Omicron: What we do & don't know so far

Also: Will Baker run again? And, how historical whaling logs may offer clues to climate change [Donate ❤️]( [View in Browser](  November 29, 2021 ☁️ Mostly cloudy, with a high near 38. Good Morning Boston, Let's kick off the week discussing the new COVID-19 variant on everyone's minds: omicron. Here's what we know so far: - This is the first "variant of concern" designated by WHO since delta emerged earlier this year. We don't know much about the variant yet, but it's [causing worry]( because it has more mutations than other variants, which suggests it may be more transmissible and make vaccines less effective. - There have been cases detected in Botswana, the U.K., Italy, Germany, Belgium, Israel, the Netherlands, Australia and Hong Kong. No cases of the variant have been detected in the U.S. so far, but Dr. Anthony Fauci says [it's inevitable]( that it will come to the U.S. – if it's not already here. - Vaccine makers are [working]( to see how well their vaccines stand up against omicron. That includes Cambridge-based Moderna, which says it's beginning to test three of its COVID vaccine booster candidates against the variant. - One big takeaway: [Don't panic](. Local infectious disease experts say there are precautions people can be taking now, including getting vaccinated, getting your booster and masking indoors in public places. They say these are the best ways to keep yourself and others safe. - It will take a few weeks for us to really understand this new variant, but Dr. Ashish Jha, a health policy researcher, professor and dean of the Brown University School of Public Health, shared this [really helpful Twitter thread]( that explains what health officials are watching and measuring in the interim, and why increasing PCR testing may help contain the spread. - In other COVID news: The Essex County sheriff will [require proof of COVID-19 vaccination]( for all employees, vendors and contractors at the jail his office oversees. The union representing the county's correctional officers has already filed a complaint with the state’s Division of Labor Relations, but Sheriff Kevin Coppinger says he expects to survive any legal challenges. The mandate goes into effect Jan. 4. - Merriam-Webster announced its 2021 [word of the year]( vaccines. Seems fitting. Some of the other top lookups of 2021 include "insurrection," "cicada" and "perseverance." P.S.– Happy Hanukkah to all who celebrate! It's night two of the eight-night celebration. There will be a menorah lighting ceremony at the Holocaust Memorial in Boston. Another way to commemorate the festival of lights? Listen to [NPR's annual "Hanukkah Lights" special]( which celebrates stories of the season. Meagan McGinnes Senior Editor, Newsletters [Follow](  Support the news  The Rundown [As Omicron spreads, studies suggest that travel bans alone don't do much good]( Public health experts warn that the rush to impose travel bans on southern African countries after the Omicron variant was identified can work against scientific transparency. [Read more.]( [As Omicron spreads, studies suggest that travel bans alone don't do much good]( Public health experts warn that the rush to impose travel bans on southern African countries after the Omicron variant was identified can work against scientific transparency. [Read more.]( [Less than a year before the gubernatorial election, will Baker run again?]( The Massachusetts governor seems proud of his record thus far, and may fear that his work over the past two terms could be un-done by his successor, should he not run again. But there are also factors that could lead him to decide not to run. [Read more.]( [Less than a year before the gubernatorial election, will Baker run again?]( The Massachusetts governor seems proud of his record thus far, and may fear that his work over the past two terms could be un-done by his successor, should he not run again. But there are also factors that could lead him to decide not to run. [Read more.]( [Journalist Quinones' book links new meth with growth of cities' tent encampments]( Although there are no exact numbers, Massachusetts health care providers and law enforcement say meth use here is on the rise. In his new book, journalist Sam Quinones explains how the manufacturing of meth has changed, and why that matters. [Read more.]( [Journalist Quinones' book links new meth with growth of cities' tent encampments]( Although there are no exact numbers, Massachusetts health care providers and law enforcement say meth use here is on the rise. In his new book, journalist Sam Quinones explains how the manufacturing of meth has changed, and why that matters. [Read more.]( [19th century New England whaling logs offer clues to 21st century climate change]( Logbooks from the New England whaling industry contain meticulous descriptions of 19th century weather. Local researchers are now using those records to fill in gaps in modern climate science. [Read more.]( [19th century New England whaling logs offer clues to 21st century climate change]( Logbooks from the New England whaling industry contain meticulous descriptions of 19th century weather. Local researchers are now using those records to fill in gaps in modern climate science. [Read more.]( [A ‘Striketober’ protest leads to mass firings for Mayans in New Bedford]( A work stoppage at a New Bedford tire recycling company cost roughly two dozen employees their jobs, exposing gaps in American labor law that undermine immigrants’ rights to protest. [Read more.]( [A ‘Striketober’ protest leads to mass firings for Mayans in New Bedford]( A work stoppage at a New Bedford tire recycling company cost roughly two dozen employees their jobs, exposing gaps in American labor law that undermine immigrants’ rights to protest. [Read more.]( Anything Else? - Phil Saviano, a clergy sex abuse survivor and whistleblower who played a key role in exposing decades of assaults by Roman Catholic priests, has [died]( at the age of 69. - A surge in the [catch of this small bait fish]( off the Maine coast is really helping the state's lobstermen. - Susan Tedeschi [returns home for the holidays]( – with Tedeschi Trucks Band in tow, of course. For the fifth time, the band will play a run of shows at Boston’s Orpheum Theatre on Nov. 30, Dec. 1, 3 and 4. What We're Reading 📚 - Renters strike back as cities cap price hikes by landlords ([Politico]( - This Ocean Invaded Its Neighbor Earlier Than Anyone Thought ([The New York Times]( - How to Save a Ski Town ([Outside]( Tell Me Something Good [The butterflies are back! Annual migration of monarchs shows highest numbers in years]( The annual winter monarch butterfly migration, which has seen steep declines in recent years, seems to be making a comeback. Biologists are encouraged and confused by the trend. [Read more.]( [The butterflies are back! Annual migration of monarchs shows highest numbers in years]( The annual winter monarch butterfly migration, which has seen steep declines in recent years, seems to be making a comeback. Biologists are encouraged and confused by the trend. [Read more.]( Before you go: See a [familiar face]( 😎 Forward to a friend. They can sign up [here](. 📣 Give us your feedback: newsletters@wbur.org 📧 Get more WBUR stories sent to your inbox. [Check out all of our newsletter offerings.]( Support the news   Want to change how you receive these emails? Stop getting this newsletter by [updating your preferences.](  I don't want to hear from WBUR anymore. Unsubscribe from all WBUR editorial newsletters [here](.  Interested in learning more about corporate sponsorship? [Click here.]( Copyright © 2021 WBUR-FM, All rights reserved.