Omicron is a case study in unknown risk

Unknown risks occur when no one expects them, in forms that no one could anticipate, and for which no one is prepared. Situations become crises under the influence of unknown risks, which in turn fosters panic rather than rational responses.   

The omicron variant is establishing itself to be the next unknown risk in the COVID-19 pandemic.  

Evidence of this are uniformly aggressive and unfettered reactions. These include travel bans from southern Africa that have become ubiquitous. Israel and Japan have closed their borders to foreign nationals and visitors.   

Yet, we are still learning much about this variant, including how virulent it is, how contagious it is — and most importantly, how effective the existing vaccines will be in protecting against this variant. Speculation is ubiquitous when projecting the characteristics and possible impacts of omicron, though answers will eventually be forthcoming at some point in the future.