Possible Psychological Consequences in Public of Omicron Variant (B. 1.1. 529) of SARS-CoV-2 Identification in Iran

For the first, Omicron variants (B. 1.1. 529) of SARS-CoV-2 emerged in Botswana and South Africa which probably compromise vaccine effectiveness and the protective capability of antibodies released via infection of former variants. Public concerns raised due to abundant mutations in the spike protein and elsewhere on Omicron variant resulting in escape from vaccine elicited immunity. Less than three month ago, the Iranian national media reported that the Omicron variant had been identified in a patient who had traveled to the UAE. This news caused a huge amount of concern for the people and even the medical staff. After the Delta variant caused widespread deaths and large numbers of hospitalized patients to the point where hospitals were unable to accept new patients and the health system was paralyzed, it is now the turn of the Omicron variant to bring many patients to the brink of death. It is presented that social stressors are linked to enhance inflammatory cytokines, which are responsible for the production of central nervous system signals for neurological and behavioral changes along with psychiatric symptoms. Therefore, inflammatory cytokines have been reported to be key factors in psychological disorder. In this way, in this article, we offer suggestions to help people in this critical situation where people are mentally disturbed and the virus is spreading.