Give a short and critical explanation of the rationale of using fluvoxamine (a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) in the treatment of Covid patients:

Fluvoxamine has a high affinity for the S1R (ER-resident protein sigma-1-receptor). This receptor is responsible for the restriction of endonuclease activity of the Endoplasmic reticulum stress sensor, IRE1. It also restricts cytokine expression. Fluvoxamine does not, however inhibit inflammatory signaling pathways.The cytokine expression acts as an inflammation-causing symptom in COVID-19. With this, Fluvoxamine dampens the inflammatory response in human blood leukocytes. (CIDRAP, 2021)

Therefore, fluvoxamine is being researched as a treatment method for the Covid-19 virus. 

Reference: 

CIDRAP (Center fro Infectious Disease Research and Policy). 2021. OCD drug spotlighted as potential COVID-19 treatment. https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/news-perspective/2021/04/ocd-drug-spotlighted-potential-covid-19-treatmentDate of access: 16 Oct. 2021.