Posts published by our team from July 13 to July 17, 2020:
July 13: Up in Smoke with COVID-19
Our author Ryan goes through a paper published in Cell by researchers from Cold Spring Harbour Laboratory. Researchers compared the lungs of smokers and non-smokers, finding higher levels in smokers of ACE2, a key protein used by SARS-CoV-2 to enter cells. They also identified larger populations of lung cells that produce ACE2 in the lungs of smokers. This points to smoking as a compounding factor in infection with SARS-CoV-2.
July 15: Does Physical Distancing and the Use of Face Masks and Eye Protection Prevent COVID-19 Transmission?
Our new author Dorothy explains this paper published in the Lancet by researchers as part of the COVID19 SURGE study. Researchers in the present study found that 1-2m of physical distance can help decrease the spread of COVID-19. Furthermore, it was found that face masks and eye protection can also help decrease COVID-19 cases. Wear a mask!
