Our understanding of this process is explained in Figure 2B, and clinical observation suggests the following: during early-stage COVID-19, in patients presenting with normal to slightly increased D-dimer levels, increased levels of fibrinogen, VWF and P-selectin and slightly activated platelets, if untreated, the clinical picture changes to a rapid increase in D-dimer; still higher levels of fibrinogen, VWF and P-selectin; and hyperactivation of platelets. The gene discussed is SELP; the disease is COVID-19.