Why does the coronavirus kill and impact elderly people the most?

Question: Why does the coronavirus kill and impact elderly people the most?
- Keywords:
  Coronavirus
Asked by fince to Ricardo on 19 Mar 2020.
- Ricardo Sanchez answered on 19 Mar 2020:
  
  The virus infects the lungs and somehow diminishes our ability to take oxygen from the environment. Elderly people usually have lower lung capacity (their breaths are not as strong as the one of a young person). This means that if they are infected, there is an additional factor that makes it even more difficult for them to breath properly. Also they have a lower immune system which means it will take them longer to naturally fight the virus off their body.

Mod Em commented on 20 Mar 2020:

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Question: Why does the coronavirus kill and impact elderly people the most?