Viewpoints: Will Omicron Be The Catalyst To Get The World Vaccinated?; Omicron May Require New Vaccine
Opinion writers weigh in on these covid issues.
Bloomberg:
Omicron Variant Should Spur Rich Nations To Close Covid-19 Vaccine Gap
Scientists don’t yet know where the new coronavirus strain dubbed omicron first developed, or even whether it was incubated in humans or animals. Still, two things are clear. The yawning gap in vaccinations between rich and poor countries only increases the risk of more such variants emerging. And bridging that divide will require focusing on demand as much as supply. (12/6)
Chicago Tribune:
Why Immunization With Current COVID-19 Vaccines May Not Protect Against The Omicron Variant
The new omicron variant of the coronavirus may be more transmissible and virulent than the first-wave virus. The possibility of enhanced contagiousness is attributed to omicron’s mutations of the gene encoding the spike protein of the virus. It will take epidemiologists several weeks of observations and genomic testing of the virus recovered from infected people to reach a conclusion about its contagiousness. As a precaution, the World Health Organization has designated omicron as a “variant of concern.” (Ronald Kallen, 12/6)
Mercury News & East Bay Times:
A New COVID Variant, The Same Obstructionist Deniers
Once again, we enter a new phase of pandemic uncertainty. As we approached the end of the second year of the pandemic, we knew that the holiday season would once again present challenges. With the weather cooling and more people gathering indoors to celebrate with friends and families, an upsurge in COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations and deaths seemed inevitable. And then, on Thanksgiving Day, as the U.S. holiday season launched, South Africa alerted the world to its discovery of the omicron coronavirus variant. Five days later, the first U.S. case was reported in San Francisco. (12/4)
NBC News:
Covid Vaccine Efforts Can't Let Up Because Of New Pills From Merck And Pfizer To Treat The Virus
New oral medications that fight Covid-19 are here, and they represent a major advance in the fight against the pandemic.Last week, in a controversial 13-10 vote, the Food and Drug Administration expert advisory committee recommended that the agency grant emergency use authorization to the first oral medication designed to treat Covid-19. The drug, named molnupiravir by its developers, pharmaceutical giant Merck and its collaborator, Ridgeback Biotherapeutics, was the first such medication seeking emergency use authorization. According to data presented by the manufacturer, if the drug was taken early in the course of Covid-19, it would have the potential to reduce hospitalizations and deaths by 30 percent among high-risk people. (Dr. Irwin Redlener, 12/6)
Los Angeles Times:
How Our Brains Help Us Adapt To Whatever COVID Throws Our Way
The availability of COVID-19 vaccines earlier this year allowed for the partial reboot of life as usual during the pandemic. But the Omicron variant — and its Delta predecessor — have come along to remind us that COVID-19, like your Uncle Ted at the holidays, is here to stay for an undetermined while longer. Now that we definitely know a finish line to this health crisis is not within sight, how can we mentally adjust to this latest new normal? Psychological research conducted in my lab at Duke University and elsewhere has illuminated how times of uncertainty affect anxiety and alter our perception of time and provided insights into how we can help ourselves cope. (Kevin S. Labar, 12/7)
The Star Tribune:
Health Care Workers Already Stepped Up
The Star Tribune editorial, "Health care leaders must step up now," (Nov. 30) misses the mark. We have all faced challenges throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, but health care workers and leaders have tirelessly staffed the front line for nearly two years. Worldwide, researchers and health care professionals have risen to the challenge through every surge and have continued to transform how we care for patients, protect communities and conduct research. It is essential to recognize those contributions. They are significant. (Gianrico Farrugia, 12/6)
