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Dr. Robin’s Covid-19 Updates
Q&A On Variants
Ten Questions, Many Answers
How come we are all of a sudden hearing about variants?
Good question. But let’s start at the start.
What is a variant?
A virus’ goal in life is to
a) get into somebody’s cells and
b) reproduce.
When they reproduce they often change a little, aka they “mutate.” If the way they change helps them get better at
a) getting into somebody’s cells and
b) reproducing,
then that version of the virus can become “dominant.”
Cue up any of the many YouTube versions of songs with the words “Only the Strong Survive.” Maybe the original by Jerry Butler.
The viruses who share those new changes are called “variants.” A variant has the potential to behave differently than its original ancestor, maybe more efficiently or fiercer.
Cue up any of the YouTube versions of songs with the words “Harder Better Faster Stronger.”
How do you know if your Covid infection is from the “original” SARS-CoV-2 strain or if it’s from a newer variant?
