Honestly, the press secretary laughing at a genuine question and making light of at home free tests will be on the epitaph of this administration in 3 years time.
44
I’m so very thankful Joe Biden is president. My wish for my loved ones this holiday is No Covid No Coup.
27
Just like the response to Katrina, and many other instances, this failed response to the pandemic by both the left and right just shows that we citizens can neither depend on our government, nor sadly, on each other.
33
The plain fact, like it or not, is that at this point we don't have enough data to know just how serious the highly transmissible Omicron variant might be in a population with low vaccination rates, even lower booster rates, a large number of people with comorbidities, and in which hospitals are already becoming overwhelmed. Yes, it's Christmas and many people want to travel and, yes, this has gone on too long and we're all tired of it. But the virus doesn't care about how we feel. I support Pres. Biden and desperately want him to succeed, but I think it was irresponsible of him to tell people who have had boosters that they can travel safely. If they do travel I hope they will use extreme caution. I also think that with a population of more than 330 million, 500 million test kits is a small fraction of what is needed, especially since they will not be available before the holiday. It isn't as if you can test yourself once and then relax for a few months. If you're out in public you need to test yourself on a regular basis. We should also be supplying everyone with N95 or KN95 masks. And the 1,000 National Guard medical personnel are a help, but not a large help. I think the Biden Administration is failing to grasp the scale and seriousness of the problem. Experts have told us almost from the beginning of the pandemic that dangerous variants were certain to arise. We should have been a lot more ready for this surge.
27
The battered psyche? Yes, everyone who tried to do the right thing by being vaccinated and then "boostered" is exhausted by our fellow citizens who refuse to follow our lead. Perhaps that is how they wanted us to feel. Perhaps they've" won " by choosing to ignore the advice. They will likely take up space in our hospitals, prevent us from visiting loved ones in hospitals for different ailments and prevent us from enjoying a holiday with only good feelings.
My fear now is that their actions will eventually lead to more mutations, more job losses, more medical staff resignations, more heartbreaks and more deaths.
At one time the people of this nation sacrificed for the common good. Now, it is all Me, Myself and I.
E Pluribus Pluribus.
41
Was underwhelmed by his address. We have needed a QR method to confirm our vaccination status on phones/smartwatches/computers, because too many unvaccinated want to fully participate in all society activities, but refuse to protect the rest of us by vaccinating/getting a booster. Pleading with them/shaming will not help - they have no shame. However, once we are all required to show QR proof of vaccination to enter buildings, shop, work, travel, public transport, etc. the unvaxxed will find themselves turned away from any indoor buildings, will not be able to freely move about. No need to have 'lockdowns' and our economy will still have plenty of participation from the vaccinated and boostered.
The unvaxxed's choices will be to stay home and order everything in, or vaccinate.
While Biden is attempting to make rapid self-tests available, next month will be too late - we will likely all be infected by then. It is unthinkable after more than 2 years of Covid the testing situation is still as bad as ever in the US. Other first world countries seem to manage to provide free PCR and/or rapid tests to their citizens/residents on a regular basis. Large corporations (Apple) provide free tests to their employees. Why is this so difficult in the US?
35
@Diana
I’m a teacher, free tests for the students only. Unbelievable.
13
Trying to indefinitely prevent most everyone from contacting Covid is futile. Claiming it is and tying to convince everyone that they are all in grave danger if they do is cruel, manipulative, and counterproductive. Omicron is looking to be far less virulent. That is a good thing. It is crowding out Delta and other variations and boosting natural immunity against the next strain while causing less harm.
21
Panic is never productive strategic thinking always is. With the urgency of now the Biden-Harris admin should issue mandates to 200+ million US residents (60% of the US population) who were previously vaccinated 6 months ago to get the booster with the urgency of now or lose the validity of the CDC issued vaccination cards. EU is already saying that they will not accept vaccination cards showing first dose of vaccination was 9 months ago and no booster recently. Israel is already giving the 4th vaccine dose as a booster. With 1 in 6 receiving booster doses so far there is no excuse why those who got vaccinated before should not receive a booster before Christmas.
With one Omicron positive person dying in Houston Texas although not clear whether that 50 year old person had other underlying condition or immunodeficiency it will be prudent to stay safe by getting the booster if one is previously vaccinated and told that they were fully immunized forever. It is clear from the preliminary data that immunity following vaccination is short lived and that without a booster, protection from Omicron may be unreliable.
I am hearing early reports that the seasonal flu vaccine for 2021-2022 season may not be providing protection. I am not so sure of that but because many have let their guard down and are not wearing proper masks properly indoors and in crowded surroundings outdoors that the seasonal Influenza virus is raising its ugly head again. Fewer have received the flu vaccine.
3
Does anyone recall any incidence of the government actually telling us when it’s OK to panic? If they want to have credibility about the “don’t panic” advice, they should at least tell us every once in awhile, “Yeah, maybe now would be a good time to panic.”
6
Retrospective view, but here goes. Insecure trump, I can’t believe I’m writing this, grateful humble reaction upon President Biden crediting previous Administration generating vaccine. President Biden occasionally flattering trump ( even an anodyne compliment) temporarily satisfying the Donald’s fragile ego meaning fewer babbling bumbling bromides via former guy.
7
The Coronavirus likely originated in a wet market in Wuhan China. From 1 infected person to a global pandemic killing millions in a few weeks. What has Biden and his administration done to prevent another pandemic?
The next one could be as virulent as the Spanish Flu. It could already have infected Patient Number 1.
7
@Joel H
Maybe we should concentrate on the current pandemic before piling anything else onto the COVID-19 dumpster fire?
15
I wish military medical personnel were being deployed immediately to provide vaccinations and boosters. There is a 3 week wait where I live, and finding an available appointment takes hours.
7
What happened to this country? So much fear, hysteria and anxiety over basically, I hate to say it, a pretty benign virus for the overwhelming majority of us. Snap out of it already.
23
Not sure where you’re from, “Thomas Aquinas” but where I live something like 60,000 people died of this “benign virus”. My street was filled with refrigerated trucks stacked with the deceased. Omicron has some how killed a few vaccinated folks working in my field this week and it’s a heartbreaking tragedy.
25
@John
I don't doubt your concern and the prevvious experiences you relate, but let's not go overboard with the 'has killed a few vaccinated folks .. ' There's 1 confirmed death so far in the US, so easy on the hyperbole
13
I still fail to understand what testing will do for me. Will it mean I won't have Covid? Can someone explain this?
5
@cricket7
It may prevent you from killing someone. If an easy home test show you have Covid and not "just a cold" or "allergies", you'll stay home, right?
Does that count as "doing something for you?"
24
Manchin is an enemy of The People.
The People are presently suffering terribly as a result of COVID while, at the same time, the country has the ability to pull The People out of this by spending the money that it collects from The People. Spend the money! Now!
13
I Hope We Say No to Lockdowns
The Responsible have lined up, gotten their shots, performed their Patriotic Duty
The Irresponsible have put Modern Life at Risk, and I, for one, feel so tired of fighting these people to protect the more Vulnerable
The shots are widely available now, and it's okay to Step Aside
I hope the authorities make kids and the vaccinated First Priority for healthcare
It's time to get ready for another Surge
28
I am a family medicine trained physician who works in an urgent care setting. I have seen upwards of 88 patients in one 12-hour shift, mostly with Covid-like symptoms.
In the last three weeks I have noticed a sharp uptick in the number of false-negative rapid antigen tests. What this means is that the rapid antigen tests (whether taken at home or in the clinic) are delivering negative results when the PCR test (which comes back later) is positive!
I’m not sure what is going on but I’m concerned that the Omicron (or another!) variant may have altered surface proteins that could be escaping detection by these antibody-based rapid tests.
We absolutely need more testing but it should be more PCR testing!
I do not feel comfortable “clearing” a patient medically to do anything based on the result of one of these tests.
What is needed is not more tests or a military-style escalation of resource deployment, but better public health systems and less political divisiveness. Let not our Nation’s epitaph read “We Could Have Done More”
45
@Casey Bayley Johnson
Call me Stupid, but although I realize this doctor is sincere in wanting more, or better, testing, how will that impact outcomes?
Your point being?
At-home tests were never intended to be laboratory standards, okay?
3
thank you. My young adult son works a register while he's finishing school, and we discussed him testing weekly, PCR it is.
1
Big mistake not mandating vaccines for domestic air travel!
56
@Jean
Me too.
1
“Should we just send one to every American?” she asked a reporter on Dec. 6. “Then what happens if you, if every American has one test? How much does that cost?”
Psakis got to go! Talk about lack of perspective - we could be ahead of this without dumb remarks like hers and the rest of the administration.
17
Trump’s press secretary would have never made that mistake….oh, wait, Trump abandoned having a press secretary.
8
Biden is clearly out of his depth.
20
@Frank everybody is out of their depth
23
Aren't we all?
12
Can't fight what you can't see. Oh look! It's yet another chapter of a Rope a Dope strategy straight out of Once Upon a Time in a far away land.
7
What is that lead photo about, that long line of people standing outside in the cold? Are we as readers supposed to feel extra miserable because of it? Seems like that’s the message. Why are you doing that, NYT? What’s the point?
The times I’ve gone in for a Covid shot, the longest line I’ve stood in lasted a few seconds and all operations were professional and effective. Felt pretty good. How about a photo of that?
17
@Bryan Tomasovich
They are showing people waiting for a test because they want to travel, due to FOMO. So, they want to fly or go somewhere.
4
How can anyone even come to a conclusion that Biden is failing. Biden has been set up to fail from day one of his election to the white house. Not only a complete set up to fail but the previous (trumpians) laid a monumental disaster in Bidens lap,..without any dignity to even step down after a public loss. An attempt to overthrow the government in order to keep the presidency. No,decency to protect the American people from a deadly virus. Build a wall in which became a distraction and for profit. Made shameful remarks to and about the men and women who did and do serve this country. Did indeed, attack journalist, because they got to close to the truth....and used and still uses religion and it's people to hide behind in order to continue their debacles. Stacked the courts to suit favors , pardons for criminal acts....etc.. Biden has done none of these things,.. for those of us that aren't staying under the influence of the big lies and disinformation, and misinformation, are witnesses to these herendous events without turning a blind eye to the factual truths, of the last 5 yrs to 6 yrs.. The truths and facts over ride politics...The only thing Biden did was to try and improve life for this country instead of destroy it. No, I do not care for some of the far left nor do I care for the radical right... Power grabbing is not going to fix this country... Theatrical tactics just might bring us to our knees though...Look at the truth and stop the lies.
23
Why fight Omicron? Wrong vocabulary. Wrong approach.
5
Israel has just forbidden its citizens to do any travel to the United States for this next stretch of the pandemic!
Talk about a mandate!
15
@Jean
They learned from the best.
1
@Jean
Also, no people can go from the U.S. to Israel. Don't forget that.
4
I don't know what future epidemiologists can learn from the COVID pandemic, but I imagine future (or indeed current psychologists) have an amazing demonstration of the Dunning-Kruger Effect in action: everybody on the internet is an expert who knows better than actual epidemiologists have zero doubts about their competence.
9
If epidemiologists are so competent, why are there pandemic's at all?
1
@GmoogG Even the finest nanny can only clean up so much after the messiest children.
3
@citybumpkin If brain surgeons are so smart, why is the surgery’s chance of success only 50-50? I’ve watched brain surgeries on youtube. I’ve looked at WebMD. Let me do the brain the surgery:
3
Anxious nation? I'm not anxious. Are you anxious?
17
You are making me anxious.
13
Everyone should test themselves at least once out of patriotic duty, more if symptomatic. The more data points we have, the sooner we can understand if Omicron is truly as mild as the common cold.
If British and South African data holds up in America, we could return to normal by this time next year.
3
@Jonathan C
I use KF94 masks religiously, I go to the grocery store once every three weeks, the doctor once a month. My sister blew her knee out (think it is a meniscus tear with degenerative arthritis) several months ago, so she goes to the doc around every two and a half months. We cook everything at home, have no one over. We are our own pod.
The rest of our family is FOO (family of origin) so we don't see them. They all live in other states. We are family alone the two of us, or FOC (family of choice).
We go to no clubs, no restaurants, everything is delivered. Oh, and I go once a month to medmen for my medicine. No movies except at home.
2
@m We are triple vaxxed and enjoy the freedom of seeing anyone we want, watching movies on IMAX, and dining out.
Almost everyone I know is vaccinated except for my conspiracy addled landlords. There is nothing to fear.
5
The repeated utter failure of imagination by those charged with preparing and responding to the pandemic has been simply astonishing. Perhaps by the 15th variant and ensuing surge, they'll finally figure it out.
16
@DVAB
Still started in the last administration. They threw out the pandemic playbook that even Bush Jr. saw it was close to a pandemic (100 years or a little more since the last one in 1919) and he started the pandemic playbook. (His allies who worked with him in public health, especially CDC since SARS was his watch).
Then, when Obama came in Bush and CDC met with him about the importance of furthering the pandemic readiness. Before Charlie Rose's demise, (sad because he was very smart) Rose interviewed him. I remember it so vividly as Bush came off as rather intelligent.
I believe they should have stressed tests all along. Since those who won't take a vaccine for whatever reason, that is why we should have stressed about testing. Especially, if you travel a lot or way before the holidays.
6
At home rapid tests need to be cheap and easy to buy—especially during cold season. I should be able to grab a bunch up at grocery store on my way home.
10
@Eric
So long as you're using them properly and not generating a bunch of false negatives.
4
@Eric
And what will you do with the results? I fail to understand.
Stay home and do not infect others if you test positive.
6
When it comes to Biden and Faucci, someone needs to yell "stop the insanity!"
That was a mattress store or drug store ad.
This years variant won't hurt the vaccinated, unvaccinated got natural immunity, they survived 2020 and 2021...
3
@John R.
Unvaccinated have already been studied and their own immunity (even if they survived COVID in 2020) has been discovered by many epidemiologists to be waning. Also, if you did have COVID before, you are more likely to be reinfected with Omicron. That is in science articles in NYT in past few weeks.
5
Don't worry, Biden has planned ahead, resulting in a website for tests that should be ready in about a month. This bit of genius brought to you by the guy who evacuated the American citizens after the military in Afghanistan.
Where are the treatments Joe? Why have you sat on them? That's why we can't outsource leadership to the scientists.
Meanwhile his press team is promoting a puppy and the fact he got some judges approved to replace old liberal judges (like for like).
And the media continues to ignore his press conference outbursts of anger, like today. The man is coming unglued.
13
@TL
Good out Joe is as old and rational as I am.
1
@TL
"Biden has planned ahead, resulting in a website for tests that should be ready in about a month."
How is that "planning ahead"? Covid has been with us for 2 years, long before Biden was even elected!
1
@TL
I guess your idea of anger and mine are two different things (yes, I watched the press conference)
Yes, we should have stressed tests and testing, especially due to the fact that we have a stubborn section of society that would not do the right thing and take a couple of shots.
Also, you do know this article is about COVID not about Afghanistan, right? I mean even though TFG was the one who wrote up the withdrawal. I digress.
This whole business of the pandemic was handled badly from the beginning. It was just a hoax then, wasn't it?
1
Biden and Fauci never should have discarded the mask mandate last Spring in the first place - a major MISTAKE!
18
@Cats
Do masks matter?
1
President Biden said schools K-12 must remain open.
I hope that everyone heard that.
Functioning hospitals and open in-person schools are the most important priorities right now.
Local school districts may decide to close again. The federal government can’t stop that. But at least Biden had the courage to say it out loud: schools need to be open.
15
@School
The unvaccinated children will potentially suffer great harm (long haulers syndrome) or pay with their young lives. Figure out a workable remote solution
at least while the pandemic is raging. Continue with programs like the federal government paying restaurants for meals to feed SNAP recipients in New York State.
2
The whole battle against Covid has gone off the rails.
The clearest path forward now:
1. Get vaccinated if you can.
2. Those who can’t get vaccinated due to medical conditions should deal with protecting themselves as best possible or go on long term disability.
3. All others who ‘can’t’ get vaccinated or choose not - get back to normal and accept the risk you’ve taken.
4. Stop all this nonsense with masks, cleaning and social distancing. Work, school and living need to get back to being unconstrained.
Life is full of risk. The vaccine has diminished the risk of Covid to the likes of a bad cold. It is inevitable that some will get sick and some will die. Life happens. Just live it.
27
@Uncommon Sense
OK.
You go first.
16
@Uncommon Sense
I am going to take umbrage at your comment in number four. You stated to stop masks, and stop cleaning? Really, masks do work, especially in an indoor setting. If you don't wear one fine. Don't tell that lie to not wear one to everyone else. If you do think that the next time you need surgery (if elective most hospitals have stopped with elective surgeries again) tell your doctors to not wear one in the room where they operate on you. As long as you are doing that, tell them to put a window in the room like they used to have in the early days of the operating suite.
Also, telling people to stop cleaning is all we need, a secondary pandemic of an antibiotic resistant strain of a bacterium. That is just wrong, and you should not say that.
7
A mask isn't that hard. it's an act of kindness to the more vulnerable amoung us.
9
I am shocked by those that are calling President Biden's response a failure: his response is more than adequate considering that no response is necessary because those who are vaccinated have nothing to fear from Covid, and if they think they do have something to fear from Covid having been vaccinated and boosted, such as a few sniffles from a breakthrough, then that's too bad, or even if you think you are at higher risk, you must take your own precautions, we can't all be forced to live in fear with you in such a way and tremble at every variant. We have fulfilled our social contract; we have been vaccinated and we are grateful for the vaccine, we have locked down and obediently worn our masks, our businesses have suffered, our livelihoods in many cases have been lost, and now we are ready to move on with our lives. We do not accept any more restrictions, we do not accept being punished to protect right-wing conspiracy theorists, this madness is pushing moderates to the right. Those who refuse to get vaccinated should be left to fend for themselves, let them die, the rest of us should get on with our lives.
8
@Sean Yes, and now we are suffering breakthrough infections, because of the unvaxxinated, or insufficently vaccinated (only 1 dose, no boosters/'natural immunity'. Vaccinate, or stay at home until you are fully vaccinated (with 3 shots) should be the choice. I am still seeing people at the grocery store without masks, or with masks below their nose. Such people do not have the right to cause breakthrough Covid cases in the rest of us.
7
From the very beginning of this pandemic it has been painfully obvious. Test kits that are accurate, timely and available are a cornerstone to fight this. Why then does it ALWAYS seem like a revelation that they are needed by those who are supposed to be working off the the latest information. Now its January? Please!
All I hear in the news, all I hear on the street is Covid repeated over and over, the same useless information over and over. The News now uses it as the crutch to the next advertisement...usually another miracle drug with a list of side affects that make you wonder why anyone would take them. Test kits as described would go a long way to keep people from spreading why is this such a mystery?
2
I am grateful that President Biden has listened to the scientists and made COVID his top priority.
Imagine how bad things would be in the US and worldwide if Trump had been reelected!
16
@AKJersey We would all have tests available. Biden had the vaccine handed to him and still has more deaths on his watch.
5
@Jackson:
No his fault. He’s been pushing for people to get vaccinated, unlike the former guy.
3
@Jackson
He does not, but there will be since there are people who have refused to get vaccinated. Which is why we have another variant. He barely had the vaccine handed to him, since many of the various cabinet positions wouldn't give him any information since TFG had to reject the election. Oh, wait, and there was an insurrection at our Capitol. I knew there was something else.
Also, GSA would not give any written okay for all of those positions to give information to incoming members of the WH.
2
You know in the movie "Patton" where George C. Scott walks into the medical tent and slaps the whimpering soldier with his groves....I can't say the soldier deserved the slapping, but we as a whimpering society certainly deserved to be slapped out of our hand wringing stupor.
Had the be people that came before us became as rattled and unsettled as fast as we do, they'd have never crossed the ocean, or travel across this country.
The meek will not inherit anything but fear
America was not built on fear. America was built on courage, on imagination, and unbeatable determination to do the job at hand.
Harry S. Truman
11
@Prometheus Fascinating! I thought America was built on genocide, forced relocation, and slavery.
18
@Christopher Exactly. Ask the Native Americans, the slaves and women who weren't protected by the law of the land if the founding of America was all about courage.
8
@Prometheus Stupidity is not the same as courage.
8
Offering 5-1 no rational or salubrious distribution method is found inside of 6 months.
God bless President Biden. It boggles the mind that this man’s poll numbers are declining as we watch him work tirelessly to help his nation regain its health from the physical to the environment to the economy to social safety nets. Maybe more of us need to step up to the plate to raise our common voice of support and gratitude.
599
@Kathy Lollock poll numbers don’t reflect good intentions- they reflect perceived results
23
@Kathy Lollock working tirelessly- yes.
The jury is still out on the effectiveness of the measures being taken to contain the physical health bit(virus) or the economy (inflation) though
17
Funniest comment of the day...thanks for the chuckle!
5
What is wrong with the Biden administration?! 500 million tests and 'Federal' vaccinators?! Can someone please remind Biden that he is not king, that the Fed does not control the states, and that he's not following the science?
We know that it makes NO sense to test for covid without a) symptoms or b) being in close contact with someone that is positive. We know that there is not such thing as herd immunity when it comes to coronaviruses, regardless of what Fauci claimed. And we know that this virus and it's variants are not going away; ever.
So, stop the fear, stop the panic, and stop the authoritarian Federal government. Progressives love to claim that Republicans are the fascists, the authoritarian government that is destroying our democracy. Quite the opposite is true in 2021.
17
@Ma Biden is attempting to save your derriere as well as others'. The right is overly focused on federal involvement to their own detriment, and would rather be dead than accept federal involvement.
14
@Ma
Say it ain't so! We know that asymptomatic infected Covid-19 individuals are the biggest driver of this pandemic. One study, conducted in February by the University of Chicago confirms this, finding that over 50% of coronavirus spread was by asymptomatic individuals. But testing is just one strategy. And most people should test regularly, not just once during this pandemic. So too little too (post holidays) late for that line item.
