Clinical application of IFNβ-ACE2 via nebulized aerosols directly to the pulmonary system would be of potential benefit during infection with ACE2-targeting viruses in patients who are asymptomatic, pre-symptomatic, or presenting with mild to severe disease including ARDS or cytokine-release/vascular-leak immunopathology. The gene discussed is ACE2; the disease is acute respiratory distress syndrome.