A new variant that we should prepare for

The news of a new, more deadly variant of the coronavirus is disturbing indeed. Hardly had we been able to take a breath of respite after combatting the first and second wave which was brought about by the Delta variant, that we are again confronted with a new variant of the coronavirus, Omicron. It so far remains an unknown quantity. What we know so far about it is that it has a faster rate of growth and WHO has categorised it as the most troubling category of coronavirus variant at par with its predecessor the Delta variant. As of now, the new variant has been detected in Botswana, Belgium, Hong Kong, the UK and Israel.

As disturbing as it is, the news of the emergence of a new variant should not set off our panic buttons. We would do well to take the situation in our stride but prepare well to face it. In this context, we would like to reiterate Michael Ryan, the Executive Director of WHO's Health Emergencies Programme, that viruses evolve and we pick up variants. It's not the end of the world, the sky is not falling in. His warning against knee-jerk reaction is also worth noting. 

We believe that instead of panicking, we should enforce the health and other regulatory measures forcefully when the time comes, prepare the healthcare system well and invest in it adequately with both material and human resources so as to avoid being overwhelmed should the virus go out of control. It is essential that public awareness programmes be spruced up and that the use of masks be enforced outdoors and in large gatherings. In fact, wearing masks should become our second habit. 

One doesn't know yet to what extent the new virus is resistant to the available vaccines. But that notwithstanding, the government's vaccination programme should be geared up further, since as of now, only 20.65 percent of the population have got two shots, and 33 percent only the first shot.

We ought to learn from our mistakes of the past. The previous lockdown, enforced with the second surge in May this year, was lifted in August. But regrettably, the enforcement was lax, which resulted in an unacceptable number of deaths. We believe that the only way to stem the growth of the new virus is to deprive it of its vectors and prevent its germination. The virus grows in people and is carried around and spread by people; therefore, first and foremost, every effort must be devoted so that the new virus is prevented from entering the country in the first place.