Dr. Howard Smith Oncall

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/K_NEsYH4_m0   When CoVid vaccines become available, our nation’s premiere medical, basic science, and engineering national academies recommend distribution in 5 phases.   First would be the 5% of Americans who are health care workers and other first responders.  Second would come the 10% at any age with complicating medical and living conditions plus those 65 and older.  Third in line would be the 35% who are teachers and critical workers in the food supply chain and transportation sectors. Next would the 45% in universities, hotels, banks, and factories.   The 5% remaining would then be vaccinated.   Given the opportunity, though, at this time only 51% would definitely or probably accept vaccination.   This must change!   https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/10/201002111729.htm   #covid #pandemic #vaccine   

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/qZULLNWJnTc   The FDA and RLC Labs, Inc have recalled two thyroid replacement products, Nature-Throid® and WP Thyroid®.  These products have been found to have substandard amounts of thyroid hormone.  Levels as low as 87% of the expected dose have been measured.  Those using these replacement medications may develop symptoms of hypothyroidism including fatigue, cold sensitivity, constipation, dry skin, hair loss, puffy face, slowed heart rate, and depression.  If you purchased these products, do not discontinue their use without speaking with your doctors.  If you have further questions, call RLC Labs at 1-877-797-7997.   https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/rlc-labs-inc-issues-voluntary-nationwide-recall-all-lots-nature-throidr-and-wp-thyroidr-current   #thyroid #naturethroid #wpthyroid  

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/kRVjowvzjp8   The FDA and Fresco Food, Inc. are recalling the Ancient Grain Jackfruit Bowl.  This product contains undeclared fish.  The item was distributed in AL, FL, GA, NC, SC, TN and VA.  The product has been discontinued.  If you have a fish allergy, do not consume this product.  For information about a refund, contact Fresco Foods at 1-813-551-2100.   https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/fresco-foods-inc-issues-allergy-alert-undeclared-fish-anchovies-ancient-grain-jackfruit-bowl   #grainbowl #fish  

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/g1pjBEC4zTo   The FDA and The Pretty Thai Company announce the recall of Pretty Thai Sweet Chili Sauce.  The jars of this sauce actually contain Pretty Thai Peanut Sauce.  This mislabeling of the peanut sauce is a huge risk for any peanut allergic persons.  If you have any of this chili sauce on your shelves, you may return it to the point of purchase for a refund or to obtain a jar of actual chili sauce.  For questions, you may contact Pretty Thai by calling 1-512-981-6170.   https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/pretty-thai-issues-allergy-alert-undeclared-peanuts-mislabeled-peanut-sauce   #chilisauce #peanut  

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/fhgmyqAEbhs   The FDA and multiple companies have recalled their hand sanitizers because of contamination with poisonous methanol.  The companies and brands include: M Alcohol Antiseptic 80%; bio aaa hand sanitizer; Always Be Clean and Just Hand Sanitizers; V Clean, Medical Minded, and Protz Hand Sanitizer; Florance Morris Antiseptic Hand Sanitizer 70% Alcohol.  If you have any of these products, do not use them.  Methanol is a poison and can produce severe nerve damage.  Return the products to the store for a refund.   https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts   #sanitizer #methanol  

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/KJwf-WKd8V8   The CPSC and WHILL announce the recall of its personal mobility vehicle model Ci.  The vehicle’s control pad is defective, and intermittently turns power on and off causing speed instability.  This poses crash and injury hazards.  Stop using the vehicle and contact the company to arrange for a repair and replacement of the affected parts.  Call WHILL at 1-844-699-4455.   https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2020/WHILL-Recalls-WHILL-Personal-Electric-Vehicles-Due-to-Crash-and-Injury-Hazards   #mobilityvehicle #whill  

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/nl87miFmEq4   The CPSC and Cannondale have recalled the front rack with bamboo tray on its Treadwell bikes.  This rack may unexpectedly detach, jam the front wheel, and create a fall hazard for the rider.  Stop riding the bicycle until the front rack is removed.  Contact your local Cannondale dealer or Cycling Sports Group to arrange for a free repair.  Reach them by calling 1-800-245-3872 or 800-Bike USA.   https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2020/Cycling-Sports-Group-Recalls-Front-Racks-for-Cannondale-Treadwell-Bicycles-Due-to-Fall-Hazard   #rack #cannondale #treadwell   