The government should open up the booster restrictions and allow a 66-year-old like me, who got her second shot in July and now has to wait until January, just in time for a tsunami of contagion and a compromised immune response after six months of waning efficacy. And President Biden and Dr. Fauci encouraging travel and gathering for anyone when breakthrough cases are becoming the new normal is nothing short of reckless. Yesterday, the W.H.O. director recommended that holiday events be either postponed or canceled. "Better than a life canceled," he said.
7
@Ma
How is it that members of the military cannot go help a hospital? They use them all the time in case of natural disaster. Also, I believe he is going to use national guard as well. Also, we are not in war, so why not use the military?
Also, I don't know if you are a scientist or not but there are many viruses that have responded to herd immunity. Why do you think people have to get shots when they go to school? If kids are not immunized measles, mumps, rubella, whooping cough will come roaring back. Matter of fact, we have had quite a few measles outbreaks during Obama, and whooping cough around a year after TFG got elected. That is when anti-vaxxers became all the rage.
Also, you know that the biggest spread or one of the biggest spread of COVID was asymptomatic spread.
1
When USA was initially hit in 2020, the President was responsible for all deaths. (this is actually what Joe Biden and many other Democrats said). With the actions taken in Florida in the summer- and increased cases, the person in charge (De Santis) was unwaivering blamed for the spread. "blood on his hands.." or "governor causing deaths." Not surprisingly, the virus has hit blue states and the country as a whole. Are the elite thinkers; the science driven community capable of accurately assessing the current situation? Or are these super smart people suddenly incapable of the same deductive reasoning that led them to unabashedly reach conclusions? I know this crowd cant see inflation resulting from too many dollars chasing too few goods. I know this crowd couldnt assess Cuomo-led NY in 2020 and in fact rendered the worst performing state into some aspirational place with a dynamic leader. 22 months into the pandemic, when the same crowd was demanding tests be at the ready, blamed Trump and now seem to divert blame to individuals, Governors or GOv agencies. My observation? Maybe more humility about how intelligent this crowd is(n't) should be acknowledged? It's fantasy on my part, I know. But maybe take 8 seconds and realize the narratives being pushed - should be questioned, not repeated.
8
After almost 2 years of repeating a simple message about how to counteract and hopefully end the pandemic the Chosen have chose and won't help themselves or others.
Maybe the experts should just shut up and people will take the steps needed (dare I repeat = masks indoors in public places, vaccination, distancing) if no authority is giving them advice.
1
@Harvsh not saying anything is about the only thing not tried at this point. If this pandemic is to end its worth a try for the experts, who must be beyond frustrations, to just turn the messaging off.
I think my final comment is this. If President Biden thinks at home test kits will make a difference, why weren't they mailed out on 12/1 in advance of everyone's holiday plans? Why send in January? The damage will be done by then.
13
@ladyluck
Forget it Jake, it's Biden...
2
If Dr. Plescia thinks that President Biden can convince red state governors and mayors to re-impose mask mandates, he's not living in the real world. He can 'exhort' all he wants- but with a few exceptions, these ignorant fools are actually in court fighting any requirements for mask mandates.
Here in barely purple PA... the legislature fought successfully to take away the governors ability to create any sort of emergency declaration after 21 days; with the legislature having the sole authority to extend or end it at any time with a simple majority vote. This is a change to the state's Constitution; and, as with the nation as a whole, the majority opinion of citizens is often in conflict with the right-wing hacks in Harrisburg. This is the same state that fought in the courts to have 'creationism' taught in public schools.
7
Clearly the stock market likes Biden’s plan. As a wealthy liberal elitist, I certainly enjoy having a leader who supports the bourgeoisie instead of some radical republican jacobin with a painted face wearing an animal carcass trying to overthrow our government. Thanks Biden for your continued stability and support!
7
When the pandemic first came into view March 2020, decent folks had the mindset that taking precautions was not simply for their own protection, but for the protection of the elderly, transplant patients, the chronically ill, folks with disabilities, vulnerable populations. That was terrific, until it started conflicting with the activities people wanted to do. Then the mindset quickly shifted to, 'I'm protected and that's all that matters.' We have known, since Covid-19 vaccinations became available, that they did not prevent a vaccinated person from carrying the virus and transmitting it to others. I watched, in this way, as vaccinated people's behavior began to align with anti-vaxxers. They wanted what they wanted, no longer caring about their role in protecting others. This has been a huge disappointment. Painful to see people you previously had high regard for, become so self-centered.
Most everything we're being told now, by elected officials, is strictly performative, as capitalism is so carefully protected at the cost of human life. We must keep it grinding, our shoulders to the wheel.
In the U.S., we have had the good fortune of seeing what lies ahead by looking at European countries. It is all right there for us to see, plain as day, and STILL folks don't alter their behavior. I am surprised humanity has survived for this long.
11
@Molly. What would you have people do?
3
@Molly
How have you seen vaccinated people's behavior change to align with the unvaccinated? You were not specific. I am responsible. I don't buy tests because I am vaxxed and boosted. But other than going out once a month to get groceries, once to the doc. I go nowhere. I always wear a KF94 mask as well. I don't go to clubs, movies, don't fly, or restaurants. My sister lives with me. She goes nowhere either.
2
On the social feeds in my community rapid PCR tests are being sought and harder to come by for vacations to island nations - not because people are sick. Makes me wonder if the true reason for the mailing is to support the travel industry.
5
@ladyluck sure. whatever. nothing to do with a raging pandemic...
1
@ladyluck
The only place that has not had but one case of COVID is Tonga I believe the S. Pacific. Off the coast of Fiji. Last month they got their first case of COVID. I don't know about tropical islands, that is the only place that didn't have it a month ago. Everyone in other countries have had it. Maybe not small islands.
Meanwhile, when an obviously physically disabled person finds transportation to a grocery store with a pharmacy, and asks for a vaccine, they're told told to go away, and "make an appointment." My friend reported that and I didn't believe her until I saw the same thing at a different store pharmacy.
Whatever he, or any of the other politicians say will be hollow words if they don't include an IMMEDIATE plan to increase the ability to get vaccines and boosters. We would all die or recover from an infection if we waited for the politicians to allow us to be vaccinated upon request.
Shame on all of them!
10
Shaming corporations is like yelling at taxi drivers in English - it’s a way of Wasting their time - and ours.
Why is it that so many Americans have trouble understanding what it means to be inside a “for-profit” healthcare system?
From the start the media and the hapless public failed to recognize that the coronavirus was and is a “novel” virus and that these variants are novel and that we barely even collect the right data in this country to study them because we have a for-profit healthcare system.
6
I think we need from Biden and his administration is not a sort of like war against COVID but the declaration of war and our "fight them on the beaches, ..., we will never surrender" speech. We can not assume Omicron is COVID's last mutation. We can not assume the person next to us on a plane is conscientious. We can not allow our medical system to crash because the the willing un-vaccinated refuse to recognize their and society's risks. We need to make the management of COVID part of the consciousness of everyone, every day. Assume that COVID will kill the 1 millionth American very soon.
The time for vaccine mandates at indoor spaces, employment and shopping is long past. The technology for creation and validation of vaccine passports has been available. Adjust the mandate as COVID mutates.
Federally provided free tests as available as fast food. Assume a rate of at least 1 test per person per day within 60 days--with criminal penalties for abuse or theft of any test.
Mandatory suspension of flight privileges for anyone in violation of mask mandates (1 warning).
Start prosecuting any doctor in violation of off-labelling laws for COVID "prevention or treatment".
Cease federal medical care financial support for the willingly unvaccinated. Mandate that all medical and life insurers and Part B coverage adjust rates for the willingly unvaccinated.
We have been at war for 2 years now. It's time for us all to treat it as if it was a war.
10
Well, could be worse. Joe Manchin’s daughter could be in charge of testing pricing.
9
@Mike
Sure. Why would we want to have a competent pharma exec put in charge when we have Joe Biden, a genial but confused old man who, at his intellectual peak, finished at the bottom of his class at a law school ranked below #100 in the US?
5
Omicron is so contagious that we are all going to catch it. We should be putting pressure on the FDA to give a EUA for the therapeutics sooner and continue giving out booster shots as quickly as possible. Other measures will simply be perfunctory.
We should also drop these stupid rules that force healthy people to line up by the thousands to get a PCR test for the sake of travel. Travel isn't the boogeyman anymore.
7
@JB Except in terms of climate change
2
I’m curious: do the people screaming at Joe Biden ever slow down to think about how many times they were told that if we don’t get everybody vaccinated here and overseas, this WILL drag on forever, the hospitals WILL fill up, we WILL lose a lot of people, and we WILL see new—and maybe more dangerous—variants?
I mean, you were TOLD over and over that emerging viruses were a serious problem. You’ve been told that since Ebola showed up; you’ve been told since Zika showed. Heck, a bunch of you went nuts when we had what, two cases of Ebola here, back about 2011?
We even had a dress rehearsal in 2009, with SARS and MERS. And what did you do? Scream about the foolishness of vaccines and public health measures.
For that matter, you were TOLD from 2002 on that we’d get hit hard sooner or later, probably by a coronavirus, and it’d likely come out of some Asian wet market, because it had happened before. The reaction? Indifference, and conspiracy theories.
Plus which, now some of you are screaming that it’s “only,” 500, 000, 000 free tests. Do you think somebody waves a wand, and up they pop? Do you think that our millions of boneheads will use them, as they scream about Big Brother and Too Much Spending?
Oh, sure, the previous admin BARd everything you can think of. Oh, sure, we’ve got clowns running around who booed TRUMP because he finally spoke up for vaccinating and a booster. Oh, sure, YOU ain’t vaccinatin’ and YOU ain’t a-maskin’…but Joe and the VEEP are the problem.
13
Preach!!!
3
@Robert Robert, some feel that the variants are being spawned by a growing vaccine resistance. You seem to have not heard this theory. However, if true, that means that this inane attempt at global vaccination will leave us with covid variants and not one way to safeguard the elderly that have a 230% increased chance of death due to this illness. Take a breath. The vaccines have not stopped this, nor have the mandates or lockdowns. We have to get politics out of healthcare and have a new look at what we are doing.
6
@Robert Yes, Biden's press secretary answered that question when asked about 'free' COVID tests. 'Ms. Psaki dismissed a question from a reporter about sending tests to every American. “Should we just send one to every American? Then what happens if every American has one test? How much does that cost and then what happens after that?” Ms. Psaki asked'. I don't think there is a good answer for Ms. Psaki except it's just promoting the impression that you're doing something. At $25 dollars a test you are most certainly spending $12.5 billion dollars to prop up Biden's image.
The president's spokeswoman says this is not about locking down. But that is what we need.
Politicians are always a day late and a dollar short on Covid. They're trying to negotiate with a virus.
Failure, round 10.
7
@vbering If you think a lockdown long enough to do anything more than delay this surge a few weeks is going to work right now, you just aren't paying attention to the tempo.
We barely pulled that off in states where people gave a damn in 2020. Sure isn't going to work nicely now just about anywhere as shown when the line in NYC (aka the highly vaccinated place where people have been very covid focused) is 3 hours long.
1
I am a bit discouraged. My wife and I got our first two Phizer vaccines 1st and end of February 2021. Got the Phizer booster October 1, 2021. My wife and I wear masks in public.
11-Dec-21 I got a "bad cold". 18-Dec-21, my wife and I both tested positive for COVID.
It was a bit humbling. We thought all efforts would protect us.
I am glad to see President Biden making testing kits widely available. I am in Houston and it looks like our numbers are going up geometrically.
This virus is not predictable. I wish more people would take this seriously. I can tell anyone willing to listen, it is a drag.
19
500 million tests is roughly 2 tests per person - that’s a nice weekly goal, but for the entire winter it’s a joke.
7
Let me get this straight, line up to get tested next to people who think they are sick and then jump on the subway or bus so you can get infected just in case your not infected already. That sounds about right.
Why not just get the booster shot and go about your business.
Or
If you have underlying health issues stay home.
And if you feel sick with the flu or Covid stay home.
I'm just waiting for Jen Psaki's next update and directive.
10
@Johnny Xerox because people need to know how to plan their interactions. Maybe they have a very mild cough, maybe they were just around someone who had one. Either way, most people are about to be around more friends and family than usual and that’s a great reason to have more certainty.
How many people in these lines (with distance and a mask) will not gather as a result of those tests and thus reduce the risk someone with that underlying health issue at their planned gathering / party?
2
"Fighting" the spread of the Omicron variant is a fools errand, as the infection rate proves irrefutably.
The better approach is to ensure the hospital and urget care systems have appropriate backstopping so that serious cases don't overwhelm them again.
The scare tactics employed today by this administration are cynical political acts, not good public policy.
The charts presented on the following government web page show clearly that the combination of vaccination and better treatment have reduced the fatality rate from Covid - hugely - and that expanded care systems are the best solution.
Look closely an the munber of new cases, then the deaths, and observe an order of magnitude shift in cases and a doubled reduction in deaths. That's good news, not bad.
https://www.barnstablecountyhealth.org/case-numbers-and-figures
6
Granted, the latest variant isn’t as deadly as past COVID waves but that’s hardly a reason to let off masking, avoiding large gatherings and getting booster shots. The kinds of experiences that are being described will still cause absenteeism at work and school and the resulting economic and educational damage.
1
Of course, you’re simply offering a bit-sneakier version of the same old social darwinism: everybody’s gonna get infected, hooray, because the strong will become permenently Immune and ze VEAK must ve SACRIFICED for ze GREATER GOOD of ze SPECIES!!!
Yeah, it really is like that.
I don’t spoze you have a plan for making all this “backstop,” of personnel and supplies magically appear? Or to handle the next variant, when it appears….which it will.
Oh, well, same old. Good to know that the general rule, “anybody who calls themselves an Objectivist and starts trying to browbeat folks with words like irrefutably isn’t objective at all, still works.
1
Get vaxed and stop the hand wringing.
"How did I get into the world? Why was I not asked about it and why was I not informed of the rules and regulations but just thrust into the ranks as if I had been bought by a peddling shanghaier of human beings? How did I get involved in this big enterprise called actuality? Why should I be involved? Isn't it a matter of choice? And if I am compelled to be involved, where is the manager—I have something to say about this. Is there no manager? To whom shall I make my complaint?"
Kierkegraad
3
I don’t recall where Kierkegaard belittled people, or said that getting past unreason or fear was easy, or promised that if you just got your mind right everything’d just be fine.
3
"Test and isolate, test and isolate, repeat, repeat, repeat."
That hasn't really worked, has it? All this talk of masks, ventilators, testing, contract tracing, washing hands, and deploying federal resources isn't likely to mean much. Never has. Just like lockdowns, which (thankfully) seem to be off the table.
The vaccines are helping, and helping a lot. But we'll just have to slog through this until we have built up enough immunity for the pandemic to fizzle out. Chances are that the omicron variant will do that job.
7
@John Smithson
Some truth to that.. but not the kind of message that goes over well with an anxious public. Testing can reduce the incidence of cases- but only if Americans actually use them appropriately and self-isolate when needed. It also requires self-policing of 'contact tracing,' which means assuming Americans who get sick will trace their previous 10 days of activities and notify family/friends/co-workers if they get a positive result. And THAT means that everyone exposed stay home from work 7-10 days- unless it's determined that vaccinated people can safely be among people without likelihood of transmission.
That's a whole lotta 'ifs' and forgive me if I don't believe the American people have demonstrated this kind of discipline. Not to mention all of those folks who can't work at home or isolate.
5
@Pat Bindrim In theory, testing and contact tracing help fight viral pandemics. In practice, they don't seem to. It's hard to say why. They just don't.
We humans have had a lot of experience over the millennia with pandemics. The only thing that seems to help is using pharmaceutical interventions. Everything else is largely ineffective.
I look at what has happened in Japan and that confirms my belief. No one can explain why Japan has done relatively well in battling the virus. It makes no sense.
(My wife is Japanese and has gone there twice during the pandemic, spending 6 out of the last 18 months in Japan dealing with family matters. We both keep in touch with people in Japan fairly frequently. All explanations seem specious on their face.)
Suffice it to say that masking, and testing and contact tracing, seem to have nothing to do with it.
2
The vaccine is safe, millions have received it and are just fine. Simply, do what it takes, emotionally and physically to get vaccinated and a booster. If necessary, ask a friend or relative who is vaccinated to go with you and help you through the process. Email or text your states public health department to help. We who are vaccinated care about those those lives that are not vaccinated. Please, reach out for support.
5
@dcarlson Some scientists including Robert Malone the inventor of the MRNA technology believe that this mass vaxx effort is creating a vaccine resistance that is spawning the variants and that will leave us without any protection for the elderly which have a 230% increased chance of dying from Covid. Perhaps a more nuanced approach always was in order. But we needed to have open minds for that approach instead of funneling every single person in the cattle chute.
1
Today, on my drive to my office, I passed an Urgent Care facility that had roughly 24 people in line (I presume waiting for a Covid test).
On Thanksgiving morning, I got a Covid test by appointment at a nearby testing facility because of possible contact with someone who had tested positive. I was the only one getting tested - no one else. A week later I got another test - this time there were a few people before and after getting tested.
What a difference from a few weeks ago due to Omicron.
7
A few less announcements and more home testing kits would be fine. I masked up and very early in the morning went to 2 different CVS and 1 Walgreen's and they all had sold out. Complete unmitigated disgrace and as usual no accountability, which means no matter how bad you do you don't ever lose your job, and people at these jobs know that. It's the societal extension of getting a trophy for showing up. The good news is it builds self esteem for those employed in these positions.
4
Could you maybe fill me in on how workers sell tests that they ain’t got?
2
@Robert That's precisely the point. There SHOULD be tests, 2 years into the Pandemic. But there are none. Why? I believe Biden has not been concentrating on the pandemic - he has tried to advance the progressive agenda, including college loan forgiveness, money to women with children, citizenship for Dreamers, etc. Our FIRST priority should have been the Pandemic and how to end it from the beginning - we have the worst statistics of any first world country.
2
people need to be persueded, community by community, small groups at a time where there has been resistance, that vaccination makes sense..Each group brought together by a respected figure, perhaps someone from the local church, school, old family doctor, armed forces member. Gradually, vaccination can be seen by resisters as a benefit to all...as it has been against Polio, Small Pox etc...Surely vaccination resisters would not want to return to the times when those diseases were so disfiguring and deadly.
2
I have no hope for the anti-vaxxers, and I equally have no hope for vaccinated people who take risks with their health or their kids.
I have run out of patience.
Unvaccinated people should not be allowed inside public spaces. They need to make other arrangements for shopping, work, socializing, and entertainment. They should have to pay additional health insurance costs. They should be held liable for the suffering and financial damages of all COVID cases that can be tracked back to them.
17
How about vaccinated people at the 6 month mark who haven’t been boosted? Or boosted people who go to retail stores in an are where Omicron is? Or people who had COVID in the last 3 months and have greater immunity than the vaccinated not yet boosted? On and on it goes. As the left always says, let this be between s person and their conscience or their doctor.
7
@Russell P Some are simply medically ineligible to recieve the vaccine. Should we put the yellow star on their coat too?? Things are not always cut and dry, black and white. There are many shades of gray.
5
@Russell P Yes! And let's go after the 50% of Americans who are obese because they are far and away the people who get sick with COVID and require expensive hospitalization. In fact, we should go after them first!
ok, great but where is the mandated pay so you can call out when your test is positive?
11
Having passed "giving Tuesday" and with Christmas upon us, I haven't seen any spirit of the season from Bezos, Musk, Gates, or any major corporation like Goldman Sachs. Any one of them could fund the vaccination of the entire world.
11
500 million at home tests is nowhere close to being enough. Who is Biden kidding? and why is getting more at home test kits so difficult, other countries in western Europe and Canada seem to have done it and theirs are cheaper. Are we that "exceptional" that we need only American made test kits or is this a money making scheme by the Pharma and the distribution companies. Oh wait...
The FDA needs more aggressive leadership and the White House Covid team has to get its act together.
5
This is a card trick, a sleight of hand to imply that something is being done. A test is a test. You can get the test in the mail. Take the test, mail it in and then go out with friends to a bar/restaurant/coffee shop and then catch covid. There is an implication that somehow tests are going to help stop the spread of the HIGHEST contagious version yet. And yes it does burn kinda through all the shots but then it's lethality is less and you don't get sicker. Also with the fast wildfire burnthrough Omicron has already peaked in South Africa. What I am NOT hearing is as covid goes, Omicron is a GOOD thing. It will burn through quickly driving the more lethal version out of the population. There is way too much chicken little fear mongering going on. I see people wearing masks in cars and they are driving alone. There are a lot of half truths that are just being left on the table so people can assume what the truth is. Remember "herd immunity"? 70% yeah that idea floated out there and guess what? It was kitchen sink science that gave our country a false hope. And let me get this straight, just for clarity, masks are mandated but somehow restaurants and coffee shops have the magical immunity where people can sit around maskless talking to each other and covid is what defeated? What are the RAW numbers? who is getting sick? Are they vaccinated? what is the percentage of DEATHS? That's it, that's all that is needed. Where is Elon? Can we borrow some rocket scientists?
10
@DB Originally many independent scientists, who were then surely silenced, said we would all have to get Covid for it to end. Omicron seems to be the version that makes this happen. Sure you can hide in your home forever but to go on with your life I believe you will have to catch, and survive this illness. That is what a pandemic is.
1
@ladyluck Until it mutates into a deadlier, more infectious strain. That's what viruses do.
1
How about speaking to a lengthy list of Fox News advertisers (and those of other anti-vaxing news sites) about their financial support for death, destruction, and mayhem? How about organizing a boycott of those advertisers? The persistent promotion of these deadly lies has resisted basic common sense. Dollars, however, may speak louder than words. This is a time to ask - which side are you on?
3
Trump and the GOP and FOX support vaccinations—in fact, they are responsible for getting them so quickly. But government mandates, especially given how our govt “experts” are always 3 steps behind the science? No thanks.
4
@Ed Fox News is not against vaccinations. They require employees to be vaccinated. They have always boosted vaccination as the best way to combat the virus. As has Donald Trump and every other Republican politician (except for a few fringe figures).
