Should we be worried about omicron?
by Jacob Tobin, Junior, iPreparatory Academy
by Jacob Tobin, Junior, iPreparatory Academy
What is Omicron?
According to Amy Lundy, an author for John’s Hopkins School of Arts and Sciences, in her article about the Omicron variant on November 30, 2021, Omicron is a new Covid 19 variant discovered in South Africa. Its name, which many are confused by, comes from the 15th letter of the Greek alphabet. This was the quickest variant to be labeled a “variant of concern” by the World Health Organization (WHO).
According to Amy Lundy, an author for John’s Hopkins School of Arts and Sciences, in her article about the Omicron variant on November 30, 2021, Omicron is a new Covid 19 variant discovered in South Africa. Its name, which many are confused by, comes from the 15th letter of the Greek alphabet. This was the quickest variant to be labeled a “variant of concern” by the World Health Organization (WHO).
How is it different or similar to other variants?
According to writers Ralph Ellis and Christina Maxouri for CNN, this variant has many more mutations than Delta, which means it can change more and be harder to detect by your body's immune system. This may mean decreased vaccine effectiveness. Omicron also has mutations that we have seen before in Covid Alpha and Gamma, which increase its transmissibility. In addition, Omicron has a mutation seen in Delta which allows it to better attach to cells. Above standard testing methods, this variant will require genetic sequencing to identify, so testing will take longer.
What are the doctors saying?
According to Katelyn Jetelina, a professor of Epidemiology at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth) in the the latest research from her article “Omicron: we’re getting some answers,” December 7, 2021, Jetelina says “The virus is using the same door into our cells (called ACE2 receptors) as before. This is very good news because it means our tools (like vaccines) are still useful.” This means the virus is using the same door to get into our cells, which is good for our vaccine immunity, but it is making a smarter key.
Jatelina agrees that vaccination should provide protection against this variant and being vaccinated is better than not being vaccinated. They also agree that there is not enough information to say if this variant is more dangerous than previous ones.
According to writers Ralph Ellis and Christina Maxouri for CNN, this variant has many more mutations than Delta, which means it can change more and be harder to detect by your body's immune system. This may mean decreased vaccine effectiveness. Omicron also has mutations that we have seen before in Covid Alpha and Gamma, which increase its transmissibility. In addition, Omicron has a mutation seen in Delta which allows it to better attach to cells. Above standard testing methods, this variant will require genetic sequencing to identify, so testing will take longer.
What are the doctors saying?
According to Katelyn Jetelina, a professor of Epidemiology at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth) in the the latest research from her article “Omicron: we’re getting some answers,” December 7, 2021, Jetelina says “The virus is using the same door into our cells (called ACE2 receptors) as before. This is very good news because it means our tools (like vaccines) are still useful.” This means the virus is using the same door to get into our cells, which is good for our vaccine immunity, but it is making a smarter key.
Jatelina agrees that vaccination should provide protection against this variant and being vaccinated is better than not being vaccinated. They also agree that there is not enough information to say if this variant is more dangerous than previous ones.
Will our current vaccines be effective?
According to Ellis and Maxouri, it is hard to tell if our current vaccines will be effective on Covid Omicron. Scientists suspect the increased mutations in Omicron will make it harder for our body to detect, which would decrease the vaccine's effectiveness.
Where is it now?
Also reported by CNN, “ Omicron has been detected in 17 countries, including South Africa and Botswana, and among travelers to Belgium, the Netherlands, Australia, Canada, the UK, Italy, Israel and Austria.” As of December 8th it is in 19 states in the US.
What can you do?
As for right now, as we have been doing all along, you can social distance, wear your mask in crowded indoor places, and wash your hands frequently to prevent the spread. Information about this new strain is limited, so we should all proceed with caution, and keep ourselves safe.
According to Ellis and Maxouri, it is hard to tell if our current vaccines will be effective on Covid Omicron. Scientists suspect the increased mutations in Omicron will make it harder for our body to detect, which would decrease the vaccine's effectiveness.
Where is it now?
