Conversely, we found that robust infection of replication-permissive hNEC cultures did not result in the production of the inflammasome-mediated cytokines IL-1β or IL-18, and that production of these cytokines during COVID-19 is likely due to myeloid cell sensing of SARS-CoV-2 rather than infection of respiratory epithelial cells. The gene discussed is IL18; the disease is COVID-19.