Should we be alarmed at this new covid-19 variant?

[Whenismumhome]

As I’m sure everyone knows by now, there was a new variant of covid discovered in England.

Does this mean we’re back to square one? Does it mean nobody will have immunity to this variant now and that they’ll have to find a vaccine for it too?

Just as we thought we were finally getting on the right path, this comes and hits us.

I want 2021 to be better, don’t think I could bear another year of this bullshit

I'd be interested to know if this strain is less dangerous. Two people I know recently had the virus (south east) and they tick all the at risk boxes but were absolutely fine with it.

They stressed today that it's 'just' a variant and not another 'strain'. I'm not sure if there's actually a difference though.

It's been in other places, not just the UK

They're obviously doing tests etc, but they strongly believe the vaccine will work just as well.

They said it may be why it's spreading so quickly in London & the SE.

But I'm not entirely convinced that's not just piffle.

I don't think it's anything we need to be worried about. Tbh.

What we NEED to be worried about is people mixing. The virus not understanding 'Christmas bubble'. & people just taking the piss.

There's been a number of different strains of the virus form the start. There was three circulating during spring/summer. The vaccine works on all of them. There is no reason to believe the new strain will be any different.

Why are they suddenly banging on about this strain when there have been lots of others? Why are they falling over themselves trying to think of some reason why the SE have increased numbers?

Why are they suddenly banging on about this strain when there have been lots of others

Quite. The timing is perfect isn't it....one could almost imagine it was "breaking news" in order to keep up the level of fear in the public and ensure their compliance.

It's just a way to excuse the numbers down South. It can't possibly be because they are flouting the rules. Not like the pesky North, who are just stupid and reckless.

I would love to know if people who got some level of immunity through catching coronavirus in the first wave might be susceptible to this new virus

I know a couple of people who have caught it for the second time recently and would explain big rise in cases in London

• I mean new variant not new virus!

@MrsL2016

It's just a way to excuse the numbers down South. It can't possibly be because they are flouting the rules. Not like the pesky North, who are just stupid and reckless.

This.

Yes. Be alarmed

It's made up by the government. There is no new strain.

There have always been multiple strains. The Spanish one was mentioned a few months back.

I can't help thinking that this is a handy excuse for the London based media to explain the numbers there. When it was the North a few months ago, that was because if feckless idiots socialising in pubs. But this can't possibly be the case in London, could it..?!

I’ve noticed a marked increase in CV19 advertisements on TV & a rolling out of the old adages over the last few days although nothing in the MSM about it which is unusual...dropped like a bomb & perfect timing. I’m with you OP

@Elephant4 Get yer tin foil hat on.

The news is full of the “new strain” and hardly any news of the brexit concession made by the UK govt today

the 'new' strain has been known about for months - Hancock, and the rest of the govt, are just turning up the fear factor

....

The new variant has multiple mutations in the coronavirus spike protein, the most troubling of which appears to be what scientists call a deletion – in this case, the loss of two amino acids from the spike protein – which may make it spread more easily. The same deletion has been spotted in coronaviruses in several countries since the spring, but at low levels. It began to take off in southern England in August and September.

The same deletion was spotted when samples of virus were collected from a Cambridge patient with a weakened immune system. The patient was treated with convalescent plasma – blood plasma containing antibodies from a recovered patient. The virus acquired the mutation during that treatment and may have become more resistant to the antibodies. The patient ultimately died from the infection.
...
www.theguardian.com/world/2020/dec/14/how-a-new-covid-strain-may-have-spread-virus-in-south-of-england

Nah, I have enough to worry about already . I follow all the rules but other than that I can't be arsed with covid issues anymore .

This particular variant hasn't "been known about for months" -
"over the past few weeks a few of the UK PCR testing labs have picked up on this new variant. Supported by The COVID-19 Genomics UK (COG-UK) consortium and rapid genomics it has been identified incredibly quickly."
www.sciencemediacentre.org/expert-reaction-to-the-new-variant-of-sars-cov-2/

It's also not "made up by the government"

That said, as the scientists in the Science Media Centre link point out, it's not something to be particularly alarmed or worried by yet and it's unlikely to affect the efficacy of vaccines.

Is this a big deal? Should we be alarmed? How should it change our response, if at all?

"We should be cautious and focus efforts on understanding the transmission of this virus and if necessary introducing control measures to prevent its spread. There is always a lag between sampling and information. Currently there is no evidence that this virus will evade the vaccine or will lead to increased disease or death. " Prof Julian Hiscox, Chair in Infection and Global Health, University of Liverpool.

"Hard to say at this stage. However a virus that spreads more easily will hamper control efforts.”
Dr Andrew Davidson, Reader in Virology at the University of Bristol.

The longer this goes on, the more convinced I am that this isn’t a ‘naturally’ occurring virus. Mother Nature had a helping hand with this one!

@Schmoana

The news is full of the “new strain” and hardly any news of the brexit concession made by the UK govt today

What a surprise...

Totally agree Elephant total fabrication to take our minds off the exponential out of their control virus that couldn't possibly be any of their fault. And also to worry us into submission at Christmas and take our mind off the impact and shitstorm of Brexit!

Exactly. We’re meant to be confused. All going perfectly to plan.

Change the rules every few days. Tiers. Etc Minds go numb with boredom and exhaustion from it all.

We all lose the will to think or fight, question. Brexit. Who gives a shit?

This explains the many mindless zombies all over MN.
The plan is to confuse us all into submission. And it’s working.

I wonder why the Gov didnt take over empty properties and offer them to ppl who needed to self isolate. Especially if they live in a multi generational household. This would have helped a lot

Mind you that would have meant putting their money where their mouths are instead of just bullying the public.

The cynic in me thinks how convenient to announce this now & have a get out clause to cancel Christmas.
Allows the Gov to save face & not admit that they should have listened to the scientists.

Will we be entering Narnia?