Omicron was introduced to the world on November 24, 2021. Since then, we have come to know how much of a hardship that this mutation of the virus is. 

Omicron is one of the fastest growing, and fastest spreading variants of a virus. With how fast this variant is spreading, the entire population should really think about their health and safety while being out in public.

Charles Chiu, a professor of medicine and laboratory medicine who teaches in the Division of Infectious Diseases at the University of California, San Francisco, says, “Omicron is circulating in the Bay Area and is rapidly spreading. We see these same trends – rapidly rising case numbers and proportion of Omicron in California generally and in multiple other states.” The contagious variant of the virus is even spreading across the High Desert. 

Monica Gandhi, a professor of medicine and Associate Division Chief (Clinical Operations/Education) of the Division of HIV, Infectious Diseases, and Global Medicine at the University of California San Francisco states, “Omicron is massively more transmissible than Delta, perhaps 4 times more. However, there is now evidence that Omicron is less severe than previous strains. We do not know yet if this is because of increasing cellular immunity in the population now or an inherent property of the strain that makes it less virulent, or both.” This variant may be easier to spread, but it is known that the virus can be somewhat contained if the right steps are taken. 

Kai Spann, a junior at Sultana High, says, “I am not scared of Omicron. It does not make me question my safety of being in public, or in the outside world.” With that being said, some can agree that the new variant is not going to stand in the way of them and their future aspirations.

COVID in general is life threatening. It may be scary, but as long as one takes the steps required to live safely, they should try to live paranoia free. At the same time, one needs to think wisely to make sure that they are not putting themselves, or anyone else, in harm’s way.  

Isaiah Roman, a junior at Sultana High, says, “I definitely feel partially mad, and frustrated with the new variant of COVID. People have been very careless and have opposed the COVID guidelines, which has caused more people to fall ill and in worse cases die.” Many feel the same anger, especially if they have lost loved ones to COVID. 

Rogelio Barajas, a junior at Sultana High, states, “I do not think the new strain of COVID is that serious. I believe it to be threatening, but only to those who do not take it seriously or those who do not respect it.” While it is important to take COVID seriously, it is also important to make sure it doesn’t consume one’s thoughts.

Omicron is a threat to all of humanity, but without taking the steps required the population could be in for an unpleasant surprise. As long as everyone does their part to stay cautious and aware, COVID can slowly start to release the grip that it has had on everyone’s lives.