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Howard G. Smith, M.D. is a former radio medical editor and talk show host in the Boston Metro area. His "Medical Minute" of health and wellness news and commentary was a regular weekday feature on WBZ-AM, WRKO-AM, and WMRE-AM. His popular two-way talk show, Dr. Howard Smith OnCall, was regularly heard Sunday morning and middays on WBZ.

Dr. Smith has adopted audio and video podcasting as conduits for HEALTH NEWS YOU SHOULD USE. Based on the latest medical, health, and wellness literature these reports provide practical information you can use to keep yourself and your family healthy. Many reports have video versions, and Dr. Smith’s YouTube Channel may be found at: http://bit.ly/2rNw6XQ

Trained at Harvard Medical School and a long-time faculty member at Boston Children’s Hospital, he practiced Pediatric Otolaryngology for 40 years in Boston, Southern California, and in central Connecticut.  He is now based in New York City.

If you have questions or suggestions about this content, please email the doctor at drhowardsmith.reports@gmail.com or leave him a message at 516-778-8864.  His website is: www.drhowardsmith.com.

Please note that the news, views, commentary, and opinions that Dr. Smith provides are for informational purposes only. Any changes that you or members of your family contemplate making to lifestyle, diet, medications, or medical therapy should always be discussed beforehand with personal physicians who have been supervising your care.

Jan 29, 2020

 

Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/A-fBIfKZUjM

 

Yes, we have a coronavirus pandemic.  And yes, the counts of those stricken is rising exponentially with deaths sadly climbing as well.  Currently there are nearly 4600 cases with 106 deaths worldwide.

 

But wait, we already have a serious pandemic, and we have it every year.  Influenza infects one BILLION around the world every year, and it kills as many as half a million.  For the US this season, the CDC estimates 140,000 hospitalizations and 8200 deaths.  We control influenza only somewhat with vaccines and antivirals.

 

Like influenza, coronavirus is most dangerous for the young, old, frail, or immunocompromised.  It’s estimated mortality rate is 4%.  That for influenza is 6%.  Relax.

 

https://www.ifpma.org/global-health-matters/flu-can-cause-up-to-650000-deaths-a-year-globally/

 

https://www.cdc.gov/flu/weekly/index.htm

 

https://www.bloomberg.com/graphics/2020-wuhan-novel-coronavirus-outbreak/

 

#coronavirus #influenza #pandemic