Doom and Gloom Returns? New COVID Variant NB.1.8.1 Reaches U.S.

CDC Confirms Fewer Than 20 Cases, Yet Pushes Same Tired Vaccine Narrative

ATLANTA — Here we go again. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirmed on May 25 that a new COVID-19 variant, NB.1.8.1, has slunk into the United States, with fewer than 20 cases detected in its surveillance data. The variant, already wreaking havoc in China, is being hyped as the next big scare, but the numbers suggest it’s barely a blip.

Same Old Song: New Variant, Old Panic

NB.1.8.1, a derivative of the XDV COVID-19 strain, has been floating around globally for months. In China, it’s reportedly the dominant variant, according to the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s May 24 data. The World Health Organization (WHO) slapped a “variant under monitoring” label on it, citing its faster spread compared to other strains. But with only a handful of U.S. cases, the alarm bells seem more like a tired rerun than a genuine crisis.

CDC’s Predictable Playbook

The CDC, ever eager to keep the fear machine humming, insists it’s “monitoring” NB.1.8.1 closely. A spokesperson told The Epoch Times, “We are aware of reported cases in China and are in regular contact with international partners.” They claim the variant hasn’t earned a spot on their COVID Data Tracker dashboard yet, but they’re ready to fan the flames if cases tick up. No surprise there—keeping the public on edge is their stock-in-trade.

A Sore Throat and a Sore Excuse

The variant’s calling card? A sharp, burning sore throat, which experts claim sets it apart from earlier strains. No word yet on spikes in hospitalizations or deaths in the U.S., but that hasn’t stopped the CDC from dusting off its one-size-fits-all solution: more vaccines. Never mind the mounting skepticism about their efficacy or the side effects brushed under the rug. The agency’s still peddling boosters like a used car salesman desperate to clear the lot.

Numbers Don’t Lie, But Agencies Might

With fewer than 20 cases nationwide, NB.1.8.1 is barely a footnote. Yet the CDC’s poised to crank up the hysteria if a few more cases pop up. “We monitor all SARS-CoV-2 sequences,” the spokesperson said, as if that’s supposed to reassure anyone. Meanwhile, the agency’s cozy relationship with Big Pharma and its history of pushing questionable vaccines raise red flags. The public’s trust, already worn thin, isn’t helped by the CDC’s refusal to address concerns about vaccine safety or efficacy head-on.

WHO Ties and Whispers of Fraud

Rumors swirled earlier this year that the CDC was ordered to cut ties with the WHO, but the agency insists it’s still in lockstep with global health overlords. “We continue to work with WHO and others,” the spokesperson said, dismissing claims of a January stand-down order. Convenient, considering the WHO’s own track record of opaque decision-making and cozy ties to vaccine profiteers. The global health machine keeps churning, and the CDC’s happy to play its part, even if it means recycling the same fear-driven script.

Public Guidance or Public Nudging?

The CDC’s advice is as predictable as it is uninspired: wash your hands, stay home if sick, and maybe mask up in crowded spots. Oh, and don’t forget your booster shot—because apparently, the same vaccines that haven’t stopped variants before are the answer now. Genetic changes in NB.1.8.1’s spike protein might affect how it spreads, but the CDC’s pushing the same jab without addressing whether it even works against this strain. Transparency? Not their style.

What’s Really Going On?

NB.1.8.1’s rapid spread in China is worth noting, but the U.S. situation is a non-event so far. Fewer than 20 cases don’t justify the CDC’s breathless monitoring or the inevitable vaccine push that’s sure to follow. The sore throat symptom and spike protein mutations are interesting, but without clear data on severity or vaccine effectiveness, the agency’s default to “get boosted” feels more like a reflex than a strategy.

The Bottom Line

NB.1.8.1 is here, but it’s not tearing through the U.S. The CDC’s ready to milk it for all it’s worth, trotting out the same vaccine rhetoric that’s lost its shine. If they want the public’s trust, they’d do better to come clean about vaccine risks and stop treating every variant like the apocalypse. For now, skip the panic, keep your wits, and question the hard sell.