General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsDoctor says a new COVID-19 variant could be coming
https://www.winknews.com/2022/02/13/doctor-says-a-new-covid-19-variant-could-be-coming-in-the-next-few-months/One doctor says it is not yet time to let your guard down when it comes to COVID-19. While cases appear to be slowing down again, they say we could be looking at another dominant variant soon, and another surge.
Based on the history of the virus, Doctor James Taylor said that, unfortunately, we could expect another variant in three to four months.
Seeing the super spreader events by the truckers this last week I'm not surprised.
Phoenix61
(16,949 posts)random doctor in Fort Myers thinks.
Bleacher Creature
(11,235 posts)I take this pandemic as seriously as anyone, but this story is just lame.
FarPoint
(12,207 posts)The more that get vaccinated the better.....
BigmanPigman
(51,430 posts)Science and math uses patterns because it works. If you look at the graphs for Covid you can see that there are more variants to come. No one know if they will be highly contagious like Omicron or deadly like Delta. But one thing is sure, more will be coming. The Spanish Flu had many "bumps" before it became endemic between 1918-1922. Since much of the world isn't fully vaxxed these bumps will continue. Don't toss out your masks.
When I taught a Gifted class I was trained to understand how students' minds work. The Gifted test that was given to all 3rd and 5th grade students was all patterns. You didn't have any language or cultural questions. I took the test and it started out easy and got hard fast. Patterns is the key.
FarPoint
(12,207 posts)We can't close our eye or wish this to be gone.....Vaccinations and Boosters...masking....this will make a difference.
stopdiggin
(11,089 posts)in the wings - is not like a 'big reveal'. So - in that context this is kind of a nothingburger as far as medical news or information. (and probably about the same as far as a 'social context' as well)
orleans
(33,986 posts)i've been waiting to hear about that.
i'm almost four months out.
Johnny2X2X
(18,731 posts)Sure, more variants will emerge, but continuing to get boosters will likely provide great protection against it. Unfortunately, the majority of the country won't continue to get boosters. Less than 1 in 3 Americans have gotten boosted.
I just don't think the general public will care about safety measures going forward though, people are done being careful.
MFM008
(19,774 posts)people are sick to death of even hearing about it.
Hortensis
(58,785 posts)ever since I was old enough to realize why I kept falling and scraping various surfaces, but gravity doesn't care either.
Strelnikov_
(7,772 posts)Hortensis
(58,785 posts)just hadn't realized the big question was from which direction.
Busterscruggs
(448 posts)Seeing more and more people out there unmasked. It's getting so hard to keep reminding them to put at least one on, better two. We are far from the end of this virus and we need to keep our guard up.
obamanut2012
(25,905 posts)Hortensis
(58,785 posts)though. We still do two, but that's because we're high risk even with vaccinations. As case rates plummet, we'd otherwise likely relax a bit into "probably won't kill anyone" mode while watching for what comes next, as many DUers apparently have already done.
Couple days ago my husband asked the kid loading our groceries at Walmart to put his mask on, then we got home and learned the chain was dropping its mask requirement.
But mandates can be reimposed, with only some thousands of additional deaths from the delays.
Many "doctors" say spread of new variants is still inevitable, and we're all still learning what's behind the curtain #3 humanity chose to open.
Strelnikov_
(7,772 posts)I find it hard to imagine that a variant will emerge that is more contagious than Omni.
On the other hand, why take a chance. One could emerge that is different enough that it could partially evade the initial immune response, particularly in the un-vaccinated.
My understanding is that due to the nature of corona viruses, 'previous' vaccines will always provide some protection, just not optimal. But the 'trained' immune response from the vaccine will greatly help in preventing severe disease.
fightforfreedom
(4,913 posts)There was another wave during the 3rd year. Eventually the Spanish flu became the seasonal flu. I hope that's what happens with covid.