The Omicron variant has been wreaking havoc around the world and has spared no one. The Philippines has been seeing a spike in cases with several Omicron cases in two.
However, according to OCTA Research fellow Fr. Nicanor Austriaco who is also a molecular biologist, the Omicron variant is also a natural vaccine. He explained this during a GoNegosyo Town Hall Meeting on Wednesday, Jan. 5, after citing a study, the Inquirer reported.
According to Austriaco, those infected with the Omicron variant who survive will get antibodies that will protect them “not only against Omicron but against Delta, Gamma, Beta, Alpha and D614G” variants.
“So as the virus rapidly increases, it’s going to try to spread to everyone and it’s going to try to find as many of our kababayans vulnerable. It is spreading so rapidly, what you will expect is it will run out the food sooner,” Austriaco stated.
“And when it runs out of food, it will begin to crash — which is why you see in South Africa, the numbers are crashing. In London, the numbers are beginning to fall only because, once it spreads like wildfire, and when all the trees are burned, there’s nowhere for it to go. So it begins to crash,” he added.
Hence while the Omicron variant has become a concern for most, Austriaco believes that this is the beginning of the end of the pandemic since those infected with the Omicron variant who survive will get antibodies that will protect them “not only against Omicron but against Delta, Gamma, Beta, Alpha and D614G” variants.
“This is the hope and the prayer. The Omicron is actually a blessing. It will be hard for one month, but afterwards, it should be a blessing because it should provide the population protection that we need everywhere,” he explained.
Regardless, Austriaco called on everyone to remain cautious, especially those who remain not vaccinated against COVID-19.
“It’s milder, but if you’re unvaccinated, it’s still harder for you,” he said.
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