re: #90 Dr Lizardo

Could be a bit of a paradox. While it’s possible nicotine may block SARS-CoV-2, at the same time, smokers - and especially older smokers - are at greater risk as a lifetime of smoking has damaged and weakened the lungs. I would certainly imagine older smokers with COPD would be at the highest risk. Basically, nicotine consumption (through smoking) might prevent the infection (and that’s what’s being looked at), but at the same time, if they do get infected, they’re in serious danger.

That’s why the French are using nicotine patches - to see what, if any, effect nicotine in the bloodstream has on this novel coronavirus. The downside, of course, is that nicotine is highly addictive. Like I said, it could end up being a paradox. Let’s say it works and it can be shown that nicotine receptors help block infection by a significant percentage - great….you now have a much lower risk of getting infected and that would be good news. On the other hand, you end up addicted to nicotine, and that’s not such good news.

“Oh dear. These nicotine patches just kept me alive against a deadly virus, but now I’m addicted to nicotine.” I can easily think of worse outcomes. Like being unable to find the fucking butterfly in a puzzle designed for 4 year olds.