Governor Phil Murphy at his Monday press conference said he is “closely monitoring” the emergence of the Omicron Covid-19 variant, adding that he is doing so while still keeping his eye on Delta, which accounts for the vast majority of current infections. However, the governor did not say that he plans to add any additional advisories or restrictions due to the variant.
“We’re closely monitoring the Omicron variant – and we’re still not done with Delta,” Murphy said. “We encourage everyone to get vaccinated and get your booster. It’s the best way to protect yourself.”
The governor added that he is not following steps taken by New York Governor Kathy Hochul in preparation for the virus, including banning elective surgeries, saying “we are nowhere near” needing to do that.
New York City health officials are being more cautious, and today “strongly” recommended that people wear masks “at all times.”
No cases of Omicron have yet been detected in New Jersey, but health officials expect the variant to pop up in the Garden State over the coming days.
While there was a lot of panicking over the new variant over the weekend, it appears that Omicron poses no more of a danger – and possibly less of a danger 0 than the Delta strain.
In fact, some health officials suggest that Omicron is a good thing.
Professor Dror Mevorach, the head of the Covid department at Hadassah Ein Kerem in Yerushalayim, said that preliminary data are encouraging.
“If it continues this way, this might be a relatively mild illness compared to the delta variant, and paradoxically, if it takes over, it will lead to lower infection rates,” Mevorach said.
I strongly encourage the governor to stop “observing it
” But actually take steps BEFORE it comes. As The saying goes an ounce of prevention…I strongly suggest that Murphy follow in coumos Smart footsteps, that if and when it becomes necessary they should stop all indoor gatherings and minyanim and to make school again via phone.
Stevenn – dont fight Hashem or else you will end up together with Cuomo!
Dror yikra libein eem bat.
HaMevorach yisborach.
Russia & China keep on putting out these variants to beat the vaccines.
It’s the most unusual invisible world war now taking place. This may be the war of gog u’mugog. Or Hashem is simply showing who’s in control.
Stevenn – are you being facetious?
I’m being serious! Chamira sakanta maisurah!
Mutty, viruses mutate, that is Hashems way. They don’t need the help of a lab, it is their means of survival.