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This podcast is a lightly edited version of our Instagram show recorded on March 23, 2022.

Everyone needs friends who are willing to take off their masks and have honest conversations.

Masks Off Live is created by Dr. Natasha Burgert and Dr. Nicole Baldwin, two long-time friends who happen to be pediatricians. Grab a glass of wine and listen in as they share evidence-based science and practical parenting advice.

In this Help My Anxiety! Episode, Dr. Baldwin and I are joined by a special guest, Lina Acosta Sandaal. Lina is a psychotherapist, child development expert and owner of Stop Parenting Alone.

You’re going to love Lina. Jump to Minute 28 and start listening.

Also in this show, Nicole and I share our thoughts on the Moderna vaccine-for-littles press release, offer new insight into infection-induced immunity and discuss the new-normalcy of frequent illnesses.

References for This Episode

Minute 8: Moderna issued a press release claiming their pediatric mRNA Covid vaccine is safe, and the vaccine met immunobridging goals. Moderna noted that in their trial, vaccinated kids had no severe illness or hospitalizations, despite lower-than-preferred efficacy. Of note, we are still waiting for additional news from Pfizer.

Minute 16: While Covid community risk is low, talk to your doctor about spacing the primary mRNA vaccine series for 5-11 yo kids.

Minute 17: Wastewater data is providing early signals of Covid-19 community spikes. Here’s one wastewater map that includes the KC area.

Minute 19: My kid is getting sick every 2 weeks - Is this normal? (Spoiler: Yes!) Time for some age-old advice on keeping our kids well, even as masks are dropping.

Minute 22: A (small) study in Pediatrics is giving some insight into the durability of Covid immunity after natural infection. Researchers reported that of kids who had evidence of infection at baseline, 96% maintained anti-Covid antibodies for at least 6 months - no matter the severity of initial infection. However, over half of kids sampled never developed any durable immunity. This provides more evidence for vaccination as the most reliable method for kids to get durable protection against Covid disease.

Minute 28: Lina Acosta Sandaal joins the chat from Miami. During our time, she offers sage-like wisdom on how anxiety is changing our parenting, kids’ behavior and valued relationships. And, what we can do about it.

Lina helps us understand the mindset and attitude that parents need to develop to decrease childhood anxiety, especially in new situations and times of separation. (Her advice on the “right way” to drop-off kids at daycare/preK is golden!)

In addition, she offers reasons why your child may want to keep their mask on despite mandates lifting, as well as age-appropriate ways to talk to littles/middles/bigs to encourage mask-wearing.

“Facts take care of fear. Always.” - Lina

Don’t miss Minute 53 where Lina offers practical tips to help parents calm our own water. Things like:

Quality over quantity

Honoring tiny moments

Teaching our kids to NOT to take our mood personally

Putting ourselves in the pattern

And at Minute 61, Lina helps us think about how to inventory our current adult relationships and begin to repair family dynamics that may have been strained by the pandemic.

“We shouldn’t throw people away when we were all acting on fear.” - Lina

#oxytocintour

Of course, there’s a few surprises along the way. Enjoy.

MOL After Hours

Lina is watching The Blacklist, reading Sacred Success and listening to The Body Keeps the Score (and other inappropriate things… (ha!) She is also eating the wonderful Asian food that her partner prepares, while cooking a few Colombian favorites.

Minute 72: Hell No/Let’s Go

Special note: Swim lessons are a LET’S GO!

Plus, home testing the in-laws? Indoor gymnastics? Easter egg hunts? Toddlers at the park? And so much more….

Masks Off Live is a passion project with zero budget and even less production skill. Despite these inherent challenges, we continue to be amazed when we hear the stories of how unscripted ramblings from two women has helped your family stay safe, sane and healthy over the past 2 years. Thanks for sending these stories to us.

We appreciate all of you who listen, share and support the show. We hope to see all of you on the Gram for the next one.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit kckidsdoc.substack.com

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This podcast is a lightly edited version of our Instagram show recorded on March 9, 2022.

Everyone needs friends who are willing to take off their masks and have honest conversations.

