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| - Last Updated on September 13, 2024 by Nivedita
Quick Take
A social media post claims that the SARS-CoV-2 virus variant, Omicron is a cryptic name which means non-existing. We fact-checked and found this claim has misleading information and is False. The meaning of Covid variant ‘Omicron’ does not translate to ‘non-existing’.
The Claim
A Facebook post reads, “Omicron -> O micron -> 0/zero micron = Non-existing. Truth is often hidden in plain sight.” The screenshot of the same can be seen below:
Fact Check
Does the Covid variant, Omicron, mean non-existing?
No. The Omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2 very much exists. It has been named after a letter in the Greek alphabet. As stated in the Merriam-webster dictionary, the meaning of Omicron means, “the fifteenth letter of the Greek alphabet ( Ο, ο), transliterated as ‘o’.”
Also, the image suggests that the word micron means ‘to exist.’ However, the word ‘micron’ is derived from the ancient Greek word meaning “small” and is defined by the Cambridge Dictionary as “one-millionth of a metre.”
Also, as stated by the WHO, “For the purpose of discussing variants in the media and the public, WHO began using the Greek alphabet in May of 2021. WHO did this to make it easier for people to keep track of variants without linking their names to the places where they were first identified as variants can emerge anywhere at any time.” However, WHO decided not to use some letters to avoid causing confusion or stigmatization to certain groups.
Some social media users are sharing a post that claims the XBB subvariant of Omicron is five times stronger and deadlier than the Delta variant.
What is the meaning of Covid variants?
It is normal for a virus to change and evolve with time as it spreads among humans. When such changes become considerably significant from the original virus, it is known as ‘variants’. Scientists look for the genetic differences between them and map the genetic material of the viruses. The coronavirus variants are classified into different categories: variant of interest, a variant of concern and a variant of high consequence. The Alpha, beta, gamma, delta and omicron variants of the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus are classified as variants of concern. At present, there are no SARS-CoV-2 variants of high consequence.
THIP MEDIA TAKE: The Covid variant ‘Omicron’ is named after a greek alphabet and does not translate to ‘non-existing.’ There have been several accounted cases of Omicron throughout the world, proving its existence globally. Therefore, the claim is misleading and is categorized as false.
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