A new version of Covid: did the recent action against Omicron work?

Last week, a highly mutated variant of Covid was identified, which the World Health Organization quickly described as a "questionable variant" and called Omicron. 

This is a rapidly evolving situation. Omicron's genetic profiling has raised concerns, but there is a lack of real-world data, meaning no one has the complete picture of what they can do. It's not clear how significant the threat is.

However, at this early stage, the UK Government needs to act as there are no definitive facts, and there is a risk of an inadequate or excessive response. It's like after your first date, or I decide whether to marry someone. Only the stakes are much higher. We know that Omicron has a mutation that, in theory, helps it spread faster, and there is growing evidence of what happened in South Africa.

In addition, some mutations theoretically make the vaccine less effective, and the World Health Organization says the risk of reinfection is higher than other options. But we don't know how much was transmitted. We don't know if it's easier or harder. We don't know what's going to happen when we face our substantial immunity this fall, built on vaccines, boosters, and high levels of Covid.

The government's response has been to test everyone who comes to the UK, isolate all contact with Omicron, step up reinforcements and restore mandatory face masks in some public places. To be clear, this will not stop the arrival or spread of new Omicron cases. He has arrived. If the virus can spread well, it will eventually go away.

And it has the potential to spread here too. Covid cases are increasing, except for the pause in the first half of October. The government is focused on putting load on hospitals, and before Omicron, it will be a critical factor in tightening restrictions or moving to Plan B crashes. Because of the success of the booster.

But if the current version of Delta can deploy here, and Omicron combines a faster transmission with some ability to bypass immunity, then it also has the potential to circulate. You can take your time, but for what? Science and Strengthening.