Some academics have denounced B.C.'s provincial health officer following her Christmas Eve briefing on the Omicron variant of concern.

In her presentation to reporters, Dr. Bonnie Henry said that Omicron is "spreading in a way that is different from other variants".

She also described the situation as "an entirely new game" and a "different pandemic".

According to Henry, that's in part because the Omicron variant embeds itself in ace2 receptors in the upper airways.

"It replicates quickly," Henry said. "And it means those smaller particles, or aerosols, are much more important and it can spread more easily—especially in activities like singing or talking closely with each other indoors where ventilation is poor or breathing hard."

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A cloth mask will not protect you from an aerosol