Most severe COVID-19 cases exhibit an extreme increase in inflammatory cytokines, including IL-1β, IL-2, IL-6, IL-7, IL-8, IL-10, granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF), granulocyte macrophage-colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF), interferon-inducible protein-10 (IP10), monocyte chemotactic protein 1 (MCP1), macrophage inflammation protein-1α, IFN-γ, and TNF-α,2,3,12,15 representing a “cytokine storm”. The gene discussed is IL1B; the disease is COVID-19.