Biden announces 500 million more tests will be purchased for Americans.

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: New York Times

WASHINGTON — President Biden on Thursday stepped up his administration’s response to a coronavirus surge driven by the Omicron variant, sending what he said is urgently needed help to overwhelmed hospitals and pledging to provide Americans with free tests and masks as the country enters the pandemic’s third year. Mr. Biden said he was directing his staff to purchase an additional 500 million coronavirus tests for distribution to Americans, doubling the government’s previous purchase as his administration scrambles to respond to the highly contagious Omicron variant.

In addition, the president said he is sending a total of 120 military medical personnel to six states where hospitals have been overrun by cases. And he promised to reveal next week plans to help Americans by providing free, high-quality masks that are better at prevention infection from the virus. The announcement about additional tests came as Mr. Biden prepared to get an update from the leaders of his Covid response team at the White House on Thursday morning. “That will mean a billion tests in total to meet future demand,” Mr. Biden said. “And we’ll continue to work with the retailers and online retailers to increase availability.”

But it is unclear when the tests will be available. Mr. Biden announced the first batch of 500 million tests just before Christmas, and the first batch from that announcement will not start being delivered until later this month, according to White House officials. Details about how Americans can request those tests, including a government-run test website, are slated to be unveiled on Friday. The president did not say when the new batch of 500 million tests will be manufactured and ready for distribution.

But he said the at-home tests — along with more than 20,000 testing sites around the country — will help to meet the surging demand as people try to continue work, school and social life despite the rapid spread of the virus. “We’re on track to roll out a website next week where you can order free test shipped to your home,” he said, adding that people with medical insurance can also soon get reimbursed for the purchase of up to eight tests a month.

Read more: https://www.nytimes.com/2022/01/13/us/politics/covid-tests-biden.html

[RussBLib]

1. we need to get to a point....

... where we can have a self-test whenever we need or want one. Seems simple, but it's a pretty tall order.

[BumRushDaShow]

2. The "problem" is "cost"

and to either have enough funds from previous COVID-related funding bills available to cover the federal government's procurements of these items or to get Congress to authorize more funding for it.

[Sapient Donkey]

3. Good to hear. I wish it was done a lot sooner, though.

I'm also a bit nervous about how the website and the delivery process is going to hold up. I suspect there will be a lot demand.

High quality masks and tests will go a long way toward keeping things under control. Have republicans start complaining about the plans to send out tests and masks at no costs to people? If not, I wonder how long it will take for them to call it communism.