Researchers have identified an antibody that blocks both SARS-CoV-1 and -2 from infecting cells in culture and have already obtained the DNA that encodes this specific antibody and have made a human version of it. As the authors note, we already know that therapies and vaccines based on this approach are effective.
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Coronaviruses code for big proteins that are inactive until they are cut into smaller pieces. Proteases slice them into bad, functioning proteins. Inactivating the proteases would block viral infection. Existing, human-safe protease inhibitors were screened against SARS-CoV-2's enzymes. One of those, carmofur, turned out to be effective; this study shows how it's able to bind the SARS-CoV-2 protease and inactivate it. Woot!
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One more: Where will we get all those human antibodies we need for treatments? People are currently giving them away. I think the evil insurance companies should pay the donors in a free, open market-based system.
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