[Kazan]

Clearly, the patients damaged their lungs themselves as part of a political plot!

Or maybe they smoke or vape.

[steve86]

Vaping a concentrate with PG actually has a protective effect on alveoli.

[Jewbacca]

Really, what evidence do you have to support the theory that these were all smokers?

https://psychology.wikia.org/wiki/Disconfirmation_bias

[lastchance]

The virus is not a political plot. A portion of the reaction and measures taken because of the virus certainly have political undertones if not outright political motive.

[MeneMeneTekelUpharsin]

Or maybe they smoke or vape.

Nothing, but nothing seems to stop those folks. I don't believe it.

[moehoward]

“Clearly, the patients damaged their lungs themselves as part of a political plot!”
Or maybe they smoke or vape.
————————————

Interestingly Belgium ranks 7 in smoking. China is 15 and smoking along with their notoriously low air quality have been linked to their flu stats.