Goldman Sachs Slams Omicron Panic: ‘Mutation Is Unlikely to Be More Malicious’

Contact Your Elected Officials
The Epoch Times Header

Investment bank Goldman Sachs has asserted that concerns over the COVID-19 Omicron variant likely are unfounded.

“This mutation is unlikely to be more malicious and … the existing vaccines will most likely continue to be effective in preventing hospitalizations and deaths,” Goldman said in a Nov. 26 note. “We do not think that the new variant is sufficient reason to make major portfolio changes.”

The World Health Organization (WHO) named the Omicron strain, which was discovered in South Africa less than a week ago, as a “variant of concern” on Nov. 26, sparking travel bans to several African nations. The WHO also explained why it disrupted its naming convention to skip naming the latest variant “Xi” in accordance with the Greek alphabet, after critics said the U.N. health agency was attempting to appease the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).

Gauteng, a city in South Africa, appears to be the Omicron epicenter for now. Goldman wrote that it “would monitor the situation in Gauteng closely over the next month” and that it doesn’t think “that the new variant is sufficient reason to make major portfolio changes.”

The WHO and top federal infectious diseases officials don’t yet know whether individuals who have recovered from COVID-19 will be susceptible to the Omicron variant, or whether common COVID-19 vaccines work against it. It’s also unclear if the variant causes more severe disease, although a top South African medical association doctor told news outlets that Omicron patients have had unusual but mild symptoms.

The variant, according to the WHO, has a large number of mutations compared to the Alpha and Delta strains. South African scientists have said it has an unusual combination of mutations on the spike protein that may make the virus capable of evading vaccines.

Early evidence, the WHO said in a statement, suggests that Omicron has a higher risk of reinfection compared to other variants such as the Delta or Alpha strains.

By Jack Phillips

Read Full Article on TheEpochTimes.com

The Epoch Times
The Epoch Timeshttps://www.theepochtimes.com/
Tired of biased news? The Epoch Times is truthful, factual news that other media outlets don't report. No spin. No agenda. Just honest journalism like it used to be.

Is an American confusing England for Britain a problem?

The United Kingdom is a union of four nations....

Truth & Treason

World War II has long served as a compelling...

Charlie Kirk Assassination Links Back to Israel

Those who really know how to use the tools...

Lessons from the Cleavers: “Leave it to Beaver” Can Teach Us A Lot

A Gen-Zer reflects on growing up watching Leave It to Beaver, grateful for the shows timeless lessons and and the values it taught.

Why Democracy, not Caesar, is the answer to our problems

Caesar-style leadership wins quick public support but inevitably sparks passionate resistance, conflict, bloodshed, and lasting social destabilization.

Trump Commutes Sentence of Former Rep. George Santos

President Trump commuted ex-Rep. George Santos’s seven-year prison sentence for fraud and identity theft, ordering his immediate release.

Jack Smith Referred to DOJ for Misconduct Investigation and Possible Disbarment

Former special counsel Jack Smith was criminally referred to the DOJ by Republican lawmakers for alleged misconduct and possible disbarment.

AI Is a ‘Real and Mysterious Creature,’ Not a Predictable Machine, Anthropic Co-Founder Warns

Handling AI is like dealing with “a real and mysterious creature, not a predictable machine,” said Jack Clark, co-founder of Anthropic, at a Berkeley conference.

Trump Refiles $15 Billion Defamation Lawsuit Against New York Times After Court Dismissal

Trump refiled his $15 billion defamation lawsuit against The New York Times, Penguin Random House, and 3 reporters after judge dismissed the case.

Army Corps of Engineers to Pause $11 Billion in Projects During Shutdown: Vought

Russ Vought, director of the White House’s OMB, has added to the growing pile of federal projects paused during the government shutdown.

Trump Signs Executive Order Putting New Restrictions on Federal Hiring

Trump signed an executive order directing federal agencies to restrict hiring, with exceptions for immigration, security, and political appointees.

Trump Says He Has Authorized Covert CIA Operations in Venezuela

President Trump authorized covert CIA operations in Venezuela, expanding U.S. assets there to increase pressure on President Nicolás Maduro’s regime.

Trump Posthumously Awards Charlie Kirk the Presidential Medal of Freedom

President Trump posthumously awarded Charlie Kirk the Presidential Medal of Freedom in the White House Rose Garden on Oct 14, Charlie's birthday.
spot_img

Related Articles

Popular Categories

MAGA Business Central