We can’t pretend we know nothing of the Omicron variant..The numbers are coming in and, from all appearances, this is the weakest version of COVID-19 so far as medical outcomes are concerned. In looking at panicked reactions from legislators, however, one would think we’re seeing a resurgence of the bubonic plague..We should always be vigilant and can’t dismiss any new pandemic development out of hand, but let’s look at the numbers we have before slamming the panic button..As of December 15, there have been 2,629 confirmed cases of the Omicron variant in Europe. A single death in the UK has been related to it. Aside from that lone case, it appears this variant may be weaker than the common cold..Here’s a direct quote from the European Centre for Disease Control and Prevention on the severity of the Omicron variant: “All cases in the EU/EEA for which there is available information on severity were either asymptomatic or mild. “.A recent study of 78,000 Omicron cases in South Africa found the risk of hospitalization is 29% lower compared to the Wuhan strain. UK government COVID advisor Professor Robert Dingwall stated the panic over the Omicron variant is unjustified in light of this study..Unfortunately, we can’t tune into any mainstream media accounts on the virus without hearing some talking head breathily reporting on how the Omicron variant may bring Armageddon upon the developed world. Fear sells but it also causes damage..Canada’s Liberal government is already moving into full panic mode. The federal cabinet yesterday asked that MPs clear the House of Commons due to fear of Omicron infection, despite parliamentarians’ full vaccination and mandatory masks. Government House Leader Mark Holland said, “This is not the time for mass gatherings,” and suspended in-person caucus meetings..Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called an emergency teleconference meeting with the nation’s premiers when he announced plans for travel restrictions and encouraged premiers to increase pandemic measures within their provinces..For a second holiday season in a row, Canadians are being told to stay home and cower in miserable fear rather than travel and enjoy family. While Trudeau has not banned non-essential travel yet, it sounds like he is moving down that road. A return of quarantine measures for returning travelers even if vaccinated would amount to a travel ban anyway. There are doubtless, countless trips being postponed yet again. Economic insecurity continues while our travel and hospitality sectors get slammed yet again..Again, for what?.While some countries are seeing cases rise due to the Omicron variant, hospitalizations are not. If this trend continues, the Omicron variant may actually help spread natural immunity where vaccinations are failing. If our hospitals aren’t overwhelmed and the symptoms are mild to non-existent, why are we in such a panic over this?.We can’t continue shutting down our economies every time cases of COVID-19 rise. Inflation and supply-chain issues are already causing hardships and they’re just warming up. The money simply isn’t there to keep backstopping businesses on the brink of insolvency and funding people put out of work by restrictions. We have to allow our economy to recover and that means easing restrictions..If the Omicron variant continues as it has been, it will cause great consternation, but do little damage in and of itself. The world will have endured a boy-crying-wolf situation though, and will be less inclined to be compliant if and when a truly dangerous variant surfaces..We appear to be getting off lucky this time. While the Omicron variant appears to be exceptionally transmissible, it’s also been our most harmless variant to date. We need to stay vigilant, but it’s foolhardy and damaging to crack down on individual freedoms and shut down the economy every time a new bug surfaces on the horizon..I’m watching the numbers coming in and am not worried about the Omicron variant at all at this point. I have better things to lose sleep over..While watching government leaders panicking in light of the Omicron variant I’m getting increasingly concerned. The variant likely can’t harm me, but the government sure can..Viruses don’t infringe on freedoms and crush economies. Government responses to them do..Cory Morgan is Assistant Opinion & Broadcast Editor for the Western Standard.cmorgan@westernstandardonline.com
