Dr. Howard Smith Oncall

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/9ltPIjlQUQc   The CPSC and 3 makers of residential elevators, Bella Elevator, LLC, Inclinator Company of America, and Savaria Corporation, now announce recalls on a total of 69,000 residential elevators in the US and in Canada.  All of these elevators share the same issue: young children can become trapped in the space between the exterior door and the interior elevator car door or gate.  This occurs if there is a hazardous gap, and little ones may suffer serious injuries or death when the elevator is called to another floor.  The manufacturers have made a joint commitment to reengineer their products to avoid this dangerous issue in the future.  Meanwhile, owners of these elevators can obtain space guards from the manufacturers to prevent child entrapment.  Contact Bella Elevator by calling 1-877-375-1428 or online at symmetryelevators.com.  Contact Inclinator by phone at 1-833-620-2949 or online at inclinator.com.  Contact Savaria by phone at 1-855-983-5520 or online at Savaria.

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/U7CWHdT0SWQ   Receiving the first shot of a 2 shot mRNA vaccination battery on the day you test positive for CoVid or within 5 days afterward cuts your chances of dying from the disease by over 80%. This the conclusion of an Israeli study that analyzed data from 271,710 persons who tested CoVid-positive using the PCR test during the period from December, 2020 through September, 2021.   While vaccine protection was significant for those 65 and older saving half of them, it was most dramatic for those in the 55 to 64 age group saving 81% of them.  Since the death toll was low for those under 55 years, vaccination did not have an appreciable effect on survival.     Vaccination also has a protective effect on hospitalization reducing admissions by 25% for those 65 and older and by 30% for those 55 to 64 years.  There was no statistically significant effect of vaccination on duration of hospital stay for either group.   The bottom line: if you haven’t been vaccinated and test CoVid pos

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/Co-zziI5pmw   Learning comprehension and retention are unaffected by watching an instructional video at up to twice the speed.  Educational psychologists at UCLA studied this phenomenon in 231 of their undergrads by having them watch two 15 minute videos including one about the Roman Empire and the other about real estate appraisals.  Groups screened the videos at either normal speed, 1.5 times faster, 2 times faster, or 2.5 times faster.   The participants were tested immediately after each viewing and again a week later.  Comprehension and retention were statistically identical between normal and double speed but declined with viewing at 2.5 times the normal speed.   So students……If you’re short on time, and who isn’t, ramp up the playback speed and rest assured that you’re not missing much.  Modern digital players adjust the audio pitch so your professors don’t sound like the Chipmunks.   https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2022/01/220111153637.htm   #education #speedlearnin

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/1Ox1wde3AIU   From the “Yes….face masks really do make a difference ..department” comes a cut and dry engineering study that shows face masks reduce the distance an infectious aerosol travels by more than 50%.  Mechanical engineers at the University of Central Florida exhaustively studied 14 20-something participants to determine the effectiveness of various mask types on aerosol dispersal after speaking and coughing.   Measurements were made of droplet size, velocity, and spread as participants wore cloth masks, 3 layer surgical masks, or no mask.  The surgical mask limited the aerosol spread to 6 inches compared with at least 2 feet for the cloth mask and at least 4 feet for no mask.  Other studies have shown, though, that clouds of superfine aerosol are able to travel even further.   Now that we are dealing with the highly contagious Omicron variant, mask wearing is a must.  To avoid inhaling enough CoVid to make you ill, always wear the best mask you can indoors, that is a tig

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/4jmVx24TLiA   A full course of the Pfizer mRNA CoVid vaccine reduces that chance that an adolescent will develop the multi system inflammatory syndrome known as MIS-C by 91%.  A collaborative group of pediatric infectious disease specialists at 24 of our nation’s preeminent children’s hospitals and pediatric departments studied a total of 283 patients with a median age of 14.5 years during the Delta variant predominant period July through December of 2021.     Ninety-five percent of the adolescents who became infected with CoVid and developed symptoms of MIS-C were unvaccinated.  No CoVid-infected child who received the 2 doses of the Pfizer vaccine required mechanical ventilation or cardiovascular life support which 39% of the unvaccinated did.   MIS-C is a devastating illness that is largely preventable with CoVid vaccination and appropriate boosting.  Since only 52.3% of eligible teens 12 through 17 years had received the mRNA vaccine as of mid-December and a significantly lowe

