Discover and read the best of Twitter Threads about #staySMART
Most recents (15)
1/ Q: Do we know more about whether the vaccines reduce transmission?
A: YES! Evidence continues to mount that the vaccines DO in fact reduce transmission.
#vaccineswork
dearpandemic.org/do-vaccines-re…
A: YES! Evidence continues to mount that the vaccines DO in fact reduce transmission.
#vaccineswork
dearpandemic.org/do-vaccines-re…
2/ ➡️ While the Nerdy Girls are still dreaming of transmission being tested in the clinical trials (call us☎️), the data pouring in from around the world strongly suggests that the vaccines are very good (but not perfect) at reducing ALL infections & by extension transmission.
3/ Recall the clinical trials (largely) tested only participants who developed symptoms. One possibility is that vaccines reduce the severity of COVID-19 to the point of no symptoms, but still allow the virus to replicate in the nose and throat & potentially be spread to others. 
1/ Q: What do you think of the idea of “focused protection” or “shielding” the vulnerable so that everyone else can get on with normal life?
A: We *wish* it were this easy, but sadly it’s not.
A: We *wish* it were this easy, but sadly it’s not.
2/ While this approach sounds appealing on the surface, the deeper you dig the more the argument folds in on itself.
Let me explain...
Let me explain...
3/ 👉The death and hospitalization toll even in under 65s would be staggering
👉No consideration of waning immunity and re-infection
👉No mention of impact of “Long Covid” for millions infected
👉Cordoning off of a large percentage of the population is not feasible
👉No consideration of waning immunity and re-infection
👉No mention of impact of “Long Covid” for millions infected
👉Cordoning off of a large percentage of the population is not feasible
1/ What do we do when college-age children come home at #Thanksgiving? Should they come home?
A: “Come Home & Stay Home” or “Don’t Come Home” are your best options. Coming home just for the Thanksgiving holiday & then returning to campus is *not* a good plan.
A: “Come Home & Stay Home” or “Don’t Come Home” are your best options. Coming home just for the Thanksgiving holiday & then returning to campus is *not* a good plan.
2/ Some of your options are clearly better than others from a #COVID safety perspective. Before we go through those options, we want to highlight a common mental bias to which we are all susceptible: We underestimate the risk of getting COVID from people we know and love.
3/ Dr. Birx mentioned this in a recent speech, as she noted increasing case counts that are likely driven by small gatherings of family. “We take down our guard when we are with people we know... & we assume if we know you, you couldn’t have COVID.”
bit.ly/2H4ykJK
bit.ly/2H4ykJK
1/ In this opinion for @guardian, I discuss exponential growth, natural herd immunity, and how to prioritize mitigation strategies going forward. A thread: theguardian.com/commentisfree/… @trishgreenhalgh @melindacmills @OxfordDemSci
2/ To borrow from fellow @DearPandemic Nerdy Girl @lindseyleninger, “Exponential growth sucks.” I used a different word in print but it seems a propos for twitter. This sharp upward trajectory means cases (and then hospitalizations & deaths) can quickly get out of hand.
3/ On the + side, cutting off growth sooner pays big dividends in avoided cases. Since we only measured the tip of the iceberg of cases last Spring, we are likely in a much better place despite the large # of confirmed cases. This means we still have a chance to intervene early.
1/ Q: We want to visit with a few friends that are outside our bubble & are trying to #StaySMART by social distancing outdoors while wearing masks...but what if someone needs to use my bathroom, is it okay to let them?
2/ A: Yes, you can let someone from outside your household use your bathroom.
While not completely risk-free, you can take these steps to reduce the likelihood of spreading SARS-CoV-2 to them, and them to you:
While not completely risk-free, you can take these steps to reduce the likelihood of spreading SARS-CoV-2 to them, and them to you:
3/
⭐️ Designate one bathroom for use by guests if possible.
⭐️ Clean your bathroom thoroughly before anyone uses it.
⭐️ Store away any non-essential objects in the bathroom beforehand.
⭐️ Open a window or turn on the fan (w/outdoor air vent) to increase air flow & ventilation.
⭐️ Designate one bathroom for use by guests if possible.
⭐️ Clean your bathroom thoroughly before anyone uses it.
⭐️ Store away any non-essential objects in the bathroom beforehand.
⭐️ Open a window or turn on the fan (w/outdoor air vent) to increase air flow & ventilation.
1/ Q: I’ve heard that I should wear a mask to protect others. Will it also protect me?
A: YES! As the Nerdy Girls like to reiterate, risk reduction is not all or nothing.
nytimes.com/2020/07/27/hea…
A: YES! As the Nerdy Girls like to reiterate, risk reduction is not all or nothing.
nytimes.com/2020/07/27/hea…
2/ While masks have been encouraged as “source control”- a way of blocking outbound aerosols and droplets as you breathe, speak, sneeze or cough, accumulating evidence suggests that they can provide important protection to the wearer as well.
