Search Results for coronavirus

Current evidence suggests that COVID-19 may have a higher fatality rate than the flu, but a definitive conclusion requires more studies

Preliminary studies have estimated a wide range of values for the IFR of COVID-19, ranging from 0.2 to 1.6%, which supports the claim that it is more lethal than the flu, which has an IFR of about 0.04%. However, it is difficult to accurately assess IFR in the middle of an outbreak of a previously unstudied disease, due to its unfamiliar clinical features, underestimation of infections, overloaded healthcare facilities, and the lack of effective treatments. Therefore, accurate estimates must wait for the completion of extensive studies worldwide.

Bakersfield physicians underestimate COVID-19 mortality using flawed statistics; wrongly claim sheltering in place causes weak immune system

The doctors wrongly used the number of COVID-19 positive cases in ER patients to extrapolate the prevalence rate of COVID-19 in the population. This caused sampling bias that overestimates the number of infections in the general population and consequently underestimates the COVID-19 mortality rate. Their claim that sheltering in place would lead to a weaker immune system due to less contact with microorganisms is also inaccurate, as even home environments are already seeded with trillions of microbes.

Claim that hydroxychloroquine-azithromycin improves COVID-19 recovery is unsupported at this stage

Clinical trials adhere to strict rules of design and execution. While abiding by these rules calls for lengthier or more complex trials, these rules are necessary to produce reliable results that can be used to conclusively identify effective therapies. Among the important rules of the scientific method, control groups are essential in order to provide an objective reference point. Contrary to numerous sensationalized headlines, many recent studies on the effects of hydroxychloroquine used alone or in combination with other drugs to treat COVID-19 have been inconclusive due to flawed study design.

Little to no evidence that smoking protects against COVID-19; may increase risk of complications instead

Preliminary studies showing a disproportionately low percentage of smokers among COVID-19 patients have led to suggestions that smoking protects against COVID-19. However, these studies have not demonstrated a causal association between smoking and a reduced risk of either SARS-CoV-2 infection or COVID-19 disease severity. Much more research is needed before any causal association can be established. Furthermore, the established science indicates that smoking increases the risk of developing respiratory infections and complications in general.

Eating alkaline food cannot prevent or cure COVID-19

Scientists have not determined the ideal pH environment for SARS-CoV-2. In addition, the cells of the tissues that SARS-CoV-2 primarily targets, including the lungs and intestines, maintain a very tightly controlled pH both inside and out in order to maintain cellular metabolism and proper enzyme activity. Altering pH in cells and tissues beyond a very narrow range would likely result in death.

Claim that SARS-CoV-2 binds to hemoglobin in red blood cells unsupported and implausible

The claim that COVID-19 causes hypoxia because the causative virus binds to hemoglobin in red blood cells is unsupported. Firstly, no scientific evidence demonstrates that SARS-CoV-2 can enter red blood cells. Secondly, the claim that the virus binds to hemoglobin is founded on the conclusions of a single pre-print, which solely involves computational analysis, without experimental verification or peer review. The mechanism proposed is also inconsistent with clinical evidence from COVID-19 patients.

Some evidence suggests that vitamin C and D supplementation might prevent or treat respiratory infections, but their effectiveness is still being tested with COVID-19

Although no public health agencies have recommended vitamins C or D as standard COVID-19 treatments, both have demonstrated some ability to shorten the length of respiratory infections by boosting the strength of the immune system. Vitamin D has also demonstrated the ability to reduce the risk of respiratory infection, especially in individuals who are vitamin D deficient. Many in the scientific and medical communities are recommending vitamin D supplementation or getting at least 15 minutes of sun exposure a day to prevent deficiencies.