{"id":134166,"date":"2022-01-04T15:08:23","date_gmt":"2022-01-04T23:08:23","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/new.thepinetree.net\/?p=134166"},"modified":"2022-01-04T15:08:23","modified_gmt":"2022-01-04T23:08:23","slug":"president-biden-on-his-administrations-battle-against-covid-%e2%81%a019","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/new.thepinetree.net\/?p=134166","title":{"rendered":"President Biden on His Administration&#8217;s Battle Against COVID-\u206019"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Washington, DC&#8230;Remarks by President Biden Before Meeting on COVID-\u206019<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/rb3M0e8cPos\" title=\"YouTube video player\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>THE PRESIDENT:  Folks.<\/p>\n<p>THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Happy New Year, everyone.<\/p>\n<p>PARTICIPANTS:  Happy New Year.<\/p>\n<p>THE PRESIDENT:  The Admiral is in the house.<\/p>\n<p>SURGEON GENERAL MURTHY:  Hi, sir.  How are you?   <\/p>\n<p>THE PRESIDENT:  How are you?<\/p>\n<p>Well, since we\u2019re more than 10 feet apart while we\u2019re speaking, we\u2019re going to take our masks off. <\/p>\n<p>And let me begin by saying good afternoon to my team, good afternoon to the press, and good afternoon to anyone who may be listening.<\/p>\n<p>I\u2019m about to receive a briefing from our COVID-19 team. <\/p>\n<p>But before I begin, I know there is a concern and some considerable confusion about the rising cases.  So, let me provide a quick update and talk about three specific topics.<\/p>\n<p>And I\u2019ll give it to you straight, as I promised you I always would: We\u2019re going to see, as you all have been hearing, continued rise in cases.<\/p>\n<p>Omicron is very transmissible \u2014 transmissible variant, but much different than anything we\u2019ve seen before.  And \u2014 but you can protect yourself.  And you should protect yourself, quite frankly. <\/p>\n<p>Get vaccinated.  Get boosted.  There\u2019s plenty of booster shots.  Wear a mask while you\u2019re in public.<\/p>\n<p>Because what we know is this: The impact from the rising cases depends on the effect on the person based on whether that person \u2014 what their vaccination status is.<\/p>\n<p>You can control how big an impact Omicron is going to have on your health if you get Omi- \u2014 Omicron. <\/p>\n<p>You know, there \u2014 those that are fully vaccinated, especially those with the booster shots \u2014 and, by the way, we have booster shots for the whole nation.  Okay?  We \u2014 you can still get COVID, but it\u2019s highly unlikely \u2014 very unlikely that you\u2019ll become seriously ill.<\/p>\n<p>And we\u2019re seeing COVID-19 cases among vaccinated in workplaces across America, including here at the White House.  But if you\u2019re vaccinated and boosted, you are highly protected.<\/p>\n<p>You know, be concerned about Omicron, but don\u2019t be alarmed.  But if you\u2019re unvaccinated, you have some reason to be alarmed.  Many of you will \u2014 you know, you\u2019ll experience severe illness, in many cases, if you get COVID-19 if you\u2019re not vaccinated.  Some will die \u2014 needlessly die.<\/p>\n<p>The unvaccinated are taking up hospital beds and crowding emergency rooms and intensive care units.  That\u2019s a place that other people will need access to those hospitals. <\/p>\n<p>So, please \u2014 please, please get vaccinated now.<\/p>\n<p>You know, we\u2019ve reduced the number of American adults without any shots from 90 million to about 35 million in the past six months.  But there\u2019s still 35 million people not vaccinated.  <\/p>\n<p>And let me be absolutely clear: We have in hand all the vaccines we need to get every American fully vaccinated, including the booster shot.<\/p>\n<p>So, there is no excuse \u2014 no excuse for anyone being unvaccinated.  This continues to be a pandemic of the unvaccinated.  So we got to make more progress.<\/p>\n<p>And for patients [parents] who still haven\u2019t gotten your kids vaccinated, please get them vaccinated.  Look out for their interests here.  It\u2019s the best way to protect them.<\/p>\n<p>And for parents with kids too young to be vaccinated, surround your kids with people who are vaccinated.  And make sure you\u2019re masking in public so you don\u2019t get COVID and give it to your kids.<\/p>\n<p>Look, we have no reason to think at this point that Omicron is worse for children than previous variants.  We know that our kids can be safe when in school, by the way.  That\u2019s why I believe schools should remain open.<\/p>\n<p>You know, they have what they need.  Because of the American Rescue Plan \u2014 the first month we were in office, or second month \u2014 that I signed in March, we provided the states with 130 billion \u2014 with a \u201cB\u201d \u2014 billion dollars to specifically keep our students safe and schools open.  