Biotech Values

[vinmantoo]

"There is a theory that the drug treatment could be helpful," Cuomo said. "We have people who are in serious condition and (state Health Commissioner Dr. Howard Zucker) feels comfortable, as well as a number of other health professionals, that in a situation where a person is in dire circumstance, try what you can." (This is the point, Vin, Clark, et. al.)

I understand but why people are saying just try, it can't hurt. However, it seems to me to be way too much hopes being thrown onto HCQ alone or in combination with an antibiotic for a viral infection, even on this board with little data. Do I hope it works, and works well? Sure. I understand the urgency but this board is usually more rigorous and careful.


https://www.biospace.com/article/hydroxychloroquine-and-z-pak-may-be-effective-treatment-for-covid-19/


As far as Azithromycin, this article by Julie Gerberding (CDC director 2002-2009) says early studies suggest 1 in 7 hospitalized patients get secondary bacterial pneumonia and 50% of them die. How that compares to those without bacterial infection isn't mentioned but the linked article would indicate it is higher than without bacterial infection. Azithromycin takes some 5 days to start working.

https://www.statnews.com/2020/03/23/antibiotic-resistance-hidden-threat-lurking-behind-covid-19/