Background:
Lupus erythematosis is an autoimmune disease. Chloroquine or hydroxychloroquine are used to treat lupus erythematosis by acting as an immunosuppressive. In around Dec 2010/Jan 2020, Chinese doctors discovered that no patients with lupus erythematosis became ill with COVID-19 and hypothesized that the chloroquine or hydroxychloroquine that they were taking might be the reason.
What is the mistaken reasoning here?
- Patients with lupus erythematosis who are taking immunosuppressives are medically vulnerable. They know this. Hence, under normal conditions–to say nothing of under conditions of a pandemic (at the time epidemic)–they are the most likely to take precautions such as social distancing, hand-washing, and mask-wearing. This is probably a case of false cause.