A question about Covid variants

[PJMcK]

As time has passed, the Covid-19 virus has mutated as most will given time and subjects.

Do the variants mutate independently? Could the Omicron variant develop nearly simultaneously in different parts of the world? Or does the variant get transported from one place, say, southern Africa to another, say, Europe? Or do different variants mutate in different parts of the world?

I don't know enough science and appreciate any informed thoughts.

[captain queeg]

1. I'm no expert but I've heard mutations could happen simultaneously and independently

[PJMcK]

2. Thanks, that seems logical (n/t)

[Hugin]

3. Every time a virus is replicated there is a chance of mutation.

As I understand the process, (granted from undergraduate college biology) the only reason there are so FEW mutations is because of how precise the mechanisms within the cells which are producing the copies of the pirating virus are.

So, ultimately, even within an individual infection there are billions of opportunities for mutation and a variant.

I'd like to know how many copies are produced within an individual cell. Anyone, know? I'm guessing in the hundreds of thousands to millions?

[PJMcK]

5. Cellular reproduction

Thanks for the biology reminder, Hugin. The DNA mapping is generally very accurate.

What I wonder is if the differences in the variants allow for variations in the mutations. I mean, can the Omicron variant develop independently in South Africa and Europe? Do the definitions of the variants allow for minute variations?

[Hugin]

9. I hate to sound so much like Carl Sagan.

"Billions and Billions!"

I get what you're asking. In my humble opinion (necessary to say these days in GD) successful mutation (meaning those mutations which go on to produce a variant branch) would be evolutionarily favored. Also, factoring in how small and relatively simple the COVID virus is. Having the same mutation happen simultaneously in multiple different infections (places) would seem more likely than even for a more complex flu virus.

That's what my friend's, cousin's, brother's, father-in-law says, anyway.

Aside, they aren't kidding when they talk about lucky sperms.

[PJMcK]

10. You could do worse!

Think of the blowhard scientists we have in today's meta-verse!

Thanks for the insights.

[Hugin]

11. I tend to come at things from a slightly different angle than most...

By actually knowing the guy who coined Murphy's Law's niece, keeping the unsinkable Titanic in mind, and having read how man will never fly in a Scientific American. I find saying something is impossible very difficult. Especially when large numbers are involved. I prefer improbable.

Some people are frustrated by this.

[PJMcK]

12. Life doesn't have many absolutes, does it? (n/t)

[Klaralven]

4. Usually, the mutants are transported from where they first occur

Think of the genome of the Covid-19 as a document of about 30,000 letters.

When the virus replicates, it requires that the document be copied to make the new viral particles. A mutation occurs when the copyist gets one of the letters wrong in the copy.

The possibility that a copy made in Africa and a copy made in Europe have the same letter substitution in the same place in the text is pretty small. The possibility that omicron, with 50 spelling errors, could happen in two places is exceedingly small.

[PJMcK]

6. Thanks, that answers my question perfectly (n/t)

[Tomconroy]

7. There has been some speculation the variant originated

after weeks of Covid being present in an immuno compromised person and mutating.

[Meowmee]

8. They occur in one location usually

And then spread everywhere through exposure / travel etc. I think the most recent is speculated to be from a chronic case of covid.