The hearts are sinking. Despite warnings that this winter could prove punishing, many had hoped the worst of the Pandemic was over. The new Omicron variant detected in South Africa is ringing alarm bells, as Covid cases are surging across Europe, rates are rising in the UK again after a half-term dip, and the new Covid variant is popping up all over the world.
The World Health Organization has classified this variant as of concern, though we don't know how much of a threat it poses. The fear is that the multiple mutations on its spike protein could mean that the immune system may not be able to fight it. Scientists are looking at how the immune system interacts with T-cells. There has been a surge of cases in South Africa. We don't know if it will cause more severe disease. The chief medical adviser of the UK Health Security Agency described it as the most worrying they had seen, while the health secretary warned that it may be more transmissible than the Delta variant. It may affect the effectiveness of a major treatment.
This is the case for swift action. Precautionary actions have relatively low economic and social costs and can be scaled back, while a delayed reaction costs lives and increases the risk that severe restrictions will be needed, as was the case last winter. Which measures are appropriate is the question. Israel has found at least three cases of the variant that has spread beyond southern African countries. Some feel that cutting off transport links is punishing South Africa for its expertise and transparency in finding and revealing a variant which may have originated elsewhere, and that action would have been slower had the variant emerged in Europe or the US.
While suspending travel can't stop the variant's spread, it may buy time to get more doses into arms, improve public awareness and introduce stronger disease control measures. It should be used wisely. The government should have never considered mandatory masking a plan B, it should be reintroduced now.
South Africa and its neighbours need all the support they can get. In poorer countries, people will be vulnerable due to malnourishment, existing health problems, overcrowded conditions and healthcare systems that fail to meet their basic needs.
Failing to distribute vaccines equitably is a failure of ethics and self-protection, and the more the virus circulates, the greater the risk of new variant. Intellectual property rights on Covid vaccines, tests and treatments have long been called for waiving by South Africa and other countries. The EU, UK and others still hold out despite the US backing that call. South Africa has a vaccine problem that is not one of supply. The delayed start didn't help, and other African nations are still struggling to get the vaccine.
The Pandemic will end one day, and though humans can't determine its course, our actions have an impact on it. The dedication of scientists, medical staff and other key workers mitigated its worst aspects. The rest of us have a part to play.
