Studies have revealed that the ARDS due to severe COVID-19 is associated with acute lymphopenia5; excessive production of proinflammatory cytokines, including IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α6 and activation of B and T cells, NK cells, innate lymphoid cells, and myeloid cells including neutrophils and monocytes7. The gene discussed is IL1B; the disease is COVID-19.