First alpha testing is complete!
It takes a lot of courage to share a vision with users and critics, but the GIDEON team is in no short supply of that. In our recent alpha testing round, we opened up our brand new interface to medical experts from 25 countries who have very kindly shared their feedback on our successes and shortcomings.
What is alpha?
Quite simply, it is an early release of a major product upgrade. Our first alpha testing round focused on the display of our extensive database in a brand new ‘Explore’ module.
How did we do it?
We opted for feedback gathering mechanisms that support user independence and anonymity. This is ...
Source: GIDEON blog - May 29, 2020 Category: Databases & Libraries Authors: Kristina Symes Tags: News Product Reviews Tech Source Type: blogs
Estimating the True Case-Fatality Rate of COVID-19
For several months, we have been inundated by reports summarizing incidence and mortality data for COVID-19, on both the national and global level. In a previous ProMED post I cautioned that “reported cases” cannot be equated with “total cases” without inclusion of individuals with asymptomatic of sub-clinical infection that do not seek medical care. [1] If a large segment of the population is found to be seropositive, we might conclude that the true case-fatality ratio of COVID-19 is lower than official data might suggest. A seroprevalence study reported this week seems to provide solid evidence that this is the c...
Source: GIDEON blog - May 17, 2020 Category: Databases & Libraries Authors: Dr. Stephen Berger Tags: Epidemiology News Outbreaks ProMED Source Type: blogs
Can Cell Phones Carry COVID-19?
It’s long been known that cell phones can carry a multitude of germs, bacteria, and different forms of fungi. With the arrival of the COVID-19 virus, it begs the question if it too can live on the surface of a phone and subsequently be transmitted to another person.
A compilation of studies from across 24 countries over the past 13 years indicates that it is a very likely possibility.
Although COVID-19 was not included in any of these original studies, the rapid rate at which it has spread throughout the world, and the increased and ever-growing physical attachment that people have to their cell phones, leads researc...
Source: GIDEON blog - May 14, 2020 Category: Databases & Libraries Authors: Kristina Symes Tags: News Press Source Type: blogs
Why Some Countries Have Fared Better in Fighting COVID-19
There are more than 1.2 million confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the United States right now with nearly 80,000 related deaths on record. This number is greater than a quarter of the total deaths suffered worldwide.
What has America gotten wrong in its response to the deadly virus, and what have other countries done right?
New Zealand, South Africa, and Vietnam—even sharing a border with China where the virus originated —all have experienced relatively few cases and minimal deaths from COVID-19.
Our co-founder and infectious disease expert, Dr. Stephen Berger shared his thoughts for a recent article in Healthl...
Source: GIDEON blog - May 12, 2020 Category: Databases & Libraries Authors: Kristina Symes Tags: News Press Source Type: blogs
Antibody vs antigen testing
Our co-founder and infectious disease expert, Dr. Stephen Berger, recently explained the differences between diagnostic, antibody, and antigen testing for the virus in Business Insider.
Diagnostic test: conducted via a nasal or throat swab; best suited for someone with severe symptoms; results may take several days or even weeks to become available.
Antibody test: taken via a blood sample; confirms if you had a previous infection of the virus, but may not detect if it is still in your system as it generally takes 14 days following symptoms for antibodies to appear; does not determine if you will get the virus again...
Source: GIDEON blog - May 11, 2020 Category: Databases & Libraries Authors: Kristina Symes Tags: News Press Tips Source Type: blogs
Is it Safe to Go Back to the Gym? Dr. Berger talks to Shape.com
Many states are relaxing their stay-at-home guidelines, which includes opening up fitness facilities to the public again. Most must operate under a limited capacity, enhanced cleaning and sanitation practices, and use signs and floor markers to ensure social distancing. But the big question is whether it’s safe to go back? Experts warn social distancing may not be so easy at a gym.
“A gym is just another venue in which disease can be passed from person to person, and the risk of contracting COVID-19 might increase there, where group sports and games require close personal contact,” our co-founder and infect...
Source: GIDEON blog - May 6, 2020 Category: Databases & Libraries Authors: Kristina Symes Tags: Outbreaks Press Source Type: blogs
COVID-19 and Fame
Ask anybody on the planet, “What do Tom Hanks, Boris Johnson, and Prince Charles have in common?” and they will instantly shout – “Corona.”
Ask these same people, “Who were the three Prime Ministers that died of Coronavirus last month?” Few will respond, “Well…there was Nur Hassan Husein from Somalia, Mahmoud Jabril from Libya and Joachim Yhombi-Opango from Congo – who died (respectively) in London, Cairo, and Paris.”
As of May 4, no fewer than eleven movie stars had contracted COVID-19, nine with fatal results. Other victims include retired Commanders of the Turkish and Polish Armies, a well...
Source: GIDEON blog - May 4, 2020 Category: Databases & Libraries Authors: Kristina Symes Tags: Cases Events VIPatients Source Type: blogs
PEOPLE shares Dr. Berger ’s advice about how to correctly and safely wear a face mask
Wearing face masks is now a part of our everyday life. In early April, the CDC made the official recommendation that everyone should wear one to help slow the spread of COVID-19 after near research showed that 50% of people who get it don’t show symptoms. So they will likely be around for quite some time, but unfortunately, many people aren’t wearing them correctly and could be exposing themselves unnecessarily.
Our founder, Dr. Stephen Berger, who is double board-certified in infectious disease and microbiology, provided important tips to People.
