The World Health Organization (WHO) has recently downgraded SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for COVID-19, to a Biological Safety Level 2 (BSL-2) pathogen for laboratory work. This decision has sparked a variety of reactions within the scientific community and beyond. Some researchers, previously unable to conduct experiments due to the lack of a BSL-3 lab, now see an opportunity to accelerate SARS-CoV-2 research. Others express concern, recalling the virus's previous classification at BSL-3 due to its pandemic potential and the absence of vaccines and treatments at the time. The reclassification reflects the current availability of effective vaccines and the passing of the pandemic's peak risk. Opinions on this move vary, with some scientists considering it a reasonable adjustment for Omicron variants, suggesting a similar approach to handling seasonal flu, while acknowledging that immunity in the future will likely be based on Omicron variants.
Downgrading #SARSCoV2 to BSL-2 is a reasonable choice in my view for all Omicron viruses. I would probably not do it for pre-Omicron VOCs, as in a few years time from now, all immunity will be only Omicron-based. Similar approach like for seasonal flu would make sense here.
SARS-CoV-2 was classified at a biological safety level 3, due to the absence of a vaccine, treatment and its causing of a pandemic. We have good working vaccines and the pandemic risk has passed. Hence, the WHO has classified SARS-CoV-2 at BSL-2. https://t.co/sOy7CUu50F https://t.co/UcCDJtDAj7
Although this is upsetting to some extremist voices, downgrading to BSL-2 could accelerate SARS-CoV-2 research, I for one would love to do some experiments but don’t have a BSL-3 lab, but now could be doable https://t.co/JFP1b9O1Ez
The WHO just downgraded SARS-CoV-2 to a BSL-2 level pathogen for lab work and the meltdown is just beginning. What are all those people who were wailing about being exposed to a BSL-3 pathogen going to do now? 😱🤭😂 https://t.co/KW8coaFxQh https://t.co/6MxceZGt1h
Since yesterday the @WHO allows virus culture and animal studies with SARS-CoV-2 under BSL-2 conditions. “Wild West”, isn’t it, @JeremyFarrar? Lets reread what Ralph Baric (of all people) thought about that: https://t.co/anpWOW73cx https://t.co/mJSL8HEKAL