Omicron New Variant Thread 2 *title edited by MNHQ at OP's request*

[Thewiseoneincognito]

Continuation of the last thread

@OatyFlapjacks Omicron escapes immunity from previous infection. Having covid previously doesn't appear to protect you. Recent data shows there is some protection from vaccine to being infected, and more so from being hospitalised.

@manolantern

But he's the best!!! :)

Why (or is that a joke)?

"One of the best" anyway. Here's a thread he posted overnight on the Omicron reinfection study:

mobile.twitter.com/BallouxFrancois/status/1466536817419644933

@BonneMaman15,

That is too simplistic.

The more I read and understand about our immune system, it is complex and multilayered.

Although, many of the spike proteins have changed in omicron, many have not, so it does not completely escape our immune system learned response and, from what I understand, it hardly affects our T cell response.

So, if vaccinated (the more the better) or recovered, you may catch omicron, but it is likely to be very mild.

It is the same as flu was never eliminated, as mutates too much, but the way the naive Incan population responded was completely different to the conquistadors, aiding in the genocide of the Incans.

I agree its not that it escapes previous immunity it is that it escapes previous immunity at a rate around 2.4 times that of Alpha/Delta. Which is a high enough difference to be troubling but by no means means total immunity escape

If Pfizer had tweaked the vaccine for Delta and not just stuck with the original formula, would we be better off now? Because that is the big question. They really need to keep up with the variants in a better way and we need pressure on these private companies to do so.

@Incognito22333 I don't remember the source - I think it was a scientist on BBC news - but he says it is preferable to keep the vaccines based on the original strain to keep a wider protection against all different variants that can spring up, rather than tailoring it to one particular variant that may be very different to another variant, but all variants will have features of the original strain in common - if that makes sense? Sorry not very good at explaining these things!

@Incognito22333

If Pfizer had tweaked the vaccine for Delta and not just stuck with the original formula, would we be better off now? Because that is the big question. They really need to keep up with the variants in a better way and we need pressure on these private companies to do so.

It could potentially have been counterproductive... I think many people would have wanted to hold off getting vaccinated over the spring/summer to wait for the Delta vaccine, which given the three month development time plus ramping up manufacture, shipment and roll out would have meant it wouldn't have been available until early autumn, in which time Delta would have a far greater impact having a less vaccinated population to spread through.

Very good measured but reassuring Tim Spector update on YouTube this week, sorry can't seem to link to it.

Yes I read the same - tailoring it to a new variant may not be the best approach. Omicron is distinctly different to Delta so focusing on Delta would not have solved this issue.

There are multi variant covid vaccines in the pipeline which I think is seen as a better way forward some are at trial. They are doing the work it just takes time and I think it is a balance of how much time versus need. With boosters of the original vaccines being rolled out and so far doing ok making sure the second generation ones are right is important

Feeling a little worried here. Someone mentioned up thread about their school extending xmas holidays. Our local school is part of an alliance and they've just done the same thing.

Also, DD is studying in Germany. Obviously her main social circle are students, but she reckons they're all resigned to a lockdown. Xmas markets are closing, a few local shops have chosen to close. Those that are vaccinated can go into bars etc, but still have to have uploaded a negative test beforehand. The international students had to be vaccinated to study there, and she's telling me they're chosing to have meals/drinks/coffee at eachothers now. Really hope Omicron doesn't get out of hand, as I can see something similar happening here.

Germany is experiencing the delta wave still and have high numbers atm

So bloody depressing. I am gutted for students - it’s probably all going to go back to 2020. I am gutted for the hospitality industry. I have seen businesses try so bloody hard and now look. I suppose I am less gutted for the travel industry on a big picture level. The 1918/19 flu pandemic died down because after Ww1 people largely stayed put. I think the whole world is going to have to examine mass travel and tourism. Without a pan-world health plan we will end up, like pp mentioned, the Incas. (Maybe we are them now…. )

Regardless of whether or not we have a proper lockdown or a return to restrictions, the government must soon introduce financial safety nets for the coming fall out that will result from people cancelling events and staying at home by choice. Otherwise we may start to see cracks forming rather quickly.

@Thewiseoneincognito but why would they? They are telling people to go ahead - they won't give financial support if they haven't banned things!

I’m feeling rather worried too - particularly by @RedToothBrush’s posts. Hopefully the boosters and new drugs will stop it bring as bad as that.

Yes, I always take notice of RedToothBrush, so when she sounds downbeat my worry graph zooms upwards at 180 degrees.

When I'm really worried I find reassurance following whatever Andrew Lillico is saying!

Here are his latest calculations:

mobile.twitter.com/andrew_lilico/status/1466732395433013253

Not sure why everyone thinks Redtoothbrush is an oracle?

There are positives and negatives in this; we just don't have all the facts yet.

While uncertainty is in itself a bit uncomfortable, there's no point worrying till we have more data.

I think it's very unwise to hold up anyone posting on MN about Covid as an oracle TBH. I don't know why people do.

@Sparklingbrook

I think it's very unwise to hold up anyone posting on MN about Covid as an oracle TBH. I don't know why people do.

I agree with this. I would only say that everyone is trying to make sense of what this might mean and its in need of numerous views and moderates as much as the other type of shrills.

I try to point to moderate sources and reputable explanations to let people make up their own minds and I give my own opinion as well, just like anyone else is entitled to do.

Everyone should take what i say with caution just like other posters.

What i try and do is be measured and challenge my own concerns tbh. And thats really why i post. For my own sanity more than anything.

There have been so many untruths posted on MN since the pandemic started.
The Coronavirus topic is not always a good place to be because posters sound very sure of themselves but probably have an agenda, and there's those that love to wind people up and use dramatic language while doing so.
It's all just musings on the internet.

I do look to some posts but I prefer many reasonable voices

I admit I sometimes work through thinking on here as it’s complex and long term, plus other posts help order my thinking. Irl I don’t get into it as much, prefer to keep a lid on it a bit.

It's all just musings on the internet.

I think it's a bit more than that because there can be serious repercussions like death when people are caught up in and influenced by some of the anti-vaxx and anti-mask 'musings'.