Biden: Fight Against Omicron Won’t Include Lockdowns

CNN reports:

President Joe Biden on Monday gave his latest update to the nation on the new Omicron coronavirus variant as federal health officials are bracing for the first cases of the new variant to be detected in the US. Officials briefed Biden for approximately 45 minutes Sunday on the new variant and again on Monday morning, with a heavy dose of caution about what’s still unknown. Health officials say there are likely far more cases worldwide than is currently known.

Biden praised South African scientists for their transparency and quick work in identifying the new variant. “It gives us time. It gives us time to take more actions, to move quicker, to make sure people understand you have to get your vaccine, you have to get your shot. Because sooner or later we’re going to see cases of this new variant here in the United States. We’ll have to face this new threat just how we faced those that have come before it.

Axios reports:



Biden said later this week the administration will be releasing a strategy on how “we’re going to fight COVID this winter. Not with shutdowns or lockdowns, but with more widespread vaccinations, boosters, testing and more.” Biden urged Americans to get vaccinated and get booster shots if they are eligible.

Biden said Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, believes the current vaccines “provide at least some protection against the new variant and the boosters strengthen that protection significantly.”