Dr. Howard Smith Oncall

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/h5_z1TYkxtE   Social gatherings devoid of proper mask wearing, distancing, and surface disinfection during which one infected person passes CoVid to more than 6 others, so-called superspreading events, appear to be major drivers for our rising CoVid rates.  MIT mathematicians draw this conclusion from their analyses of 45 CoVid spreading events.   By constructing mathematical models of disease spread, the researchers show that the exponential spread of disease during such events is consistent with multiple clusters each initiated by a single infected person.    To combat CoVid , you must wear a tight-fitting mask with sub-micron filtration and stay as far as way as you can from others not in your immediate social bubble.   https://www.pnas.org/content/early/2020/10/30/2018490117   #covid #superspreader #mask #distancing #n95 #kn95  

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/btUUsK2Sk1s   If you have a history of the ear noise called tinnitus there is a significant chance that it will worsen during the pandemic.  British researchers now report their study of 3103 tinnitus sufferers in 48 countries.   Those with overt CoVid symptoms were 40% more likely to suffer worse ringing.  Those who tested positive were 58% more likely to do so.  Even without becoming ill, social distancing restrictions triggered more ear noise in 34%.  Financial stress made it worse in 49%.  Pandemic-associated health concerns triggered worse tinnitus in 32%.   While CoVid seemed to trigger it in only a few anecdotal cases, developing the disease and even worrying about that possibility makes it worse.   https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2020.592878/full   #covid #tinnitus #stress   

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/gGYK0pNnDzE   The current tsunami of COVID cases is due to careless behavior.  Medical care will be scarce and you could die.   Wear a mask over your nose and under your chin when out in public or in public indoor spaces.  You can and should buy good masks with KN95 or N95 filtration that fit to your face without gaps.  Get them online from Amazon and EBay.   Public distancing is often terrible..  If you eat out, only do so outdoors with abundant ventilation and at tables positioning you at least 12 feet from the nearest stranger.   Don’t walk and eat or drink or use your phone without a mask.  Stop and sit away from others.  STAY ALIVE.   #covid #mask #kn95 #n95 #distancing  

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/jWdLV8W10a0   Those US counties with more Democrat voters enjoy significantly lower per capita rates of CoVid infection and death.  This the conclusion of a University of North Carolina study of some 3,132 US counties.     The blue boxes in this chart show that COVID cases drop as more voters in the county vote blue.  This benefit fails to occur in states run by Republican governors and/or with Republican-controlled legislatures.  Deaths due to CoVid follow this same pattern.   The Democrat Party is associated with adherence to public health directives, and this data suggests you should do the same.  That’s true whether you vote Red or Blue.   https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2020.11.03.20225425v2.full.pdf   #covid #democrat #republican #red #blue  

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/gkD-l35Izb0   The observation that 30 to 80% of CoVid patients experience neurologic symptoms may be explained by a new observation that CoVid spike proteins attack the integrity of the blood-brain barrier.  Pathologists from Philadelphia’s Temple University conclude this from their tissue culture studies.   Mixing CoVid19 spike proteins with blood vessel lining cells led to a protective layer breakdown that causes a potentially dangerous leakage through the brain’s protective coating.  Although the study stops short of demonstrating direct viral brain invasion, it suggests a mechanism by which that may happen.   The CoVid is definitely not a cold or the flu, so do all you can to protect yourself from it.   https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S096999612030406X?via%3Dihub   #covid #bloodbrainbarrier #spikeprotein  

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/Fi_tg8c1pvg   With Covid19 skyrocketing, scarce ICU beds and cutting edge therapies are in short supply.  How and who will decide which patients get effective treatment?   A study from Ohio State and The Chinese University of Hong Kong presents public opinion on the subject.  The researchers surveyed 5175 participants in 11 countries asking them which factors should dictate the decision to treat.     The two most important were age selected by 26.5% and probability of survival chosen by 23.3%.  The other factors in rank order were nationality, criminal record, predicted cost of treatment, expected ventilator days, family, and gender.   By wearing masks, distancing, and cleaning, we hope to never have to ration care.   https://www.journals.uchicago.edu/doi/pdf/10.1086/711734   #covid #rationing #ethics  

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/YGcyr-alxsE   One in every four trash cans have COVID on its surface.  Scientists in Boston, California, the UK, and Switzerland collaborate to assess the risk of contracting the coronavirus from a variety of public surfaces.   The researchers tested 348 surface samples from a Massachusetts town from April through June, 2020.  Though, on average, only 8.3% of samples were COVID positive, the riskiest after trash cans were liquor stores at 15%, banks at 13%, transit at 12.5%, grocery stores at 11%, and crosswalk buttons at 10%.   If you must touch surfaces, use your elbows, knuckles, or handle hooks.  If you touch surfaces, immediately wipe off your fingers with 70% alcohol that you always carry.   https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2020.10.27.20220905v1.full.pdf   #covid #surfaces #trashcan #doorhandles #crosswalk    

