Julian wrote:Lootman wrote:…
In fact the signs so far are that Omicron might almost be the perfect Covid variant, i.e. it is highly infectious but relatively harmless. This means we get a big boost to herd immunity with relatively few serious illnesses or deaths.
So bring it on, Omicron.
I would hope that any rational person wants that to be how things turn out and my impression from what I have read is that is is a distinct possibility but I have been reading/viewing a lot of expert commentary saying that it is simply too early to make that call; we simply do not have enough outcome data yet to determine the severity vs Delta. Data from South Africa might not transfer to the UK due to the much younger demographic in SA. I’m not going to try and go down fighting in a counter argument with you, if you forced me to place a bet right now I would go along with your point of view, but I think it is too early to be a definite as I (maybe incorrectly) interpret your position. I just hope this period of uncertainty doesn’t last too long because right now I see some sections of the mainstream media running stories with a slant that leans the other way, i.e. “we’re all doomed”, whereas I do think that the “bring it on” scenario really is a possibility.
- Julian
Well and truly got all bits crossed for this to pan out that way!
The only observed issue to date that I'm aware of would be the increase in hospitalisation of the really young (under 5) in South Africa ( presently up 6 fold in previous waves for the under 2s) and putting them in a similar position to those in their 60s. That is alarming in that they need different stuff for treatment from the resources that we've been piling on to these past two years.
But it also could be part of the "reversion to the flu" that's been expected as this becomes endemic (THAT hits the younger worse than wild COVID); with the big caveat that this isn't like the flu in its normal pathology ("it refreshes the parts other viruses fail to reach"
)
Still too early to know! in vitro tests should be ramping up soon as this gets cultured and a picture should appear shortly
- only Roy Walker would push you to make a guess now
-sd