That is my best guess. When anti-bodies are inadequate or absent to kill the virus, the virus grows and keeps destroying lung tissue. Then body goes into desperation mode, sending everything it has got to the site of infection. It is Lupus like response. Lupus is a disease where body attacks its own tissue. Which may be why HCQ has worked with covid patients when treated early in the game, before the body has destroyed the lung with massive immune response.
“When anti-bodies are inadequate or absent to kill the virus, the virus grows and keeps destroying lung tissue. Then body goes into desperation mode, sending everything it has got to the site of infection.”
Cytokine storm isn’t a last ditch fight. It’s an immune system gone berserk that only affects some people. The cytokine storm itself can destroy lung tissue.
“Which may be why HCQ has worked with covid patients when treated early in the game, before the body has destroyed the lung with massive immune response”
HCQ works on Covid for an entirely different reason than why it’s used on lupus. It’s a zinc ionophore which allows zinc to cross the cell membrane. Once inside of cells the zinc interferes with replication of the virus. That trait is of no interest when used against lupus.