3
@Ehillesum and @John Smithson
???? Yeah, just like Hitler didn't want to annihilate European Jewry and Ted Bundy was kind and compassionate. Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me. Check out the CNN coverage on YouTube -https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZEJufOyAbis&ab_channel=CNN. FoxNews gives plenty of air time to the loonie anti-vaxers like Lauren Boebert and Madison Cawthorn. Mandates? Heck, yes. 800,000 people in the US have died. Do you want another million or two? Just like there are restrictions related to toting guns in your carry-on baggage when you get on a plane or run red lights, people either need to get vaccinated or stay home and keep their diseases to themselves. You can't have it both ways. That's not "freedom". That's the tyranny of the ignorant and gullible. No thanks.
1
Just checked the local pharmacy and there are 11 openings for the booster dose of Pfizer. It’s that simple.
People have been putting it off. Can’t say the same for the east coast but I doubt you will be turned away at the 4-5 month mark especially after today.
We have mRNA, the only effective vaccines against INFECTION of this variant in the 3rd dose. Most of the world does not have protection.
There is going to be an ecosystem of supply shortages in trade because people are sick. Americans love to wait around for pandemonium and we had ample runway. Stop blaming the Biden administration and take control of your own life. It’s called a novel virus for a reason.
1
For more rural areas, there are no tests or vaccines for hours around...we're forgotten about!
5
@Ryan I live in San Mateo County and I couldn't get an appointment for a booster shot at any pharmacy. I finally had to go to a drive-in clinic, which is no longer in operation.
4
Try Walgreens. Store in reference was Union Square, SF
2
Yes, please.
I would like some free rapid tests. I hear they have testing kiosks all over Manhattan; nothing like that out here.
2
It's nuts to indicate that shutting down again is not on the table. What about the hospitals? If they are over-run and the system (which is under severe strain right now) starts to break down, then what? Regardless of vaccination "status", due to Omicron, people should be encouraged to limit their holiday socializing, if not curtail it completely. I never thought I'd see the day that Americans wouldn't go out of their way to aid fellow Americans, or aid their country, but I'm seeing it right now. Come on folks, step up and step it up!
3
Not sure how old you are, but I'm middle aged and I haven't seen ANY times when Americans WOULD go out of the way to help each other. Notice we don't have universal healthcare, childcare, etc. Because it's not our kid/health/problem.
5
I agree.
And one thing I’ll add about testing. That’s all well and good as long as people who test positive then isolate at home. The problem is I know a few people who have tested positive, and they behaved as if they didn’t - going to work, not wearing a face mask, no social distancing, etc. Totally selfish, irresponsible and foolish behavior that puts all of us at risk.
5
@B
Well, I guess I'd gotten that idea from hearing my parents and grandparents tell stories about how people really pulled together during the Depression and WWII, and I assumed that if something really big and awful happened, we'd be able to do the same. My bad. I think there might be pockets of that left, but our collective culture and sprit of community seems to have disappeared, or has gone deeply underground. Good luck and try to stay warm this winter. It might be a long one.
2
What is Biden doing?! We need to shut down immediately as nations in Europe have done. Shelter in place. The virus is spreading out of control and we have no idea of deaths because they're a lagging indicator. This is worse than Trump!
7
@Gloria Anders Shut down for how long? Months? Shelter in place like we did last year, when it did nothing to stop the pandemic?
Lockdowns do more harm than good. We'll get through this.
7
If you think people are going to shelter in place now, you really aren’t following public perception or the last two years. Some of the vaccinated might follow for a bit, few of the unvaccinated would follow at all, and almost no one for the many weeks if not months it would take to really slow things to a reasonable level (Australia and New Zealand did not mess around and still couldn’t contain things any quicker than that).
Public health is about considering the best response that people will follow and Biden is doing that. Plus you know, the vaccines still work really well for keeping people from serious and long cases.
3
@John Smithson We ended our initial lockdown too early. Other countries had far more success with lockdowns — most of them also have strong safety nets though and don’t privilege profits over people, like we do.
2
De ja vu for me. Where I work I have one member of management with lots of big ideas and opinions none of which are grounded in research. Always willing to try anything in search of the magic bullet. His failure rate is high. De ja vu because we have not seen the research yet on Omicron to direct our response. Is it more severe or less severe. Are those with pre-existing immunity truly at risk. We have to operate on strategies grounded in research not just political magic like blanketing Americans with at home test kits.
5
@ladyluck I would say Biden is pretty grounded in the reality of Omicron spreading throughout the country and killing those not vaccinated. There is no time for extensive research. Peoples' lives are at stake and our President Trump is appropriately responding. Unless you are living at the north or south pole where the penguins don't have Covid, then it is difficult to dispute the appropriateness of Biden's emergency actions.
2
@ladyluck
Doctor here.
Fatality rate is unknown because the virus is so new. Research takes time, at least a few weeks.
The precautionary principle, the idea that one should err on the side of caution when facing unquantifiable but potentially catastrophic risks, suggests that Omicron should be considered severe until proven otherwise.
This principle is standard in medicine. It also provides the rationale for taking climate change seriously.
5
Why are states that don't believe Covid is an emergency requesting additional support from the military?
How can people be so cavalier about the risks of this disease but yet request emergency aid to deal with it?
6
Total American deaths due to Covid = 800,000 and counting.
The Omicrom variant is considerably more contagious and is surging.
Vaccination resistance remains high with 60 million still unvaccinated.
Biden needs to personally step up front in leadership to address this third wave.
5
Not a fan of Trump but Biden is giving me a feeling of deja vu on testing. He promised better and we are way behind on this compared to European countries. From the beginning it was clear that robust testing could help control this and help us continue to lead “normal” lives. It also helps control the unvaccinated killing us all. Going into the holiday season once again and even in the NY Metro area it’s near impossible to find a home test or make a testing appt. Not sure what he was waiting for - we need to act before the surges not during. To come into our country you need a test result in 24 hours - we can’t deliver that in this country it’s hard to believe how behind we are.
30
Seriously we are almost 2 years+ into this, and we are still bungling the same things we bungled in Feb 2020. When are we going to start acting like a superpower?
Surveillance? None. Reactionary at best. the South Africans beat us to the punch in detecting Omicron, and you can bet it was already here when they detected it. It's just that we were sequencing a pathetically low number of cases as part of our surveillance.
Testing? Better than the debacle that was the CDC roll out in early 2020, but still utterly pathetic. By now we should have ubiquitous at-home tests that are at least sensitive enough to detect virus when it is likely to be at a viral load that is contagious, which is really all you care about in public health mitigation, and people should be able to test themselves on a daily basis with these. PCRs are expensive, slow, and unnecessary for routine benchmark for answering question of isolate or not for that day.
Public health messaging? Abominable and all over the place. Reactionary, unnecessarily untruthful, and fear-mongering at baseline. Protect the vulnerable. Develop protocols that make sense for everyone else.
Vaccinations? Yes we need these. Do typical healthy kids need them to protect themselves? NO, not for this disease. They need them to help protect society though, yes. So say that and stop lying.
The leadership has been a disaster under Trump and Biden alike.
48
The administration had a year to prepare for this, but seems to have had no focus on the problem besides public happy talk. Then our vaunted CDC missed the flu shot as well this year, leaving the populace largely unprotected from the current strain. Congress has focused on BBB and Jan 6, rather than this urgent priority. Thankfully the private sector was here to develop vaccines, as the current administration seems inept at best in dealing with this pandemic, save to blame Americans for not behaving properly.
20
@George Foyle The only way that the president could have prepared for Omicron is by vaccinating people, and he has beautifully developed plans to do this. Biden is a win! If it were not for those who resisted vaccination for crazy reasons, or for those in undeveloped countries who had difficulty with access, Omicron would not be a thing.
I'd vote for Biden anytime. He just isn't flashy and he doesn't run his mouth for no reason.
3
@George Foyle
Short of shooting vaccine deniers with Wild Kingdom tranquilizer darts and injecting them what more can be done. At this point only compulsory requirements are going to work and these same people are fighting every one of them tooth and nail.
Put the responsibility where it belongs.
3
Given how "novel" this virus has proven to be - I think the Governor of Colorado (D) is on the correct path - we now have a vaccine, and even a booster with more than a year of clinical field data proving it will reduce significantly the likeliness of death from COVID. If today one chooses NOT to be vaccinated, so be it. For the rest of us, let's get on with living. Eradication of COVID can not be the goal - but rather mitigation, treatment, maybe herd immunity and just as importantly, continuing research about the genesis of the pandemic and how we can BETTER apply what we've learned from this experience ( hard science and social science ) to what surely will happen again. But let's get on with living, socializing, interacting. Hospitals will eventually be able to handle those unwilling to take appropriate care of themselves. That was the original goal - allow our healthcare facilities room to breath, observe good public health protocols and wait for a vaccine. The unrelated and collateral consequences of the past 21 months must now receive some attention.
9
Boosters for young adolescents ages 12-15 needs to be authorized and prioritized. Many of these teens are now 6 months past their 2d vaccination shot. A focus on this gap seems to be missing, despite the fact that young teens can bring Covid variations home to family members and contribute to community spread. Let’s help protect our young teens and support their mental health in the process.
19
These are good steps if they can be done in time. The issue is timing, with O spreading like wildfire right now vs the time it takes to get all those home tests made and distributed. This latest surge may all be over by the time the feds come to the rescue. I'm not placing blame, this has come up so quickly there was very little time to react.
2
@dc1 I just purchased 2 Binex test kits at my local CVS pharmacy. They do go fast. But those of us who can afford them should buy them if possible and leave the free ones for the many who can't afford to purchase.
Also, sadly we called of family Christmas and will be mostly hibernating until we understand how to cope with Omicron. Luckily in our smaller town we all wear masks when out and about.
8
It wasn’t if we hadn’t been warned this could happen. Trouble is, people don’t want to do anything until the need becomes obvious. They want to wait until they know for sure we need to do something. And by that time it is too late.
3
@dc1 good point and why we need to be planning ahead. We keep waiting for a surge, telling people to jump, rather than having any sort of tools to address when it shows up.
Why isn’t vaccination required for air travel, and any sort of public interstate travel, period? Unless you have a medical or religious exemption. That would cut this pandemic in half.
39
@AnnNYC
I agree. The ability for an average person to travel thousands of miles in a single day is what is making this spread so quickly.
5
Amazing that nearly two years into the pandemic and the idea of mailing free tests to homes on request is just taking shape now.
Considering the costs of not knowing on personal health, on the health system, on the economy, on families and on education, testing is one of the best values available. Maybe the best. We should be able to walk up to any gas station, pharmacy, convenience store, supermarket, hotel, high school, etc., reach into a big barrel and pull out a couple or half-dozen of at-home tests and go. No signup.. no registering... no insurance information.. no enforcement on limits except at the extreme. For a relative pittance, everyone could be testing themselves every time they had any occasion to feel unsure. Flood the country with tests. Not just more. Way, way, way more. Think matches in restaurants and hotels in the 70's. Everywhere, and free.
20
Tests serve a purpose. However, what really needs to happen is that people must get fully vaccinated; that is, dose 1 + 2 + the booster, to be protected against the Omicron. Many of us have dose 1 & 2 but this is not enough as it provides only a 30% protection against this variant. To get to the higher percentage protection, we absolutely need the booster shot. So the majority of resources and associated infrastructure needs to be directed so that this can happen as quickly as possible.
5
@Diane and you will soon learn - if you don’t already know - that the booster will only protect you from the worst effects. It does not confer immunity. It confers probable survivability and great chance of symptom mitigation. Too bad every provincial government and Ottawa as well seem to have thought boosters could wait. Judging by the Federal government’s policy on business and wage subsidies released this morning, Canada expects a debilitating surge from Omicron.
1
@Diane
Why not 2 boosters?
1
It cost me $50 for rapid tests for a family of 4, prior to going to our thanksgiving gathering. For Christmas, we’re just not testing. We would, if the cost wasn’t so high…
We need free tests for everyone. It’s crazy to me that the administration thinks 500 million tests will be enough.
17
@Kate - It’s absurd how expensive these rapid tests are, and there’s only two in a box, so unless you only have two people in your household, you need to order more than one kit just to test everyone once. This drives up the cost. I personally think there should be at least four to six tests per box, to cover households with more than two people and, for smaller families, to have as backups in case they mess up one of the tests. Right now, having only two (expensive, hard to obtain) tests per box is not comforting in case you mess up a test and need to redo it.
This whole situation is just frustrating and absurd. And don’t get me started on PCR tests, which take a minimum of two days to process and require a doctor’s prescription before anyone will even swab you. And they’re prohibitively expensive: I have received multiple PCR tests over the past year as a requirement for my job, and my insurance has covered all of them, at approximately $250/test. But not everyone has insurance, or even good insurance, and there are many Americans who could never fork over $250 for a PCR test. Given the fact that we’re two years into this disaster, PCR tests should be low-cost and readily available to anyone who wants or needs one, no prescription necessary. And rapid tests should be free and available everywhere. In Canada they supposedly have teams of people giving them out free of charge in public places. It’s the height of bureaucratic incompetence that we cannot do the same here.
4
@Octobersiren While visiting England I walked into a Boots (equivalent to a CVS here) and asked to buy a take home rapid test. They gave me a box of 7 for free without showing any ID, didn't even know I wasn't a UK citizen. Wish we could see that here!
7
Hi from Germany in Quasi-Lockdown! Just privately bought 5 more rapid tests today at my pharmacy for 1.50€ per test in case we want to meet up with people over the holidays. Plus there are tons of free testing sites all over. Plus my employer proves 2/week. Even my daughter's public daycare (she's 2) hands out two oral tests per week per child and requires us to hand in negative test results on Mondays and Wednesdays. Hopefully America can ramp up the testing soon... you're gonna need A LOT of them! Way more than 500 million. But they do put a bit more power in the hands of the people.
3
The Fed is always a step or two late! It's still better than with the prior admin and those GOP and Trumpists naysayers
3
500 million sounds like a lot but it’s basically one each. We need billions of free tests weekly for meaningful regular testing to allow people to go to work and school safely
19
@Lunamoth make no mistake this deal is the result of some relentless lobbying by private contractors who will be making out like bandits...all paid for by us
1
If Biden comes to the podium with nothing more than free test kits and another pep talk to the unvaccinated I give up.
There is no convincing those who have made a choice to not get a vaccine to do so at this point . It is time to stop pandering to them and make some tough choices on their behalf. Such as without prof of vaccination No access to private or public buildings, transportation or schools along with the reintroduction of wearing masks indoors for 'everyone'.
It is time to stop all the mollycoddling and make adults accountable for the lifestyle decisions they make.
56
Biden did also force all employers with over 100 employees to mandate a vaccine. Biden applied to mandate to the The Armed Forces, and they have started “firing” soldiers who refuse to get vaccinated. The whole Federal workforce is under a vaccine mandate and that is a significant chunk of the population.
So not really mollycoddling, just a bunch of stubborn people without principles.
9
Since when can you disobey a direct order in the military? Seems to be “Get your shot, soldier. That’s an order” should be all that’s necessary. Why is this even a problem??
4
@Alec I guess he has decided to continue to let infected people fly domestically. I can only guess he is afraid of what reaction of Fox News et al might be if he did do something about it.
3
I'm feeling like there's some over promising and under delivering about to happen here, especially with testing.
12
@Pystcat - Every other developed country on earth is doing more than this. Even the promise is underwhelming.
18
At least the president plans on using the military for the public good. Not like his predecessor who used armed forces to violently deny citizens from exercising their First Amendment rights.
14
@sbnj And seriously looked into using it to overthrow the government. Good times.
9
@sbnj Really? When did Donald Trump use the military to deny citizens the right to protest?
2
People hate the legislative paralysis under which we've lived for decades.
People also hate change and new ideas.
Sometimes it seems the more Biden does, the lower his approval ratings.
6
I find it difficult to recognize anything, Rugger, when I have my eyes squeezed shut, my fingers in my ears, and chant WUBBAWUBBAWUBBA as loud as I possibly can.
Oh, well. Hey, here’s a question. If Joe Biden ain’t actually doing anything, why are you guys always yelling about all the stuff he does?
3
I think mistrust of the government is the biggest problem concerning this vaccination issue. I was shocked to read the October NYT report that only 28% of young Black New Yorkers received the vaccine. On the other hand, I could understand their mistrust after reading the report.
7
On the most important issue that counts (and as it turns out, the one millions of people voted for him), Biden is earning his grade regardless of his declining poll numbers.
Covid is clearly not done with us...
1
What a waste of tax payer dollars - more show boating from the left.
11
@SoCalYogaMom could you please provide a bit more detail on your solution?
5
@SoCalYogaMom So let's spend ANOTHER 700BOLLION on bombs and bullets.
8
This should have been ready at a moment's notice as soon as he took office. Better than nothing but still too little and far too late
11
There are 3 hour lines to get tests in NYC. Meanwhile it is almost impossible to get an appointment for a vaccine online, and even facilities listed as offering “walk-ins” are turning people away without explanation. These seem like the two most urgent issues, and both seem solvable with some basic measures - the simplest being to direct pharmacists (particularly at places like Walgreens that accepted government contracts) to give the vaccine when people come and ask for it. The pharmacist at 84th and Lexington was clear that she has plenty of pediatric doses, and there was no one there asking for them, but she refused to vaccinate a school age child anyway because she said it was too much work to accommodate people without appointments. There are a lot of real challenges, but we could start by simply doing better with what we have.
23
@Evan You can go to a public facility, like one run by NY Health & Hospitals. The two most obvious ones on the east side of Manhattan are Bellevue Hospital, on 1st Av and E 28th st, and Metropolitan Hospital, on Second Av in 90s. There are also changing mobile sites. you can get more info on HHC website or 311. I just took myself down to Bellevue yesterday, where they were doing both tests and vaccines in 2 separate, but well run operations. I even got to go to the head of the testing line because I am old and might have trouble standing for 2 or 3 hours.
.
I have not been feeling well and tried to get test over weekend. CVS had no appts for next week and Duane Reade/Walgreens doesn't apparently even do the tests in NYC anymore. They seem to think everyone will be delighted to know they can get a drive thru test in northern New Jersey. I didn't want to stand on the sidewalk for hours at one if those popup places. Though do keep in mind pharmacies also have to fill prescriptions, so need appts for shots, etc, which many people don't show up for.
NYC HHC may also have special sites for kids; am not sure. Suggest you check them out online.
A friend I mentioned my problem to suggested Lenox Hill Hospital, where you can apparently make appt. But it was more convenient for me to go to Bellevue. You might also try other hospitals on east side like Mt Sinai and NY Presbyterian, in E 68 st.
6
Wow, I had a hunch NYC was going to be overflowing and impossible now. Sorry you are having to deal. We’re behind a week in SF and there’s still time but folks are being lax about it.
1
I’m back in seclusion although honestly, I never left after the 1960s, lol. But now I’m in vogue. I think for those of us who are fully vaccinated, we don’t need to worry. The anti vaxxers are the ones who are regretting during their last breaths. As a child, I had the measles and the chicken pox. I survived. This is nothing new to the human population. I do believe that earth is over populated and this will never change because we are too selfish wanting to repopulate. And I’m afraid to say that all the green efforts will only mitigate the massive problems ahead of us. Maybe a billion or two of humans but 8 billion? No way Jose.
9
@Catman Bill As a triple vaxxed and careful person waiting for a test result I can tell you you need to worry plenty.
2
@ellienyc Yes, I remarked too soon. However, given the two groups; vaccinated and non-vaccinated, I worry less but still remain away from the maddening crowd. So I agree but sense this virus will be a permanent fixture and it will gradually reduce to common cold status. That was what I meant by not worrying so much. Understand that the influenza virus of 1918 is still with us but you don’t hear people dying. It has morphed into a tolerable buger.
The number one causes of this infection increase is the responsibility of unmasked people followed closely by the ant-vaxxer's. During the Black Plague rats carried the plague and now its ant-vaxxers and maskless people. Avoid death or mountainous medical bills by getting an ultra safe (billions have received it!), and free vaccine! The life you save might be yours, a family member, friend or neighbor.
4
@Dennis
The rats spread it because they were aboard ships that visited different ports.
The fact that we have not shut down travel yet indicates this is security theater. I live in New York yet I could jump on a plane today and go to Oklahoma or Wisconsin without being vaccinated or tested.
4
Look around at the masked. They are badly fitted and often badly worn (clue: if the nose is exposed it’s doing no good). Now maybe if Fauci had 2 years ago pushed for masks that actually prevented transmission and that that would actually fit and be required to be worn properly, masks would have real value. But they are an illusion of safety in so many cases that the grocery store is full of virus if sick people are there—masked or not. And concerning vaccinations, they have great value. But they are only at their peak 2 months after the 2nd shot and 2 shots alone may be of little to no value in protecting us from infection or the spread of Omicron. There are no magic pills.
1
Educate YOURSELF, Chumley.
The scientific consensus is that rats (and other critters such as ground squirrels) become infected, fleas feed on the rats and pick up the organism, fleas then feed on people, et voila.
Yes, I saw that one study just blames the fleas. And oh wow, it was on the History Channel. Why do we even have research universities.
Feel free to go yell at CDC and Johns Hopkins.
1
“Federal Vaccinators”? Oh boy, the anti-vax folks will have a field day with that term.
15
@David They are having a field day with our lives!
As if! Weak & ineffective response. Political charade.
5
Less than 2 weeks ago the Times front page was telling us about restaurants and chocolate —— yummy.
Seems we all just had no idea about the risk of these variants. Our wonderful media spokesperson Kamala put it best: “blindsided” ! Twice!
My first question is whether it’s even possible to be “blindsided” by the exact same thing twice.
My second question is whether Kamala has ever heard of Michael osterholm?
Yes, THAT Michael Osterholm.
The head of the center for infectious disease research and policy. The member of the presidents advisory board since day 1.
THAT Michael Osterholm.
The one who’s been jumping up and screaming for the last several months about how this situation involved getting into a false sense of security because ….with the vaccination rate being what it was, and variants emerging globally, there was plenty of wood for this fire to burn here.
https://www.osterholmupdate.com
THAT Osterholm?
