Don't worry about Convergent Evolution

Divergent Evolution is what scares me

DALL-E

The proliferation of SARS Cov 2 has brought with it a corresponding diversity that is known to emerge in RNA viruses. Of course, some had reassured that cov2’s proofreading ability would keep a very low risk of antigenic escape in a short time frame, but we now know what the reality was.

There are still individuals that would imply and consider that more stringent control of sars cov 2 would select for more transmissible variants. The notion is more obviously absurd than it was now, for evolution occurs as follows: mutations accrue among virions in an individual and those are selected for within and then against others. More infections means more chances for a fitter version. A fitter, more sera-evasive (where it exists) version would naturally outcompete. More replication is more ‘shots to the goal.’

Now, let’s consider the emergence of virus with large numbers of mutations, much like Omicron was. These occur likely due to longer infections as allowed for in hosts with compromized immunity. In these hosts, the virus can accrue mutations that are exclusive to the antibodies and immunological conditions in the host, then are transmitted to the population. When back in the population, they have the opportunity to re-contextualize to the serological milieu of the host population.