The Omicron COVID-19 variant has sparked a wave of closures nationwide in recent days, including schools and businesses, as the White House claimed that individuals who are unvaccinated will face “a winter of severe illness and death.” “For the unvaccinated, you’re looking at a winter of severe illness and death for yourselves, your families, and the hospitals you may soon overwhelm,” White House COVID-19 coordinator Jeff Zients said during a briefing. He then called on people to receive vaccines or boosters if they are eligible. So far, few Omicron-related deaths have been officially confirmed worldwide, while it’s not clear if any have been reported in the United States. The United Kingdom reported on Dec. 18 that at least seven people had died from the new variant. Across the country, in a growing number of municipalities, schools are again starting to shift to remote learning, events are being canceled, and restaurants …