How can I stay safe during the holidays?

➡️Think in terms of harm reduction. Don’t let the perfect be the enemy of the good.

dearpandemic.org/safe-holidays/

#covid #rsv #flu #HolidaysAreComing

1/
2/ Just in time for Christmas, #COVID is again on the rise.

#Flu and #RSV may be peaking—but remember that there are often as many cases *after* a peak as before it.

dearpandemic.org/are-cases-peak…
3/ How can we enjoy moments w/ family & friends & lower the risk of illness?

💥 Small steps you take to reduce risk are worthwhile. A little bit better…is a little bit better.

Prevention steps that work for COVID will reduce the risk of RSV, flu, & many other nasty viruses.
4/ ⚠️Start being more cautious *today* to lower the chances of being sick on Christmas Day.

Wear a mask during those last crowded shopping days.

Limit contact w/ those noticeably sick who decided to be out anyway-it’s OK to say no to a meet up now to avoid being sick for X-mas.
5/🤒Stay home if sick.

We know this a gray area w/ perpetually snotty kids. Use common sense if visiting grandparents, babies, or other vulnerable loved ones. If anyone feels feverish or really cruddy, that’s a sign they are contagious w/ SOME virus you’d rather not pass on.
6/ 🧪 Rapid test for COVID prior to traveling or gathering. Knowledge is power-don’t bring uninvited viral guests to the holidays.

FREE rapid tests available again in US: covid.gov/tests
7/ We know some people are reluctant to test so it doesn’t ruin their travel or other holiday plans.

We get it– the Nerdy Girls are also human, and we’re all in the third holiday season of COVID potentially keeping us away from traditions and loved ones.
8/ While ignorance may seem like bliss, we encourage you to test EVEN if you plan to still go forward w/ plans regardless of the outcome.

If you know someone is positive, you can be more vigilant w/ masking, distance, ventilation, etc to prevent infecting vulnerable family.
9/ 🪟 Ventilate.

Open windows or hang out outside when weather permits.

Use HEPA filters for additional protection.

For tips on improving home ventilation check out this resource from @LizSzabo: khn.org/news/article/h…?
10/😷Mask strategically.

Masks (N95/KN95 quality) block inhalation & exhalation of COVID & other respiratory viruses. Masking during travel can protect you & others even if you don’t mask at family events. Mask if you develop symptoms during the holiday.

dearpandemic.org/mask-sometimes/
11/ 🧼Wash hands & disinfect high touch surfaces.

While COVID dominates the air rather than hands, RSV & many other germs last longer on surfaces. Break out that hand sanitizer & those Lysol wipes again, especially before eating (but old-fashioned soap & water works great too).
12/ 💊 Use Paxlovid! If you or a family member >50 (or otherwise at risk) test + for COVID, get Paxlovid.

Don’t be afraid of rebound–it’s extremely effective at keeping people out of the hospital & NOT DEAD.

Look for a Test to Treat location here.: aspr.hhs.gov/TestToTreat/Pa…
13/ 💉 Get your COVID booster AND flu shot.

It’s not too late to protect yourself for the rest of the Winter.
14/ 🙏 Enjoy your loved ones and be thankful. Gratitude is healthy for the body and the soul.

Every little bit of prevention counts. Don’t let the perfect be the enemy of the good!

Much love,
Those Nerdy Girls

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More from @DearPandemic

May 4
1/ Q: Has almost everyone been infected with COVID by now?
A: Recent estimates suggest around 58% of the population in the US and over 70% in England have been previously infected, with BIG increases during the Omicron wave.

dearpandemic.org/numbers-infect…
2/ A recent @CDCgov MMWR report estimated seroprevalence from a convenience sample of blood collected for medical tests.

➡️Roughly 58% of Americans showed evidence of previous SARS-CoV-2 infection in their blood by Feb '22.

cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/7…? Image
3/ ➡️ During the Omicron wave from December 2021-February 2022, this estimate increased from 33% to 58%.
➡️ Rates vary a lot by age, ranging from 33.2% for those over age 65 to 75% for those under age 18.

cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/7… Image
Read 15 tweets
Apr 29
1/Q: Did getting exposed to fewer germs for the last 2 years weaken our immune systems?

We've been hearing this question a lot.
dearpandemic.org/fewer-germ-exp…
2/ Not likely. If your kids are suddenly getting sick a lot, this is likely due to “catching up” on exposures rather than a weakened immune system.
3/ Many families w/ young kids have been hunkered down for the better part of 2 years– a good % of a young child’s entire life. While isolation had *many* downsides, we can agree that not having to suction snot out of infant noses or clean up norovirus puke was a happy upside.
Read 18 tweets
Jan 27
1/ Q: Are cases peaking? That means it’s all downhill from here, right?

A: Sort of…. Remember that even if cases come down as quickly as they rise, there will be as many cases *after* the peak as before (think area under the curve).

dearpandemic.org/are-cases-peak…
2/ ➡️ And if the downward slope is *slower* than the rise, we will see *more* cases during the decline from a surge.
3/ Burning fast could be a silver lining of super transmissible #Omicron. Cases rose & fell quickly in S. Africa (w/ hospitalizations & deaths still lagging). The UK appears to have turned the Omicron corner. Many US states appear past their peak in cases, w/ regional variation:
Read 17 tweets
Dec 30, 2021
1/ Q: Case numbers are jumping QUICK! What should I be doing?

A: Share your gifts without sharing COVID. Helpful gestures come in many shapes.

dearpandemic.org/what-should-i-…

#Omicron #ThoseNerdyGirls
2/ One HUGE help: Cancel non-essential plans.

Unfortunately, this includes New Year’s Eve plans. The perfect storm of a new variant & holiday get-togethers is hitting communities & health care w/ FORCE! Testing is in short supply.
3/ Health care is under extreme pressure with surging cases. If you can avoid even one additional contact, you are helping. This is a temporary and urgent request (from a health care provider).

#MedTwitter #HCWs @IMPACT4HC
Read 10 tweets
Dec 21, 2021
1/ Q: Is it true that #Omicron is less severe than previous variants?

A: We HOPE so, but we don’t know yet. The evidence so far is mixed.

dearpandemic.org/is-omicron-les…
2/ We are WAY past due for some good variant news. But pinning our #Omicron hopes on a less virulent variant is not wise for 2 reasons:

1) It might not be less severe in those who are “immune naïve” (neither vaccinated nor with a previous infection—still millions of people).
3/ 2) Many more infections *even* if less severe can still lead to an avalanche of hospitalizations and deaths, and the risk of long Covid.

@AdamJKucharski raised this last December w/ the rise of Alpha:
Read 25 tweets

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