3 ms·
Since we have known the virus has been acquiring mutations since basically the beginning [0]. What makes this variant significant enough for the Health Secretar
by tyho 6y ago
Since we have known the virus has been acquiring mutations since basically the beginning [0]. What makes this variant significant enough for the Health Secretary to bring up in Parliament?
[0] https://nextstrain.org/ncov/global https://nextstrain.org/ncov/global
- y-c-o-m-b 6y agoThey updated the article. Originally they said it was significant because of its potential to spread faster. > “We have identified a new variant of coronavirus, which may be associated with the faster spread in the southeast of England,” Hancock said in a statement to parliament.
- throwaway2245 6y agoWhat is unstated here is that the Health Minister is unlikely to mention this in parliament if it is not suspected that there may be a more contagious or harmful strain. If there is a strain that is more fatal or more virulent, it will be the UK's own fault. I did not see this reasonably obvious possibility being taken into account in any UK government modelling that was done. It shouldn't be a surprise to anyone in December 2020, and yet it is apparently a surprise to the UK government.
- bencollier49 6y ago> If there is a strain that is more fatal or more virulent, it will be the UK's own fault. Why's that then?
- throwaway2245 6y agoPlanning to take the minimum action to prevent spread (keep R at or just below 1) is equal to doing the maximum amount to enable mutations and new strains. Again: this wasn't considered by the UK's scientific modelling.