[frankbeerstein]

I agree. There is a +6% increase in COVID-19 mortality for those with hypertension. Assume all were on BP meds. They're cheap, & doctors usually insist. If ACEs or ARBs were protective, it should be more like -6%. Right? Losartan = 400% more ACE2, Lisinopril = 100% more ACE2.

Elderly people are usually on BP meds. Diabetics are frequently prescribed Losartan to protect their kidneys. I know. I am a diabetic, and was prescribed it for that reason and also for high BP.

As a diabetic over 50 with high BP I have a greater interest than most. Especially since my wife was exposed to coronavirus, is sick, and I am starting to feel unwell.

Stopped taking losartan yesterday. Have some tenofovir lying around and might start taking it. It's the only antiviral I was able to get my hands on. Hopefully my chloroquine arrives in the mail soon.

[Bach-4ever]

I read a paper that suggested caffeic acid was the anti-viral component of elderberry extract that was actually inhibiting HCoV-NL63 viral attachment and infection of human lung cells in vitro (Virus Research, 273 (2019)197767). This paper speculated that caffeic acid binds to ACE2 and inhibits viral attachment and infection via this route. Another paper suggested 95% absorption in humans dosed with 500 mg in 200 mL of hot water. A third paper that looked at 2-year study in SD rats suggested pro-carcinogenic properties, but many other papers suggest anti-oxidant/anti-inflammatory/anti-carcinogenic properties. If I start to come down with it, I think I'm going to do a 500 mg caffeic acid dose.