Here Are the Biggest Myths About COVID-19 Variants

Here Are the Biggest Myths
About COVID-19 Variants.
Over the past month, the news has been
dominated by reports of COVID-19 variants being
found in the U.K., South Africa and Brazil. .
Now those mutated strains are being
detected in the United States, leaving many
feeling unsettled and uncertain. .
Don’t panic. Here are the four biggest myths
about the COVID-19 variants: debunked. .
Myth 1: The COVID-19 variants came as a
complete surprise to health experts. .
According to the CDC, “viruses constantly
change through mutation,” meaning these
variants were anticipated.
In fact, the variants have likely been around
for a while, health officials just didn’t notice
due to a lack of genomic sequencing. .
Myth 2: The COVID-19 variants are more deadly.
According to Eric Vail of Cedars-Sinai, variants typically
become “more infectious and less virulent.” .
It’s “less likely” that a deadly variant would form because
viruses want to spread more, not kill their hosts. .
Myth 3: The current vaccines do not work
against the COVID-19 variants. .
The Moderna and Pfizer vaccines appear to
protect against the known COVID-19 variants, although
they are “less potent” against the South Africa strain. .
Thankfully, mRNA vaccine platforms allow
for changes to made quickly, as they can sequence
out the specific mutations as they occur. .
Myth 4: We can’t stop COVID-19
variants from spreading.
All of the preventative measures being used
to fight the original strain of COVID-19 can
also help against the variants. .
The most potent tool: getting vaccinated.