PA man with COVID dies after taking ivermectin, court allowed drug
By: Mike Argento (USA TODAY)
I guess medication for horse deworming doesn't work on COVID.
Butt the anti-vaxx idiots still cling to the belief that Ivermectin can cure COVID. Senator RonAnon Johnson thinks mouthwash cures COVID. They are wrong - dead wrong.
S E E D E D C O N T E N T
Mike ArgentoYork Daily Record
Keith Smith, whose wife had gone to court to have his COVID-19 infection treated with ivermectin, died Sunday evening, a week after he received his first dose of the controversial drug.
He was 52.
Smith was in a hospital in Pennsylvania for nearly three weeks and had been in the hospital's intensive care unit in a medically induced coma on a ventilator since Nov. 21. He had been diagnosed with the virus on Nov. 10.
His wife of 24 years, Darla, had gone to court to compel the hospital, UPMC Memorial, to treat her husband with ivermectin, an anti-parasitic drug that has not been approved for treatment of COVID-19.
York County Court Judge Clyde Vedder's Dec. 3 decision did not compel the hospital to treat Keith with the drug, but it did allow Darla to have an independent physician administer it. He received two doses before Keith's condition grew worse, and the doctor halted the treatment.
Previously:Woman wins court battle over treating her husband's COVID-19 with ivermectin. That was just the beginning.
Florida:Teacher at center of ivermectin lawsuit dies of COVID; husband says 'name a law after her'
"Tonight, around 7:45 p.m., my precious husband breathed his last breath," Darla wrote on the website caringbridge.org.
He died with Darla and their two sons, Carter and Zach, at his bedside. Darla wrote they had time to speak to Keith, separately and as a group, before he passed away. "My boys are so strong," she wrote. "They are my rock of solace."
'A Hail Mary'
Darla sued UPMC to treat her husband with ivermectin after reading about similar cases throughout the country, all filed by an attorney in Buffalo, N.Y. She was assisted by a group called Front Line COVID-19 Critical Care Alliance, which promotes the use of ivermectin in the treatment of the virus.
He received his first dose on Dec. 5, two days after Vedder's decision in the court case. After Keith received a second dose, the doctor overseeing the drug's administration - a physician not affiliated with UPMC - ended the treatment as Keith's condition deteriorated.
Darla had written previously that she was unsure whether ivermectin could help her husband, but it was worth a try. The use of the drug was described as "a Hail Mary" intended as a last-ditch effort to save Keith's life. She would not say whether her husband had been vaccinated.
She was angry with UPMC for refusing to administer the treatment, forcing her to sue, and for delaying the treatment for two days as the hospital grappled with the meaning of the court order while Darla arranged to have an independent nurse administer the drug. Citing privacy laws, UPMC had previously declined to disclose details of the case or Keith's treatment.
She had kind words for the nurses at UPMC, writing "I still love you." She wrote, "You cared for Keith for over 21 days. You dosed him with the medicines the doctors prescribed. You cleaned him and groomed him, moved him, propped him up, dealt with every mess, every smell, every trial. Everything. I appreciate you.
"That's all I'll say about UPMC at this time," she wrote. "You're incredibly lucky to have the nurses you do, jackwads. Treat them better."
Health officials have not approved ivermectin to treat COVID-19
Whether the drug is effective in treating COVID-19 is unproven, and studies cited by its proponents have been dismissed as being biased and including incomplete or nonexistent data.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has not approved the use of the drug to treat COVID-19, and the National Institutes of Health does not recommend its use. It is not included in UPMC's COVID-19 treatment protocols.
A randomized clinical trial of ivermectin that was conducted in Brazil and presented earlier this year found no significant mortality benefit from taking the drug.
The FDA has approved ivermectin to treat infections caused by certain parasites. A topical version is used to treat head lice and skin conditions such as rosacea.
Columnist/reporter Mike Argento has been a Daily Record staffer since 1982. Reach him at mike@ydr.com.
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Here's some valuable advice about COVID:
A new classic! I love it!
...at least he took all those parasites with him on the way out.
Classic!!
It's all so incoherent. I mean, for crying out loud some Conservatives! The medical profession, the scientists, life-long professional infectious disease specialists, spied out this sickness, diagnose it in people, and developed medicine regiments and vaccines for it.
Here is the question:
How is it some conservatives can accept a DIAGNOSIS of SARS-Covid 2 as legitimate, literally agree with the doctors, but in their next breath deny medical professions and scientists the use of the same set of skills and foundational knowledge to know a good, great, VACCINE to fix or heal this dreadful ailment?
(It's inconsistent.)
The idiots just went along with their fearful leader when he politicized COVID. That's why so many Retrumplicans are anti-vaxxers.
I don't know if Keith Smith (the dead Ivermectin guy) is a Retrumplican butt I would be very surprised if he isn't. His wife refused to reveal his vaccination status which indicates he probably was not vaccinated. I guess it's a moot point now.