The one speaking on a widely known podcast every single week - constantly alerting us to these facts and the increased danger that these variance pose?
THAT man? Huh? Who’s he?
It seems that our vice president needs a little bit of education - and to perhaps be introduced to the members of her own administrations advisory board.
“Don’t come here”
Or did our illustrious and talented vice president simply use her own advice…. Like one of her top zinger one liners…. Maybe she had these simple words to say to Osterholm? (…..”don’t come here”)
9
@Closet Theorist Michael Osterholm has made many more predictions that turned out to be false than predictions that turned out to be true. He knows no more about what the pandemic will do than I do.
1
The test kit arrives in the mail...you test +....then what ?
2
@Charles Que Get a PCR test, and stay home until you get the results.
2
@Charles Que
Then you remember what you do when you have other illnesses that are contagious, like the flu. You don't have to reinvent the wheel.
2
@Charles Que if you test negative, you’re probably fine (not sick and can’t spread) for a few days as it’s just a quick snapshot. The value of testing in the big picture is pretty minimal compared to vaccine/boosting, masking and distancing.
2
If you think about it, what good/benefits come from these tests? If you test negative, then what? Positive... ?? At a cost that could top $60 billion (https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/from-our-experts/q-and-a-how-much-does-it-cost-to-get-a-covid-19-test-it-depends), we need to ask ourselves.
4
@Mr. Bill This is just to support the airline and travel industry. Wealthy people need rapid pcr tests in their homes, as well as traveling business people, so that they can make their flights either abroad or to island nations. Because you are correct if you think about it, this is not going to do anything on its own as it is a one time use.
3
@Mr. Bill if you test negative then you can go about your life reasonably normally... If you test positive you quarantine... That is what makes them an effective public health tool... Currently we mostly have tests which tell you if you have an infection days later when you have already been moving around in the community passing it along... Rapid home tests allow you to know immediately upon suspicion and limit your possible exposure to other people... They can also be used before gatherings which include especially vulnerable people and in limited circumstances one could test the people attending that gathering who cannot be vaccinated for one reason or another, for instance young children, in order to protect the more vulnerable... Tests are a powerful and important public health tool and realistically we need even more of them than the president is about to tell us we are getting...
Waste of money!
What is the point of getting tested at home, if you are not willing to get vaxxed or wear masks?
Like infecting money into public schools to create more administrative/supervisor positions...when we need to replace unfilled teacher position!!!!
Unbelievable.
That money should be going to much needed places and used in ways that will make a real difference in reducing the transmission of covid.
*I am vaxxed and with the additional booster.
*I am a teacher
6
@Amanda I highly doubt anyone unvaxxed will take advantage of the tests but I wish they would. Obviously, anyone choosing to test is going to do something with that info… even if that something is just being a little more cautious, that reduces our exposure risk and hopefully the result will get them to do more than a little.
Information is good.
2
The point is that omicron is highly infective, with some ability to get around your vaccinations (even if you DON’T have an underlying problem), so while you’ve very unlikely to get sick, it becomes possible for you to infect somebody vulnerable.
8
Unfortunately this is going to result in more school closings, more teachers leaving, online schools and a very uneducated generation.
4
The country is somehow worse off now than under Trump. It’s hard to believe but true. The administration has been totally unprepared ever since declaring victory in June. Just a week ago, the VP specifically said it. Testing has been a problem ever since Biden took over. Sure Trump was useless and actually wanted to reduce testing but there was still more testing under him. Again, hard to imagine but true. This is not what people voted for.
8
@Tim Kulhanek Have you ever considered that the reason may be that 39% of the population and 60% of Republicans refuse to get vaccinated? The opinion hosts on Fox News are fighting everything Biden is doing to stop the pandemic. Lets get real.
15
@Tim Kulhanek The country worse off than when under Trump? Hardly the case…. Trump was suggesting drinking bleach and taking hydroxychloroquine for COVID… no thanks!
13
Stay strong, healthy and vigilant especially for those at risk. I have had a loved one who when he went through cancer treatment had to wear a mask to be outside in the Spring and Summer due to the potential for molds in fresh cut grass infecting his compromised immune system. We were so vigilant. That was years ago and I can’t imagine the fear I would feel if he was battling cancer while in the pandemic. There are families now going through similar experiences. The pandemic is fatiguing. Watching simple measures to protect our community being fought or disregarded is frustrating. It may be tempting to have less compassion for those who have chosen to not be vaccinated. Please remember those at risk. If you are vaccinated and have minor symptoms please be vigilant.
4
500 million tests... that's close to 1.5 tests per American. Is President Biden banking on people being exposed to Covid-19 only once during our current surge in the pandemic and beyond this viral blizzard that is fast approaching? Not to mention that he is putting the lion's share of the responsibility in the hands of individuals, who need to find out when this government website will be available and then order the test of their own volition. If people test positive, will they follow their civic responsibility and report the results to their local public health office as well as willingly isolate and quarantine for the recommended time frame? Self-regulation does not have a great track record in the corporate world or the private sector.
Why is there a shortage of tests to begin with? Overrun, short-staffed hospitals will certainly welcome military medical personnel, ambulances and ventilators, but again, the inventory seems scant considering the breadth of the crisis at hand.
But most importantly, why so weak when it comes to mitigation mandates? Country by country, Europe, which was our crystal ball last year when Covid surged, is locking down due to skyrocketing rates of disease. Why are we now ignoring them as a model and guide? Why is a national mask mandate not being ordered on a federal level? And with much uglier metrics here in New York State then last year when the CDC recommended all non-essential businesses shut down, these businesses are wide open.
7
Why is NYC allowing a crowd for New Years in Times Square and saying to go ahead and meet with family and friends vaxed and unvaxed for Christmas? Are they really wanting to being the hospitals to the brink in 2 weeks? Time for the unvaxed to be sent home or treated in the parking lot and leave the hospitals for those who "did the right thing". Better hope you are not in a car accident or have a heart attack in the next month. You may end up in the hallway for the duration of your stay.
16
@themoi because they require vaccines for most of these things. We can either say that people should get vaccinated, remain vigilant, and live a little or we can’t.
Gathering with family when you’re vaccinated and ideally tested is very reasonable. A giant event, certainly more debatable right now, but again, what does that say about our confident in vaccines? I for one trust them, perhaps we just need to validate when and a booster if it’s been a while too?
There’s no world where people will all get vaccinated and keep up with important boosters if we still tell them not to do anything. That will never work again.
7
@TK
NY should limit Times Square celebration to only those who have a booster shot. 2 shots will only kept you out of the hospital not prevent you from getting sick with Omicron.
@KR Im fine with a rule for 2 shots + booster or 2 shots before booster eligible (that's how the experts have rolled it out after all).
Though serious cases (and long cases) should be the core concern now. We're not going to stop things from spreading, it's stopping that spread from being a big problem.
Military might actually do something for the $750bn they receive every year.
13
I don't think that any of this is Biden's fault.
Let's say that you are in a room full of 100 people and you are talking about lung cancer and second hand cigarette smoke. And 40 of them do not want to listen to what you have to say. Of those 40, 10 of them light up a cigarette, 5 of them a pipe and 5 of them a cigar and the other 20 stand right next to the smokers agreeing that there is nothing wrong with smoking or with second hand smoke.
For the sake of the argument, all 100 people in the room can't leave. All 100 will share the cost burden (hospitals, taxes, health insurance) of those who do not believe that lung cancer and emphysema are caused (mostly) by cigarette smoke, direct and indirect. As long as we are in that room or part of that health care system, we will all pay one way or another.
Unfortunately with Covid in all its iterations, it is much, much worse. We live in an economy that is adversely affected by those 40% who refuse to accept medical solutions whether out of ignorance, fear or political bias. We try to educate our children in a room where the actions of that 40% minority dominates and impedes our ability to educate our children. That same 40% is undermining the ability of all of us to get prompt medical attention for all the other standard medical ailments and conditions.
How and why do we hold Biden responsible for the actions of those irresponsible, intransient Americans? How do they spin that one?
23
Back when Bill Clinton was prez, I read an argument that being Prez is like being the Corn God.
If the rains are plentiful, the sun bright, the grasshoppers stay away, the harvest is plentiful, the Corn God is good, the Corn God is powerful, bring him gold and women.
If not, well…time for a new Corn God. Which involves a little more than escape on Air Force One.
2
The President needs to paper the tv with heartfelt adds explaining the need for vaccinations. In each state show unvaccinated people who have changed their minds, due to illness or losing loved ones to this horrible disease. The More You Know!
4
500 million tests? well that should last the nation a week or so.... After all, the tests aren't re-usable, and the results last for all of ............a couple hours? Until your next contact with a human being? People could blow through a handful of tests ever couple weeks!
8
500 million tests for 330 million people. reminds me of the Seinfeld "Sponge Worthy" episode.
8
President this, president that. He can turn water into wine and STILL, people will resist vaccines. Its not his fault that we are in this trouble.
7
Tom Frieden, the former CDC director and NYC health commissioner, tweeted: “It's as infectious as measles spreading in a non-immune population, with a much shorter incubation time therefore much faster doubling time. Hope it's a lot less severe.” In light of that these measures seem underwhelming and too late. Even if it’s less severe — which we don’t know yet, given the different epidemiology of South Africa vs. America — the aggregate numbers of people needing hospitalization and worse are quite daunting.
7
@JustCurious
The overall population in South Africa is younger than the US so that may be why it is milder there. It could be comparable to Delta in virulence.
with respect and I am not a covid denier or vaccine one (fully vaccinated and boosted and wear masks al the time regardless of local guidance)
But Fauci himself has said he is not sure the at home tests work for Omicorn - should we not be sure beofre buying 500 million Kits
Forget about the money - if a person uses a test and shows negative they can get a false sense of security - it can be worse than not knowing
In addition, I can already see the complaints that some group did not get sufficient tests while others did (I leave to each to decide who the groups may be)
It seems to me they want to be seen doing something, what matters is to do the right thing - we know what they say about good intentions - we need effective intentions
Rather than send each household $100 or so in tests, maybe give them cash to get vaccinated or boosted - honestly in the end is cheaper - and Yes it is unfair to those who did not get the cash before - that can be fixed and even if it is not it may be cheaper and more pragmatic
10
@Mario - I am also fully vaccinated and boosted, also mask up for others who ARE NOT vaccinated. I agree, what's the point of having people get tested. Omicron is transmittable if you don't take proper precautions. The testing cost can be used more effectively by providing $100 worth of mask supply or promote vaccine by giving $100 gift card for food. So many still can't afford to eat.
6
@Mario "maybe give them cash to get vaccinated or boosted" -- Covid vaccines and boosters are free of charge everywhere. Or do you mean the "pay them to get the shot" strategy? That was big for a while but I haven't heard much about it lately. I don't know if the consensus was that it worked or not.
1
@MR it’s about what will work to slow the spread and protect hospitals which is clearly the goal here?
Buying people more masks won’t change masking rates.
Sure, a few people who can’t afford it will step up to n95s at last, but most people in cloth masks won’t change those (though they may replace them, I guess, adding waste when they could have just washed them?) and certainly people who don’t wear masks won’t start just because they’re free (I offer masks to people all the time, very few say yes).
Food incentivizes would be nice, we’ve done them before, but that doesn’t help with people who refuse or the vaccinated who get sick and thus our original issue; overwhelming things
At this point isn't this mostly just trying to save people from themselves? If you are fully vaccinated it seems like the effects should really minor. The real victims here are the overworked medical professionals of all levels whose companies are not ramping up education infinitives and jobs programs enough. As well as those who are not healthy enough to get vaccinated. The first group seems to be in a growth industry. So at least there is a small silver lining. The second group however are always going to be at a higher risk of illness than the general population. The question then becomes: Where is your line when it comes to being selfish rather than to do what is best for society? I pick up stray garbage on forest trails and even sometimes in parks if there is a trash can near by. But I am not going to walk through downtown with a trash bag and tools cleaning up after the selfish either. Yes the government should continue to encourage people to get vaccinated. Yes there should be continued educational outreach. Yes it should continue to be freely available and widely available. But you can only lead a horse to water. You can't make them drink. A mask isn't the end of the world. But I long for the day when I no longer have to wear one on the train, in a sports arena, or waiting for a table. Just get vaccinated and stop killing each other all ready. You are not owning the libs, you are owning the death of friends. family, and maybe even your own. Get vaccinated.
9
Simply there are only a few people that are responsible for this mess and they need to pay. These are those who spread lies and misinformation to gain political points and economic gain.
Let these be FOX people, Republicans, actors, family of ex-presidents, ex-presidents, State and Supreme Court judges, sheriffs, bloggers, those that oppose the public good and incite people to not have their vaccines need to be shown the door regardless of position and regulations, and need to be fined and let them pay for the medical bills of those that foolishly follow them.
4
Are the people in lines to get tested for Covid
and to get test kits unvaccinated? Please keep
emphasizing the most critical point:
GET VACCINATED!
GET THE BOOSTER!
6
The biggest hole in any plan is the 30-40% of Americans that won't get vaccinated (I'm not talking about anyone who can't get the vaccine due to medical issues.) As long as there is this cesspool of the unvaccinated this virus and any variants will find a home with them as well as completely overwhelm our medical system.
This pandemic has exposed the ugly underbelly of the American healthcare system as each state can do their own thing since we have no national health system. The CDC is struggling as some states have not reported their statistics for weeks.
15
Biden a zillion times better than trump who did nothing but say covid would go away. Hats off to Biden even though I'm not sure what testing will do and it is know that many vaccinated have gotten covid or omicron.
6
@LinB Didn't trump get the vaccine developed with project warp speed??
8
No
2
COVID-19 aka novel coronavirus-19 aka SARS-2 aka COV-SARS-2 is neither benign nor malign in it's RNA genomic evolutionary fit quest to be fruitful and multiply.
COVID-19 is merely acting according to it's nature.
It is not COVID-19's fault that America is first in known COVID-19 infections and deaths among nation states.
Masking, social distancing, isolation and contact tracing were effective measures used against pandemics in the old Dark Ages before the Age of Enlightenment, the Scientific Revolution and Germ Theory.
COVID-19 clearly currently knows far more about how to infect and spread among people by asymptomatic contagious mutation and evolution than human beings know how to deter, detect and defeat it in the New Dark Age.
Trump's proud public proclaimation that the pandemic was a hoax fulfilled his partisan political ambitions to minimize the threat during an election year.
Biden's premature political declaration of COVID-19 Mission Accomplished for the vaccinated on July 4th. Labor Day, Thanksgiving, etc. will haunt and stalk his Presidency.
8
Biden is spending the majority of his work day fighting this virus, and his approval goes down while the anti-vaccine crowd's infection rate goes up. I've stopped trying to understand the willful ignorance and lack of critical thinking. Mandate, Mandate, Mandate.......
16
@Vito Lawsuit, lawsuit, lawsuit...
1
How about special wards in unused spaces outside of overwhelmed hospitals for UNVACCINATED covid patients, staffed by UNVACCINATED medical personnel who cannot work in medical settings in light of their vaccine refusal?
I understand seriously ill vaccinated people with other illnesses soon will be faced with the perspective of no icu bed available.
Am I a terrible person?
70
@Louis no you aren’t. Enough coddling these petulant anti-science bed hoggers. They made their choice.
20
@Louis You're right. But the problem with implementing this plan is the malpractice lawyers.
@Sharon
So too have the obese & smokers. Why not free up even more beds by kicking them out too?
2
Time is running out for either the government or the medical community to announce the plan for triaging in hospitals in the upcoming weeks. It seems to me that vaccinated people, and people who for medical reasons couldn't get vaxxed, should get priority. There are a number of people, steadfast in moral absolutism, and prone to "slippery slope" arguments, who say it would be "unethical", etc. to deny medical care to the unvaccinated. One thing is for certain, a *lot* of people are going to be denied medical care in the upcoming weeks, because of the overcrowding caused by the unvaccinated. Whoever invented the Hippocratic oath could not foresee a time when people would deliberately make choices to hurt themselves and others. The question that must be answered, and that we can't continue to avoid, is *who* should be the ones denied medical care? Those who did what the medical community asked, or those who obstinately refused for lots of dumb reasons?
26
@John Neumann What evidence do you have that you are "certain, a lot of people are going to be denied medical care"?
3
@Mr. Bill It is already happening in some places! Some of the irresponsible states (I think Idaho was one) were sending patients to other states whose hospitals weren't yet overrun. And it will only get worse as a highly contagious disease spreads this holiday season.
1
@Mr. Bill
Ah, well, when are medical facilities are over-run, as they likely will be, the poor and overworked medical folks will need to institute triage. FYI: people are already postponing needed medical care or being put off a few months or more (as I am) for little things like cancer testing follow up. There already is proof that the COVID overload is impacting people's medical care right now, just ask anyone working at a hospital. Yet you still need "evidence"?
2
I don't understand the huge lines for testing. Who are these people? Everyone I know has been triple vaxxed. It's rare that anyone vaccinated would get severely ill so I'm never going to rush out and get tested if I get a little sniffle. Sorry but I am not gonna stop going about my daily business out of fear of spreading the virus to the unvaccinated.
15
@BB8 Maybe they’re planning to travel for Christmas.
4
@BB8 Given where many of these lines are (NYC for example), it seems safe to say a lot of this is prudent people - maybe with an exposure, a little sniffle or just heading to see their family for the holidays (who are hopefully vaccinated but even if not, would anyone reasonable really, knowingly expose their own family then?).
Which to be clear, is exactly what the article / experts are recommending people do - test to know so we don't pass something on, and since home tests are hard to find, that means lining up for regular tests.
It's not like people severely sick or people who deny covid's severity are lining up outside.
2
@BB8 I imagine it's people who are going to visit their old grandparents with COPD, or unvaccinated new babies, or their uncle with cancer during Christmas.
People want to see their families, not worry that they might kill them.
8
Not even 2 tests for every American. Why is it so difficult for Biden to spend a few billion on life saving tests that should be free as long as the pandemic lasts? Does he want to stop covid or not?
7
@cdisf Tests save lives?
@cdisf Simple answer to your question.....700 BILLION for bombs and bullets.
1
@Mr. Bill
Yes, there is that possibility (saving lives) if people who test positive change their travel plans and stay home.
I'm sick and tired of reading pieces which include blaming Biden and his administration. If 90% of the country had two shots by August 1st of this year, it's likely that Covid infection and death numbers would be much better, and the new variant would be much less of an issue. The blame should go almost entirely to the unvaccinated, members of the GOP who downplayed the pandemic and said vaccinations aren't necessary, and news organization that broadcast and wrote things that discouraged vaccinations.
83
@Andrew, And the real tragedy is that it did not have to be as bad as it is from the git-go and we all know who is complicit in that nightmare.
13
@Andrew if your theory were true, how would you explain the fact that the virus is raging in places like New York City, Maine, and Vermont where vaccination rates are very high? Every crisis needs a scapegoat, and this is no different. People are just looking for someone to blame and punish. The nameless “unvaccinated person” is to blame and must pay cries the mob.
4
@Andrew the blame goes to the absurdly unvaccinated, clearly, but not moving us past that, not giving the vaccinated a plan, well, that’s on Biden too.
It’s not like that’s a new issue that just snuck up, we’ve been facing this since the start and yet we still have no federal recommendation for vaccinate mandates at entertainment venues like nyc has. We have lots of suggestions to get vaccinated but no federal database to prove you are.
Then there’s other precautions and again, so much more to be done. We have no consensus on masks, so LA added those on top of their vaccine mandate, NYC did not — which “science” should we follow? We aren’t taking about what’s reasonable or what our goals are. Are we aiming for no covid? Is a bar ok? No deaths? Is a big New Years event outside wrong? Flu numbers? No idea.
I’m a huge fan of Biden despite what I just said but we need him to lead and rally people who will listen. Biden started out with a strong message but that quickly faded off and it hasn’t come back. This is a battle and we need a strong leader to rally us, he can do that, but he hasn’t.
1
Rural red California here. Rising case rates and nobody wearing masks in the pharmacy, the post office, stores. Zombie apocalypse part 2.
46
We need more testing and FREE test kits going out to each family. Europe is doing this. Why do I need to pay $25 for a pack of two tests when the UK offers it for free.
Again we are penny wise and pound foolish. Testing can get us out of this mess but we refuse to spend the billions necessary. Instead, the county will grind to a halt yet again! The virus controls our GDP and employment rate.
19
@Nina We do not need free tests, inaccurate tests. The vaccines are free.
4
@Nina We can't spend money on health care because it is needed for bombs and bullets. Makes me sick to know what our priorities really are.
3
How us testing going to help if the unvaxed continue to go out unmasked even if they test positive? The unvaxed dont care about anyone but themselves.
3
It´s not good that there are obviously currently not enough self test kids available in US. But I think getting a higher rate of people beeing vaccinated asap is more important than the testing. The vaccination is a real protection, also the sensible behavior. Didnt hear so far in detail if the test kids work in regard to the Omikron variant a 100 %. For safe testing I think there is only the PCR test.
6
@The Bird Agree with you
I think I get it. Whether it's interstate highways, a "War on Poverty" or home-testing, the game changer for popular support is military involvement or at least military imagery. Would libraries or other social institutions do it more cost-effectively? I'm sure. But for popular support it takes the military. Let's declare War on the Virus-guy! But no bombing please.
9
Too little, too late. The amount of death, disease and despair we are willing to accept is mind boggling. We deserve the government we get. Demand better, everyone.
12
There should be mask and vaccine mandates for all public interaction, PERIOD! There is no excuse for endangering public health for the precious whims of self-centered, self-indulging individuals who want to put their childish demands ahead of the rest of the nation. No one is demanding masks or vaccination of anyone who remains within his own home. If you want to enter public spaces and chance encounter other humans then you must abide by what is best for the health of all the rest of us.
42
@RLW why do you draw the line at home (unless you live alone I suppose)? The best place to catch covid is inside, from your household members, and O is proving even better at that. If masks are no big deal to life, then why risk your own family to take them off?
