mutations outside S matter, but a big part of it is still timing. As antibodies contract, people again become susceptible to infection and that could catapult whatever variant happens to be around to dominate even if it has minimal evolutionary advantage over the others
You know what, you’re definitely right. I think it’s harder to tell myself that and believe it vs hearing it directly from a trusted authority on the subject (you) Maybe I should put deference on the studies that compare the variants? Idk. Industry sponsoring usually adds to my lack of finality