We collect cookies to analyze our website traffic and performance; we never collect any personal data.Cookies Policy
Accept
Michigan Post
Search
  • Home
  • Trending
  • Michigan
  • World
  • Politics
  • Top Story
  • Business
    • Business
    • Economics
    • Real Estate
    • Startups
    • Autos
    • Crypto & Web 3
  • Tech
  • Lifestyle
    • Lifestyle
    • Food
    • Beauty
    • Art & Books
  • Health
  • Sports
  • Entertainment
  • Education
Reading: Emphasizing Tests, Biden Vows to Fight Omicron With ‘Science and Speed’
Share
Font ResizerAa
Michigan PostMichigan Post
Search
  • Home
  • Trending
  • Michigan
  • World
  • Politics
  • Top Story
  • Business
    • Business
    • Economics
    • Real Estate
    • Startups
    • Autos
    • Crypto & Web 3
  • Tech
  • Lifestyle
    • Lifestyle
    • Food
    • Beauty
    • Art & Books
  • Health
  • Sports
  • Entertainment
  • Education
© 2024 | The Michigan Post | All Rights Reserved.
Michigan Post > Blog > Politics > Emphasizing Tests, Biden Vows to Fight Omicron With ‘Science and Speed’
Politics

Emphasizing Tests, Biden Vows to Fight Omicron With ‘Science and Speed’

By Editorial Board Published December 3, 2021 4 Min Read
Share
Emphasizing Tests, Biden Vows to Fight Omicron With ‘Science and Speed’
02 virus strategy facebookJumbo

Much remains unknown about Omicron, which was spotted by scientists in southern Africa last week and is now known to be present in more than 30 countries. It has mutations that scientists say may allow it to spread more quickly and cause more breakthrough infections in vaccinated or previously infected people, though neither characteristic has yet been confirmed.

Experts welcomed Mr. Biden’s new emphasis on testing. Dr. Michael Mina, a former Harvard University epidemiologist who has been a forceful advocate for greater use of testing, said it could be used both as a medical device, to detect whether someone is sick, and as a public health tool, to determine whether a person is infectious and a risk to others.

The Coronavirus Pandemic: Key Things to Know


Card 1 of 4

Biden’s winter Covid plan. As Omicron reaches the U.S., President Biden announced a new pandemic strategy that includes hundreds of family-centered vaccination sites, booster shots for all adults, new testing requirements for international travelers and insurance reimbursement for at-home tests.

Shifting views on boosters among experts. For months, many public health experts have opposed plans to roll out Covid booster shots to all adults. But as Omicron gains ground, researchers are changing their minds, and now believe that the shots may offer the best defense against the new variant.

“Testing is one of the cornerstones of public health, especially in a pandemic,” said Dr. Mina, who is now the chief science officer for eMed, a company that makes at-home tests. “But for unknown reasons, we still have considered it primarily as a medical device.”

Under the president’s plan, at-home tests would be reimbursed for the 150 million Americans with private insurance starting early next year. To ensure access for those who lack insurance, or who are covered by Medicaid, the administration intends to distribute an additional 25 million tests to community health centers and rural clinics, which tend to treat lower-income patients.

Experts envision a world where people can test themselves as soon as they exhibit symptoms — and then, if they are positive, go into isolation and seek treatment with new antiviral medicines. Early testing is important because the antivirals work best just after symptom onset. The White House says it has preordered 13 million courses of antiviral treatments. Two companies, Merck and Pfizer, are seeking emergency authorization for their antiviral pills.

In the United States, home tests have been relatively hard to come by because of supply shortages. Dr. del Rio, of Emory University, said that rather than have people go through the cumbersome process of seeking insurance reimbursement for tests, “we should just subsidize them and make it incredibly cheap.”

In Britain, he noted, rapid tests are free, and in Germany they cost consumers about $1 apiece. In the United States, the tests are typically sold in packs of two, with prices ranging from $14 to $34.

TAGGED:The Washington Mail
Share This Article
Facebook Twitter Email Copy Link Print

HOT NEWS

Kerry Lutz: Did Martin Armstrong Predict The Nice Decline? | Economics

Kerry Lutz: Did Martin Armstrong Predict The Nice Decline? | Economics

Economics
July 6, 2025
Early miner may very well be behind sudden .6B bitcoin transfer

Early miner may very well be behind sudden $8.6B bitcoin transfer

The bitcoin (BTC) whale chargeable for shifting greater than 80,000 BTC (price over $8.6 billion)…

July 6, 2025
Digital pockets supplier Hyperlayer closes in on £30m funding increase

Digital pockets supplier Hyperlayer closes in on £30m funding increase

A British fintech which counts Customary Life amongst its key shoppers is near finalising one…

July 6, 2025
How Can Refined Language Shifts Unlock Pupil Potential? | Education

How Can Refined Language Shifts Unlock Pupil Potential? | Education

Nudging youngsters to establish as academics distributes authority and experience within the classroom.  When the…

July 6, 2025
Ozzy Osbourne reunites with Black Sabbath for ‘closing bow’ in emotional steel goodbye

Ozzy Osbourne reunites with Black Sabbath for ‘closing bow’ in emotional steel goodbye

Ozzy Osbourne has reunited with Black Sabbath and carried out his closing gig - telling…

July 6, 2025

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE

One other tantrum from the Labour backbenches is inevitable

In widespread with many mother and father throughout the nation, this is a dialog that I've with my younger daughter…

Politics
July 6, 2025

UK might ship additional capabilities to Center East, minister says

The UK might ship additional capabilities to the Center East if vital, a minister has recommended after Iran launched a…

Politics
June 23, 2025

Labour MPs desk ‘reasoned modification’ in try and halt welfare invoice

MPs who haven't but gone public with their criticisms are being inspired to assist a delay to evaluate the affect…

Politics
June 23, 2025

Tulip Siddiq: Harmless bystander or beneficiary of grand corruption?

A beneficiary of grand corruption waged by a repressive regime? Or an harmless bystander caught in political crossfire from a…

Politics
June 23, 2025

Welcome to Michigan Post, an esteemed publication of the Enspirers News Group. As a beacon of excellence in journalism, Michigan Post is committed to delivering unfiltered and comprehensive news coverage on World News, Politics, Business, Tech, and beyond.

Company

  • About Us
  • Newsroom Policies & Standards
  • Diversity & Inclusion
  • Careers
  • Media & Community Relations
  • Accessibility Statement

Contact Us

  • Contact Us
  • Contact Customer Care
  • Advertise
  • Licensing & Syndication
  • Request a Correction
  • Contact the Newsroom
  • Send a News Tip
  • Report a Vulnerability

Term of Use

  • Digital Products Terms of Sale
  • Terms of Service
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Settings
  • Submissions & Discussion Policy
  • RSS Terms of Service
  • Ad Choices

© 2024 | The Michigan Post | All Rights Reserved

Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Lost your password?