The omicron is just another virus, you can already relax

These words do not come from the mouth of a vaccine opponent, but from the mouth of Dr. Natalia Freund, a senior lecturer and head of the Antibody Laboratory at Tel Aviv University. And yet she clarifies - "Go get vaccinated!"

Dr. Natalia Freund

14/01/2022

Friday, 14 January 2022, 07:55 Updated: 08:04

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In the video: The prime minister warns that we will reach millions of people infected in Corona, clarifies that there is no room for panic and responds to Netanyahu's criticism (Photo: GPO)

In the forest of experts and interpretations that has recently sprung up here around the Omicron, Dr. Natalia Freund, senior lecturer and head of the Human Antibodies Laboratory at the Faculty of Medicine at Tel Aviv University, wants to make a different voice - it's time to change the epidemic according to the virus. The corona, however, offers a change of attitude - there is no point in continuing the testing craze, the boosters in their current form are no longer effective, the green mark has become irrelevant, and the omicron is probably as dangerous as other viruses that attack us every winter.

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To the full article

The green character is no longer relevant

The green character has become irrelevant.

Once vaccinated and unvaccinated stick to the exact same thing on the micron, the idea behind the green mark, which was to create a safe space where everyone knows they are "clean," has become irrelevant.

Even the opposite - the status of the vaccine can be misleading and cause a feeling of "protection" in vaccinated people, which will cause them to give up other means of protection, such as masks and social distance.

The green character is no longer relevant.

Green sign in the mall (Photo: Reuven Castro)

Here it is worth noting that despite the fact that vaccinated people are also infected just as much, the big difference is in the severity of the disease - those who are vaccinated are significantly less ill.

And this is of course an opportunity to implore everyone to get vaccinated.

There is no longer a need for boosters, not even tests

The vaccine as developed and approved is designed for two doses.

A third dose is especially needed for immunocompromised populations.

In studies conducted the third dose has been shown to increase the level of antibodies for several weeks to months but nevertheless does not dramatically change the immune memory created already after the second dose.

Therefore, it can be assumed that beyond a third dose, which probably improves the response to some extent, it makes no sense to give perishable boosters, especially when it comes to a vaccine based on the original strain, a strain that no longer exists and has long been suppressed by new strains.

The booster is unnecessary.

People get vaccinated with fourth vaccine at Sheba Tel Hashomer Hospital (Photo: Reuven Castro)

Corona tests in their current form are also unnecessary.

They are inaccurate, they are expensive, do not provide enough information, and are based on the ability of each one to perform them properly, at the right time and report them in the optimal way.

For example, a infected child turns out positive in only 2-3 antigen tests out of 5 tests he will do, this creates the purchase of many tests and a commitment to perform them again and again, and drawing conclusions based on the "repetitions", reaching a result: positive or negative.

As with any other disease, the tests should be done when you want to get specific information, or tailor the appropriate treatment to the patient, and not for the sake of a survey.

In the current situation where healthy and asymptomatic people are required to perform tests after meeting with patients creates confusion and panic.

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You can also relax with the review

We tend to blame the decision makers for everything, but the truth is that Prime Minister Naftali Bennett did not invent the omicron, the omicron is raging all over the world.

The current policy that there should be no restrictions and that the economy should remain open, despite the rising morbidity, is the policy adopted by many European countries, and is based on the assumption that most of the vaccinated population will pass the disease without significant risk. .

This is not about "sacrificing" the risk populations, as they like to put it, but about minimizing damage, which is expressed in concern for all populations, taking into account that reducing morbidity to zero is, at the moment at least, an unrealistic target.

It's just another virus

Dr. Natalia Freund (Photo: Courtesy of those photographed)

Friends, the omicron is a contagious respiratory virus, similar to many other viruses we are exposed to in the winter months.

Fortunately, the omicron is not as dangerous as the original virus, and in vaccinated people it causes a relatively standard and mild disease and in 99.9 percent of cases will not end up in hospital.

Get vaccinated, it will help you get through it easily.

You were not vaccinated - you took an unnecessary risk of getting sick and hospitalized, thus burdening the hospitals.

Anyone who feels unwell - sitting at home.

Those at risk - be careful and take care of themselves.

He who is healthy - to lead a normal life, while taking personal responsibility, in the shadow of the new reality.

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• Omicron variant

• Vaccine for corona