Topic: Cough

NBC News reported on growing vaccine skepticism in Franklin, Tennessee, framing it as a "life or death" issue for vulnerable children. The report highlighted a record high in kindergarten vaccine exemptions across 40 states, attributing the trend to "online conspiracies" and figures like RFK Jr. The reporting is criticized as hysterical and biased for taking Kennedy's statements out of context regarding vaccine safety.

Health officials report a spike in whooping cough cases, attributing the rise to a lack of population exposure during pandemic lockdowns. In the Netherlands, Ozempic is reportedly being marketed through rumors that the Dutch princesses are using the drug for weight loss. The hosts discuss the potential for future mRNA treatments for various common ailments.

In a 2021 Michigan House hearing, PhD virologist Dr. Christina Park explained that the current acellular pertussis vaccine (DTaP) was never designed to prevent the transmission of bacteria. Instead, it only neutralizes the toxin to prevent severe disease, creating a class of asymptomatic carriers who can still spread whooping cough to infants. Park argued that blaming "anti-vaxxers" for the resurgence of the disease ignores the known scientific limitations of the vaccine's design.

The discussion shifts to the cumulative intake of aspartame from various sources, including chewing gum, cough drops, and chewable vitamins. The hosts criticize medical correspondents for focusing only on soda consumption while ignoring the presence of the sweetener in numerous everyday products. They suggest the WHO's findings are being managed by the media to avoid "confusing consumers."

Adam Curry and John C. Dvorak open the program from Texas and Northern Silicon Valley. The hosts discuss Curry's lingering cough and vocal issues following a previous bout with COVID-19. They briefly reference the ongoing FTX collapse before transitioning into the main news cycle.

Pfizer announced the $100 million acquisition of RezApp, a Brisbane-based startup that claims to detect COVID-19 by analyzing the sound of a user's cough. The app reportedly has 92% sensitivity but is only 50% accurate for asymptomatic users. The hosts dismiss the technology as "bullshit" and suggest it will be used for future surveillance.

A dog flu outbreak in Southern California has led to calls for canine vaccination. The hosts express skepticism about the sudden marketing of dog vaccines, comparing the rhetoric to human COVID-19 narratives.

White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki addressed concerns regarding President Joe Biden's frequent coughing during public appearances, dismissing it as a non-issue. Speculation arises regarding potential medical causes, including a "light cold," a hairball, or more serious conditions like Parkinson's disease which can cause choking on saliva.

Researchers at MIT developed an AI model capable of identifying COVID-19 in asymptomatic individuals by analyzing recordings of forced coughs. The AI identifies biomarkers in vocal cord strength and lung performance that are imperceptible to the human ear. However, the researchers admit the AI struggles to distinguish COVID-19 from other conditions like the flu or asthma in symptomatic patients.

Italy is easing its lockdown while South Korea has re-closed 2,000 nightclubs following a resurgence of cases. Belarus held a Victory Day parade despite 20,000 cases, leading to the expulsion of a Russian reporter who questioned the official death toll. The hosts discussed the "ubiquitous COVID cough," describing it as a frightening, goose-like honking sound that can last for weeks.

Christopher Baylor from Wisconsin recounts how his children suffered from high fevers and persistent coughs in December and January. Despite the symptoms mirroring COVID-19, doctors at the time attributed the illness to a generic virus, raising questions about how long the coronavirus may have been circulating in the U.S.

Health officials in Austin, Texas, issued a warning regarding a pertussis (whooping cough) exposure at a local event. The notice stated that even vaccinated individuals could contract and spread the disease. This leads to a discussion on the perceived decline in vaccine effectiveness compared to historical successes like the polio vaccine.

In Ashland, Oregon, a man named Neil Norman was killed by a motorist after he shot a chef and began firing at random cars on Interstate 5. In the UK, Prime Minister Theresa May suffered a severe coughing fit during a high-profile speech about the "British dream." The hosts compare her struggle to the "Hillary cough" and jokingly investigate the internet theory of "coke throat" as a potential cause for such vocal issues.

Hillary Clinton returned to her alma mater, Wellesley College, to deliver a commencement address marked by a recurring coughing fit that required medical assistance from aides. During the speech, Clinton reflected on her time as a student in 1969 and discussed her path from graduation to winning the popular vote in the 2016 presidential election.

Adam Curry describes a severe coughing fit that resulted in a pulled muscle in his side, comparing the physical pain to a sports injury. He mentions a recent appearance on a Dutch radio show where he struggled to maintain his voice. The discussion details his difficulty sleeping and the intensity of the physical strain caused by the illness.

During a rally in Florida, Hillary Clinton appeared to struggle with vocal strain, which some observers linked to her ongoing "coughing" issues. The candidate was seen using lozenges and "powering through" a raspy voice while discussing her Methodist faith. The segment analyzes her vocal projection techniques used to overcome physical congestion during the campaign.

Hillary Clinton experienced a prolonged coughing fit during a Labor Day campaign event in Cleveland, Ohio, which lasted over four minutes. The incident, which occurred while she was accompanied by Tim Kaine and Marsha Fudge, sparked intense media speculation regarding her physical health. Despite Clinton attributing the episode to seasonal allergies, weather reports indicated a low pollen count in Cleveland on that date.

One of the hosts discusses a lifelong struggle with a sniffing compulsion related to Tourette's and the technical challenges it poses for audio noise gates. To mitigate the issue, they purchased a foot-operated cough switch. Paradoxically, the host finds that having the switch available has significantly reduced the psychological compulsion to sniff during the broadcast.

Hillary Clinton is seen pivoting toward the general election while continuing to face questions about a persistent cough during interviews. The hosts play a clip of Chuck Schumer enthusiastically endorsing Clinton and discuss her strategy of linking Trump's rhetoric to the broader Republican party.

Hillary Clinton experienced a prolonged coughing fit during a speech at a black cultural center in Harlem, which lasted several minutes. CNN reported that Clinton was "choked up" with emotion, but the hosts argue this was a deceptive framing of a physical health struggle. They examine the footage to highlight the severity of the bronchial episode and criticize the media for covering for her.