Vaccines work very very well. They do not work perfectly. Thus there are places where we need to protect others via more layers (that would be masks and distancing or very good masks and proper use) but the notion that we will mask the world up anytime people are together and thus close down almost all social activity is just not viable. Vaccines are. Vaccines last even when people falter.
That people argue this and then carve out an exception for their home where their closest loved ones live shows exactly why it will fail. It’s not what is safest, it’s what each of us feel is a reasonable line on safe enough.
Please, President Biden, give Americans accurate information on long-COVID.
Include what percent of COVID patients get long-COVID. Break down the data by various categories of patients: those fully asymptomatic, slight illness, moderate illness, significantly ill, and those who get hospitalization.
Include data on having mRNA vaccines have on long-COVID versus those who chose not to get vaccinated…yet.
And please inform us as to what long-COVID appears to be. How long does it last? Is it permanent? What percent of long-COVID’s need lung transplants, kidney transplants, heart transplants, brain fog, early Alzheimer’s, etc.
With over 806,000 Americans dead and 51,100,000 Americans contracting COVID, the NIH should have some data about long-COVID. Please share the data with Americans and the other citizens on planet Earth.
15
I believe a lot of times readers are vaccinated and from everything we know if you are vaccinated and under 70 the disease will be mild or asymptomatic. I still can't understand why vaccinated folks are freaking out given all the data.
8
I’m vaccinated, boosted, young and feel like I was hit by a truck after testing positive for COVId yesterday. Have a fever, cough - it’s awful. This is considered “mild” because I am not in the hospital right now. But I didn’t totally grasp before how bad this can knock you out, even vaccinated. Omicron is significant - grab some rapid tests.
51
Vaccinated folks have died of this. Not as many as unvaccinated, but the chances aren’t 0. Plus many of us vaccinated folks have family with transplants, or who are cancer patients.
You people who run around without masks are making us crazy and paranoid. We have to assume every one of you is spewing COVID. The consequences of us bringing it home to our family are so bad. Couldn’t you help us out a bit and cover your nose?
8
Because we don’t want to get sick from the unvaccinated!
9
My ex got tested because she had to fly. The result came in after 3 days. 3 days!. Omicron would have had quadrupled in that time.
12
Judging by South Africa’s experience the Omicron wave will be done by the time this program starts.
10
This is how exponential growth works. There’s a small increase. Then it skyrockets while people are dithering over whether the small increase meant anything. By the time we mobilize, it’s already everywhere.
We don’t learn.
16
NYT’s and angry NYers spent the summer lecturing Florida on how superior they are. Turns out, it not quite that easy. When people go inside > Florida in Summer - NY in Winter, the cases spike. Also true in the rest of the world. Nothing and No one is perfect.
14
What? Because a Nation Guard unit is dispensing vacines this is gonna get everyone vaccinated? Perhaps they'll have to intimidate the population...marshall law?
Testing? Is a dollar short and a day late, isn't it?
1
@al My state used the National Guard to administer the vaccine starting in April of 2021. I got both of my vaccines there, and later a booster from the nearby drugstore. Democratic governors just work better.
8
We could increase the vaccination rate by 10-15% if mandates were reinforced.
Refusing to vaccinate is like declaring that you are a conscientious objector against fighting a war. Like other pandemics (and wars) sacrifice is required for the good of others, your country and the world.
Infecting those around you — ironically, others just like you (the unvaccinated), because you refuse to vax because you don’t trust the Govt., FDA, the scientific community is just a way to excuse yourself from making what you now know was a bad decision. You have painted yourself into a corner; you are ashamed to say you are wrong and fear you will be shamed by anti-vax community and will have to explain your betrayal.
It’s easier to stay quiet, hide in the shadows and ride it out since Omicron is “probably” a weaker virus that the Govt., media and scientists won’t admit. About 30% of the population is healthy enough to vax but will not. Enforcing mandates is the perfect excuse to get vaccinated — “The Govt made me do it.”
I wish the Biden administration had the courage to do what’s right and good for the county without fear of retribution from the anti-vax community and the Republican Party.
Oh, and by the way Mr. President, odds are your ratings will improve, support for your policies will increase and you will be re-elected. You need to be a profile in courage.
We can get past the pandemic and rebuild our economy in the next few months.
Mandate vaccinations.
Now.
13
What purpose would 500 million test kits serve? If a vaccinated person has mild symptoms or asymptomatic, does it matter if he or she gets a positive test? Is the goal to prevent cases (probably a losing battle given this is one of the most infectious pathogens in modern history) or to prevent severe disease? If it's to prevent severe disease, we should be focusing on getting people vaccinated, not on cases counts.
14
@Michael
The new realization that even fully vaxxed and boosted individuals can still contract the virus is the reasoning behind test expansion. In this case, more is better. These tests will become cheaper to mass produce and we will be getting them in the mail as frequent as junk mail. And we will need to have this system in place as the virus continues to mutate into new strains. Eventually, at home tests will come with a bar code reader that a smart phone can scan and send results in real time. We will be able to detect which [specific] strain is occurring throughout the country. Gotta' love technology!
14
@Michael Every case is another chance for the virus to spread among people who may get very sick. Some vaccinated people who are old or have pre-existing conditions can't get vaccinated, and others won't get antibodies from being vaccinated.
Also every person who gets Covid is another chance for the virus to mutate yet again.
It's not enough to prevent serious cases. We have to reduce the number of cases, too.
8
From a COVID person right now (who is double vaxxed and boosted) feeling horrible - the lines to get tested were insane and by managing to hunt down a rapid test I was able to confirm that this is COVID and therefore isolate and inform contacts accordingly. It’s important to know. Though, totally agree that 500 million is essentially two days of tests for the country and does nothing structurally or sustainably. The tests need to be cheaper and widely available so people can have many at home at a time and test during this time. I had been seeing people only outside and masked and still got it. Stay vigilant everyone.
17
This is not nearly enough. Until now I would have given President Biden a favorable rating, but he until he mandates vaccines for domestic travelers (airlines, airports and train stations), I give him a thumbs down (although I'd vote for him any day before the Carnival Barker).
I recently traveled internationally and the only lax behavior I see is in the USA and among Americans abroad. If he thinks testing will help, it will only help among those of us who are responsibly vaccinated and boosted. Many of the anti-vax folks refuse to test either. The tests are expensive and not available in the quantities necessary, either.
This is common sense and unfortunately I live it every day here in New Mexico where we have mask mandates, and many who disregard them.
Next month I have another international trip planned, but may have to cancel unless Biden requires vaccination for airline passengers to protect the industry, passengers and curtail the spread of the Omicron variant.
18
This is why America has consistently been one of the worst places for COVID. We refuse to help ourselves.
8
President Biden and State Governors can also dispatch National Guard trucks to help the with port backlogs and transportation of goods. But the Teamster Union [in California] went ballistic when Gov. Newsom broached the idea- and since Gavin is embedded with CA Unions- he backed off. So there is a great solution at our finger tips but can't be implemented because of politics.
There is still tens of millions of dollars remaining from the last pandemic relief bill- I don't understand why we can't apply those funds to rent 1 million RV's and park them in front of every school, shopping center, post office and event stadium to make it nearly impossible to not have an opportunity to get vaccinated or boosted.
7
We don’t have lots of extra nurses just sitting around to administer the vaccines
4
@Aaron There's already ample opportunity to get vaxed and boosted. The limitation is willingness. And if anti-vaxers, many already paranoid about "government overreach," refuse to pop into CVS for a jab, I doubt the sight of National Guard troops waving needles will change their minds.
2
I never got the focus on testing for people without symptoms. You test negative today but positive tomorrow. To make any difference you’d have to be able to do it at home in some app based format like a breathalyzer. In a country of 330 million people 500 million test kits is a meaningless number especially given it’s starting in January. It’s the government doing something so they look like they are taking action.
9
Hmm. I’m going to see Grandma on Christmas but I worked in person all week. Hey, maybe that test kit would be a good idea before visiting!
That’s why we need testing.
5
@Bill
We will eventually get there. At home tests will show up daily in the mail. Test positive and we will be able to log into a website [or scan with a smart phone] and send results in real time to a national data base. Eventually all vaccinations will administered as pills, nose drops or nostril inhalers. All arriving in the mail. There is no other alternative other than this- because Covid will be with us for a long time- perhaps forever.
As long as you go directly inside a bubble to grandmas house and weren’t infected for 5 days before testing positive as I was.
The only place I can get a booster close to me in Seattle only does shots on Fri, Sat, Sun - and the reservation list is already full…
Can’t get one at the regular doctors office.
Not getting a sense of a real vaccination urgency from my government ….
9
@Aimless blade. - Get a new doctor. I got my booster last Monday at my regular doctor's appointment. And my first 2 came from a doctor I had not seen in about 10 years who went through all his patient files and sent me an email one night that basically read, "I got some Moderna. Ya lookin'?" No lines, no vaccination sites in a huge building with 1,000 other people, just sitting in a quiet waiting room alone or with one other person.
You need better drug connections, Aimless:))
1
@Aimless blade. I live in Seattle too and was able to get a booster at Rite Aid. Rite Aid has daily walk-in boosters, subject to availability. Call the one closest to you and ask.
1
My wife recently got her booster there (last minute as she has breast cancer surgery tomorrow!)
Yet, she had to wait an hour, in line, INSIDE “by the coolers” to get it…
With Omicon, a miracle she didn’t contract while waiting for her shot.
We should take the war metaphor literally:
1) Put all available resources into medical care for the inevitable casualties.
2) The vaccinated will be regular troops, and we will keep them out of harm’s way.
3) The unvaccinated will be volunteers for the hard fighting.
4) Most of the volunteers will not suffer.
5) But the weak one’s will. The ramped-up medical facilities will treat the injured volunteers humanly until they recover or die.
6) The weak volunteers will perish as the war unfolds, and everyone else will survive.
7) Victory will be assured.
It's remarkable that in the face of this latest variant surge the administration is trying to avoid talk of lockdowns, because apparently this would make us all unhappy. This sounds a lot like not telling 4 year olds the truth about Santa Claus.
This whole thing seems to be a litany of "we don't want to's"... we don't want to be locked down, we don't want to have to stay home, we don't want to wear masks, we don't want to be vaccinated, we don't want to do social distancing, and we don't want to tell people they have to do all these things.
Well, here's a couple more I'd like to add to the list: I don't want to get sick, I don't want to die and I don't want anyone in my family to either. So, I'm vaccinated, boostered, wear a mask every time I go out, wash my hands 3 or 4 thousand times a day. My biggest motivation for keeping my distance from others is because I can't tell whether they're doing the same and, by all accounts, a good 40%+ of them are not.
All to say, I think it would be a good idea to stop treating people like 4 year olds who don't want to hear there's no Santa Claus, and start treating them like 4 year olds who need to hear that if they don't follow the rules they're going to get a time out they'll never forget.
21
@Jim
I am NOT in favor of lockdowns. We simply can't afford it and we can't keep doing it for every variant that cycles through our country. I am not in favor of completely destroying the economic health of this country for the anti-vaxxers. Sorry...but I have worked too hard and for too long to fund my retirement. Furthermore, I don't have another twenty years to save more money. Encourage masking, handwashing, testing, social distancing, and vaccinations. I also support making it as inconvenient as possible for unvaccinated people...as in provide proof of a negative COVID-19 within 24 hours of attending any event or entering pr
Public buildings/businesses. Also, make them pay for said testing. That means they would need to get tested once per day...or...stay at home and get everything delivered to their door...or...get vaccinated.
6
@Lyn Robins I don't agree with lockdowns either, but in the absence of anything that even remotely resembles a requirement to provide proof of vaccination in order to participate in the public life you describe, explain how those of us vaccinated, boostered, masked and careful distinguish and avoid those who aren't. This is like having Typhoid Mary out there working in a restaurant, but nobody know which one.
I'm just as concerned about the economy as you are. But, I'm more concerned about my unvaccinated 1 year old granddaughter who, at this point is 4 years away from being eligible for a vaccine but, short of locking her away in her house, is potentially exposed every day.
So, we basically agree. I'm just tired of accommodating anti-vaxxers by worrying about upsetting them with threats of another lockdown. Lock 'em down or lock 'em out --- I'll take either.
4
@Lyn Robins We can afford lockdowns. We just choose not to implement the social programs necessary to offset them.
1
So I guess the plan is to try harder at what hasn’t worked before—meager results in exchange for complete upheaval of lives and sewering of the economy. Cool.
5
Guess what? The pandemic is going to cause the upheaval of lives and the economy no matter what. There is no let’s ignore this and it goes away option!
2
@Smilodon7 Wait.... you mean all those people endlessly chanting "I'm so over Covid. We'll just have to learn to live with it. I'm so over Covid. We'll just have to learn to live with it" can actually.... still get sick? And maybe DIE?? Has anyone told them yet? Because they seem pretty certain that "over it" prevents illness and "live with it" prevents death. (At least theirs. Maybe not those old and "comorbidity" types, ugh, but.... what's a polite way to say "we're better off without them anyway"?)
2
Military should take over health care for any individuals who have chosen not to be vaccinated. At this point 2 years into the pandemic and 1 year into vax availability, an ongoing national emergency like this means unvaxxed and very sick folks need a separate health pathway so that existing health care facilities and personnel are not overwhelmed. If unvaxxed folks don't want government/military care, they can get vaxxed and get private health care (and likely not as sick).
7
@SeeS
The military should be setting up field hospitals. It needs to be made clear who those are being set up for and why. We did it in 1918 and should be again.
Last 9/11, the number of deaths is at 2,977 and yet we went all out to make sure it never happens again: taking off our shoes, not carrying liquids, getting our junk x-rayed every single time we board a plane.
Now.
This covid thing has killed over 800,000 Americans. And counting.
But most cannot be bothered to get vaccinated.
The number of deaths will surpass 1 million and the unvaxxed are to blame.
47
@Opinioned! It has been an equivalent to 9/11 every week for almost two years now but 40% of our citizens can’t be bothered to take the most basic precautions. We will easily sail past 1 million deaths by March with no end in sight.
1
A day late and a dollar short. I guess they did not see this coming.
4
If President Biden made the vaccines a mandate, those who are possibly stuck in their objections would have an excuse to vaccinate. Anti-vaxxers could blame it on him...'he forced me to get it' or 'I had no choice'.
3
okay but he couldn't have done this weeks ago like other countries? we are months behind on these basic precautions and now, we get them right at the holiday. Biden, coming from a progressive, you stole christmas and i like you less than the grinch
5
Missing from President Biden’s list is a warning to unvaccinated Americans that henceforth and for the foreseeable future they will be regarded as last-in-line to receive medical attention,
scarce hospital beds and testing kits needed to deal with covid infections.
No more of this you come in anytime you like and you will be helped business.
You are making your own infections and infecting others -- now stand in the back of the line and wait for help until you get vaccinated and begin wearing masks.
8
I heard Biden is going to call out the unvaccinated in no uncertain terms in his address today. Good. The time for coddling these people is over. They should be treated as they are: unpatriotic scourges on American society. It is a group of people who will never feel an obligation to protect their neighbors or their family or friends. They should be called out at every opportunity. I'm over it and them.
15
Americans don't know how lucky they are to have Joe Biden. I hope Justin Trudeau (all hat, no cattle) is watching Biden's speech today to see what a leader looks like.
5
Thank you, anti-vaccine community….. for Making Coronavirus Great Again !
Who knew that the Flat Earth Society would enjoy such a 21st century renaissance?
Humans are not nearly as intelligent as anthropologists suggest.
22
Focus on testing more than vaccinations? That is why this can't be in hands of health professionals. They can advise but not decide. What could is testing if the result, when positive, don't force vaccinations? Just dumb.
2
You can find out if you are infected BEFORE you visit Grandma.
3
It is nearly impossible to get rapid tests. I just ordered a kit off Amazon last Friday, and the delivery date was given as falling between December 20th-28th; it has yet to ship. The test kit was almost $20 without taxes or shipping charges, an obnoxious cost but one which I fortunately can afford. For people on a fixed income, this sort of cost is not sustainable over the long term. Also, the length of time it takes to get these materials is unacceptable. When I went on the Amazon website to track my shipment, the same test kit I ordered can still be purchased but will now not be available to ship until after January 4th. That’s two weeks away, useless for someone who needs a test and can’t get a PCR for whatever reason.
Rapid tests need to be cheap/free, and readily available to anyone who wants one. At this point in the pandemic, their relative unavailability, coupled with their expense, is simply insulting and irresponsible on the part of our government. For the record, I have yet to see a rapid test in any store or pharmacy since this whole mess started, and the only reason I ordered from Amazon was because I tried the Target website first and they were sold out. Utterly unacceptable.
20
@Octobersiren
I expect in a year or two- we will have rapid tests arriving in the mail- as frequent as junk mail. This type of outbreak is still new to us and we will eventually get it right. On that same note, injectable vaccines will be eventually be replaced with pills, nose drops and nostril inhalers, all arriving daily in the mail. There is no other alternative because Covid is not going away. This will be a twice yearly vaccine we will have to administer for the next 10 years or perhaps a lifetime.
7
@Aaron Just for the record, it has been a year or two already. And in places like the UK, rapid, at-home tests are distributed to the public freely by government healthcare authorities. Plane passengers are given a bundle of 7 when they arrive in the country so they can rapid test everyday throughout the week. Let's not pretend at this point that the delay has anything to do with the "newness" of this virus, but with the slowness of the U.S.'s government and public health authorities to work with dispatch to get tests to everyone. Do you really think that if we can make vaccines free and widely available that there's still some scientific or technical hurdle preventing us from doing the same thing with tests? The problem is administrative, not technical or logistical.
19
@Octobersiren I'm currently in Thailand, and rapid tests are available at every 7-11, for about 50 cents each. It's ridiculous and sad how behind the US is.
20
Using the Defense Production Act to procure and distribute home testing kits will follow the precedent set by President Trump in using the Act to mass-produce and distribute the COVID vaccines themselves. It seems to require a redefinition of what constitutes "National Security," something I'm glad seems to be happening
Using the U.S. military to distribute and administer tests and vaccinations seems to me to be within the President's authority, but mobilizing and utilizing National Guards this way exceeds the authority described in Art I, Sec 8 (15) of the Constitution, which specifies only three reasons to mobilize Guards: "enforce the Laws, suppress Insurrections and repel Invasions."
3
@enfolDMH Oh, is that right? Only 3 reasons to deploy the guard? Then why are they first on the scene after a natural disaster (and thank goodness for that)?
2
@Jack Aubrey Yes, that's precisely what the Constitution says. The Guards constitutionally can be used under the command of governors for any number of things --- fighting forest fires, patrolling borders, delivering medical services, ad infinitum. But the Constitution authorizes the Congress ONLY for the missions I listed.
It isn't up to the government. It's up to the rest of us to get vaccinated. Blaming Biden, or Fauci, or government bureaucrats is nonsense. We have a clear path to protecting ourselves and that is one of the greatest advances in medical science in a century - a readily available vaccine that works.
People who refuse to get vaccinated and insist on being out in public, as if it were some imagined inalienable right, put the rest of us at risk. A person's right not to get vaccinated stops at my nose and the unvaccinated should be barred from public places.
It may well be that a person has a right to refuse vaccination but there is a concomitant right by the rest of us to refuse association, contact, entry, service and custom to the unvaccinated to protect ourselves, our families, and other customers.
66
@Golem18 You're forgetting the <5 year-olds who are currently ineligible and the immuno-compromised who cannot get vaccinated or will not have an immune response to it. Non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) like testing, tracing, isolation, masking, and ventilation are absolutely a public health measure that is essential to tackling the pandemic. Putting all of the eggs in the vaccination basket follows the individualizing logic of neoliberalism and overlooks the importance of broad-based social measures, which have had such success across East Asia and Oceania. China, Japan, and other countries are not seeing the surges we are because they take an "all-of-the-above" approach, rather than relying on vaccines only. Not to mention, vaccines can no longer prevent infection or transmission with Omicron, so why pretend they are a catch-all solution when they aren't?
2
@Golem18 this is basically denying the existence of society. interesting how liberals when crisis hits they end up sounding like margaret thatcher!
Huge Biden supporter, now more than ever. But testing is not an intervention. Who gets a test? People who care. Who then isolates and stays home? People who care. The un-vaccinated don’t believe it exists or don’t care if they have it because they think it isn’t a big deal. Testing alone doesn’t actually do anything.
44
@Concerned Father It helps for people who *do* care, and that's still going to help.
7
So they decide to buy & try to distribute 500 million tests AFTER Omicron hits our shores. This administration planning almost always is bungled, late or both. Friends, we have had a year almost since Trump left office amid complaints of poor testing plans yet here we are behind the curve again. Yet some will praise this as they suffer from convenient amnesia concerning their complaints in 2020.
14
@Chris
Sounds like you’re talking about the Trump administration. President Biden comes into office, with a plan to get this country vaccinated.
3
As an infectious disease scientist who has tried to help with the COVID response in the U.S., I can state confidently that none of my colleagues feel the response by the White House and CDC has been anything close to adequate. Insufficient tests, incredibly weak messaging… it remains an ongoing tragedy that has made many of us want to give up.
38
I hope Biden is going to mandate a booster for all those 200+ million (60%) who were previously vaccinated 4-6 months ago. Without the additional booster mandate the vaccine mandate is of questionable value.
10
Test kits? What about mailing everyone N95 masks each week, the only mask that actually does a lot that is useful?
37
@Vin So u preferred a leader who repeatedly “predicted” CoVid would ‘just go away’ or recommended useless or even harmful treatments? And made fun of mask-wearing? I could go on but we all saw what he did & said (or didn’t say).
That said, I agree with what u said about the CDC & the FDA & let’s throw the WHO onto that list too.
7
500 million is way too few and January is way too late. Unable to pass his program loaded with "pork barrel".Biden is history -he will NOT have my vote. Either the Democrats look NOW for a new leader or WE ALL will be doomed.
14
@DaVinci
Seriously? President Biden saved this country, took over and got people vaccinated. He is a leader with experience. The former guy had no idea what he was doing.
5
@Lynn Jefferson - Joe Biden is NOT a leader. He can't even unify his own party. And at the rate he and his party are going this month, they will hand the government back over to Trump and end democracy as we know it because one of them got offended by the way he was treated so he won't vote for a bill.
