Biden reassures vaccinated Americans that they can celebrate the holidays together.

In a recent announcement to the American public, Democratic President Joe Biden reassured Americans who have followed public health advice to get vaccinated and boosted as well as a warning to all who have not.

“Because Omicron spreads so easily, we will see fully vaccinated people contracting COVID. Potentially in large numbers, ”said the president. “These cases are very unlikely to lead to serious illness. Vaccinated people who contract COVID can get sick, but they are protected from serious illness and death. We are not in March 2020. “

People who have been vaccinated should keep their plans for celebrating the holidays, especially if they plan to celebrate with other vaccinated people. Biden said, “I know some Americans are wondering if it’s safe to celebrate the holidays with your family and friends. the answer is yes, you can if you and those you celebrate with are vaccinated, especially if you have received your booster.

The president also shared a slew of plans to respond to Omicron, including plans to buy 500 million rapid home tests and enlist the military’s help in seeing patients when hospitals are packed.

Biden spoke directly to the roughly 40 million eligible Americans who remain unvaccinated, saying, “Omicron is serious business and possibly fatal for unvaccinated people. Some of you will get very sick. He added that hospitals were “dangerously” short of staff and equipment. Biden said he has deployed six emergency response teams, including clinic staff and paramedics to Arizona, Indiana, Michigan, New Hampshire, Vermont and Wisconsin. The president also sent 1,000 medics and nursing nurses to hospitals under duress to meet the demand.

Biden is establishing the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the National Response Coordination Center to help with planning and logistics, including making supplies such as ventilators, masks, and other supplies available to the American public. gowns and gloves.

“Today’s announcement by the Biden administration to deploy additional medical staff to COVID-overburdened hospitals and set up new mass vaccination sites across the country will help alleviate some of the burden. on the country’s already overwhelmed healthcare workforce, ”said Gerald Harmon, MD, president of the American Medical Association.

“We continue to urge the administration to use all available tools at their disposal and to leave no resources or support behind,” added Rick Pollack, President and CEO of the American Hospital Association.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimated that Omicron accounted for about “13% of cases in the week ending Dec.11.” Later in December, that estimate climbed to about 74% of cases.

“I have worked in the field of infectious diseases for 30 years. I have NEVER seen anything comparable to the speed of Omicron, ”tweeted former CDC Director Tom Frieden, MD.

Biden echoed his sentiments, telling the American public, “I don’t think anyone predicted that this was going to spread as quickly as they did. All of a sudden, it was like everyone was rushing to the counter. It was a big, big rush. “

“The United States has fallen a bit behind in terms of [of] not just getting out of testing, but advancing testing technology compared to European countries, ”said Jeffrey Levi, PhD, professor of health policy and management at the Milken Institute School of Public Health at George Washington University. in Washington, DC.

The additional 500,000 tests “appear to be a big step forward,” he said.

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As Omicron skyrockets, Biden announces hospital relief, free tests

Biden assures Americans vaccinated against Covid-19 they can move forward with vacation plans despite skyrocketing Omicron