Howard G. Smith, MD, AM
PENTA Medical Network
617-488-9699
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HealthNews RoundUp - 4th Week of October 2020
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Experts Suggest CoVid Vaccine Distribution Priorities
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
covid, pandemic, vaccine
CoVid Spread Short and Long Distances
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
covid, droplets, aerosols, distancing, mask
Safest Masks Available
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.
Scroll down to Appendix A.
https://smartairfilters.com/en/blog/whats-the-difference-between-n95-and-kn95-masks/
#mask #n95 #kn95
mask, n95, kn95
Make Your Designer Mask Safe
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://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 #pm25
masks, filter, hepa, pm25
CoVid Keeps On Killing
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
covid, cardiac, pulmonary gastrointestinal
Flu Vaccine Beefs Up Immunity Against CoVid
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
covid, influenza, vaccination, cytokines
Pregnant Women Should Avoid ALL NSAIDS After 20 Weeks
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.
#nsaids #kidney #amnioticfluid #advil #motrin #aleve #ibuprofen #naprosyn #aspirin
nsaids, kidney, amnioticfluid, advil, motrin, aleve, ibuprofen, naprosyn, aspirin
Multiple Spices On Recall
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.
#spices #salmonella #fda
spices, salmonella, fda
Recall of Cinnamon Apple Chips
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.
#seneca #cinnamonapple #clancy #salmonella
seneca, cinnamonapple, clancy, salmonella
SALT Lounge Chairs On Recall
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
loungechair, fall
Morfboard® Skate and Scoot Scooters Are Recalled
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.
#scooter #handlebar
scooter, handlebar
Recall on Danish Tall Bookcases
Vidcast: https://youtu.be/OuEbgriIjlU
The 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.
#bookcase #crateandbarrel
bookcase, crateandbarrel
Squid Type Extension Cord Splitter Is Recalled
Vidcast: https://youtu.be/VfJRMyyUdWc
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.
#extensioncord #fire
extensioncord, fire
Plus Your CoVid Protection With A Face Shield
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
covid, faceshield, mask, ppe