Opinion – Pedro Hallal: How to protect yourself from the omicron tsunami?

The omicron variant is causing a global tsunami. Records of daily infections were broken in the world and in several countries. This is due to a combination of three factors:

1. The Omicron variant is much more transmissible than previous versions of the virus.

2. Unfortunately, the omicron variant manages to break through the barrier of protection provided by vaccines and infects the vaccinated as well, albeit at a much lower severity than the infections of the unvaccinated.

3. The fatigue caused by the two years of the pandemic has reduced measures to contain the circulation of the virus and, therefore, the micron circulates freely in most countries.

It remains to be seen what we should know to protect ourselves from the omicron tsunami.

In today’s column, I try to summarize some of the measures that, based on the scientific knowledge accumulated over this period, can help us overcome the omicron tsunami.

1. Keep wearing masks, especially indoors. Before the arrival of the omicron, I myself had been advocating that the daily use of masks could be ending. With the appearance of the omicron, it is important to keep the masks for a while longer.

2. Avoid agglomerations, especially those involving more than 10 people. There is already plenty of evidence that contagion occurs more frequently in larger events. Small events, with less than 10 people, all vaccinated, are much safer than large agglomerations at this time.

3. The vaccine remains our best protection against the pandemic. Vaccinated people have a lower risk of Covid-19 infection, a much lower risk of hospitalization for Covid-19, and a “very much” lower risk of death from Covid-19 compared to the unvaccinated.

4. Poke bubbles. The vast majority of the Brazilian population is in favor of vaccines, is in favor of masks and is wanting to get rid of the pandemic soon. Unfortunately, we still live with some lunatics against vaccination and the use of masks. Changing these people’s perceptions, based on dialogue, is tiring and difficult, but it often works. So don’t give up on the relative or friend who is influenced by these paranoias that circulate in the denialist bubbles. Keep trying to puncture those bubbles.

5. Don’t go into despair. In case of contact with someone infected, get tested and ask everyone who has had contact with you to do the same. While waiting for the test result, stay at home to avoid infecting others. Testing remains essential in the fight against the virus.

These tips are aimed at the Brazilian population. The population needs all of us to play the role of protecting it, as government politicians on duty continue to spread fake news and disrupt the face of Covid-19 in Brazil.

Last week, the Ministry of Health belatedly announced the start of vaccination in children. Most vexing of all was the minister’s annoyance in announcing that no medical prescription will be required for the vaccine. More like that upset child, who was forced to apologize to his little friend.

In the same week, the president accused Anvisa of having secret interests in promoting the vaccination of children. He received such an emphatic reply that he certainly regretted the nonsense he had said. After all, now you only have two ways: apologize or prove the accusations you made.

Finally, the records of daily infections that are broken in several countries are certainly also observed in Brazil. There have never been so many people with Covid-19 at the same time in the country. However, due to low testing, data blackout and denialism, the population is prevented from knowing the real dimension of the omicron tsunami in Brazil.