Howard G. Smith, MD, AM
PENTA Medical Network
617-488-9699
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HealthNews RoundUp - 1st Week of February 2022
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REPORTS
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TeamAmerica Is Losing The CovidBowl
Vidcast: https://youtu.be/sQt79Z0aJ4c
America is in last place among high income nations when it comes to winning the big game against CoVid. During the first 3 quarters, we have the worst stats when it comes to CoVid vaccinations and boosters, deaths due to all CoVid variants, and, most recently, even deaths due to the so-called milder variant Omicron.
So what gives? We have an excellent general manager in Joe Biden, an accomplished coach with a long winning streak against diseases including HIV in the NIH’s Dr. Anthony Fauci, and a brilliant strategist in Harvard infectious disease guru turned CDC director Dr. Rochelle Walensky. The problem is we have a balky 332 million person team. At least 30% won’t follow the playbook getting fully immunized and even more can’t remain disciplined enough to put on a great defense.
Football lovers know well that when the coach and the quarterback call the plays, the linemen, the running backs, and the receivers better carry them out. When they’re on the line of scrimmage, you don’t hear them whining about individual rights and personal freedoms. They’re on the line as a team to do a job, and, if they go renegade and execute their own ideas about how to do it, they’ll be off the active roster pronto.
We’re all in the 3rd quarter against CoVid, hopefully. If we want our American team to beat the competition, we’d better make changes. Anyone who’s truly “proud to be an American,” brings the proper equipment to the game and that means CoVid vaccination and boosting. As we face the opposing team CoVid, we must come to the line wearing our quality masks fitting well, distance strategically, and cleanse our grubby hands with alcohol sanitizer during time outs. Let’s go team! Stop bitching! Let’s win those CoVid rings.
#CoVid #superbowl #football #team #america #vaccine #booster
CoVid, superbowl, football, team, america, vaccine, booster
An Early Glimpse at the New Omicron Subvariant
Vidcast: https://youtu.be/XUOPZr7ayIo
The new version of Omicron, a sub variant known as BA2 or “Stealth Too” that I call Omicron2 or O2 popped up in Denmark and quickly outpaced Omicron1 there. That’s because scientists estimate that O2 is 35-50% more contagious than O1. The good news is that O2 doesn’t seem to trigger more severe disease in humans but it is early. As of this week, O2 has now been detected in at least 29 states and in 56 countries.
A British analysis concludes that our current vaccines work about as well and slightly better on O2 as they do on O1. The booster is 70% effective in preventing a symptomatic O2 infection compared with 63% for O1.
More to come.
https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/967541
https://www.the-scientist.com/news-opinion/scientists-investigate-omicron-subvariant-ba-2-69657
#CoVid #omicron #subvariant #ba2 #contagious
CoVid , omicron, subvariant, ba2, contagious
Pfizer Vaccine for the Youngest Kids
Vidcast: https://youtu.be/PJ5OjjK9-2o
In applying to the FDA for an Emergency Use Authorization, Prizer reports that 2 doses of its vaccine are statistically protective for children 6 months to 2 years of age but not for those 2 through 4 years of age. They envision adding a 3rd dose for all those 6 months through 4 years of age to help their vaccine reach the effectiveness heights shown for adolescents and adults. They plan to test that theory in clinical trials and hope to have results by March.
Pfizer tested 2 doses of vaccine 3 weeks apart given to about 4500 children ages 6 months through 11 years of age. For those under 5 years, the dose was 3 ug which is one-third the dose given to the 5 through 11 year olds. The safety profile of the vaccine was good for all children in this age group.
Pfizer feels that their data is strong enough to warrant vaccination initiation for these youngest children with addition of the third shot once data about its impact is available. The American Academy of Pediatrics supports this two-phase rollout of CoVid vaccination for those 6 months through 4 years of age.
But will the kids get the sometimes lifesaving vaccine? Even for older children 5 through 11 years, CoVid vaccination has been sluggish with only 28% in this age group receiving even one dose of the vaccine and only 18% being fully vaccinated. The percentages vary by state with the highest percentage of fully vaccinated being in Vermont at 52% and the lowest being in Alabama at 5%.
https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/967724
#CoVid #children #vaccine #pfizer
CoVid, children, vaccine, pfizer
Most Americans Unaware That Alcohol Raises Cancer Risk
Vidcast: https://youtu.be/BEBiJ1Ik3QI
Two-thirds of Americans don’t know that drinking alcohol increases their cancer risk. This from a National Cancer Institute survey of 3,865 adults statistically representative of nearly 254 million Americans.
