XBB from Singapore is turning out to be the dominate OMICRON variant. Australia is about to enter its forth COVID wave, with XBB that evades immunity from vaccines and previous infections. Unlike the flu vaccines, the COVID vaccines may not be able to keep up with non-seasonal outbreaks.

Having caught the XBB variant of the Omicron viral family in mid October, when the BA.5 variant infection flatlined and the government in all their infinite wisdom gave the green light that all is well.  I was caught off guard, despite the fact I was studying the variant changes coming in from Europe and Singapore, to which one will be the forth wave for Australia.  And it turns out, which makes sense that the XBB would be the one, since Australia has closer contact to Asia.  To find out more what the XBB was like (if you haven't already had it), pleaser refer to this link:  https://chiasmusmagazine.blogspot.com/2022/10/xbb-variant-covid-19-maybe-next-wave.html.   

Although, it could be said all symptoms are slightly different to each infected person, the main aspect of being infected with COVID past variants, with the people that I have spoken to, was fever, chest infection and loss of smell and taste.   However for me, XBB, was more of a fever, which lasted for at least 3 nights and my nervous system felt hammered, chest infection cleared up in a week (probably from the vaccine/s).  But, to have 4 COVID shots and a flu shot this year and I get maybe a very mild flu with one shot, yet the XBB was a way harsher 'mild', not a pleasant experience after 3 shots and a booster.  Would be testament to the fact that this virus is mutating with evasive proteins to our current vaccines very quickly, with very scant advise from the WHO and government health agencies on how one deals with mutations and boosters.  When all I have read is that I need not get another booster until three months from the infection and have already built up antibodies for XBB.  Except, the question should be asked that if one has had the 3 vaccinations and the booster for variants that no longer exist or have been overtaken by XBB.  What would be the use of a vaccine/booster unless it is specifically targeting a variant?  It could be argued, unlike the flu vaccine which is always ahead of the curve e.g. Northern and Southern hemisphere flu seasons.  COVID vaccines, with its constant mutation and non-seasonally spread, could be way behind the curve of vaccinations.

The Chart above shows Australia, compared to Europe and Singapore, with the XBB variant charging ahead and its linage competitor BQ1.1 falling behind.  So the new variant coming to forte is XBB.

Any restrictions at all?  At least masks?