The severity of COVID‐19, the disease caused by the recent novel coronavirus (SARS‐CoV‐2) outbreak and characterized by high plasma levels of inflammatory mediators (e.g., IL‐1β, IL‐8, IFN‐γ, MCP1, and TNF‐α) 195 and symptoms of acute respiratory distress, has brought to the fore again the significant role of inflammation and the so‐called “cytokine storm” in the clinical outcomes of respiratory diseases.55, 56. The gene discussed is CXCL8; the disease is COVID-19.