Sex hormones may play a part in males having a higher risk of mortality from COVID-19. Estrogen in particular may increase the ability of females to be better at fighting viral infections. In general, males are more likely to disregard their health including not staying at home and/or following physical distancing guidelines. Having grown up being taught to be self-sufficient (for everyone but themselves), they may perceive self-care as an admission of weakness. Another contributor is a failure to get tested for the virus when symptoms occur. Thus, males may be in a weakened immune state from the virus by the time they seek medical care. Some have pointed out that the average male ignores symptoms of not only COVID-19 but other potentially life-threatening conditions. More tomorrow.
©Arlene R. Taylor, PhD
