Thalassemia Minor and Coronavirus

Hi,

I have been wondering why the death toll for this virus in Italy is so high.  The thought occurred to me, is it because of the thalassemia minor presence there?  Then I read of an Italian Family in the US where 7 contracted the virus and so far 3 died.  No underlying conditions they say. Ages 50-75.  Could Thalassemia minor be a condition that is being ignored?  Just wondered what you thought.  I have Thalassemia minor as well as my daughter so it makes me nervous.

Thanks

My understanding is that one reason deaths in Northern Italy and China are so high is because air pollution is so high in both regions and tobacco smoking is also high in both nations, especially by men, which may account for some of the difference in death by gender. Respiratory ailments do complicate matters for infected people. The thalassemia patients that TIF is aware of, have not had any unusual problems when they ciontract the virus, but these reports are only anecdotal.