Masks Off Live is created by Dr. Natasha Burgert and Dr. Nicole Baldwin, two long-time friends who happen to be pediatricians. Grab a glass of wine and listen in as they share evidence-based science and practical parenting advice.

In this Masks Off?? Episode, Dr. Baldwin and I share tools we are using to navigate Covid risk during the next phase of the Pandemic. We break down the pre-print that inspired a terrible (our opinion) NYT headline about 5-11 yo vaccine. Plus, some we keep you updated on home tests and boosters.

References for this Episode

Minute 8: Our commentary on the new CDC community guidelines. (Spoiler: We are frustrated and confused, too.)

As we move forward, we are trying to combine individual and community Covid risk. Here are three tools Nicole and I are using to make personal decisions.

CDC Community Levels

Covid Act Now

Covid-19 Event Risk Tool from Georgia Institute of Technology

Minute 21: How we are working through our own anxieties about unmasking.

Minute 28: Expert consensus continues to support the benefits of universal masking in schools to reduce disease burden. Here’s another study.

Minute 29: Concerns about vaccine effectiveness in the 5-11 yo age group, and why the NYT headline was crappy.

The myth of expecting ‘sterilizing immunity’ from Covid vaccination in this oldie but goodie from Katherine Wu.

Another reason boosters matter for kids 12 and older —> They restore vaccine effectiveness after expected waning of protection.

ICYMI: The dosing interval for 12yo+ Covid shots has been changed. Talk with your doc about dosing intervals and optimal timing of your kids’ shots.

Minute 39: An estimated 5.2 million children worldwide have been orphaned since the beginning of the Pandemic.

Minute 45: Home test were reliable, when used as directed, to detect Omicron.

Viewer question: How accurate are home tests as the background rates of virus decline? A reminder of how the test results needs to be taken in context.

Remember, you can order more free tests. Keep stashing them up for this fall and winter!

MOL After Hours

Minute 59: Another insightful and entertaining rendition of your favorite pandemic game.. Hell No/Let’s Go!

Easter services?

Masks in medical settings?

Swim lessons?

Can an unvaccinated grandma meet the new baby?

Will there be a boost of illness after spring break?

Masks and planes?

Spoiler alert:

Viewer question: Your child is invited to someone’s house. What questions do you ask the host to decide if it’s safe to go? Our answers at 1:32.

Dr. Natasha is drinking a Spanish red, watching The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, reading about curling strategy, listening to Flow State and going meatless on Mondays.

Dr. Nicole is drinking tea (!!), watching Inventing Anna, reading and listening about Essentialism and is meatless everyday.

Masks Off Live is a passion project with zero budget and even less production skill. Despite these inherent challenges, we continue to be amazed when we hear the stories of how unscripted ramblings from two women has helped your family stay safe, sane, and healthy over the past 2 years. Thanks for sending these stories to us.

We appreciate all of you who listen, share and support the show. We hope to see all of you on the Gram for the next one.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit kckidsdoc.substack.com

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Hello, again. It’s been a minute. Thanks for opening up this letter.

This podcast is a lightly edited version of our Instagram show recorded on February 23, 2022.

Everyone needs friends who are willing to take off their masks and have honest conversations.

Masks Off Live is created by Dr. Natasha Burgert and Dr. Nicole Baldwin, two long-time friends who happen to be pediatricians. Grab a glass of wine and listen in as they share evidence-based science and practical parenting advice.

In this Off the Rails Episode, Dr. Baldwin and I share our thoughts on the delay of the Pfizer vaccine for Littles, share what numbers we want for “safer” community levels and go off the rails about the new developmental milestone tool. Of course, there are a few surprises along the way.

References From This Episode

As masks are dropping, we need some metrics to determine what is a safer community infection level. We are using this expert consensus tool shared by Katelyn Jetelina.

For those of you in Johnson county, KS - this is the dashboard I reference in the show. Many other health departments across the country have similar websites.

Live question: Are posted community case rates accurate with increased home testing access? (Ans: 17:15)

Third doses matter. Every person 12-years and older should have 3 doses of mRNA vaccine.

