Anyone who understands anything about RNA viruses realises that they mutate at a rapid rate. Many of the mutations will not be viable, but some will be. As it mutates, evolutionary pressure will encourage more effective infection but less virulent symptoms as killing the host will effectively kill that strain given time. So the Indian varian is more infectious. Well, yes, tell us something new.
The Indian Covid variant has already overtaken the Kent strain in 23 English local authorities and has spread to 40 per cent of the country, positive test data revealed today as Boris Johnson desperately tried to play down fears that the June 21 ‘freedom day’ could be ditched because of the strain.
Who didn’t see that one coming, eh? The trouble is, there will always be new strains because it’s an RNA virus. We get new strains of flu in exactly the same way. If SAGE and the government are going to panic every time there is a new variant, then we will never come out of the restrictions. But I guess that is the point. Some people really like this nightmare. When the Indian one dies down, another will take its place and so on and so on. And each time SAGE will wet their knickers and Boris will dance to their tune and we will continue in this ever more destructive vortex of absurdity.
Part of the trouble is, the Government has – by acting as it has done – accepted responsibility for every Covid death. So even in the unlikely event they want to back off the restrictions, they will get savaged by the media if they try it.
OT but the last three strips on the Dilbert series are about Dilbert’s employer getting involved in social media.
https://dilbert.com/
Look up Corona virus in any virology textbook and it is described as an infectious virus, often highly infectious usually causing colds. This is true. But the SARS-Corona strains are more like the ‘flu virus in causing a more profound infection. They all are zoonoses and have animal reservoirs. RNA viruses are genetically unstable and mutate easily as they are single stranded. Influenza virus is an RNA virus too and even more unstable as its genome is made up of packets of RNA. A pig gets two infections and the two viruses swap packets and bingo, either another mild ‘flu or Spanish ‘flu! Corona viruses usually mutate to become more infectious and give milder symptoms. So we shouldn’t worry too much, but it’s here to stay. I just wish the government hysteria over this would go away though. ‘Flu kills loads of people every year. They are old and ill but there was no over reaction, not even in 1968 with Hong Kong ‘flu. Idiots!
Indian Covid variant
Why are we not seeing daily death porn from INdia now?
Could it be because the surge has decreased as rapidly as it increased? Even SAGE’s Neil Ferguson [spit] admits it
Further, PHE now in open disagreement with SAGE: data does not support their 50% more figure. PHE say ‘maybe 10%-20% more, but no change in hospitalisation’