Actually, even in viral illnesses, the immune response can be a big cause of mortality and morbidity. For example, in the 1918 flu pandemic, research has indic

Actually, even in viral illnesses, the immune response can be a big cause of mortality and morbidity. For example, in the 1918 flu pandemic, research has indicated the the immune response that it provoked was one of the reasons it was so deadly[0]. With SARS-COV-2 one of the treatments that has studies that show reduction in mortality is dexamethasone which is a steroid that reduces the inflammatory response (which is an immune response)[1]. So it is not unreasonable to think that an immune system modulating drug may help with SARS-COV-2. Whether or not hydroxychloroquinine specifically does is a different story, but it would not be surprising for something in this class to have a beneficial effect. 0. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2006/09/060927201707.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2006/09/060927201707.h... 1. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2021436 https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2021436