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The lockout also comes to England, where a new version of the Coronavirus, more contagious than the original, and now there are also those who fear the effectiveness of the vaccine. In fact, in recent days, the United Kingdom informed the WHO of an isolated variant of Covid in the south-east of England, and although to date there is no news about the real danger of this strain, that was enough to set off the alarm.
The first Minister Boris johnson He has made the decision to put a third of the population of his country in confinement for at least 2 weeks, to slow the spread of the infection. The announcement was made during a press conference. Its provision has effectively paralyzed 18 million citizens.
All this because the “new” virus would have a transmission of 70%, it does not matter that its greater lethality or particular resistance to the vaccine has not yet been demonstrated. Therefore, from today, South East England and London itself will be in emergency shutdown.“With a heavy heart I must announce that we cannot have the Christmas we had planned”said the prime minister at a press conference, according to “Ansa”.“The virus appears to be circulating faster due to a new variant, there is no evidence of an increase in fatality, but it appears to be spreading faster. That is all we know, but we must act now.”he added. “If the facts change, the focus must be changed. When the virus changes its method of attack, we must change our method of defense.”
The reaction of the English press, literally raised against the prime minister, who a few days before had stated that he did not want to change the measures at Christmas, since it would have been an election, was immediate. “inhuman”. A twist so reminiscent of that of the Italian prime minister, who in autumn asked Italians to accept certain sacrifices to “save Christmas.” A rescue that never happened.
Now we just have to see how this is variant of the virus will affect the progress of the pandemic. In fact, many fear that this strain is not only circulating in England, but elsewhere as well. In addition to the English variant, among other things, news has arrived of other variants of the virus found in the world, such as the strain found in some mink in Denmark, or the isolated variable in South Africa. The same Covid currently circulating in Italy and the rest of Europe is the variation of the original virus, called D614G. He intervened on the issue Andrea Cossarizza, an immunologist from the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, who explained how a mutation of the virus is inevitable, as it infects so many people. The more times the pathogen replicates, the more opportunities it has to mutate.
“The important thing is that it does not do it too often, like HIV. And that the regions against which a vaccine induces antibodies do not vary.”, explained the doctor to “Repubblica”. In the case of England, however, one of the variants of the virus has modifications at the level of the peak protein, the target of the vaccine. Will this lead to complications? “We can’t know yet”, Admitted Cossarizza. “Imagine having an open hand adorned with many rings, representing the virus. Antibodies could bind to the base of the fingers. In this case, if a ring changes, the antibody can no longer bind. But if the antibody binds. fingertips and one of the rings changes at the base, we have no problems “. No matter how small, there is a risk that the vaccine will be less effective in a new variant of the virus. In any case, the anti-Covid vaccines produced are many, so the expert was calm:“It seems unlikely that only one mutation stop the functioning of all antibodies induced by a vaccine. “
One thing is for sure, the virus will continue to mutate, it is its way of surviving. “It is an almost evolutionary aspect, linked to selective pressure”Cossarizza explained.“I think the problem can be solved with vaccinations they have a wide spectrum of action, possibly not only directed against the peak and that trigger more types of immune response ”.
Even the virologist Fabrizio Pergliasco gave his opinion on the matter, manifesting not at all surprised by the news of a new variant. Interviewed by “Agi”, explained that mutations “A dozen have already been identified.” “The differences? It’s like the other one but more aggressive”he added. “The variants are part of the adaptation of the virus to the host. This strain has been successful, it is very intelligent, so to speak. It has found a more effective aggression mechanism. It does not spread faster then, but it is more aggressive, it has a greater contagion and therefore greater diffusion capacity and that is what worries, but it is not surprising. The contagion capacity is the same “.
