This might be a joke, but I'm "addicted" to nicotine gum (and don't otherwise smoke). I probably caught the virus early on, and it wasn't particularly bad for me (even compared to typical flu).

That's not even really a single data point, but I'm curious to see how this pans out.

> I probably caught the virus early on, and it wasn't particularly bad for me (even compared to typical flu).

Do you have reason to believe that, or were you sick in January/February and just kind of assume that was it, even though we were at the height of regular cold and flu season?

Just circumstantial. I was knocked down with something I self-diagnosed as "walking pneumonia", which turned out to be the thing a lot of these cases were diagnosed as before the virus was widely known. Several days after a flight. Main symptom was lots of coughing and some fever. Felt better after 7-10 days, but coughed frequently for several more weeks. Not really the aches of flu, nor any nasal/sinus symptoms--just totally wiped out.

Until we have antibody tests, no way to know. And I'm locked down hard--not assuming anything.

Would orally ingested nicotine protect lungs the same way that inhaled nicotine does?

Its far to premature to even conclude that inhaled nicotine protects the lungs. This is just one study. Don't do anything stupid, like go develop a nicotine addiction, just because of one headline.

Obviously I would never think of suggesting that people start smoking tobacco. My comment was meant to discourage people from leaping to conclusions and getting addicted to nicotine lozenges when, as far as I know, there is little that suggests they'd be beneficial.