemia. Like several of the other NG’s, Dr. Albrecht is a researcher trained in social epidemiology. She studies the Read more…
If I get vaccinated and I’m with another person who has gotten vaccinated, is it safe to spend time together without masks?
Socializing Staying Safe VaccinesAmanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: It will be much safer for the two of you to spend time in close contact than if one or both of you were not vaccinated, but keep in mind protection is not immediate nor 100%. You will also still need to take steps to prevent spreading infection to others until your community gets Read more…
A: It will be much safer for the two of you to spend time in close contact than if one or both of you were not vaccinated, but keep in mind protection is not immediate nor 100%. You will also still need to take steps to prevent spreading infection to others until your community gets Read more…