2
Biden needs to address the public on TV and inform them of the truth: the former Republican President called COVID a hoax, prevented the NIH from telling the truth about COVID, suggested sufferers use bleach to reduce symptoms, got the COVID vaccine and then got a booster.
Biden should then urge everyone to get vaccinated. This is no longer a political statement but a health safety statement since community spread will likely affect everyone.
Call out Trump for the virus spreading hypocrite that he is. Fox News won't carry the speech, but it is the only way to get to Trump's adoring crowd before the next wave of COVID creates a new pandemic.
9
@Deb Though your points are all accurate, I'm afraid your plan would amount to preaching to the choir. Anyone who is willing to acknowledge these facts already has; anyone who isn't is not about to change their mind. The urge to try one final blast of logic as "the only way to get to Trump's adoring crowd" ignores the clearest fact of all: there is no "getting to" that crowd. They are (proudly) not swayed by logic or facts. That's not the part of their brain that lights up in response to the former guy, anti-vax/anti-mask propaganda, or a steady diet of Fox News and worse. All we can do is focus on how to minimize the damage left in their wake.
3
I wonder if anyone can help me. I first got the J & J (because at that point we were told any vaccine is a good one and it was the only one available at UCLA) on 3/19/21. I then got the Phizer double in 08/21 because it became clear the J & J wasn’t going to be enough. I work with infants and their families (always wear N95 masks indoors and out) so the question is should I booster now or wait until Feb which is 6 months? Super thank you and best wishes for the holidays!
1
@Just Do you have a choice? Would a healthcare provider allow you a booster before the 6-month point? If they wouldn't, the decision is out of your hands. If you can find one who would -- then yes, I would get the booster ASAP. The risk-benefit ratio seems strongly tilted toward benefit. (Note that I have a science background but am not a medical professional.)
2
@Just A Question
Perhaps ask your doctor, rather than posting anonymously on a comment section, just a thought.
1
@Just A Question You need to discuss this with your doctor.
2
Tests are only valid at an absolute "POINT" in time.
7
Bayricker, please read up on the implications of a global pandemic. Follow that with an understanding of viruses which mutate like this coronavirus. Then be happy that at least there is a vaccine that will protect against dying in a hospital on a ventilator. Finally, if you haven’t already, please get vaccinated and then follow with a booster when it is the specified time. It’s we Americans not Biden who are failing in this battle for health and life.
16
No, Biden approved opening up to international travel.
2
So bold!
I stocked up on tests a week ago when this broke.
What leadership!
As Kamala notes, “didn’t see this coming”
Sometimes, when I’m in my basement I can’t hear what is going on upstairs also
7
Biden should have invoked the DPA immediately, replenished the depleted N-95 stockpile, had N-95 masks sent to every household in the U.S. & found a way to distribute N-95 masks to the homeless. He should have mandated vaccines immediately.
The free rapid COVID tests should be mailed to every household in the U.S. Americans should not have to go to a website to request rapid Covid tests. There are Americans who don't have computers, don't know how to use them &/or who don't have broadband.
Vaccine and mask mandates must be implemented, along with vaccine passports , and enforced quarantines. Proof of vaccination should be required to enter certain venues, as is required in Israel, N.Y.C. and elsewhere.
The U.S. government needs to stop fearing the public and to stop relying on an "honor system",which was a foreseeable failure.
The situation now is eerily reminiscent of early 2020. The heads of private colleges acted quickly and shut down immediately as they are doing now, while the government dithered.
There's something very wrong when the heads of private colleges
are shutting down, while the government is determined to keep public schools open, when Broadway producers, Radio City Music Hall, the N.F.L, & restaurant owners are shutting down,
when private companies are going remote or have decided to extend WFH ,while the government does the opposite.
If the government doesn't shift gears, bodies will be piling up in refrigerated trucks, once again.
19
Eligible Americans should’ve gotten vaccinated and boosted as soon as they could. Americans should’ve worn face coverings and distanced when possible like smart countries did. Biden overestimated the intelligence of the American people (his fault) and Republicans fed them as much misinformation as possible. Ole Vladdy couldn’t have planned this any better than the GOP has.
5
@DJS
DJS for President! I agree with everything you said.
1
TFG, in an appearance before a crowd of MAGAs, was booed when he stated he had received the covid vaccination booster.
He encouraged his crowd of supporters to get vaccinated to prove the “liberals” wrong.
Same old Trump with the same tired message-liberals bad, Trumpism good.
How will not getting a vaccination prove the liberals right?
News flash-liberals don’t care if one decides to roll the dice and take their chances.
But in the interests of the country everyone should be vaccinated that is eligible.
I do have concern is that mass testing may introduce a false sense of security among those who are not vaccinated or refuse vaccinations and when they do become ill they will have spread the virus exponentially.
2
@Dan Yeah, with Omicron a positive test basically means "Please isolate now to limit the number of people you infect to the 20-50, maybe 100, that are already a done deal." Better than nothing, I suppose. In terms of TFG, his fans are doing what most people do: focusing on his long-term actions more than his recent words. A year-plus of the constant message that Covid must be denied and efforts to mitigate it mocked in order to prove loyalty to the party and its leader can't be erased by a tepid "Hey guys, new slogan! Vaccine = trump = good!" Sorry Dr. Frankenstein. Your monster has escaped your control. All any of us can do now is try to hide during its rampage. Maybe it'll wear itself out.
1
I voted for Biden and will probably do so again, given the alternatives. But this is a joke. 500 million tests? So what, everyone in America can test themselves 1.5 times?
From the earliest days of the pandemic it’s plain that our collective response has always hinged on the ability to test on a mass scale and at speed. I’m not a doctor. I only have a BA. Yet this is beyond obvious. Testing is the only way to know where the virus is and at what prevalence.
Yet here we are, two years later, and we’re being told that maybe the government will find 500 million tests somewhere. Tests they have to purchase, btw, meaning fewer tests on the shelf at CVS.
By now we should have a national stockpile of at least 1 billion tests and the ability to make and distribute, gratis to anyone in the US, 200 million or so every month. The extras we could send abroad as Covid diplomacy.
This is no longer just Trump’s or the GOP’s fault. I’m ashamed of our country. We have no foresight and an extremely limited capacity to accomplish things. We are a laughingstock.
28
@N Johnson It pains me to agree with you, but you have a point. I mean, hey US, absolute bang-up job on the vaccines, right? But the all-vaccination, no-testing approach was insanely short-sighted. Especially once all the willing had gotten their shots and trying to cajole the anti-vaxers into doing the right, logical thing was so clearly providing rapidly diminishing returns. Pivoting to beefing up testing capacity would have been so much more productive. Sigh. Maybe next pandemic? Nah. Probably not.
1
Biden and all of the best people - fumbling again. Short on testing, short on treatments and their politicization of the virus failed us all.
He will forever be remembered for his "Mission Accomplished" moment this past summer, when he declared "independence from the virus".
Hey, but did you hear about the big announcement on the new White House dog! Yeah, they shipped the old one off to family friends. Hope they didn't send him to Andrew Cuomo.
8
DMB 4LIFE
I recently saw this NY license.
I hope Biden encourages Americans to think smart, not dumb.
He could ask "We the People" for ideas to stop the spread.
He could suggest "idea contests" to find better messaging,
and repeat, repeat, repeat.
1
How about 5 billion tests? That would be a better start.....
8
Only in America would such a necessary public health necessity be labeled “free.” It’s a service, not a handout.
12
Michigan, Indiana, Wisconsin, Arizona, New Hampshire and Vermont. And not West Virginia.
5
A day late and a dollar short.
7
Will the media please stop criticizing the president.
This is a disease, not a political event, politicizing got us where we are - 60 million unvaccinated adults, 60 million refusers.
President Biden and his administration have done as much as they can as soon as they can with every new twist and turn of the disease.
It is not his fault 60 million people are brainwashed and too ignorant to listen to science and doctors.
All the consequences, hospital overcrowding, medical personnel burnout, the economy are their fault and exclusively their fault.
47
Thank you. Biden and the rest of us can do everything in our power to mitigate the damage from this virus but the Republican and Russian misinformation campaigns are having the desired effect—people are blaming Biden.
10
@Carl Zeitz You are sooooo sensitive. It is his fault that he couldn’t get the country vaccinated after being handed the vaccine. He took months to replace the head of the FDA. And he still has flip flop Fauci going on tv. And sometimes Joe wears a mask and sometimes he doesn’t. Did you see him hugging everyone in Kentucky?
2
@Jackson What a ridiculous comment. Do you want POTUS to hold people down and vaccinate them? Seriously?
4
I think Biden deserves much more credit than all the flack he's been receiving and this is a step in the right direction. He's leading a deeply conflicted country in which millions are in denial of reality, so the government has to constantly equivocate instead of crushing this thing. But it seems inexcusable that it's been so difficult to get a rapid test. I went to four pharmacies in my area yesterday and all were out of stock of home tests and no appointment availability. At this point this should be figured out.
66
@Mark L. Where are you Bill Gates now that we so desperately need you? Your commitment to good health care around the world is well-documented. Let's bring it on home.
5
I am on a text chain with a half dozen friends where we are all exchanging tips on how to find at home rapid Covid tests before our holiday celebrations. We are trying online, in person, driving to nearby towns… and no luck. The tests I ordered more than a week ago online haven’t shipped. Free tests are a great idea, but omicron’s incredibly fast spread even among the vaccinated (myself and friends are boostered) has caught us all off guard, and test production hasn’t caught up. If I can’t find rapid tests, I don’t know if I can justify my planned family celebration with my nieces and nephews (too young for boosters) and extended family on Christmas Eve, and it’s so discouraging.
Biden’s plan seems solid, reasonable. But I fear that it’s too late for the holiday celebration I (and America) had planned.
(I am immune compromised due to cancer treatment. I need to be reasonably cautious, and I hate it.)
38
@Kristina
Be cautious anyway. As a friend said to me, remember, Christmas comes every year.
14
I appreciate the efforts, but:
1. Half a billion home tests are too late (January!) and definitely not enough. That amounts to less than two tests per person in the United States, and one test is not enough. We need several billion tests freely available. That’s something that we surely can do.
2. The situation with omicron is much more nuanced and complicated. People with pre-existing conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, an immunocompromised state, sickle cell trait, and Long Covid are at heightened risk of getting severely sick even with so-called “mild or asymptomatic” omicron infections. This is notably absent from the conversation. In other words, getting vaccinated and boosted, while essential, is not the answer. And even if omicron produces milder infection, that doesn’t apply to a large number of people with preexisting conditions. Nor does it rule out the possibility that previously health people will develop Long Covid.
3. And testing, both home and PCR, remains incredibly hard to get as of today. This continues to astonish me.
4. Generalized statements that issue a fear promoting dire warning for unvaccinated people are not an effective public health strategy for getting people vaccinated. It only hardens those who resist vaccination.
31
@Physician How can he do without help of congress, several billion sets will cost at least 10's of billions of dollars.
1
@Physician Biden's potentially most effective "strategy for getting people vaccinated", vaccine mandates, has been made a violation of State law many Republican run States, like Florida, Arizona, Texas etc, stopped due to Republican lawsuits and Trump judges issuing injunctions, railed at by Republican politicians, implied as a slippery slope to communism and world government in the right wing alternate universe, called potentially or inevitably deadly, and a violation of 'medical freedom' .... in case you haven't noticed.
@Physician – Of course you are right, doc. But none of this is for us Yankees. All federal guidance is now theater for what public health leaders imagine is the benefit of southerners. We're on our own. Hopefully those extra 5 grade levels of education we've got on average will be enough that enough of us will isolate and mask up on our own, vaccinated or no.
1
Why does the federal government still believe that a modest response 2 weeks too late is enough to show they're doing their job (or, you know, save Americans from dying)?
Readying 500 millions tests for a few weeks from now, to offer to a population of 330 million that should be testing regularly right now? Reassigning 1,000 medical professionals at a time where we're expecting to see over 2,000 new severe cases per day and we're already at capacity?
Is this the best that America is capable of?
24
This is why is has become reasonable to take the Republican position of limiting government. Everything they do is incompetent. If we limit it, at least we don’t have to pay for it.
2
Who addresses the country in the middle of the afternoon? It diminishes the importance of the message. I support Biden but he really needs to get out there. Honestly I miss Cuomo. It feels like there is such soft leadership right now.
9
@Haley
Cuomo addressed the city at noon.Trump made speeches for the evening news and lied
7
@Haley
It’s because the NFL is on tonight, and interrupting that would be worse than saying what he should have said three weeks ago in the afternoon. (The NFL is on because there were too many players testing positive with Covid.)
2
There isn’t anything to fight. People are losing their minds. The variant preys in the unvaccinated. Yes, there are breakthrough cases but for the vaccinated the symptoms are manageable. For the unvaccinated, well, they have made their choices. This variant will burn itself out by the end of January. And then we will move on to the next media infused variant hysteria. We have vaccines and we have therapeutics. We are entering endemic stage, and everyone is acting like it’s May 2020.
29
@Lj
Vaccines and masks reduce risk, but they don't make you "safe".
"This year, 11,454 people have died of COVID in Michigan. Of those, the state has researched vaccination status of 8,574: 1,170 were fully vaccinated" [1]
Given the first half the year most people couldn't get the vaccination, and this summer was mild, I expect the number would be much high.
That is more COVID deaths of fully vaccinated people than typical for car accidents and Influenzas.
Blaming the unvaccinated makes you feel better (I had two doses of Moderna), but vaccinations aren't even close to putting this behind us.
[1] https://www.bridgemi.com/michigan-health-watch/breakthrough-covid-deaths-illnesses-mount-boosters-lag-michigan
5
@Lj We have therapeutics but they are suppressed. This is another round of fear campaign; but I am looking forward to getting my covid / flu shot next year, conveniently wrapped in a single package.
1
this is not the case anymore with omicron. i encourage you to read the studies out of other countries who already saw their first wave. the protection offered by vaccines against omicron is estimated to be in the 30 percent range which is why this variant is so infectious. its ravaging both the vaccinated and unvaccinated
4
Why is it in Germany we can get antigen tests for €1.20 ($1.50) each at most any store?
Seriously. Why should we pay $14+ for exactly the same thing in the US?
And yes - they pass em out like candy at workplaces
72
Well, let’s see. Socialized medicine paid for by high taxes. Best Chancellor of all time in Merkel. Population of 86M in a much smaller geography versus US at 330M people.
9
@Lars: Answer: Most U.S. voters support one of the two major political parties, both of which oppose universal health care and support a for-profit system.
19
@Lars Very good question... I complained about the lack of rapid home tests three months ago in September after I checked Amazon and found their promise to sell them went unfulfilled. I was eventually able to buy one of those $14+ test kits on Amazon but it is sad that the is again coming up short on the testing side. Had we made the testing investment that the Europeans have made, Biden would not be in the spot he's in now. But hey, at least the price of gas is coming down!
3
Although home tests will be somewhat helpful hopefully, we need a new vaccine, and soon.
4
And meanwhile in Europe COVID tests are readily available for $1-2.
24
I don’t understand why, in addition to gently repeating that vaccines are protective so please do it, we are not screaming that the refuseniks brought us Omicron. With exponential replication in even the fully vaccinated, new variants continue to evolve. Our collective paralysis in the guise of liberty makes me weep.
29
@Charles Adler: Do you know that Omicron started to spread in Botswana and South Africa due to "refuseniks" living there? Or that it is spreading in the U.S. primarily due to "refuseniks" here, despite the fact that it's known to be spreading rapidly among the vaccinated as well?
6
What's maddening about the reports on Omicron is health professionals using words like "may" and "possibly" to the question of 'Are it's effects milder than Delta?'. My wife and l have already canceled one family Christmas gathering* and have been invited to another. We're not sure whether to go or not because we haven't gotten a definitive answer to that question. I'm fully vaccinated but my wife still hasn't gotten the booster. The event in question will include several fully UNVACCINATED people.
Hasn't there been enough time to answer that question? Can't South Africa give us the answer? Why is a simple "yes" so hard? I don't mind getting a little sick - but l do kinda mind winding up in one of those refrigerator trucks.
*Us not showing up at this earlier gathering has caused some hard feelings. l don't care.
8
@Thucydides South Africa's population is much younger than ours and many have had Covid, so there are variables that make their data very inconclusive for the US. And no, there hasn't been enough time to predict severity level with certainty. We're all frustrated. I wouldn't go NEAR any unvaxxed person just now, myself, and since 3 careful, vaxxed and boosted family members of mine are now sick with it, we're cancelling any get-togethers. We were going to anyway despite our max protection - jusy don't know enough.
1
Get her boosted and stay home.
5
Being with other unvaccinated people for Christmas is too risky. I wouldn’t if I were you.
4
If all of America could be tested in one short period of time, the medical community might be in a better position to isolate areas, get treatments started and get us all safer.
3
Call them out! Covid is awful enough but the unvaccinated are making life difficult for everyone. The unvaccinated are deliberately flaunting their civic duty. The omicron onslaught by the unvaccinated will push already exhausted nurses, doctors, and hospital staff over the edge.
36
@Jacques: There are good reasons to call out some (not all) of those who refuse COVID vaccinations, but I haven't seen any evidence that Omicron's spread is primarily due to the unvaccinated. It's known to spreading in highly vaccinated communities (e.g., see recent stores about Cornell and Princeton Universities, where almost all students and staff are vaccinated).
yeah but define "vaccinated" now? many of us got the shot and despite being overdue for the booster and searching for one, have not been able to get it. in fact, 2/3 of people who are "vaccinated" are now overdue for a booster and protection is waning. that is a byproduct of government failure in booster distribution efforts - not an individual failure
1
“The Omicron variant is causing hospitalizations in many nations,” says Heidi Ledford in a Nature article warning that the impression of milder illness came from a study by Discovery Health, a private insurer in South Africa—where hospitals turning patients away as they reach capacity may have biased results that showed 29% fewer admissions with the variant. This hasn’t yet been verified, but preparations, e.g. National Guard personnel, are in order here.
But I’m not so sure of testing our way out of danger. We’ll go through even half a billion home tests pretty fast if people use them before every group contact—workplace, school, airport or holiday party—as I imagine they’ll need to, for even a modest flattening of the curve, if it turns out that our vaccines fail to prevent transmission. Americans haven’t been too rigorous about self-isolating after positive tests; or they can’t, because of crowded homes or heavy-handed bosses.
And that puts me at odds with the public health experts who say otherwise. Thus a disclaimer: Listen to the experts, not me. I’m not an expert. But I can’t help noticing how the UK’s being flooded with test kits isn’t slowing the virus down. It’s very contagious, able to spread at the briefest opportunity when people are close to together. The virus really is in charge, as Ms. Aspinall says. Keep that in mind, and good luck. I’m planning to stay home as much as possible until spring, a thing retirement allows me to do.
9
A good first step is as of right now stop saying fully vaccinated people do not need to wear masks indoors, even with the booster. Just stop selling false confidence. By all means keep up with the shots to diminish the effects but tell people they need to mask, distance and wash hands. The vax does not keep you safe it keeps you less likely to experience serious illness. Big difference.
23
@teeceenyc: I agree with the gist of your comment, but it's been shown that single cloth masks tend to be very ineffective, so merely advocating masks is somewhat pointless. This problem is exacerbated by the fact that it's hard to know if any given brand of face mask is truly effective, given the fraud that's been reported in the industry.
1
It seems that most measures are dependent upon the “honor system”. What ever happen to the idea that “contact tracing” was an integral part of the solution. There probably needs to be significant consequences somewhere in the equation.
5
With the unheard-of contagiousness of Omicron, attempting contact tracing is pretty much pointless. Not that we were any good at it with the earlier strains.
1
The number one ways to protect yourself is 1) wear a mask 2) get vaccinated if not 3) get a booster if you need one.
The rest - like tests - are useful but these first three are critical. It is unvaxxed people mainly driving this plague and not wearing a mask.
10
@Dennis: "Wear a mask" is too vague. For example, it's known that single-layer cloth masks are rather ineffective.
1
Suggeston to all - get the booster when you can, take precautions then enjoy the holidays. Not watching news or reading headlines this week designed to create anxiousness and stress may be the best way to stay as healthy as possible. Stress and anxiety affect the immune system and vaccine effectiveness.
7
Well given the billions of dollars we throw at the military, it's about time we got something for it. After losing the wars in Afghanistan, Iraq, Viet Nam, and Korea, I hope they do something right this time.
7
Biden totally dropped the ball on free rapid testing, something we should have had for months already. European counties could do so why were we sleeping at the wheel?
10
The thing that has been obvious to me is that we can make zero plans from October through June. If we ever hope to have a holiday celebration in our lives again, it needs to be in July or August. I am being sarcastic, but no less true.
I am never REPEAT NEVER AGAIN making any holiday plans because not one of them has been do-able. I don't care what Fauci or anyone says, this pandemic WILL LAST FOREVER. (Or at least the next 30 yerars which is forever for me, because I am pretty sure I will be dead by then).
I had tickets for Radio City this week. It's the second show at that venue that has been cancelled on me. As I said. NEVER AGAIN!!! It's almost worse than March 2020 because we were told it would not be so bad and I went ahead and made plans. It's better to expect nothing in perpetuity.
AND YES, I BLAME REPUBLICAN ANTI-VAXXERS FOR THIS.
22
Radio City Music Hall had no mask protocol, no social distancing, and very limited testing. Have a look at who the owner is, and do your research ahead of time. All social events carry some element of risk, but some were practically predicated on Covid not being a problem.
4
Why are we still focusing on this? It's been almost two years. If you aren't vaccinated now, then you never will be. Also, what good does any of this do if we aren't even remotely paying attention to climate change? If anything, stopping coronavirus will only accelerate the decline of our planet.
5
So you want millions of people to die?
@Louis I want to move on with my life like everyone else has. I'm vaccinated and have my booster scheduled. Everyone I know is vaxxed and has had their booster or is in the process of scheduling it. Why in the world are we focusing on these delusional hold-outs?