Evening...the sheep want their drench back...
COVID?
Baa humbug!
HA!
Usually I don't care for meme's. Exception: When they are well-done, they can convey a great deal of sense.
LOL. I hope nobody misses that you wrote "Baa humbug" to fit the meme - very clever of you.
This guy really was not in the hospital (in coma) very long. There has been longer cases of comatose patients who improve and leave hospitals. Depends on the individual, of course.
Ideally, isn't Ivermectitn, if compelled to be taken, an "early" (first few days) action?
Here is a link to the Official CDC Advisory on Ivermectin (August 2021):
Recommendations for the Public (August 2021):
• Be aware that c urrently, ivermectin has not been proven as a way to prevent or treat COVID - 19 .
• Do not swallow ivermectin products that should be used on skin (e . g. , lotions and creams) or are
not meant for human use, such as veterinary ivermectin products.
• Seek immediate medical attention or call the poison control center hotline (1 - 800 - 222 - 1222) for
advice if you have taken ivermectin or a product that contains ivermectin and are having
symptoms. Signs and symptoms include gastrointestinal effects (nausea, vomiting, abdominal
pain, and diarrhea), headache, blurred vision, dizziness, fast heart rate, and low blood pressure.
Other severe nervous system effects have been reported, including tremors, seizures,
hallucinations, confusion, loss of coordination and balance, decreased alertness, and coma.
• Get vaccinated against COVID-19. COVID-19 vaccination is approved by FDA and is the safest
and most effective way to prevent getting sick and protect against severe disease and death from
SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, including the Delta variant.
• Protect yourself and others from getting sick with COVID - 19. In addition to vaccina tion, w ear
masks in indoor public places, practice staying at least six feet from other people who don’t live in
your household, avoid crowds and poorly ventilated spaces, and wash your hands often or use
hand sanitizer that has at least 60 percent alcohol .
Thanx for the PSA, CB!
NP. You're a winner!
Another dead hillbilly who did his own research.
Here's some actual reality. Ivermectin is indeed a horse dewormer, but it also has multiple human uses and has been used as such for a while now. That doesn't mean I promote it as an answer to covid. I just get tired of those who push the idea that it is a drug used only on animals. It's not.
Yes, it is used in Africa for "river blindness' where a particular fly and parasite infect humans with tens of thousands of larvae.
It is used to control the infestation but the pain of the larvae dying trying to escape is described as unbearable
and people often shred their own skin due to the itching,
so much so that it can only be administered twice a year.
If you had river blindness and recovered enough of your sight to function
it's a miracle drug.
Is the sarc tag necessary?
No, the tag isn't necessary. Nor is the sarcasm. While what you describe may be true enough, it isn't the only application of the drug. The fact remains that it has multiple human uses. If you think pointing out that fact deserves sarcasm then so be it.
But aren't they are all pretty much topical? I would use it if I had ringworm. And I've had ringworm
Use Lotrimin (it's an OTC).
And it's over the counter at Walgreen's!
Honestly? I don't know. I read an article that suggested that Ivermectin has an effect on Covid, but mostly in an indirect way. Basically, it suggested that individuals with parasites that Ivermectin was designed to combat are at greater risk of Covid complications and death because the parasites weakened the immune system, thereby increasing the likelihood of a negative Covid outcome. That seems plausible enough to me. However, the idea that Ivermectin directly combats Covid is not.
That being said, it would seem to me that the benefits of Ivermectin as a prophylactic against Covid would be most beneficial in populations where parasitical infections are highest. To be more clear, Ivermectin would not combat Covid directly, as the vaccinations are designed to do but, rather, create in an individual a more robust resistance to Covid.
In my opinion, Ivermectin use in the United States is most likely ineffective, since for most of the population parasitical infestation is not much of a problem. More importantly, there seems to be an idea that Ivermectin actually combats Covid directly. Not being a medical doctor I can't offer an educated opinion on that other than to say it doesn't seem logical that a drug designed for the elimination of parasitical infection would have an effect on a virus.
All that said, my point remains that Ivermectin isn't simply a horse dewormer. Not that you yourself is presenting it as such, but I prefer rational, honest discussion over sensationalizing a subject. I object to the portrayal of people taking medicine designed for animals when it isn't strictly for animals. I believe the 'conversation' should be about whether or not the elimination of parasites, which isn't an issue for most people in this country, has any benefit for the fight against Covid, rather than trying to falsely claim people are taking animal medicine.
You make valid points. Thanks for the rational discussion
It kills bugs. Not the virus. To suggest otherwise is sarcastic in and of itself.
Reportedly it's the rage in Mexico City and Egypt
But English speaking countries where ringworm is not common? Not so much.
