, Columnist
Omicron Needs 3 Evolutionary Surprises to Wreak Havoc
Basic principles of biology show that the worst-case scenario is possible but not probable, a fact that should help separate prudence from panic.
Fair enough.
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There’s a lot to be learned about the omicron coronavirus variant, but scientists already know enough to prescribe a rational response to the threat. As the world waits for data, there’s plenty of useful knowledge that comes from evolutionary biology.
Revamping vaccine formulas and updating travel restrictions to slow down and catch omicron infections make sense, even understanding that the new variant might well fizzle out. Failing to prepare for a worst-case scenario would be a potentially disastrous mistake.