Here is how bad the new variant looks to be. All prior COVID-19 viruses were given a simple designation such as Alpha, Beta, Delta, Gamma, etc. This one is sufficiently different that a proper subdesignation is required, Omnicron. That has import because to science, this indicates a branching away from the original virus; Omnicron is different. The country of origination is important, likely due to the prevalence of HIV in SA. This one likely will not get effectively blocked by the current vaccines l; we will require a full updated mRNA product, and Paxloid will be necessary to minimize hospitalization. Expect travel knockdowns of some consequence to slow the spread of Omnicron until a new variant specific vaccine comes out. Look forward Pfizer to work overtime on getting Paxloid to hospitals too, assuming approval.$Pfizer(PFE)$