Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Biden Tells Vaccinated: Be Concerned, 'Not Alarmed' Over Omicron Spike
AP: Biden Urges Concern But Not Alarm In US As Omicron Rises
President Joe Biden urged concern but not alarm as the United States set records for daily reported COVID-19 cases and his administration struggled to ease concerns about testing shortages, school closures and other disruptions caused by the omicron variant. In remarks Tuesday before a meeting with his COVID-19 response team at the White House, Biden aimed to convey his administration’s urgency in addressing omicron and convince wary Americans that the current situation bears little resemblance to the onset of the pandemic or last year’s deadly winter. The president emphasized that vaccines, booster shots and therapeutic drugs have lessened the danger for the overwhelming majority of Americans who are fully vaccinated. (Miller, 1/5)
The Hill: Biden Tamps Down Omicron Alarm, Urges Vaccinations
“Folks, I know we’re 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. We’re going to get through this,” President Biden said. “We have the tools to protect people from severe illness due to omicron if people choose to use the tools.” (Chalfant, 1/4)
The Hill: Biden: Schools Should Stay Open Despite Omicron Wave
President Biden on Tuesday reiterated his belief that schools in the United States should remain physically open despite the wave of coronavirus cases driven largely by the omicron variant. Biden noted during remarks at the White House that his $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief plan included billions of dollars to help support school reopenings during the coronavirus pandemic. (Chalfant, 1/4)
Politico: White House Embraces A Manage-Not-Contain Omicron Game Plan
When President Joe Biden took office last January amid a winter Covid-19 surge, he vowed an all-out federal assault aimed at vanquishing the virus. A year later, with the country facing unprecedented levels of disease once again, his administration is now hoping to fight it to a draw. (Cancryn and Cadelago, 1/4)
