Any Politicians, Health Officials, Doctors, or Scientist Who Claim That SARS-CoV-2 Strains Are Mild Should Be Rebuked!
Nikhil Prasad Fact checked by:Thailand Medical News Team Jun 05, 2025 1 week, 6 days, 14 hours, 59 minutes ago
Thailand Medical News Editorial: The narrative that SARS-CoV-2 variants, particularly newer strains, are "mild" has been pushed by some politicians, health officials, doctors, and scientists. This claim, often used to downplay the ongoing impact of COVID-19, is not only misleading but dangerous. It ignores the complex reality of the virus, its mid and long-term effects, and the varied experiences of those infected. Such statements deserve sharp rebuke, as they undermine public health efforts, dismiss the suffering of millions, and erode trust in institutions. Here’s why this rhetoric is reckless and why those who perpetuate it need a wake-up call.
Any Politicians, Health Officials, Doctors, or Scientist Who Claim That SARS-CoV-2 Strains Are Mild Should Be Rebuked!
The Myth of "Mild" Strains
The term "mild" has been thrown around since the emergence of variants like Omicron, with some claiming these strains cause less severe illness compared to earlier ones like Delta. Various
Medical News reports and media coverages typically quote these charlatans, causing the ignorant masses to also assume that the COVID-19 surges are mild and make many complacent.
While certain variants may have lower hospitalization rates in some populations, this does not equate to "mild" for everyone. The virus’s impact depends on factors like age, immune status, vaccination history, and underlying health conditions. For vulnerable groups—such as the elderly, immunocompromised, or those with chronic illnesses—even "mild" infections can lead to hospitalization or death.
Moreover, "mild" often refers only to acute symptoms, ignoring the long-term consequences of infection. Long COVID, which affects an estimated 20-40% of patients according to studies from the World Health Organization, can cause debilitating symptoms like fatigue, brain fog, and cardiovascular issues, even in those who had "mild" cases. To call any strain mild is to dismiss the lived experiences of those who continue to suffer months or years after infection.
Judging Variants by Initial Symptoms Is Dangerously Misguided
A critical error in labeling SARS-CoV-2 variants as mild is basing this judgment on symptoms observed during the initial acute infection phase. Newer variants, such as those descending from Omicron (e.g., BA.2.86, KP.3), have evolved to be adept at disarming the human host’s initial immune responses. Research published in Nature in 2024 shows that these variants can suppress early immune signaling, including interferon production, which normally helps the body fight viral infections. This immune evasion allows the virus to replicate more effectively in the early stages, often resulting in milder or even asymptomatic initial presentations.
However, mild initial symptoms do not indicate a benign infection. The virus’s ability to bypass early immune defenses can lead to higher viral loads and
greater systemic spread, increasing the risk of long-term complications like organ damage or long COVID. Judging a variant’s severity based on the acute phase is like judging a storm by its first few raindrops—it ignores the potential for devastation that follows. This flawed approach misleads the public and policymakers, fostering a false sense of security about the virus’s true impact.
Downplaying the Virus Fuels Complacency
When politicians or health officials label SARS-CoV-2 strains as mild, it sends a message that the pandemic is over or no longer a serious threat. This rhetoric has real-world consequences. It discourages people from taking precautions like masking, vaccinating, or isolating when sick. In 2024, the U.S. saw a summer wave of infections driven by subvariants like KP.3, with wastewater surveillance showing levels comparable to peak pandemic periods. Yet, public adherence to preventive measures has waned, partly because of the perception that the virus is no longer a big deal.
This complacency also affects policy. In some regions, funding for testing, contact tracing, and free vaccine programs has been slashed, justified by the "mild" narrative. Meanwhile, hospitals continue to face periodic surges, and healthcare workers are stretched thin. By framing the virus as mild, leaders absolve themselves of responsibility to maintain robust public health infrastructure, leaving societies vulnerable to future waves.
The Science Doesn’t Support the Claim
Scientists and politicians who call SARS-CoV-2 strains mild often cherry-pick data to fit a narrative. A 2024 study in The Lancet estimated that COVID-19 still caused over 1 million deaths worldwide in 2023, hardly a hallmark of a "mild" disease.
Furthermore, the virus’s ability to mutate keeps it unpredictable. Variants like BA.2.86 and its descendants have shown increased immune evasion, meaning even vaccinated or previously infected individuals can be reinfected. Each infection carries risks of acute illness and long-term complications. To label any strain as mild ignores the evolutionary potential of SARS-CoV-2 and the need for ongoing vigilance.
The Human Toll Is Far from Mild
Behind the statistics are real people whose lives have been upended. Take the case of a 35-year-old teacher who contracted a "mild" case of Omicron in 2022. She now struggles with chronic fatigue and cognitive issues, unable to return to work. Or the elderly grandparent who survived an infection but now relies on oxygen due to lung damage. These stories, shared across social media platforms like X, highlight the human cost of dismissing the virus’s impact.
Communities of color and low-income groups have been disproportionately harmed, with higher rates of hospitalization and death. The "mild" narrative often overlooks these disparities, perpetuating inequities in healthcare access and outcomes. By slapping a simplistic label on a complex disease, officials and experts erase the struggles of those most affected.
A Call for Accountability
Those who claim SARS-CoV-2 strains are mild must be held accountable. Politicians should stop using the pandemic as a political football and prioritize evidence-based policies. Health officials need to communicate clearly about the virus’s risks without sugarcoating the truth. Doctors and scientists, entrusted with public trust, must resist pressure to downplay the virus for the sake of optics or economic interests.
The public deserves honesty. Instead of being told the virus is mild, people need to hear that it remains a serious threat, albeit one we can manage with the right tools—vaccines, antivirals, ventilation, and masks. Leaders should focus on rebuilding trust by acknowledging uncertainties and supporting those affected by long COVID and other complications.
Moving Forward
The idea that SARS-CoV-2 strains are mild is a slap in the face to those who have lost loved ones, those living with chronic symptoms, and those fighting to keep communities safe. It’s time to stop this dangerous oversimplification. The virus is not mild—it’s a persistent, evolving challenge that demands respect and action.
Instead of slapping labels on SARS-CoV-2, we need to slap some sense into the discourse. Leaders must recommit to transparent communication, equitable policies, and robust public health measures. Only then can we truly mitigate the virus’s impact and honor the experiences of those it has harmed. Until that happens, anyone calling this virus "mild" deserves a metaphorical slap for their reckless disregard of reality.
For the latest COVID-19 News, keep on logging to Thailand
Medical News.
Read Also:
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/study-surprisingly-finds-omicron-variant-causes-more-serious-issues-in-infants-children-and-teens-compared-to-delta
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/compared-to-earlier-sars-cov-2-variants,-omicron-causes-a-greater-degree-of-dysbiosis-of-the-intestinal-microbiota
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/new-jersey-study-warns-that-omicron-subvariants-such-as-jn-1-and-kp-3-1-1-causes-more-damage-to-lung-tissues
https://www.thailandmedical.news/articles/coronavirus
https://www.thailandmedical.news/pages/thailand_doctors_listings
Share
Tweet
Share
