An article from the Washington Post by Ben Guarino and Frances Stead Sellers titled "Brains and COCID-19 have mysterious relationship", appeared in my Wichita Eagle. The Eagle choose not to post it online and the Washington Post requires a subscription to read theirs.
I found the article to be of great interest, as to the long term effects of the pandemic. However, I have chosen to retype what I think to be the most pertinent to our well being in the near future. It will even protect you against the common cold.
From the Post:
Most coronavirus infections begin with the inhalation of pathogens breathed in while suspended inside tiny droplets of body fluid someone else has expelled.
These infectious parcels can be smaller than the nostrils they pass through by a factor of THOUSANDS -- picture, for a similar sense of scale, being sucked into a mile-high maw of a tunnel.
Once inside, the virus begins to hijack cells lining the respiratory system. It exploits a human protein called an ACE2 receptor. This receptor studs the surface of many cells in our respiratory passages. The virus uses its spike protein like a skeleton key to ease open cells.
Cells in the nasal cavity appear particularly susceptible to an infection of the coronavirus.
Virus in the upper part of the nasal cavity, the olfactory mucosa, probably causes the loss of smell experienced by some people with covid.
(Remember my friend who took Zinc supplements to regain her LOST sense of smell? Download Zinc & Turmeric Covid-19.pages)
The Olfactory mucosa sits below the thin strip of perforated bone, known as the cribriform plate. Sensory neurons are threaded from above through those holes. The brain rests on the other side of that thin bone
It is clear the virus can get very close to the brain. What's less certain is whether the virus is able to penetrate deeper and invade it. This isn't simply an academic question - it has medial consequences.
End of Article
Why take the chance? That is why they say if you are not covering your nose with a mask you might as well not bother to wear one at all.
PLUS new book, just out today, one that you might want to read.
"Preventable: The Inside Story of How Leadership Failures, Politics, and Selfishness Doomed the U.S. Coronavirus Response", by Andy Slavitt.
From your friend in the kitchen, Judy
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