Real Talk
The New COVID-19 Ihu Variant and What We Know
Looks like we might be finishing the whole Greek alphabet as COVID-19 mutates into the new Ihu Variant.
As if Omicron and Delta weren’t enough, there’s a new variant temporarily known as the Ihu Variant. Discovered by researchers in France, it came from a patient who returned to France after coming home from Cameroon. Although the WHO has released a statement that the Ihu variant isn’t a threat, it’s only a matter of time before it hits the country. This leaves us with so many questions: will it be just as bad as the first time or worse? Or, will we be able to build an immunity against it? Will our kids ever be able to go out again? There are just too many things to think about.
What we know about the Ihu Variant
According to the IHU Mediteranee Infection Center, the Ihu Variant existed already since November last year. And last January 5, 2022, France reported 12 people being infected by the Ihu Variant. So far, there have been no other cases and have no incidents of being in other countries. Unfortunately, the existing vaccines only offer protection against the severe effects of the Alpha, Beta, Theta, Delta, and Omicron variants of COVID-19.
While possessing some similarities to the Alpha strain, it has more mutations than the Omicron variant. Meaning, there is a possibility that the Ihu Variant might be even more resilient against the vaccines. Currently, it’s under investigation, and the WHO is still finding out how severe this said strain is.
What do we do now?
With COVID-19 showing no signs of slowing down anytime soon, we have to accept that we and our families have to evolve with it. Life already stopped once when COVID-19 first hit and we’re sure we don’t want that to happen again. This means updating everybody’s vaccines, eating healthy, keeping things clean, and making sure we follow all the safety protocols. We want our kids to go out again without fear but that can only happen if we take the proper precautions. Stay inside if you can, mom and dads! Our kids getting the Ihu variant is the last thing we want to see.
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