Dr. Howard Smith Oncall

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/O52Z-1S5OUg   CoVid19 aerosols from an unknowingly infected neighbor can easily infect you as you shop or walk.  Finnish researchers, studying the production and spread of virus-laden microdroplets, show that a single cough generates a cloud of virus aerosol that can waft for minutes over several aisles in a grocery store.  The cough also sprinkles nearly shelves and the floor with live virus.   In other reports, I’ve told you that simple cotton masks or even surgical masks do not block virus from an infected person.   Distance as far as you can, and use a multilayered mask.  When the PPE supply for first responders eventually improves, go for N95 or KN95 masks.   https://www.aalto.fi/en/news/researchers-modelling-the-spread-of-the-coronavirus-emphasise-the-importance-of-avoiding-busy   #covid19 #coronavirus #aerosol #mask  

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/jF0jPtpU66E   The FDA and Whole Foods announce a recall on Whole Foods Minestrone Soup.  This product may have undeclared milk.  If ingested by a milk-allergic individual, the soup could trigger a life-threatening allergic reaction.  This soup was sold in 32 states in plastic deli containers and in plastic bags.  If you purchased this soup, do not consume it.  Return it to the store with your receipt for a complete refund.  For more info, call Whole Foods at 1-844-936-8255.   https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/allergy-alert-issued-undeclared-milk-minestrone-soup-sold-whole-foods-market-stores-32-states-and   #recall #wholefoods #minestrone  

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/vKPWzGbe0IQ   The US Consumer Product Safety Commission and Pass and Seymour of Syracuse, NY announce a recall on their Commercial-Grade Tamper Resistant Duplex Receptacles.  This receptacle has a manufacturing defect that forces the consumer to force a plug into the slots thereby leading to plug blade overheating and fire risk.  If you have one of these installed, stop using it and contact the firm for a free replacement, a full refund, or a refund credit.  Since you will likely require an electrician to change out the receptacle, the company should absorb that cost as well.  Contact the company at 1-833-552-0388.   https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2020/pass-and-seymour-recalls-commercial-grade-electrical-receptacles-due-to-burn-hazard   #recall #receptacle #firehazard #passandseymour  

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/uIh27s9PobY   The USDA announces that Jowett Farms Corporation of Canada is recalling more than 42,000 pounds of raw port imported into the US.  This material has been used to create multiple Jewel-Oslo products including Sheboygan Brand Bratwurst, Mild Italian Sausage, and Hot Italian Sausage.  This pork has not been properly inspected.  The recalled product bears the label EST. 7779 inside the USDA inspection mark.  If you have a package of these products, return them to the store.  More information from the company by calling 1-204-326-3252.   https://bit.ly/2VmxM57   #recall #pork #jewelosco x

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/z-pWpYW7TlA   In a USDA alert, ConAgra of Russellville, AK is recalling its Healthy Choice POWER BOWLS Chicken Feta & Farro.  The bowl is contaminated with small rocks.  The Lot involved is 5006002320.  If you have this product, throw it away after contacting ConAgra Consumer Care at 1-800-672-8240.   https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/recalls-and-public-health-alerts/recall-case-archive/archive/2020/recall-007-2020-release   #recall #healthychoice #powerbowl x

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/6B6hRwUK_sM   The Manhattan Toy Co. is recalling its Musical Lili Llama Toy.  The screws that attach the spinning flowers to the sides of the toy may become loose, fall off, and pose a choking hazard for young children.  These toys were sold nationwide and in Canada through Amazon, the company’s website, and at independent toy stores.  Take the toy away from your children and contact Manhattan Toy Co. for a free repair kit.  Reach Manhattan Toy at 1-800-541-1345.   https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2020/Manhattan-Toy-Recalls-Musical-Lili-Llama-Due-to-Choking-Hazard   #recall #llamatoy #manhattantoy #choking  

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/12ZhSOTERWE   Stelpro Design of Quebec, Canada is recalling is Sonoma Wall Fan Heaters.  An internal part fails to meet flammability standards and the unit is a fire hazard.  If you have this heater installed, stop using it and call Stelpro at 1-844-783-5776 to arrange for a replacement.   https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2020/Stelpro-Design-Recalls-Sonoma-Wall-Fan-Heaters-Due-to-Fire-Hazard   #recall #stelpro #fan #heater #firehazard  

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/YVv8KkB7Q6o   The Continuum Sales and Marketing Co. of Port Washington, NY has recalled its Lenox 2.5 QT Whistling Stainless Steel Tea Kettle.  These kettles are defective and can expel hot water while heating posing a burn hazard to consumers.   These tea kettles have been sold at Burlington, HomeGoods, Home Sense, Marshalls, T.J. Maxx, Tuesday Morning, and Winners stores nationwide from September 2013 through November 2017 for between $30 and $50.  If you have this product, immediately stop using it and contact Continuum at 1-800-669-6385 for a full refund if you have a proof of purchase.  If you don’t have that proof, you’ll be eligible for a $30 refund.   https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2020/Continuum-Recalls-Lenox-Tea-Kettles-Due-to-Burn-Hazard   #recall #continuum #lenoxteakettle #burn  

