GCV might be particularly propitious to drive Type I IFN responses to prevent stroke and viral replication in the context of COVID-19 infection where IFN countermeasures are inhibited.40,41 In cell culture systems, the STING agonist dimeric amidobenzimidazole (diABZI) has been shown to demonstrate anti-coronavirus activity against HCoV-229E and SARS-CoV-2.42 DiABZI’s antiviral activity depends on TBK1-IRF activation and the type I IFN response.42 GCV thus may diminish the increased risk of stroke and long COVID-19 syndrome seen in patients infected with SARS-COV2. The gene discussed is IFNA1; the disease is Stroke.