Funding for ventilation \u2014 ventilation systems in the schools; social distancing in classrooms, even larger classrooms, on buses and \u2014 everything from bus drivers to buses \u2014 the actual bus.<\/p>\n<p>There were additional \u2014 in all this process, we also, back then, included an additional $10 billion for testing for schools.<\/p>\n<p>That money went out to the states.  And the states and the school districts have spent this money well \u2014 many of them.  But, unfortunately, some haven\u2019t.<\/p>\n<p>So I encourage the states and school districts to use the funding that you still have to protect your children and keep the schools open.<\/p>\n<p>Countries across the world are seeing rising cases.  Here in the United States, our team has been working around the clock during the holiday weeks.<\/p>\n<p>In the last two weeks, we have developed hundreds of military \u2014 we have deployed, I should say, hundreds of military doctors and nurses to staff the hospitals in our states that are overrun and overworked because of unvaccinated COVID-19 patients, primarily.<\/p>\n<p>The Federal Emergency Management Association \u2014 Agency \u2014 FEMA \u2014 is also working at our direction in every state on hospital capacity, including whether they need beds.<\/p>\n<p>I\u2019ve directed FEMA to be ready to provide emergency hospitals beds wherever and whenever they\u2019re needed.<\/p>\n<p>The federal government will be there.<\/p>\n<p>We\u2019ve shipped nearly 2.4 million pieces of protective equipment to hospitals, from gowns to gloves.  And we\u2019re doing whatever we can to protect communities from the surge of hospital cases that we\u2019re likely to see from unvac- \u2014 from the unvaccinated population.<\/p>\n<p>Look, now let me address three specific updates before I get my full brief from my team. <\/p>\n<p>First: booster shots.  I know, Dr. Fauci, I\u2019m like an echo chamber here, okay?  I know it.  But \u2014 I\u2019m repeating myself, but Dr. Fauci said it very clearly: Booster shots work.  They significantly increase the protection.  They provide the highest level of protection against Omicron.<\/p>\n<p>Americans, we\u2019ve given out over 70 million booster shots.  Importantly, two out of three eligible seniors have received their booster shots.<\/p>\n<p>Booster shots are free, they\u2019re safe, and available over 90 \u2014 in over \u2014 at over 90,000 vaccination sites.  Let me say that again: They\u2019re free, available, and at over 90,000 sites.<\/p>\n<p>We have added sites, added hours, added appointments, added walk-in capacity.  We have booster shots for every American in the country.<\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s easier than ever to get a booster shot.  And more importantly than \u2014 than ever it\u2019s been.<\/p>\n<p>Look, the FDA has also now authorized booster shots for children ages 12 to 15.<\/p>\n<p>So, with the final approval from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention \u2014 the CDC \u2014 young people \u2014 when that occurs, young people ages 12 to 15 will be able to get booster shots later this week.<\/p>\n<p>Second, on testing: I know this remains frustrating \u2014 believe me, it\u2019s frustrating to me \u2014 but we\u2019re making improvements.<\/p>\n<p>In the last two weeks, we\u2019ve stood up federal testing sites all over the country, and we\u2019re adding more each and every day. <\/p>\n<p>Google \u201cCOVID test near me\u201d \u2014 go there.  Google \u2014 excuse me \u2014 \u201cCOVID test near me\u201d on Google to find the nearest site<br \/>\nwhere you can get a test most often and free.  Look, we have more capacity for in-person tests, and we should see waiting lines shorten and more appointments freed up.<\/p>\n<p>Look, if you want to test yourself at home, we have three options now. <\/p>\n<p>One, drugstores and online websites are restocking. <\/p>\n<p>Two, you know \u2014 well, actually, so the more tests are available, we\u2019re going to continue to become available.<\/p>\n<p>Next week, our requirement that your insurance company reimburse you for at-home tests takes effect.  So, you don\u2019t have to \u2014 you\u2019ll get reimbursed.  So, if you\u2019re insured, you can buy the test and get paid for it.<\/p>\n<p>The second thing I want to mention is: Many state and local governments and healthcare providers are passing out free at-home tests that you can pick up.  Just find out where they are. <\/p>\n<p>And, finally, as I announced recently, the federal government is launching a website this month where you can get tests shipped to your home for free, upon your request.<\/p>\n<p>The third point I\u2019d like to speak about is \u2014 also is on treatments.  