Health experts urge public to get vaccinated ahead of omicron variant of COVID-19

The new potentially more contagious omicron variant of the coronavirus popped up in more European countries on Saturday, just days after being identified in South Africa, leaving governments around the world scrambling to stop the spread.

The U.K. on Saturday tightened its rules on mask-wearing and on testing of international arrivals after finding two cases. New cases were confirmed Saturday in Germany and Italy, with Belgium, Israel and Hong Kong also reporting that the variant has been found in travelers.

Because of fears that the new variant has the potential to be more resistant to the protection offered by vaccines, there are growing concerns around the world that the pandemic and associated lockdown restrictions will persist for far longer than hoped.

[FloridaCatholicGuy]

From what I am hearing this variant doesn’t even have any symptoms…if there are any symptoms, they’re usually mild.

[davidbates]

Just listened about this varient for the last two days. Here is what I learned: fear it, wait don't panic yet, get vaccinated, current vaccine may not work on it, don't travel, travel is OK for now, ban flights from Africa, but let's wait until Monday to ban flights so people can travel from there all weekend. Would really appreciate one solid" based on facts" statement but not holding my breath for it.

[greg]

Ah....no thanks....i'm fine, never a flu shot, not even the sniffles, never a covid shot...doing just fine....

[nate]

all a distraction.. anyone focused on Maxwell's trial on the 29th?

[SmiIeyyXD]

Listen, I'm all for vaccines, I advocate for people to get them.. I just wanna know if the current Pfizer vax is gonna protect against it because at this rate, this variant is gonna turn into delta.

[RKhuc]

AGAIN... HAHAHA
A NO ENDING STORY...
I AM PRETTY SURE IT WILL COME A VARIANTS OF COVID A, B, C, D, E, F, D... AND SO 🥳😃😄