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/TRNGcwgSc3w   The CPSC and Royal Gourmet are recalling Patio 2-burner gas grills. The product’s plastic regulator hose can melt and ignite posing fire and explosion hazards.  Immediately stop using this grill and contact the company for a free, accessory repair kit,  You may reach Royal Gourmet at 1-800-618-6798.   https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2020/Royal-Gourmet-Recalls-Deluxe-Gas-Grills-Due-to-Fire-Hazard-Sold-Exclusively-at-Wayfaircom   #gasgrill #royalgourmet #fire  

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/tQZirK0KvKg   The CPSC and the Beverly Hills Teddy Bear Company are recalling their plush Doctor Duck that was distributed to Aflac employees and licensed agents as promotional items as late as July 2020.  The buttons on the lab coat worn by this quack doctor duck contain lead levels that exceed federal standards.  If you have one of these, take it away from your child and toss it!   https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2020/communicorp-recalls-plush-aflac-doctor-duck-due-to-violation-of-federal-lead-content   #aflac #duck #lead  

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/nTlOYeWCfBE   The CPSC and the SodaSense Company are recalling type 2 Soda Sense 60 liter CO2 canisters.  The canister is defective allowing CO2 to forcefully eject the top valve posing an injury hazard.  If you have these canisters, do not use them.  Contact the SodaSense company at 1-855-209-4997 to request a replacement.   https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2020/soda-sense-recalls-co2-canisters-due-to-injury-hazard-recall-alert   #co2canister #sodasense  

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/KK7v7-PK51E   The acetaminophen you take for a headache or toothache may inadvertently drive you to tell your boss off or to drive less defensively.  Ohio State psychologists studied a total of 542 undergrads in 3 randomized controlled studies.   Those students taking acetaminophen demonstrated twice as much risky behavior on a virtual ballon inflation game compared with those on placebo.   They inflated the balloons with abandon bursting them.    Normally nearly one in every 4 Americans takes acetaminophen on a regular basis.   During our current pandemic, use is skyrocketing and that threatens an epidemic of bad judgment.    https://academic.oup.com/scan/advance-article/doi/10.1093/scan/nsaa108/5897711   #tylenol #acetaminophen #risk  

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/ARMa-ZiUGMk   When a pregnant women catches CoVid she is 60% more likely to land in the ICU and almost twice as likely to require a ventilator for a prolonged period of time. An international team reviewed 77 available studies covering more than 11,400 women with data collection starting in late 2019.   Their results also warned that CoVid-infected pregnant women were 60% less likely than non-pregnant women to present with the common CoVid symptoms of fever and muscle aches.  Their babies were more likely to suffer pre-term birth and to land in the neonatal intensive care unit.   Pregnant women with CoVid are sicker than they seem and require close monitoring.   https://www.bmj.com/content/370/bmj.m3391   #covid #pregnancy #ventilator #icu #preterm  

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/esSmr5c9N-I   Neurobiologists and dermatologists at the University of Miami and Harvard warn that scratching to relieve an itch may be overkill.  They base that recommendation on their analyses of mice with skin itching triggered by injection of chemicals including capsaicin and chloroquine.   The data demonstrate that rubbing and stroking initially increase activity of nerves cells that tell you you’re itchy but nerve activity decreases significantly after you stop the rubbing.  Scratching produces similar neuronal responses but also leads to tissue damage, release of inflammatory mediators, and secondary itchiness.   The lesson to be learned: go gently and rub rather than scratch the itchy site.  More is less.  For instant medicinal relief, rub on over-the-counter Sarna.   https://www.jneurosci.org/content/early/2020/09/03/JNEUROSCI.0091-20.2020   #itch #rub #scratch  

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/2cAaR6gfQwQ   Runny, stuffy noses may become more welcome since cold viruses have the unexpected benefit of preventing the flu.  Yale laboratory medicine researchers tabulated 3 years of clinical data from some 13,000 patients.   Their data show that rhinovirus-infected cells present closed doors to the influenza viruses for about 5 days.  When cold viruses enter human cells they trigger production of the anti-viral agents called interferons.    Though they have no evidence as yet, the researchers speculate that cold viruses could offer some protection against CoVid19 as well.  I wouldn’t purposely go out looking for a cold but maybe don’t dread one either as it may be the best of 3 evils.   https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanmic/article/PIIS2666-5247(20)30114-2/fulltext   #influenza #colds #covid #rhinovirus  