Optimal dosing for the mRNA vaccine is changing. For people 12+ years old, dose 1 to dose 2 of a primary series should be separated by 8 weeks.

Post show clarification: Home tests do have expiration dates, but they are being extended as tests are aging. Most tests can be used up to 3 months after their listed expiration date, and many experts believe the tests should be accurate up to one year after production.

Is your Similac part of the expanded recall? Check your lot number.

Minute 42: Here’s your copy of the updated and expanded developmental milestone surveillance tools. Listen in as we rant about the updates, and at 1:05 you can hear our opinion about crawling.

If you are ever concerned about your child's development, you do NOT need a referral to access help. Find out how to connect with local experts.

MOL After Hours

Dr. Nicole was enjoying Snoop’s 19 Crimes and Dr. Natasha was sipping Bethel Heights Estate pinot noir.

Hell No/ Let’s Go with YOUR covid conundrums begins at 1:16.

Check out the Urgency of Equity toolkit and consider it an evidence-based resource for decision making.

Dr. Baldwin is reading: Essentialism and It Ends With Us.

We are watching The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel and Catching Killers.

Masks Off Live is a passion project with zero budget and even less production skill. Despite these inherent challenges, we continue to be amazed when we hear the stories of how unscripted ramblings from two women has helped your family stay safe, sane, and healthy over the past 2 years. Thanks for sending these stories to us.

We appreciate all of you who listen, share and support the show. We hope to see all of you on the Gram for the next one.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit kckidsdoc.substack.com

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This podcast is a lightly edited version of the Instagram show recorded on October 27th, 2021.

Everyone needs friends who are willing to take off their masks and have honest conversations.

Masks Off Live is created by Dr. Natasha Burgert and Dr. Nicole Baldwin, two long-time friends who happen to be pediatricians. Grab a glass of wine and listen in as they share evidence-based science and practical parenting advice.

In this Halloween 2021 Episode, Dr. Baldwin and I breakdown our big takeaways from the FDA meeting about Covid vaccine for 5-11-year-old kids and share our bottom line on the latest Covid vaccine booster data.

References From This Episode

On Covid boosters:

Preprint study of heterologous Covid boosters from Atmar, et. al.

Slides from the NIH presentation on Covid boosters

Recording of the ACIP meeting on Covid boosters from October 21, 2021

Screenshot from the meeting shown during the Pod:

On Covid vaccine for 5-11-year-olds:

FDA brief for the October 26th VRBPAC meeting

Recording of the VRBPAC meeting

Find Dr. Havers’ talk on the epidemiology of Covid in 5-11-year-old kids at minute 50:24.

Find Dr. Oster’s talk on vaccine-associated myocarditis at minute 1:28:20.

MOL After Hours

Dr. Natasha is:

Watching Imposters, reading Writing Tools: 55 Essential Strategies for Every Writer, and listening to Spotify Chill LoFi Study Beats.

Dr. Baldwin is:

Watching Castle, reading FDA briefing documents (see above) and listening to Believe Her.

Plus, the wine pairing guide you never knew you needed:

Masks Off Live is a passion project with zero budget and even less production skill. Despite these inherent challenges, we continue to be amazed when we hear the stories of how unscripted ramblings from two women has helped your family stay safe, sane, and healthy over the past 20 months. Thanks for sending these stories to us.

We appreciate all of you who listen, share and support the show. We hope to see all of you on the Gram for the next one.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit kckidsdoc.substack.com

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How about a little something new for this week’s letter??

Last week, I presented a “Kids and COVID vaccine” update to an engaged (virtual) audience at Turner Construction Company. I re-recorded/updated the audio and CLICK HERE for the slide deck.

In this quick 12 minutes, learn about:

Updated vaccine numbers

Efficacy and effectiveness data

A bit about Delta and other VOC’s

Myocarditis risk after the vaccine

Vaccine for the littles

Plus, learn the 4 things every parent can do about the COVID shot and kids.

