A new study by researchers from Carnegie Mellon University says that the lockdown and isolation prescribed as the cure for the Coronavirus may instead be making us more vulnerable to the virus.

The researchers state that studies have shown that stress make people more susceptible to the flu and other respiratory problem. Similarly, the stress associated with avoiding family and friends may be making us more vulnerable to Covid.

Study Finds writes:

In other words, the stress one battles from avoiding friends and family and staying home all the time is making them more susceptible to respiratory viruses. This phenomenon hasn’t been proved regarding COVID-19 specifically, but such a relationship has been seen with cold and flu viruses.

“We know little about why some of the people exposed to the coronavirus that causes COVID-19, are more likely to develop the disease than others. However, our research on psychological factors that predict susceptibility to other respiratory viruses may provide clues to help identify factors that matter for COVID-19,” comments Sheldon Cohen, the Robert E. Doherty Professor of Psychology at Carnegie Mellon University, in a release.

READ: Quarantine bad for you? Study claims self-isolation might raise COVID-19 vulnerability

This may explain why states that did not initiate lockdowns because of the Coronavirus have a s 75% lower death rate from the virus. READ: COVID-19 death rate is 75% lower in states that didn’t lock down: WSJ

It may also explain why during one analysis of new hospital admissions for COVID in New York, that nearly 70% of the people who were admitted had been isolated or involved in the lockdown. READ: REVEALED: 66% of New York state coronavirus hospitalizations are people staying at HOME and NOT essential workers – which begs question: Does lockdown even work?