The mask is the only tool capable of significantly reducing infection with the British mutation • It should be understood that the key to stopping the epidemic is not in the hands of the authorities but in the hands of the public
A citizen wearing a mask on a street in Netanya // Photo: Gideon Markovich
The corona virus vaccine developed by Pfizer and Modern is the most important tool today to fight the corona plague, but is beginning to address the concern that it is not the perfect solution.
When researchers cultured corona viruses for 90 days in cell cultures in the presence of antibodies created by corona recoverers, the virus that grew in the "hostile" environment of the antibodies interfering with its reproduction created mutations that helped it evade the inhibition of those antibodies.
This is similar to bacteria that grow in the presence of antibiotics - and create resistance against it by appropriate mutations.
[video]
The same process occurs in corona patients themselves: those viruses, which encounter antibodies that form after natural infection or following a vaccine, will evade the antibodies over time by creating mutations.
This created new corona strains, which were proven in vitro to be resistant to the antibodies produced by the patient after infection.
Indeed, in recent months, three corona strains have been discovered that have developed mutations at their site of binding to human cells, a site called receptor.
This improved the ability of the virus arms to bind to the human cellular receptor, thereby increasing the effectiveness of the British, Brazilian, and South African mutation viruses.
Since the vaccine currently given induces the formation of antibodies, similar to those antibodies produced by a corona patient, there is a concern that the mutant strains will equally elude the antibodies generated by the vaccine.
While Pfizer scientists tested and found that the vaccine produces antibodies that inhibit the British strain, an article by South African researchers was published, showing that the virus with the South African mutation is actually resistant to antibodies created by recovering strains of the original corona strain.
A similar concern was expressed by the British government's scientific adviser, who noted that there is no doubt that the current vaccine could address the South African and Brazilian strains, which are similar in terms of their mutations.
These data change the rules of the game: since Pfizer Hounds' vaccine produces antibodies against the original Corona virus, there is a reasonable doubt that these antibodies will not neutralize the South African strain.
In this reality a new and improved generation of vaccines will be required.
The possibility of re-infection and the doubt in the effectiveness of the existing vaccine against the South African strain require extreme caution.
On the one hand, the existing vaccine is effective against the dominant strain in the country, and without a doubt the population must be vaccinated.
On the other hand, since the number of corona patients carrying the South African strain in Israel is small today, just like the number of patients ten months ago, the basic measures we learned about to prevent infection must be taken: extreme care of wearing masks, keeping distance, avoiding crowds and washing hands .
If so, especially today, adherence to the mask is even more important, in order to prevent a new wave of illness that could erupt due to the South African mutation.
Surprisingly, we internalize an inconceivable truth to this day: the mask is "more effective" than the vaccine itself, because the vaccine only protects against the common virus, while the mask is effective against any corona strain that may appear.
This is the moment we must understand that now, more than ever, the mask is the only tool capable of significantly reducing infection in the British mutation with a higher adhesion capacity than the previous corona strain.
Finally, we understand that the key to stopping the epidemic is not in the hands of the authorities but in the hands of the public itself by strict adherence to the guidelines.
It turns out that wearing a mask correctly is no less important than the vaccine, take Taiwan for example: there is also a strict adherence to wearing a mask and above all, wearing it correctly, we were a mask with a filtering efficiency of 80% or more, above the middle of the nose when it is tight, and not loose and binding. One minute to lift over the nose.
With the utmost care and full cooperation of the public, this island, which houses 23 million people, recorded only 872 patients and 7 died throughout the period of the plague to this day.
In conclusion, as the phrase "death and life in the hand of the tongue" is correct, to the same extent "life, death and economy are in the hands of the mask."
We did not "win the corona" and at this point we are still losing.
Please, let go of the euphoria of victory that has not yet been achieved, because it is said "Do not boast of enlistment as a developer."
Reliable and professional information - will restore the public's trust and mobilize it to adhere to rules for its livelihood and health.
The author is the founder of the gastrointestinal tumors unit at Sheba Hospital and a former director
