In conclusion, protection against SARS-CoV-2 depends on: (i) eliciting an early non-exacerbated, innate immune response with limited early IFN production, (ii) inducing a robust cellular response without hyperactivation of T cells, (iii) inducing an effective humoral response with neutralizing antibody production, (iv) generating immunological memory and (v) producing cross-reactive, non-specific innate and adaptive immune responses to generate heterologous protection against COVID-19. The gene discussed is IFNA1; the disease is COVID-19.