For those playing at home...
BBC News Online
Coronavirus doctor's diary: The strange case of the choir that coughed in January
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-52589449
It wouldn't be surprising if this has been around for much longer, than currently accepted. The trouble is, many of the symptoms are similar to other viruses, so without an antibody test, there's no way of knowing for sure.
Another worrying thing is there's an increased risk of death in ethnic minorities, especially in black people.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-52602467It's really frustrating the media seem to be jumping to the immediate conclusion that social and economic factors are the reason for this, rather than something biological. It's widely accepted men are more likely to die from COVID-19, than women, given equal risk factors such as age and co-morbidities and this is likely to be genetic, so why is it unacceptable to consider this might be possible for other ethic groups?
I think vitamin D deficiency could be a significant factor. People with darker skin make vitamin D less efficiently than those with light skin and vitamin D is important for proper function of the immune system. Vitamin supplements are cheap and giving them free to non-whites would no doubt save lives.
Going back on topic. Employers should focus more on protecting those more at risk from COVID-19, than those in lower risk groups. Older, non-white men should be given priority for working from home, or in roles which don't require mixing with others, over those in lower risk groups, such as younger white women. Supermarkets should try to move as many of their higher risk employees to non-customer facing roles, such as working in the warehouse, rather than at a checkout. So what if that means customers notice more younger, white female staff on the shop floor and checkouts, than older black men? It will save lives. I'm all for giving people equal opportunities, but this virus doesn't give everyone the same opportunity for life! Fuck political correctness - it's now costing lives!