The world is grappling with the latest strain of the Covid-19 virus, the Omicron variant, and what it could mean almost two years into the coronavirus pandemic.

President Biden sought to reassure the nation, and jittery financial markets, today, but the new development could have significant political impact.

Less than a year before the 2022 midterm elections, we will have to see how this new variant plays out, and how it could affect those elections. Could we see new emergency orders and government restrictions? Does the electorate have any appetite for that? Any chance no one plays politics with this one and we just leave it to the scientists and doctors and public health professionals? The answer to that one is already a resounding no.

For more details, KCBS Radio news anchors Patti Reising and Jeff Bell, as well as KCBS Radio political reporter and host of this segment, Doug Sovern, explain what to expect from the new variant.