Push for patches
“ COVID 19 is understood to bind to ACE 2 receptors. It appears to have a disruptive effect on the homeostasis of the Renin Angiotensin System (1). Nicotine is an ACE-agonist. It has been shown to be protective in acute inflammatory reactions in ARDS probably by decreasing inflammatory cytokine production by macrophages and other mononuclear cells (2).
In this new disease smokers seem to have particularly poor outcomes (3). We postulate that at least in chronic smokers, the disruption of the normal Renin Angiotensin System is exacerbated by nicotine withdrawal leading to exacerbation of acute lung injury. We suggest that the simple use of Nicotine patches should be urgently considered and discussed.”
https://www.bmj.com/content/368/bmj.m406/rr-25
I thought this was nuts. But it seems that nicotine is an Ace2 inhibitor. So, France is starting a clinical trial with patches
https://apple.news/AiN__xKvPT8SEeOGi19PWNQ