The 'UK Variant'.

Given that virology is not my thing, I know I've said before that I was going to limit my commentary on COVID-19.

However, the lack of coherent proMedia reportage on this 'UK variant', at least in terms of what it actually is and what it could do, is infuriating, particularly given all the attention that is being paid to things like whether or not Boris Johnson is an ogre, the hordes rushing to leave London, and the sudden international bans on UK travellers.

Luckily, the BBC's health guy, James Gallagher, has done an excellent job summing up what is currently known about this particular variant.

Here are his main points:

- The variant was first identified in September and by November it represented a quarter of London's cases. It now represents two-thirds of London's cases. Presumably, the concern in this regard is how fast it is becoming dominant which means that there could be positive selective pressures that are biology-based. However there could also be geographic and/or cultural explanations.

- Some of the mutations found in the viral variant affect the 'Spike' protein. This protein is the bit that sticks out from the surface of the virus and binds to goalposts on the surface of our cells. This binding is critical for infectivity. One of the mutations is on the bit of the spike that binds to the goalposts. Thus, this raises a possibility of increased infectivity.

- Another mutation in the 'Spike' may dampen immune responses to the virus and there are data from one group that this mutation can also increase infectivity in a laboratory setting.

- There is no laboratory, epidemiological or clinical evidence, at this point, that this variant makes people sicker and/or is more deadly.

- There is also no evidence, at this point, that this variant affects the response to the currently approved vaccines even though these vaccines work by tricking the immune system into making antibodies and mounting T-Cell responses to the 'Spike' protein. On the flip side it is mutation, generally, that generates 'vaccine escapers',  which is why you are likely to see some commentary about this in the coming days.

So, while the science is far from settled on this variant (and viral variants are common), you can see the cause for concern that has resulted in a strong public health response in the UK.

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If you want to see the science happening full-on, in almost real time, check this out...It's long and wonkish but you will quickly gain an appreciation for how many variants are zipping around out there and how lockdowns suppress their spread.


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