I have a strange view on the current "panic variant of the week (Omicron)". For most people the symptoms are much more mild than the Delta variant. As far as I know, they haven't reported any Omicron Deaths; the deaths we are seeing are the Delta variant. If Omicron confers immunity when caught, it could be the vehicle which gives antibodies for those not vaccinated. For this reason, it is not an entirely bad thing.
First, yes there have been confirmed omicron deaths.
The problem is that this new variant is so transmissible.
So even if it is less deadly (which has NOT been proven yet!) so many more people will get it that even with a reduced complication rate it will still overwhelm the hospital intensive care units (ICUs).
Also, rising infection rates will pull the entire healthcare industry into more over-work burden and "elective" surgical cancellations/delays.
Therefore (completely misnamed) "elective" surgeries like cancer removal and joint replacements will be delayed..... again.
My wife is already being asked to work on her long-planned and well earned vacation days next week at a pop-up booster vaccination clinic.
They are also trying to get her for January and February and she is NOT even on the medical side, but the financial/clerical at the hospital.
They want her to work after her regular 8 hour day shift..... and she likely will agree; she's the most selfless person I know!
I have been closely following Dr. Peter Juni the head of my provincial COVID-19 Science Advisory Table.
Here's a local radio interview from this week:
https://www.cbc.ca/listen/live-radi...ons-coming-soon-ontario-faces-potential-surge
To me, this guy is a rock-star!
....and that's coming from a guy that shuns ALL sports, entertainment or political "fandom".
His mathematical models and predictions have been spot-on for the last couple years.
Don't get me wrong; I sincerely hope that he's is very wrong this time.... but the evidence suggests otherwise.
Stay safe everyone!
Brian