“Masks should be as closely fitted to the skin as possible,” Dr. B...
Source: GIDEON blog - May 2, 2020 Category: Databases & Libraries Authors: Kristina Symes Tags: Press Tips Source Type: blogs
LA Times: Dr. Berger Answers Questions About Food and COVID-19
LA Times Cooking Editor, Genevieve Ko, turned to GIDEON founder, Dr. Stephen Berger, to get an expert opinion about COVID-19 and food transmission. Dr. Berger provided answers to some common questions people are asking such as:
Can COVID-19 be transmitted through food? If so, how?
Dr. Berger: There have been no cases of COVID-19 associated with the ingestion of food, but the question is well-founded. COVID-19 is, after all, caused by a virus that enters the body through the nose or mouth. Food items are, after all, objects which may be contaminated with the virus and placed in the mouth — but like many other viruses, b...
Source: GIDEON blog - May 1, 2020 Category: Databases & Libraries Authors: Kristina Symes Tags: Press Tips Source Type: blogs
HealthDay talks to Dr. Berger about ‘best practices’ for disinfecting
If you are one of those people who think you need to scrub down everything after an outing, here’s some good news…you can save some of that disinfectant. GIDEON’s co-founder Dr. Stephen Berger provided practical advice about what items should be disinfected in your home. [Spoiler alert: It’s not your keys, money, or credit cards!]
Here’s what Dr. Berger had to say to HealthDay:
“We are all swimming through an invisible swamp of bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites. Those bookshelves and those pictures on the wall are teeming with ugly microbes. Not to mention your cellular phone, wristwatch, eye...
Source: GIDEON blog - April 24, 2020 Category: Databases & Libraries Authors: Kristina Symes Tags: Press Source Type: blogs
What ’ s The Difference Between a Face Mask and a Condom?
Cloth surgical masks were first used in the late 19th century and were replaced by modern masks during the 1960s. Surgeons do not wear masks to protect themselves from the patient, but to protect the patient from their own oral and nasal bacteria.
In any case, masks do protect the users themselves. A variety of masks are currently marketed in a wide range of design, material, filtering specifications, and prices. Both cloth and paper masks will offer protection against COVID-19…. but not one-hundred-percent protection. For this reason, we must observe additional precautions such as social distancing, hand washing, etc...
Source: GIDEON blog - April 22, 2020 Category: Databases & Libraries Authors: Kristina Symes Tags: Epidemiology Outbreaks Tips Source Type: blogs
GIDEON ’ s Dr. Stephen Berger offers up important coronavirus safety tips in Parade.com article
Besides consistent hand washing, self-quarantining, and social distancing, people want to know the best ways to remain healthy and reduce their risk of getting COVID-19.
Parade.com wrote about ‘14 Ways to Stay Safe During the Coronavirus Pandemic’, which included everything from maintaining good support systems to consistent exercise to covering your face and how that can and can’t protect you. GIDEON co-founder Dr. Stephen Berger discussed important information to remember when it comes to wearing face masks.
Here’s what was covered in the article:
Realize that covering up your face is not an excuse to not socia...
Source: GIDEON blog - April 21, 2020 Category: Databases & Libraries Authors: Kristina Symes Tags: Outbreaks Press Source Type: blogs
… But There Are No Cases in Turkmenistan
written by Dr. Stephen A. Berger
If you search the Internet for countries which have reported COVID-19, an endless variety of sources will describe the status of this disease in 207 countries and their dependencies. Few if any of these sites mention countries where this disease does not exist!
As of April 19, GIDEON lists twenty-four countries (10.4% of the global total) that had not yet encountered a single case. Ironically, at this point, these countries enjoy a form of “medical isolation” – thanks to the disease itself! The chance that a traveler – let alone an infected traveler – can arrive in a new coun...
Source: GIDEON blog - April 19, 2020 Category: Databases & Libraries Authors: Kristina Symes Tags: Epidemiology Outbreaks Source Type: blogs
Neglected Diseases – Neglected Once Again
written by Dr. Stephen A. Berger
For several years, the World Health Organization has been following a group of twenty-or-so Neglected Tropical Diseases. In the Developed World, these conditions are largely unknown to the general public, and even to physicians working in fields outside of Epidemiology and Infectious Diseases. In only three months, the list of neglected diseases has grown to include more than 360 infectious conditions – all because of a single new viral disease called COVID-19.
As of this morning, 287 cases of COVID-19 had been reported in the DRC (Democratic Republic of Congo) resulting in 23 deaths. H...
Source: GIDEON blog - April 17, 2020 Category: Databases & Libraries Authors: Kristina Symes Tags: Diagnosis Epidemiology Outbreaks Source Type: blogs
Dr. Stephen Berger on why COVID-19 is different for men than women in Healthline article
GIDEON founder, Dr. Stephen Berger was recently interviewed about gender disparities and COVID-19. Experts have been watching the data in Europe and have found that 68% of the COVID-19 deaths have been among men. And in New York City, men have been dying at twice the rate of women, according to the city’s health department.
Dr. Berger says genetics, preexisting conditions, and bad habits may be to blame.
“Some of the underlying reasons why COVID-19 may be more deadly for men than women may include the fact that heart disease is more common in elderly men than in elderly women,” Dr. Berger told Healthline. “Studies ...
Source: GIDEON blog - April 16, 2020 Category: Databases & Libraries Authors: Kristina Symes Tags: Press Source Type: blogs
