Advertisement

The Project host says new Omicron theory is ‘scaring the hell’ out of him

The Project’s Hamish Macdonald admitted on Wednesday that a new expert theory about the Omicron variant has left him frightened.

The panel of hosts on the Channel Ten show spoke with epidemiologist Professor Mary-Louise McLaws all about the latest strain and its arrival ahead of the Christmas season.

Hamish Macdonald on The Project.
Hamish Macdonald has admitted that a new Omicron theory has left him frightened. Photo: Channel Ten

“What’s the strangest thing you’ve discovered about Omicron?” Rachel Corbett asked the WHO Covid-19 response advisor.

“One of the things that I find quite remarkable is the theory that Omicron has an ability to ‘charge’ the spike; to have positive and negative charges,” Mary-Louise replied.

She explained that if the theory is true, the virus will “hook onto mucus” when spread by people talking, laughing or singing and remain charged in the air.

“Potentially, we’re more at risk of airborne spread, and that will be problematic. That's why I'm saying to people, please socialise outside, in case this is true,” she added.

RELATED:

“Thanks for scaring the hell out of me, Mary-Louise,” Hamish remarked, with the expert giving a nervous grin.

While appearing on the current affairs program, Mary-Louise insisted that Christmas doesn’t have to be cancelled amid the surging case numbers.

“What we should be doing is getting together safely,” she said.

“And by that I mean, making sure you've had your booster shot, wear your mask when you’re shopping for Christmas presents, and try to socialise outside as much as possible.”

Rachel Corbett and Professor Mary-Louise McLaws on The Project.
Professor Mary-Louise McLaws says that Christmas doesn’t have to be cancelled as long as people celebrate ‘safely’. Photo: Channel Ten

The grim discussion comes shortly after three presenters on The Project recently tested positive for Covid: Peter Helliar, Kate Langbroek and Chrissie Swan.

Peter spoke candidly about his symptoms when he returned to work, describing it as a “weird experience”.

“I had about three days where it felt like a pretty mild cold. I did lose taste for a couple of days and smell for about a week,” he said.

“I got some chills in the night and the after-effects of a cold, a blocked nose for about a week and a bit. But I felt protected.”

Earlier this month he revealed on KIIS FM’s 3pm Pick Up that he had actually caught the disease from his co-star Kate Langbroek, who previously hadn’t spoken about her diagnosis.

Meanwhile, Chrissie took to Instagram last month to say that she “didn’t escape Covid after all” and had tested positive, but returned to work after completing home isolation.

Never miss a thing. Sign up to Yahoo Lifestyle’s daily newsletter.

Or if you have a story idea, email us at lifestyle.tips@yahooinc.com.