ACE2 and infection: Next, we tested whether the metalloprotease inhibitors also impaired infection of A549‐ACE2 cells with clinical isolates of SARS‐CoV‐2 (SARS‐CoV‐2‐MUC‐IMB‐1 and Innsbruck 1.2 isolate) and whether they would also reduce infection with the new, more rapidly spreading alpha (B.1.1.7), beta (B.1.351), delta (B1.617.2) and omicron (B.1.1.529) variants of SARS‐CoV‐2 (preprint: Tegally et al, 2020; Thi Nhu Thao et al, 2020).