While it is plausible that elevated baseline anti-viral IFNα/β and ISGs, including MxA, contribute to the variable progression of COVID-19 and other viral infections in patients with SCD, it is certain that other inflammatory responses, including production of IL-1b, TNFα, and IL-6, also significantly contribute to the anti-viral response (23). The gene discussed is MX1; the disease is COVID-19.