The #Omicron variant is spreading rapidly across the world. But what should #Europe do as a response to this threat? In our statement at @bmj_latest, we identify three goals and call for urgent action. bmj.com/content/376/bm… 
Claims such as “everyone will catch Omicron eventually” suggest that it no longer matters if protective measures are taken. However, if people are no longer concerned about protection against COVID-19, careless behaviour might lead to an even faster spread.
First, reducing the number of infections will also reduce the number of cases admitted to hospitals. This is critical to protect our already burdened health care staff and systems. This will also help to protect critical infrastructure.
It is critical to understand that well-established evidence-based measures are still effective at reducing infection.
Second, it is important to #protectchildren, who have not been vaccinated to a large degree. As health care capacities for children are limited and not under the same surveillance as adult healthcare, ...
high community transmission could also lead to an increase in hospitalization of children. School closures may be deemed necessary but should be considered a last resort measure and be compensated by alternative forms of teaching (e.g., remote learning).
Third, lower incidence is necessary to buy time for more vaccinations. Vaccinations, and third doses in particular, help reduce severe cases substantially.
As the COVID-19 pandemic has never been solely a local problem, coordination and cooperation in the European Union and the @WHO are essential for reducing the impact of the Omicron wave in Europe and the world.
This also concerns #misinformtion. Health authorities have to make more effort to maintain the trust of the people and to mitigate the harmful effects of the infodemic.
The current situation highlights the importance of supporting lower- and middle-income countries, for example through initiatives such as Access to COVID-19 Tools (ACT) and COVID-19 Vaccine Access Facility (COVAX).
-- Thank you to all authors for the amazing collaboration. @EmilIftekhar @LilianKojan @OliuBarton @martinmckee @robert_bohm @sarah_cuschieri @CzypionkaThomas @udumpis @claudiahans @HelZdenek @IlonaKickbusch @Jen_BMJ @JVLazarus @HelenaCFMachado @matjazperc @Petelos1
@BPrainsack @STsiodras @MicroSysEco @GuntramWolff @BaryPradelski and Giulia Giordano, Claudia Hanson, Peter Klimek, Mirjam Kretzschmar, Berit Lange, Kai Nagel, Nedyu Popivanov and Kay Schroeder.
@RWTH @maxplanckpress @Bruegel_org @LSHTM @Paris_Dauphine @univienna @uni_copenhagen @lvuniversity @karolinskainst @UABNews @GHC_IHEID @ISGLOBALorg @UniUtrecht @UiB @Helmholtz_HZI @UMinho_Oficial @TUBerlin @MaastrichtU @juliuscenter @BgSciencesBAS @CnrsAlpes @OxManInst
Thank you very much to @FAZ_Wissen and @sianderl @MuellerJung for taking the time to explain our statement in the podcast. Love it!
https://twitter.com/FAZ_Wissen/status/1481983427914129416
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