ACE2 and Obesity: Although the underlying mechanisms are still unclear, literature has indicated potential reasons why obesity may be a risk factor for severe COVID-19 infection and higher mortality: the presence of uncontrolled chronic obesity-related comorbidities (19), impaired pulmonary function, elevated angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) expression (20), chronic inflammation (13), oxidative stress and lipotoxicity (5).