A scientist at Leicester University have said the Omicron variant of COVID 19 may be the last variant of the COVID pandemic, though he was quick to add it’s too early to rule out anything more distruption.
WHAT WE KNOW
A scientist and Professor of genomics and bioinformatics at Leicester University have said the Omicron variant of COVID pandemic may be the last variant of the virus that attacked the world late 2019 with it`s most devastating impact been in the year 2020, then 2021.
Prof Anthony Brookes of Leicester University said, it’s unlikely that there would be another variant that could be more virulent other than what is known of Omicron the immune system is used to.
The Professor noted that it’s over nine months since the Omicron variant supplanted the Delta variant, thus giving hope nothing new will emerge other than small variants of Omicron.
NOTABLE QUOTES
Professor Anthony Brookes of Leicester University said, “I think there’s a plausible case that we won’t be stuck on a new variant treadmill forever,” he told the Times yesterday, though he added, “I have learnt to never rule out any outcome.” After the Alpha variant was identified in Kent and swept through the world it was superseded by a new – Delta variant – within months. Delta in turn was supplanted by Omicron.
“Viruses evolve like an arms race, changing to overcome our immune systems and in turn, our immune systems adapt to attack viruses.”
“Delta could be likened to an army tank and, as we became immune to delta, different variants evolved. The Delta army tank evolved into a different shape of tank or variant or weapon to evade our immune systems again.”
“Omicron was like a fighter jet – a different type of variant for our immune systems to deal with.”
“However the virus doesn’t have an infinite range of options and will eventually run out of road. At some point we will have defences against all versions of covid at which point the virus will become endemic affecting only those who have underdeveloped or poor immune systems like the very young, the very old or those who are immunocompromised.
“This is the case for the covid as for all viruses regardless of lockdowns, masks or vaccines – though covid vaccines have helped reduce mortality.”
“But we do not know when this will happen and we cannot know if Omicron is among its last range of options.”
“We’ve lived with viruses for billions of years and we’ve always won the arms race with viruses reaching a final endemic state – rising and falling at relatively low levels. There is no reason to think covid will be any different.”
BACKGROUND
Recall that towards the end of 2019, the Coronavirus was first discovered in Wuhan China, from where it spread across the world and still spreading till date.
However, the Chinese government tried to suppress information about the then new virus, an act, which is believed to have been responsible for the spread of the virus.
COMMENTARY
Many around the world would be glad if Omicron is the last variant of the deadly coronavirus. More worthy of celebration will be the complete wiping out of the virus from the face of the planet.
If completely elimination is not feasible, the scientist should at least strive to discover an effective and safe cure for the demon, rather than just relying on vaccine that have raise so much of controversy.
No other virus in living memory have caused the type of social and economic upheaval that came with the COVID-19 for about three years now.
The virus in no small way, negatively affected economies of many nations and disrupted social lives as families and friends were thrown apart for weeks and months.
Many around the world lost their source of livelihoods, even as many died as a result of the pandemic.
It will take the world some years to recover from the impact of the COVID 19, if it ever recovers at all, as it is already thought that life and leaving will never go back to what they were before COVID-19.
