The fast-spreading omicron variant causes milder illness compared with previous versions of the coronavirus — a fact that has fueled the idea that COVID-19 poses less of a risk than in the past.

If that is the case, some have asked, then why go to such great lengths to prevent getting infected now, since everybody will be exposed to the virus sooner or later?

Here is why experts say it is not time to be complacent about omicron: