A new COVID-19 variant has emerged, serving as a reminder that the coronavirus continues to mutate and spread around the world, disproportionately affecting vulnerable populations.

The variant is called EG.5 and is a descendant of Omicron.

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention estimated that EG.5 accounted for roughly 17.3 per cent — or one in six — of new COVID-19 cases in the U.S. in the past two weeks.

  • Kuori [she/her]@hexbear.netEnglish
    3·
    1 year ago

    anyone with significant experience (even just as a patient) in the medical system can tell you doctors are not infallible. most medical professionals i’ve encountered in my area don’t even mask anymore and haven’t for about a year and some change now. of the ones that do, most are still just wearing surgical masks (useless)

    • NoGodsNoMasters [they/them, she/her]@hexbear.netEnglish
      2·
      1 year ago

      surgical masks (useless)

      This isn’t entirely true though. Yes they are far from perfect and yes they are worse than better masks, but they are still better than nothing and do actually reduce transmission.

      • Kuori [she/her]@hexbear.netEnglish
        1·
        1 year ago

        you’re correct, i was being a touch hyperbolic. iirc it’s like 23-27% effective or some shit, maybe in the 30s (it’s been a while)

        that said, a solid 70% of the doctors i see masking have it either under their nose or on their chin so shrug-outta-hecks