3/ “The good news is that preventing transmission to others through egress is relatively easy."
"It’s like stopping gushing water from a hose right at the source, by turning off the faucet, compared to trying to catch all the drops of water after they’ve flown everywhere."
"It’s like stopping gushing water from a hose right at the source, by turning off the faucet, compared to trying to catch all the drops of water after they’ve flown everywhere."
1/ Q: With cases rising again around the US, is the concept of a “pod” or “bubble” of connected households still reasonable?
A: Yes, but…it’s a good time to make sure your bubble hasn’t gotten so big it is about to burst, & check for any holes you need to patch!
A: Yes, but…it’s a good time to make sure your bubble hasn’t gotten so big it is about to burst, & check for any holes you need to patch!
2/ In fact, if you never bubbled in the first place, this may be the perfect time to scale back your interactions into a smaller, consistent group of individuals to help curb community spread of infection.
3/ What is the purpose of a bubble?
The purpose of forming a social bubble is to expand the circle of people we are in close contact with in a limited way that still gives us protection from COVID-19 that may be circulating in the community.
The purpose of forming a social bubble is to expand the circle of people we are in close contact with in a limited way that still gives us protection from COVID-19 that may be circulating in the community.
1/ Q: How are #COVID19 cases increasing but deaths are decreasing in the U.S.?
A: Timing, timing, timing. And some other factors too.⏰
vox.com/2020/7/6/21314…
A: Timing, timing, timing. And some other factors too.⏰
vox.com/2020/7/6/21314…
2/ We have to remember that it takes individuals who develop symptoms, an average of 5 days from the date they are infected to when they start to feel sick, but the range of time before individuals develop symptoms is more like 2-14 days.
3/ Once symptoms start, it may take individuals a few more days/weeks to develop symptoms severe enough to require hospitalization. People may then be hospitalized for days to weeks before unfortunately dying from COVID-19.
1/ Q: What is “Superspreading”? How can we avoid it?
A: Yes, superspreading is as yucky as it sounds, and seems to have played an important role in early #COVID19 spread.
To avoid, stick to the Nerdy Girl stay SMART principles (Space, Mask, Air, Restrict, Time)!
A: Yes, superspreading is as yucky as it sounds, and seems to have played an important role in early #COVID19 spread.
To avoid, stick to the Nerdy Girl stay SMART principles (Space, Mask, Air, Restrict, Time)!
2/ This article gives an excellent overview of the superspreading clusters that have been identified and what we know about the science: scientificamerican.com/article/how-ld…
Some highlights:
Some highlights:
3/ Models based on #ContactTracing data estimate that 10 - 20% of infected people may be responsible for 80% of #SARSCoV2 spread.
BUT Keep in mind that superspreading events may be OVER-REPRESENTED in the data since they are easier to identify than casual individual encounters
BUT Keep in mind that superspreading events may be OVER-REPRESENTED in the data since they are easier to identify than casual individual encounters
1/ Q: I have to travel by #airplane soon, what can I do to make it as safe as possible? Have any procedures changed?
A: While the @CDCgov still urges individuals to avoid non-essential travel (cdc.gov/coronavirus/20…), here are a few safety precautions you can take:
A: While the @CDCgov still urges individuals to avoid non-essential travel (cdc.gov/coronavirus/20…), here are a few safety precautions you can take:
2/
🚘 If you take a taxi or Uber/Lyft to and from the airport, wear a mask and request that the driver does too (companies are requiring this now: cdc.gov/coronavirus/20…). Ride sharing is not permitted and there may be limits on number of riders per car.
🚘 If you take a taxi or Uber/Lyft to and from the airport, wear a mask and request that the driver does too (companies are requiring this now: cdc.gov/coronavirus/20…). Ride sharing is not permitted and there may be limits on number of riders per car.
3/
😷 Continue to #WearAMask and practice #SocialDistancing at the airport--in line for check-in, going through security, waiting at the gate, AND boarding.
Because of spacing requirements, lines may be longer and take more time, so you may want to arrive earlier than normal.
😷 Continue to #WearAMask and practice #SocialDistancing at the airport--in line for check-in, going through security, waiting at the gate, AND boarding.
Because of spacing requirements, lines may be longer and take more time, so you may want to arrive earlier than normal.
1/ Q: I hear that the @CDCgov recently published tips on “personal and social activities.” Can you please provide an overview?
A: The CDC urges people to consider these four factors prior to engaging in any given activity...
A: The CDC urges people to consider these four factors prior to engaging in any given activity...
