The Omicron variant has officially reached California. In a statement provided by Tulare County Health and Human Services officials tried to put the public at ease. “We are continuing to monitor the variant’s presence and progress through the state’s robust Whole Genome Sequencing surveillance program. To help detect and prevent the spread of this new variant, the State of California is increasing COVID-19 testing at our airports for arrivals from countries identified by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).”
While some reports suggest that the Omicron variant may not necessarily be more lethal than other strains of Covid-19 its ability to spread more rapidly does create challenges for local health officials looking to ease the strain on local resources.
County officials are also expressing sympathy for a pandemic weary public and offered the following advice,
“We recognize that everyone is exhausted, and the news of a new variant can be overwhelming. It is important that we collectively focus on the things we know to prevent the spread of COVID-19, and its emerging variants. Individuals should protect themselves and others from COVID-19:

• Get vaccinated and boosted
• Wear your mask in indoor settings
• Get tested if you have symptoms
• Stay home if you are sick”

The outlook among COS faculty seems to remain positive despite this development. COS professor A.J. Brantley expects the college to manage the situation, “if anything it might just make the school more flexible, we’ve learned a great deal since this started”.