Dr. Howard Smith Oncall

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/U6KjQH1cROU   Last summer’s experience reassures us that children can safely attend day camps.  New York pediatric researchers draw this conclusion from their study of 8,480 campers and 3,698 staff at 23 camps.   CoVid cases only occurred in 2 camps. Only one camper and 6 staff members became infected.  Driving this success was near universal staff masking and select camper masking, regular hand sanitizing, focused testing, daily temperature checks, separation of campers into cohort bubbles, outdoor activities and meals, use of indoor facilities only for changing clothes, no field trips, and the use of distancing while eating.    Critical to the success of these day camps were flawless communications between camp officials and parents.   https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2021.03.11.21253309v1.full.pdf   #daycamps #CoVid #mitigation  

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/PlrPYrQW38M   Rising concentrations of particulate pollutants in the air is directly associated with a rise in CoVid infections.  Researchers in Hong Kong, Britain, and Israel draw this conclusion after analyzing data from 18 Chinese provincial capital cities including Wuhan.   Pooling data from all studied cities, there was a significant trend between concentration of 2.5 micron particulate matter in the air, known as PM2.5, and the rate of change in CoVid infections.  Looking only at the numbers from Wuhan, the epicenter of the Chinese CoVid epidemic, the effect of air pollution on CoVid infection rates was even more dramatic.   This study suggests that air pollution as well as population density is driving CoVid spread.   https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2020.05.19.20106484v3.full.pdf+html   #CoVid #pandemic #pollution #china  

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/Ce4du1KeMQg   Those with lingering CoVid symptoms can safely receive an mRNA or an adenoviral vector vaccine, and vaccination is associated with overall improvement in symptoms.  British researchers report these findings after  studying 66 CoVid long-haulers two-thirds of whom were vaccinated with either the Pfizer or the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccines.   Vaccination was well-tolerated with no significant degradation in quality-of-life.  Two thirds noted transient systemic reactions included fever, muscle aches, and headache.  Those vaccinated were 41% less likely to experience escalation of their CoVid-related symptoms but were 1.5 times more likely to enjoy greater symptom resolution.  Both vaccines seemed to produce similar results.   CoVid long-haulers should get vaccinated.   https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2021.03.11.21253225v1.full.pdf+html   #Longhaulers #CoVid #vaccine #pfizer #astrazeneca  

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/Mp6qq3zU7pg   The FDA and MG Foods, Inc. now recall MG Foods and Fresh to You Turkey Sandwiches.  These products are potentially contaminated with listeria monocytogenes.  This germ may cause serious and potentially fatal infections in the very young, elders, and the immunosuppressed.  It can trigger miscarriages and stillbirths if ingested by pregnant women.  These sandwiches were sold at the Charlotte Douglas Airport ad via vending machines in GA, NC, SC, and WV.  If you bought one of these, discard it and contact MG Foods at 1-855-424-8390 for a refund.     https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/mg-foods-recalls-various-turkey-sandwiches-due-possible-listeria-monocytogenes-contamination   #turkeysandwich #mg #freshtoyou #listeria  

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/ChoFzdYcZIY   The FDA and Hu Products are recalling Hu Chocolate Covered Hunks-Sour Goldenberries.  This product may contain undeclared almonds.  Those with almond allergies may develop a severe or life-threatening allergic reaction.  If you have this product, don’t consume it.  Discard it and contact Hu Products at 1-888-389-2224 to arrange for a refund.   https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/hu-products-conducts-nationwide-voluntary-recall-single-lot-4-oz-chocolate-covered-hunks-sour   #hu #chocolate #goldenberries #almonds  

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/NSehcTnKaJY   The FDA and Kareem Mart recall Tahina food treats. Tahina is ground sesame paste.  This product may be contaminated with salmonella.  This bacterium may cause a serious and sometime fatal infection in the very young, elders, and the immunocompromised.  If you bought these products, return them to the place of purchase for a refund.  If you require additional information, call Kareem Mart at 1-313-651-4600 or chat with company representatives on their website kareemmart.com.   https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/kareem-mart-recalls-tahina-because-possible-health-risks   #tahina #kareem #salmonella #recall  

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/JfOlOHetA2s   The FDA and Wilton Brands are recalling six sprinkle products and one kit.   The sprinkles in these products contain undeclared milk.  Those with a milk allergy may develop a serious allergic reaction.  The products involved are Tasty Coffee Shop Cookie Kit, Holiday Home Assorted Treat Toppings, Valentine Chip Crunch Sprinkles, and Rainbow Chip Crunch Sprinkles.  If you bought these products, either dispose of them or return them to the place of purchase for a refund.  The Wilton Brands Consumer Care Hotline at 1-800-794-5866 has additional information about these products.   https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/wilton-brands-issues-allergy-alert-undeclared-milk-7-sprinkle-products   #sprinkles #milk #wilton #recall  

    Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/DaWobFYlCec   The CPSC and KTM and Husqvarna Motorcycles North America recall the KTM SX-E 5 and Husqvarna EE-5 Motorcycles.  Water may enter the battery causing a short circuit possibly leading to a crash.  About 300 of these units have been sold.  Stop riding these cycles and contact an authorized KTM or Husqvarna Motorcycles dealer to schedule a free repair.   For additional information, contact KTM and Husqvarna Motorcycles North America toll-free at 888-985-6090.   https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2021/KTM-and-Husqvarna-Motorcycles-Recall-Closed-Course-Competition-Motorcycles-Due-to-Crash-Hazard-Recall-Alert   #motorcycles #ktm #husqvarna #battery #crash  

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/XiYm7MbPC-8   The CPSC and Melaleuca are recalling Revive Three Wick Soy Candles.  These candles may generate intense flames that could ignite the surface of the wax creating posing fire and burn hazards.  About 38,000 of these candles have been sold at Melaleuca stores and online.  If you bought one of these, stop using it.  Cut the wicks down to the wax to prevent its use and contact Melaleuca at 800-742-8094 to arrange for a refund.   https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2021/Melaleuca-Recalls-Three-Wick-Revive-Candles-Due-to-Fire-and-Burn-Hazards-Recall-Alert   #candle #melaleuca #fire  

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/s_EI0u93GaE   The CPSC and Lifetime Products announce the recall of Lifetime Products 6-foot Seminar Tables.  The brace arms fail to lock the table legs into place leading to table collapse with possible injuries.  More than 43,000 of these tables were sold via Amazon, Sam’s Club, Costco, other websites, and Lifetime stores in Utah and Idaho..  If you have one of them, stop using it.  Contact Lifetime Products at 800-292-3865 for free replacement arms.   https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2021/Lifetime-Products-Recalls-6-Foot-Seminar-Tables-Due-to-Injury-Risk   #foldingtable #lifetime #defective #collapse  

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/PDWarSXVYtM   The CPSC and Casa Kids now recall Casa Kids Cabina Bunk Beds.  The bed’s mattress foundation can separate from the bed’s guardrails allowing the mattress foundation to fall and pose a fall risk to children.  Don’t permit your child to sleep on this bed until you have inspected to check that screws holding the mattress foundation in place are intact.  If you require further help, contact Casa Kids at 1-718-694-0272, and the company can provide you with additional sets of screws.   https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2021/Casa-Kids-Recalls-for-Repair-Cabina-Bunk-Beds-Due-to-Fall-Hazard-Recall-Alert   #bunkbed #Casakids #foundation #fall  

x Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/LwdHnnpRfkY   The CPSC and Polaris announce the recall of  Ranger and ProXD off-road vehicles.  These vehicles have sticky throttle pedals creating crash hazards.  About 15,800 were sold in the Us and 711 were sold in Canada.  If you own one of these vehicles, stop using it and call your nearest Polaris dealer to arrange for a repair.  If you require additional information, call Polaris by dialing 1-800-765-2747.   https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2021/Polaris-Recalls-Ranger-Recreational-Off-Highway-Vehicles-and-ProXD-Utility-Vehicles-Due-to-Crash-Hazard-Recall-Alert   #offroad #polaris #ranger #proxd #throttle #crash  

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/T0GtRGC0CiE   The CPSC and Haro Bicycles are recalling Masi Evoluzione and Gran Corsa Bicycles.  The steering fork tube may fracture and cause a rider to lose control creating fall injuries.  Immediately stop riding these bicycles, contact your local Haro dealer to arrange an inspection, repair, and/or replacement of the fork.  Further information is available by calling Haro Bicycles at 1-800-289-4276.   https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2021/Haro-Bicycles-Recalls-Masi-Evoluzione-and-Gran-Corsa-Bicycles-Due-to-Fall-Hazard-and-Risk-of-Injury   #bicycle #haro #steering #recall  

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/w-694u3aL8k   In yet another example of less can be more, Canadian researchers now report that half as long a course of antibiotic effectively eradicates cases of pediatric pneumonia.  A five day course of high dose amoxicillin cures pneumonia for 86% of kids while 10 days of the same cures an equivalent 84%.   This isn’t news.  A 2018 Seattle meta-analysis data-mined the literature and found that shorter compared with longer, standard antibiotic courses produced equivalent resolution of strep tonsillitis, acute ear infections, sinusitis, pneumonia, and urinary tract infections.   If your doctor is recommending antibiotics for an infection, ask about a shorter course of the drug would be appropriate.   https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamapediatrics/article-abstract/2776976   https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28486675/   #pneumonia #infection #antibiotics #shortcourse  

