Dr. Howard Smith Oncall

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/x2zq09Tx-PU   The FDA and the Wahl Clipper Corporation are recalling the Wahl Deluxe Heat Therapy Massager, Model 4212.  The connection between the massager and the heat source may overheat leading to sparking, smoking, and a fire hazard.  If you own this product, discontinue its use immediately.  Call the Wahl Company at 1-800-767-9245 to arrange for a post-paid return of the unit, a complete refund, and a $10 inconvenience fee.   https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/safety-recall-deluxe-heat-therapy-massager   #massager #wahl #fire  

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/3xdNrOVHd9Y   The FDA and Maine Grains, Inc. are recalling Organic Yellow Peas sold between 10/17 and 11/1/2020.  This product may contain undeclared soybeans.  Those with a soybean allergy may develop a severe or life-threatening reaction if they ingest the yellow peas.  This product was distributed throughout the northeastern US and via mainegrains.com.   Much of the product was consumed in NYC.  If you purchased this product, return it to the store for a full refund.  If you have additional questions, call Maine Grains at 1-207-457-8001.   https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/maine-grains-inc-issues-allergy-alert-undeclared-soy-organic-yellow-peas   #peas #maine #soybeans  

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/OeLW7r3CpCc   The CPSC and CB2 have recalled CB2 Chests and Dressers.  These pieces of furniture may tip over and injure children if not anchored to the wall. 11,000 were sold in the US and 355 sold in Canada.   If you have one of these at home, unload it and/or move it to a location away from access by children until you have anchored it to the call.  Alternatively, contact CB2 at 1-800-451-8217 to receive store credit or a refund.   https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2021/CB2-Recalls-Junction-Tall-Chests-and-Low-Dressers-Due-to-Tip-Over-and-Entrapment-Hazards   #cb2 #dresser #chest #tipover  

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/lzF-NFY8ok0   From the actual documents the company submitted to the FDA and CDC.  The Pfizer-BioNTech Vaccine consists of messenger RNA wrapped up in a lipid nanoparticle package.  The RNA is formulated to avoid immune destruction once injected and to code for a CoVid spike glycoprotein that will provoke production of a human antibody.  It is stored as a frozen suspension at -112 to -76 degrees Fahrenheit.   It is supplied in a 5-7 dose vial and is given as two 30 ug IM injections 28 days apart.  The vaccine is preservative-free and contains no eggs or latex   The Pfizer vaccine was first tested for safety and immunogenicity in a phase 1 trial of 90 persons and a followup phase 2 trial of 360 persons.  It’s effectiveness was confirmed and safety checked in a randomized blinded phase 3 trial involving 38,000  participants.     The results showed an ability to prevent any CoVid infection for all age patients of 95%, for those 18-64 yrs of 95%, and for those 65-74 was 93%, and for t

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/gyHNlHNrOLc   From the actual documents the company submitted to the FDA and CDC.  The Moderna Vaccine consists of messenger RNA wrapped up in a lipid nanoparticle package.  The RNA is formulated to avoid immune destruction once injected and to code for a CoVid spike glycoprotein that will provoke production of a human antibody.  It is stored as a frozen suspension at -13 to 5 degrees Fahrenheit.   It is supplied in a 10 dose vial and is given as two 100 ug IM injections 28 days apart.   The vaccine does not contain eggs, preservatives, or latex.   It was first tested for safety and immunogenicity in a phase 1 trial of 120 persons and a fu phase 2 trial of 600 persons.  It’s effectiveness was confirmed and safety checked in a randomized blinded phase 3 trial involving 30,000 participants.     The results showed an ability to prevent any CoVid infection for all age patients of 94%, for those 18-64 yrs of 96%, and for those 65 and older of 86%.  No severe or fatal CoVid cases occurr

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/2olR_GBnm0I   This observation suggests we can save precious CoVid vaccine supplies say virologists and epidemiologists at the University of Maryland.  They suggest this strategy after testing 33 health care workers with proven, previous CoVid infections and 26 uninfected workers.   The data reveals that those with pre-existing anti-CoVid antibodies respond to a first dose of either the Moderna or Pfizer vaccine with an anti-spike antibody peak similar to those receiving a second dose of the vaccine.  Given that those previously infected have some CoVid immunity and pre-existing anti-CoVid antibodies after either a symptomatic or asymptomatic infection, they need only receive  a single dose of a 2-dose vaccine.     https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2021.01.30.21250843v1.full.pdf   #CoVid #vaccine #infected  

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/OQPq8QFXW9o   New CoVid variants with an estimated 56% greater transmissibility would trigger a 3 fold rise in daily CoVid infections, hospitalizations, and deaths in the absence of an effective vaccination program.  Researchers at NYU predict this public health disaster with a mathematical model that  determines how strategic vaccination can avoid this bloodbath.   Their numbers predict that we must be vaccinating 150,000 New York City residents per day by January 21st in order to offset the effects of the more powerful CoVid strains.  The sad fact is that only 24,000 vaccinations per day have taken place.   We must ramp vaccinations to avoid 8,000 more dead New Yorkers by the end of June.   https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2021.01.29.21250710v1.full.pdf https://www1.nyc.gov/site/doh/covid/covid-19-data-vaccines.page   #CoVid #vaccination #mutations #transmissibility  CoVid, vaccination, mutations, transmissibility

