In conclusion a caveat: given that IRF5 is essential for normal immunity and that “cytokine storm” in SARS-CoV-2 infection indicates a failure of adaptive immunity to respond appropriately to enhanced (IRF5-mediated) innate signals, it follows that attempts to stop “cytokine storm” by damping down innate immunity should be combined with, or ideally replaced by, effective SARS-CoV-2 virucidal drugs, another high priority in COVID-19 research (154–156). Here, IRF5 is linked to COVID-19.