COVID: Insights Gained, Lessons Unheeded

In January 2021 I wrote the first in what became a series of articles in Quadrant on the immunology and treatment of COVID-19. My objective was to give a balanced, science-based understanding of the immunopathology, for those without medical training, of COVID-19 and a critique of treatment options. As a clinical immunologist with 50 years of research into the relationship between infection of the airway and the immune response to it, I felt well placed to contribute to the discussion. My home University had recently awarded me a Doctor of Science and I was informed this was the first such award by that university.

At a time when COVID-19 was more severe, with 20 per cent admitted to hospital and a mortality in excess of 1 per cent, the mantra was “stay at home until you have a significant problem breathing”. This was despite the availability of highly effective, safe repurposed drugs but not approved for COVID even though these medications reduced hospitalisation and…