Jim writes:

Because we can no longer blindly trust communications from NIH and its agencies, it would be a great public service to provide your subject matter expert comment on the MMWR each week as to whether the public can trust that edition or, if not, the areas we should by wary of.  Since it is issued Thursday afternoon, hopefully you can get something on either clinical update with Dr Dan or regular TWiV. It would be much appreciated.

Jim

Retired Nasa engineer and weekly watcher since 2019

Mary writes:

What should people do with regard to vaccinations and boosters if they are below the normal range in IgA, and does the severity of the deficiency matter? Would this status require insurances to cover vaccinations and boosters if/when the CDC no longer recommends them except for high-risk individuals? IgA deficiency is not uncommon and can be inherited, so I appreciate recommendations for all ages in an affected family. 

Are there any clinical studies of vaccination in IgA deficient people that demonstrate outcomes for common respiratory ailments (flu, RSV, Covid, pneumonia, etc)?  Could you provide links to reference articles, if there are any, to present to primary caregivers, as they are not necessarily informed on the question? Is this a good topic for a future podcast? 

Thank you so much for your dedicated work to accurately inform your audience!   

Mary writes:

Hello Drs. Griffin and Racaniello:

I’m a long time listener and contributor. I love all your podcasts, to the point where if I had my nursing career to do all over again I might have wanted to be a virologist or immunologist. It’s all fascinating and I learn a lot with each podcast. 

My question regards the person who flew in and out of the Denver airport, picking up luggage, staying at a hotel, riding shuttles, all while infected with measles. Given the infectiousness of measles, I wonder how effective a proper mask would have been in preventing transmission to other passengers. If the person knew they had measles and wore a proper mask (N95 or equivalent) could they not have put their fellow travelers at risk of exposure? 

I’m 75 and had measles as a child so I’m not so worried about myself when I travel (always always wearing a mask) but about babies who can’t be vaccinated and unvaccinated children and adults.

Thank you again for keeping the faith. 

Mary

Corvallis, Oregon

Jen writes:

Hi Dr. Griffin,

I recall that during the first summers of this ongoing pandemic, you advised summer camps on how to operate safely. I have an avian flu question for you.

My kid attends camp in a park with a lake that is thickly inhabited by waterfowl. There’s goose poop underfoot everywhere the kids play; the beaches are sometimes closed for swimming due to fecal bacteria from the birds, and the geese use the concrete wading pool as a bathroom when it’s empty overnight. A poor park worker picks it up as best she can with dog waste bags in the morning before the wading pool is filled with water (chlorinated, at least, thankfully,) but… you can’t get every bit of poop out. And our kids basically drink the water as they play. 

Our camp leader will of course try to make sure the kids wash their hands before eating, but inevitably there will be waterfowl droppings that make their way onto clothes, shoes, backpacks, hands, and eventually mouths. Especially in that wading pool. 

Remembering your mnemonic device that “D = Directly from a Duck = Deadly,” I have H5N1 questions! 

Should our camp counselor avoid the lakeshore this summer? What about the wading pool? 

I know we may be flying completely blind with guidance here. If you don’t have data to make informed recommendations… what does your own judgment tell you? Would you send your own grade school kids into grass, water, and wading pools with goose and duck poop everywhere?

Thank you as always!

Jen

Carrie writes:

Dear Dr. Griffin,

As always, thank you for everything you do.

On the June 7, 2025, episode, a couple in their 80s asked about reducing their risk when their son visits after attending an unmasked conference. It might have been helpful to provide more specific guidance, as they seemed willing to take extra precautions to stay safe. Many people have forgotten some of the basics from the early days of the pandemic.

Here are some recommendations they could consider:

  1. NAAT COVID-19 Testing: Sequential testing using a NAAT COVID test like Metrix would allow their son to test before visiting (and avoid coming if positive), while also reducing false positives compared to sequential rapid antigen testing. There is an upfront cost with the reader, but this is reusable, so the only recurring cost is the test cards.
    (Personal vent: Unfortunately, there has been a crackdown on importing PlusLife testing cards, making them unavailable under RFK Jr.’s FDA. This has been a major setback for the COVID-conscious community, as we’ve lost a critical tool that allowed us to have fairly accurate and less expensive (when compared to Metrix) testing before gathering with family and friends.)
  2. Ventilation Improvements: Keeping windows open throughout the house, especially in areas where the son will sleep and where they’ll spend time together.
  3. Air Filtration: Installing MERV 13 filters in the HVAC system and using a CR Box or appropriately sized air filter in the son’s bedroom and shared spaces. Newer CR boxes with computer fans tend to be quieter.
  4. Alternative Accommodations: If possible, having the son stay nearby to limit shared air exposure overnight and allow for morning testing—though this didn’t seem to be an option.

Thanks again and keep up the great work!

Best regards,

Carrie

P.S. Wishing you a great racing season! I started racing last year and love being out on Lake Erie off the coast of Cleveland.