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/zi9djE6xxAo Virus-containing droplets can travel further in colder, more humid conditions but the more deadly, lighter, viral aerosol clouds form more readily in hot, dry conditions.  These the results of  a Stanford-UC-Santa Barbara study released on the online pre-print server medrixiv.org.   Aerosols form when virus-contaminated droplets dry into a fine fog that travels further than the so-called 6 foot safe distance, remain aloft longer, and travel deeper into an unsuspecting person’s lungs increasing their chances of a CoVid infection.    To be safe, wear a mask with an N95, KN95, or a HEPA H12 filter and avoid remaining closer than 30 feet from others talking, screaming, or singing.   The take home point : if you’re in a warm dry climate such as the Southwestern states or in any overheated room, a multi-layered cloth mask and the usual distancing may not protect you.   https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2020.05.24.20111963v2.full.pdf   #covid #aerosol #droplet #n95 #kn

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/vDoF8xLuoVU   The FDA and the KIND Healthy Snacks have recalled KIND Oats & Honey Granola with Toasted Coconut pouches.  A number of these contain undisclosed sesame seeds.  If you have these pouches at home, do not consume them.  Instead, return them to the store for a full refund.  For additional information, contact KIND Snacks by calling 1-203-803-3653.   https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/allergy-alert-kind-issues-voluntary-recall-due-undeclared-sesame-seeds-oats-honey   #recall #granola #sesameseeds  

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/WsPFNyEXK08   The FDA and Flagstone Foods have recalled Wegman’s Pecan Blend Trail Mix.  This product contains undisclosed almonds and walnuts that could trigger significant allergic reactions.  If you have this this trail mix, don’t consume it but rather return it to the place of purchase for a refund.  For additional information, call Flagstone at 1- 612-222-3857.   https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/flagstone-foods-llc-issues-voluntary-recall-wegmans-pecan-blend-due-undeclared-almonds-and-walnuts   #recall #trailmix #walnuts #almonds #wegmans  

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/O-eRmJ8dp_4   The FDA and Happy Colon Foods are recalling Happy Colon Yum Shortbread Cookies and Mmmmm Chocolate Chip Cookies.  Both cookie types contain undeclared milk.  If you have these products, return them to the point of purchase.  For more information, contact Happy Colon Foods by calling 1-855-423-6637.   https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/happy-colon-foods-llc-issues-allergy-alert-undeclared-milk-happy-colon-yum-shortbread-cookie-and   #recall #cookies #shortbread #chocolatechip #milk  

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/6jJvA-fJJKo   The FDA and Hostess are announcing the recall of Hostess Raspberry Zingers.  These pastries may contain mold.  if you have any of these in your junk food  cabinet, do not consume them.  Return the pastry to the point of purchase for a refund.  For more information, call Hostess at 1-800-483-7253.   https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/hostess-brands-llc-issues-voluntary-recall-certain-hostessr-raspberry-zingersr-due-potential-mold   #recall #raspberryzingers #hostess #mold  

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/U0J3sQJr3fM   The FDA and Whole Foods have recalled several lines of pastry and its Spinach-Artichoke Dip due to undeclared allergens.  Their Kouign-amann pastry has undeclared eggs.  Their Chantilly Key Lime Tartlets have undeclared almonds.  The Spinach-Artichoke Dip contains undeclared egg.  If you have any of these products, do not consume them but return them to Whole Foods for full refunds.  For more information, call 1-844-936-8255.   https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/allergy-alert-undeclared-egg-kouign-amann-pastries-issued-select-whole-foods-market-stores-seven   https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/allergy-alert-undeclared-tree-nut-almond-chantilly-key-lime-tartlets-issued-whole-foods-market   https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/allergy-alert-issued-winter-gardens-quality-foods-inc-undeclared-egg-spinach-artichoke-dip   #recall #wholefoods #pastries