PLUS: The Covid-19 headlines you need to know, a distraction, and something to read.
By Eve Sneider | 11.29.21 | The WHO flags the Omicron variant, new Covid drugs could change the pandemic, and Austria's surge is a warning. Here's what you should know: |  | The WHO designates Omicron a new "variant of concern" (CNBC) Last Friday, the WHO designated the Omicron Covid mutation, which was first spotted in South Africa, as a "variant of concern." Today the agency added that it poses a "very high" global risk, and surges caused by it could have "severe consequences" in some parts of the world. That said, there's still a lot about the variant that experts don't know, and likely won't learn for at least a few weeks. There's uncertainty about how transmissible the strain is, how well vaccines protect against it, and whether it causes more or less severe infections. New Covid drugs are here—and they could change the pandemic (WIRED) Vaccines are great for keeping people from getting severely ill with Covid-19. But just as important are treatments for those who have been infected. So far the development of these drugs has been slow-going, but two companies, Merck and Pfizer, have unveiled pills that dramatically reduce the risk of hospitalization and death among high-risk Covid-19 patients. There's a lot we don't know yet about these drugs—both companies have released trial results via press release instead of journal articles—but so far they're showing tremendous promise. Not to mention, both drugmakers have already announced licensing agreements that will make it easier for lower-income countries to access the treatment. Experts say Austria's Covid surge could spell trouble for the US (WIRED) In recent weeks, Austria has emerged as the latest country to battle yet another Covid surge. The country's return to lockdown has been attributed to waning immunity as more time passes since people's initial vaccinations, the onset of winter and with it more indoor activities, and politically charged vaccine hesitancy. Experts warn that this could foreshadow winter in the US. | | Our technology has gotten spookily good at forecasting most aspects of human behavior, from what songs you'll like to how you'll reply to an email. WIRED's spiritual advice columnist offers thoughts on living, and grappling, with predictive tech. | |
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