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/7KIhisk6GdM   Adding a Face shield can reduce your risk of a CoVid infection up to 88%.  This the conclusion of a 500 bed Texas hospital that studied its own staff and CoVid patients.   They surveyed the incidence of CoVid infections among their 6500+ clinical employees before and after the addition of face shields to their other PPE including N95 face masks, goggles, and gowns.  The infection rate decreased from 22.9% to 2.7% for the clinicians after they donned the shields.  For patients, the infection rate fell from 8.4 to 1.7 per 1000 days, an 80% drop.    WithCoVid rates rising, consider adding a face shield.  You may even be able to eat under it.   https://www.medpagetoday.com/meetingcoverage/idweek/89321?vpass=1   https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20200929/p2a/00m/0na/020000c   #covid #faceshield #mask #ppe  

Squid Type Extension Cord Splitter Is Recalled Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/VfJRMyyUdWc   The CPSC and the Sales BSD Company are recalling The CPSC and the Sales BSD Company are recalling Homerygardens™ 4-Outlet, 6’ Foot Long Indoor and Outdoor Extension Cord Splitters. This product uses a wire gauge too small to handle the average amp load applied, and this mismatch poses a fire hazard.  These cords were sold on amazon.com and walmart.com.  Stop using this product and contact Sales BSD Inc. in order to return the extension cord splitter for a full refund.  Reach the company at 1-866-966-0606. .  This product uses a wire gauge too small to handle the average amp load applied, and this mismatch poses a fire hazard.  These cords were sold on amazon.com and walmart.com.  Stop using this product and contact Sales BSD Inc. in order to return the extension cord splitter for a full refund.  Reach the company at 1-866-966-0606.   https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2021/Sales-BSD-Recalls-Homerygardens-Extension-Cord-Splitter

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/OuEbgriIjlU   CPSC and Crate and Barrel have recalled Danish Tall Bookcases.  These bookcases are unstable and may collapse when full loaded.  Those with these bookcases should stop using them and contact Crate and Barrel for a refund.  You may call 1-800-451-8217 for more information.   https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2021/Crate-and-Barrel-Recalls-Danish-Tall-Bookcases-Due-to-Risk-of-Collapse-Injury-Hazard-to-Consumers   #bookcase #crateandbarrel  

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/rt-ZPyuz1vk   The CPSC and Jakks Pacific have recalled the Morfboard®Skate and Scoot Scooters with Y handlebars.  The Y handlebar joints on the scooter are unstable, may break, and this creates a fall hazard. These scooters have been sold at Walmart, Target, Toys R Us, BJ’s Wholesale Club, and Meijer stores as well as online by amazon.com. Take this scooter away from children and contact the company to receive a replacement T handlebar.  For more information, reach Jakks Pacific at 1-895-602-5464.   https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2021/Jakks-Pacific-Recalls-to-Repair-Morfboard-Skate-Scoot-Scooters-Due-to-Fall-Hazard   #scooter #handlebar  

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/b7sWcx3OddU   The CPSC and Bed, Bath, and Beyond are recalling SALT Lounge Chairs.  The chair frame’s locking mechanism may accidentally disengage leading to a possible fall.  If you have one of these at home or in the office, stop using it immediately and return it to any Bed, Bath, and Beyond for a full refund.  If you have questions, contact the triple B company at 1-800-462-3966.   https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2021/Bed-Bath-and-Beyond-Recalls-SALT-Lounge-Chairs-Due-to-Fall-Hazard   #loungechair #fall  

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/739VROa1p8g   The FDA and the Seneca Snack Company are recalling Seneca and Clancy Branded Cinnamon Apple Chips.  These products have possible salmonella contamination.  Salmonella can cause a serious and sometimes fatal gastrenteritis in the very young, the old, or the immune compromised.   If you have these products, return them to the point of purchase.  You can obtain additional information by calling Seneca Foods at 1-800-872-1110.   https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/seneca-recalls-cinnamon-apple-chips-because-possible-health-risk   #seneca #cinnamonapple #clancy #salmonella  

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/lnL_MlqnYcA   The FDA, Red Monkey Foods, and Sauer Brands, Inc. are recalling multiple spice products bearing the Cost Plus World Market, Great Value, O Organics, Full Circle and Spice Hunter brands due to contamination with salmonella.  The spices include parsley, cinnamon, cloves, and pumpkin spice.  Salmonella can cause a serious and sometimes fatal gastrenteritis in children, the frail, elders, and the immunocompromised.  If you have any of these products, return them to the point of purchase.  For additional information, contact Red Monkey Foods at 417-319-7300 or Sauer Brands at 1-800-444-3061.   https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/red-monkey-foods-inc-recalls-parsley-and-herbes-de-provence-because-possible-health-risk   https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/sauer-brands-inc-voluntarily-recalls-certain-spice-hunter-products-because-potential-salmonella   #spices #salmonella #fda  

