New strain stuff.....

[MistressoftheDarkSide]

www.theguardian.com/world/2020/dec/18/boris-johnson-calls-crisis-meeting-to-discuss-response-to-new-covid-strain

So,it's just a variant, nothing to see here, blah blah blah..... I'm pretty sanguine about this stuff but dropping this late at night as a headline right now..... I'm getting mightily pissed off with the uncertainty and the subtle fear mongering......

Any thoughts?

I believe it’s real because I think I’ve read about it being found in other countries, however the cynical part of me thinks it might come in handy if you wanted to do something unpopular like cancelling Christmas meetings.

Sky have mentioned possible travel restrictions in London and south.
When will it all get better?

Am in Norwich where this is prevalent. Yes it's serious. Honestly? I think it's a common strain but because Norwich has such an excellent bio medicine research unit, I think we are just the first to pick up on it.

The virus has been changing all along. This makes little sense.

It’s perfect for scare mongering and keeping us all in line over Xmas, they need an excuse now they realise they shouldn’t have said we can mix...?

Apparently there are 2 distinct changes every month. This is the same as flu. I the case of coronavirus, there was a bug genetic shift that lead to covid 19 and now we are seeing constant drift and the more favourable drifts will make covid 19 more successful. Less favourable ones will self extinguish.

Big

Yes, it’s real.
I’ve been looking at the structures all week while we wait to hear on the cell biology (I presume some preliminary evidence from cell assays has just been presented to the Prime Minister).

Yes, there are mutations in tiny parts of the virus all the time. Most are inconsequential and you only really hear about something because it has been a change making the virus more able to pass between people (transmissible). Even then , it doesn’t necessarily need to be a worry.

However, I don’t like the look of this at all. It has 17 mutations and are in the spike protein . That is a lot.

One mutation in particular, called N501Y, is a change in the receptor binding domain, which is crucial for the virus to lock onto our cells. There are a couple of other mutations which are a worry which may also improve the viruses ability to get into cells.

Doubtful it would be more deadly/dangerous ( virulent). Possibly it may reduce vaccine efficacy but we really have to wait for the cell biology.

I expect we’ll hear tomorrow.

Sorry, that should have said and about 10 are in the spike protein.

Would the Chinese vaccine be ok because it doesn't use this newer technology?

And I agree with other posters that it is probably much more widespread around the world and it is only because we really have one of the best genomics surveillance systems in the world, we’ve picked it up first.

The exact same variant has already been found in Denmark and Australia (in much smaller numbers).

A different variant but which includes the particular mutation at 501, has been found in South Africa and is now spreading widely there.

They can blame the new variant for things going to shit instead of their policies.

More worried about Hancock spouting more the "we are the greatest, world-beating etc." BS: Over the last few days, thanks to our world-class genomic capability in the UK, we have identified a new variant of coronavirus.

I’m so pissed of with Boris and Hancock’s completely deplorable track record on everything to do with this pandemic, that now something potentially concerning has come up, everyone doubts them.

And who can blame them?

And in this case, it’s true, we have brilliant surveillance and the scientists won’t get the credit because the public will just think it’s more bluster and bollocks “world-beating” crap.

@everythingthelighttouches

Yes, it’s real. I’ve been looking at the structures all week while we wait to hear on the cell biology (I presume some preliminary evidence from cell assays has just been presented to the Prime Minister).

Yes, there are mutations in tiny parts of the virus all the time. Most are inconsequential and you only really hear about something because it has been a change making the virus more able to pass between people (transmissible). Even then , it doesn’t necessarily need to be a worry.

However, I don’t like the look of this at all. It has 17 mutations and are in the spike protein . That is a lot.

One mutation in particular, called N501Y, is a change in the receptor binding domain, which is crucial for the virus to lock onto our cells. There are a couple of other mutations which are a worry which may also improve the viruses ability to get into cells.

Doubtful it would be more deadly/dangerous ( virulent). Possibly it may reduce vaccine efficacy but we really have to wait for the cell biology.

I expect we’ll hear tomorrow.

In what way a worry?

Just when you think it can't get any worse it bloody does. I can't wait got 2020 to be over.

Drivingho

that it could potentially be a lot more transmissible and lead to a surge in cases.

We don’t have definitive data on that yet.

Please wait until Porton Down advise. Perhaps they already have.

From what I’m reading in Science Twitter it’s rumoured (but not confirmed) that the new variant binds better to ACE2 so transmission is increased and there’s a worry that because it binds more effectively a lower viral dose is sufficient to cause Covid.

@everythingthelighttouches

Yes, it’s real. I’ve been looking at the structures all week while we wait to hear on the cell biology (I presume some preliminary evidence from cell assays has just been presented to the Prime Minister).

Yes, there are mutations in tiny parts of the virus all the time. Most are inconsequential and you only really hear about something because it has been a change making the virus more able to pass between people (transmissible). Even then , it doesn’t necessarily need to be a worry.

However, I don’t like the look of this at all. It has 17 mutations and are in the spike protein . That is a lot.

One mutation in particular, called N501Y, is a change in the receptor binding domain, which is crucial for the virus to lock onto our cells. There are a couple of other mutations which are a worry which may also improve the viruses ability to get into cells.

Doubtful it would be more deadly/dangerous ( virulent). Possibly it may reduce vaccine efficacy but we really have to wait for the cell biology.

I expect we’ll hear tomorrow.

I assume you have quite a lot of knowledge in this area from what you say. Do you think it's likely that the virus will mutate sufficiently to cause vaccine escape, if not now, at some point?

This piece from The Guardian talking to Professor Ravi Gupta is interesting:-

www.google.co.uk/amp/s/amp.theguardian.com/world/2020/dec/15/uk-should-boost-vaccine-programme-to-tackle-covid-variant-says-leading-scientist

@BlueBlancmange from what I’m reading vaccines should be ok. However the longer we take to vaccinate and the more we allow spread the greater the variations and risks become. I read an interesting comment, scientific illiteracy is so great that many if not most don’t behave as they should. If it were a terrorist who had killed 68k and left 1:10 injured (Long Covid) we’d all be paying far more attention. A virus however, what is it? How does it spread? Is it harmful? Interesting.

@Oaktree55

From what I’m reading in Science Twitter it’s rumoured (but not confirmed) that the new variant binds better to ACE2 so transmission is increased and there’s a worry that because it binds more effectively a lower viral dose is sufficient to cause Covid.

Oh crap. Things just keep getting better...

I think the variant does actually exist to a degree as others have existed. I think it was always known the virus could get more infectious - as viruses do because they’re living things that want to survive. I’ll wait to see the full facts on this however. I always question everything like that