Let’s be rational about Omicron

SHOULD we be worried about Omicron? Let’s be rational.

There are three questions that need to be answered about any variant of concern causing Covid-19, including Omicron.

Is the variant more infectious than Delta? Does it cause severe disease? Will vaccines and boosters be effective, and if so, for how long?

It is clear that Omicron is a highly infectious virus and probably more so than Delta – it took over rapidly in Africa and has spread to more than 100 countries worldwide.

For a germ so tiny, with a name meaning “small”, Omicron sure packs a punch. Less really is more.

Even though it is less severe than Delta and previous Covid-19 variants, Omicron has an extraordinary number of mutations – at least 50 – just in the spike protein, which helps it to partially evade human immunity that was developed from either prior disease or vaccination.

It will affect highly vulnerable, immunosuppressed or unvaccinated people much more than the vaccinated. So, it is a mistake to dismiss Omicron just because it is less likely to hospitalise any individual patient. Delta still predominates, for the moment, on all continents except Africa. UK and Europe have “twindemics” of Delta and Omicron; London this week declared a major incident with rapid rises in hospital admissions due to Omicron.

Omicron threatens, and may well overwhelm, the health systems of rich northern hemisphere countries, let alone in poorer nations, more so as winter drives people indoors into crowded and poorly ventilated places.

Are current vaccines adequate against Omicron? Yes, partially.

Many lab experiments suggest strong cross-protection from vaccination – but the third vaccine dose is needed to markedly improve protection from 4-5 months after the second dose. So three doses will give substantial protection from Omicron.

A study reported by Pfizer last week showed two doses of mRNA vaccine gave about 70 per cent protection against severe disease from Omicron, compared with more than 90 per cent against earlier variants such as Delta, and that three doses will bring that protection back to 90 per cent and more. Several companies are working on a new booster vaccine that even better covers Omicron.

These should be available by late March when flu boosters also fall due.

The virus, by nature, evolves and will become even more efficient in spreading from person to person. We too must adapt rapidly in response.

Booster doses are now being used in quite a few countries and can rapidly raise the antibody level and better protect against disease. In fact, mRNA boosters can also reduce the risk of mild infection and transmission. Rich countries are awash with supply of vaccines and we in Australia have tens of millions to share.

Extra efforts should be made to improve delivery of vaccinations over the holiday period and beyond, both locally and to neighbouring countries

We can expect a spike in Covid19 cases as borders open and people travel more. In a short time, most cases will be Omicron.

This may not be all bad news, however, as because Omicron causes milder disease, it may act like a natural booster for the robust, the young and healthy.

Lab experiments suggest the highest level of protective immunity is in people who are vaccinated and have also had a mild natural infection. Data on this is still being collected.

Double-vaccinated people still have a large degree of protection from hospitalisation, but less so in the elderly or chronically unwell.

They are priorities for rapid boosting.

The WHO has called on countries to use all possible measures to rein in the spread of Omicron, including scaling up vaccination, encouraging maskwearing, physical distancing and hand hygiene. We can all take part.

Get yourself vaccinated and take a booster within 5-6 months of the second dose.

Remember that vaccines do not completely stop virus transmission from person to person.

Get tested if unwell and isolate until a PCR result is available. Use masks in crowded places. Practise hand hygiene and use sanitisers.

Be extra careful at large indoor events.

If only our civic leaders could devote the same kind of energy and enthusiasm towards a critical water project as they do to a football stadium we might stand a chance of future proofing our region.

Les, Bungalow

In NSW the government is treating the population with respect and as adults. Here in Queensland, no respect, and it’s the “nanny state”. Time for incompetent politicians to butt out of our lives. Show us the health advice, Anna? Bring in the Royal Commission and some accountability.

Rick, Redlynch

Would the climatistas that frequent this page please provide just one example of how the climate has changed since I was born here 82 years ago? Because I ain’t seeing anything any different to what I’ve seen in the past.

Old Bill, Bungalow

Baseball coach Yogi Berra once said, “Predictions are hard, especially about the future.” Climate change experts and Covid experts have found that out the hard way. And that’s why genuine people don’t describe themselves as experts.

Darryl, Westcourt

In case you don’t know how incompetently Ports North has managed our port, consider that EQ Resources (CP, 21/12) must transport its product from Mt Carbine to Townsville for export. That’s an extra 322km of carbons per truck. Sic ‘em, greenies. Merle, Bungalow

Testing our limits (CP, 2O/12). Just shows how sneaky Cricket Australia is. It always was about getting Cheat Smith back in as captain.

Steve, Edge Hill

I think the “Greens” resonate a lot with people on their environmental and climate change policies not so much on outlandish animal welfare claims when it comes to horse racing. My view of the industry is the majority of horses are loved to death from the day they are born till their death. Just saying as a former player now enthusiast and punter.

Retiree, Cairns

Douglas Shire Council (CP, 21/12) seems not to know this, but we could not live in towns and cities without single-use plastic. Instead of wasting our taxpayer rates on these feel-good virtuesignalling schemes,perhaps they could put more litter receptacles out and empty them on far a more regular basis.

Dennis and Jason, Port Douglas

Well said, Ian Lummis (CP, 21/12). Not only do oldies have green tick app troubles, the young techos already have a fake app that looks identical to the real thing. The one thing that the globalists never allow for is human ingenuity.

Kiara, Westcourt