A COVID lockdown 2023 is a real possibility thanks to the rising cases in China and several other parts of the world. A new variant has now become a cause of concern for many.
The ease in restrictions of COVID lockdown in China made new year celebrations a success. Thousands of people in central Wuhan came out to celebrate the end of the rather challenging year of 2022 and the beginning of the hopeful new Year of 2023. As per Chinese traditions, many people released balloons in the sky, joyfully welcoming the new year.
New Variant of COVID and the possibility of a lockdown
Cities across the world in Asia, Europe, and Africa celebrated the new year with fireworks. People gathered despite the looming fear of another pandemic and welcomed the new year with hope. The East Coast of the United States celebrated the new year with a bang. However, the US fears another CoVid wave might be coming bringing with it a possible new lockdown. A new Variant of Omicron BA.2 sub-variant XBB.1.5 was detected by JP Weiland a few months ago. According to the World Health Organisation, the variant is found in over 70 countries across Europe, Asia, and Africa.
How dangerous is XXB?
According to data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, XXB is the cause of over 40% of new cases in the US. The XBB variant caused over 4% of cases in the UK. Yunlong Cao and colleagues warn that the new variant is highly contagious and is also immune to vaccines and antibodies acquired from previous COVID infections. This was studied using blood samples of patients who were vaccinated or had survived a COVID attack before. Experts warn that this is very dangerous as the XXB variant can spread 120 times faster than its counterparts.
Symptoms of the variants
Scientists across the globe are studying the new variant. The symptoms are very similar to other variants. The main symptoms include a runny nose, sneezing, cold, sore throat, cough, headache, and fever.
Precaustions
Experts say that taking basic precautions, as the World Health Organisation suggested, is more than enough to prevent the infection from spreading and avoiding a COVID lockdown in 2023
Wearing a mask: Many people are uncomfortable wearing a mask even today although, it is advised to wear a mask in public spaces and on public transport to prevent the further spreading of the infection. Preferably the N-95.
Wash your hands: Washing your hands after going out of your house and touching public spaces is advised also washing hands is suggested before and after a meal.
Use a hand sanitizer: Always carry a pocket-size hand sanitizer and use it as often as possible when outside and in public spaces.
Wash your food: When buying fruits and vegetables from outside, wash them before using them. During the previous lockdown, we have seen multiple videos of people purposefully spitting on food at supermarkets to spread CoVid. Think about this and wash them thoroughly. Prevent eating from restaurants and cafes as much as possible and eat only homemade food from people you trust.
Maintain social distance: Avoid going to crowded places as much as possible. Maintain the 6ft distance between yourself and other people as per the suggestions of experts. Cover your mouth when sneezing and stay away from people with a cold.
Maintain good ventilation: if you are not living in a red zone, try to keep all windows and doors open in your house or office spaces. Fresh air will keep the circulation going and help prevent infections from spreading.
If all the steps are followed strictly, the new variant might also subside without causing much harm, and we can go on with our everyday life as soon as possible and prevent a COVID 2023 lockdown.
Long covid isn’t declining. The graph below illustrates the growth in the long covid sub (covidlonghaulers) on @reddit. This is one of many & comprised of young folk. We need therapeutics. @WHO @WHCOVIDResponse @POTUS @timkaine @SenSanders @NIHDirector @CDCDirector @AshishKJha46 pic.twitter.com/USvDmEQZve
— Louie (@inducekarmaaa) January 4, 2023
