Additionally, we, along with others, have shown that expression of ORF3a in lung and kidney epithelial cells triggers host cellular innate oxidative stress and proinflammatory immune responses (14, –, 16) and induces apoptotic cell death through the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) mediated by cellular oxidative stress, as well as nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kB)-mediated TNFα (tumor necrosis factor-alpha) and interlukin-6 (IL-6) cytokine production (14, 15, 17), which are two strong and independent predictors of COVID-19-related death (18, 19). The gene discussed is TNF; the disease is COVID-19.