For those at high risk who do get COVID-19, we now have a new Pfizer pill that greatly reduces the risk of hospitalization and death. <\/p>\n<p>I\u2019m pleased to say that, on Christmas Eve, we shipped out the first batch of these pills that we received \u2014 we purchased and received.  And more will be shipped this week.<\/p>\n<p>We\u2019re already \u2014 they\u2019re already saving lives.  But due to the complex chemistry of the pills \u2014 to make the pill, it takes months, literally, to make a pill. <\/p>\n<p>But production is in full swing.  The United States has more pills than any other country in the world.  And our supply is going to ramp up over the coming months as more of these pills are manufactured.<\/p>\n<p>Today, I\u2019m directing my team to work with Pfizer to double our order from 10 million to 20 million treatment courses to be delivered in the months ahead.  We may need even more.  That\u2019s the estimate we need right now.  We\u2019ve already placed the largest order in the world; now I\u2019m doubling that order.<\/p>\n<p>These pills are going to dramatically recrease [sic] \u2014 decrease hospitalizations and deaths from COVID-19.  They\u2019re a game-changer and have the potential to dramatically alter the impact of COVID-19 \u2014 the impact it\u2019s had on this country and our people.<\/p>\n<p>Look, let me conclude with a quick recap:<\/p>\n<p>If you are vaccinated and boosted, you may get COVID but you are highly protected against severe illness. <\/p>\n<p>Schools can and should be open this winter.  We have all the tools to keep kids safe. <\/p>\n<p>Unvaccinated kids are at risk, yet the vaccinated are going to have a way to protect them.  Get vaccinated.  If you\u2019re vaccinated, get boosted.<\/p>\n<p>Folks, I know we\u2019re all tired and frustrated about the pandemic.  These coming weeks are going to be challenging.  Please wear your mask in public to protect yourself and others. <\/p>\n<p>We\u2019re going to get through this.  We\u2019re going to get through it together.<\/p>\n<p>We have the tools to protect people from severe illness due to Omicron if people choose to use the tools.<\/p>\n<p>We have the medicines coming along that can save so many lives and dramatically reduce the impact that COVID has had on our country.<\/p>\n<p>There is a lot of reason to be hopeful in 2020 [2022].  But for God\u2019s sake, please take advantage of what\u2019s available.  Please.  You\u2019re going to save lives \u2014 maybe yours, maybe your child\u2019s.  Please take advantage of what we already have, okay? <\/p>\n<p>So, thank you.  And now I\u2019m going to get this briefing started.  Thank you very much.<\/p>\n<p>2:24 P.M. EST<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Washington, DC&#8230;Remarks by President Biden Before Meeting on COVID-\u206019 THE PRESIDENT: Folks. THE VICE PRESIDENT: Happy New Year, everyone. PARTICIPANTS: Happy New Year. THE PRESIDENT: The Admiral is in the house. SURGEON GENERAL MURTHY: Hi, sir. How are you? THE PRESIDENT: How are you? Well, since we\u2019re more than 10 feet apart while we\u2019re speaking, [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":134167,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_cbd_carousel_blocks":"[]","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[20,5,1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-134166","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-featured","category-government","category-news","last_archivepost"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/new.thepinetree.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Chrome-Legacy-Window-142022-30433-PM.jpg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/new.thepinetree.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/134166","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/new.thepinetree.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/new.thepinetree.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new.thepinetree.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new.thepinetree.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=134166"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/new.thepinetree.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/134166\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":134168,"href":"https:\/\/new.thepinetree.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/134166\/revisions\/134168"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new.thepinetree.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/134167"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/new.thepinetree.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=134166"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new.thepinetree.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=134166"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new.thepinetree.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=134166"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}