Minimize COVID Risk: Button Down your Calcium Channels

Dr. Martin Pall, PhD, Professor Emeritus of Biochemistry and Basic Medical Sciences at Washington State University, said it best. “Putting in tens of millions of 5G antennae without a single biological test of safety has got to be about the stupidest idea anyone has had in the history of the world.”

Here are three seemingly disparate facts. Fact 1:  Calcium ions play a role in the replication cycle of viruses. Fact 2: Calcium channel blockers, medicines used to control high blood pressure, are associated with improved mortality and decreased risk for mechanical ventilation in elderly adults diagnosed with COVID-19. Fact 3: Electromagnetic frequencies (EMFs) activate (open) calcium channels. Each fact, taken alone might generate an “Oh, that is interesting.” Taken together they warrant a collective “Oh My God!”  

When COVID-19 came to our shores, a flurry of videos appeared blaming EMFs, specifically 5G, for the virus. Soon, according to the April 24, 2020 edition of The New Yorker, citizens burned or destroyed more than 20 5G cell phone towers in England. But 5G does not cause COVID-19. The question is whether or not it facilitates the spread of the virus, or other viruses for that matter. Let’s examine the biological evidence.

The first barrier against the invasion of viruses is the cell plasma membrane. This membrane has openings or channels that allow movement of substances in and out of the cell. Imagine a cell plasma membrane as a semi permeable wall around a city that interacts with the surrounding countryside via different types of channels. The channels have gates to control the flow of materials in and out of the cell. Now imagine that those gates open and close via electric motors. This is one nontechnical way to conceptualize voltage gated calcium channels (VGCCs). These channels are normally closed, but when subjected to minute voltages they open, allowing the higher concentrations of calcium outside the cells to enter the cells through the channel. VGCCs facilitate communication within the cell and between the cell and its surrounding environment. The strength of the voltage determines the number of calcium ions going through the channel, thus regulating activities in the cell.  Calcium channel blockers block VGCCs. For example, some calcium channel blockers reduce the calcium flow that excites the heart muscle. This reduces the force of contraction, reducing blood pressure.

The authors of a 2009 article in Cell write, “Calcium ions play a role in almost every step in the virus replication cycle.” Calcium is essential for virus entry, replication, and release from cells.” Calcium channels are the routes by which viruses enter the cell. One of the strategies viruses use is to open (activate) voltage gated calcium channels. This facilitates the infection process while increasing the likelihood of viral spread and the death of the host cells.  Scientists have known for some time that calcium channel blockers exhibit antiviral properties. Verapamil, a calcium channel blocker has been known to inhibit influenza A virus infectivity. Several studies have found that calcium channel blockers reduce infectivity and severity of COVID-19.

A May 12^th, 2020, article in Cureus by Dr Isaac Solaimanzadeh demonstrates the possible effectiveness of calcium channel blockers in treating COVID-19. Calcium channel blocker amlodipine besylate is associated with reduced case fatality rate of COVID-19 patients with hypertension) The authors retrospectively reviewed outcomes with elderly COVID-19 patients. Twenty-four of them, the calcium blocker group (CCB) had been taking one of two calcium channel blockers, nifedipine or amlodipine. Forty-one, the non-CCB group had not received any calcium channel blockers. In the CCB patients, 12 survived (50%) and 12 (50%) died. In the non-CCB patients six survived (14.6%) and 35 (85.4%) died. Four percent of the CCB group required intubation while 39 percent of the non-CCB group required it. For the reader of scientific journals, these results were highly significant, p=.0036 and  p=.0026. Solaimanzadeh concludes, “Calcium channel blockers were significantly associated with improved mortality and a decreased risk for mechanical ventilation in these patients.” They reduced viral load by restricting entry of calcium into the cells.

Now we get to the third fact. Dr. Pall states that over 20,000 scientific publications have reported substantial biological effects from EMF exposures well within current safety standards. Electromagnetic radiation fields act via activation of voltage-gated calcium channels to produce beneficial or adverse effects. Effects include male and female infertility; lowered melatonin/sleep disruption; cardiac changes; and diverse neuropsychiatric effects. Among other biological effects, EMFs activate voltage gated calcium channels by oscillating free ions on both sides of the plasma membrane. Dr Pall is the first to provide a comprehensive biological explanation how nonthermal EMFs, heretofore presumed to contain insufficient energy to affect cells, produce these effects. Minute voltage from the electromagnetic radiation passing through the body causes the voltage gates to open, effectively amplifying the effects. When an informed public demands it, extensive recalibration for safe industry standards will be necessary.

Is there an association between covid-19 cases/deaths and 5G in the United States? Dr. Havas, PhD, retired University of Toronto professor, reviewed infection rates in states with and without 5G. She found the 5G states to have 95% higher case count and 126% higher COVID deaths per million compared to the non-5G states. The number of COVID-19 tests is roughly equivalent. Correlation is not causation, but this finding warrants further research.

To summarize, viruses and EMFs synergistically activate voltage gated calcium channels, facilitating viral entry into human cells. Calcium channel blockers inhibit this process. EMFs open the channels, it is only logical that absence of EMFs returns the channels to their normally closed position. Interestingly, according to the CDC the number of people who tested positive for the flu virus in 2019 had never been higher. As the build out of 5G continues apace, we can assume that EMF levels have never been higher. Research to quantify the effects of EMF on virus infectivity and severity is needed, particularly in light of the COVID-19 crisis.

As EMFs increasingly dominate our airwaves, homosapiens (wise men) will be able to download movies in just seconds. Meanwhile, EMFs are likely contributing to the spread of COVID-19 and the flu. Our species is promoting this throughout the world.  Still, individuals may be able to reduce the chance of getting viruses or lessening their effects by minimizing EMF exposure. Perhaps a future public service announcement will declare, “Use a mask, wash your hands, and button down your calcium channels by avoiding EMFs.