I don't want people to die, but I have a very strong feeling the same people who are anti-vax are probably anti-climate change, and you know what, I really don't care if they're on this planet anymore.
Really, access to vaccines is the limiting issue, and the federal government is positioned to solve it? The local CVS is too far? Detroit has a number to call to get vaccinated at home.
More COVID theater.
5
I'm 85 years old and got the J&J Covid Vaccination last March. My first choice is to get the Pfizer booster. However, I'm no longer driving and my problem is getting to the proper facility. I wish they would make it easier for people like me who live alone.
17
@Barb Please call your local Board of Health or Council on Ageing. They most likely will able to help.
3
@Barb
Cab?
Aren’t there programs in place offering rides to seniors in Columbus?
3
“a viral blizzard” is what we are up against.
Until Biden invokes the war powers act and combats this pandemic with the same resources and fortitude that fought and won WWII, we will be mired in a loosing battle.
Further restrictions and shutdowns are warranted, school closures and remote learning should reappear, and the unvaccinated forced to quarantine.
Get tough President Biden; that’s why I voted for you.
10
His vaccine mandates are being fought tooth and nail by Republicans all across this country.
4
As a suburban, nonpartisan woman in a swing state (you know, the people that got Biden elected…), I vehemently disagree with you.
Our kids are dying from depression/suicide at an astronomically higher rate than they are dying from COVID. Also, the science has NEVER warranted it.
-Signed someone with a healthcare doctorate who has read dozens of academic medical journal articles on this topic, works in peds, lives in a school district that made national news during school closures for the highest suicide rate in the nation (which doubled in 9 months), and whose 10-year-old daughter was identified by GoGuardian as being suicidal during the closures and who is still clinically depressed/anxious
How about sending KN94 Korean Masks to everyone.
And sending Regeneron to states, for people over 65. Florida of all places. thanks to DeSantis, gives it out in public parks but now having difficulty meeting the demand.
3
How is this going to help? It's another performative waste of money.
2
The federal government is doing what it can, but it’s fighting an uphill battle amongst a bunch of mixed messages at the local level.
My home state of illinois has a mask mandate which is followed pretty closely (at least in Chicago where I live), and work in places where vaccination requirements are standard. However, I traveled through Indiana and Ohio this past weekend, and found myself in the minority of people who were masked in public due to state mandates being banned, leaving them to the city or town level. Because of this, far too many people ignoring them, despite signs some in retail locations indicating masks were required, and others “suggesting” that they be worn.
23
In most of the conversation about Omicron, the government has omitted the severity of the infection which is substantially less than the original or Delta version. This virus, like virtually all virus, will continue to mutate. Mutations are almost always less severe than the original. But the government likes to use a hammer approach to problems and ignores the science. In NYC schools, children are allowed to eat lunch without masks. But, they are not allowed to talk. Where is the science there? We need true scientists to guide us through pandemics, not politicians. And certainly not scientists who are financially invested in outcomes.
4
@John
Yes and No ... With roughly 40% of the general public not vaccinated [and higher percentages in communities who believe the vaccine is embedded with micro transmitters] The virus is able to mutate against Pfizer and Moderna vaccines- causing them to be less affective over time. And keep in mind, there is no "safer" or "less dangerous" strain of Covid- in simple terms, it's all bad.
Yes school kids have to eat- but science is telling us to minimize prolonged exposer. Much like going to the beach and laying out in the sun- One hour you can burn- but 3 hours in the sun- the chances of severe sunburn are more than likely. That's why "science" tells us to apply sunscreen with a high SPF 30 and above. The same logic applies to mask wearing- the the longer and more frequent one wears a mask- the better for everyone.
3
@John Mutations are random. When there is a lot of spread, there will be a lot of mutations, and some will be more severe. Alpha was worse than the original strain, Delta is worse than Alpha. Indications from Europe are that Omicron is just as severe as Delta, but 3x as contagious. This next wave could be cataclysmic.
4
@John
kids need to have some guidelines.
without some guidelines while eating they will talk, tease, play and increase the odds that germs will spread. it’s subtle. you complain, and rightfully so, about the hammer approach. no talking, although seemingly odd, and hard to enforce is based on the science of reducing air particles in the cafeteria they could infect other kids
3
I am glad that the EU will require a booster for vaccination cards to remain valid. It makes perfect sense. It is clear by now that without the booster, a previously vaccinated person, 4-6 months ago cannot be considered fully immunized now or for another 6 months. I have been questioning the validity of the vaccination card without a booster for a week and commenting on it.
10
"Unlike some nations in Europe, the United States has not subsidized at-home tests on a mass scale in the same way it does vaccines. With Omicron’s arrival, demand is beginning to outpace supply."
Anyone else tired of hearing how other countries are doing so much more to help their citizens?
In late November reports appeared of Omicron being far more transmissible than Delta yet it isn't until four weeks later that our government comes up with something close to the appropriate level of urgency.
These are the recent failures. What of the fact that we have LESS hospital beds now in the US than we had in 1978? What of the fact that social distancing is impossible in most of our overcrowded public school system?
Obviously, we have had the wrong people in charge of our government for a very long time.
16
@Ed Watters I understand the frustration, but it may make sense to look to population and land area differences between the US and European nations to account for some of these differences.
We may also have some rose-colored glasses on based on how US-centric our main media outlets are. Some European nations trending authoritarian (Poland and Hungary come to mind) are having their own COVID issues caused by the misinformation and disinformation coming from their leaders around masking and vaccines.
6
I’m glad there is a plan. President Biden isn’t perfect but he’s making an effort that was absent in the previous administration. Using the Defense Production Act is a good move.
All Americans must do their part, too. That means taking politics out of the pandemic response. Do what is right for yourselves and your neighbors, friends, and everybody here.
Other countries aren’t in this position. As long as people remain unvaccinated or without access to the most effective vaccines, there will almost surely be more surges and new variants. We can only hope that they will be less severe and that scientists, researchers, and healthcare professionals will find ways to deal with it.
15
Why not have the free test kits available at every Fire Department (or library or city hall), like free smoke detectors? And being vaccinated should be a requirement for getting free test kit — people could even get the shot at the pick up location.
46
Pima County libraries in Tucson have had free rapid test kits for several weeks now. Theresa Cullen MD, the county Public Health Director, has done an outstanding job from day one.
4
Maybe the CDC could change its requirements on vaccinators to be licensed or within 5 years of having had a license.
I'm 73, a retired physician, gave plenty of vaccinations when I was a Navy shipboard medical officer, have inserted needles for intravenous infusions in preemies, central lines, cisternal punctures, and did two appendectomies at sea under spinal anesthesia, which I did myself.
I can't for the life of me wonder why I can't be retrained in about 5 minutes to vaccinate.
For now, I will keep checking registration at vaccine clinics and moving traffic properly.
144
@Mike S. Thank you for your service!
8
@Mike S. Thanks for doing what you can to help!
3
Thank you for your service. Good ideas. Contacting our representatives on both the state and federal level may help unblock the barriers to common sense measures.
2
Around 800,000 Americans are dead because we waited until they were blue in the face to put them on a ventilator at a hospital.
Testing does not save lives, treatment does. Where are the home treatment remedies and therapeutics? We should have had them before the vaccine.
Are we going to have to wait until everyone is forced to take a booster (which won't be the last) before we see FDA approval on anything that isn't a vaccine?
15
@bnyc Testing saves lives. Every test is another intervention that limits the spread. Every infection avoided frees up space and attention for those who need treatment.
Whereas every bit of misinformation about "home treatment remedies" and "alternatives" to vaccines fans the flames, resulting in more infection, disease, and death.
32
@bnyc
Testing saves lives in a different way than treatment does.
9
@bnyc great comment - where are the antiviral drugs for COVID?
$768 billion for the defense budget but only 1,000 military medical professionals are being made available for this initiative?
66
@Christopher: We need the rest for important business in Iraq and Syria and Ukraine, etc. Otherwise, we could lose American lives like in 9/11. 3,000 American lives. Imagine if that many Americans died due to Presidential inaction...or just wait until tomorrow.
5
In industry we call it a "skill mis-match" I think retraining a sniper or F-35 mechanic to insert an IV might take a while.
1
@Christopher as an active duty physician, I can tell you that our clinic is already being stretched thin by repeated FEMA taskings in addition to usual overseas deployments. I can assure you that your military medical professionals have been, and continue to be utilized throughout this pandemic. I’m not sure that it has been well reported in the press until now?
2
I hope Biden highlights the importance of social distancing and masking while indoors. Testing and isolation is important as locking down travel unless necessary.
Asking people to hold on through the winter till we flatten the curve in the spring is the best bet. A two week lockdown is a tough ask, but I have no doubt that it will keep hospitals open and save lives.
11
A website where people can order tests to be sent to their homes? Let Amazon do that, they excel at it. I’m sure working out what to do about people who prefer not to have an account if easier than building something from scratch.
Supply and cost are the bigger issues to solve.
18
Cost? During a pandemic, cost matters?
2
I ordered tests on Amazon on the 16th. They haven’t shipped yet. There is a huge supply issue, and even Amazon can’t handle it.
2
@PH Cost always matters. Doesn't mean it's insurmountable, but it certainly matters.
Democrat President's have always been long on plans but somehow unable to make delivery on those plans due in large part to the obstructionist and pettiness of its own (hint, hint Manchin, Sinema). And, if the history of the glacial nature of government teaches, the plans to purchase a distribute 500 million rapid tests, if they can overcome whatever self-serving obstacle M&S decide to employ, will become available possibly to for next generation of viruses and humans.
4
@William because Trump did such a good job. Go away.
4
@Casey - Maybe we could do better than Trump or Biden? Maybe we could do better than the Dems or the Repubs? Voting for the lesser of two evils is why our country has been declining for many, many years while the 1% get even richer.
2
@Casey exactly what does Tr**p's pathological narcissistic behavior in office have to do with Democrats in the Senate and President Biden? you can't go on blaming everything on Tr**p...
1
I think it will be a very hard winter as we have missed our chance. We should be 90+% vaccinated and boosted at this point but instead this turned into a political issue where not getting the shot and not wearing a mask is a red badge of courage for many. We all know the drill and must do all we can to protect ourselves and family.
85
@Thomas Renner The problem is most of the cases are breakthrough and Biden has done nothing to expediate monoclonal therapy.
1
@runner6460 Nearly none of the severely ill or dying are breakthrough cases. Monoclonal therapy is not a practical treatment. By the time you know a patient needs it, it is too late to be effective.
The problem is that people are not vaccinated.
8
@Thomas Renner
The GOP made this a political issue.
Fox made this a political issue.
Right-wing talk radio made this a political issue.
It didn't just turn into a political issue. There was profit/benefit to be derived from making this another front in the ridiculous culture war being waged by the right, and we all suffer for it.
5
From the very beginning of this pandemic I have believed, and still do, that to get a true picture of how this virus operates, all people should have been tested, with and without symptoms. Then any positive cases after could be compared to a true population sample and the data would have been very valuable.
Oh well....
11
President Biden should reacquaint himself with the old saying of "You can bring the horse to the water but you can't make him drink."
Vaccines have been available for nearly a full year. They have been extensively and intensively promoted. They have been made available free of charge. The potential consequences of contracting the disease have been well known for nearly two years. The methods of avoiding contracting the disease have been known nearly as long.
Saying/doing the same thing repeatedly and then expecting a different outcome is the definition of insanity. If someone hasn't been vaccinated by now, they likely won't get vaccinated either. Save the money intended for this latest effort and send us another stimulus check.
16
Next step make vaccination mandatory nationwide. Or at the least add so many limitations and hurdles for the unvaccinated that they are not able to leave their houses anymore.
70
@Mr. Chocolate And what about vaccine certificate fraud? I have two militant anti-vaccination nephews. One needed to be vaccinated to keep his job; the other wanted to go clubbing in NYC. They both bought fake certificates -- problem solved.
These are steps in the right direction. It's not a total panacea, but it will help to protect people. At least President Biden isn't downplaying the danger, calling it "a hoax, folks," and telling people to drink a gallon of Clorox.
29
@H. Clark I agree. So many are criticizing Biden as if “he alone can fix it.” We all have a responsibility to take the fight to the virus by masking, vaccinating and distancing. Unfortunately a trip to the grocery store in a sea of mostly unmasked shoppers demonstrates many people don’t feel they have any responsibility in stopping the spread.
4
It is dismaying to the extreme to see the ineptitude of our government *two years* into this pandemic. Hours-long lines for testing? At-home tests that cost $40? Pfizer is set to release an anti-viral drug next year, but it doesn't have the capacity to manufacture it at needed scale, and the federal government hasn't lifted a finger to change that.
Not to make this partisan, but Biden and the Democrats' pitch last year very much included the promise that they would do a much better job than the previous administration in handling the pandemic, and their performance has been downright awful. The CDC and FDA remain glacially slow bureaucracies whose messages are often unclear and at odds with each other, and testing capacity is a joke. It is amazing to ponder the extent to which things - especially at the public agency level - simply do not work in this country any more. Across all sorts of spheres.
56
@VinBiden made the vaccine widely available. And it's free. People should have gotten vaccinated a long time ago.
11
@Vin I agree the current administration isn't being aggressive enough, but frankly the damage was already done by the previous administration and attitudes this year have simply hardened further. I live in a community where the vaccination rate is stuck on 54 percent. The vast majority of people don't wear a mask. A local parents' group is actively promoting the refusal of testing. Where do you even start when this is the mindset? We have sown the wind and now we are reaping the whirlwind.
10
@Vin
Don’t forget that Biden made the unfortunate mistake in thinking all Americans would take the vaccine last Summer and eradicate the earliest forms of the virus.
They didn’t.
“Freedom”, or something.
Thanks to these patriots we now have variants. And will continue to, over and over again.
6
I seriously believe in social distancing and at this point another more serious lockdown is needed to keep people away from each other for awhile.
23
If I am not symptomatic, I’m not testing, even if exposed. I will not further disrupt my life to protect those among us who have thumbed their noses at vaccines.
7
@Timothy Pearse how about for my 82 year old best friend who is triple vaccinated yet can get it and doe? How's about for my sister-in-law who is on chemo trying to buy some more time with her children who are 18, 20 and 22. Or my partner who is immunocomprimised. We are all triple vaccinated and vulnerable. Help us and those like us. Please
15
Until now our government has banked on using the vaccines to eradicate the virus. The problem is that a vaccine is only as good as the number of people who are able and willing to take it and this has not gone well.
Vaccination is important but the most important thing right now is to keep people who can spread the disease out of circulation. That means testing. Cheap readily available testing with instantaneous, reliable results.
If you suspect you've been exposed, you should be able to find out if you have the virus so you can take proper precautions even if you do not feel sick.
In the best of all possible worlds, these precautions shouldn't cause you any financial pain and responsible employers should be happy to allow infectious workers to stay away from the workplace until they are better.
We, of course do not live in the best of all possible worlds. Some people will be irresponsible--we need only to look at the example of one Donald J. Trump--to know that.
So far the Biden administration has been a day late and a dollar short. Yes, he's doing better than his predecessor, but that is a very, very low hurdle to clear.
7
Since I already have problems with getting my mail delivered properly I won’t hold my breath expecting to get the kits in the mail.
32
The vaccination rate in South Africa is around 30%. They are not doing particularly worse then us in the US with a much high vaccination percentage. I am all for vaccinations but shouldn't we be allowed to ask questions? Science revolves around asking questions and academic dissent. Do triples vaxed people have a false sense of security? What is really going on?
15
@Leo
Africa has a much younger population than the West.
2
“1,000 military medical professionals to help at overburdened hospitals” Sounds good, until you ask the question 'What about the military?' Because we get sick too, and there is and has always been a shortage of medical personnel. This sounds more like “Robbing Peter to pay Paul”
4
@Gerald
Should we allow people to die in the streets?
@JEM Should we allow the military to go without medical care? Perhaps we should look back and ask why at the beginning of this, did hospitals lay off thousands of medical personnel.
Will all those National Guard medical personnel be fully vaccinated and boosted?
8
So the Democrats are just as incompetent at managing covid response as the Republicans. On the bright side, that might help lessen political polarization in the country
12
At least credit Trump for knowing what the American people want and don't want: They don't want solutions. They do want shouting, cursing, smirking and wild arm motions.
We know and the Biden administration knows how to contain and fight the virus: immunization and mask-wearing. We know and Biden knows that that road has run out of pavement.
Biden isn't going to do mandates and lockdowns because he knows that those will be ignored. The American people have done it once and they feel that the universe owes them for their sacrifice.
But they still want a strong solution even though they refuse to follow the obvious solution. What does a "strong solution" look like? Free at-home tests miraculously appearing in their mailboxes today. And if they can't have that, they'll settle for the wild arm motions.
9
Lack of forethought and too little too late. It was common knowledge that there would be more variants coming. The Omicron varient has been known about since November 8th. Why were tests not distributed in November not al.ost two months later? Luckily this one seems to be a milder version and will come and go quickly using South Africa as the bell weather.
10
Let's face it, our administration is at least one step behind every crisis in this country. I've officially lost confidence in Biden's ability to lead.
12
@BN to what crisis are you referring? The crisis of people who refuse to be vaccinated?
8
@Kristine, coronaviruses mutate too quickly to be eradicated by the use of a leaky (non sterilizing) vaccine. Just like the overuse of antibiotics leads to the flourishing of antibiotic resistant bacteria, the same goes for viruses that mutate quickly. If every person in the entire world got these jabs, the virus would just mutate around them. We need other solutions, such as early treatments with antivirals.
1
At least Biden didn’t deny Covid’s existence like the other guy.
6
With college football bowl games on the horizon, and January typically being a big month for conventions, how about some strong Federal-level recommendations that such events be scaled back or held with limited attendance? In Germany, for instance, soccer matches are being held without spectators once again. Seems like a prudent step until we get past the current wave.
25
A federal response is expected and welcome after Mr "I alone can fix it" showed he was really Mr "I don't take any responsibility at all."
The federal response might not be enough *yet* on its own, but it would be on top of individual state responses and will work better toward a more even nationwide standard of care.
28
@D.A.Oh
Who are you referring to there, Mr. "The First Covid Vaccine On The Planet Was Developed Under My Watch"?
2
I didn't see anything here about the new Pfizer pill. Why not? Where is the FDA on it? What about the Defense Production Act to amp up production so there's ample supply if it is hopefully approved?
Vaccines and testing, yes. But treatments are imperative, especially since millions of people around the world either refuse vaccination or cannot access it.
62
@dc I fail to see the emergency. Get the vaccine and you're extremely unlikely to die.
The pills only work very early in the disease -- if they even work at all. We don't know if they work or if they have side effects because the companies have not released their actual data. They've only released their biased interpretation of their data, which the newspapers have reported like a paid-advertisement without any fact-verifying.
@Jo
Dear Jo,
I have three vaccinations and tested positive last week. I am not dying...yet, but I would like to see treatment research amped up.
1
A good start, but more teeth are needed.
Banishment from all public space (hospitals, jobs, restaurants, stores, transportation, etc.) concomitantly with financial penalties (much higher insurance premiums, pharmaceuticals etc along with fines for non compliance) would go a long way toward enlightenment.
Allowing the unvaccinated the same privileges as the vaccinated is just an exercise in futility.
218
@John Virgone We can start adding the vaccinated to the tone-deafness of the unvaccinated. What about not being able to mask up in a restaurant (or other similar public spaces) are they not getting? Haven't we learned that a surge is a surge, a (limited) time in which we all have to take extra care.
8
@John Virgone
"Allowing the unvaccinated the same privileges as the vaccinated is just an exercise in futility. "
Not to mention it's morally wrong. To, basically, reward the unvaccinated for spreading the disease killing people is, well, wrong is not a strong enough word.
14
@BN Trouble is, nobody can eat with a mask on. Restaurants need to pivot to take-out again.
8
Mixed messaging is maddening! We're told Omicron has become dominant and that individuals with boosters are among the highest number of mild Covid breakthroughs. What happened to Delta? What's happening with the unvaccinated? Why isn't Delta causing a hospital intake crisis during the holidays, and rising deaths?
9
@Jack Delta very much is creating a hospitalization crisis here in the Northeast. We got a FEMA team in to help us open an extra unit, but it's not enough. There are no beds, not enough staff, and we're over capacity. This is pretty much all still Delta, since Omicron hasn't been around long enough for people who have caught it to get to the "need an ICU bed" stage of things.
9
FINALLY....our capitalists self in this country keeps inserting middle men and women in the healthcare industry to "manage" what could be delivered directly and cheaply by government agencies. Sadly, we have more of these mid-level managers than health care providers---whose sole role, is to create more middle-management positions.
19
Honestly, if the vaccines are less effective than expected and tests are scarce, why isn't air travel being restricted?
120
@Dax
The well-off do not wish their travel plans to be interrupted nor themselves inconvenienced any more than is absolutely necessary. Since there's presently little evidence that air travel is responsible for much in the way coronavirus transmission, air travel is still permitted.
At this time, I wouldn't go to an airport or get on a plane when a variant like Omicron is infecting our vaccinated population at the rate it is.
18
Couldn’t agree more about the need to restrict air travel. That we are continuing to allow it unfettered is mind boggling. Restricting movement during a plague is a concept that goes back millennia. Lock everyone down now.
Two things:
The mad scramble for at-home testing kits at drug stores is not good. I managed to get a few but almost all the pharmacies around us are out for the rest of the year.
My 18 year old kids want to be boosted but the appointments are hard to get. They got them for Dec 30, but this is a fast moving virus. We should have been able to get them more easily.
39
@Cousy As with all things requiring appointments, the wait time is determined by a couple of key factors - how many time slots there are and how many people want those time slots. Why "should" you be able to get in more easily? My dentist has a two month wait time for non-emergency appointments. Hair cut? All appointments are filled for this year. Be glad to get in when you can. And kudos for your kids getting vaccinated and boosted!
9
Look out for walk-in boosters. Pharmacies around here are all booked up, but I was able to get a walk-in booster. The frustrated pharmacist said a lot of people who booked the online appointments were not showing up.
15
It’s a shameful failure of our government that it came to this. Experts have been asking for it already months ago.
