Masks have become a big part of our daily lives since COVID-19 started. But since the surge of the Omicron variant, cloth masks may not be enough protection. -- Willa Oxley, 8th grade
Masks have become a big part of our daily lives since COVID-19 started. But since the surge of the Omicron variant, cloth masks may not be enough protection.
Throughout COVID-19, surgical masks and cloth have been in commission. Those single-layer masks blocked larger droplets which could have been carrying the virus, though they aren’t as good as blocking the smaller droplets.
“N95 masks, which are certified by the U.S. National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health, have a denser network of fibers than surgical or cloth masks,” Monica Gandhi, an infectious disease specialist at the University of California, San Francisco said in The Wall Street Journal. “That tighter mesh, together with an electrostatic charge in the material, generally makes such masks the most efficient at trapping larger droplets and aerosols that are exhaled by the wearer. They also better block such particles from being inhaled.” She finished. The Omicron variant has been identified as a highly-transmissible variant, so wearing the right mask is crucial.
Though the variant is dangerous, and requires higher levels of protection, it is also what may save lives. This would happen through herd immunity, the resistance to the spread of an infectious disease within a population that is based on pre-existing immunity of a high proportion of individuals as a result of previous infection or vaccination. Though risky, catching the variant may advance the cause of herd immunity. The prudent response to Omicron might be to encourage vaccinated people and even unvaccinated young adults to catch it, while protecting the at-risk population. Doing this would help immensely but no politician will do this sort of cost-benefit analysis. Despite the many losses this would lead to, many people with ample antibodies are catching this variant. Importantly, it seldom leads to hospitalization or death. Herd immunity is a possibility in the future, but for now, wearing the set N95 or KN95 masks is timely.
COVID-19 hasn’t only affected people, it has affected businesses as well. Specifically restaurants. The Omicron wave of COVID-19 wiped out business by more than half at many of the nation's restaurants in December, which is typically the most lucrative month of the year, according to an industry survey. This threatens restaurants world-wide as they could potentially close for good. Most restaurant owners are reaching out to Congress for relief funds in order to keep their businesses afloat.
"I applied for three entities and they all went unfunded. I struck out completely," Akin Tyler, who once operated three thriving restaurants — two in Philadelphia and one in Wilmington, Delaware told CBS MoneyWatch. Both of his Philadelphia entities, Stock Fishtown and Res Ipsa Cafe, are currently closed. A lot of restaurants are waiting on RRF (Restaurant Revitalization Fund) funding in order to stay open. Things like holiday festivities, including private-party bookings are no longer available for what would appear to be some time if we are unable to keep the variant under control. The Omicron variant has been hard on everyone and hopefully with the new year, things may take a different turn and turn out for the better.
Throughout COVID-19, surgical masks and cloth have been in commission. Those single-layer masks blocked larger droplets which could have been carrying the virus, though they aren’t as good as blocking the smaller droplets.
“N95 masks, which are certified by the U.S. National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health, have a denser network of fibers than surgical or cloth masks,” Monica Gandhi, an infectious disease specialist at the University of California, San Francisco said in The Wall Street Journal. “That tighter mesh, together with an electrostatic charge in the material, generally makes such masks the most efficient at trapping larger droplets and aerosols that are exhaled by the wearer. They also better block such particles from being inhaled.” She finished. The Omicron variant has been identified as a highly-transmissible variant, so wearing the right mask is crucial.
Though the variant is dangerous, and requires higher levels of protection, it is also what may save lives. This would happen through herd immunity, the resistance to the spread of an infectious disease within a population that is based on pre-existing immunity of a high proportion of individuals as a result of previous infection or vaccination. Though risky, catching the variant may advance the cause of herd immunity. The prudent response to Omicron might be to encourage vaccinated people and even unvaccinated young adults to catch it, while protecting the at-risk population. Doing this would help immensely but no politician will do this sort of cost-benefit analysis. Despite the many losses this would lead to, many people with ample antibodies are catching this variant. Importantly, it seldom leads to hospitalization or death. Herd immunity is a possibility in the future, but for now, wearing the set N95 or KN95 masks is timely.
COVID-19 hasn’t only affected people, it has affected businesses as well. Specifically restaurants. The Omicron wave of COVID-19 wiped out business by more than half at many of the nation's restaurants in December, which is typically the most lucrative month of the year, according to an industry survey. This threatens restaurants world-wide as they could potentially close for good. Most restaurant owners are reaching out to Congress for relief funds in order to keep their businesses afloat.
"I applied for three entities and they all went unfunded. I struck out completely," Akin Tyler, who once operated three thriving restaurants — two in Philadelphia and one in Wilmington, Delaware told CBS MoneyWatch. Both of his Philadelphia entities, Stock Fishtown and Res Ipsa Cafe, are currently closed. A lot of restaurants are waiting on RRF (Restaurant Revitalization Fund) funding in order to stay open. Things like holiday festivities, including private-party bookings are no longer available for what would appear to be some time if we are unable to keep the variant under control. The Omicron variant has been hard on everyone and hopefully with the new year, things may take a different turn and turn out for the better.