IT was in November 2021 that the latest variant of the coronavirus was christened Omicron. In a span of just over a month, Omicron reached more than 100 countries.
There is reason to believe that the sheer reach of Omicron, in effect, will mark the endgame of Covid-19.
The spreadability of Omicron is such that precautions like masks and vaccines may be breached. Breakthrough infections have already become the norm. Scientists at the World Health Organisation (WHO) seem to think that the elusive herd immunity will be reached thanks to Omicron’s ubiquitousness – a silver lining, a broad one at that, in an otherwise gloomy start to the new year.
The health authorities continue to urge everyone to strictly adhere masks and a social distancing mandate. The precautionary measures coupled with maximum vaccination will be a good shield. Let the lousy virus be provoked for a breakthrough infection.
The infection thus happening will be placid, especially so because Omicron has not apparently mastered the art of scarring the lungs, unlike its predecessor Delta. Bulk of Omicron work in the nose and throat and hence may transmit with lightning speed. However, the Omicron’s arena does not go deeper to the lungs, thus promising milder infections.
Unlike the first round of the pandemic, no country is thinking of a lockdown as on date. So movement of people will be more or less normal. Everyone eligible should go for all vaccines – first time, ‘booster’, fourth time – whatever the country offers. Also let there be no let-up on precautionary steps like masks.
It’s anticipated that Omicron will still afflict a number of people in the coming weeks. The sea of infections will herald the herd immunity.
Is Omicron inadvertently becoming the saboteur of the coronavirus community? Did God send a blessing to humanity in disguise? Time will answer. In the meantime, we need to bait the minuscule enemy with all the armour science has given us – vaccines being the most potent.
Omicron will emerge numero uno in its sprint, but will collapse at the finishing tape, taking along with marathon runners like Alpha and Delta too. Let’s make the dash stiffer – a steeplechase – by embracing wholeheartedly vaccines and other Covid protocols.
We don’t rest when we see the victory on the horizon after two horrifying years!
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