(DON THOMPSON / iNFOnews.ca)

OPINION

The Omicron coronavirus BA.1 - like an unwanted house guest - is finally leaving us. But its closest relative - BA.2 - is moving in. Like you, I’m weary of this extended coronavirus family. We have lived for more than two years with this virus, and now as the pandemic turns into an endemic, we want to be done with it.

But to treat what is happening now as if science somehow doesn’t matter, doesn’t make sense. If a poisonous snake living in my yard left, would I ignore a slightly less poisonous snake that showed up in its place?

I’ve written about the pandemic nearly two dozen times…each column based on facts and science known at the time. Too many people - here and throughout the world - decided without a shred of evidence to rail against science, common sense and compassion for their fellow man rather than simply doing the right thing.

Some fought not just mandates to wear masks, practicing good hygiene and staying away from others…but anything that wiser, trained health care professionals proved would be best for public health. None of this surprised me…and these same folks will spit in the wind the next time we have a pandemic…whether more deadly or not.

So, I write this…not for those who don’t care about anything but themselves…but for the great number of compassionate readers who respect science, treasure truth and facts and care about others.

BA.2 now accounts for about 25 percent of new infections…and in coming weeks and months it will become the predominant virus. The bad news…it is about 80 percent more transmissible than its older brother BA.1. The good news…it’s not as deadly…at least for some.

Those aged 65 or more…especially those who have little immunity against the virus…remain at substantial risk from BA.2. That’s why Pfizer, BioNTech and Moderna recently asked the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to approve fourth vaccine doses for these folks. Unfortunately, about one-third of those 65+ years of age lack a third-dose booster.

Also, and to be clear, while BA.2 is less deadly, because it is so much more easily transmissible - again, 80 percent more - a lot more people are at risk…so actual numbers of deaths could stay the same or even go up as the death rate goes down.

Vaccination timing is a factor in protection, too, according to the UK's Health Security Agency, with vaccine effectiveness against Omicron falling to 10 percent for infections, 35 percent of hospitalizations and 70 percent for deaths beyond six months of the second dose.

Boosters restore much of that protection, but those benefits fade for all adults, as well. Four to six months after a third booster, effectiveness rates were at 40 percent to 50 percent at preventing Omicron infections, and 75 percent to 85 percent at preventing hospitalizations.

The U.S. will likely have more hospitalizations and deaths than the UK from BA.2, since more than 98 percent of adults in the UK tested positive for COVID-19 antibodies two months ago. Only about 43 percent of Americans test positive for antibodies, and recent data is unavailable for Canadians because so many have been fully vaccinated the government halted most testing.

Regardless, as of April 1, Canada no longer requires a COVID-19 pre-entry test for fully vaccinated travellers entering the country. Still, those fully vaccinated might be selected randomly to test upon entry to Canada, but will no longer have to quarantine while awaiting results. All foreign visitors, including Americans, must be fully vaccinated.

One thing is clear, the more fully vaccinated you are…a third booster…and eventually a fourth…the less likely you are to be hospitalized or die from the virus.

It is more than unfortunate that anti-vaxxers don’t accept their complicity in spreading the virus and ultimately endangering others…hundreds of thousands dying unnecessarily simply because people chose to go against science…not to mention not caring about anyone else.

Last week, an irritated anti-vaxxer approached me in a grocery store when I was wearing a KN-95 mask, and with a sneer said, “You know, the CDC says you don’t have to wear a mask anymore!”

“I know,” I said, removing my mask long enough to smile. “By the way, the same CDC recommended masks for almost two years...did you wear one then?” She stormed away…muttering.

I’ll continue to wear a mask indoors around large groups — especially as the new sub-variant BA.2 spreads — and if I’m unsure whether folks who I gather with are vaccinated. Better safe than sorry, besides I’ve not had even a sniffle in more than two years. Anyway, the CDC says keep those masks handy in case there’s another surge.

I’m all for getting back to normal, even though normal will never be what it was more than two years ago. Meanwhile, ignoring science is a lot like spitting in the wind, the result is always messy.

— Don Thompson, an American awaiting Canadian citizenship, lives in Vernon and in Florida. In a career that spans more than 40 years, Don has been a working journalist, a speechwriter and the CEO of an advertising and public relations firm. A passionate and compassionate man, he loves the written word as much as fine dinners with great wines.

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