Editorial: low population mortality from COVID-19 in countries south of latitude 35 degrees North-supports vitamin D as a factor determining severity. Authors' reply

Abstract

We read with interest the comments by Rhodes et al, and Panarese and Shahini, regarding a potential association between vitamin D levels and risk of severe coronavirus‐19 disease (COVID‐19).^{1, 2} Their cogent arguments regarding low dose vitamin D supplementation during a period of lockdown, particularly in areas of low sunlight exposure and low baseline vitamin D levels, appear reasonable in the context of bone protection. However, whether this association carries forward to a protective effect against severe COVID‐19 remains tenuous, and best regarded with caution.