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1) THREAD - Why the new SARS-CoV-2 UK variant is NOT a new strain.
Unfortunately the way this recent development has been reported has upset a lot in the scientific community. It scares the public rather than inform them. That's where we come in.
Unfortunately the way this recent development has been reported has upset a lot in the scientific community. It scares the public rather than inform them. That's where we come in.
2) As mentioned in our multiple threads, all cells contain proteins on their surface, called cell surface receptors. This is how cells communicate with each other, eat each other up (endocytosis), or how viruses infect other cells.
The COVID spike protein is a surface receptor.
The COVID spike protein is a surface receptor.
3) The human immune system uses cell surface receptors to identify whether a cell in the body is friendly or dangerous.
COVID-19 vaccinations work by increasing the amount of spike protein in the bloodstream, enabling your body to detect it early and learn how to fight it.
COVID-19 vaccinations work by increasing the amount of spike protein in the bloodstream, enabling your body to detect it early and learn how to fight it.
4) The vaccination means that your body learns to fight it before it actually comes across it. Therefore when you do, your body kills it immediately so you don't develop symptoms.
This also happens if you get it naturally. That's why only 5 people have had COVID-19 twice.
This also happens if you get it naturally. That's why only 5 people have had COVID-19 twice.
5) A new strain of COVID-19 would have to be so different from the original that your immune system's training through vaccination or getting it previously would no longer be useful.
The new spike protein would have to differ so much from the original.
The new spike protein would have to differ so much from the original.
6) But is this the case? No.
This mutation is called N501Y. There is currently NO evidence that this variant, or any other, significantly affects the immune-trained response or increases infectiousness, rate of transmission or severity of infection.
This mutation is called N501Y. There is currently NO evidence that this variant, or any other, significantly affects the immune-trained response or increases infectiousness, rate of transmission or severity of infection.
7) So why are people panicking? Misreporting.
Most people will read 'New COVID-19 strain' on a headline and think the worst. At the moment, researchers are closely monitoring mutations, but there is no evidence of concern yet to report.
Most people will read 'New COVID-19 strain' on a headline and think the worst. At the moment, researchers are closely monitoring mutations, but there is no evidence of concern yet to report.
8) What could be causing the prevalence of this variant?
Chance. The prevalence of this variant could be due to the other variants reaching a state of 'Zero COVID' during lockdowns. Superspreaders could have then been responsible for this variant taking the lead.
Chance. The prevalence of this variant could be due to the other variants reaching a state of 'Zero COVID' during lockdowns. Superspreaders could have then been responsible for this variant taking the lead.
9) Whilst prevalence can suggest that it does have an evolutionary advantage, correlation does not equal causation!
For now, we can be confident that vaccines will work on this new variant, and we can still expect some semblance of normality in 2021. Stay hopeful!
For now, we can be confident that vaccines will work on this new variant, and we can still expect some semblance of normality in 2021. Stay hopeful!
DISCLAIMER - in point 4 we stated that ‘only 5 people developed C-19 twice.’ This statement was correct as of Aug 2020. After a more recent fact check we can confirm that this is no longer the case, more people have been reinfected. However reinfection is still *incredibly rare*.
