Charlotte Observer. Nov. 29, 2021. Editorial: How North Carolina can prepare for the COVID omicron variant There’s yet another coronavirus variant out there that could pose a new threat. The World Health Organization has designated the B.1.1.529, or omicron, variant as a “variant of concern,” its most serious designation for a COVID-19 variant. Officials say the variant, which was first detected in South Africa, hasn’t reached the United States yet, but it’s already in Canada and could reach the U.S. soon. It’s not time to panic, but it is time to prepare. Scientists aren’t quite sure how transmissible — or how severe — omicron is just yet. Even ahead of…