The variants, known as KP. They now account for 1 in 4 infections nationwide, according to the latest data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
All of them are part of the omicron family. The new strains come with two additional mutations whose alphabetical designations F and R are the source of their nickname.
Scientists speculate that the mutations could make the variants more infectious. Too cute by half. FLiRT makes me think of a dating app given how toxic some of them can be, it may not be inappropriate.
However there is enough of a problem with people continuing to pay attention and take COVID seriously that using such a name is inappropriate. Do we name each variant of the flu with an eye towards public consumption? Thumbs down on TRiFL, though.
Flirt and its relatives— flirty , flirtation , flirtatious —have a fickle history in English. Flirt was popular in literary and cinematic titles in the early 20th century. Most of the flirts in question are young women, but in this short film the comic genius Harold Lloyd plays the title character. Flirt has also enjoyed a robust life as a commercial name. Flirt also lends itself to punny business.
