All kidding and jibes aside, this is important because almost everyone here either suffers from one of several diseases that make them more susceptible to succumbing to Covid-19, or has a family member or dear friend who does.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/healt...63d_story.html
The article mentions that
People who have chronic medical conditions, such as diabetes, lung disease and heart disease, face an increased chance of being hospitalized with covid-19 and put into intensive care, according to data released Tuesday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that is consistent with reports from China and Italy. (please avoid eye rolling just because China is mentioned).
There was an article in The Lancet two weeks ago about a study (un reviewed at the time) suggesting that the correlation was actually due to certain medications used to treat these illnesses.
ARB blockers and Ace Inhibitors apparently assist in the expression of an enzyme (ACE2) to which the SARS-CoV-2 (novel coronavirus) binds to target cells. Apparently,
Ibuprofin acts in the same manner.
Original Lancet article here:
https://www.thelancet.com/journals/l...116-8/fulltext
There have been duelling studies ever since, most of the details of which I admittedly don't understand. But there appears to be a correlation, be it on account of the underlying conditions or the medicines used to combat them.
Obviously, you cannot take people off life-saving medication. But it would make sense to protect these people even more than you might otherwise. And maybe change analgesics to ASA or Acetaminophen.