There are plenty of things to fear when it comes to the coronavirus.
Like how quickly it spreads, for example. Or the rising infection and death numbers that the media ghouls gleefully update every few minutes whenever you dare turn on the TV.
But there’s something else about this virus that’s even more terrifying. Something that makes it seem almost sinister and ripped from the plot of a horror movie.
This new coronavirus doesn’t just make people sick. It seems to know who’s ALREADY ill or weak. And it targets those folks who are the most vulnerable among us.
- You’ve heard about how it rips through nursing homes.
- You’ve seen how it hones in on seniors.
- And right here in Healthier Talk, you’ve read about how it strikes rapidly in folks already suffering from life-threatening conditions such as heart disease and diabetes.
And now, new research has revealed yet one more way this bug targets a specific group of folks. But this time it’s good news in a way. Because this new factor is something we CAN control.
The habit that could DOUBLE severe COVID-19 risk
Raise your hand if you have a bad habit or two.
It’s OK, don’t feel bad. I’ve got BOTH hands up myself. We’re only human after all, right? And that means we’re going to make a few mistakes along the way.
But today, I want to have a chat about smoking.
It turns out whether you’re a smoker now or in the past… or just live, work, or spend time with a smoker… you too are in a more vulnerable coronavirus risk group.
Damage to your lungs from smoking or even from secondhand smoke increases your risk of a more serious and potentially more deadly case of COVID-19. And we’re not talking about a small bump in risk either. A recent study revealed smoking DOUBLES your chances of getting a more severe infection.
Secondhand smoking could spread the virus
But wait, it gets worse. Experts say the smoke itself is a potential source of transmission for the virus. A new report on Health.com finds that while it hasn’t been extensively studied yet, it’s “plausible” that the virus can hitch a ride in that haze of smoke.
After all, it’s not just tobacco residue being exhaled when you’re smoking. It’s a cloud of respiratory droplets that have traveled from the lungs into the air around the smoker. And anyone who inhales that secondhand smoke is also inhaling anything else hiding in those particles including coronavirus.
So, while most people remove the mask when they get home, if you live with a smoker you might want to reconsider. Your safest bet is to wear one inside the house, too.
Remember, many folks are asymptomatic or pre-symptomatic and carrying around the coronavirus bug without even realizing it. So even if you feel fine if you’re a smoker, you could infect other folks. And if you don’t smoke but live with a smoker, you may be at higher risk for catching the virus.
Don’t beat yourself up if you have a bad habit or two. But if smoking IS on the list, it’s time to make a plan to beat this one.
Need help kicking the habit? There’s a reason for that. Find out why scientists say quitting smoking can be a LOT like quitting cocaine… and three PROVEN remedies that can help you do it anyway… by clicking here.
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