The Economist Menu Weekly edition Search Sign in Science & technology Omicron and on What to do about covid-19’s threatening new variant South Africa’s scientists have bought the world time on Omicron. It should use it Nov 28th 2021 BACK IN 2019 it took a month for the warning to go up about a new respiratory disease in Wuhan; and another month for America to suspend flights from China. By then large amounts of the coronavirus had spread around the world. By contrast, the recent identification of a new and potentially dangerous variant of covid-19 in South Africa took place within days. Travel bans followed within hours. Indeed some were announced even before the World Health Organisation had dubbed the new variant Omicron (they tactfully missed out the Greek letter Xi, which might have caused offence in China). The admirable work of South Africa’s scientists and their exemplary openness, along with the rapid recognition that Omicron poses a genuine threat, show that the world has learnt a lot about dealing with pandemics in the past two years. However, the very fact that Omicron was spotted early, using sparse data, means that its true nature will remain unclear without further research. The real test of pandemic preparedness will be how wisely the world uses the time it has won. SIMPLY SCIENCE Curious about the world? Enjoy a weekly fix of our mind-expanding science coverage Delivered to you every week Sign up More from Science & technology Mutant strain Countries are scrambling to stop a new covid variant The James Webb Space Telescope A new look at the cosmos ASATs and the ISS A Russian anti-satellite missile test puts the ISS in peril Subscribe Group subscriptions Reuse our content Help and contact us Keep updated Facebook Instagram Twitter LinkedIn YouTube RSS Published since September 1843 to take part in “a severe contest between intelligence, which presses forward, and an unworthy, timid ignorance obstructing our progress.” The Economist About Advertise Press centre Store The Economist Group The Economist Group Economist Intelligence Economist Impact Economist Events Working Here Which MBA? GMAT Tutor GRE Tutor Executive Jobs Executive Education Navigator Executive Education: The New Global Order Executive Education: Business Writing Terms of Use Privacy Cookie Policy Manage Cookies Accessibility Modern Slavery Statement Do Not Sell My Personal Information Copyright © The Economist Newspaper Limited 2021. All rights reserved.