Update: SARS-CoV-2 Genetic Variant May Be More Transmissible

November 30, 2020
Lead Article Date: November 25, 2020
Website; The Scientist
Lead Author/Credit; Abby Olena
Forward; Ray Langella, Rapid Cooling

Source: D614G.com - Credit; www.compnayviruspan.com You will be seeing in the news information about a new mutation of the novel Coronavirus (Covid-19) that scientists at the Los Alamos National Laboratory in New Mexico have highlighted for its potential for increasing the transmissibility of the virus. The strain, called D614G, could also impact the severity of the disease

 Please Treat me to a Cup of Coffee -$5, $10 or whatever you can do. This way I can keep sharing articles, data, information and science regarding Real, Sun Driven Climate Change! Thanks in advance!

I am going to start out this Article by first apologizing that today I may come across with an "I told you so" or somewhat obnoxious attitude. That of course, is not something that I am intending to do with any forethought. However, it goes back to many things I have said over the past few months. What I first need to point out is I have also communicated from the first moment it was discussed that we might be wearing masks my feelings on the subject. I have spoken with friends and people I know personally; I have also spoke with friends and family long distance on the phone; I have posted my feelings regarding mask wearing on Facebook; Finally I have written about and included my feelings regarding mask wearing here at Rapid Cooling and in one particular article on this blog back on October 6th;

COVID-19 mutation may be evolving to bypass mask wearing, hand washing

Now, we have more information coming out about this new variant of the virus D614G. The news regarding this variant is also mixed at best. While it may not be as harmful it is definitely more contagious. The question remains in my view is whether or not this variant is more harmful, will this sequence of the virus lead to more overall mild infections? This of course, has a whole set of other circumstances we can discuss another day. The other thing to keep in mind as I have said before, is that we are all directly and or indirectly to blame for this new sequence. Furthermore, there are possibly more Variants similar to D614G to come. However, if you want to know the truth. The real blame should be put on the scientific community who did not see this coming. But I did. I told you so! Not too mention many of you reading this here today may not have had COVID-19 as of yet, but may still be in the sights of this new variant!

I should also mention that this particular Variant D614G is also a World Wide Problem not just here in the United States. As Viruses do, they mutate. They find a way to adapt to changing conditions. What needs to be understood is that 614G has pretty much replaced 614D Worldwide. According to the Article linked here from The Scientist, Martin Beer who is a Virologist from the Friedrich Loeffler Institute in Germany said “In this competition experiment, with a 50/50 mixture, the 614G out-competed the 614D in most cases,” he goes on to say. "614G is for sure not less efficient than the 614D. There is a good chance that it is more efficient—for example, in a ‘super spreader’ event." (For more details please refer to the article) Again, I apologize but as I have said before this is what Viruses do. Now, is it possible that we are in a damned if we do and a damned if we don't situation regarding mask wearing? At this point I would say yes. However, the final analysis may not be in for years. But, I am still of the position that we should not have provided training wheels for this virus and wore masks as prescribed from the beginning.

SOURCE; Science Direct; Cell; Tracking changes in SARS-CoV-2 Spike: Evidence that D614G increases infectivity of the COVID-19 virus.

The so-called 614G mutation in the viral spike protein does not appear to cause more severe cases of COVID-19, but multiple studies indicate that it could be more contagious. Sourse: The Scientist from the article, Sars-CoV-2 Genetic Variant may be more Transmissible

The above study originally published at Cell.com has a few major take aways. The Website Overview from Science Direct mentioned that "Hundreds of new SARS-CoV-2 sequences are added to GISAID each day, so we have automated steps to create daily working alignments" At Cell it is noted in the Summary that "We do not find any indication that patients infected with the Spike 614G variant have higher COVID-19 mortality or clinical severity, but 614G is associated with higher viral load and younger age of patients." In any case it would advantageous that any of you with further interest in the subject of COVID-19 Variants should take some time to check out the links I am providing below for further information.

What they suggest is that the patterns that we see are consistent with a selective advantage, and that this gene mutation arose and has now dominated because it is likely an adaptation [to] humans. Source: The Scientist - Nathan Grubaugh, Yale School of Public Health

Related Links

SARS CoV-2 Genetic Variant may be more Transmissible

D614G Coronavirus Mutation

Related Research

Tracking Changes in SARS-CoV-2 Spike: Evidence that D614G Increases Infectivity of the COVID-19 Virus.

Evaluating the Effects of SARS-CoV-2 Spike Mutation D614G on Transmissibility and pathogenicity.