Vaccinations and measures: Does corona mutation have any effect on previous successes? Experts take a stand

A new, apparently even more contagious mutation of the coronavirus is currently causing concern.

Several virus experts show what effects could now follow.

• Bioinformatician Richard Neher deals with

  new mutations of the coronavirus

  .

• He is

  sticking to

  the

  previous vaccination plan

  - and nevertheless warns that “hard facts” are currently still missing.

• Other

  virus experts

  have already spoken out with assessments.

Basel - It

is not unusual

for

viruses to change

just like bacteria.

In the case of the

coronavirus

however, the

mutation of the pathogen

could be worrying.

A new variant of the

 Sars-CoV-2 pathogen

that initially spread in

Great Britain

seems to be more contagious than the original form.

But even apart from the newly discovered form, some

corona mutations

are already

known - you can find an overview here.

Virus expert Richard Neher from Basel is

trying

to predict

what effects such

changes could have on corona rules

, but also, for example, on

vaccines

.

Corona mutation in England and South Africa: virus expert comments - "This is extraordinary"

In an interview with

Spiegel Online

, the

bioinformatician

who works at the

Biozentrum of the University of Basel

,

about

mutations in parts of the coronavirus genome

.

Since

variations of the virus have already

spread not only in

England

but also in

South Africa

, it is urgent to understand how the mutations come about.

"It

is absolutely normal for

these

viruses to mutate

," says Neher.

You don't have to worry about most mutations at first.

With the

current virus changes in South Africa and England

, however, the situation would have changed somewhat.

“We really see a lot of mutations in the relevant surface protein of the virus.

That’s extraordinary.

And it happened twice that these variants

spread relatively quickly

, ”he explains.

Coronavirus mutation: variants do not have a common origin - further research needed

Although the mutations in South Africa and Great Britain had similarities, they did

not have a common origin

.

"This leads us to believe that the

virus has

actually adapted to humans in both cases," is Neher's thesis.

The "hypothesis" that the

variant is

spreading faster

in England

than the original virus seems obvious to him.

In an interview with

Spiegel Online

,

however

, the

bioinformatician

also

emphasized

that there are currently too few “hard facts”.

The

top

German

virologist Christian Drosten

recently

 stated

that further research is necessary 

.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has not yet confirmed, for example, that the virus is 70 percent more contagious.

The number was "simply called that".

However, the current situation should by no means be played down.

The B.1.1.7 line has two possibly reinforcing and one possibly weakening mutation (ORF8).

Other unclear mutations.

Original virus / mutant not yet compared in the laboratory.

Distribution can be a coincidence, not necessarily a selection advantage, but possible.

Not seen in D yet.

https://t.co/gn6xl2Xrl3

- Christian Drosten (@c_drosten) December 20, 2020

Corona mutation probably more contagious and therefore more dangerous - vaccinations still effective?

The German

physician Dr.

Thomas Assmann

, who

spoke

to

Bild

about the

corona mutation

.

The change in the

virus

is a "very unpleasant Christmas present".

The variant is

probably more contagious and therefore more dangerous

.

Of that

vaccines

could be ineffective

against the

mutation

, both the bioinformatician Neher and the physician Assmann do not go out.

“It cannot be expected that

individual mutations will

completely prevent detection.

But that's something that you have to watch, ”says Neher.

It is possible that “the

immune system of vaccinated people

will at some point no longer recognize newer variants of the virus quite as well,” he says.

However, this is not to be expected in the next two or three years.

In an interview with

Bild,

Assmann

also advocates

vaccinations

even faster

due to the

mutation

to start.

Adjustment of the measures due to the Corona mutation from England makes sense?

In order to prevent the

spread of the Corona mutation from Great Britain

, Neher also

thinks it makes sense to

adapt certain

Corona measures

- such as stopping air traffic.

Whether there will also have to be new, stricter rules is currently difficult to predict.

“But it is obvious that the rules are not yet sufficient to contain the spread.

If this variant now spreads faster, you have to prevent even more contacts, ”he told

Spiegel Online

.

In

this context,

Assmann emphasized to

Bild

that you have to keep

your distance and wear masks

“consistently”.

(

nema

)

The Corona mutation in England is currently causing chaos at airports in Germany.

The first passengers have now tested positive there - in several German cities.

Survey: How do you experience the corona pandemic?

How are your well-being, your social contacts, your work situation changing?

In a

large-scale study

, the non-profit research institute ISDC wants to find out what the pandemic means for us socially, psychologically and economically.

You, dear readers, can take part in this survey - and win in the process: The ISDC is giving away

ten shopping

vouchers

worth 50 euros each

among all those taking part in December

.

The survey takes about 15 minutes.

All data will be treated confidentially.

After completing the study, we will report on the results from the various districts and counties.

Participation is only possible online under the link: www.lifewithcorona.org/mm-tz

The International Security and Development Center (ISDC) in Berlin has been dealing with the effects of crises in different countries and regions on the population for years.

The institute conducts research in developing countries, but also investigates the consequences of the September 11th terrorism.

The scientists are now particularly interested in the effects that different life situations, for example in the big city or in the country, have on people's handling of the pandemic.

Please help, dear readers, to find out more about it!

List of rubric lists: © Ariel Schalit / dpa