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/vnaaAJg3Wag   From Harvard and the University of Pennsylvania comes the welcome news that the mRNA CoVid vaccines induce equivalent antibody responses in pregnant  and lactating women as they do in non-pregnant women.   The investigators compared the titers of all classes of anti-CoVid antibodies that developed in 84 pregnant, 31 lactating, and 16 non-pregnant women with the immune responses occurring in 37 pregnant women 4-12 weeks after a CoVid infection.  All vaccine recipients enjoyed “strikingly higher” antibody responses compared with CoVid-infected women.     A mother’s CoVid immunity transfers to baby.  Maternal anti-CoVid antibodies  transfer across the placenta and are found in significant concentrations in breast milk.   https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2021.03.07.21253094v1.full.pdf+html   #CoVid #vaccine #moderna #pfizer #pregnancy #breastmilk    

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/dHDXxbq5Tg4   NOT YET even if you’ve been vaccinated.  You’ve seen full page ads declaring that your favorite theater subscribes to a national CinemaSafe standard.  How protective is it?     Masks, social distancing, personal and theater hygiene are required, but will they be enforced by theater employees.  Capacity reduction is fine, but even one infected person, poorly masked, can infect the entire auditorium.  Worse yet, mask removal to munch popcorn and slurp drinks is permitted.   Most worrisome are the loose air quality guidelines: all HVAC systems SHOULD not MUST be in working order with increased ventilation WHENEVER POSSIBLE rather than ALWAYS.  Air filtration should be upgraded WHENEVER POSSIBLE.   OMG! Don’t chance it.   https://www.cinemasafe.org   https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5f32ffdd33b78b4f9c93c269/t/5f457bfd3d7573740b13e753/1599771306561/NATO+COVID-19+Health+and+Safety+Guidelines+8.25.20.pdf   https://www.polygon.com/2020/8/27/21402474/movie-theaters-ru

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/g1TBZw3UakM   Daily CoVid antigen tests without stringent masking, distancing, and disinfection will not prevent CoVid outbreaks within collegiate sports teams.  This warning comes from the University of Wisconsin.   Researchers there documented two outbreaks despite daily, comprehensive testing.  The first occurred within a single team when a single negative antigen test was found to be a false negative and CoVid spread to 32 other athletes.  The second outbreak occurred as the result of spread between two teams after an athletic competition despite each team undergoing daily testing.   Even a robust testing strategy using both antigen and formal PCR viral testing fails unless all participants follow rigorous mitigation efforts including masking, distancing, and disinfection.   https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2021.03.03.21252838v1.full.pdf   #CoVid #college #athletics  

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/bxjZCXdSnhs   About 27% of those contracting mild CoVid will develop chronic symptoms two months or later after their infections.  A collaborative study from UC Irvine, Indiana University, the Mayo Clinic, and the University of Miami studied 1407 non-hospitalized CoVid patients to predict which patients will become CoVid long haulers.     The early symptoms predictive of chronic CoVid are shortness of breath, cough, fever, chest pain, and diarrhea.  Persisting CoVid was more common in women than men and more common in Hispanics and whites than in Asians or Blacks.  It occurred nearly evenly among all age groups.   We know now the predictive symptoms and the groups most likely to develop chronic CoVid.  It remains to later studies to explain why.   https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2021.03.03.21252086v1   #CoVid #longhauler #chronic  

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/_-Lpy4Z9Nv4   No, but you can socialize more.  Here are CDC guidelines as of the 2nd week in March, 2021.   You’re officially vaccinated 2 weeks after a 2nd dose of Moderna or Pfizer and after a single dose of the Johnson-Janssen vaccines.   Gather with another fully vaccinated bubble indoors or outdoors without masks or distancing.  Gather with an unvaccinated bubble maskless and close by unless someone is at high risk for severe CoVid.   In public settings and workplaces, you should continue to mask, distance, wash,  and avoid crowds.  Be particularly careful gathering with unvaccinated from 2 or more bubbles or when meeting those at increased risk for CoVid.   If exposed to CoVid patient: no quarantine or testing unless if in institutional setting (elder group living, detention).  If so, obtain test and isolate for 14 days.   What about traveling in US or abroad?  Only if necessary and if you do, mask distance, wash.   Open questions: duration of vaccine protection; can the vac

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/GNnQIyA1HmA   The FDA and the J&J Distributing Company now recall multiple products including taco trays, taco dips, taco platters, and turkey sandwiches sold under the Haug, Fresh Thyme, Tastebuds, Earthgrown, Caribou, and Kwik Trip brands.  These products, sold nationwide, may contain listeria monocytogenes.  This microorganism may cause serious and even lifethreatening infections in the very young, elders, and those who are immunocompromised.  If you purchased one of these products, return it to the point of purchase for a refund.  For more information, contact J&J Distributing at 1-651-221-0560.   https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/jj-distributing-recalls-multiple-products-because-possible-health-risk   #taco #tacodip #sandwiches #listeria #recall