The cleavage of IRF3 could explain the enigmatically blunted type-I IFN response that have been noted at early stages of SARS-CoV-2 infections, while the 3CLpro mediated cleavage of NLRP12 might explain the hyperinflammatory response observed at later stages in severe COVID-19 cases [32,33]. Here, IRF3 is linked to COVID-19.