Some thoughts on the new variant, B.1.1.529 (aka ‘Nu’):
First and foremost, there is reason for concern, but nearly everything is still unclear at this moment.
The incredible team of scientists in South Africa that identified the variant along with @WHO and others are doing the research right now to answer 👇 important questions…
The incredible team of scientists in South Africa that identified the variant along with @WHO and others are doing the research right now to answer 👇 important questions…
https://twitter.com/ashishkjha/status/1464224842203471916
What IS clear is that knee-jerk reactions like banning flights may be politically palatable, but will do little to slow the spread of this variant.
In the coming days more countries will identify cases. And there’s a good chance it’s already spreading here and in other places.
In the coming days more countries will identify cases. And there’s a good chance it’s already spreading here and in other places.
https://twitter.com/vonderleyen/status/1464132568333398018
Ok sure, but why not better safe than sorry?
The imposition of punishing restrictions will disincentivize other countries from transparently sharing similar news in the future.
This isn’t just a problem in this pandemic, but transparency has been an issue in other outbreaks.
The imposition of punishing restrictions will disincentivize other countries from transparently sharing similar news in the future.
This isn’t just a problem in this pandemic, but transparency has been an issue in other outbreaks.
What does that mean in practice?
Imagine a country like Turkey identifies a worrisome variant that seems to undermine the protection of our vaccines.
But sounding the alarm brings travel bans, economic losses and a negative depiction in international press.
What would you do?
Imagine a country like Turkey identifies a worrisome variant that seems to undermine the protection of our vaccines.
But sounding the alarm brings travel bans, economic losses and a negative depiction in international press.
What would you do?
It’s also worth noting that this is exactly what everyone calling for global vaccine equity has been screaming about.
Even as wealthy countries roll out expansive booster campaigns, many countries are still waiting for enough doses to give first shots.
Even as wealthy countries roll out expansive booster campaigns, many countries are still waiting for enough doses to give first shots.
An unvaccinated population—anywhere in the world—gives the virus more chances to mutate and evolve.
And policies in wealthy countries—including purchasing and stockpiling more doses than needed—have made it harder to get people vaccinated, especially those in sub-Saharan Africa.
And policies in wealthy countries—including purchasing and stockpiling more doses than needed—have made it harder to get people vaccinated, especially those in sub-Saharan Africa.
At one point, vaccines produced IN AFRICA were being sent to Europe because of contractual requirements.
nytimes.com/2021/08/16/bus…
nytimes.com/2021/08/16/bus…
I understand many people are worried. We’ll know more in the coming days & weeks.
But in the meantime, take a moment to think of the many healthcare workers around the world still on the frontlines despite not yet having access to a vaccine.
Its them we should be worried about.
But in the meantime, take a moment to think of the many healthcare workers around the world still on the frontlines despite not yet having access to a vaccine.
Its them we should be worried about.
https://twitter.com/moetitshidi/status/1463882370013184004
One note of clarification: the new B.1.1529 variant is named Omicron, not Nu
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