They did not uncover a weakness. They uncovered a human protein that the virus depends on. If it's a weakness depends on if this is possible:
> Blocking access to the human proteins would allow our immune systems to kill the virus.
> “A new medication based on this discovery would be useful to patients at all stages of infection.”
But only if
> With sufficient support, Liao estimates these can be developed within five years.
Blocking access to a protein, system wide, without side effects, doesn't seem like something that can be given a time estimate.
Disclaimer: I'm an idiot that knows little of biology, but I can read.
They did not uncover a weakness. They uncovered a human protein that the virus depends on. If it's a weakness depends on if this is possible:
> Blocking access to the human proteins would allow our immune systems to kill the virus.
> “A new medication based on this discovery would be useful to patients at all stages of infection.”
But only if
> With sufficient support, Liao estimates these can be developed within five years.
Blocking access to a protein, system wide, without side effects, doesn't seem like something that can be given a time estimate.
Disclaimer: I'm an idiot that knows little of biology, but I can read.