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As a researcher at LSMU, prof. Mindaugas Stankūnas, currently the most widespread virus in Lithuania, does not come from China, but from Italy. However, the focus is now on the United Kingdom (UK), a variety that is spreading rapidly.
“It should be noted up front that the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which spread from China last year, has already mutated many times. Viruses mutate especially quickly because they just need to survive. Then their more adapted forms start to dominate. So in Lithuania we also have an angry Spanish bull, not a Chinese dragon. [1] Recently, however, we have been talking louder and louder of a gentleman from England who seems to have forgotten his good manners. As it is said, “the horns have grown”. Because it is this mutation that has occurred in the region of the viral genome that encodes the “needle” protein. You’ve probably seen those phones for all the virus? [2]
This is precisely because an area of that needle (N501Y to be precise) has changed, and this ‘swelling’ allows the virus to more easily bind to the ACE2 receptor on human cell membranes. In other words, it is easier to get infected. This seemingly ugly trait of their growth also seems to be confirmed by science. The British Imperial College has calculated that this mutation can add +0.4 or +0.7 to the already known R-value. [3]. And that is too much already. Even a lot! The world of science is saying more and more that this could be the beginning of another even bigger pandemic, ”he wrote on a social media account.
Will banned flights work?
Although there is still no talk of restrictions on flights from the United Kingdom, the researcher is skeptical of such a measure.
“What can we do? Rumor has it that flights between the UK and Lithuania should be banned. Hmmm … if I was sure it would work I would scream down my throat. We will forbid you to let Vilnius or Kaunas in, let you in in Riga or elsewhere and reach us in all other ways. And where are all the other microwaves, shuttles, etc.? The negative PCR test result now requested before shipment is a solution, but your effectiveness is quite limited.
The results of a very comprehensive study have just been published … in New Zealand. A study was conducted in September. last flight Dubai – Auckland. All in-flight passengers had negative PCR tests, but up to 7 positive cases out of 86 in-flight passengers were detected after landing in New Zealand (about a quarter of the seats were occupied). I will remind you that everyone who arrives in New Zealand is forcibly isolated for 14 days in special rooms.
After extensive investigations, it was found that passengers A and B were the primary sources (index cases) from which the other four (C, D, E, F) became infected. Another (passenger G) would likely become infected during isolation. As you can see in the attached image, they were sitting next to each other but wearing masks and gloves. (view photo). [5]
I think this article illustrates that despite the negative tests, masks and gloves, the risk of getting infected on a plane remains and it is possible to bring “such” memories to Lithuania. Well, to be fair, it is worth mentioning that this flight lasted 6pm. Will the same thing happen for 2-3 hours? flight, I couldn’t answer right now, “said M. Stankūnas.
He stressed that he considered it very important to ensure particularly strict isolation of arrivals now.
“And it must be monitored very carefully, and the slightest damage to the insulation must be subject to particularly strict measures. As far as I know, the government is working hard on this issue, “added the researcher.
Sources:
[1] https: //lsmuni.lt /…/ mokslininkai-koronavirusas-pakito …
[2] Some info on coronavirus and what those phones look like https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Koronaviruses
[3] https: //www.imperial.ac.uk /…/ 2020-12-31-COVID19-Report …
[4] https: //www.sciencemag.org /…/ viral-mutations-can-cause …
[5] https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/27/3/20-4714_article
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