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/gH6KKl_zACM   Young people under the age of 18 with CoVid are more than 2.5 times more likely to be diagnosed with diabetes as those uninfected with this virus.  This conclusion is now reported by a CDC study group after their analysis of a US medical claims database covering a total of 80,893 persons with a mean age of 12 years and a fairly even gender mix.   The incidence of either type 1, that is insulin-dependent, diabetes or type 2 diabetes managed with oral medication or diet alone was 316 per 100,000 person years compared with 118/100K for those uninfected with CoVid during the period of the pandemic and 125/100K for persons in the prepandemic period.  The incidence of diabetes was similar across all age and gender groups.   We have known since the start of the pandemic that diabetics do poorly with CoVid due to their suboptimal immunity.  Now we also know that the virus can induce a disruption of carbohydrate metabolism that is diagnosable as frank diabetes.  This is not s

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/PC6CTdTY8d0   The FDA and GHGA, LLC are recalling chicken salad croissants. This product contains undeclared fish. Those with a fish allergy or sensitivity could run the risk of a serious or life-threatening allergic reactions if they consume this product. The product was sold by Kroger stores in Alabama, Georgia, and South Carolina. Those with fish allergies who purchased this product should return to the store purchase for a full refund. GHGA, LLC can answer consumer questions at 1-888-449-9386.   https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/ghga-llc-issues-allergy-alert-undeclared-fish-chicken-salad-croissants   #GHGA #chickesalad #croissants #fish #allergy #Recall  

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/wYzQQPMd0zM   The FDA and world health products LLC now recall GAT sport jetfuel diuretic.  This product contains undeclared milk in its medium chain triglycerides oil powder ingredient. Those with milk allergies could develop a serious or possibly life-threatening allergic reaction ingesting this product. Those with milk allergies or sensitivities who purchase this product should not consume it and instead return to the point of purchase or dispose of it. For additional information contact world health products customer service at 1-760-456-2631 or via email at info@teamgat.com.    https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/world-health-products-llc-issues-allergy-recall-undeclared-milk-allergen-jetfuel-diuretic   #GAT #sporjetfueldiuretic #milk #allergy #recall  

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/QbsQ5TL8y9U   The FDA and dole fresh vegetables Inc. are recalling all Dole branded and private label package salads processed at their Springfield Ohio and Soledad California production facilities. The salads contain listeria monocytogenes. This organism can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, elders, and others with weakened immune systems.  The brands involved include: Dole, H-E-B, Marketside, Presidents Choice, Kroger, and Little Salad Bar. The products involved have a W or a B prior to their product lot codes and best if used by dates of 12/22/21 or 12/23/21 to 1/8/22 or 1/9/22. The salads were sold and distributed in Alabama, Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Iowa, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, Minnesota, Michigan, Missouri, Mississippi, Maryland, North Dakota, Nebraska, Nevada, New York, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington state, and Wisconsin. If you bought these salads, return

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/pXam7A_pQU4   The FDA and Moor Herbs are recalling Moor herbs angel formula infant formula. This product fails to meet specific nutritional and labeling requirements for infant formula and contains more iron, sodium, and potassium than permitted by law. This could lead to overloads of these nutritional elements. The product also fails to contain sufficient Vitamin D which could lead to a Vitamin D deficiency. Parents who purchased this product should discontinue its use and either throw the product away or return it to the point of purchase for a refund. For more information, call Moor Herbs at 1-313-583-9709.   https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/moor-herbs-recalls-angel-formula-infant-formula-because-possible-health-risk   #moorherbs #infantformula #deficiency #toxicity #recall  

