Here Are the Biggest Myths<br />About COVID-19 Variants.<br />Over the past month, the news has been<br />dominated by reports of COVID-19 variants being<br />found in the U.K., South Africa and Brazil. .<br />Now those mutated strains are being<br />detected in the United States, leaving many<br />feeling unsettled and uncertain. .<br />Don’t panic. Here are the four biggest myths<br />about the COVID-19 variants: debunked. .<br />Myth 1: The COVID-19 variants came as a<br />complete surprise to health experts. .<br />According to the CDC, “viruses constantly <br />change through mutation,” meaning these <br />variants were anticipated.<br />In fact, the variants have likely been around<br />for a while, health officials just didn’t notice<br />due to a lack of genomic sequencing. .<br />Myth 2: The COVID-19 variants are more deadly.<br />According to Eric Vail of Cedars-Sinai, variants typically<br />become “more infectious and less virulent.” .<br />It’s “less likely” that a deadly variant would form because<br />viruses want to spread more, not kill their hosts. .<br />Myth 3: The current vaccines do not work<br />against the COVID-19 variants. .<br />The Moderna and Pfizer vaccines appear to<br />protect against the known COVID-19 variants, although<br />they are “less potent” against the South Africa strain. .<br />Thankfully, mRNA vaccine platforms allow<br />for changes to made quickly, as they can sequence<br />out the specific mutations as they occur. .<br />Myth 4: We can’t stop COVID-19<br />variants from spreading.<br />All of the preventative measures being used<br />to fight the original strain of COVID-19 can<br />also help against the variants. .<br />The most potent tool: getting vaccinated.
