The Omicron Variant

Writer: Atessa

With a new year comes yet another new variant of COVID-19! Everyone has had pandemic fatigue for ages now, but we still don’t see a light at the end of this pandemic’s tunnel. It is now more important than ever to get your vaccines and if you’re eligible, a booster shot as well. Being vaccinated is one of the best things you can do to stop the spread of Covid, but what other precautions can we take? In order to know this, we need to understand how this new variant works and the best things that you, as an individual can do to stop the spread.

How it started:

On November 26 2021, the WHO declared the Omicron variant “a variant of concern” after it was reported to the WHO on November 24, 2021. The new variant was first detected on November 11, 2021 in Botswana and November 14, 2021 in South Africa. On November 30, 2021 the United States declared it as a variant of concern and on December 1, 2021 the United States reported their first case of the Omicron variant.

Just a common cold?

The variant is still fairly new so we don’t know everything about it yet, but we do know that it is not a common cold. Although the Omicron variant has been downplayed as a “common cold”, its symptoms are proving that statement to be wrong. A common cold causes mild symptoms and usually lasts for around 7-10 days whereas Omicron can result in serious or even fatal illness. Rhinoviruses are the main cause of a common cold and Omicron is a variant of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. The two may seem similar, but they’re genetically distinct and although we are still learning about the severity of the variant, it’s understood to be more dangerous than the common cold.

Stopping the spread:

I’m sure most people know that these precautions work best, but just as a reminder, here are some great things that you can do to stop the spread of Covid.

• Get vaccinated and when eligible, get a booster shot

• Continue wearing masks in public indoor places regardless of vaccination status

• Get a test if you are exhibiting symptoms of Covid

• Limit social gatherings

• Comply with your local Covid restrictions

Conclusion:

The Omicron variant is still new and there is much more to learn about it. From what we know, the best thing to do is take precautions and get vaccinated. Healthcare workers are burnt out, cases are rising drastically around the world, and everyone wants this horrible pandemic to end. People are starting to take the virus less seriously claiming it’s like a cold, but it really isn’t. We need to remember that this a deadly virus and even if it won’t impact us, our actions will greatly impact others.

Sources:

“Omicron Variant: What You Need to Know.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 20 Dec. 2021, https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/variants/omicron-variant.html

“Update on Omicron.” World Health Organization, World Health Organization, 28 Nov. 2021, https://www.who.int/news/item/28-11-2021-update-on-omicron

Sadeghi, McKenzie. “Fact Check: Omicron Coronavirus Variant Is Not the Common Cold.” USA Today, Gannett Satellite Information Network, 30 Dec. 2021, https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/factcheck/2021/12/30/fact-check-omicron-coronavirus-variant-not-common-cold/9037174002/