Looking at the details, nearly 80% are unaware that wine poses a risk, 75% don’t know that beer poses a cancer danger, and 69% are unaware of that hard liquor is associated with greater risk of cancer. The good news is that 2 of every 3 in the US support health warnings on alcoholic beverage containers.
Alcohol ingestion increases the risk of 7 cancers: breast, colon, oral cavity, throat, voice box, esophagus, and liver. The key to avoiding these is moderation.
https://www.ajpmonline.org/article/S0749-3797(21)00430-X/fulltext
https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/risk/alcohol/alcohol-fact-sheet
#alcohol #cancer #packagewarnings #moderation
alcohol, cancer, packagewarnings, moderation
Another CoVid Vaccine On The Horizon
Vidcast: https://youtu.be/vb-exoJeCoY
Novavax has submitted its long-awaited application for an Emergency Use Authorization to the FDA. This product that combines purified CoVid spike protein with nanoparticles has the distinct advantage that it only requires refrigeration and storage at temperatures between 36 and 46 degrees Fahrenheit.
As now reported in the New England Journal of Medicine, 29,949 adults in the US and Mexico were randomized in a Phase 3 trial so that twice as many received 2 doses of the vaccine (5 ug of protein antigen and 50 ug of the nanoparticle + Matrix-M adjuvant) 3 weeks apart as received the control placebo vaccination containing no spike protein.
The study data showed that Novavax CoVid was 90% effective at preventing any infection and 100% effective at preventing moderate to severe infection. Reactions to the vaccine were mild to moderate and transient though more notable after the second than after the first dose.
The catch-22 here is that this vaccine was tested during 7 weeks at the beginning of 2021 when the original strain was predominant and when the only variant was the so called Alpha British strain. Furthermore, the median age of study participants was 47 and only 2.6% were 65 years or older. We have no data on the long-tern protection beyond 3.5 months afforded by this vaccine, and it has never been tested against the more challenging variants including Delta and Omicron.
This vaccine was created using spike protein antigens similar to those used in the mRNA vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna. We would hope that this vaccine has the same or better performance against the variants as those, but we simply have no data to prove or disprove it.
Again, the Novavax advantage is that it may be stored and transported at refrigerator temperatures rather than at extreme sub-zero temps.
https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2116185
#CoVid #vaccine #storage #stability
CoVid, vaccine, storage, stability
CoVid IS Less Severe In the Vaccinated
Vidcast: https://youtu.be/PgWIF5SqYNE
Vaccine deniers wail that breakthrough CoVid cases prove the uselessness of vaccination. Radiologists at South Korea’s Pusan National University now offer visible proof that CoVid vaccines do protect your lungs should you become infected.
The CT images of 412 patients hospitalized with CoVid showed that 78% of the unvaccinated had oxygen robbing pneumonia tissue changes compared with 70% of the partially vaccinated, and only 41% of the fully vaccinated. The clinical correlate was that only 24% fully vaccinated required supplemental oxygen and only 8% required an ICU admission.
These images show the clear lungs of a fully vaccinated but CoVid infected 65 yr old. Compared them with these images of a an infected but never vaccinated 58 yr old with fogged out lung tissues.
If an anti-vaxxer screams who do you believe….me or your lying eyes, I’d go with the eyes.
https://pubs.rsna.org/doi/10.1148/radiol.213072
#CoVid #vaccine #pneumonia #CT #radiology
CoVid, vaccine, pneumonia, CT, radiology
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CPSC Recalls
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Recalls On SureClose® READYFIT 180° Hinge-Closer Sets
Vidcast: https://youtu.be/OUS51gRxpjA
The CPSC and D & D Technologies announce the recall of SureClose® READYFIT 180° Hinge-Closer Sets. These spring hinge closers may malfunction and fail to properly close and secure gates in fences around swimming pools or other potentially hazardous areas leading to injuries and drownings in young children. About 1500 of these hinges were sold to Fence and gate contractors, distributors and gate manufacturers nationwide and online at shutitgatehardware.com. Stop relying on these self-closing gates for protection. Call D&D Technologies at 1-800-716-0888 or via email at info@ddtechusa.com to arrange for hinge-closer replacement or a refund.
