New Strain of COVID-19 Bypasses Masks and Hand-washing
A new study shows the rise of a new, more contagious strain of COVID-19 that's able to bypass facial protection and hand-washing. The new mutation has adapted itself to be more powerful, more deadly and longer-lasting in humans.
Scientists have named the new bionic stain of the coronavirus D614G. It contains a higher virus concentration than researchers have witnessed since the pandemic started in early 2020.
COVID-19 has caused over 200,00 deaths in America alone. The U.S. could see the death rate jump higher in the coming months as the evolved strain is spread. The new mutation is learning our strategies against the virus and adapting itself accordingly. James Musser of Houston Methodist Hospital told The Washinton Post, "We have given this virus a lot of chances."
David Morens, a virologist at the National Insitute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, in clinical studies found D614G to be resistant to facial masks and hand-washing.
This may have implications for our ability to control it.
D614G is already out there and uses human cells to continue to mutate in a way that would be hard to control via a vaccine.
These new findings by no means suggest we should not protect ourselves within guidelines set forth by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. But we must be mindful of the new D614G mutation and of what scientists will recommend in the coming weeks.