Ask the Author: Dan Werb
Answered Questions (2)
Dan Werb
Sorry for the delay! No plans for a Spanish translation as of now but good to know that there are readers out there who would like to see one.
Dan Werb
Thanks for these great questions. I'll start with Omicron: what I find remarkable is how presciently Ralph Baric was able to predict that a variant like Omicron would emerge (which of course is covered in the book, even if Omicron itself isn't). That being said, I don't think anyone had expected that it would be as incredibly transmissible as it has been; it's among the most transmissible human pathogen ever, neck and neck with measles (which has a reproductive ratio of 12-18).
So that has changed the game in terms of prevention: we're dealing with a variant that is different enough from the original 'wild-type' SARS-2 virus that it needs a different playbook. Vaccines *might* have been enough if we were still dealing with that first SARS-2 strain. But they're definitely not enough to control Omicron's damage. For that, we desperately need the multi-layered approach of masking, vaccines, widespread testing, and antivirals. It's really the only way at this point to make sure that the pandemic doesn't maintain its grip on society it has up until now.
One caveat with that: even if vaccines aren't as protective against breakthrough cases when it comes to Omicron, the level of immune protection they provide means most healthy people will only get mild illness. That's incredible news. The other piece of good news is that for most people, even if you get infected multiple times, it's more than likely that subsequent infections will be milder. So vaccines should stay a centerpiece of our strategy to move beyond the pandemic emergency even if the virus stays circulating.
Hope that helps and thanks for reading!
So that has changed the game in terms of prevention: we're dealing with a variant that is different enough from the original 'wild-type' SARS-2 virus that it needs a different playbook. Vaccines *might* have been enough if we were still dealing with that first SARS-2 strain. But they're definitely not enough to control Omicron's damage. For that, we desperately need the multi-layered approach of masking, vaccines, widespread testing, and antivirals. It's really the only way at this point to make sure that the pandemic doesn't maintain its grip on society it has up until now.
One caveat with that: even if vaccines aren't as protective against breakthrough cases when it comes to Omicron, the level of immune protection they provide means most healthy people will only get mild illness. That's incredible news. The other piece of good news is that for most people, even if you get infected multiple times, it's more than likely that subsequent infections will be milder. So vaccines should stay a centerpiece of our strategy to move beyond the pandemic emergency even if the virus stays circulating.
Hope that helps and thanks for reading!
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