Changes

'''Omicron variant''',<ref>Da Silva, Chantal (November 26, 2021). [https://news.yahoo.com/names-variant-concern-omicron-scientists-184937931.html WHO names new variant of concern 'omicron,' as scientists advise caution]. ''NBC News'' via ''Yahoo''. Retrieved November 28, 2021.</ref> also known as '''B.1.1.529''',<ref>Tidey, Alice (November 27, 2021). [https://www.euronews.com/2021/11/26/who-labels-new-covid-19-variant-of-concern-names-it-omicron WHO labels new COVID-19 variant 'of concern', names it Omicron]. ''Euronews''. Retrieved November 28, 2021.</ref> is a strain of [[SARS-CoV-2]]<ref name=forbesinfo>Drake, John (November 28, 2021). [https://www.forbes.com/sites/johndrake/2021/11/28/what-we-know-about-the-omicron-variant/?sh=9ea642e358d5 What We Know About The Omicron Variant]. ''Forbes''. Retrieved November 28, 2021.</ref> first discovered in [[South Africa]] in late November 2021 with reported cases in several other countries. Currently, reportedly little is known about the mutations comprising Omicron.<ref name=wapoinfo>Berger, Miriam (November 28, 2021). [https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2021/11/28/coronavirus-genetic-sequence-south-africa-variant-omicron/ South Africa, which found the omicron variant first, sequences less than 1 percent of coronavirus samples]. ''The Washington Post''. Retrieved November 28, 2021.</ref>  As of Jan. 1, 2022, the [[CDC]] asserted that 95% of new [[COVID-19]] cases were due to the Omicron variant.  It is unclear in early January 2022 if the [[COVID vaccine]] has effectiveness against this variant.

'''Omicron variant''',<ref>Da Silva, Chantal (November 26, 2021). [https://news.yahoo.com/names-variant-concern-omicron-scientists-184937931.html WHO names new variant of concern 'omicron,' as scientists advise caution]. ''NBC News'' via ''Yahoo''. Retrieved November 28, 2021.</ref> also known as '''B.1.1.529''',<ref>Tidey, Alice (November 27, 2021). [https://www.euronews.com/2021/11/26/who-labels-new-covid-19-variant-of-concern-names-it-omicron WHO labels new COVID-19 variant 'of concern', names it Omicron]. ''Euronews''. Retrieved November 28, 2021.</ref> is a strain of [[SARS-CoV-2]]<ref name=forbesinfo>Drake, John (November 28, 2021). [https://www.forbes.com/sites/johndrake/2021/11/28/what-we-know-about-the-omicron-variant/?sh=9ea642e358d5 What We Know About The Omicron Variant]. ''Forbes''. Retrieved November 28, 2021.</ref> first discovered in [[South Africa]] in late November 2021 with reported cases in several other countries. Currently, reportedly little is known about the mutations comprising Omicron.<ref name=wapoinfo>Berger, Miriam (November 28, 2021). [https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2021/11/28/coronavirus-genetic-sequence-south-africa-variant-omicron/ South Africa, which found the omicron variant first, sequences less than 1 percent of coronavirus samples]. ''The Washington Post''. Retrieved November 28, 2021.</ref>  As of Jan. 1, 2022, the [[CDC]] asserted that 95% of new [[COVID-19]] cases were due to the Omicron variant.  It is unclear in early January 2022 if the [[COVID vaccine]] has effectiveness against this variant.

Several countries have banned travel with South Africa, prompting sharp criticisms due to the fact that scientists in South Africa had discovered the variant with advanced genome sequencing; the nation's Ministry of International Relations and Cooperation responded:<ref name=wapoinfo/>

Several countries have banned travel with South Africa, prompting sharp criticisms due to the fact that scientists in South Africa had discovered the variant with advanced genome sequencing; the nation's Ministry of International Relations and Cooperation responded: "Excellent science should be applauded and not punished".<ref name=wapoinfo/><ref>South Africa Ministry of International Relations and Cooperation, November 2021</ref>

{{cquote|Excellent science should be applauded and not punished.|||South Africa Ministry of International Relations and Cooperation, November 2021}}

Incumbent [[White House]] officeholder [[Joseph R. Biden]], who called travel bans "racist" and "xenophobic,"<ref>Multiple references:

Incumbent [[White House]] officeholder [[Joseph R. Biden]], who called travel bans "racist" and "xenophobic,"<ref>Multiple references: