The B.1.1.7 Variant
May 6, 2021
After a spike of COVID-19 cases in January, cases have decreased which has allowed schools to reopen nationwide. According to epidemiologist, director of the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy at the University of Minnesota and a member of President Biden’s COVID-19 advisory board Michael Osterholm, cases could quickly increase if precautions aren’t taken to prevent the spread of the B.1.1.7 variant, especially in schools.
“We’re seeing much, much more transmission of B.1.1.7. Right here in Minnesota right now we have a large outbreak going on that is primarily focused on kids’ schools, sports activities (and) social activities,” Osterholm said. We’re seeing much, much more transmission of B.1.1.7. Right here in Minnesota right now we have a large outbreak going on that is primarily focused on kids’ schools, sports activities (and) social activities, — Michael Osterholm
The B.1.1.7 variant, more commonly known as the British variant that was first discovered in the United States in December 2020, could create difficulties for schools due to its higher rate of transmission, according to Osterholm.
“I think once B.1.1.7 comes in, you start seeing transmission in your school, you (have) a whole different situation on your hands,” Osterholm said. “It’s gonna be hard to not stop transmission unless you isolate students from each other for some time, meaning basically at home, at most hybrid learning, and most likely distance learning.”
The return to in-person learning at unlimited capacity along with the variants has fueled junior Sumaya Moalim’s fear of a long-lasting pandemic.
“(The COVID-19 variants) make me feel scared that this virus is never going to go away,” Moalim said.
Due to the lack of communication from Park about the variants, junior Olivia Kelly said she was disappointed, especially due to its prevalence in Minnesota.
“If they’re holding information from us or not educating us about it, and then expecting us with full trust that we’ll be fine, I don’t trust that,” Kelly said.