Although type III IFNs restrict SARS-CoV-2 infection in intestinal and airway epithelial cells [18, 24–28] and STING agonism reduces SARS-CoV-2 infection [29–32], context-dependent damaging effects of type III IFNs on airway epithelia during viral infections have been described as well [33, 34]. This evidence concerns the gene STING1 and viral infectious disease.