What We Know About New Coronavirus

Page 6 Lost Creek Guide January 6, 2021

As Coronavirus Cases Continue to Surge, What We Know About The New U.K. Variant Of Prioritize Your Mental Health Coronavirus — And What We Need To Find Out

By: Flora Welsh Originally posted by The Pagosa Springs Sun by MICHAELEEN DOUCLEFF, Twitter

The colder months are here, driving many of us indoors. The stress of one of the most A new variant of the coronavirus is spreading rapidly in England and raising internacontentious elections in our nation’s history has left us feeling divided and frustrated. And tional alarms. This new variant now accounts for more than 60% of the cases in London. coronavirus numbers are surging, affecting everyone’s mental health. And scientists say the variant is likely more contagious than previous versions of the virus.

According to a recent report from Mental Health America, our mental health needs are Health officials have closed international travel to the United Kingdom. The British growing and our harmful substance use is on the rise. government has locked down much of the country. And scientists all over the world are

As the days get darker, many of us experience seasonal depression, even in the best of rushing to figure out how the virus mutated and how big a threat the new variant poses. times. This year, it goes beyond seasonal depression. Watch out for your mental health. Here›s what we know so far: Watch out for the mental health of your friends and family. The variant has a large number of mutations.

Here are some things you can do to help keep yourself and others well: Throughout this pandemic, SARS-CoV-2 — the virus that causes COVID-19 — has • Reach out to people, let them know how you’re feeling. been mutat-

Don’t forget to go outside — even when it’s cold. Take a walk around the block to clear ing. It has your mind and get some fresh air and sunshine. Just remember to bundle up first. accumulated • Exercise. There are free classes you can take online if it’s too cold outside and you don’t about one or feel comfortable going to the gym. Find a 30-day fitness challenge and stick to it. two mutations • Schedule time with your loved ones. If you can’t meet in person, put a weekly coffee or each month. tea date on the calendar and stick to it. We need each other now more than ever. That’s not • Limit screen time. Put a date on the calendar for a 24-hour social media detox. Studies surprising. Vishow increased mental health concerns directly correlate with social media usage. ruses always

Resources: Colorado Crisis Service: (844) 493-8255 or visit its website. mutate.

Many insurance providers are offering telehealth for mental health. If you have insur- But this ance, start by calling your provider to get connected with a mental health professional. new variant Some other options for getting connected with a therapist are resources like Sondermind in the U.K., or Open Path Collective. called B.1.1.7,

On our free resource website page, you can find online activities that bring us joy are has acquired wonderful ways to take care of ourselves. We also list resources related to housing, finan- mutations cial, and health concerns/questions. much quicker We’re in this together. Never forget, you are not alone. Remember to breathe. Focus on what you can control. And don’t miss this chance to practice active kindness to all. About Mental Health Colorado Mental Health Colorado is the state’s leading advocate in promoting mental wellness, ending shame and discrimination, and ensuring equitable access to mental health and substance use care. Mental Health Colorado is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization and an affiliate of Mental Health America. than scientists expect. The variant has 17 different mutations in its genetic code. And eight of those mutations occur in a critical part of the virus, called the spike protein, which reaches out and binds to human cells during the initial stages of A poster about the new, fast-spreading variant of the coronavirus warns some Britons to stay home. The sign is displayed near King’s Cross railway station in London. Jason Alden/Bloomberg via Getty Images infection. Several of the mutations in the variant are worrisome. Article continues after sponsor message Scientists have already studied several of the mutations occurring in B.1.1.7, and they are cause for concern. One mutation, called N501Y, makes the virus bind more tightly to human cells. This mutation has also appeared, independently, in a rapidly spreading variant in South Africa. Another mutation, called D614G, makes the virus more transmissible. B.1.1.7 also contains a small deletion in the virus’s genetic code, called 69-70del, and that deletion helps the new variant evade the body’s immune system in some people. These mutations, combined with the fact that B.1.1.7 acquired many changes simultaneously, suggest this new variant didn’t arise by chance, but rather the mutations are giving it an advantage. They are helping it adapt to humans. The new variant likely is more transmissible than previous versions of the virus. When scientists first detected B.1.1.7 in late September, it rapidly took over parts of England, pushing out other forms of virus. By early December, the new variant had pushed out other forms of the virus in London and become the dominant one. This rapid rise suggests B.1.1.7 is more transmissible than other forms of the virus. “There’s no hard evidence, but it seems most likely,” says biochemist Jeremy Luban at the University of Massachusetts Medical School. “So if a person sneezes on a bus, the new variant is more likely to infect other people than the previous form of the virus.» To figure out transmissibility for certain, scientists have to bring B.1.1.7 into the lab and see if it›s better at infecting cells and spreading between animals. Even if the variant is more transmissible, it might not change the course of the pandemic. SARS-CoV-2 is already spreading quickly around the world. So a small increase might not make a big difference. It depends on how much better B.1.1.7 spreads. In the end, how quickly the virus spreads depends on many factors, including people’s behavior in a community. That is, whether they wear masks, physically distance and avoid big gatherings. Those factors could be more important than whether B.1.1.7 arrives in a community, says virus expert Pei-Yong Shi at the University of Texas Medical Branch. “With all these human interventions, it’s hard to predict the course of the pandemic.” So far, the new variant doesn›t appear to cause more severe disease. Scientists don’t know for sure because this variant has just emerged, but so far, people who catch B.1.1.7 don’t seem to be getting sicker. “There is absolutely no evidence that this [variant of the] virus is more deadly,” Luban says. “There’s nothing at all to suggest that, and I don’t think anyone that I know is worried about that possibility.” kinnearinsurance@outlook.com The new COVID-19 vaccines will likely be effective against the new variant. Again, scientists don’t know for sure if the vaccines will work as well with B.1.1.7. as they do with previous forms of the virus. They need to test out the new variant in laboratory experiments. But many scientists are optimistic. Why? When we get a vaccine, our immune systems make many antibodies against a big chunk of the virus, not just one small section that could change when the virus mutates. So even if the variant contains 17 mutations, some antibodies targeting the vaccine will likely still bind and neutralize the virus. “So if you’re in line for the COVID-19 vaccine, stay in line. Don’t give up your spot. Take it,” says microbiologist Andrew Pekosz of Johns Hopkins University. «You know, everything is still looking good from the vaccine standpoint.» The variant has likely spread to many countries around the world, including the United States. Researchers have already detected it in Denmark, the Netherlands and Australia. The U.K. has been vigilant about looking for new variants and following them. Other countries, including the U.S., haven’t been tracking variants as closely. So new variants, such as B.1.1.7, have likely gone undetected.