Understanding COVID: Risk Factors and How to Protect Yourself

In recent weeks, we’ve seen a growing list of disturbing statistics about how Black, Hispanic, Tribal communities and some other racial, ethnic, and disadvantaged socioeconomic groups are bearing the brunt of COVID-19.

For example, a Washington Post analysis revealed that in places such as Chicago and Louisiana, African Americans account for 67-70 % of COVID-19-related deaths, respectively, while representing only 32 percent of the population. Experts expect to see more numbers like these as more states and cities report these statistics.

Recent epidemiology studies have identified the following  mortality risk factors for COVID-19:

  • advanced age (65 or older)

  • hypertension

  • serious heart conditions

  • obesity 

  • male sex

  • type 2 diabetes

  • chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

  • chronic kidney disease

  • immunocompromised state

  • current cigarette smoker  

Even those that don’t have any of the above-mentioned risk factors can be infected by COVID-19 and suffer serious health consequences.  So we all need to stay vigilant by wearing a mask and maintaining safe social distancing.  There are also things we can do to reduce our risk of serious outcomes related to COVID-19: 

  • Maintain a healthy diet: Eat a diet rich in vegetables and low in animal proteins and energy-dense refined carbohydrates

  • Do daily aerobic exercise: Just 30 minutes a day can help to stay healthy in body and mind

  • Do daily weight bearing exercise: This helps to build anti-inflammatory muscle and reduce inflammatory fat cells

  • Practice mindfulness for stress reduction by doing yoga, meditation or qigong

  • Get sufficient vitamin D by supplementation and getting out in the sun (for light skinned individuals). Vitamin D deficiency (VDD) adversely impacts our immune system.  It can increase risk of essential hypertension (a COVID-19 risk factor) and lead to a prothrombotic state (higher risk of blood clots commonly seen in morbidly ill COVID-19 individuals).  The risk for VDD is substantial among African Americans (>70%) and other BIPOC groups with dark complexions. The elderly, people with sedentary lifestyles, and those who regularly wear clothes that cover most of the body also have an elevated risk for VDD.
    PRACTICAL INFORMATION ON VITAMIN D HERE

  • Melatonin: Melatonin is an endogenous hormone involved in circadian rhythm control with anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative effects that is shown to be protective against bacterial and viral infections. Clinical studies are underway to determine whether melatonin (2 mg daily) can help reduce serious lung damage related to the COVID-10 cytokine  storm. 

Finally, WEAR A MASK!

Along with social distancing, a mask provides additional protection from infecting others as well as preventing exposure.  Here, Surgeon General,  Dr. Jerome Adams, shares ways to create your own face covering in a few easy steps: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tPx1yqvJgf4

Most studies to date have measured the efficiency of various masks to block respiratory droplets.  One study found that the blocking efficiency of a commercial medical mask was 96.3%, while the blocking efficiency of a used dish cloth (85% polyester and 15% nylon) was slightly better -- 97.9%, and the dish cloth was more breathable than the material in a medical mask. (Aydin, medRxiv 2020 --preprint). Another study at the University of Chicago and Argonne National Laboratory found that tightly woven, high-thread count cotton (600 thread-per-inch (TPI)) was more effective in filtering large droplets than loosely woven cotton with a lower thread count, while fabrics with an electrostatic charge (such as silk and chiffon) were best for blocking aerosols - the smaller sized droplets that remain suspended in air for extended amounts of time. Using layers of both fabrics, together, was most effective for blocking both large and small droplets.

Nicole Skibola