"President Biden announced an array of measures Thursday to protect Americans from a potential winter surge of coronavirus infections, as five states confirmed cases linked to the omicron variant and international researchers shared data indicating that the still-mysterious variant may be able to reinfect people who had prior infections.
“We’re going to fight this variant with science and speed, not chaos and confusion,” Biden said in a speech at the National Institutes of Health, appealing to Americans to put aside partisan differences and continue to get vaccinated, wear masks and take other precautions. “This is a moment we can put the divisiveness behind us, I hope.”
The president’s plan includes campaigns to increase vaccinations and booster shots, more stringent testing for international travelers and plans to make rapid at-home coronavirus testing free for more people. While some of the measures are new — notably a plan to launch “family mobile vaccination clinics,” where all eligible members of a family could simultaneously get shots and boosters — others build on existing tactics, such as rallying businesses to impose vaccination-or-testing mandates for employees.
Public health experts praised aspects of Biden’s plan but called for further investments in testing, screening and combating misinformation about the vaccines. They also said Biden’s vow that the nation will ward off omicron after it “beat back” the delta variant doesn’t reflect a reality where the virus continues to circulate at high levels, with more than 140,000 coronavirus-linked deaths in the United States since the start of September.
It’s the “most aggressive pandemic plan yet for the United States, but still falls short of all that’s needed now,” said Eric Topol, director of the Scripps Research Translational Institute.
Omicron mutations alarm scientists, but new variant first must prove it can outcompete delta
Biden’s package of coronavirus strategies comes as officials confirmed omicron-linked infections in California, Minnesota, Colorado, New York and Hawaii, and as South African researchers reported that the new variant appeared to be linked to increased coronavirus re-infections, although the new cases were mild. Scientists caution that it will take days, if not weeks, to fully understand whether the new variant can evade current vaccines and treatments, or cause more severe symptoms in infected people."
MORE AT:
Washington Post
‘We are pulling out all the stops’: White House details strategies to combat delta, omicron variants
Biden to promise at-home test kits for no cost, more access to booster shots, stricter testing of travelers coming to U.S.
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"For McConnell, the conservative rebellion over vaccine mandates is yet another challenge to band his 50 members together and avert catastrophe. A second one awaits around the corner as a potential U.S. credit default looms later this month. McConnell has vowed there will be no shutdown and no default; both may depend to on whether he can rein in all of his members.
Sen. Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), who's as conservative as they come, said that while she wants to defund vaccine mandates, she’s going to trust McConnell to shape the party's strategy.
“My gut tells me, let leadership do the best they can and trust them," Lummis said. "I just am going to trust the people who are leading and negotiating ... that's how flexible I'm willing to be."
With the pandemic still clouding everyday life nationwide, many Republicans believe a shutdown over vaccine mandates will reflect poorly on their party and argue there are way better ways to make their point. Sen. Mike Braun (R-Ind.) wants to channel the GOP frustration with required vaccinations into a vote next week to roll back President Joe Biden’s mandate. That would avoid his party taking the hit for a shutdown, even if it’s a short one.
“Most everybody agrees with me,” Braun said. “Almost everybody.”
POLITICO
McConnell's latest challenge: Stopping a shutdown over vaccine mandates
A small group of conservatives wants to force a funding showdown over Covid inoculation mandates. But most in the GOP leader's conference aren't convinced.
12/01/2021 01:48 PM EST
Updated: 12/01/2021 04:47 PM EST
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