The world feared the worst when a worrying new coronavirus variant emerged in late November and ripped through South Africa at a pace not seen before in the pandemic.
But two months later, with Omicron dominant across much of the globe, the narrative has shifted for some.
"Levels of concern about Omicron tend to be lower than with previous variants," Simon Williams, a researcher in public attitudes and behaviors towards COVID-19 at Swansea University, told CNN.
For many, "the 'fear factor of COVID' is lower," he said.
Omicron's reduced severity compared to previous variants, and the perceived likelihood that individuals will eventually be infected, have contributed to that relaxation in people's mindsets, Mr Williams said.
https://www.9news.com.au/national/o...for-good/a1ce7f06-9e0c-4356-a839-cc4302914db6
But two months later, with Omicron dominant across much of the globe, the narrative has shifted for some.
"Levels of concern about Omicron tend to be lower than with previous variants," Simon Williams, a researcher in public attitudes and behaviors towards COVID-19 at Swansea University, told CNN.
For many, "the 'fear factor of COVID' is lower," he said.
Omicron's reduced severity compared to previous variants, and the perceived likelihood that individuals will eventually be infected, have contributed to that relaxation in people's mindsets, Mr Williams said.
https://www.9news.com.au/national/o...for-good/a1ce7f06-9e0c-4356-a839-cc4302914db6