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/6GI3GnmXZFg   More than 1 in every 8 of us develops post-traumatic stress syndrome as the result of the CoVid pandemic.  Australian researchers at Finders University studied 1040 participants in 5 Western countries by tabulating the results of their online survey responses.   The questions covered personal exposure to CoVid, exposure to media stories, a list of 20 stress symptoms, and a 5 item well-being index.  Besides PTSD, 53% of respondents had depression, 37% had significant stress, and 32% had anxiety.   Traumatic stress symptoms arise from anticipated as well as experienced events.  PTSD symptoms were as significant in those who anticipated CoVid infection and job loss as in those who actually had them.   https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0240146   #ptsd #CoVid #depression #stress #anxiety  

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/mDrGP7rEBP4   Daily low-dose aspirin can reduce your chance of developing colorectal cancer by a significant 20% but only if you begin taking it before the age of 70.  Harvard researchers pooled data from two large groups for a total of 94,540 participants followed for up to 35 years.   When the numbers were crunched and cases of lower bowel cancer tabulated over some 996,463 person-years of followup, the risk of developing such cancer  after age 75 was reduced 10 to 28%.  The maximum benefits only occurred for those beginning their aspirin regimen before age 70.   If your personal doc agrees, begin your daily low dose aspirin regimen early and use it consistently.   https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamaoncology/article-abstract/2775175   #bowelcancer #colorectalcancer #aspirin  

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/lVuiANbnAXM   Low dose aspirin increases the chances of a live birth by up to 15% for women who had up to 2 previous miscarriages.  This the conclusion of a study from Emory and the NIH.   A group of 1228 women 18-40 years were randomized to receive 81 mg of aspirin and folic acid or folic acid alone daily for up to 6 cycles while attempting conception and continuing the regimen through 36 weeks of a successful gestation.  Those who adhered to the regimen a minimum of 4 days per week enjoyed 15 more live births per 100 women and suffered 6 fewer pregnancy losses per 100 women.     Recurrent pregnancy losses are heartbreaking but preventable.   https://www.acpjournals.org/doi/full/10.7326/M20-0469 https://www.nichd.nih.gov/about/org/diphr/officebranch/eb/effects-aspirin   #pregnancy #miscarriage #aspirin  

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/IgvfoYPT36w   You’ve heard the news that the new CoVid variants first arising in the UK, South Africa, and South America are more contagious and possible more deadly than the original CoVid strain,  Our current vaccines may not protect as well.    Against the British strain, Moderna and Pfizer induced strong antibody neutralization.  Against the South African strain, the Moderna vaccine produced 6-fold lower antibody levels but still protective ones and the Pfizer vaccine triggered antibody levels 20% lower to 40% higher.  No data yet for the Brazilian strain.   Even if a vaccine does not completely prevent CoVid, it will make any infection less severe and less deadly.  Get vaccinated!   https://investors.modernatx.com/news-releases/news-release-details/moderna-covid-19-vaccine-retains-neutralizing-activity-against https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2021.01.27.427998v1.full.pdf   #covid #pfizer #moderna #vaccine  

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/ptHTSvUcuX8   The FDA and Bickel’s Snack Foods are recalling Bickel’s Snack Foods 8 oz. Butter Flavored Popcorn.  This item contains undeclared milk.  Those with a milk allergy could become severely ill by ingesting the popcorn.  Only one lot bearing the following code is affected: 29MAR21 Z1E1.  This product was sold exclusively at Publix Markets in GA and NC.  If you bought this product and have a milk allergy, return it to Publix for a refund.  For additional information, call Bickel’s Snack Foods at 1-717-900-1520.   https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/bickels-snack-foods-inc-issues-allergy-alert-specific-lot-butter-flavored-popcorn   #popcorn #bickels #milk #recall popcorn, bickels, milk, recall  

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/O33cuYKQ6DE   The FDA and the Door County Coffee & Tea Co. are recalling 5.1 oz packages of French Vanilla Flavored Cappuccino Single Serve Cups.  This product may contain undeclared milk and soy.  Persons with allergies to milk, soy, or both may suffer serious and possible life-threatening reactions.  This product was sold in: WI, Il, IA, IN, KS, TX, MI, FL, and MI.  If you purchased this product and have milk or soy allergies, discard it and contact the company for a refund by calling 1-800-856-6613.   https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/door-county-coffee-tea-co-issues-allergy-alert-undeclared-milk-and-soy-french-vanilla-flavored   #cappuccino #milk #soy #doorcountycoffeetea #recall  

