Omicron : Anecdotal, obv, but interesting…

Libertaire · 2021-12-11T18:22:24+00:00

From The Times : [[https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/cautious-optimism-on-omicron-and-beyond-jpd8tczpz]] “Last weekend, the Omicron coronavirus variant turned up to a sixtieth birthday party in Somerset. The festivities were logged by a user of the Zoe app, which tracks Covid hotspots: the 18 guests — all aged between 60 and 75 — had all been vaccinated. “Fourteen caught the virus,” said Professor Tim Spector of King’s College London, the app’s architect. “Thankfully, most had cold-like symptoms. One or two had coughs but it was mainly runny noses, sore throats, feeling a bit under the weather — and getting better within three days. This looks like good news. They were not young people either.” Given their ages, it’s reasonable to assume that these people were triple-jabbed. So, if you haven’t already, get your booster!

JuneOsborne · 11/12/2021 18:23

14/18 is quite the hit rate. Glad it was mild. Let's hope this is how it plays out, eh?

heldinadream · 11/12/2021 20:04

Wow! The ability of omicron to infect is looking rather spectacular. I'm both in Somerset and in my 60s. 3 jabs luckily. And not fond of parties!

Teaandcakeordeath83 · 11/12/2021 20:28

I remember ages ago seeing a scientist on the news talking about mutations (think it was the emergence of the Kent variant) and they were saying how mutations can sometimes be a good thing- so the virus mutates to become more virulent but can lose potency so in that scenario everyone gets it but it does little damage. I'm really hoping that 1. I didn't hallucinate this from my eternal sleep deprivation and 2. That Omicron is that variant that will roll through quickly and be much less potent. If scenario 2 is the case and if it becomes the dominant strain worldwide surely the pandemic will burn itself out that way?

Idk. I'm triple jabbed, I'm trying to get someone/ anyone to go and give my 90 year old cev grandparents their sodding booster. I'm clutching at straws and hoping that Omicron is a good thing rather than something that knocks us back a few steps.

containsnuts · 11/12/2021 22:41

The "last weekend" bit suggests this was reported very quickly after it happened. So quickly that there wouldn't have been time for anyone to develop complications since it takes 2+ weeks for people to become seriously ill. I'm glad the news is good for these individuals but I think Prof Spector would know better than to report in this way.

TheVampiresWife · 12/12/2021 06:47

@containsnuts

The "last weekend" bit suggests this was reported very quickly after it happened. So quickly that there wouldn't have been time for anyone to develop complications since it takes 2+ weeks for people to become seriously ill. I'm glad the news is good for these individuals but I think Prof Spector would know better than to report in this way.

But it says they recovered within three days?

containsnuts · 12/12/2021 07:09

The point I'm trying to make is that we shouldn't read too much into an anecdote involving a such a small number of people over a few days with no follow-up or comparison. Great that 18 people were recovered by day 3 but that doesn't mean 60 million other people will be the same. That's all I mean, really.

Frenchfancy · 12/12/2021 07:19

Why is it reasonable to assume they weren't triple jabbed. My friends in their 60s have all had 3.

Mindymomo · 12/12/2021 07:22

That is good news to me, being 60 and I presume that some of the 14 would have some age related medical conditions. I will take this as promising.

TheVampiresWife · 12/12/2021 07:30

@containsnuts

The point I'm trying to make is that we shouldn't read too much into an anecdote involving a such a small number of people over a few days with no follow-up or comparison. Great that 18 people were recovered by day 3 but that doesn't mean 60 million other people will be the same. That's all I mean, really.

But crucially, that's 18 out of 18 older people, all recovered within a few days. Of course it doesn't mean it'll be the same for everyone, but it's very positive news and bodes well, I'd say.

TheVampiresWife · 12/12/2021 07:31

14 out of 14, rather.

Need more coffee

AfterSchoolWorry · 12/12/2021 07:35

@Teaandcakeordeath83

I remember ages ago seeing a scientist on the news talking about mutations (think it was the emergence of the Kent variant) and they were saying how mutations can sometimes be a good thing- so the virus mutates to become more virulent but can lose potency so in that scenario everyone gets it but it does little damage. I'm really hoping that 1. I didn't hallucinate this from my eternal sleep deprivation and 2. That Omicron is that variant that will roll through quickly and be much less potent. If scenario 2 is the case and if it becomes the dominant strain worldwide surely the pandemic will burn itself out that way?

Idk. I'm triple jabbed, I'm trying to get someone/ anyone to go and give my 90 year old cev grandparents their sodding booster. I'm clutching at straws and hoping that Omicron is a good thing rather than something that knocks us back a few steps.

I've heard this before too. I'm hoping the same! 🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻

Youngatheart00 · 12/12/2021 07:38

I believe it’s the definition of ‘recovered’ that for debate. Often when people get seriously ill it’s 4+’weeks after originally contracting it - they go downhill after seemingly improving

LefttoherownDevizes · 12/12/2021 07:43

I saw a lecture recently at Imperial by Prof Ioenshaw who is one if the Govt advisers. He was saying that most cironoviruses are 'just' colds having evolved to this form over fine. And that, obviously other than the devastation Covid was causing notwithstanding the opportunities for scientists to watch this evolutionary path in real time was phenomenal. All likelihood was that it would happen to this one too, so here's hoping.

Like the PP said I'm hoping that mass infection may be a good thing to help fight it off liner term. Obviously as long as there's enough well people to help the country function at any one given moment.

DaisyDozyDee · 12/12/2021 07:46

@containsnuts

The "last weekend" bit suggests this was reported very quickly after it happened. So quickly that there wouldn't have been time for anyone to develop complications since it takes 2+ weeks for people to become seriously ill. I'm glad the news is good for these individuals but I think Prof Spector would know better than to report in this way.

Agree that it’s way too soon to draw any conclusions on any long term health impacts or even declare that they’ve recovered if the they only caught it last weekend, and very odd to report it that way.

Aposterhasnoname · 12/12/2021 07:51

@Frenchfancy

Why is it reasonable to assume they weren't triple jabbed. My friends in their 60s have all had 3.

Who said they assumed they weren’t triple jabbed?

Imfedupwithallofthis · 12/12/2021 08:12

Not behind a paywall -

www.google.com/amp/s/www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-somerset-59559755.amp

fournonblondes · 12/12/2021 08:47

Perfectly fine is Omicron is mild so yes good they were jabbed but unliked to be affected anyway.