#hingeclosers #sureclose #nonclosure #injuries #drownings #recall
hingeclosers, sureclose, nonclosure, injuries, drownings, recall
Maxtrade’s Youth Coolster Mountopz All-Terrain Vehicles Recalled
Vidcast: https://youtu.be/x5LIai_vrgI
The CPSC and Maxtrade are recalling Maxtrade’s Youth Coolster Mountopz All-Terrain Vehicles. These ATVs fail to meet federal mandatory safety standards and speed limitations for vehicles intended to be used by children. In addition, certain models have inadequate parking brakes. About 141,000 of these ATVs were sold nationwide by the following Maxtrade dealers: ABC Bikes, Toys & Motorcycles, Affordable Excitement, All Star Scooters, ATV Wholesale Outlet, Dallas Power Sports, Dirt Cheap Motorsports, Mopeds & More, Mooney Motorsports, Rebel Racing, Rock City Cycles, Sooner Cycles and Upstate Cycle. Also online at Amazon.com, Familygocarts.com, Killermotorsports.com, Superiorpowersports.com, Walmart.com, and Youthmotorsports.com. All owners of these ATVs should not permit their children to ride them and contact Maxtrade at 1-866-236-8993 or via email at Coolster.info@gmail.com to check whether your model is involved and to arrange a free repair at a Maxtrade dealer.
#maxtrade #atv #excessivespeed #children #injury #recall
maxtrade, atv, excessivespeed, children, injury, recall
Recalled Are River Street Five-Drawer Chests
Vidcast: https://youtu.be/64MjKHoyE0Q
The CPSC and Rooms To Go are recalling River Street Five-Drawer Chests
These dressers are unstable unless anchored to the wall, and they may tip over causing entrapment, injuries, and possible death to young children. About 1,380 of these dressers were sold in the US. If you have one of these dressers, unload it until it is properly secured. Contact Rooms To Go at 1-855-688-0919 or via email at productcare@roomstogo.com to arrange for a free in-home repair, a replacement, or a refund.
#roomstogo #fivedrawerdresser #tipover #entrapment #death #children #recall
roomstogo, fivedrawerdresser, tipover, entrapment, death, children, recall
Recall On KOYO Bounca The Squig Limited Edition Plush Toys
Vidcast: https://youtu.be/SXnm-rWtI7M
The CPSC and Games Workshop are recalling KOYO Bounca The Squig Limited Edition Plush toys. The pom-poms may detach from the toy and create a choking hazard for young children. About 2600 of these toys were sold across the US in Games Workshop and Warhammer stores. If your child has one of of these plush toys, substitute another safer toy. Return the toy to a Games Workshop and Warhammer store for a full refund. For more information or for an alternative route to a refund, use the email custserv@gwplc.com for questions or to provide photo proof of destruction by cutting the tail off the toy.
#gamesworkshop #squiq #plushtoy #choking #recall
gamesworkshop, squiq, plushtoy, choking, recall
Recalled Are BAOPTEIL Children’s Robes
Vidcast: https://youtu.be/lhttXOg24Jc
The CPSC and BAOPTEIL now recall BAOPTEIL Children’s Robes. These garments fail to meet federal flammability standards for children’s sleepwear. About 3800 of these robes were sold online at amazon.com. Immediately obtain a fire-safe robe and stop your child from wearing these recalled garments. Your may contact Amazon customer service for a prepaid mailer in order to obtain a refund. Alternatively, you may contact the company via email at 244882378@qq.com to obtain the mailer and refund.
#children #robe #flammable #burns #recall
children, robe, flammable, burns, recall
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FDA Recalls
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Wishbone Salad Dressings Are Recalled
Vidcast: https://youtu.be/3J8OG27qejg
The FDA and Conagra Brands, Inc. have recalled Wishbone Thousand Island and Chunky Blue Cheese Salad Dressings. These products contain undeclared egg, and those with an egg allergy could develop a serious or life-threatening allergic reaction after ingesting these salad dressings. If you have these dressings on the shelf or in your fridge, don’t consume them. For questions or refunds, contact Conagra Brands Consumer Care at 1-800-881-3989 or via email at Consumer.Care@conagra.com.
#wishbone #saladdressings #thousandisland #bluecheese #egg #allergy #recall
wishbone, saladdressings, thousandisland #bluecheese, egg, allergy, recall
Recall on Hard Dawn Rise and Shine Capsules
Vidcast: https://youtu.be/thstDn0D9ZM
The FDA and Esupplementsales, LLC are recalling Hard Dawn Rise and Shine Capsules. This product is marketed as a dietary supplement to enhance male virility. It is contaminated with the phosphodiesterase tadalafil that makes it an unapproved drug for which safety and efficacy have not been proven. This product may interact with certain medications containing nitrates including nitroglycerin causing dangerous drops in blood pressure. If you bought this supplement, stop using it and return it to the place of purchase for a refund. For more information, contact the company by phone at 1-916-626-9275 or via email HardDawn@yahoo.com.
#harddawn #supplement #tadalafil #phosphodiesterase #nitrates #hypotension #recall
harddawn, supplement, tadalafil, phosphodiesterase, nitrates, hypotension, recall