How worrying is the Indian variant?

[Wingingthis]

Don’t know what’s being exaggerated by the media anymore. How worrying is this variant? A double mutation?

Scientists will be monitoring it. I'm not a virologist so it's beyond my payscale to ponder different variants. There will be reformulated vaccines as time goes on.🤷
That's how I rationalize it anyway!

To be honest, I’m past worrying about this stuff. What will be, will be. I just put my (probably misplaced) trust in the authorities to do what’s needed. I’ve been a lot happier since I stopped giving a f*.

Not worrying enough to put India on the red list and stop Boris going there in 10 days...

I don't think anyone really knows yet. We don't know if the vaccines will provide much protection. Wait and see, I guess.

I wish they would put India on the red list though.

There will be variants popping up forever more, just like seasonal flu. This is normal and expected with a virus, it's how it continues to survive. This virus will forever be in circulation, I'm amazed people don't understand this. I'd advise those with anxiety to stop reading about it and let the experts do their stuff.

@Scottishgirl85

There will be variants popping up forever more, just like seasonal flu. This is normal and expected with a virus, it's how it continues to survive. This virus will forever be in circulation, I'm amazed people don't understand this. I'd advise those with anxiety to stop reading about it and let the experts do their stuff.

I'm not sure it's the case that people don't understand that variants will keep popping up. I think most people do already understand that.

The question is not about the existence of new variants, but rather of how much of a risk they might pose. It isn't an unreasonable question. But I don't think anyone knows the answer yet.

I don’t know.

Not sure I really care anymore.

I just cannot continue to live with constant fear, anxiety, and terror.

Enough.

I dont no either, but what I've realised is that since Prince Philip died and I stopped watching the news Ive been much less anxious .... had the lightbulb moment tonight when I heard for the first time in a week the daily death rate and infection rate.
So from now on im pleading ignorance!

it's been in the UK since February and hasn't managed to wipe out everyone yet

so, i'm not worried

The media have to take some responsibility for fear mongering then.
Why have it as a headline story if it’s not important?

It’s also infuriating that India isn’t on the red list and I read today that 50 flights a day land in the uk from India. Bonkers!!

They don’t know yet:

It currently has the label “variant under investigation”. If worries about it are borne out, for example if it appears to be more infectious or more resistant to the body’s immune response, then it may be designated a “variant of concern”.
www.google.co.uk/amp/s/amp.theguardian.com/world/2021/apr/15/covid-variant-first-detected-india-found-uk

I think most people no longer have the ability to panic about variants. We’re all so weary.

@justanotherneighinparadise

I think most people no longer have the ability to panic about variants. We’re all so weary.

Agree with this. I find myself just zoning out when they are talking about variants on the news. Just don't care anymore

@ASchuylerSister

Not worrying enough to put India on the red list and stop Boris going there in 10 days...

Exactly this.

Wasn’t the South African variant also portrayed as being a “double mutation”?

There was certainly a lot of worry about it when it was first identified due to the specific mutations yet the vaccines are still likely to protect against severe disease.

I read an article recently by a professor who said he’s not concerned about variants at all, because even if they evade antibodies then there is still the T-cell response.

@ASchuylerSister

Not worrying enough to put India on the red list and stop Boris going there in 10 days...

Precisely.

If they REALLY thought this variant could break through existing immunity, given how violently ill Boris was last time, there is zero chance he'd be going to India.

The press need to ramp up the next big news story. It's Prince Phillip's funeral tomorrow, so they'll need something new to fill up the headlines. More anxiety inducing stories read out by stern faced journalists.

The Indian variant was covered on Channel 4 News this evening. The concern is that it has a mutation that makes it more infectious combined with a mutation that might make it better at evading immunity (whether that's immunity acquired by previous infection or by vaccination). It really is ridiculous that India is not on the red list. We can't afford a "wait and see" approach on this one.

Any clear evidence Princess about potential T Cell evasion. I’ve just googled, and there seem to be just as many articles to suggest T Cells remain effective against variants, as the opposite view. As always there is uncertainty. But once again, feel free to pick or allude to whatever articles fit your relentless narrative.

Past caring tbh

@UmbilicusProfundus

Any clear evidence Princess about potential T Cell evasion. I’ve just googled, and there seem to be just as many articles to suggest T Cells remain effective against variants, as the opposite view. As always there is uncertainty. But once again, feel free to pick or allude to whatever articles fit your relentless narrative.

Not that I have read. It's still being looked into as a variant under investigation at the moment, but I'll be very surprised if it doesn't become a variant of concern pretty soon. There's enough there even without that.

It’s as worrying as Boris, Whitty, Van Tam et al need it to be in order to scare the public into the acceptance of further restrictions or lockdowns
Seriously, why is it even making the news before they know what it is or it isn’t? We shouldn’t get news telling us that it “might” be this or that until they know for certain. It’s irresponsible, scaremongering bollocks.

If it is of concern, I think we not only need to take urgent action to tighten the border restrictions/quarantine (and tell Boris about Zoom), we also need to know where it is.

77 cases detected in the UK. Where? Are they doing surge testing? Isolating potential contacts?