Coronavirus FAQ: How Do I Protect Myself From The U.K. Variant?

Each week, we answer frequently asked questions about life during the coronavirus crisis. If you have a question you’d like us to consider for a future post, email us at [email protected] with the subject line: “Weekly Coronavirus Questions.”

I’m hearing about virus variants that might be more easily transmitted. I’m worried one might be coming soon to my neck of the woods! What precautions should I be taking?

While COVID-19 has mutated in thousands of mostly harmless ways, the world is increasingly focused on one variant detected in England, dubbed B.1.1.7, and one found in South Africa, called 501.V2, because they seem to spread more easily than older strains. Although not believed to be any deadlier, B.1.1.7 has now become the dominant variant in some areas of England.