How do coronavirus variants form and will the current vaccines work against them?

[NurseJackie]

New, mutated strains of the coronavirus are causing worry around the world as health officials race to vaccinate as many people as possible. Dr. Jon LaPook reports on why the new strains are popping up.

[intrepidity]

1. Such an important issue

I really don't get why the variants can be called by their geographical prevalence. If we really want to counter Trump's racist "China virus" bullshit, then we'd do well (as Dr. Collins does in the video) to use the appropriate designations for the variants:

B117/B.1.1.7 (UK)
B1351/B.1.351 (South Africa)
P1, P2/P.1, P.2 (Brazil)
B1525, B1526/B.1.525, B.1.526 (NYC)
B1427, B1429/B.1.427, B.1.429 (CA)

Yeah, it's cumbersome, but worth the effort. It's a subtle difference to put the geographical association in parentheses, rather than outright calling them by that name.

[Jetheels]

2. Wow, this is disconcerting.

I was feeling kinda like we’re almost outa the woods, but the “variants”.
The people that don’t wear masks are more dangerous than I imagined. They’re the ones that give the virus new opportunity to change and become more dangerous.
How’s this video not get more likes? It’s a must see.