German Deutsche Welle cooled things down when it posted on December 21, 2020. The new UK variant may spread quickly their science journalist admitted. But the new COVID mutation is not a panic situation they advised. That’s because the vaccines will still work on it. Although they may require ‘further adjustments down the line’.
Why the New COVID Mutation is Not a Panic Situation
The new COVID virus version is an exceptionally good spreader. It arrived in southern England in September 2020, but already has roots in Italy, Netherlands, Belgium, Denmark, even Australia. In the war between pathogens and humans, humans develop protective antibodies. Pathogens respond by creating new mutations.
This is why we develop common colds year after year. But the virus may not necessarily become stronger. In fact, history suggests it may eventually weaken. This is one reason the new COVID mutation is not a panic situation necessarily. The SARS-CoV-2 virus responsible for COVID-19 produces nearly one new mutation per month. This is why the impact varies between different people and nations.
The Adjustments We May Need to Make to Vaccines
COVID-19 is an ‘enveloped virus’ within an outer fatty or lipid membrane. Vaccines teach immune systems to penetrate this, and destroy the organism inside. Antibodies spur the virus to modify its outside surface so they can no longer recognize it. Our scientists will probably need to adjust our vaccines to get around these defenses.
They already do this for our annual flu shots, because that virus is remarkably adept at staying ahead of us too. In other words, the coronavirus is simply doing what viruses do. There is therefore no need to panic. We must just keep our eye on the ball, and continue doing what we have to do to stop it in its tracks.
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Preview Image: SARS-CoV-2 Virus
