Omicron is tiptoeing across nonchalant countries but we must be awake to its threat potential
Omicron cases are rising steadily across the country and the world. First discovered in South Africa, the new Coronavirus variant has now spread to at least 63 countries, though experts believe it could have spread even to countries that haven’t yet officially detected it. While epidemiologists study the severity of Omicron and whether it could trigger another world freeze, preliminary researches suggest that though it could be ‘less severe’, it has the ability to evade the immune-response of even vaccinated hosts. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), it is likely that Omicron will outpace the Delta Plus variant where community transmission occurs. “In the current situation, vaccination alone will not allow us to prevent the impact of the Omicron variant because there will be no time to address the vaccination gaps that still exist,” the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control has said. This is overwhelming enough for now considering that most countries are still recuperating from the aftermath of the earlier pandemic waves. Meanwhile, West Bengal reported its first Omicron case when a seven-year-old boy in Murshidabad district tested positive while Rajasthan and Delhi reported four cases each of the new COVID-19 variant.
Unfortunately, even two years since grappling the virus and conceding irreparable damages, the situation is back to zero. There is little clarity about the virus; travel makes one vulnerable; there’s constant threat of being infected and, more importantly, the fear of total lockdown — which can cripple economies and induce nasty sufferings — is terrorising people. There is only speculation over whether the Omicron cases may spiral anytime soon but, rather than waiting for the uncontrollable surge, people should act now and cover the basics. Vaccine remains the first defence, followed by a face mask and social distancing and other COVID-appropriate norms. Preliminary findings that existing vaccines may not provide complete protection against Omicron should not be used as an excuse to dodge the jab. There is no need to panic, but certainly to be vigilant. We have little options and perhaps little time, too. Therefore, to prevent another health and economic hazard, the public and the administration must work in tandem and not let the guard down like it happened during the earlier waves. What’s being taken lightly today could snatch our loved ones away.