For those who want to do a deep-dive into the evolutionary processes at work with SAR-coV-2, here is an excellent article from Science.org that explains the processes involved. It was written & published prior to the Omnicron variant being ID'd, but predicts it's likelihood. Viruses and cancer, both evolving to survive our immune defenses - while we're left to try to survive the evolutions of both.
The following passages near then end of the article summarize the unfortunate situation that has led to Omnicron:
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Given all that uncertainty, it’s worrisome that humanity hasn’t done a great job of limiting the spread of SARS-CoV-2, says Eugene Koonin, a researcher at the U.S. National Center for Biotechnology Information. Some dangerous variants may only be possible if the virus hits on a very rare, winning combination of mutations, he says. It might have to replicate an astronomical number of times to get there. “But with all these millions of infected people, it may very well find that combination.”
Indeed, Katzourakis adds, the past 20 months are a warning to never underestimate viral evolution. “Many still see Alpha and Delta as being as bad as things are ever going to get,” he says. “It would be wise to consider them as steps on a possible trajectory that may challenge our public health response further.”
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The full Science article can be found here:
Evolving threat - New variants have changed the face of the pandemic. What will the virus do next? - ByKai Kupferschmidt, 19 Aug 2021.
science.org/content/article...
It goes without saying that we all need to be extra careful as we congregate over the holiday season . . . so, keep being Safe and staying Well. Season's Greetings to All,
Ciao, Captain cujoe
PS Thanks to Aussie HU member marnieg46 for forwarding the article.
