What is the Omicron Variant?

[Shero]

There appears to be some confusion regarding the nature of the Omicron variant. Some people show great surprise that fully vaxxed people can be infected with this strain. I offer this scientific explanation.

The threat from the Alpha and Delta variants is their ability to replicate quickly.

Once they are within their host (you) they are highly contagious. Both of these variants are associated with higher hospital rates and deaths.

The problem with Alpha and Delta is that neither variant was good at escaping immune recognition. Each of these two variants could cause occasional “breakthrough infections” in immunised people, and invade the first-line immune defence.

Omicron is a different to the Alpha and Delta variants. It does not rely on obvious and savage force like the Delta variant. It is a “sneaker” variant. It sneaks through immune defences and can infect vaccinated people as well. This is because along the way, it acquired a number of mutations in key regions of its spike protein.

These mutations reduce the ability of neutralising antibodies to bind to it. As such, it spreads primarily by (re-)infecting previously immunised hosts.

The good news is ..... those that are fully vaccinated are able to withstand these mutations.

Bad news ...... the unvaccinated will wind up in ICU beds and die from it.

.

 

[SeaBreeze]

Thanks for the information Shero. I knew from the beginning that there would likely be variants of the virus, and that the vaccination did not guarantee complete protection from a viral infection, but it offered the peace of mind that the infection would be less serious and not likely mandating hospitalization or resulting death.

My husband and I are fully vaccinated and boosted. We are not in a panic about the Omicron variant, but feel very protected. This is the pandemic of the unvaccinated, and yes, they will ultimately end up in ICU beds and die from it. Hopefully we can move forward despite these deniers.

 

[Shero]

Thanks for the information Shero. I knew from the beginning that there would likely be variants of the virus, and that the vaccination did not guarantee complete protection from a viral infection, but it offered the peace of mind that the infection would be less serious and not likely mandating hospitalization or resulting death.

My husband and I are fully vaccinated and boosted. We are not in a panic about the Omicron variant, but feel very protected. This is the pandemic of the unvaccinated, and yes, they will ultimately end up in ICU beds and die from it. Hopefully we can move forward despite these deniers.

The Australian government have brought forward the time between 2nd vaccination and booster. So now my husband and I are told we can have ours in January. Can think of no better way to start the new year!

 

[win231]

There appears to be some confusion regarding the nature of the Omicron variant. Some people show great surprise that fully vaxxed people can be infected with this strain. I offer this scientific explanation.

The threat from the Alpha and Delta variants is their ability to replicate quickly.

Once they are within their host (you) they are highly contagious. Both of these variants are associated with higher hospital rates and deaths.

The problem with Alpha and Delta is that neither variant was good at escaping immune recognition. Each of these two variants could cause occasional “breakthrough infections” in immunised people, and invade the first-line immune defence.

Omicron is a different to the Alpha and Delta variants. It does not rely on obvious and savage force like the Delta variant. It is a “sneaker” variant. It sneaks through immune defences and can infect vaccinated people as well. This is because along the way, it acquired a number of mutations in key regions of its spike protein.

These mutations reduce the ability of neutralising antibodies to bind to it. As such, it spreads primarily by (re-)infecting previously immunised hosts.

The good news is ..... those that are fully vaccinated are able to withstand these mutations.

Bad news ...... the unvaccinated will wind up in ICU beds and die from it.

.

What a valuable contribution! Now that I know I'm gonna die, I better get my affairs in order.

 

[SeaBreeze]

The Australian government have brought forward the time between 2nd vaccination and booster. So now my husband and I are told we can have ours in January. Can think of no better way to start the new year!

Sounds good Shero! Both my husband and myself are fully vaxxed and boosted, over 65 and looking forward to a happy and healthy new year 2022.

 

[Irwin]

I received my booster shot yesterday and a flu shot. I had some mild flu-like symptoms last night but I feel fine today.

 

[HoneyNut]

These mutations reduce the ability of neutralising antibodies to bind to it.

I watched an interesting discussion by four doctors on YouTube about Omicron. They said that right now in the USA there is still the Delta variant, but as Omicron spreads patients will be coming into hospital and the doctors won't know if the patient has Delta or Omicron, which causes a difficulty about which treatment to use, because monoclonal antibodies will treat Delta but not Omicron.

 

[Paco Dennis]

I also watched a recent video on the Omicron variant. An immunologist said many labs are working on a vaccine for Omicron. They should have something approved in a couple of months he thinks. Keeping my fingers crossed.

 

[Becky1951]

What a valuable contribution! Now that I know I'm gonna die, I better get my affairs in order.

Yes I'd like the link to that wonderful article where it says the "unvaccinated will die."

"Some people show great surprise that fully vaxxed people can be infected with this strain."

There have been fully vaccinated breakthrough cases for months, so why is anyone surprised.

 

[Pepper]

There have been fully vaccinated breakthrough cases for months, so why is anyone surprised.

You keep saying that, but you never say the vaccinated have it much milder, with less hospitalization & less deaths. Yes breakthroughs certainly exist which is why:

My son, the scientist, said it never should have been called a vaccine, that doesn't fit what it actually does. I forgot what he said it should have been called, sorry!

