New virus variant emerges in Africa, stokes global fears
Countries halt air travel; level of risk is unknown
BRUSSELS – The discovery of a new coronavirus variant sent a chill through much of the world Friday as nations raced to halt air travel, markets fell sharply and scientists held emergency meetings to weigh the exact risks, which were largely unknown.
A World Health Organization panel named the variant “omicron” and classified it as a highly transmissible virus of concern, the same category that includes the delta variant. The WHO suggested omicron could pose greater risks than delta, which is the world's most prevalent variant and has fueled relentless waves of infection on every continent.
Early evidence suggests an increased risk of reinfection compared with other highly transmissible variants, the WHO said. That means people who contracted COVID-19 and recovered could be subject to catching it again.
In response, the United States and Canada joined the European Union and several other countries in instituting travel restrictions on visitors from southern Africa, where the variant brought on a fresh surge of infections and is thought to have originated.
The White House said the U.S. will restrict travel from South Africa and seven other countries in the region
been married 47 years.
His parents are OSU alums, two of his children are OSU graduates and one of his daughters really tempted family fate by earning degrees from both Ohio State and Michigan.
Stough helps run the architecture business started by his father decades ago. He attended his first Ohio Statemichigan game when he was a little boy in the 1950s and fell in love with a rivalry that is part of daily life in Sylvania.
Near the eve of the big game, The Dispatch talked with Stough about the rivalry that comes to a head in his city:
Is the Osu-michigan rivalry really a big deal in Sylvania, or is this a newspaper guy blowing this out of proportion?
“The division is real. It’s just different here. When I go down to Columbus, everyone is in their red and gray, and up in Ann Arbor you only see the blue. But here you see the split.”
In what way do you see it?
“Walk down our neighborhood streets you will see flags hanging on the houses. And it’s common to see Block ‘O’ on one house and next to it a house with Block ‘M’ flag and so on. But there is another flag up here you see quite a bit and that’s the split flag with red O on one said and blue M on other. That helps a lot of divided marriages up here.
We also sit right on U.S. Route 23, so both fan bases have to come right through here to get to the other’s school for the big game.”
Is it friendly?
“It’s good spirited here. Very friendly, and not nasty like I know it can get in some other places.”
So are there more Ohio State or Michigan fans living in Sylvania?
“My instincts are here in Sylvania it leans toward Michigan. More people go to the games in Michigan because it’s closer. And it’s easier for folks here to get tickets to those games than it is in Columbus.”
Do you have any other evidence it’s more of a Michigan town?
“In my role as mayor, we used to have a Friday lunchtime tailgate party before the game. And we had more city employees who were Michigan fans than Ohio State fans. I mean it was two to one. Our IT director, who is very professional, showed up wearing an earring that was an ornament flashing a blue M.”
Well for those in Columbus, it sounds like you aren’t doing very good job as mayor up there?
(Laughter) “We need more reinforcements
from Columbus to come up here and help us out. As soon as you get down near Findlay, you start seeing the strong Ohio State fan bases. But north of there, you start seeing splits or that lean toward Michigan.”
So you are open about being an Ohio State fan in your city?
“Yes, very much so.”
Aren’t politicians supposed to be neutral?
“Sometimes, you have to take a stand; you can’t be neutral on something like this with all my history at Ohio
State. I do root for Michigan to win all their games. I am a fan of the Big Ten Conference, and I think it helps the rivalry when Michigan wins. I just don’t root for them one game a year.”
Have you ever been harassed by anyone as mayor or had the M painted on your house or something?
“No, none of that. But we did have a niece get married in Ann Arbor on the day of the big game. And we got booed in the parking lot when people saw we had Ohio license plates on our car.”
Which fan base can be more arrogant?
“I wouldn’t say arrogant. But more outspoken? I would say the Ohio State fans down in Columbus, no doubt about it.”
What is the first thing you think of when you picture Ohio Stadium?
“All of the amazing victories I have witnessed in there. There have been a few tough losses too but so many more victories over the years.”
And your first thought when you picture Michigan’s Big House?
“It’s a much tighter, less comfortable stadium to sit in. And the last time I was up there, they were playing the band music through the speaker system. Are you kidding me? Ohio State’s famous marching band doesn’t need a speaker system to be heard.”
What will you be wearing the week of the game?
“I have a couple of Ohio State ties that are appropriate for me to wear as mayor. One has little Brutus Buckeyes. And then, as the week goes on, I step up my game, including with my Woody Block ‘O’ cap.”
Who wins this year?
“I’m expecting a much more competitive game this year. Michigan has a better team this year. But Ohio State’s offense is too potent. Ohio State wins 35 to 28.” mwagner@dispatch.com @Mikewagner48