A third piece of hopeful news is that scientists have uncovered a possible biological explanation for Omicron’s apparent reduced severity.
This work was carried out by Michael Chan Chi-wai at the University of Hong Kong who found that although the new variant is much more efficient, compared with Delta, in reproducing in the upper respiratory tract, where it can be coughed out onto others, it is far less efficient in spreading in the lungs where it would pose the greatest danger to an infected person.
In this way, the variant may spread between individuals far more quickly but not reach more vulnerable parts of their anatomies. This would reduce the severity of illness it can trigger.
However, Chan has counselled caution in interpreting the implications of his work. “By infecting many more people, a very infectious virus may cause more severe disease and death, even though the virus itself may be less pathogenic,” he said. “The overall threat from Omicron variant is likely to be very significant.”

xandreu wrote: ↑Sun Dec 19, 2021 7:12 pm This is either the beginning of the end, the end of the beginning, or somewhere in-between.

xandreu wrote: ↑Sun Dec 19, 2021 7:12 pm It will be several more weeks yet before we can make predictions that are anywhere near conclusive. Everything said so far, whether positive or negative, by anyone, is pure speculation based on extremely limited evidence. This is either the beginning of the end, the end of the beginning, or somewhere in-between. We have no idea at this stage.

nerdlinger wrote: ↑Sun Dec 19, 2021 7:26 pm
Yes, I agree. It will definitely be a thing that will either happen or not happen or partially happen, I'll stake my reputation on it.

What are you getting concerned about? Getting vaxxed or the lockdowns increasing in severity.