Why a highly mutated coronavirus variant has scientists on alert

Even if BA.2.86 does becomes widespread — and proves adept at dodging neutralizing antibodies, which seems likely, on the basis of its set of spike mutations — other forms of immunity will probably stop most people from getting seriously ill if they are infected, Bloom adds.

Ok, still something to keep an eye out, but it might not be that devastating as it once was back in 2019-2020