Letter to the editor: Hopeful treatments for covid-19

Tests by many have given great hope that hydroxycholorquine and also in combination with Z-Pak (azithromycin) will help patients tremendously. There are trials starting, and the CEO of pharmaceutical Novartis just said this: “Preclinical studies in animals, as well as the first data from clinical studies, show that hydroxychloroquine kills the coronavirus.”

There also is hope it could actually prevent many cases until a vaccine is available. The Salk “Pittsburgh” polio vaccine took a year. A double- blind study will take months and needs volunteers willing to take the drug or placebos.

Here’s a possible set of data that can move the goal post: Get data from all those tested that were positive. Gather their very recent medical histories: Document those who were taking hydroxycholorquine before the test for either malaria, lupus, erythematosus or rheumatoid arthritis. Do the same for those taking it and also taking Z-Pak such as for a bacterial infection.

Separate data as to smokers and nonsmokers (smokers are at twice the risk for severe cases compared to nonsmokers per the New England Journal of Medicine, likely due to affecting cell receptors, so they may be more at risk to be positive).

Compare the data who were tested negative (similar to data for taking placebos?).

First get data for the U.S., then other countries. In the meantime, ramp up U.S. production of both — some drug company could make a polypill combo.

Frank Kushner

Delmont