What’s different about this U.K. strain?
The CDC is still reviewing evidence regarding whether the U.K. strain is more deadly or causes more severe illness than the standard strain of the virus, but it is known to be more contagious and spreads more easily and quickly.
Will the vaccine work against it?
The current Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines should be effective against the strain. A mutation that causes the virus to completely evade the vaccine doesn’t happen easily.
How do we stay safe from this new strain?
The good news is that we can rely on the same health and safety protocols we’ve been using to help protect us against the COVID-19 variants. While we know that everyone is feeling the fatigue and exhaustion of the pandemic, now is not the time to let our guards down.
- Wear a multi-layer face covering that fits snuggly on your face
- Practice social distancing at all times, keeping at least 6 feet from others
- Avoid unnecessary travel and stay home when feeling sick
- Wash your hands frequently and avoid touching your face with unwashed hands
- Limit the size of social gatherings and do not congregate unmasked with people outside your household