Governments’ rapid responses to a new coronavirus strain were wise. But much is still to be learned about the Omicron variant before <a href="https://www.economist.com/science-and-technology/2021/11/28/what-to-do-about-covid-19s-threatening-new-variant?utm_campaign=a.io&amp;utm_medium=audio.podcast.np&amp;utm_source=theintelligence&amp;utm_content=discovery.content.anonymous.tr_shownotes_na-na_article&amp;utm_term=sa.listeners" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">longer-term policies</a> can be prescribed. Vietnam’s government wants to create internationally competitive firms, and a growing new <a href="https://www.economist.com/business/2021/11/27/vietnam-has-produced-a-new-class-of-billionaire-entrepreneurs?utm_campaign=a.io&amp;utm_medium=audio.podcast.np&amp;utm_source=theintelligence&amp;utm_content=discovery.content.anonymous.tr_shownotes_na-na_article&amp;utm_term=sa.listeners" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">class of billionaires</a> suggests the plan is working. And research suggests that social distancing <a href="https://www.economist.com/graphic-detail/2021/11/27/just-like-modern-humans-honeybees-avoid-each-other-amid-plagues?utm_campaign=a.io&amp;utm_medium=audio.podcast.np&amp;utm_source=theintelligence&amp;utm_content=discovery.content.anonymous.tr_shownotes_na-na_article&amp;utm_term=sa.listeners" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">comes naturally</a> to bees under pathogenic threat.Have your say about “The Intelligence” in our survey here&nbsp;<a href="http://www.economist.com/intelligencesurvey" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">www.economist.com/intelligencesurvey</a>. And for full access to print, digital and audio editions of The Economist, subscribe here <a href="http://www.economist.com/intelligenceoffer" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">www.economist.com/intelligenceoffer</a> &#10;&nbsp; <hr>See <a style='color: grey; ' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for privacy and opt-out information.

Priority letter: the Omicron variant

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