Dr. Howard Smith Oncall

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/NTFo_Mbc2j0   As professional sports open in a city, the influenza mortality rate rises as much as 24%.  Statisticians at West Virginia University report this information adding that CoVid will be similar to the flu but way more infectious and deadly.   The data shows that introduction of NHL hockey into a city bumps the flu deaths 24%, NFL games trigger a 17% increase, MLB baseball a 5.3% jump, and NBA basketball a 4.7% bump.  The analysis takes into account the seasonal temperatures and humidity.   The investigators propose that similar if not more dramatic increases will be seen with CoVid once sports restart.  Fans will beat the odds using masks, distancing, and washing.   https://bit.ly/3el2nsm   #covid #sports #masks #distancing #washing  

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/MP1WdHpiQoQ   Eighty-five percent of singers caught CoVid from a single infected person during one 2.5 hour rehearsal.  Environmental engineers now analyze this Washington State case report..   During the March 10th rehearsal in question, the precautions taken only included use of hand sanitizer and no physical contacts such as hugging or handshaking.  Face masks were not used.  Attendees rapidly became sick over the 5 days following the rehearsal.  Studying the group placement chart, spread of virus appeared random.  Air was recirculated through a standard commercial filter.   This is a wake up call.  Re-opening cannot be business as usual and be safe.  MDW: mask, distance, wash.   https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2020.06.15.20132027v2.full.pdf   #covid #airborne #masks  

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/kJbBDUTvV_M   A superheated nickel foam air filtration system can catch and kill 99.9% of CoVid19 virus passing through it.  This according to a study completed by the Universities of Houston and Texas.   CoVid19 is airborne and challenges our efforts to reopen restaurants and mass transit where air recirculates in closed spaces. CoVid cannot live in temperatures above 160˚ F, and the researchers developed tightly packed nickel foam filters that may be heated to nearly 500˚ F while not unduly heating the air passing through it.   Look for other air disinfection systems using UVC radiation and other micro-filters as we all get back to work and play.   https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2020.06.13.150243v1.full.pdf #covid #airfiltration #nickel  

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/PkD7gqdQnRI   Roughly half of those who test positive for CoVid virus are completely free of any disease symptoms,  A Chinese study just published in Nature Medicine compared clinical profiles and test results for 37 asymptomatic patients with 37 who were sickened by the virus.   Those asymptomatic shed measurable virus 72% longer than those with symptoms.  Around 82% of both asymptomatic and symptomatic COVID patients form IgG antibodies, but antibody levels of symptomatic patients were 6-fold higher than those of asymptomatic patients.   Asymptomatic CoVid carriers are potentially infectious longer than those obviously sickened by the virus.  Anti-viral antibodies seem not to be keeping those spewing virus healthy.  Other factors are at play.   https://www.nature.com/articles/s41591-020-0965-6   https://www.healthline.com/health-news/50-percent-of-people-with-covid19-not-aware-have-virus   #covid #asymptomatic #antibodies  

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/qNFMRfe5jQM   The FDA and Rusty’s Seafood Market are recalling Captain Rusty’s Seafood Dips.  The various varieties of these dips contain undeclared allergens including fish, shellfish, wheat, eggs, soy and milk.  The products involved are plastic containers and plastic buckets of the following dips: smoked salmon, smoked mahi, lobster, crab and lobster, and blue crab.  Customers may return any of these dips for a complete refund.  To obtain more details about the return, contact Rusty’s Seafood Mark at 1-818-244-2799.   https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/rustys-seafood-market-issues-allergy-alert-undeclared-allergens-fish-crustacean-shellfish-eggs-milk   #recall #rustysseafooddips #seafooddips #allergens  

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/muAXTbR71ZY   The FDA and the Now Health Group are recalling Now Real Food Raw Macadamia Nuts.  Lot # 3141055 had a possible contamination with salmonella.  This bacterium can cause serious and potentially fatal gastroenteritis in the very young, frail, elders, or those with weak immune systems.  If you have this product at home, do not consume it and return it immediately to the point of purchase for a full refund.  If you require more information, contact the company at 1-888-669-3663.   https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/now-health-group-inc-voluntarily-recalls-now-real-food-rraw-macadamia-nuts-because-possible-health   #recall #fda #macadamianuts #salmonella

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/N9zN3czEKV4   The CPSC and Davina Wellness have recalled bottles of Davina Wintergreen Essential Oil and Davina Kneads Relief Sore Muscle Blend.  These products contain methylsalicylate. and must be in child-resistant packaging as per the federal Poison Prevention Packaging Act.  Immediately store these bottles in locations unreachable by children.  Contact Davina Wellness at 844-328-4629 for a replacement, child-resistant cap.   https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2020/Davina-Wellness-Recalls-Wintergreen-Essential-Oil-and-Essential-Oil-Blend-with-Wintergreen-Due-to-Failure-to-Meet-Child-Resistant-Packaging-Requirement-Risk-of-Poisoning-Recall-Alert   #recall #cpsc #wintergreenoil #davina

R Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/dTzWw6IKGew   The CPSC and Bonnsu have recalled Miniware Teething Spoons.  The silicone spoon may break or be easily bitten into pieces by a child causing a choking hazard.  These spoons manufactured in various colors have been sold in sets of two and as part of  First Bites Meal Kits, First Bites Travel Kits, and Sip and Snack Kits.   The spoons and kits have been sold over the past nearly 3 years online at miniware.com and amazon.com and in stores including Dillard’s, The Tot, Turquoise, The Mellowland, Mom Loves Me, and Bitte.   If you have these spoons or kits, stop using them and contact Bonnsu at 1-855-334-8129 for a free replacement product or to request a refund.   https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2020/Bonnsu-Recalls-Miniware-Teething-Spoons-Due-to-Choking-Hazard   #recall #cpsc #spoons #parenting #infants #choking  

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/KS8IDOOxwZ8   The CPSC and Ushio America have recalled the Indiglow LED T8 Lamps.  This product may overheat causing the lamp to fall from ceiling or wall fixtures possible striking and injuring bystanders.  Stop using these lamps, remove them from fixtures, and contact the company for a refund or replacement lamp.  You may reach the company at 1-800-838-7446.   https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2020/Ushio-America-Recalls-Indiglow-LED-T8-Lamps-Due-to-Injury-Hazard   #recall #csc #ledt8lamps #ushio  

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/-Xh9AD9U1Og   The Consumer Product Safety Commission and Island Wear Inc. have recalled Island Wear Umbrella Strollers.   These stroller are unsafe since the location of the restraint system produces a large gap between the restraint and the seat.  In addition, the covering on the grab bar may detach and expose the underlying foam creating a child choking hazard.  These are violations of the federal Carriages and Strollers Safety standards.  Immediately stop placing your children in these strollers and return them to the point of purchase for a refund.  Questions may be directed to Island Wear at 1-844-449-4144.   https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2020/Island-Wear-Recalls-Strollers-Due-to-Violation-of-Federal-Stroller-and-Carriage-Safety-Standard-Fall-and-Choking-Hazards   #recall #cpsc #stroller #parenting    

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/PfoihCpP6jY   The Consumer Products Safety Commission and Dick’s Sporting Goods have recalled 63,000 Field and Stream Safety Ropes sold at their stores or at Sportsman’s Warehouse stores.  These ropes can fail if used in freezing weather.  They are black with orange lines and were sold in one or three packs.  If you have these ropes, immediately stop using them and return them to the store for a full refund,  If you need more information, contact Dick’s Sporting Goods at 1-877-846-9997.   https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2020/DICKS-Sporting-Goods-Recalls-Safety-Ropes-Due-to-Fall-and-Injury-Hazards   #recall #ropes #dicks #cpsc

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/P4KtJMLowCk   The excess toilet paper rolls in your closet reveals that you are scared to death of CoVid.  Swiss and German investigators surveyed the buying habits and personality traits of 1029 adults from 35 countries.   The data shows that those most personally threatened by the CoVid pandemic shopped for toilet paper more frequently, bought more rolls per shop, and stocked more at home.  Toilet paper hoarding rises with age, female gender, and conscientiousness.  Americans and Europeans were no different.   Hoarding toilet paper won’t protect against CoVid unless you make toilet paper masks.  Instead buy and use one of the cotton masks with a filter insert that are now readily available online   https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0234232   #covid #toiletpaper #hoarding #masks

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/B3jYrNMx19M   Half of patients with CoVid19 infections suffer damage to their brains, spinal cords, and peripheral nerves.  This from an extensive international review by Northwestern University and University of Colorado neurologists.   When CoVid strikes, often headaches, dizziness, concentration deficits, smell and taste malfunction, and even seizures surface even before any fever or cough,  In those with the most severe infections, the virus can directly attack brain tissue producing encephalitis and meningitis, the spinal cord with myelitis, and peripheral nerves with paralysis.  CoVid triggers excessive clotting and ischemic stroke.     The lack of mask wearing and distancing is evidence that many, especially younger males, fail to take CoVid seriously.  Do so at your own peril!   https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/ana.25807   #covid #brain #spinalcord #stroke #seizure #smell #taste  

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/sfs_9FLNONI   As pollen counts rise in the spring and autumn, the incidence of viral respiratory disease significantly diminishes.  This from a Dutch analytic study just published online by the pre-print server medrixiv.org.   The investigators, noting that the seasonal flu incidence cannot be explained by weather alone, show that as both allergic and non-allergic pollen counts soar, the incidence of influenza and SARS decline.  They suggest that the immune activation triggered by seasonal allergies actually prevents invasion of respiratory tissues by viruses including CoVid19.   Whatever the reason, this phenomenon is yet another good reason to get out into the greenery of Mother Nature.  Put on your mask and go to the park.   https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2020.06.05.20123133v2.full.pdf   #covid #pollen #influenza

Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/7y_M8xSffv0   MDW, MDW, Mask, Distance, and Wash,  I can’t say it often enough.  Now a just pre-published study from Thailand’s Topical Medicine Research Unit puts numbers on the value of these critical public health measures.   Studying 1050 subjects either CoVid-infected or not, the researchers show that mask wearing reduces risk of CoVid infection by 77%.  Distancing more than one meter cuts infection risk by 85%, limiting close contact to less than 15 minutes 76%, and hand washing 67%.  On the other hand, sharing a cigarette or a dish more than tripled the risk of infection.   In order to beat CoVid, we all must follow the numbers and mask, distance, and wash.    https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2020.06.11.20128900v1.full.pdf   #covid #mask #distance #wash  

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/TmkLo6M6XTM   Calls to poison control centers have more than doubled during the CoVid pandemic, and the CDC now reports that 39% of more than 500 surveyed adults are engaging in dangerous and potentially lethal practices such as washing food with bleach, applying household cleanser and disinfectants to bare skin, or intentionally inhaling or ingesting disinfectants.   The good news is that 60% are taking additional care to clean and disinfect their homes, the bad news is that 25% experienced at least one adverse effect from their efforts including nasal and sinus irritations, eye pain, skin irritation, dizziness, nausea, and breathing problems.   Keep your world clean, but don’t poison yourself. Do mask, distance, and wash.   https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/69/wr/mm6923e2.htm   #covid #disinfection #poisoning

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/cq63U-eqU98   If you want to avoid CoVid and not give it to your mother, you’d better don a mask.  Look, the overwhelming evidence is that CoVid19 spreads primarily through the air.   Data shows that masks work: they already prevented 66,000 CoVid cases in NYC.  Those in China and Japan use them every year to stop the flu.   Cases are rising where people are careless and congregating without masks.  CoVid is like Russian roulette.  Even the young and healthy may get a nothing case or end up dead with devastating lung, heart, or kidney destruction.    Wear a mask anywhere near strangers.  Multi-layered masks that filter virus are now available. Mask-it or casket!   https://www.pnas.org/content/early/2020/06/10/2009637117   https://www.amazon.com/Protection-Filtration-Anti-Fog-Dust-Proof-Adjustable/dp/B088CQGVMJ/ref=sr_1_33?dchild=1&keywords=face+masks&qid=1592143915&sr=8-33   #covid #mask #filter 

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/GOr3H64gQxw   The breastmilk of CoVid-infected mothers does not contain infectious virus.  Obstetricians, pediatricians, and virologists in Wuhan and Harbin China now report this finding in their study of 25 mother-infant pairs just reported online on the medrixiv.org pre-print site.   The breastmilk of the new mothers was analyzed for virus using quantitative PCR testing and for anti-CoVid19 antibodies via ELISA testing. All milk samples were  CoVid virus-negative.  IgM antibodies were detected in the breastmilk in all cases where that antibody was found in the mother’s serum.   This study confirms the safety of breastmilk from CoVid-infected mothers.  New mothers who are CoVid positive may safely breastfeed.   https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2020.05.30.20033407v1.full.pdf   #covid #breastfeeding #antibodies

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/zQ4A9lO38kY   Two-thirds of children diagnosed with CoVid19 in Los Angeles had typical symptoms of a viral pneumonia.  This finding, reported by pediatricians at USC after their study of 35 children, contrasts sharply with other case series reported from China and elsewhere.   The median age of the kids was 12.5 years, and, as is typical, there was a preponderance of males.  The frequent symptoms were fever, congestion, cough, and shortness of breath.   Children under age 5 typically had more symptoms and a higher viral load in their bodies.   The western US variants of CoVid19 seem to produce more symptomatic disease in kids.  That may help prevent spread by asymptomatic carriers.   https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2020.05.28.20104539v2.full.pdf   #covid #children #california

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/93kifz07DxM   Of the first 1000 New Yorkers hospitalized for CoVid19, about one-third suffered serious kidney injury and acute respiratory distress syndrome.  Clinicians at Columbia University and the New York/Presbyterian Medical Center just published details on the largest American CoVid case series to date.   Focusing on the 24% of patients requiring ICU critical care, 90% had acute respiratory distress syndrome, 78% had kidney disease, 35% required dialysis, and 44% died.    The bottom line: CoVid19 triggers a nasty disease that suffocates, damages all your vital organs, creates body-wide clotting, and hangs on and on.  You CAN avoid it with DMW: distancing, masks, and washing.   https://www.bmj.com/content/369/bmj.m1996   #covid #nyc #kidneyfailure #dialysis