Omicron, a New Variant of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 Virus: Global Upsurge, Devastation, and Future Prospect

Background: Currently, a massive surge of Omicron (a new variant of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 [SARS-CoV-2]) is experiencing in several continents of the world (Asia, Europe, USA, etc.). Omicron (B.1.1.529) is the third variant of concern (VOC) that has emerged now in the COVID-19 pandemic after the Alpha (B.1.1.7) VOC (first reported in the UK in December 2020, followed by Delta (B.1.617.2) in mid-2021 in India). Omicron variant was emerged in South Africa and has now found in several countries. Methods: The spread of variants cannot be stopped because countries of the world are connected. This new variant can evade COVID-19 vaccine response and is highly transmissible because Omicron is differing from other variants in many aspects. Omicron has more mutations as compared to Alpha and Delta variants of SARS-CoV-2. Results: It was detected early on a global scale relative to other variants. The more opportunities viruses have to spread, the more it will replicate, the more opportunities virus has to undergo mutations, and create new variants. Omicron may not be horrible and serious as compared to Delta, but its early detection could prevent people. Omicron is an upper respiratory infection, whereas Delta resides in lower respiratory tract. Spread of Omicron is fast, but nothing can say about its severity because there is not much information available on Omicron. Conclusions: Currently, scientists and epidemiologists are working tirelessly together to find out what Omicron can do. This article explains genome structure of SARS-CoV-2, its pathogenesis, global upsurge, devastation, and future prospect.

Food Systems and Health: Prospects for Hope in the Brazilian Chaos?

There are several other pandemics, such as NCDs, obesity and climate change that have been ongoing for a while and are now being severely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Are we going to use this convergence as an opportunity to tackle the systemic structures that have been fertile ground for the new COVID-19 pandemic to arise, alongside the older ones? This article will reflect upon the above through a closer look into the intersections between the questions that concern food systems, climate change, health politics and power relations with examples from the Brazilian context. We need inspired, inclusive and compassionate responses to bridge the current mismatch between the size of the problem and the response to it.