 

[Aneeda72]

What a valuable contribution! Now that I know I'm gonna die, I better get my affairs in order.

Nope, don’t bother, if your relatives have the same attitude as you there won’t be anyone to collect your stuff anyway.

 

[Aneeda72]

You keep saying that, but you never say the vaccinated have it much milder, with less hospitalization & less deaths. Yes breakthroughs certainly exist which is why:

My son, the scientist, said it never should have been called a vaccine, that doesn't fit what it actually does. I forgot what he said it should have been called, sorry!

Sorry, I disagree, Joey had two vaccinations. 20% of the vaccinated have severe breakthrough infections. Some of them die. That’s still a lot of people.

 

[Pepper]

It seems very compromised people with many health issues, are at terrible risk. One TV doctor said 80% of vics are old people. No cure for death far as I know. Not being facetious, as I have many health conditions and am an old 72. Whom does the bell toll for? Thee & me eventually.

 

[Irwin]

According to a recent study, the vaccine is 30% effective against contracting omicron and 70% effective at preventing serious illness if you do contract it. In breakthrough cases, the vaccinated are far less likely to spread the virus.

Of course, these studies aren't under controlled conditions, so they're just estimates. Still, you're much better off being vaccinated.

 

[Packerjohn]

I have both of my jabs and I'm getting my booster during the week of January 10th. I'm totally with Alfred E. Newman when it comes to worrying or being scared about this new pandemic:

 

[squatting dog]

The simple truth is that all successive variants of the original Covid 19 will be less virulent and more transmissible. It's like...you know...science. The only question now is how less virulent and, of course, how much more transmissible? Well, it looks like South Africa has answered at least one of these questions publicly.

South Africa ministers announced the country is moving to stop contact tracing and quarantining of Omicron contacts. Healthcare experts discovered the Omicron is so weak that they do not need to trace the Omicron variant among the people.

 

[debodun]

If this virus keeps mutating, we will never be rid of it and have to keep getting new vaccines every few months.

 

[Aneeda72]

The simple truth is that all successive variants of the original Covid 19 will be less virulent and more transmissible. It's like...you know...science. The only question now is how less virulent and, of course, how much more transmissible? Well, it looks like South Africa has answered at least one of these questions publicly.

South Africa ministers announced the country is moving to stop contact tracing and quarantining of Omicron contacts. Healthcare experts discovered the Omicron is so weak that they do not need to trace the Omicron variant among the people.

Our health experts disagree and say there is no difference between Delta and Omicron in terms of illness, and since I don’t live in Africa, I am “going” with the opinion of our experts.

 

[Lawrence00]

Looks like South Africa is telling the truth.

 

[HoneyNut]

Looks like South Africa is telling the truth.

It certainly looks promising, very exciting! One doctor I was watching on YouTube said the average age in SA patients was 35 yrs old, so he felt we needed to wait and see what happens when it hits a nursing home here.

 

[Becky1951]

You keep saying that, but you never say the vaccinated have it much milder, with less hospitalization & less deaths. Yes breakthroughs certainly exist which is why:

My son, the scientist, said it never should have been called a vaccine, that doesn't fit what it actually does. I forgot what he said it should have been called, sorry!

"You keep saying that, but you never say the vaccinated have it much milder, with less hospitalization & less deaths."

Do they? Ever stop and think that if they were not vaccinated they might also have a milder case with less hospitalization and deaths?

Not every Covid case leads to hospitalization and death.

 

[AnnieA]

There appears to be some confusion regarding the nature of the Omicron variant. Some people show great surprise that fully vaxxed people can be infected with this strain. I offer this scientific explanation.

The threat from the Alpha and Delta variants is their ability to replicate quickly.

Once they are within their host (you) they are highly contagious. Both of these variants are associated with higher hospital rates and deaths.

The problem with Alpha and Delta is that neither variant was good at escaping immune recognition. Each of these two variants could cause occasional “breakthrough infections” in immunised people, and invade the first-line immune defence.

Omicron is a different to the Alpha and Delta variants. It does not rely on obvious and savage force like the Delta variant. It is a “sneaker” variant. It sneaks through immune defences and can infect vaccinated people as well. This is because along the way, it acquired a number of mutations in key regions of its spike protein.

These mutations reduce the ability of neutralising antibodies to bind to it. As such, it spreads primarily by (re-)infecting previously immunised hosts.

The good news is ..... those that are fully vaccinated are able to withstand these mutations.

Bad news ...... the unvaccinated will wind up in ICU beds and die from it.

.

Sources please. Scientific if possible.

 

[Shero]

The Omicron variant spreads 70 times faster than Delta.

There is every possibility that Omicron and Delta could team up to make a “super variant.”

This is why vaccination and booster are imperative.
.

 

[Lawrence00]

Hoping it is well on it's way to common cold status.

 

[AnnieA]

There is every possibility that Omicron and Delta could team up to make a “super variant.”

.

I saw that a few days ago. Source: Moderna executive Paul Burton.