  Vidcast:   https://youtu.be/H1zXuFDjnOY   Allergy sufferers!  Coating nasal linings with a gel could reduce your seasonal misery without using stronger drugs.  German researchers report this finding after studying 18 adults with known allergies.   The subjects were randomized to receive either gel or no treatment during 4 hour sessions in a pollen chamber.  Nasal gel significantly squelched allergic nasal congestion and postnasal drip.   The study used Nascum-Plus, an oil-based solution with bio-adhesive properties, that’s not available in the US.  Saline nasal gels by NeilMed, Ayr, and NasalGuard ARE available online.  The effects may be less dramatic and the spray will require re-application, but nasal saline gel could reduce your symptoms and medication needs.   https://www.karger.com/Article/Abstract/506129   #allergy #pollen #allergicrhinitis #nasalgel  

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/iQk7i516CCE   A medical crystal ball suggests that CoVid19, like common influenza, may return each winter to test our resolve.  Dutch and Michigan epidemiologists analyzed data covering over 13,0000 persons infected by multiple coronaviruses over 3-8 years.   Four of the seven coronaviruses implicated in these infections tend to reappear seasonally between December and May with a peak in January to February.  Most cases were mild with the severe infections occurring in those under 5 years or over 50.    CoVid19, though, appears to be more vicious than these previous coronaviruses.  We’d better be prepared for a long, seasonally-recurrent fight and pray for effective testing, vaccines, and therapy.   https://jcm.asm.org/content/48/8/2940   https://academic.oup.com/jid/advance-article/doi/10.1093/infdis/jiaa161/5815743   #covid19 #coronavirus #seasonal #influenza

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/1YsBXJhgE4w   Cotton and even surgical masks can’t filter live virus from a CoVid-laden cough.  A small South Korean study had 4 CoVid patients cough into a petri dish wearing a 3 layer surgical mask, a 2 layer cotton mask, or no mask at all.   Ninety-five percent of the virus went through the surgical mask and 72% went through the cotton mask.  The outer surfaces of both types of mask were flush with live virus.   Masks will not keep an infected person’s virus from the air you breathe and from settling on the surfaces you touch.  Wear your own mask and stay far away from everyone not in your family.    https://annals.org/aim/fullarticle/2764367/effectiveness-surgical-cotton-masks-blocking-sars-cov-2-controlled-comparison   #covid19 #coronavirus #mask  

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/YuYpoIHu81c   Wearing masks reduces a healthcare worker’s risk of infection by 80% and the general public’s risk by 55%.  This from a Chinese meta-analysis of 21 eligible studies.   A deeper dive into the numbers reveals that no health care worker wearing an N95 mask contracted the virus.  At the other extreme, family of an infected loved one at home have a 60% chance of infection since mask wearing turns out to be inconsistent.   This study screams, “ Wear a mask outside your home and religiously if you have virus in your home!”  Even so, you must physically distance to reduce your infection chances from 55% to a bare minimum.   https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2020.04.03.20051649v1.full.pdf   #covid19 #coronavirus #mask  

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/Uj_TiSZN1v4   Cold brew coffee is the latest fad but it contains fewer of the antioxidants that help us prevent heart disease, stroke, cancer, respiratory ills, and neurologic deterioration.  Researchers at Philadelphias Thomas Jefferson University studied hot and cold brews of light and dark coffee roasts.   Their studies show that hot brewing dark roasted coffee extracts the most antioxidants from coffee.  Cold brewing dark roast or brewing light roasted coffee hot or cold fails to deliver these desirable compounds but yields more caffeine.   So you can enjoy coffee brewed hot or cold.  If you drink coffee with your health in mind, go ahead and brew it in the old-fashioned way with boiling hot water.   https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/04/200402134618.htm   #coffee #antioxidants #coldbrew #hotbrew  

Vidcast:   https://youtu.be/pnIqIxyUzA8   Those infected with CoVid19 but asymptomatic could spew virus as they speak.  Aerosol engineers at UCDavis raise this possibility as the result of their studies of respiratory particles generated by speech.   Their studies reveal that particles spring from lung fluids, waft up airways, and spew out the mouth as you speak.  Louder speech generates more particles.  Droplets spread farther as they dry.   The droplets generated would be stopped by N95 masks but many go right through simple cloth masks.  There’s no proof yet that such droplets have virus, but chances are.....   The bottom line: stay up to 30 feet from non-family.  A mask or bandana helps but won’t completely protect you.   Sima Asadi, Nicole Bouvier, Anthony S. Wexler, William D. Ristenpart. The coronavirus pandemic and aerosols: Does COVID-19 transmit via expiratory particles? Aerosol Science and Technology, 2020; 1 DOI: 10.1080/02786826.2020.1749229   Sima Asadi, Anthony S. Wexler, Christopher D. Cappa,