2/
1. Extent of disease burden in your community;
2. Likelihood you’ll come into contact with exposed individuals;
3. Your personal/household risk for a bad #Covid_19 outcome should you be exposed;
4. Ability to adapt personally protective behaviors (or as we say, #StaySMART!)
1. Extent of disease burden in your community;
2. Likelihood you’ll come into contact with exposed individuals;
3. Your personal/household risk for a bad #Covid_19 outcome should you be exposed;
4. Ability to adapt personally protective behaviors (or as we say, #StaySMART!)
3/ Along with these principles, the CDC also offers tips and best-practices for activities like
🏦 going to a bank
🍴eating out at a restaurant*
🍔 hosting a cook-out/dinner party
💪going to the gym
💅visiting a nail salon
🏨 traveling overnight
📕visiting libraries.
🏦 going to a bank
🍴eating out at a restaurant*
🍔 hosting a cook-out/dinner party
💪going to the gym
💅visiting a nail salon
🏨 traveling overnight
📕visiting libraries.
1/ Q: How #risky are my favorite places and activities?
A: A group of Michigan-based #COVID19 experts put together a helpful set of activity "rankings." TL;DR: Skip the buffet. Opt for tennis instead. Please read on for more info (and context!!) around these rankings
A: A group of Michigan-based #COVID19 experts put together a helpful set of activity "rankings." TL;DR: Skip the buffet. Opt for tennis instead. Please read on for more info (and context!!) around these rankings
2/ Context:
DP is here to help you #StaySMART this summer! A refresher of our SMART principles:
S - Space. Keep your distance.
M - Mask. Keep it on.
A - Air. Opt for outside when possible.
R - Restricted. Keep socializing to a small, stable "bubble."
T - Time. Keep it short.
DP is here to help you #StaySMART this summer! A refresher of our SMART principles:
S - Space. Keep your distance.
M - Mask. Keep it on.
A - Air. Opt for outside when possible.
R - Restricted. Keep socializing to a small, stable "bubble."
T - Time. Keep it short.
3/ Other scientists are also helpfully weighing in - for example, this expert group from Michigan ranked activities/places by their #COVID risk level:
Dr. Matthew Sims, Dr. Dennis Cunningham, Dr. Mimi Emig, and Dr. Nasir Husain.
Dr. Matthew Sims, Dr. Dennis Cunningham, Dr. Mimi Emig, and Dr. Nasir Husain.
1/ Q: I live with a toddler. How can we all survive the #ToddlerLife this summer?
A: Pair the "live in the moment" attitude of Dory with the caution and planning of Marlin from Finding Nemo.
A: Pair the "live in the moment" attitude of Dory with the caution and planning of Marlin from Finding Nemo.
2/ Toddlers thrive on attention and routines. Unfortunately, #COVID19 has added more to the plates of adults while altering most daily routines. You can and will get through this! Here are a few suggestions inspired by your questions:
3/
🦺 Safety First. Do your best to secure the basics first – food, shelter, supervision. If you have these bases covered, GREAT! Think about how you might help secure these essentials for others and act.
🦺 Safety First. Do your best to secure the basics first – food, shelter, supervision. If you have these bases covered, GREAT! Think about how you might help secure these essentials for others and act.
1/ Q: There's inevitably going to be some socializing this summer. How do I stay safe? How do I tell my kids and my parents to stay #safe?
A: #StaySMART!
A: #StaySMART!
2/ Wow, these are some unusual times! Some of us are in the streets every day with large groups, some of us haven't left our homes in months.
Help!?!? How can we socialize while keeping ourselves and others safe from #COVIDー19?
Help!?!? How can we socialize while keeping ourselves and others safe from #COVIDー19?
3/ The Dear Pandemic Nerdy Girls are delighted to partner with @IMPACT4HC to offer this handy infographic to help you remember 5 simple rules of thumb for reducing your #COVID19 transmission risk: Stay SMART!
S: SPACE -- Keep your #socialdistance, 6ft. or more!
S: SPACE -- Keep your #socialdistance, 6ft. or more!
Kindly ignore the delusions of herbalists and their enablers on the unproven remedies regarding the #Coronavirus pandemic. Please stick to @WHO advisory. There is no homemade remedy that cures. You are not dealing with a bacteria infection that can be killed. @SIAF_NG 🦠
The virus is not a living organism, but a protein molecule (DNA) covered by a protective layer of lipid (fat), which, when absorbed by the cells of the ocular, nasal or buccal mucosa, changes their genetic code (mutation) and convert them into aggressor and multiplier cells.
This is why all the findings about the #COVID19 virus have been progressive and developmental. We learn new things daily about it. It wasn’t of late that we realized it can survive on surfaces thereby triggering #SafeSurface Science research and campaign. 🦠
