Thread by @HZiauddeen

🧵Omicron update:
This variant is looking seriously worrying.
It's from a different lineage to delta i.e. it's not delta++ but another variant line all together & it has a helluva lot of worrying mutations.
It seems to be spreading rapidly even in people who are vaccinated.
1/9

https://twitter.com/HZiauddeen/status/1464757120495194116

This could be because it's like a novel virus we're susceptible to and/or that it is able to some extent, evade immunity acquired to previous variants and vaccines. This is called immune escape and looks likely to significant with Omicron.
2/9

Given that Omicron is very different from delta we may likely end up in a situation where we have two separate but simultaneous pandemics.
The NHS is in crisis with one pandemic, with two... However vaccines are still protective. Please get vaccinated and boosted!
3/9

There is no evidence to suggest that this is a milder variant or one you would want yourself or your child to catch.
Children under 5 seem particularly susceptible to Omicron.
4/9

Even prior to Omicron, we had a surging pandemic with very high case numbers, especially in children, and increasing deaths.
5/9

The conditions that facilitated the spread of delta (no masks, no mitigations, increased mixing and all 3 together in schools) would be a dream come true for Omicron.
The only thing preventing this from happening is the fact that viruses can't dream.
6/9

Sure, we need more data but the data we have at the moment is more than enough to say that we do not want to take the chance of collecting too much data. A pandemic is not a 'let's wait and see how bad it really is & then think if we should act' situation. We need to act.
7/9

Here's the worst case scenario if we do act now and Omicron turns out not to be such a concern: we control delta.
Our govt messaging and strategy has done little to address the seriousness of the concern.
But just look at how quickly the world is reacting.
8/9

What can you do?
-Mask up i.e. upgrade to FFP2/FFP3 + get kids to mask.
-Get vaccinated & boosted including kidsif eligible.
-Be careful about mixing with people, take precautions you need for an airborne virus.
-Call out the minimisation bullshit.
-Stay safe people.
9/9