Vismita Gupta-Smith: Maria, we are seeing these reports that because it’s so transmissible, eventually everyone might get it. Is that true? And if it is true, then why take protective measures?

Dr. Maria Van Kerkhove: We are certainly seeing with Omicron that there is a significant growth advantage compared to other variants of concern. Omicron is overtaking Delta in terms of circulation, and it is very efficiently transmitted between people. It doesn’t mean that everybody will eventually get Omicron, but we certainly are seeing high cases and surges of cases around the world. This is putting a significant burden on our health care systems, which are already significantly overburdened given that we’re entering into the third year of this pandemic. And if people can’t receive the proper care that they need, then more people will end up with severe disease and dying, and that’s something we want to prevent. So it doesn’t necessarily mean that everybody will get Omicron. This is why we, as WHO, are working with partners around the world to have a comprehensive strategy to reduce your exposure and reduce the opportunities for you to get infected.

First and foremost, we know that vaccination is incredibly protective against severe disease and death, but it also does prevent some infections and some onward transmission. But it’s not perfect in terms of preventing infections and transmission. This is why we also recommend making sure people protect themselves against exposure. Physical distancing, wearing of a well-fitted mask over your nose and mouth, making sure that you have clean hands, avoiding crowds, working from home if you can, getting tested and making sure that you seek appropriate care where needed. All of those measures, this layered approach, are ways in which you can keep yourself safe and also protect yourself from getting infected and passing the virus to somebody else.

1. end up: to find yourself in a place or situation that you did not intend or expect to be in 最终成为；最后处于。例如：If you go on like this you'll end up in prison. 如果你继续这样，早晚得进监狱。

2. layered adj. Something that is layered is made or exists in layers. 分层的；层叠的

Vismita Gupta-Smith: Maria, we are seeing these reports that because it’s so transmissible, eventually everyone might get it. Is that true? And if it is true, then why take protective measures?

Dr. Maria Van Kerkhove: We are certainly seeing with Omicron that there is a significant growth advantage compared to other variants of concern. Omicron is overtaking Delta in terms of (Q1) ________________, and it is very efficiently transmitted between people. It doesn’t mean that everybody will eventually get Omicron, but we certainly are seeing high cases and surges of cases around the world. This is putting a significant (Q2) ________________ on our health care systems, which are already significantly overburdened (Q3) ______________________ we’re entering into the third year of this pandemic. And if people can’t receive the proper care that they need, then more people will end up with (Q4) ___________________________, and that’s something we want to prevent. So (Q5) _______________________ everybody will get Omicron. This is why we, as WHO, are working with partners around the world to have (Q6) _______________ to reduce your exposure and reduce the opportunities for you to (Q7) _______________.

First and foremost, we know that (Q8) _______________ is incredibly protective against severe disease and death, but it also does prevent some infections and some onward transmission. But it’s not perfect in terms of preventing infections and transmission. This is why we also recommend making sure people (Q9) _________________________________. Physical distancing, wearing of a well-fitted mask over your nose and mouth, making sure that you have clean hands, avoiding crowds, working from home if you can, getting tested and making sure that you seek appropriate care where needed. All of those measures, this layered approach, are ways in which you can keep yourself safe and also protect yourself from (Q10) _____________________________________.

Vismita Gupta-Smith: Maria, we are seeing these reports that because it’s so transmissible, eventually everyone might get it. Is that true? And if it is true, then why take protective measures?

Dr. Maria Van Kerkhove: We are certainly seeing with Omicron that there is a significant growth advantage compared to other variants of concern. Omicron is overtaking Delta in terms of (Q1) circulation, and it is very efficiently transmitted between people. It doesn’t mean that everybody will eventually get Omicron, but we certainly are seeing high cases and surges of cases around the world. This is putting a significant (Q2) burden on our health care systems, which are already significantly overburdened (Q3) given that we’re entering into the third year of this pandemic. And if people can’t receive the proper care that they need, then more people will end up with (Q4) severe disease and dying, and that’s something we want to prevent. So (Q5) it doesn’t necessarily mean that everybody will get Omicron. This is why we, as WHO, are working with partners around the world to have (Q6) a comprehensive strategy to reduce your exposure and reduce the opportunities for you to (Q7) get infected.

First and foremost, we know that (Q8) vaccination is incredibly protective against severe disease and death, but it also does prevent some infections and some onward transmission. But it’s not perfect in terms of preventing infections and transmission. This is why we also recommend making sure people (Q9) protect themselves against exposure. Physical distancing, wearing of a well-fitted mask over your nose and mouth, making sure that you have clean hands, avoiding crowds, working from home if you can, getting tested and making sure that you seek appropriate care where needed. All of those measures, this layered approach, are ways in which you can keep yourself safe and also protect yourself from (Q10) getting infected and passing the virus to somebody else.