Also reported by CNN, “ Omicron has been detected in 17 countries, including South Africa and Botswana, and among travelers to Belgium, the Netherlands, Australia, Canada, the UK, Italy, Israel and Austria.” As of December 8th it is in 19 states in the US.
What can you do?
As for right now, as we have been doing all along, you can social distance, wear your mask in crowded indoor places, and wash your hands frequently to prevent the spread. Information about this new strain is limited, so we should all proceed with caution, and keep ourselves safe.
Sources
Ellis, Ralph and Christina Maxouris.“What We Know And Don't Know About The Omicron Variant” CNN. 29 Nov 2021. https://www.cnn.com/2021/11/26/health/omicron-variant-what-we-know/index.html
Jetelina, Katelyn. “Omicron We’re Getting Answers.” 7 Dec 2021. https://yourlocalepidemiologist.substack.com/p/omicron-were-getting-some-answers?fbclid=IwAR2riigCJtyvLybZXHZdo3fIG3r5mvISxwKQ-etqc5YMWCwn8Dq6GMu64Wc
Lunday Amy. “What We Know About The Omicron Variant”. John Hopkins University News Network: HUB. 30 Nov. 2021. https://hub.jhu.edu/2021/11/30/omicron-variant/
“Variant of Concern” World Health Organization: - https://www.who.int/news/item/26-11-2021-classification-of-omicron-(b.1.1.529)-sars-cov-2-variant-of-concern
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https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fnews.usc.edu%2F182848%2Feducation-covid-19-vaccine-safety-risks-usc-study%2F&psig=AOvVaw1rltegCmtun6DJmpyPDBFU&ust=1638366615287000&source=images&cd=vfe&ved=0CAsQjRxqFwoTCIjW6rqdwPQCFQAAAAAdAAAAABAJ
https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.financialexpress.com%2Flifestyle%2Fhealth%2Fnew-covid-19-omicron-variant-in-fluid-motion-in-very-active-communication-with-safrica-colleagues-dr-fauci%2F2377406%2F&psig=AOvVaw2m5dGbekkLsmIOTgtOzhin&ust=1638366677614000&source=images&cd=vfe&ved=0CAsQjRxqFwoTCIjttdedwPQCFQAAAAAdAAAAABAD
Ellis, Ralph and Christina Maxouris.“What We Know And Don't Know About The Omicron Variant” CNN. 29 Nov 2021. https://www.cnn.com/2021/11/26/health/omicron-variant-what-we-know/index.html
Jetelina, Katelyn. “Omicron We’re Getting Answers.” 7 Dec 2021. https://yourlocalepidemiologist.substack.com/p/omicron-were-getting-some-answers?fbclid=IwAR2riigCJtyvLybZXHZdo3fIG3r5mvISxwKQ-etqc5YMWCwn8Dq6GMu64Wc
Lunday Amy. “What We Know About The Omicron Variant”. John Hopkins University News Network: HUB. 30 Nov. 2021. https://hub.jhu.edu/2021/11/30/omicron-variant/
“Variant of Concern” World Health Organization: - https://www.who.int/news/item/26-11-2021-classification-of-omicron-(b.1.1.529)-sars-cov-2-variant-of-concern
Images from:
https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fnews.usc.edu%2F182848%2Feducation-covid-19-vaccine-safety-risks-usc-study%2F&psig=AOvVaw1rltegCmtun6DJmpyPDBFU&ust=1638366615287000&source=images&cd=vfe&ved=0CAsQjRxqFwoTCIjW6rqdwPQCFQAAAAAdAAAAABAJ
https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.financialexpress.com%2Flifestyle%2Fhealth%2Fnew-covid-19-omicron-variant-in-fluid-motion-in-very-active-communication-with-safrica-colleagues-dr-fauci%2F2377406%2F&psig=AOvVaw2m5dGbekkLsmIOTgtOzhin&ust=1638366677614000&source=images&cd=vfe&ved=0CAsQjRxqFwoTCIjttdedwPQCFQAAAAAdAAAAABAD