Thought of the Day - January 6 2022 - YOU WILL BE EXPOSED!

A Belgian scientific research station in Antarctica is dealing with an outbreak of COVID-19. Despite all workers being fully vaccinated, all arrivals being tested, and the fact that they are based in one of the world's most remote regions, at least 16 of the 25 workers at the Princess Elisabeth Polar Station have caught the virus.

The first positive test was recorded back in December, in a team member that had arrived a week earlier (so much for being tested). They, and the others who tested positive, were placed in quarantine, but the virus continued to circulate. Any planned arrivals to the outpost have been postponed until the virus "dissipates". This follows from the news that, unfortunately, the Cook Islands, one of the last remaining enclaves, also reported their first case back in early December.

This isn't the first time a research station in Antarctica has been afflicted by a coronavirus outbreak. Last year, a number of Chilean military personnel based at the Bernardo O'Higgins research station were infected, after sailors on a supply ship tested positive for the virus. ( Thought of the Day - December 24 - Antarctica ).

So what does this mean? Unless you are a Hermit, you will be exposed to the Omicron-variant of the SARS-CoV-2 virus here in Canada in the next month. Sorry, in case you have not been paying attention to the Blog, and in case you did not understand the last sentence, I will try to repeat in plain English: Unless y'er gonna' be a hermit f'er the next while, y'er gonna' get some o' the vid on ya'!

To what extent you get symptoms resulting from the infection will be a factor of:

1. Your natural immunity and your immune system's response.

2. Your previous exposure to coronavirus, particularly SARS-CoV-2.

3. Your viral-load exposure.

4. Your current 'co-morbidities'.

5. Your vaccine history - when, what, and how.

6. Your sex, age and ethnicity.

7. Your trace levels of vitamins like C, D and Zinc.

8. Your present use of preventive therapeutics.

9. Your overall constitution and health.

10. Your tolerance for symptoms.

In short, like all coronaviruses - it depends.

Cheers

Cliff