OK, some thoughts about noses and #SARSCoV2 infection. There is increasing epidemiological evidence that people who improperly wear masks -- not covering their noses -- or use face shields instead of snug masks are likely to get infected, #COVID19. This may explain...
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..the lower risk for small children.
Here's the logic.
1.) #SARSCoV2 enters cells via ACE2 receptors. Those are plentiful on cells lining nostrils.
2.) One symptom of #COVID19 is loss of smell -- which may be due to this infection route. MORE
advances.sciencemag.org/content/advanc…
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3.) The cells that have ACE2 receptors, lining nasal passages, are sparse & poorly developed in babies and young children. MORE
jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/…
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4.) It's possible that children <10 yrs (or so) of age can't easily get infected w/a sufficient dose of viruses to cause #COVID19, which cld offer biology to support what epi indicates --- very few sick or dying youngsters in this #pandemic : Not zero risk, but rare.
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Some countries have adopted school strategies that reopen for K-to-6 or 7 grade, but are remote-only for teens (ages 12/13 to 18 yrs). The older kids are, the more easily they get infected & can act as transmitters.
So these biology/epi findings may inform school policy.
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