New Variant, New Concerns???

Here we are, back in the familiar territory, of worrying and fear of the unknown.

The new variant, making rounds in the scientific circle, goes with the name of Omicron(by WHO). This heavily mutated version has raised a lot of eyebrows in the circle. In a recent media briefing, Prof Tulia de Olivera, director of the Centre for Epidemic Response and Innovation in South Africa, said there was an “unusual constellation of mutations” and that it was “very different” to the other variants that have circulated, radically different to the original that emerged in Wuhan, China.

With new cases being reported in many provinces of south Africa, the confusion is breeding fear. The uncertainty of the effectiveness of vaccines, its transmission rate, its still a mystery.

It would be safe to say that it is still an unknown, unwelcomed guest, and all we have in hand is our vigilance. Don’t drop your guards just yet. It might just be the start of the much needed altered lifestyle.