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In contrast, the United States is being hit striking correlation between exposure to particulate air pollution and the
very hard. Within the U.S., New York State— likelihood of dying from Covid-19. They decided to investigate a pos-
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and New York City, in particular—stand out as sible link because air pollution increases lung disease risks, which leads
the epicenter of the storm. As of this writing, to a greater vulnerability to lung infection. The Harvard Institute’s study
over twenty thousand people in New York State population included over three thousand U.S. counties, representing 98
are reported to have died from Covid-19. Hospi- percent of the population. The researchers examined averaged values for
tals in New York City have been overwhelmed particulate levels for each county from 2000 to 2016. They found that an
with cases requiring intensive care. Partly this increase of only one microgram per cubic meter in fine particulate matter
is because the city is an international hub with was associated with a 15 percent increase in the death rate from Covid-19.
flights arriving in a constant stream from distant There is something else that distinguishes New York City from other
parts of the world. And of course, the inherent cities. This is the fact that the city has played a leading role in promoting
high population density means that it is much the use of fuels derived from plants to try to reduce the consumption of
more difficult to implement social distancing petroleum and the amount of carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere,
effectively. However, the number of people with the stated goal of curbing global climate change. The past decade
experiencing acute symptoms necessitating has been an exciting time in the advancement of technology to convert
hospitalization seems way out of line compared biomass into usable fuel. New York State has a large number of manu-
to most other places. facturing plants where biomass from various sources is processed into
biofuels (see Figure 1). The state also encourages homeowners to use
THE ROLE OF AIR POLLUTION biofuel in home heating oil, offering a tax break to those who use a blend
One possibility to consider as a causative containing at least 5 percent biodiesel heating oil. In New York City, it
factor in Covid-19 is air pollution. Scientific has been mandatory to use at least 5 percent biodiesel home heating oil
investigations have revealed that viruses are since September 30, 2017.
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present in the nanoparticles in polluted air,
and it is suspected that the viruses can linger RISK FACTORS FOR POOR OUTCOME IN COVID-19
longer as infective agents when trapped in Several studies provide information on comorbidities associated with
these nanoparticles. Whatever the role of these increased risk to severe Covid-19 disease. Fortunately, children seem to
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viruses, a study conducted by researchers at be much less susceptible than adults. The risk of dying becomes remark-
the Harvard Institute for Public Health found a ably higher for the elderly compared to the younger adult population, and

ARTICLE SUMMARY
• One reason for the significant differences in Covid-19 susceptibility around the world may be the underlying toxicity
burden of the population in each region. For example, studies have found a striking correlation between exposure
to particulate air pollution and the likelihood of dying from Covid-19.

• All of the Covid-19 hot spots share a common thread of a high rate of adoption of fuels derived from biomass,
nearly all of which can be predicted to be heavily contaminated with glyphosate.
• Glyphosate could be released along various stages of biodiesel fuel production and use.

• Animal studies comparing biodiesel fuel with standard diesel for their potential toxic effects indicate that biodiesel
may be significantly more toxic.

• Glycerin is a major waste product of biodiesel production, and both glycerin and its byproduct propylene glycol
are e-cigarette additives. Symptoms seen in vaping illness match closley with symptoms of Covid-19.

• Multiple mechanisms of glyphosate toxicity can plausibly explain the acute reaction to Covid-19 seen in patients
who end up in the ICU.

• It is plausible that the rapid rollout of 5G may work synergistically with glyphosate to enhance effects seen in those
with Covid-19. Annual influenza vaccination may also have increased some individuals’ susceptibility to an acute
response to Covid-19.
• The key to protecting oneself from Covid-19 is to strengthen the innate immune system. This includes eating a
certified organic whole foods diet, spending significant time outside in the sunlight without sunscreen or sunglasses
and avoiding toxic exhaust fumes as much as possible.

SUMMER 2020 Wise Traditions 27