COVID-19 Outbreak Information Updates (Reboot) [over 150.000,000 US cases (est.), 6,422,520 US hospitilizations, 1,148,691 US deaths.]

Goatman Saint said
I thought .2 had been kicking around the us for a while

yes and the percentage is growing. However, overall cases are going down, so we shall see if it becomes an issue or not.

https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#variant-proportions

https://www.who.int/news/item/22-02-2022-statement-on-omicron-sublineage-ba.2

BA.2 differs from BA.1 in its genetic sequence, including some amino acid differences in the spike protein and other proteins. Studies have shown that BA.2 has a growth advantage over BA.1. Studies are ongoing to understand the reasons for this growth advantage, but initial data suggest that BA.2 appears inherently more transmissible than BA.1, which currently remains the most common Omicron sublineage reported. This difference in transmissibility appears to be much smaller than, for example, the difference between BA.1 and Delta. Further, although BA.2 sequences are increasing in proportion relative to other Omicron sublineages (BA.1 and BA.1.1), there is still a reported decline in overall cases globally.

Studies are evaluating the risk of reinfection with BA.2 compared to BA.1. Reinfection with BA.2 following infection with BA.1 has been documented, however, initial data from population-level reinfection studies suggest that infection with BA.1 provides strong protection against reinfection with BA.2, at least for the limited period for which data are available.

We had stupid high BA.1 infections, so I think that helps us against BA.2. Not sure what Europe's previous and current waves are. Seems like a quick overlap.