Ivermectin: How false science created a Covid 'miracle' drug - BBC News
Actually, ringworm is pretty common. I've had it more than once and I think one of the kids had it once
Which has nothing at all to do with the point I'm making. Since you seem to have missed what that point is, I'll spell it out for you. It is not that Ivermectin is an effective treatment for Covid. It is that Ivermectin isn't simply a medicine for animals. The media sometimes portrays it as if some are claiming medicine for animals is being pushed as a cure for Covid. That isn't the case. While it is true that Ivermectin has no direct benefit for treating Covid, it is not solely a medicine intended for animals alone.
If that isn't plain enough for you then perhaps this will suffice. Regardless of Ivermectin's effect on Covid, the idea that it is nothing more than medicine intended for animals is false.
Ok, let's just all call it mammal specific dewormer.
The reason it became synonymous with horse deworming is that initially
anyone in horse country could pick it up at the feed store or saddle shop for $10.00.
People in TC & OK seemed particularly infatuated with it.
Ivermectin explained: Why the so-called 'horse drug' has emerged in COVID fight (yahoo.com)
It doesn't need to kill the virus to be helpful, in the same way that an epi-pen is still helpful even if it doesn't cure the peanut allergy.
We give people ibuprofen or aspirin for all sort of reasons. They don't heal anything, but that doesn't mean they aren't helpful.
There is scientific evidence to suggest that Ivermectin is helpful for mitigating dangerous symptoms more often than it is not.
The idea that we have taken a medication that clearly shows moderate levels of effectiveness against the deadliest disease of our lifetime and made it a point of political tribalism reveals a thoroughly depressing level of national fuckwittery.
Frankly, I worry that it is a matter of time before we as a society become stupid enough to politicize aspirin.
So... These people advocate a drug which was never studied for covid use and, once it was studied had little or no effect. In fact, any positive effect from this drug can be attributed to a placebo effect.
And yet, these same people claim that a vaccine which has been specifically created for covid, extensively tested in clinical trials, and proven 95% effective is a government conspiracy.
Makes sense to me.
And they are willing to paid for this "sense" with the only life they have! It's true. It's true.
Many anti-vaxxers/anti-maskers were dead right.
It looks like stupidity has claimed another one.
Herman Cain gained another Facebook friend.
Stupidity has always been a popular cause of death.
A Slack-Robatic Effort
Confirmed True by Darwin
GUEST WRITER: James G. Petropolous
Cave Gardens Sinkhole, the most magical spot in South Australia, is actually the cenote on the flanks of a dormant volcano. Located at the heart of the City of Mount Gambier, beautiful vines and roses cascade down its steep walls and a graceful waterfall adds to the natural beauty. A protective fence surrounds the sinkhole, and a lovely wrought iron platform extends over the precipice to offer a thrilling view of the cenote floor one hundred feet below.
The Mayor said the sinkhole, a popular local and tourist attraction, was "a safe environment for many years, enjoyed by thousands of people." Inspector Hill may have muttered those same rueful words as he arrived before dawn on Sunday morning. The Fire Service had already rigged the Rope Rescue apparatus. Searchlights focused on the lifeless body of 20 year old Bradley Streeter, who was hoisted up and out of the sinkhole at 3:00 am.
Police investigation swiftly uncovered the events that led to his tragic tumble. Two facts were certain: Bradley died instantly at the scene, and foul play was ruled out. But when Inspector Hill was told of the specific reason for Bradley's death he could only stand dumbfounded. "He did WHAT???"
Bradley was a cheeky lad with a heart of gold, adventurous and mechanically talented, fond of four-wheelers and fishing, an aspiring mechanic with a side hustle selling car parts. He had a good future ahead of him, and was well-loved by family and friends in his small hometown five hours away from Mount Gambier. So Inspector Hill found it hard to accept what witnesses and first responders were telling him: Young Bradley did a midnight handstand on the viewing platform railing.
Yes. A handstand. Moments before midnight, Bradley was poised upside down on a rail a hundred feet above the dark cave floor. In a single moment, his proud alley-oop! became a disastrous alley-oops! as he lost balance and his trajectory took him down into the deep dark cenote. Friends were with Bradley the night he performed an "illegal handstand that resulted in his death.
" Handstands are fine at ground level, where a bump to the butt is the worst that can happen. But, add any amount of altitude and your chance of injury grows exponentially along with the force of gravity. The speed of an object in freefall doubles for each second it falls toward the earth. We editors at The Darwin Awards regretfully hand Bradley this Darwin Award, while wishing we could have talked sense into him before he did the deed.
Anoon Al...yep know this story well..just happened over the border from me..
Another classic was..an Indian women climbed over a one and half metre safety fence in the Grampians to take a selfie...her two young sons and husband watched her fall to her death 80 metres below..she tripped and went straight over the edge of a rock ledge...
We don't have a capital city named Darwin for nothing...
That's like dumber than two chestnuts sitting prepared for roasting on an open fire! (Chuckles.)
I just read that there are 14 new billionaires in America, probably thanks to the anti-maskers and anti-vaxxers.
I bet I can guess what their businesses are...
Covid can cure stupid it would seem.
Dipshit.