Dr. Howard Smith Reports

x Vidcast:   https://youtu.be/IbrJaVthGac   Just how well do face masks work to block the spread of virus.   Researchers from Case-Western U and Ohio State University studied the dispersion of artificially-created droplets through cloth masks of various designs mimicking an infected sneeze.   A single layered mask constructed of various fabric types reduce the droplet spread to less than 1 foot.  ...

  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 an...

  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.   Re...

  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,...

  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...

  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-pub...

  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 c...

  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-Heat...

  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...

  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 a...

  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 a...

  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 o...

  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% chan...

  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 ex...

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 pa...

  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 th...

  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 cockta...

  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 t...

  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 th...

  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...

  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 rema...

  Vidcast:   https://youtu.be/VcVf5kR2QAA   Some good news to brighten your day.   A new cancer screening test from Harvard’s Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and the Mayo Clinic can detect the presence of more than 50 cancer types including the tough ones to diagnose like ovarian and pancreatic cancer.   The test detects cancer DNA in the blood and differentiates it from normal DNA by patterns of met...

  Vidcast:   https://youtu.be/BBKKOZvf0yg   Seventy percent of Italians killed by coronavirus are male, and two-thirds of those hospitalized with the virus in China were men.   Israeli immunologists, experts on gender differences in immune function, explain why.   Men are more susceptible to viruses than women due to less effective and less-well prepared immune systems.   Men have fewer immune sca...

  Vidcast:   https://youtu.be/gFePQvC1YsU   If you’re taking either over-the-counter or prescription Zantac or ranitidine, get rid of it.   The FDA has been investigating this drug for contamination with a likely carcinogen N-Nitrosodimethylamine or NDMA and now orders it off the market.   Ranitidine decomposes over time when its stored at higher than room temperature, and   the levels of NDMA bec...

  Vidcast:   https://youtu.be/G8h5b5NbJ_A   The answer is YES!   If you’re younger, it protects others.     It may also protect you as an elder or one with diabetes, lung disease, or immunosuppression.   Virologists tell us that safe physical distancing is 6 feet or lately 10 feet.   A new study from MIT shows that aerosols with live virus may spew 27 feet or further.   Can’t buy a mask?   A 2 lay...