2
Some nice sounding things here, but this plan should’ve been announced on Nov 1, not 4 days before Christmas… no matter the strain, no matter the numbers. We saw a winter surge last year after the holidays and should’ve planned for the same this year. Hopefully there are actual shakeups in the leadership in his speech this afternoon bc the current team isn’t getting it done.
73
@Tuck Ditto! In uncertain times, the now predictable sequence of Covid's evolution is the one certain thing.
2
With the number of states opposing or dragging their feet on mask or vaccine mandates, any Federal response will be severely compromised. In my own state (Florida), the Governor has made "no mandates" an absolute, unquestionable decree. It's incredibly sad and frustrating to watch him contort himself to avoid acknowledging reality and science.
55
How about field hospitals for unvaccinated Covid sufferers staffed by the health care workers who also refuse to get vaccinated? That handles the overflow and frees up beds, in a responsible and safe environment, for vaccinated Americans who need medical care foe Covid and other ailments.
376
@Area Woman Exactly! Military field hospitals for unvaccinated, regular for the rest of us. This is way too sensible!
13
We are in a pandemic we can’t manage. We are in a boat where some of us are rowing and some of us are standing up, refusing to row. Too many of us can’t be told what to do. We are unmanageable.
182
Not only are some standing up, they are intentionally rocking the boat and attempting to throw the rowers and oars overboard. Meanwhile, millionaires and billionaires watch with amusement from their yachts and toast to their good fortune.
19
@H.G. And Fox wants more people to stand up and swamp the boat, and it wants to get our lead public health expert "ambushed" and killed.
Why is Fox even on the air and who is it working for, other than Xi and Putin?
11
@H.G.
You hit it on the head. A large fraction of Americans are unwilling, or incapable of taking direction. Too afraid of looking weak, or submissive, or whatever.
It has been said (and often misattributed) that, "You can always count on Americans to do the right thing - after they've tried everything else."
It seems that we are far from having tried everything else.
5
Thank you Biden.
This is something the former guy should have done but didn’t.
What a different story it would have been if former guy sent free masks out,
and enforced mask wearing.
52
@Oh My
Wow. I couldn’t stand the former guy either but Biden is a day late and a dollar short and you’re still trying to blame anyone but Biden. He needs to accept responsibility for his own covid failures which are mounting .
.
3
@Oh My, Biden isn't sending free masks out, nor enforcing mask-wearing, either.
1
@Oh My
It’s always someone else’s fault…
2
I voted Biden but he has failed here. He was caught flat footed on testing. The long lines and shortages are not good signs of someone prepared for a pandemic response. If this was Trump, we would be rightfully hearing about his incompetence.
Also, the data is lacking. We need to know who is dying/hospitalized (age, co morbidities) and their vaccination status. Throwing all of the data in one pot like it’s 2020 isn’t helpful or informative
118
@Dennis A if this was Trump we would be much worse!
6
The shelves are stocked and ver few reports on supply chain - except cream cheese.
In a matter of weeks the administration adjusted policy and is getting rapid tests out and help at hospitals. More to come.
Gas prices down significantly.
The omicron development is being honestly engaged.
6
@Dennis A
The data are available. The people who are dying are still the unvaccinated, even as the percentage of people vaccinated increases.*
https://www1.nyc.gov/site/doh/about/press/pr2021/health-department-releases-data-covid-19-vaccine-effectiveness.page
https://www.mass.gov/doc/covid-19-cases-among-fully-vaccinated-individuals-in-massachusetts/download
* If everyone gets fully vaccinated, then 100% of the deaths will be vaccinated people, but we are not there yet.
3
NYC Manhattan. MTA is doing nothing about it's subway ridership not wearing masks or wearing them willy nilly too effect. People are all stacked in these trains once again, many people for rides 30 minutes or longer. If you say something you become a target for attack. I have never ever seen an MTA officer or Police reinforce that. Furthermore I have to often seen the said mta and police not wearing their own masks. This is my reality on the A trains and other subways.
117
@Mike
I log a complaint every time I see this. The MTA finally wrote back to me that it is a “police” issue, not an MTA one. So basically, no one cares. I stopped riding (and paying for) the subway. I’m lucky to be able to walk where I need to go, but it’s up to 7 miles per day!
18
@Jennifer The majority of police are conservatives who think that they are above enforcing any laws or mandates they don’t agree with
12
@Mike
Rules are useless unless enforced. Zero tolerance. With the absence of enforcement of stated masking and distancing rules in public places I have witnessed we might as well eliminate the mandates and just let everyone do as they please. Buisnesses need to start refusing service to the unmasked, businessess that refuse to do so need to be shut down.
I am tired of going to the grocery store and seeing a half a dozen people who are not even trying, walking around with that , "Say something, I dare you", look on their faces.
5
Sadly, it appears the anti-Vaxers intend to stay unvaccinated. Between them and wealthy nations hoarding vaccines, the future of this pandemic is longevity. As long as third world countries aren’t vaccinated, new variants will develop, spread globally and endanger lives. The only bright spot is that, for the most part, the anti-vaxers will pay for their selfishness with their lives. Sad, indeed.
12
@Margie The limiting factor isn't "wealthy nations hoarding vaccines", it is that many 3rd world countries lack the infrastructure to deliver them. Besides, it is clear now that we NEED those booster shots.
1
@Andy and those countries need them even more. You are right about the infrastructure, though, but as WHO says, we have got to do better.
The steps Biden is taking are welcome ones but they should be delivered in prime time, 9pm, on all channels, including ESPN and from the Oval Office and, frankly, he will still be more than one step behind the virus and what is required to control the pandemic. If you are 20 and healthy you needn't fear the virus and vaccination is not needed to save your life but if you care about your country, about your parents and grandparents and about how your life is affected you must get vaccinated. Since 60 million of our fellow citizens don't care a whit about others they must be mandated to vaccinate by being excluded from travel and entry into most indoor venues. That takes political courage but isn't that what we expect from a President?
22
We need emergency authorization on Merck and Pfizer's new anti covid medications as well. I really fear with the speed omicron is moving the hospitals are going to be overwhelmed everywhere without those drugs.
16
Too little. Too late. This should have been done months ago. Biden should be held accountable for his awful mismanagement of testing and mono clonal antibody purchases.
33
@Bruce Wayne and the former President should have NEVER policitized COVID. He and his dishonorable administration should take the fall too.
3
@Bruce Wayne right! It’s as if he didn’t know winter was coming! Viral illness always increase in the cold weather.
1
Anecdotal evidence: two weeks ago, the stoorshelves at Walgreens in Houston were full of Covid self tests. When I tried to buy one two days ago, almost every store in the area was sold out. And when I did find one at a remote store, the limit was two per person. Plus, they were not cheap: $23.00 per box, with two tests contained in each box. This is a terrible system.
31
@J. Scott S
In Germany they're about less than 2 euros a piece. My students are tested 3 times a week.
2
Vaccination = 3 shots
Requirement for Vaccinations for interstate travel and orgs that receives federal money (State gov, K12 schools, contractors, Medicare/Medicaid, Social Security) or cut off of federal money
Free testing
12
Should never have reopened international air travel, and all airlines should mandate fully vaccinated passengers only.
91
@LA Woman Your comment makes sense! There are many comments here, and most of them say that everyone should be vaccinated to keep the virus from spreading. All well and good for the USA. However, as long as people can fly into the United States from a foreign country, or take a bus or train from Canada or Mexico, it doesn't seem possible to end the invasion of Covid, no matter how many Americans get vaccinated and boostered.
3
@LA Woman
Dear LA Woman,
Since November when the US began allowing international flights, the requirements for boarding at point of origin has been:
2 vaccinations
only qualified vaccines (Sputnik does not qualify) and a
negative COVID test 72 hours prior to travel. It is 24 hours now.
Perhaps we should require 14 day quarantine again, but the only place where these requirements are summarily ignored is on our southern border.
3
A good moove. The Biden administration can just support as much as possible, the rest everybody has to do in his own responsability.
6
I think Biden is great but these programs should have been in place months ago. We keep getting caught behind the 8 ball. There should be 100 free testing . In NYC there are many business that will do a PCR or rapid test but CHARGE. and will not take insurance . The federal gift should make that illegal right now and compel them to do a test for anyone who wants one.
Get the rapid tests to all CVS Walgreens etc so we can just buy them . Why are they sold out ????
Enforce vaccine mandate - enforce masking
How many people want this to stop???
13
@MollY I would guess that CVS is sold out because it's travel season and people are rushing to get tested so they can travel. The stores can only stock so many kits in house. So they run out until the next shipment comes in.
4
I would like to read something that tells you exactly what happens to you when you get Omicron after you have been fully vaccinated. I have yet to see anything that is specific, only that it spreads rapidly, nothing about how sick you can get.
36
Good news. It's past time to take the latest surge seriously. We need more testing. We also need to get out the message that boosters are vital to lower the spread of the omicron variant.
It's time to redefine "fully vaccinated" to include a booster. Otherwise, people who haven't been boosted are given false confidence about their level of protection. The booster greatly increases circulating antibodies against the virus, and is especially helpful against this new variant.
When we attend events that require everyone to be "fully vaccinated," we want to know everyone has had the booster.
41
Why exactly are we testing healthy young vaccinated people with minimal symptoms. What does that accomplish? At this point we have an airborne virus circulating widely. Nothing we do is going to make a difference.
17
@Stephen So they can know who is carrying the virus and therefore, spreading it to others who are perhaps NOT young, NOT healthy and NOT vaccinated. So that those infected can be asked to take responsible actions and minimize the spread. This really isn't hard to understand. The virus isn't just out there in the air -- it's spread person to person. Everything we do makes a difference.
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It's pretty unbelievable that despite these dire statistics and hospitals filling up, the NRF conference in NYC with 30,000 retailers and vendors is still going forward in just a few weeks. Have we completely lost our minds?
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@Casual Observer Especially when the first Omicron outbreak here was tied to an anime convention!
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@Casual Observer
Yes. But not just here. See the story about France & Italy cracking down on fake vax documents. Why, when you can just get the vaccine, get the real vax card, and be protected? The stupid is mind-boggling.
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Good on Biden for trying, but failure of unified public action dooms us.
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Problem is the tests are only as good as the person performing them. If you aren't capable of inflicting the pain required to properly swab your nasal passages, you can get a false negative.
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I voted for Biden but am disappointed by the White House's continued use of weasel words, over-cautious verb choices (e.g. Joe is INTENDING to ask Sec Def Austin about 1,000 troops that will help at hospitals, etc,) and the generally very tentative-sounding language constructions that seem to have been crafted by political hacks and obviously designed to make us (the rubes) feel that Action Is Being Taken Right Now but then maybe not too much action you know, action of the sort that might offend somebody. God help us. This is a NATIONAL EMERGENCY. There is also a sadly crude naivete revealed in statements like the one telling us about FEMA teams that will "transfer patients to other hospitals that have open beds". Gues what? There are practically zero open "excess beds" right now Mr. Biden. Hire some better advisors stat -- people with actual knowledge of medical care. We are in for a very severe test.
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I will not shut down my business. No government official--elected or otherwise---will order me to shut down my business. I will not abide by any such mandate. Under no circumstance will I put my business and employees into financial ruination at the direction of a paid government bureaucrat--no matter how hysterical they become.
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@Peter Not sure what your business is, Peter of Albany, but when, not if -- when, your employees and customers become too sick to work or shop, or just aren't willing to risk same and therefore either quit, retire, or shop online, then your business will suffer. So it really seems to me that you can choose how you want to navigate this -- if your back is up against the wall, you don't have a lot of options.
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@Peter
Sure, as long as customers show up. Then you can infect one another and encourage the growth of variants.
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@Peter your business operates under licenses granted by local authorities. If you fail to comply with their mandates you will lose your licenses and no longer be able to operate your business.
Get vaccinated, trump lost.
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Is this the best Biden can manage? A test and a half for each American? I'll give him a half vote in the next election to show my appreciation.
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@FDReyer Great response. I hope you enjoy your republican authoritarian government for ever more.
Biden is not the only one responsible here. Everyone has a role to play in reducing the spread from the individual citizen, business owners, local and state governments to the federal government. So many people rail about the over reach of government from one side of their mouths while complaining the government is not doing enough from the other side of their mouths.
How about you give your half a vote to the people who are actively trying to thwart all efforts toward mitigating the spread.
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I applaud the Biden administration for attempting to come up with new ways to motivate the recalcitrant and unreconstructed among us.
But creating a website where people can request that tests be sent to their homes, free of charge, is it seems to me pointless when one considers the mindset of those who refuse vaccination.
These people will view such a site with suspicion; for example, they are going to assume that the site will somehow collect their identity in one form or another.
Given the close correlation between non-vaccination and evangelical religious belief, I think a more effective approach would be to mobilize as many religious organizations as would be willing to participate to spread the message. That would be a start, in any event.
Combine that with cuts in federal aid to states whose leaderships are opposed to vaccination.
That might make a small dent.
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@David H Your comment has merit. The rationale I get from the never vaxxers is distrust of the government, refuse to be “tracked” (as they carry their cellular phone that can be tracked).
The “leadership” in my state have determined the state will appeal any vaccine mandate while ignoring the rise of infections and deaths.
Yes, cut federal money to those states.
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Are you so naive that you think personal information entered in to the website will not be tracked?
I’m vaxxed and boosted btw
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@Jack
Am I naive?
Er... no.
Hope that helps.
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And yet, the State of Wisconsin Green Bay Packers are scheduled to play football on Christmas day.
I wonder what the fans the fans will bring home with their various souvenirs.
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It's an outdoor stadium. Are you aware that the CDC says outdoor transmission is not significant? Follow the science.
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@interested party - well given that their QB refuses to take the vaccine (and wasn't even upfront about it to begin with) what else do you expect?
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@Scottsdale Jack Outdoor stadium. Indoor bathrooms. Lines for food. Lines to get in and out. Hope folks wear their masks, even outdoors.
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Sorry this article is of no help. We need more data. We need to know exactly what is happening in real time.
The key question is NOT Omicron transmissibility--we know that is horrendous. Ditto the likely effect on the unvaccinated. What we need to know right now is the best guess about vaccination with boosters as a protection against transmission, illness and hospitalization.
The outer wall has been breached. We need to know how strong the inner wall is. I suspect not as strong as we want. And not as strong as we need.
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@Bob These are published and the President has repeatedly told everyone - vaccinated (no booster) offers excellent protection from hospitalization and especially death. Add a booster and not getting Omicron at all is very much in your favor (like 80% protection.)
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@Bob I'm triple vaxxed and got it. Admittedly, I'd been enjoying my evenings out at places where everyone is supposed to be vaxxed. I likely got it, however, at a holiday alumni gathering.
If you are out unmasked regularly in enclosed spaces with other people, you will, likely, get it. However, I can happily say that my symptoms were light: digestive illness and discomfort for three days, a bt of fatigue, and a runny nose. Like you said, it's dangerous for the unvaccnated, but just a minor drag for those of us who have genrally been responsible.
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@Bob
I'm in my mid-70s with a history of asthma. Despite being vaccinated and boosted, I still must assume the worst. With few ICU beds open in this region, I've reduced my interactions with others to the bare minimum. I'll enjoy no holiday gatherings this year.
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I was recently given a box containing 2 COVID-19 home tests by a temporary employer (Businesses still don’t want to hire anyone over 60 permanently). Abbott’s BinaxNOW self-test is difficult to self-administer, the results are not easy to interpret and $22. Despite federal law, my health insurance company has not established a method of reimbursing members for at-home tests. The contractor went ahead and paid for my 1st set. The result of the first test was two mashed together pieces of cardboard and no visible result. The mostly non-recyclable kit is tough to assemble and I’m a former business instructor. I went to a hospital outpatient facility to get a real COVID-19 test, administered by a real nurse and the test result was negative (~$100 I learned but fully covered). Distributing 500 million similar tests will result in a mountain of trash at many landfills and zero certainty of your COVID-19 status. Make the at-home COVID-19 test as easy as pregnancy tests or forget about them.
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@T.H.Williams I've had a very different experience with my family having used a dozen BinaxNOW tests in the last 6 months. It's a very simple process and results are not hard to interpret. My 6th grader is capable of setting up the test on her own.
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Agreed. Even my 82 year old father did it without any problem.
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I applaud you & your talented child but many others will find the various issues I outlined real. I do hope others will have the success your family experienced with at-home tests. I would rather people wake up to the threat, get tested and get all 3 shots like I have. I forgot to mention getting scratched trying to remove the hard sharp plastic cover on the COVID-19 test commonly used to prevent shoplifting. It requires sharp scissors and don’t run with those.
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This is a disaster waiting to happen: the federal government setting itself up as a middle-man to order rapid tests.
We need FDA approval of more tests NOW so we can increase supply and lower prices.
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@Alex M
Quoting another comment: "In Britain, from what I hear, the government has sent every resident 14 free rapid tests. In America, no. "
Minimum wage at $7 something? Or working for tips at $2.13 as reported in another NYT article makes it a near impossible choice of buying tests that may not work, no money to go to a doctor and medical shop, and having an employer that will fire an employee for missed days.
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I feel obliged to complete the quote, since it was taken out of context "In Britain, from what I hear, the government has sent every resident 14 free rapid tests. In America, no. Until now. Finally. Good move Biden."
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@Opalina
Britain has Universal Single Payer Healthcare-- which according to Biden we can't have in the US..because it's "socialist" -- no return to investors in health insurance compnies..and the American public really likes things the way they are--the public believes whatever.. .facts never mater.
In some laces minimum wage is more than the federal 7.25$ and apparent 4.75? for under 20 year olds.. Inflation doesn't count as we have learned...
But there are ways to game the system as well...
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Thank you, Jesus, for them having us order tests directly from the federal government instead of get compensated by private insurance two months later or people on Medicare have to get them from federally qualified health clinics where most of us aren't patients, or, in my county, get one after waiting in line starting 4 AM at a food pantry!
But, it really won't do much good if they don't get it together until February when omicron already swept through the entire population, or, it takes them six weeks to MAIL it!
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@Dora Smith I'm sure you meant to thank President Biden.
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In Britain, from what I hear, the government has sent every resident 14 free rapid tests. In America, no.
Until now. Finally. Good move Biden.
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@Larry Yes the current temperature check (and vaccine check) when you enter facilities won't cut it for asymptomatic people with the virus. Seems like you have to test way more often. One test is not enough
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@Larry we need a lot more than 500 million tests to get to 14 tests /person. Providing 500 million tests sounds like a political move - better than nothing of course
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The question is where was Biden when Britain sent out their tests? Well, his press secretary was mocking the idea of sending every American an at home test. That’s just a fact. The President has failed us here
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That it took this long to get even this paltry response to the lack of rapid testing kits is massive failure, and at this point its far too late as they wont get to people before they travel for the holidays.
In regards to increasing vaccination deployment, im not sure it helps much. The problem has not been supply of vaccine for some time(in this country). There is a segment of the population that simply is not going to get vaccinated, come what may to them or their neighbors.
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@Andre Those of us who want to use rapid tests can't find the kits on store shelves right now. I stocked up on BinaxNOW back in September and we've used them for what turned out to be normal colds in October and November. I'm trying to replenish and it's impossible. I'm about to drive 45 minutes to a CVS that supposedly has them in stock, after I discovered that Walgreens limits you to purchasing one 2-test kit per day. If this doesn't work, I'm giving up.
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@Andre I agree with you. The unvaccinated will remain. I wonder... after this stubborn beast of a virus has infected enough of them, will the future strains merely wear out? In a year? 10 years? A century?
1918 didn't teach us a thing because we didn't pay attention.
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@Andre I thought we have always relied on the private industry and capitalist market to provide things, including testing kits, in this country. All of a sudden we're upset at the gov't for not being able to provide whatever we need in emergencies?
We can't severely limit gov't power because we're afraid of "socialism" and then blame them for not providing enough support at the same time.
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I'm a Biden supporter, but this doesn't sound like much of a response.
500 million tests is just over one per person, which will make only a token difference. 1000 military service people deployed to hospitals (20 per state) would have a tiny impact. FEMA clinics to handle "hundreds of additional vaccinations per week" is paltry.
States and municipalities are clearly on their own.
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This is what you get from a former Senator that was never the final decision maker nor the single accountable person in his life. You get optics instead of tangible measurable results. How many people do you think will understand, as you do, that 500 million tests sounds like a lot but is not.
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If this is a war in Covid - we have front line health care and other workers (and maybe now the army) shouldering all the risks while many others (myself included) are ‘virtuously’ getting vaccinated, masking up and getting tested before attending holiday celebrations. The anti-vaccers could be considered traitors - working for the enemy. Not enough! It’s time for some burden sharing- for a Covid tax to pay for more testing etc!
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@Cousy just over one per person is plenty to get through Christmas. I have yet to need one. And this is the US. We have long been on our own.
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I should be very interested to see how the real figures for the US compare with elsewhere - but whether this will show those depends on whether people are going to use the tests and whether the results are going to be registered in any way?
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But ny has had a vaccine passport for months, mandatory masks for weeks, a high vaccination rate and testing has never been higher.
Maybe it’s time to examine how effective this combination of interventions is?
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@Rob That's easily done. Compare it to areas that don't do this.
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@Rob Maybe we should stop throwing parties in Times Square, parades down CPW, and conventions at Javitz.
But to be honest, I've had the same thought myself.
Lots of mitigation measures are barely followed. Outdoor dining inside a plastic enclosure with people packed in doesn't sound lke a effective infection prevention. I've been admitted to plenty of places without having my vaccination card checked. I've been on subways and in elevators and in stores where people don't adhere to mandatory masking.
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@Rob Maybe if people actually used masks correctly and consistently it would help curb this wave. I live near a Target in Manhattan. I use TWO N95s when I go in because at least 50% of the staff has masks below the nose (which makes them useless) and the same proportion of customers, if they're using a mask, does the same. We swab in the nose because the virus lives in the nose! COVER YOUR NOSES with the mask, everyone. And make sure the mask is SNUG against your face. NO GAPS. I am an infectious diseases physician.
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