The prevalence of de novo diabetes post COVID and the disease's deleterious effects on diabetics has caused me to look intensely at the pancreas. In particular, ?1-integrins, which mediates important functions ranging from adhesion and migration of progenitor cell populations, to cell survival and secretory functions of adult islet cells. 

This very same receptor is involved in the initiation of a process called Cornification, which the body uses to create hair, skin and other "dead" yet  biologically active cells.

The process of cornification begins under the control of p63, which is activated in COVID. 

Also, glucosylceramides and sphingomyelin are converted to ceramides and phospholipids are converted to free fatty acids and glycerol occur during  Cornification. These PRECISE mechanisms of lipid metabolism are at play in COVID. 

Another requirement for Cornification is a single episode of prolonged intracellular Ca2+ elevation, followed by rapid acidification. Such intracellular ionic changes facilitate organellar degradation events specific to SC corneocyte formation.