Was this format helpful? Want more letters like this? Please comment or reply and let me know.

Have a question I forgot to answer? Just reply to this email and your question will come straight to my inbox.

Until next time, stay cool!

P.S. — TONIGHT is Masks Off Live! Join Dr. Nicole and me LIVE on Insta at 8e/7c. (Because science is better with friends and wine!)

Together, we will talk about the recent COVID vaccine news - and answer your questions - while enjoying a delicious beverage (or two). See you there!

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit kckidsdoc.substack.com

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I appreciate all your feedback as Dr. Nicole and I get our Masks Off Live conversations to a new space. This Pod is an edited version of our conversation that took place on Instagram on February 10, 2021. We were celebrating an early Galentine’s Day with bubbles, beer, and questions from all of you! I think the walk-up song set the tone perfectly.

To all of you who joined us live, thanks for your real-time fact checking and great sense of humor. Here are a few of the highlights. Jump in where it sounds interesting.

Why Dr. Natasha hates the term “self-care.” (13:12)

Breastfeeding and the COVID vaccine. (19:50)

Disgusting anti-vaxx tactics. (23:50)

Will we have to get the COVID vaccine annually? (26:27)

Best COVID practices for daycare and preschools. (28:50)

Baby food, heavy metals, and first food advice. (32:58)

Tips to get your toddler to talk. (43:27)

Also in this episode, Dr. Nicole shares the thoughtful gift from her patient family that honors the life and legacy of a former planet. We chat about Peloton with a s/o to Ross and Cody. I show off the cool “COVID-19 Vaccinated” pins that I purchased from a small business, and pay homage to the best hamburger in Cincinnati.

You find additional links in the show notes and the unedited version on my IGTV channel.

Thanks for listening in and supporting our efforts.

Coming up: Some immunology basics to help your decision making, what to know if you have already had COVID, and hopefully insights on the J/J&J vaccine soon!

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit kckidsdoc.substack.com

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I learned how to be a pediatrician in Cincinnati, Ohio.

During those three years of residency, the grueling clinical work was made better by the people who were running by my side. My residency classmates became faithful friends and colleagues as we lived and worked through life together. Today, we continue to support and champion each other while we care for children all over the world.

Throughout the Pandemic, I was calling one of those classmates a lot. Dr. Nicole Baldwin is a general pediatrician who remained in Cincinnati after our graduation. Her practice is similar to mine in size and structure, so we could grapple with the changes and uncertainty that were happening in our businesses. And since we are both parents and partners, we could also lean into each other as friends, sharing the honest and terrible details of our worlds shutting down. We wrestled with uncertainty. We made up answers. We laughed. We drank wine.

Then, we had an idea.

If these calls were helpful for us, maybe they would be helpful to someone else. We could answer questions we were getting in the office, without the distractions and social distancing. We would take our masks off, sit in our homes, and share what we were learning with anyone who cared to listen. And drink more wine.

Masks Off Live was born. An unscripted, real-life conversation between two friends who happen to be pediatricians.

Now, by popular demand, we are pulling the best parts of our twice-monthly Instagram conversations into the audio space. The #MOL podcast will feature our explanations to the questions that parents all over the country are asking, with the honesty and transparency the Pandemic has forced us to bear.

In this episode, we are busting COVID vaccine myths with science:

The COVID vaccine will not cause infertility. (9:20)

Why you need to wear a mask after getting vaccinated. (16:30)

It's impossible for the vaccine to change your DNA. (25:45)

If you've had COVID, you still need the shot. (31:21)

And a BONUS -- What we know about the variants (32:01) and why they matter for our kids (34:45).

More details and references can be found in the show notes.

We are novice podcasters, please forgive our rough audio and simplistic setup. Hit the heart to let me know you are listening, and I promise to improve as we go.

Comments and constructive advice are always appreciated. Reply to this email and I’ll read everything you send.

Until next time, double mask and #runitback.

Up next: A look at the next vaccines on the horizon, an immunology primer on the science of vaccine spacing, and we’ve got to talk about those sippy cups!

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit kckidsdoc.substack.com