An informed guide to the pandemic, with the latest developments and expert advice about prevention and treatment. |
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 | | Daily reported coronavirus cases in the United States, seven-day average.The New York Times |
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What works against Omicron? |
A rapid and alarming Covid caseload surge has been fueled in part by the new and extremely contagious Omicron variant, especially in some cities and states of the Northeast. The Associated Press reports that it accounted for 73 percent of new infections in the U.S. last week, according to the C.D.C. |
There are still lots of unanswered questions. But scientists are quickly learning what works and what doesn't against the fast-spreading variant. |
The only vaccines that appear to be effective against catching the Omicron variant in the first place are those made by Pfizer and Moderna, reinforced by a booster. Today, Moderna released laboratory data showing that its booster significantly raises the level of antibodies against Omicron. |
To be sure, there have been numerous reports of breakthrough Omicron infections for people who have been fully vaccinated, and even boosted. But the early evidence suggests that infection is much less likely if you are fully vaccinated and boosted with Moderna or Pfizer. |
Scientists have known since early in the pandemic that the immunity gained from a coronavirus infection is not total, and probably not permanent. But that protection looked like an important layer in the world's defenses. |
South Africa, the first country to fully grapple with Omicron, found that a large fraction of cases involved people who had previously been infected. |
British researchers also estimated that the risk of reinfection with Omicron was about five times that of other variants. |
Masking is still a strong defense against the virus, even its more contagious strain, especially indoors or in public spaces. Private gatherings, especially if they involve holiday travel, are a tough call. |
On Friday, Dr. Anthony Fauci said on CNBC that despite Omicron, those who are vaccinated "and hopefully also boosted" should feel "reasonably comfortable" enjoying the holidays at a family member's home. The "risk is never zero," he said, but he would "have no problem" getting on a plane if he had to. |
Rapid antigen tests, which can indicate within minutes whether someone is contagious with Covid-19, are one of the best ways to help ensure everyone's safety this holiday season. |
Those tests can be hard to find in the U.S. If you have some on hand, and you test negative, you should be reasonably reassured that you are not contagious at that moment. But because the tests function as a snapshot in time, taking one more than 24 hours before a gathering isn't that useful. |
Omicron seems able to evade some monoclonal antibodies, which have been used to treat severe Covid cases. At least one major New York City hospital has stopped prescribing some of the drugs because they no longer appear to work against the new variant. |
But GlaxoSmithKline has reported that its formulation, called sotrovimab, will probably remain effective. Medications that rein in dangerous inflammation, such as dexamethasone, will also work. |
Merck, Pfizer and other companies are developing antiviral pills against Covid. Omicron has many mutations that help it evade monoclonal antibodies, but it has fewer mutations in the proteins targeted by the antivirals. |
Pfizer has reported that its pill, called Paxlovid, can bind to its target protein in Omicron just as well as it does with other variants. Belgian researchers have reported that the drug works against the new variant in cell cultures. |
Here in Brooklyn, December 2021 is starting to feel a lot like March 2020. |
At least 20 people are standing in line at every testing site I pass. Friends are testing positive almost daily. My dad, an emergency room doctor who works in New Jersey, is seeing more Covid patients, most of them unvaccinated, than he has in months. Everyone is on edge, and every sniffle feels like a harbinger of something worse to come. |
Mayor Bill de Blasio said today that the city must "move faster" in its response to the Omicron variant. He said the surge would be large, but temporary, and said New York City would not shut down again: "We're talking about a matter of weeks." |
Infections in New York City have increased 246 percent in the past two weeks, according to Times data. According to C.D.C. data, more than 90 percent of new infections in New York City are from Omicron. |
Even if the city doesn't fully lockdown, holiday parties are getting canceled, birthday drinks are being postponed and restaurants are transitioning to takeout and delivery only. The arts scene here is suffering, just as Christmas tourism should be spiking. |
De Blasio said that virus cases appeared to be more mild than in past waves. He said the city has 89 testing sites and will be adding 23 more by the end of the week, including 20 mobile testing units. |
Vaccinations are increasing, too. De Blasio noted that the city had hit a milestone: More than 6 million residents had received at least one dose. But as of Friday, only about 1.5 million people out of more than 8 million had received booster shots. |
- N.B.A. officials postponed five games after dozens of players either tested positive or had close contact with someone who had.
- The N.H.L. postponed 21 games between today and Dec. 23, between Canadian and U.S.-based teams.
- The N.F.L. postponed three games on Friday because of outbreaks.
- The tennis player Rafael Nadal tested positive after a tournament in Abu Dhabi.
- Times columnist Kurt Streeter argued that pro sports should pause until at least February.
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- The U.K. is considering a lockdown as cases skyrocket. On Saturday, London's mayor declared an emergency for the first time since January.
- The Netherlands became the first European country to announce a full lockdown on Saturday.
- The European Commission authorized the Novavax vaccine, making it the fifth vaccine available in E.U.
- Israel barred its citizens from traveling to the U.S. or Canada.
- Two lawyers and a civil rights activist are on trial in Iran after trying to sue the country's leaders over their disastrous handling of the pandemic.
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What else we're following |
- If you're nervous about your holiday travel plans, you're not alone.
- The N.Y.P.D. issued new guidance requiring all employees to wear face masks when interacting with the public, whether they are vaccinated or not.
- "Worry burnout" is real, especially as the pandemic drags on.
- A Royal Caribbean cruise ship returned to Miami with 48 cases of Covid-19.
- Parents are struggling with how long to wait for their children's second shots.
- From Opinion: "Breakthrough cases among the vaccinated are fast becoming the status quo," the science journalist Eleanor Cummins writes.
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I am 86 years old and can't decide whether to go to Miami Beach, Fla., this week for a family reunion or not. I am fully vaccinated and boosted, as is my entire family. I go back and forth. I'm dreaming of the beach and seeing my grandchildren after two years of not seeing them. Or, I could stay in New York City, which is experiencing a huge wave of Covid. It seems to be six of one, half dozen of the other. It's driving me crazy.— Robin Sacknoff, New York City. |
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