Confusion Abound: W.H.O. Begs World Not to Call Omicron 'Mild'
As we enter our third year of pandemic living, the “science” behind the coronavirus crisis continues to confuse even the most vocal experts. Take the omicron variant, for instance.
Emerging several weeks ago in South Africa, doctors who began to treat this latest strain of COVID-19 were able to conclude that the symptoms associated with it were “mild”, using that term very specifically. Even Dr. Anthony Fauci – a man known for his proclivity to err on the side of doom – appeared to downplay the virus as it first spread. Only after a little political massaging of the message by the Biden administration did Fauci make a slight adjustment to his take.
But now, suddenly, the World Health Organization is issuing a stark message regarding the science out of South Africa.
When describing a viral strain spreading around the world with astonishing speed, words matter, and “mild” is not the correct word for omicron, the chief of the World Health Organization warned Thursday. “While omicron does appear to be less severe compared to delta, especially in those vaccinated, it does not mean it should be categorized as mild,” Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said, per the BBC. He said that like previous variants, omicron is hospitalizing and killing people. “In fact, the tsunami of cases is so huge and quick, that it is overwhelming health systems around the world,” he said.
The W.H.O. appears to be referencing a semantics issue, in which “mild” is the correct term for the symptoms of omicron but not for the impact of omicron.
One has to wonder if this latest grammatical warning will factor into social media barons’ policies regarding COVID “misinformation”, which they have used to silence conservative US lawmakers in recent days.
