‘I have no intention of getting infected’: understanding Omicron’s severity

Experts on whether getting Covid is inevitable and why, despite claims of mildness', the variant is highly dangerous

Leaders in the US have struck a pessimistic tone about the Covid-19 pandemic in recent weeks amid rapid spread of the Omicron variant.

Janet Woodcock, acting commissioner of the US Food and Drug Administration, recently testified before Congress that most people are going to get Covid". Dr Anthony Fauci, chief medical adviser to Joe Biden, has also said that Omicron will ultimately find just about everybody" in terms of exposure, though vaccines make an important difference in who develops the illness.