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/Sw7ql33dA20   The FDA and House-Autry Mills, Inc. are recalling House-Autry Tartar Sauce with best by dates ranging from 8/18/2021 to 9/21/2021.  The company’s co-manufacturer has verified accelerated spoilage associated with these batches.  This product was sold in SC, NC, VA, PA, FL, and OH.  If you purchased this products don’t consume it and return it to the place of purchase for a refund.  Those with questions should call the House-Autry company at 1-800-849-0802.   https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/house-autry-mills-announces-voluntary-recall-house-autry-tartar-sauce-due-spoilage   #tartarsauce #houseautry #spoilage #recall  

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/fLyp9qqfU8w   Antibodies produced by persons immunized with the Moderna CoVid vaccine could capably neutralize the British and South African coronavirus strains in the test tube.  This the conclusion of  testing completed by Moderna and the NIH Vaccine Research Center.   Detailed testing revealed that Moderna vaccination yielded antibodies equally capable of protecting against the British B.1.1.7 CoVid strain as against the original Wuhan CoVid strain.  Against the South African B.1.351 strain, the Moderna-induced antibodies were less powerful but still could get the job done.  A booster shot is planned.   The Moderna mRNA vaccine produces more powerful antibodies than a natural CoVid infection. Even those who have weathered CoVid should be vaccinated.   https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2021.01.25.427948v1.full.pdf   #covid #moderna #vaccine #britishvariant #southafricanvariant #b117 #b1351  

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/goFncFdxFbo   In those testing positive for CoVid, a simultaneous cancer diagnosis significantly increases the chances for hospitalization and dying over the next month.  Investigators at the University of Pennsylvania studied 323 CoVid positive persons of whom 67 had cancer active or in remission and 256 were non-cancer patients.   The cancer patients were more than twice as likely to be hospitalized and nearly 6 times more likely to die over a 30 day period after diagnosis.  Those with active cancer were the most likely to experience complicated and lethal CoVid.   Cancer patients, past and present, should wear N95 masks or better, spend as little time inside places of business, and wash well.   https://academic.oup.com/jncics/advance-article/doi/10.1093/jncics/pkaa120/6104876   #covid #cancer  

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/8MQo73utTe0   If you’re looking for a CoVid infection that could kill or leave you with lingering neurologic, cardiac, and kidney function, avoid wearing a tight fitting, multilayer mask with a filter.  A new study from Boston University now shows that mask wearing is associated with significantly lower CoVid infection rates.   The researchers used data from all 50 states covering mask wearing and physical distancing policies.  Those states in which the highest proportion of citizens practiced mask adherence  enjoyed the lowest CoVid infection rates.  As mask wearing became more acceptable over the summer, for every 1% increase in mask wearing in a state, the odds that the state would suffer high CoVid rates decreased by 26%.   https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2021.01.18.21250029v1.full.pdf     #covid #mask #infectionrate  

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/d3SnLyV8z9s   The CoVid strain B.1.1.7, isolated in the UK, besides spreading more readily person to person, appears to be about 65%% deadlier that the original Chinese virus.  This according to data just presented at the WHO’s Strategic Advisory Group of Experts meeting.   This conclusion stems from 3 case studies from the London School (35% higher), Imperial College London (36% higher, and the University of Exeter (91% higher). The case fatality rate for hospitalized patients was not significantly increased leading to the conclusion that the new strain increases the risk of a more severe case requiring hospitalization.   This strain is in the US.  Many cases are in California, Florida, and New York.   https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/955239/NERVTAG_paper_on_variant_of_concern__VOC__B.1.1.7.pdf   https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/transmission/variant-cases.html   #covid #b117 #britishstrain  

Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/TCSocBiLeG4   Ibuprofen, Advil or Motrin, aspirin in all its forms, and naproxen, Aleve, may help CoVid invade your body if taken just after viral exposure by preventing production of the neutralizing antibodies that keep CoVid out of your cells.  The same drugs, if used once you are already infected, could prevent the virus from injuring your vital organs by reducing your body’s manufacture of damaging cytokines.   Yale immunologists studied mice injected with CoVid, and confirmed these effects.  Knowing this, you must be careful how you use these drugs.   Don’t use NSAIDS if you have just been exposed to CoVid or during the weeks you are reacting to CoVid vaccine.  Once infected, use them regularly.   https://jvi.asm.org/content/early/2021/01/14/JVI.00014-21   #nsaids #ibuprofen #aspirin #covid #immunity #vaccination  

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/IJC6NST_x7g   A readily available nasal spray, Xlear, containing the sugar xylitol and grapefruit seed extract, kills CoVid in the test tube and would be expected to do the same in your nose, the entry point for this dread virus into your body.   Northwestern University and Utah State University researchers found that this nasal spray reduced CoVid viral load in the test tube by a factor of 99 to 99.9%.  The spray also prevented viral entry into tissue culture cells.   In a separate publication from Florida, 3 CoVid patients with mild but symptomatic infections were successfully treated with this nasal spray in addition to standard therapy.  Each recovered faster than expected including regaining their senses of smell and taste with no side effects.   With CoVid vaccinations delayed and ever more dangerous strains of the virus sweeping through the world, use of Xlear nasal spray in addition to multilayer filter masks and aggressive distancing seems reasonable and prudent.     You