A new Harris poll shows that a majority of Americans are concerned about the recent discovery of the omicron variant of the coronaviruses and are worried about a new surge in Covid-19 cases.
People wait in line at a vaccine site.
The images are from the same source.
The poll found that almost 70% of US adults have heard about the omicron variant.
The variant will affect existing Covid-19 vaccines but has not yet been proven.
The variant is believed to result in new restrictions and a surge in domestic Covid-19 cases.
A Harris poll conducted in July found that many people were concerned about the strain and that many people questioned the effectiveness of the vaccine.
Gen Z is the most optimistic of all demographic groups, with only 61% of them believing the variant will spur more cases and restrictions.
The most concerned people are people of color, with 98% of Asian or Pacific Islander respondents, 98% of Black respondents and 98% of women of color believing the variant will cause cases to rise.
The unvaccinated are the least worried about the omicron variant, but a Harris poll found that even more people are worried about it.
There was aContra.
In an address Monday, President Joe Biden said the new strain is a cause for concern, not a cause for panic. Biden said that they would fight this variant with scientific and knowledgeable actions. We have more tools to fight the variant than we have before, from vaccines to boosters, to vaccines for children five years and older.
There is a structure called the Tangent.
A majority of respondents in a Morning Consult poll supported a wide range of measures to combat the omicron variant, including improved ventilation systems, social distancing, international travel restrictions, and efforts to vaccine low-income countries. A plurality of people think people have the right amount of concern when it comes to the new variant, and 30% of unvaccinated adults would consider getting inoculated due to that.
The key background.
The omicron variant was first identified in Africa last week and has since been found in many countries around the world. The variant has not yet been detected in the U.S., but public health experts believe it will spread in the U.S. The World Health Organization has identified omicron as a "variant of concern", but little is known about the variant and public health experts have cautioned more data is needed to make any conclusions about the new strain. The variant caused stock markets to plunge worldwide on Friday and the U.S. and other countries to impose new travel restrictions.
What to watch for.
Fauci said in an interview with Good Morning America on Monday that more information on the severity of the omicron variant should be known by next week or so, and that the effectiveness of the vaccines against the new strain is being tested, with results expected in at least two weeks. Fauci said Monday that people should not wait for the updated shots, which would be months away, if the data shows their effectiveness is diminished. Biden said Monday that there is no need for harsher restrictions if people are wearing a mask.
Travel restrictions, stocks down, and what to know about Omicron.
Biden says there is no new federal covid restrictions due to the Omicron variant.
A majority of adults back a variety of public health measures.
Coverage and live updates on the coronaviruses.
