Dr. Howard Smith Oncall

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/NfYWwzdOiuM   The B.1.526 variant, first appearing in New York in December, has seen more than a 26 fold increase over a one month period.  This variant contains the E484K, S477N, and the D253G mutations.   These mutations reduce therapeutic value of convalescent immune sera from recovered patients as well as commercial monoclonal antibodies.  They may also lower vaccine effectiveness.   The mutations permit the B.1.526 variant to bind more tightly to respiratory linings. Non-vaccinated individuals may get sicker and the vaccinated may become CoVid carriers who spread virus to vulnerable persons.   These variants make continued mask wearing and distancing a must.  Use of Covid-killing nasal sprays like Xlear could be helpful.   https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2021.02.26.21251868v1.full.pdf+html   #CoVid #variants #newyork #b1526 #xlear #nasalspray