Dr. Anthony Fauci has offered some new advice about the omicron coronavirus variant as panic has risen.
- “We knew that it was just a matter of time before the first case of omicron would be detected in the United States,” Fauci said, per The New York Times.
Fauci said he is encouraging COVID-19 vaccine booster shots to stop the variant from spreading. Per The New York Times, Fauci said Americans shouldn’t wait for companies to develop a shot for the omicron variant.
- “Get boosted now,” Fauci said. “We may not need a variant-specific boost.”
Now, Fauci said that families can still spend time together this holiday season. But it might depend on the size of those gatherings.
- “In a situation with the holiday season, indoor-type settings with family that you know is vaccinated, people that you know, you could feel safe with not wearing a mask and having a dinner, having a reception,” he said.
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Fauci has been speaking out recently about the omicron variant, offering Americans advice about how to stay safe as the new variant has worried experts. As I wrote for the Deseret News, the variant has dozens of mutations that might increase its transmissibility.
- Fauci told NBC News’ “Meet the Press” that the omicron variant “is a clarion call ... of saying: Let’s put aside all of these differences that we have and say, if you’re not vaccinated, get vaccinated. If you’re fully vaccinated, get boosted, and get the children vaccinated also.”