Ultra-contagious BA.4, BA.5 subvariants fuel coronavirus spread across much of California - Los Angeles Times

Ultra-contagious BA.4, BA.5 subvariants fuel coronavirus spread across much of California - Los Angeles Times

 I thought I was done. I'm going to start linking to stories about the new variants, but actually start summarizing articles and make this an actual blog.  I'm trying to decide if I want to wear a mask or not.

North Korea reports positive covid case for the first time - The Washington Post

North Korea reports positive covid case for the first time - The Washington Post: With no vaccines at all, experts have said North Korea risks becoming the epicenter of new variants as a result of the population’s low immunity to the virus. 

The next variant: three key questions about what’s after Omicron

The next variant: three key questions about what’s after Omicron

This party isn't over.

"Although that has fed speculation that the virus could be evolving towards a strain that induces a milder disease, SARS-CoV-2’s evolutionary path remains unclear, says Rambaut. Thus far, new variants of concern have not evolved from the dominant preceding one. Instead, they have emerged from separate lineages. There is no guarantee that the next dominant variant will sprout from the ‘mild’ Omicron branch of the SARS-CoV-2 family tree. “It is possible that a later variant may be back to a Delta or Alpha lineage, with sufficient immune evasion to sweep Omicron away,” says Rambaut."

A new wave and a new booster? - by Eric Topol

A new wave and a new booster? - by Eric Topol

I would recommend the 2nd booster if you are more than 4-6 months from your 3rd shot, you are age 50+, you tolerated the previous shots well, and you are concerned about the BA.2 wave where you live, or that it’s getting legs as you are trying to decide. Or if you are traveling or have plans that would put you at increased risk.

It can certainly be deferred, but the question is when is the right time, and whether an Omicron-specific vaccine will have any advantage over a 2nd booster directed at the original strain. The data from 2 animal models (macaques and mouse models) suggests there may not be advantage of the Omicron-specific vaccine but that may not correlate with its effect in people. From my discussions with FDA, it is not likely the Omicron-specific vaccine will be available before late May or June. So you can factor that uncertain added benefit and timeline into your decision.

V

Vaccine scientists have been chasing variants. Now, they’re seeking a universal coronavirus vaccine.

“I worry about chasing variants, because there’s always going to be a new variant,” said Drew Weissman, a vaccine pioneer and immunologist at the University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine who is working on a pan-coronavirus vaccine. “Right now, every six months they pop up, but they’re going to pop up until the world is vaccinated.”

Genomic Surveillance for SARS-CoV-2 Variants: Predominance of the Delta (B.1.617.2) and Omicron (B.1.1.529) Variants — United States, June 2021–January 2022

Genomic Surveillance by the CDC: What are the implications for public health practice? The dynamic landscape of SARS-CoV-2 variants in 2021, including Delta- and Omicron-driven resurgences of SARS-CoV-2 transmission across the United States, underscores the importance of robust genomic surveillance efforts to inform public health planning and practice.

So I had Covid last week, from 1/31 to 2/7.  I was really tired the first three days, then felt much better.  I'm so glad I caught the Omicron version of the virus, and that I had good vitamin D levels, two vaccinations and a full booster of the Moderna.  My only accomplishment that week was drinking a lot of La Croix mixed with orange juice and watching the fifth season of The Magicians.

COVID-19: an Endemic Doesn't Mean "harmless"

COVID-19: an Endemic doesn't mean "harmless"

In other words, a disease can be endemic and both widespread and deadly. Malaria killed more than 600,000 people in 2020. Ten million fell ill with tuberculosis that same year and 1.5 million died. Endemic certainly does not mean that evolution has somehow tamed a pathogen so that life simply returns to ‘normal’.