Topline
President Joe Biden outlined new federal initiatives to fight the coronavirus pandemic Thursday, together with encouraging booster photographs, opening lots of of household vaccination clinics and making at-home testing kits free, a day after the primary U.S. case of the omicron variant was detected in California.
President Joe Biden speaks concerning the federal response to Covid-19 and the omicron variant on the … [+]
AFP through Getty Pictures
Key Info
Talking on the Nationwide Institutes of Well being in Bethesda, Maryland, on Thursday afternoon, Biden stated the nation is “higher positioned” than it was a yr in the past to struggle Covid-19 because the winter season approaches.
The measures introduced Thursday embrace an outreach marketing campaign to encourage 100 million eligible People to get booster jabs, and Medicaid protection for the price of vaccine counseling periods for households.
Whereas federal workers are already given paid day without work to get booster photographs, Biden known as on employers throughout the nation to do the identical in the event that they don’t already.
The White Home will increase entry to free at-home Covid testing, permitting for the greater than 150 million People with personal insurance coverage to have the checks reimbursed by their suppliers and distributing at-home checks to these with out personal insurance coverage by way of “key group websites.”
Along with controversial journey restrictions on southern African countries beforehand introduced in response to the emergence of omicron, the White Home confirmed reports that it’ll “tighten” pre-departure testing protocols starting subsequent week for all inbound vacationers no matter nationality or vaccination standing, requiring them to take a Covid take a look at inside sooner or later of departure as an alternative of three, as per present guidelines.
It confirmed that masks mandates on planes, trains and public transportation will likely be prolonged by way of at the very least March 18.
Thursday’s announcement additionally contains steps to focus on youngsters for vaccinations and seniors for boosters.
Tangent
Biden formally announced the brand new measures on the NIH simply hours after a second omicron case was detected within the U.S., a Minnesota resident who had just lately traveled to New York Metropolis.
Large Quantity
24. That’s at the very least what number of nations have recognized omicron instances as of Wednesday.
Key Background
Earlier this week Biden described the emergence of the omicron variant as a “trigger for concern, not a trigger for panic” and stated there was no rapid want for brand spanking new lockdowns. He inspired People to start out carrying face masks indoors once more after the CDC eased its suggestions for absolutely vaccinated folks earlier this yr. There are nonetheless a substantial amount of unknowns concerning the omicron variant, together with whether or not or not it’s extra transmissible than different strains or causes worse signs. Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the Nationwide Institute of Allergy and Infectious Illnesses, advised Biden throughout a dialogue Sunday that it may take two weeks earlier than there could be extra “definitive data” on omicron.
Additional Studying
“Biden Administration To Increase Vaccine Schooling For Medicare, Medicaid As Omicron Hits U.S.” (Forbes)
“‘We need to be ready’ — Biden unveils COVID-19 plan as Omicron arrives ahead of winter” (Los Angeles Instances)
“‘We are pulling out all the stops’: White House details strategies to combat delta, omicron variants” (Washington Put up)
“Biden launching winter COVID-19 booster, testing campaign” (Related Press)
“U.S. tightens travel testing requirements, mask mandates as part of broader plan to fight Covid” (CNBC)
“Biden will outline new steps to combat Covid through winter months” (CNN)
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