Omicron variant
Omicron variant,[1] also known as B.1.1.529,[2] is a strain of SARS-CoV-2[3] 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.[4]
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:[4]
| “ | 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,"[5] imposed a travel ban on eight African countries[6] based on recommendations of medical advisers led by Anthony Fauci.[7]
Genome
The Omicron variant is unlikely to be related to the Alpha and Delta variants of coronavirus.[3] Instead, its mutations cause it to be distinct from the other strains of the virus. The mutations are likely to make the Omicron variant ineffective to combat by COVID-19 vaccines, due to a potentially different "Spike" gene (associated with 32 different mutations) the vaccines are designed to target.[3]
References
- ↑ Da Silva, Chantal (November 26, 2021). WHO names new variant of concern 'omicron,' as scientists advise caution. NBC News via Yahoo. Retrieved November 28, 2021.
- ↑ Tidey, Alice (November 27, 2021). WHO labels new COVID-19 variant 'of concern', names it Omicron. Euronews. Retrieved November 28, 2021.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Drake, John (November 28, 2021). What We Know About The Omicron Variant. Forbes. Retrieved November 28, 2021.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Berger, Miriam (November 28, 2021). South Africa, which found the omicron variant first, sequences less than 1 percent of coronavirus samples. The Washington Post. Retrieved November 28, 2021.
- ↑ Multiple references:
- Schorr, Isaac (September 14, 2020). Yes, Biden Called Trump’s Travel Restrictions Xenophobic. National Review. Retrieved November 28, 2021.
- Sacca, Paul (November 27, 2021). After White House bans travel from 8 African countries, tweets resurface of Biden saying travel bans don't work and accusing Trump of 'xenophobia'. The Blaze. Retrieved November 28, 2021.
- Richardson, Valerie (November 28, 2021). Nancy Mace blasts media double-standard on Biden, Trump COVID travel bans. Washington Times. Retrieved November 28, 2021.
- Husebø, Wendell (November 26, 2021). Joe Biden Slammed for Calling Trump’s Travel Restrictions Racist, Xenophobic, Then Enacting His Own. Breitbart News. Retrieved November 28, 2021.
- ↑ Kumar, Anugrah (November 28, 2021). Biden imposes travel ban from 8 African countries in response to Omicron COVID-19 variant. The Christian Post. Retrieved November 28, 2021.
- ↑ Nelson, Steven (November 6, 2021). Biden says he delayed Africa travel ban over Omicron variant on advice of advisers led by Fauci. New York Post. Retrieved November 28, 2021.