This wouldn’t be the first time I’ve written about mutations in the virus. he only difference now is that they are more commonly known as “variants”. Whatever you want to call these inevitable differences, they are here and there are likely more to come.
However, even with the threat of these variants becoming the dominant strains, we are seeing restrictions being lifted, at least to some degree. Confused yet? I don’t blame you. Perhaps it’s being done to relieve the stress of being cooped up so long. Maybe it’s to give businesses a much needed boost in revenue. Whatever the reason, it likely won’t last long.
The UK variant is 40 – 60 percent more contagious. Combine that fact with a new study that suggests that this variant could be as much as 70 percent more deadly, and we have a real problem on our hands. Currently in Canada calculating 833 000 total cases and 21 000 total deaths (rounded numbers) we have about a 2.5 percent death rate. Interestingly enough, that is about the same as the Spanish Flu, just in case you’re one of those people who thinks this is just a flu or not a real pandemic.
Every province in the country is now reporting confirmed cases of this UK variant. The problem is, they are just like cockroaches. When you see one, there are so many more that you can’t see. We saw this at the very beginning of this whole mess. People thought there were just a couple cases here and there and didn’t take it seriously. The we started testing. As it turns out, we got our butts handed to us on a silver platter. We were already behind in the game when that first case appeared. The same is obviously true for these new variants. We are already behind in the game.
I don’t really care if you are pro or anti vaccination on this topic, vaccines will likely not help even if they are the silver bullet that their creators claim they are. These new variants are going to outrun any vaccination campaign we can come up with. This makes the whole vaccine debate moot. The longer we let this thing run roughshod in society, the more variants are going to appear, and we have no way of knowing how these mutations will change the virus.
Make no mistake about it folks, there is no light at the end of the tunnel yet. Not even close. I know, I know, in the movies a strange new virus gets out of a lab somewhere in Siberia or where ever it is and quickly overtakes the population, killing 80 percent of the population in just a few short weeks. Here’s a news flash for all those fantasy preppers out there…this is the real world and not a Hollywood production, so get your heads on straight.
With a much more contagious version of the virus, and possibly a much more deadly one too, a third wave is inevitable, and it’s going to get bad. Much more strict lockdown measures are on the way, and as much as any of us hate them and the restrictions they put on our rights, they are likely the only way out of this.
While restrictions are being eased, take advantage and get your stuff together now. Last spring, there was a shortage of seeds for gardening. Maybe due to people having to actually look for something to do in that barren back yard, who knows. The toilet paper shortage was a curve ball no one could see coming, and personally, I still don’t understand where that one came from. All this shows you that we are in for an interesting ride. I’m reminded of the train of thought over at the church of preparedness….have a year supply of “every needful thing”.
So now, while pretty much everything is opening back up, go get that haircut. Go get your teeth fixed or your eyes examined. Go out and stock up on what is important. Put as much money away as you can in case you suddenly find yourself out of work. Hey, picking up an extra pack or two of toilet paper might not be a bad idea either. This is going to get worse before it gets better.
