Inhibition of caspases is commonly required to promote the activation of RIPK1 as the activation of caspase-8 can cleave RIPK1 after the N-terminal kinase domain which in turn inhibits the activation of RIPK1 kinase.51 Thus, it was surprising and unusual that infection with SARS-CoV-2 alone was sufficient to promote the activation of RIPK1. The gene discussed is CASP8; the disease is infection.