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/iL_fJgeNpQs   The FDA warns all pregnant women that use of Advil, Motrin, Aleve, Naprosyn and their generic versions ibuprofen, naproxen and even aspirin after the halfway mark of their gestations can trigger serious fetal kidney disease.   NSAIDs were already a no-no during the last trimester, but that prohibition now begins 3 months earlier.   Other medications should be used for pain relief including acetaminophen, branded as Tylenol.   NSAIDs have been found to trigger fetal kidney malfunction with a subsequent reduction in the amniotic fluid surrounding the developing baby.  If your doctor has prescribed NSAIDs to be taken for more than 2 days, the FDA recommends ultrasound monitoring for amniotic fluid sufficiency.    https://www.fda.gov/safety/medical-product-safety-information/nonsteroidal-anti-inflammatory-drugs-nsaids-drug-safety-communication-avoid-use-nsaids-pregnancy-20   #nsaids #kidney #amnioticfluid #advil #motrin #aleve #ibuprofen #naprosyn #aspirin  

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/IBeTHOR4H1w     Influenza vaccine triggers immune cells to produce significantly more CoVid-killing cytokines in the test tube and is associated with a 40% lower incidence of CoVid in vaccinated individuals.  Dutch researchers report these conclusions from laboratory studies and a review of 184 health care workers.   Lymphocytes primed with flu vaccine and BCG adjuvant produced almost twice as much IL-6, IL-1beta, and TNF-alpha as those primed with adjuvant alone.  The patient data revealed a 2.23% incidence of CoVid among non-vaccinated staff compared with a 1.33% incidence for the vaccinated.   Other studies consistently report that flu vaccinations reduce CoVid hospitalization, severity, and mortality.  Get yours today!   https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2020.10.14.20212498v1.full.pdf   #covid #influenza #vaccination #cytokines  

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/DbExEBTTmFo   Seventy percent of low risk, younger individuals contracting CoVid are left with chronic and life-threatening disease.  Mayo Clinic researchers draw this conclusion from their study of 201 individuals with an average age of 44 years surveyed 4 months after their infection.   The group reported cardiorespiratory problems in 92% and gastrointestinal issues in 73%.  Two-thirds had documented single organ damage in the heart, lungs, kidneys, liver, pancreas, or spleen and one in four had damage in multiple organs.   CoVid continues to show us evidence that it is a chronic disease.  It may not kill you initially, but it has the power to shorten your life with nasty, painful, debilitating disease.     https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2020.10.14.20212555v1.full.pdf   #covid #cardiac #pulmonary #gastrointestinal  

  Vidcast:   https://youtu.be/a3IPszUQiI0   There are a gazillion fancy decorator masks, and many provide filters to slide into cloth pockets.  The dirty secret: most won’t give you optimal protection.  I’ll teach you how to make them the safest possible.   The filters that come with the masks have a PM 2.5 specification. They can filter up to 90% of particles as small as 2.5 microns.  Covid is 0.1 microns and may get through.   You can use the provided filter as a pattern to cut a piece of HEPA filter paper from a HEPA H13 vacuum cleaner bag that is constructed of medical grade polypropylene and not fiberglass.   Make certain that the mask fits tightly to your face.   https://medifyair.com/blogs/blog-feed/medical-grade-hepa-true-hepa-and-hepa-type-what-s-the-difference   https://niiceface.com/pages/pm2-5-filters   Soniclean Upright HEPA Filter Bags https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07Q5KWGKM/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_tai_6LZJFb9XGK4HB   #masks #filter #hepa #pm2.5  

  https://youtu.be/nMUB4e0lxYk   With CoVid now with us for the foreseeable future, you will need masks that are effective.  Companies peddle all varieties of masks, and I want you to know which are the most effective.   You want a mask capable of filtering out at least 95% of particles 0.3 microns or more in size which is the N95.  Since CoVid is about 0.1 micron in size, even N95 or KN95 masks, the southeast Asian equivalent, aren’t ideal but likely as good as you can get short of a mask with HEPA filters.   You can now buy KN95 masks online, but be certain to buy from a manufacturer approved by the FDA.  I’ve included links to the approved list.   https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19-emergency-use-authorizations-medical-devices/personal-protective-equipment-euas Scroll down to Appendix A.   https://smartairfilters.com/en/blog/whats-the-difference-between-n95-and-kn95-masks/   #mask #n95 #kn95  

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/8bcoGVVJtWA   CoVid-19 is equally likely to spread from an infected person 6 feet away or less in droplets or up to 30 feet away or less in aerosols.  A Canadian study surveyed the air around CoVid-infected persons merely breathing or coughing, speaking or singing.   Coughing chiefly spreads virus via short-range droplets while speaking, singing, and even breathing spews CoVid via micro-aerosols that travel long distances and remain floating indoors in the absence of repeated air exchange and filtration.   The bottom line: indoor dining for prolonged periods without filtering masks is risky.  Outdoor dining is safest sitting at tables in excess of 6 feet apart and in mild to moderate winds.   https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2020.10.13.20212233v1.full.pdf   #covid #droplets #aerosols #distancing #mask