Dr. Fauci Said Do This Now to Protect Against the New Variant — Eat This Not That

By Ghuman

Introduction

As the world continues to grapple with the novel coronavirus pandemic, the emergence of new variants has added an additional layer of complexity to the situation. In response, Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation’s top infectious disease expert, has issued a call to action for everyone to take extra precautions to protect themselves and their communities. One of the most important steps we can take is to be mindful of what we eat. Eating the right foods can help boost our immune systems and reduce our risk of infection. In this article, we’ll explore Dr. Fauci’s advice on what to eat and what to avoid in order to protect against the new variant.

Dr. Fauci Said Do This Now to Protect Against the New Variant — Eat This Not That

As the new variant of the coronavirus continues to spread, Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation’s top infectious disease expert, has issued a warning to Americans: Eat this, not that.

Dr. Fauci has urged Americans to focus on eating a healthy, balanced diet that is rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins. He has also warned against eating processed foods, which are high in sugar, salt, and unhealthy fats.

Dr. Fauci has also recommended avoiding foods that are high in saturated fat, such as red meat, full-fat dairy products, and processed meats. He has also suggested limiting the amount of sugar and salt in your diet.

Dr. Fauci has also suggested eating more plant-based proteins, such as beans, lentils, and nuts. He has also recommended eating more fish, which is high in omega-3 fatty acids and can help reduce inflammation.

Dr. Fauci has also suggested avoiding foods that are high in trans fats, such as fried foods, processed snacks, and baked goods. He has also warned against eating too much sugar, which can lead to weight gain and other health problems.

By following Dr. Fauci’s advice, Americans can help protect themselves from the new variant of the coronavirus and stay healthy. Eating a balanced diet that is rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins can help keep your immune system strong and reduce your risk of infection.

The new coronavirus mutation—called Omicron—is stoking fear and confusion, as experts have urged caution but admit it’s still too early to tell how dangerous it is. Should you be masking up more often? Changing your holiday travel plans? To help you stay your safest, Dr. Anthony Fauci, the chief medical advisor to the President and the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, spoke on MSNBC with Craig Melvin. Read on for five life-saving pieces of advice—and to ensure your health and the health of others, don’t miss these Sure Signs You’ve Already Had COVID.

Scientist working in the laboratory
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Why be concerned but not panic? “We don’t have enough information to be talking about dire situations,” said Dr. Fauci. “There are some concerning aspects about what the molecular profile of the virus is and what’s going on in Southern Africa, but we really need to have to fill in the gaps. For example, how transmissible will it be? And what is the level of transmissibility? Importantly, will it evade the protection, for example, of monoclonal antibodies or convalescent plasma, or importantly, the antibodies that are induced by vaccination? It may, it likely will have an impact on that. If you look at the profile of the mutations, the question is what kind of an impact and how much of an impact would it have on protection that’s induced by vaccination. And the only way to know that is to do what we’re doing, namely to get the virus and put it in a form where you can ask, say the antibodies that are induced by the currently used vaccines and find out the degree to which they neutralize or essentially immobilize as it were these viruses.”

Two healthcare workers talking at the UCI
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Understanding how dangerous Omicron is—”that’s going to take a little time likely we’ll be getting some information probably within the next week or two, and then further information a little bit later than that. So there’s a lot of things we don’t know. Also, we don’t know anything about the severity of this infection. I mean, we know it’s spreading pretty well and pretty robustly in Southern Africa, particularly in South Africa where they have the capability of monitoring it well, but we don’t know at all at this point, though, we’re getting some inkling as to what, whether it’s severe or not. It could be highly transmissible, but not severe, or it could be any of the combination of the above. So it’s really a matter of getting the scientific information. Yeah. Not jumping to any conclusions and to follow the science.”

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Healthcare worker with protective equipment performs coronavirus swab on a woman.
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“Well, the CDC does surveillance on isolates throughout the country. And this is one, fortunately that the test that we use, it’s pretty easy to pick it up. So given the surveillance system that the CDC has going right now, we should pick it up. When it comes here, it might already be here, certainly not in large amounts, but it may already be here. And you’re going to hear about that. The CDC will make the announcement, that that’s the case. As soon as they get the information, they will be very transparent about it,” said Dr. Fauci.

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The female doctor syringe injection to the young patient put on a mask in the hospital
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“We know from experience that when you have variants, like the Delta variant, which is the variant that it’s dominated the situation throughout the world, and certainly in the United States, even though the vaccines that we are giving to people are directed against the original Wuhan strain, if you get the level of antibodies high enough, it cross protects against variants like Delta,” said Dr. Fauci. “So what we’re trying to do when we say, A, if you’re un-vaccinated get vaccinated B, if you are vaccinated, get boosted, plus we want to get the level of those antibodies as high as you possibly can. And even though they may get some diminution in their effect on this new virus, you still, almost certainly, you’re going to get some degree of protection, particularly against severe disease. We don’t know what the level of that protection would be, but if history tells us anything regarding other variants, we will at least get some degree of protection. And that’s the reason why the president very appropriately said yesterday, go get vaccinated. And if you are vaccinated, go get boosted. When we find out the degree of protection by the antibodies that are induced by vaccine, we will know better what the prediction will be, how we can prognosticate as to what’s going on. But we’re not going to know that for a while, as I said, likely about two weeks.”

He did add a caveat: “It is unclear” if the vaccines offer enough protection against Omicron. “But from historical experience that we have is that when you get levels of antibody high enough, for example, with the booster, we have had protection against other variants. So what I’m saying, it is likely that even though that protection might be diminished, that if you get your levels high enough, particularly with the booster, you will get some degree of protection, maybe a lot. We don’t know, but at least some degree of protection, particularly against severe disease. That’s what we know right now. If things change, we will absolutely tell you about it.”

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smiling man packing clothes into travel bag L
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“I would not change any plans, but that doesn’t mean you should be cavalier about it. People should try and get vaccinated if they’re not vaccinated and get a boost, as soon as you can, if you’re eligible within the timeframe of getting the boost. And when you do travel, be prudent, for example, many people will be flying when you’re on a plane, you have to wear a mask, make sure when you’re in the airport in a crowded session, in a place for the food court. So whenever in the airport, keep your mask on when you’re in an indoor congregate setting, right?” So mask up in those situations, get vaccinated or boosted, and to protect your life and the lives of others, don’t visit any of these 35 Places You’re Most Likely to Catch COVID.