British researchers now believe that the new British strain B1.1.7, which Dr. Fauci has already said many times will be the dominant strain in the United States next month, is not only more virulent but most likely more lethal.
But something a little more concerning is also happening, and along the way it is further proof of Charles Darwin's Theory Of Evolution. For all you Religious-Fundamentalist-Republicans who do not believe Adam descended from Bonzo the Chimp, Covid is dealing you some serious disappointments.
Convergent Evolution is the similar evolution of new traits in not closely related organisms. In other words non-related species can evolve similar traits based on their environment. The phenomenon has been observed in viruses and now there is evidence that strains of Covid19 in the United States are showing traits of the strains of the British and South African variants. Holy Evolution Batman! This is not good. What this means is our enemy is independently adapting throughout the world. Strains continents apart are separately and independently mutating to a new strain with similar characteristics- becoming easier to catch (because by wearing masks we have made it harder to spread) and more deadly. Covid is a worthy enemy- like a prosecutor with a confession and DNA. But as any prosecutor who has dealt with Rumpole can tell you, Covid can be beat.
The reasons for an elevated death rate are not entirely clear. Some evidence suggests that people infected with the variant may have higher viral loads, a feature that could not only make the virus more contagious but also potentially undermine the effectiveness of certain treatments...
(Note to Judges- as Bruce Springsteen sings in 10th Avenue Freeze Out "This here is the important part"*):
No matter the explanation, scientific advisers to the British government said on Saturday, the new findings laid bare the dangers of countries easing restrictions as the variant takes hold.
The overall picture is one of something like a 40 to 60 percent increase in hospitalization risk, and risk of death,” Neil Ferguson, an epidemiologist and scientific adviser to the British government, said in an interview on Saturday. Referring to the tight restrictions on socializing that are in effect across Britain, he said, “It reinforces the policy measures in place.
The CDC announced Sunday that two million Americans had been vaccinated the day before. We are close to vaccines being available for those of us who labour in the REGJB for our bread and wine, although it is not yet on the menu of Au Bon Pain. March 1, 2021, is NOT the time to open up the Courthouse and start trials again. But like opening day in baseball, Memorial Day or the 4th of July or Labour Day or Thanksgiving, it is coming. Just wait a little longer please.
* Bruce only sings that line occasionally in live shows. It was not part of the original lyrics.