Editorial and Opinion Page

The Omicron Variant

by Alexandra Meier

On November 26th, the World Health Organization identified the emergence of a new Covid-19 variant: B.1.1.529 Omicron. Early detections of this variant were sources in Botswana and South Africa in early November, but Omicron did not officially reach the United States until December 1st with its first confirmed case. Recently, the WHO has designated the Omicron Variant as a cause for concern. Covid-19 cases are beginning on an upward surge again, much like we saw during the early stages of the pandemic. Public health officials predict that this variant may push the number of infections to their highest level thus far. The primary reason for this concern is that the Omicron variant appears to be far more transmissible, spreading at twenty-five to fifty percent higher rates than the Delta or Alpha variants. It seems as though the United States is experiencing some unnerving deja vu over the holiday recess with Cornell opting to complete their final online after a Covid outbreak resulted in over eight hundred positive cases. We have seen more action from universities as Harvard and Princeton have chosen to complete the month of January with a virtual format. It should be expected that a national mask mandate will return as well as stricter policies regarding the Covid-19 vaccine and booster shots. The only certainty with this pandemic is that there are no guarantees, therefore it is crucial that people play their part in flattening the curve by masking up and getting vaccinated! 

Works Cited

“Omicron Variant: What You Need to Know.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/variants/omicron-variant.html. 

Irfan, Umair. “Why Omicron Could Bring the Deadliest Phase in the Pandemic Yet.” Vox, Vox, 19 Dec. 2021, https://www.vox.com/22839742/omicron-covid-19-winter-surge-vaccine-booster-forecast. 

NBC New York. “Cornell Outbreak: All 115 Tested Samples Positive for Omicron as Cases Surge.” NBC New York, NBC New York, 18 Dec. 2021, https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/coronavirus/cornell-outbreak-all-115-tested-samples-positive-for-omicron-as-cases-surge/3457841/.