How Variants Work
If you think about a virus like a tree growing and branching out; each branch on the tree is slightly different than the others. By comparing the branches, scientists can label them according to the differences. These small differences, or variants, have been studied and identified since the beginning of the pandemic.
Some variations allow the virus to spread more
easily or make it resistant to treatments or vaccines. Those variants must be
monitored more carefully.
How Variants Change
As the virus spreads, it has new opportunities to
change and may become more difficult to stop. These changes can be monitored by
comparing differences in physical traits (such as resistance to treatment) or
changes in genetic code (mutations) from one variant to another.
What We Are Doing
By studying each variant and understanding these
differences, scientists can monitor, and often predict, whether a variant is
more dangerous than others. Scientists can also use this information to track
the spread of a variant.
Important Ways
to Slow the Spread of COVID-19
- Get a COVID-19 vaccine as soon as you
can. Find a vaccine.
- Wear a mask that covers your nose and mouth to
help protect yourself and others.
- Stay 6 feet apart from others who
don’t live with you.
- Avoid crowds and
poorly ventilated indoor spaces.
- Wash your hands often with soap and
water. Use hand sanitizer if soap and water aren’t available.
No comments:
Post a Comment