[fragmede]

Maybe. There's a pre-print, not-(yet?)-peer-reviewed paper[0] that theorizes that SARS-Cov-2 directly inhibits the ability of red blood cells to carry oxygen by binding in the place of iron (approximately)[1].

If this is true, then iron supplements could be dangerous, as too much iron is toxic, possibly fatal.

[0] The paper's abstract explicitly calls out the status of the research: "This paper is only for academic discussion, the correctness needs to be confirmed by other laboratories. Due to the side effects and allergic reactions of drugs such as chloroquine, please consult a qualified doctor for treatment details, and do not take the medicine yourself."

[1] https://chemrxiv.org/articles/COVID-19_Disease_ORF8_and_Surf...

[rjsw]

I was thinking more that our response to low oxygen levels at altitude is to make more red blood cells and you need iron to do that.

Plus if you are having problems shopping for food then green vegetables may not be your top priority.