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/IlPzbFMTIds   The CPSC and CRT motors are recalling the CRT motor youth all-terrain vehicles. These vehicles fail to meet mandatory safety requirements for children who are able to operate them above the maximum allowed speed risking crashes and serious injuries. The handlebars on these ATVs also pose a laceration hazard. Immediately stop using these ATVs and do not permit your children to use them. Contact CRT Motors at 1-626-822-1129 for instructions regarding refunds on the vehicles.   https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2022/CRT-Motor-Recalls-Youth-All-Terrain-Vehicles-ATVs-Due-to-Crash-Hazard-and-Violation-of-Federal-Safety-Standard-Sold-Exclusively-at-Motor-Planet   #CRT #TV #youthvehicle #speed #crash #injuries #recall  

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/OPUMJTnEFZA   The CPSC and Native Creation now recall Native Creation small wool sweaters. The paint on the zipper pull contains toxic levels of lead exceeding maximum federal safety standards. Excessive levels of lead can be toxic and create neurologic and other health problems for young children should the paint be ingested. About 170 of the sweaters were sold in the US. Immediately take these recalled sweaters away from your children and contact Native Creation for a full refund. You can reach the company at 1-206-499-3301.   https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2022/Native-Creation-Recalls-Sweaters-Due-to-Violation-of-the-Federal-Lead-Paint-Ban   #Nativecreation #sweater #lead #toxicity #recall  

Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/VOnZ2u1tCcs   The CPSC and Polaris are recalling Polaris Outlaw 110 EFI Youth All-Terrain Vehicles. The inner layer of the fuel line leaks and creates fire and burn hazards.  About 1100 of these vehicles were sold in the US and 2 were sold in Canada.  Immediately stop using these recalled vehicles and contact a Polaris dealer to schedule the free repair which involves installation of a new fuel line. For more information contact Polaris by phone at 1-800-765-2747 or online at polaris.com and click on "off-road safety recalls” at the bottom of the page.    https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2022/Polaris-Recalls-Youth-All-Terrain-Vehicles-Due-to-Fire-Hazard-Recall-Alert   #polaris #offroad #atv #fuelline.#fire #burns #recall  

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/LjSlyGc0K1M   The CPSC and Colony Brands are recalling Colony Brands Covered Wood Wagons.  The paint on the wagons, the plastic handles, and the red plastic cover contain unsafe levels of lead that exceed federal safety standards. Excessive lead in pain is toxic and cause other health problems for young children if paint is ingested.  About 20 of these wagons were sold nationwide.  If you bought one of these wagons for your child, do not let them use it.  Return it to the place of purchase for a refund.  For more information, call Colony Brands at 1-800-991-4442 or contact therm via email at CallCenterProductQAteam@sccompanies.com.    https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2022/Colony-Brands-Recalls-Childrens-Wood-Wagons-Due-to-Violation-of-Federal-Lead-Paint-Ban-and-Lead-Poisoning-Hazard-Recall-Alert   #children #wagon #lead #toxicity #recall  

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/ZkOTbLWPy7M   As the year begins, I want to warn you about the ever-present medical scams that threaten to vacuum your hard-earned bucks from your wallet.   Bogus weight loss programs like those promoted by Dr. Wizard of Oz:  Beware of programs that claim: You can lose weight without modifying the food you eat in quantity and quality. Measuring your weight regularly is unnecessary. Any weight loss will be permanent. You’ll lose 30 pounds in 30 days, A topical cream or lotion will suction off the pounds. Their program works for everyone. They provide magical pills that melt those pounds off.   Fake fertility supplements: Last May, the FDA issued warning letters to 5 makers of dietary supplements that claim they can eliminate fertility issues.  They include: • LeRoche Benicoeur and its ConceiveEasy program EU Natural Inc. and its Conception Female and Male Fertility products  Fertility Nutraceuticals LLC and its products “CONFLAM- Forte™,” “FERTINATAL® DHEA”, and “OVOENERGEN™ Coe

