Biden delivers Omicron plan, says fully vaccinated people can safely celebrate the holiday

By Ishika Dangayach on Dec 22, 2021 | 03:32 AM IST

• Fully vaccinated people who have gotten booster shot have a significant level of protection from the virus

• Biden administration would provide half-billion free at-home test kits to Americans

President Joe Biden said on Tuesday that fully vaccinated Americans can safely celebrate Christmas, even though the omicron variant is rapidly spreading across the country.

Although many fully vaccinated individuals will get an infection in the following weeks but they will be safeguarded from serious sickness and death, according to the president.

People who have been completely vaccinated, especially those who have gotten a booster, have a significant level of protection against hospitalization, Biden said.

“Omicron spreads so easily, we’ll see some fully vaccinated people get COVID, potentially in large numbers,” Biden said. “There will be positive cases in every office, even here in the White House, among the unv- — among the vaccinated.”

“But these cases are highly unlikely to lead to serious illness.”

Further, Biden warned that if you are not fully vaccinated, you should be cautious. And if you become ill, you are likely to infect others, including friends and relatives. “Unvaccinated people have a significantly higher risk of ending up in a hospital or even dying,” he said.

All of you who haven't been vaccinated owe it to yourselves, your family, and, quite honestly — and I know I'll be criticized for this — to your country, the President added.

“Get vaccinated now. It’s free. It’s convenient. I promise you, it saves lives. And I, honest to God, believe it’s your patriotic duty,” Biden said.

Home Covid test kits

Moreover, the Biden administration would make 500 million fast at-home tests available to Americans for free, boost hospital assistance, and establish testing centers in areas that require more capacity.

Americans would be able to order fast testing through a website from the beginning of January and have them delivered free of charge, according to Biden.

According to Biden, beginning this week, the federal government will establish emergency testing stations in locations that require more testing capacity. The first of these government testing stations will open in New York City before Christmas, with many more to follow.

“This free testing is going to help reduce the waiting lines — the time you have to stand there and — and sometimes it’s an hour or more,” the president said.

Biden urged individuals to get vaccines. He said unvaccinated are to blame for their own choices However, deadly disinformation on cable TV and social media has encouraged these decisions.

Also Read: California reimposes indoor mask mandate as Omicron variant spreads

“It’s wrong, it’s immoral, and I call on the purveyors of these lies and misinformation to stop it. Stop it now.”

Source: White House

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