Pollution is everywhere around us. I don't think many people are ignorant of this fact. In certain parts of the world, and within countries themselves, the levels of pollution vary. Pollution is breathed into our lungs, and this affects the severity of respiratory infections.
Source
As such, COVID-19 death rates are being affected by pollution levels. A new study has looked into this and confirms that "an increase of only 1 μg/m3 in PM2.5 is associated with an 8% increase in the COVID-19 death rate."
This means that only a slight increase in long-term pollution exposure will increase death rates by 8%. At least, according to the data they have on death counts, which are admittedly inflated. With revised and more accurate deaths actually caused by COVID-19, the percentage would assuredley decrease. People are dying from dehydration due to hospital neglect and having it count as a COVID death. That's a fact in Canada, as I was informed by someone I know who's grandmother died recently that way.
According to the study, you have a higher chance of dying if you have lived for 10 or more years in an area with one microgram per cubic meter of pollution more than someone else who lived with that much less pollution. Countries with higher pollution levels "will be the ones that have higher numbers of hospitalizations, higher numbers of deaths and where many of the resources should be concentrated."
Looking at the US, this would help to explain some of the high death counts in some US cities, like New York especially. China has rising numbers until the lockdown, which seems to have been initiated at its peak. But, it's possible that the number of deaths dropped when the lockdown forced less transportation and industry to pollute the air.
This was my hypothesis when faced with the varying extreme cases.
And, it seems logical that a disease that effects the repository system would hit those harder, who's lungs are already working extra from the environmental pollution.
I am unsure about China's numbers. Basically, at some point they just stopped reporting,
or the CCP just stopped testing,
or everyone was soooo scared, that going to the hospital would mean their family might be welded into their apartment.
The only stick in this ointment is smokers.
Smokers who are usually known for getting respiratory ailments worse... are seemingly more immune.
But, that seems to be taken care of by the study that tobacco smoke is taking up the receptors that the Wuhan-flu would attack.
Yeah, China probably did stop reporting. It's also possible a lot of cases dropped too, and maybe they didn't simply hide it all. We just don't know.
Is there any research done to look at smokers not being as susceptible? Does the tar protect their lings from the virus? lol
The one actual paper on the subject said that nicotine took up the receptors in the lungs that the Wuhan-virus would use. And so, the poor Wuhan-flu found no vacancies and left dejected.
Interesting information, it makes sense for a respiratory ailment would worsen the condition of an infected person. What of India then? They have a massive population, dense concentrations, and massive pollution in some areas of the country. Any idea why the a large outbreak has not erupted there? Perhaps their preventative methods were as quick and harsh like Vietnam's?
India is highly polluted. But it's hotter as well. The virus doesn't do too well in hotter climates. Maybe the reporting of deaths could be missing. And maybe coupled with that there isn't an agenda to report nearly all deaths as COVID-19 like other places.
As someone who probably had COVID, I can say that it hits the lungs the hardest.
I'm sure no one would disagree with this statement.
I had a lingering cough for over 8 weeks.
Even smoking weed will exacerbate the issue.
Even smoking a vape will do the same.
I feel bad for cigarette smokers.
If you get the thing, stop smoking if you can.
Yeah it seems to be more like a hypoxic injury for some lately than a respiratory illness. I hope you are healed now ;)
According to the study, you have a higher chance of dying if you have lived for 10 or more years in an area with one microgram per cubic meter of pollution more than someone else who lived with that much less pollution.
Does that means countries like Italy, US, Germany, Spain and UK have the worst air pollution?
I wouldn't agree with that.
The last time I checked, I think Bangladesh, India was on the top list of the world most polluted countries. I agree that people can die from dehydration, but if the pollution issue has a huge effect on covid19 patients, then countries like bangladesh, and others listed in this link should at the top list of covid19 fatality.
https://www.iqair.com/world-most-polluted-countries
This is just my opinion, I might be wrong. I'm new on hive. Did my first post yesterday. Thank you.
Hotter climates do better on COVID. Surely, India is bad, but it's not like pollution is the only factor though.