The emergence of the BA.2.86 Omicron subvariant, commonly known as “Pirola,” has sparked concerns due to its high mutation count in comparison to the dominant XBB.1.5 variant. However, recent data offers a more reassuring assessment
India’s women-centric policies were conceived mostly under global influence, until the rising women voter turnout in the country changed the trend.
When the Narendra Modi government introduced the Women’s Reservation Bill, it was seen as an attempt to polarise women voters towards the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), but, when it comes to polarising women voters, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar is way ahead.
The support for the Women’s Reservation bill reaffirms India’s faith in affirmative action even as it highlights its dichotomous allegiance to ‘meritocracy’ at the cost of inequity.
The Women’s Reservation Bill has been passed after 27 years. The struggle for a seat at the table has been long. We go to the table being us. As women who want to redefine, reconfigure and reset the narratives. We begin with lipstick and bindi.
Nostalgia is like wearing rose-tinted glasses but on some nights, it is good to return to the good old days when a condom could transform into a piglet and an antenna was the medium through which we saw the world outside of our little worlds
Updated: 09 Sep 2023 2:57 pm
The new variant BA.2.6 Omicron subvariant initially sparked concerns when experts tracking variants observed a few new genetic sequences appearing in worldwide virus databases, exhibiting a significant number of genetic alterations distinct from other prevalent strains. Experiments conducted in Boston, which conform with the experiments in Sweden and China, have indicated that antibodies against BA.2.86 are comparable, and in some cases, even slightly more effective, than those against existing variants. Similar findings were reported at Columbia University, suggesting that BA.2.86 may not pose the significant threat initially feared.
Moreover, newly updated vaccines are expected to enhance antibody responses against all currently circulating variants, including BA.2.86. Clinical data shows a nearly nine-fold increase in neutralizing antibodies against this subvariant with Moderna's retooled vaccine. Similarly, Pfizer's updated shot demonstrates promising neutralizing activity.
In contrast, variant FL.1.5.1, known as "Fornax," is gaining traction and accounts for 14.5% of U.S. infections. This variant exhibits a higher level of immune evasion, causing concern among researchers. While the appearance of BA.2.86 initially raised worry, current findings suggest that it may not lead to a surge comparable to the previous Omicron wave. The unique characteristics of this variant have prompted extensive investigation, with global efforts underway to understand it better.
In the United States, Europe, and Asia, there has been a rise in COVID infections and hospitalizations. However, these numbers are still lower than previous waves. According to CDC data for the week ending on August 26, the weekly growth rate of hospitalizations in the U.S. has slowed for three consecutive weeks.
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