Reuters, in conjunction with the CDC, is publishing on Covid variant BA.2.86. These are some key breakdowns, and translation of the mind suggestions.
“So far there is no evidence that BA.2.86 spreads faster or causes more serious illness than previous versions. The CDC said its advice on protecting yourself from COVID remains the same.” Mind suggestion: don’t worry, right now.
“He said it remains to be seen whether BA.2.86 will be able to out-compete other strains of the virus or have any advantage in escaping immune responses from prior infection or vaccination.” Mind suggestion: worry maybe just a little.
“BA.2.86 stems from an “earlier branch” of the coronavirus, so it differs from the variant targeted by current vaccines, explained Dr. S. Wesley Long, medical director of diagnostic microbiology at Houston Methodist. “But many countries have drastically reduced testing of patients….”
Mind suggestion: this variant is different, and we don’t know much about it. Please worry again.
“In that situation, the trajectory of BA.2.86 “doesn’t look good right now,” given the speed at which new cases are being identified, said Dr. Eric Topol, a genomics expert and director of the Scripps Research Translational Institute in La Jolla, California.”
Mind suggestion: Ok definitely worry somewhat.
“The vaccine is still going to provide you great defense against illness and death,” [Wesley] Long said.
Mind suggestion: we’re pivoting from ‘safe and effective’ for ‘it’s still a great defense’
