Straight Talk MD

Knowing how a pandemic started is the key to stopping the next one. Understanding where the virus causing COVID-19 originated and how it entered the human reservoir will help prevent a similar pandemic in the future.

SARS Coronavirus-2 first appeared in Wuhan, China in November 2019. There are two competing theories to explain where this virus came from and how it entered the human reservoir. One theory is a natural "spillover" event. The second is the Wuhan Institute of Virology "lab leak" theory. Both are possible. Both are based on circumstantial evidence.

This episode presents an overview of the evidence accumulated since our May 2020 episode, "The Enemy Appears." In the 20 months since then, much evidence has accumulated on the origin of COVID-19. Unfortunately, it all points to the "lab leak" hypothesis.

Dr. Paul Offit is back in the virtual studio to discuss the COVID-19 vaccines in 5-to-11-year-olds, the relative risk of myocarditis following vaccination compared to the risk of myocarditis following a Covid-19 infection, and the glaring lack of evidence supporting the vaccine booster for most of us. We also discuss Paul's latest book: "You Bet Your Life: From Blood Transfusions to Mass Vaccination, The Long and Risky History of Medical Innovation."

Today, internationally respected infectious disease specialist, Dr. Monica Gandhi, is in the virtual studio to examine the science of natural immunity versus vaccine immunity, the booster shot, and the risk of myocarditis in teens. We also explore the best timing of vaccine doses to maximize immunity, and finally, where is the offramp to normalcy here in the U.S.?

Healthcare economist, Ron Howrigon, returns to follow up on "surprise medical bills", the nursing shortage, the hospital transparency rule, the economy, the inscrutable workforce paradox, and much more...

As we head for the offramp of the COVID-19 pandemic, we take a candid look at the dystopian future that awaits us. Healthcare economist, Ron Howrigon, returns to discuss Healthcare 2022 and examine some of the most dysfunctional aspects of our healthcare system that will likely get worse in the post-COVID world.

Dr. Rich Parker and I discuss the Biden vaccine mandate, vaccine hesitancy, natural immunity, myocarditis, rational Covid testing in schools, and much, much more.

Today, I interview best-selling author, Dr. Anna Lembke, on her latest book, Dopamine Nation: Finding Balance in the Age of Indulgence. Dr. Lembke carefully maps out the neuroscience, and leads us to an inescapable and uncomfortable conclusion: we have met the enemy, and the enemy is us. Dopamine is merely the messenger.

More often than not, we are the architects of our own addictions, pain, and unhappiness through our endless, compulsive overconsumption of highly potent stimuli like junk food, cannabis, internet porn, smartphones, social media, and the usual suspects of drugs and alcohol. We sacrifice a meaningful and satisfying life well-lived for the short-term dopamine rush that always leaves us wanting more.

With persistent severe brain fog two weeks out from first symptoms, Frank must undergo extensive cognitive testing to rule out a structural brain injury.

Judgment Day arrives for Frank. Maryam gets her test results back.

The return of the fever, along with the worsening brain fog and "monkey mind," create fears of an impending cytokine storm. Maryam gets a fever and goes for a test.