If the worldwide mutations carry on the way they are doing and different strains are not effected by a vaccine developed for a previous strain for example, then all we'll have is the masks to rely on! The vaccine developers won't know whether they're coming or going trying to keep up.
A proper well developed mask though may protect against ALL strains. But of course there are doubts about the science of it all at the moment. We're still floundering through it really, though admittedly we're floundering better than we were a few months ago, lol.
Hello; I do follow about the mutated strains maybe becoming an issue on their own. Like the flu virus does, this covid may drift enough to to point the current vaccines are in some range of bein less effective. So far I have not heard of this. There are some strains recognized to be different from the initial virus. From what I have seen the vaccines are working to some extent. May be that at some point a strain will be resistant to the vaccine. The thing I have been hearing so far is this virus does not drift much. That is not something to take to the bank just yet.
On pure speculation I fear danger from possible mutated strains will be played up for reasons beyond medical considerations only. Such seems to be the way of things now. Even if such happens there is a lot of very good news about the virus. Unless the number have changed recently the survival rates of the infected are very good. Even at my age, 73, the survival rate is over 94%. For those in younger age groups the rate is around 98+% if memory serves. The numbers should become very firm by now. I have not checked in a couple of months.
Another historic thing about viral infections which is known is after the jump to a new host they sometimes become less lethal. It could very well be any new strains will not make us as sick. That may be the case for some strains already. I seem to recall that the new strains are some easier to catch but are making people less sick.
The other good news is there are now some proven clinical treatments treatments. You will not be facing the infection with no medications or no treatments that work. Some things can be done to relieve the symptoms now that were not know a year ago. We know of the blood clots and doctors know how to deal with them ( blood clots from the virus I am thinking of)
It is still a risk for the old and those in poor health. That said, being old or in poor health is always a risk anyway. The covid virus is not the only thing that hits old or sickly people. I can begone tomorrow and it likely will be of natural causes. Unless you are old or sick try to not be so worried. I think the fear is being used to promote some things that otherwise would not have a chance.
A few days ago I saw a woman inside her car alone with the windows rolled up wearing a mask. I get that is part of the message being promoted by some but it does not make any sense. There is no way a person alone in a car needs to wear a mask. Outside in the sunlight at a distance from others is another case where a mask is not needed.
I saw a video of a high school runner having to wear a mask during a race outside in the sun. She collapsed near the finish line. This makes no sense. The "science" is reported that being infected while outside is very rare if it ever happens at all. I think it was reported about one questionable case, but it was not clear if the infection happened outside.
Before i was vaccinated I did wear a mask in stores. I did not go visit folks in their homes. I did not hug, kiss nor otherwise touch others. I live alone so did not have to deal with that. But if you are cooped up in a home with a family just breathing is apparently a risk, so family ought not be so strict about masks in a home.