Joanna Shawn Brigid O'Leary

A portrait of the author.

Joanna Shawn Brigid O'Leary

Joanna Shawn Brigid "Bridey" O'Leary was born in Alexandria, Virginia, grew up in central Pennsylvania and Massachusetts, and now calls Houston, Texas home. She graduated from Harvard University with a degree in English and pre-medical studies and earned a Ph.D. in Victorian literature from Rice University. Bridey has served as a medical writer, culinary historian, and travel/food critic for media outlets and academic publications such as Neurosurgery, Let's Go travel guides, Stroke, Wine Enthusiast, the Onion, Houston Press, Texas Highways and Houstonia.

Latest MedTruth Work by Joanna Shawn Brigid O'Leary

A stock photo of a gavel against white marble, representing COVID-19 tolling and SOL.

State Courts Tolling Statutes of Limitat...

Joanna Shawn Brigid O'Leary · June 4, 2020

Federal and state courts are struggling to process lawsuits and fulfill civil procedural protocols as the coronavirus outbreak continues, causing the need to "toll" or suspend statutes of limitations.

Legal Developments
Doctor holding Hydroxychloroquine, a drug considered for coronavirus treatment.

Clinical Trial Reveals Hydroxychloroquin...

Joanna Shawn Brigid O'Leary · June 1, 2020

After the release of a massive study, which found that hydroxychloroquine was ineffective at treating COVID-19 and could be deadly to its recipients, scientists from all over the world penned an open letter expressing concern about the study’s design and the interpretation of its results.

News
Image of hand holding Pepcid heartburn medication famotidine used to treat the coronavirus.

Pepcid Shows Promise Against COVID-19

Joanna Shawn Brigid O'Leary · May 28, 2020

The active ingredient in Pepcid heartburn medication, famotidine, may be an effective treatment for the coronavirus.

Research + Findings
  • A stock photo of a gavel against white marble, representing COVID-19 tolling and SOL.

    State Courts Tolling Statutes of Limitat...

    Joanna Shawn Brigid O'Leary · June 4, 2020

    Federal and state courts are struggling to process lawsuits and fulfill civil procedural protocols as the coronavirus outbreak continues, causing the need to "toll" or suspend statutes of limitations.

    Legal Developments
  • Doctor holding Hydroxychloroquine, a drug considered for coronavirus treatment.

    Clinical Trial Reveals Hydroxychloroquin...

    Joanna Shawn Brigid O'Leary · June 1, 2020

    After the release of a massive study, which found that hydroxychloroquine was ineffective at treating COVID-19 and could be deadly to its recipients, scientists from all over the world penned an open letter expressing concern about the study’s design and the interpretation of its results.

    News
  • Image of hand holding Pepcid heartburn medication famotidine used to treat the coronavirus.

    Pepcid Shows Promise Against COVID-19

    Joanna Shawn Brigid O'Leary · May 28, 2020

    The active ingredient in Pepcid heartburn medication, famotidine, may be an effective treatment for the coronavirus.

    Research + Findings
A stock photo representing a genetic vaccine for COVID-19.

Could COVID-19 Be Stopped by the World’s First Genetic Vaccine?

Joanna Shawn Brigid O'Leary · May 22, 2020

Early results from studies researching a genetic vaccine for COVID-19 show promise, but safety, production and privacy concerns remain.

Research + Findings