In recent months the world has calmed down a bit about COVID-19, local businesses have reopened, and mask mandates have been lifted. Life was somewhat getting back to normal. Until another COVID-19 variant was discovered. On November 25, 2021, it was first found in Africa but has gone to over 20 different nations. The first case of this new variant was detected on December 1st, 2021 and since then there have been new cases. 

Scientists have named this new variant the Omicron Variant. The COVID-19 vaccine is, unfortunately, less effective than the Omicron variant. It is important that everyone continues to practice social distancing and use face coverings. The symptoms of this variant are flu-like, very similar to the ones we have seen before but less detectable because of the current flu seasons. If you have already had COVID-19 and you get the Omicron variant, you’ll have a higher probability of reinfection. 

Booster shots in addition to the vaccine may help protect against omicron, “Preliminary laboratory studies demonstrate that three doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine neutralize the Omicron variant (B.1.1.529 lineage) while two doses show significantly reduced neutralization titers” as stated by Pfizer. This shows hope for our world, if we have handled it before we can handle it again. As long as we have scientists doing their research and everyone does their part to keep everyone safe.