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/LYEluacRGEI   Cellex of North Carolina has developed the first rapid test for CoVid19 antibodies circulating in the bloodstream.  This test is 95% accurate, delivers a result in 15-20 minutes, and has won FDA emergency use authorization. The Mayo Clinic developed its own antibody test.   These antibody tests, unlike the CoVid19 RT-PCR virus RNA tests, determine if the virus has stimulated a patients immune system.  It may not become positive as quickly as the viral test, but it could predict if a given person has become immune to CoVid19.   Such information will help us determine when we can safely relax lockdown and which newly-protected persons may return to work.    https://www.fda.gov/media/136622/download   https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/928150    #covid19 #coronavirus #antibody #testing

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/KEvEg0yTHgk   Hydroxychloroquine and azithromycin or Zithromax, currently being tested as both prophylaxis and therapy for CoVid19 infections, work together to induce dangerous electrocardiographic changes.  This the conclusion of NYU cardiac electrophysiologists studying 84 CoVid19 patients treated at their hospital.   After 3-4 days of therapy with this drug cocktail, 11% of CoVid19 patients developed a prolonged QT interval of greater than 500 milliseconds.  This EKG change is associated with sudden cardiac death due to severe arrhythmias.   These drugs may turn out to be lifesaving but they are not for do-it-yourselfers.  Their use requires careful and repeated cardiac monitoring.  Using hydroxychloroquin and Zithromax yourself may prevent CoVid19 but only because you die first.    https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2020.04.02.20047050v1.full.pdf    #covid19 #coronavirus #hydroxychloroquine #zithromax #azithromycin #arrhythmia #qtinterval  

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/wEDQ78_nlZU   Hydroxychloroquine with added azithromycin (Zithromax) eradicates CoVid19 virus in the blood of infected patients even better than hydroxychlorquine alone.  A pre-published preliminary French study followed 36 CoVid19 patients hospitalized for treatment in Marseilles.   14 patients received hydroxychloroquine 600 mg/d alone and 6 of them also received treatment with a Z-pack. The data revealed a significant drop in nasal virus over a 5 day period.  By that time, only 50% of hydroxychloroquine-treated patients had virus and none of those treated with both drugs had it.   This news is exciting but not established fact.  These drugs each have side effects, some deadly, and must be careful monitored.   https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijantimicag.2020.105949   #covid19 #coronavirus #hydroxychloroquine #azithromycin #zithromax  

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/Pi8bv4AhqMk   Hydroxychloroquine definitely helps eradicate severe novel coronavirus infections.  This is the conclusion of a randomized Wuhan University study looking at 62 hospitalized CoVid19 patients that was just pre-published online.   Those in the experimental group received hydroxychloroquine 400 mg/day in additional to conventional medical and respiratory therapy.  Those receiving the med were 47% more likely to clear their pneumonia and enjoy faster temperature normalization.  The only 4 patients who deteriorated during the study did not receive hydroxychloroquine.   Preliminary studies like this give us hope that there are weapons we can use against this virus.  The drug may help in desperate cases and further study may support more widespread use.   https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2020.03.22.20040758v2.full.pdf   #covid19 #coronavirus #hydroxychloroquine  

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/lPZiZXc-JNA   Angiotensin receptor blockers and Ace inhibitor anti-hypertensive medications may actually help coronavirus victims fighting for their lives.  Several weeks ago I reported studies that questioned the safety of such drugs since the virus appears to interact with the angiotensin system.      A pre-published Chinese study looked at 126  CoVid19 patients treated with angiotensin drugs versus other blood pressure medications.  The new data reveals that those patients treated with angiotensin-type drugs demonstrate 42% less harmful inflammation, tend to suffer critical disease progression 41% less often, and have a 35% lower death rate.   As we learn more about this brand new coronavirus, treatment guidance changes.  That’s medical science for you.   https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2020.03.31.20038935v1.full.pdf    #covid19 #covid19 #hypertension #angiotensin #arb #aceinhibitor

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/y3gQk50l2eA   An extra 3-400 calories a day restores predictable periods for exercising women.  A study from Penn State to be presented to the Endocrine Society’s annual meeting studied 62 fitness enthusiasts with sporadic menstrual periods.   Half of the group increased their daily calories.  They and the control group continued their vigorous exercise and the remainder of their usual diet over the 12 month study duration.  Those women who added calories were twice as likely to achieve menstrual regularity.   Women with eating disorders such as anorexia-bulemia suffer radically altered menstrual cycles with their weight loss.  Now we know that even those with regular diets may benefit from a few more calories.   https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/03/200331093259.htm   #calories #dysmenorrhea #exercise