Covid-19: Proteins, Mutations, Variants, Strains

Current vaccines appear to be less effective against newly emerging more transmissible SARS-CoV-2 variants — this is not a time to slip back to pre-Covid times.

To say that the last year has been filled with dark clouds and been extremely difficult for the world, would be an understatement. Although not easy to find them, there have been a few silver linings — no matter how few and far they may be. Science and scientists, in particular virologists, immunologists, and epidemiologists, have gained prominence. Careers have been launched, and careers have seen a meteoric rise, for those scientists working on the coronavirus, and related fields of research. In equal measure, science communicators have also seen their stars shine. Yet there is an enormous amount of work that remains to be done, because SARS-CoV-2 (the Covid-19 virus) continues to rage across this profoundly connected planet. At the risk of sounding reductive, some of that work is blindingly simple and requires a united front against the virus.

A united front against SARS-CoV-2

To blunt the spread of this virus and ultimately vanquish it, we cannot rely on one approach at a time — this orb of fear must be attacked simultaneously in as many ways as possible. The easiest and most inexpensive approach is to continue to use masks and practice physical distancing; the more elaborate and vital approach is to get as many people as possible, vaccinated. The vaccines that have received emergency use…