Recent observational studies show mixed results for COVID-19-related stroke risk with one small study suggesting an increased risk in younger patients,42 one large study showing an overall low risk,43 and one very large study paradoxically showing that COVID-19 infection is associated with a decreased risk of thrombotic cerebrovascular stroke.44 A mechanistic explanation for these observations is entirely speculative, though aspirin does reduce production of interleukin-6 (IL-6), a cytokine with demonstrated neuroprotective effects.45,46. This evidence concerns the gene IL6 and COVID-19.