Is Covid19 more a blood disease than Respiratory?

https://chemrxiv.org/articles/COVID-19_Disease_ORF8_and_Surface_Glycoprotein_Inhibit_Heme_Metabolism_by_Binding_to_Porphyrin/11938173

Hello Deep Thinker,

They are also exploring possibility that this virus like other coronaviruses can infect the CNS and negatively impact respiratory control and feedback mechanisms, causing blood biochemistry to rapidly become deranged and accelerated clinical  decline.  ( I include links to evidence for and against).  i.e. a 2 prong attack from virus. 

1) problems due to direct viral damage to airways

2) exacerbated by indirect brain damage by virus to breathing control centre in brain.

Blood borne is interesting.  Blood borne tends to activate the peripheral immune system which involves peripheral lymph nodes and the spleen, rather than the common mucosal immune system that involves lymph nodes of the gut and respiratory.   Both immune systems ( blood and mucosal ), are actually very different,  though they do interact. 

  The mucosal ( including respiratory), is much more influenced by microbiotic make up of host so is more variable in response even in genetically similar individuals.  I would still think of it being predominantly a respiratory pathogen, but once they can get some tracing on it then it will become clearer.  I may be wrong and it is  interesting and plausible view you put forward.  For example how does the virus get to the CNS is it via blood, or is it directly via ofactory route.

Concerning Chloroquine.

In vitro studies has historically shown chloroquinine to have strong antiviral properties, but the drug has always failed when trying to use it in humans for this purpose.  Hep C , HIV all tried but though it clearly killed virus in cell culture,  human trials were always disappointing. 

With Covid19  Virus  uses one of the human polymerases for replication that works within a very limited pH.  Chloroquine appears to be able to raise the intracellular pH enough to inhibit this polymerase and decrease viral replication.  However chloroquine also causes immunosuppression which is why it's used in autoimmune treatments like SLE.  Trying to get dosage right to balance viral killing Vs immunosuppression will be a challenge.  Chloroquinine never reached its antiviral potential in the past because if this.  Maybe this time it will be different.

Medcram on YouTube have fantastic information on the actions of chloroquine in Covid 19,  much better that I can give so look those up if interested. 

Excellent points you raise.

Hz x

Evidence for CNS  damage inhibiting respiration in Covid19

Evidence of the COVID-19 Virus Targeting the CNS: Tissue Distribution, Host-Virus Interaction, and Proposed Neurotropic Mechanisms. - PubMed - NCBIhttps://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/32167747

Evidence against CNS damage inhibiting respiratory in Covid19 19

Respiratory failure alone does not suggest central nervous system invasion by SARS-CoV-2. - PubMed - NCBIhttps://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/32246782

I found this, it seems to convincingly refute this theory:

https://healthfeedback.org/claimreview/claim-that-sars-cov-2-binds-to-hemoglobin-in-red-blood-cells-unsupported-and-implausible-andrew-gaiziunas/