U.S. President Joe Biden speaks in regards to the nation’s struggle in opposition to the COVID-19 coronavirus illness (COVID-19) on the White House in Washington, U.S., December 21, 2021.
Kevin Lamarque | Reuters
President Joe Biden on Tuesday stated Americans who’re totally vaccinated can safely have a good time the vacations, whilst because the omicron Covid variant quickly spreads throughout the U.S. and casts uncertainty over many individuals’s plans.
The president stated though many totally vaccinated individuals will get breakthrough infections within the coming weeks, they’re protected in opposition to extreme sickness and loss of life. People who’re totally vaccinated, notably those that have additionally obtained a booster, have excessive ranges of safety in opposition to hospitalization, he stated.
“We’ll see some totally vaccinated individuals get Covid, doubtlessly in massive numbers,” Biden stated. “There might be constructive circumstances in each workplace, even right here within the White House among the many vaccinated, however these circumstances are extremely unlikely to result in severe sickness.”
However, Biden warned that people who find themselves unvaccinated have motive to fret about omicron. “You’re at excessive threat of getting sick, and for those who get sick you are more likely to unfold it to others, together with households and pals,” the president stated.
“Omicron is severe and doubtlessly lethal enterprise for unvaccinated individuals,” Biden warned.
The president stated the U.S. is a lot better outfitted at present to struggle the virus than the nation was when the pandemic first hit. “This just isn’t March of 2020,” Biden stated, the month when Covid led to lockdowns across the nation and a devastating surge in deaths in epicenters like New York City.
Biden rejected criticism that widespread shortages of at-home testing kits are signal that his administration failed to organize for a surge in demand over the vacations.
This is a growing story. Please test again for updates.