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/3Y8WJzH5qqk   Persons suffering Delta CoVid infections have a 63% higher risk of losing vital executive function that is crucial for planning, focusing, forming memories, and multitasking.  Epidemiologists and psychologists at Canada’s University of Waterloo report this finding after analyzing 1,958 persons with a mean age 37 years.  The study group consisted of 303 with documented CoVid infections.  There were 1,655 controls.   The data showed a definite correlation between the severity of the CoVid infection and the degree of cognitive disability due to loss of executive functions.  Men were 15% more likely than women to experience cognitive dysfunction, and younger adults 25 to 39 years of age were 30% more likely than middle aged adults 40 to 54 years of age to lose it.  Those with moderately severe to severe CoVid infections were 60% more likely to suffer cognitive issues compared with uninfected persons.   Once again the evidence warns that you don’t want to catch CoVid. It

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/qLlXBwR9aCI   The Pfizer mRNA vaccine and the Johnson and Johnson adenovirus vector vaccine induce comparable rises in anti-CoVid antibodies and anti-Covid cellular immunity after initial Pfizer vaccination.  In another words, a mix and match boosting strategy works!  Researchers at Harvard and the University of North Carolina report these results after analyzing the immunity conferred on 65 subjects, 24 of whom received the Pfizer and 41 received the J&J.   By 6 months after Pfizer vaccination, antibody protection against CoVid variants compared with the original strain plummets significantly.  Two and four weeks after a boost of either the J&J vaccine or the Pfizer vaccine, the antibody protection against all CoVid strains bumps up though protection against Omicron does begin to wane quickly.   Looking at cellular immunity against CoVid, the analysis showed that this part of the immune response remained quite active even 6 months following the initial Pfizer vaccination.

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/Lwv63Fs63Vs   The risk of developing a severe case of CoVid during the current Omicron era is roughly two-thirds less than during the immediately previous Delta era.  Using a national database, investigators at Case Western Reserve University performed a retrospective review of 577,938 first-time CoVid-infected patients.  Of them 14,054 had Omicron CoVid while 563,884 developed Delta CoVid.   Comparing Omicron versus Delta infections, the risk of a ED visit was 70% less, the risk of hospitalization was 54% less, the risk of an ICU admission was 67% less, and the risk of requiring a ventilator was 84% less.  For children and teens 5 through 17 years, the risk of an ED visit was 81% lower for Omicron and the risk of hospitalization was 64% lower for Omicron.   Omicron produces less severe disease than Delta.  That doesn’t mean acute Omicron infections are innocuous, particularly in the unvaccinated and unboosted.  Then too, it’s way too early for us to know what mischief Omicron wil

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/F8CZzJ1F3fc   Obese persons who lose significant weight can reduce their risk of developing severe and fatal CoVid by nearly 60%.  This the conclusion of a Cleveland Clinic cohort study of 11,809 obese adult patients.   The experimental group consisted of 2,958 patients who had lost 17% or more of their body weight prior to the first wave of CoVid that hit Cleveland in March, 2020.  This weight loss was triggered by bariatric surgical procedures.  A group of 8,851 persistently obese persons served as the control group.  The mean weight difference between groups was 44 pounds.   Although the rate of CoVid infection was statistically the same for both groups, 9.1% for the weight loss group versus 8.7% for the controls, those who lost the weight enjoyed a 49% lower risk of hospitalization, a 63% lower need for supplemental oxygen, a 58% reduced risk of severe CoVid, and a 72% lower risk of death.   Though those in the study achieved their weight loss through surgery, a well-executed

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/GYY1DPQ0O3A   A just published NIH study confirms that CoVid remains in the body for months after an initial infection with widespread presence in vital organs.  The multidisciplinary team of NIH pathologists and virologists collaborated with University of Maryland clinicians in an exhaustive autopsy study of 44 patients with a PCR-proven CoVid infection.  The analysis was done up to 7 months after that infection.   CoVid was detected in the lung tissues of 98%, cardiovascular tissues of 80%, brain tissues in 91%, lymphoid tissues of 86%, gastrointestinal tissues of 73%, kidney and endocrine tissues of 64%, reproductive tissues of 43%, muscle, skin, fat and peripheral nerves in 68%, and the eyes in 58%.  After infection, even in mild cases, viral replication is extensive in the lungs, and the new virus is disseminated throughout the body via the blood.  There is evidence of viral replication occurring throughout the body for over 3 months even in tissues lacking the ACE2 receptor