White House Details New Plan for Next Phase of COVID-19 Response
- March 03, 2022
The White House issued March 2 its new roadmap for responding to COVID-19 that focuses on testing, treatment, and research as the nation transitions to more normal routines.
The National COVID-19 Preparedness Plan was released the day after President Biden, during his State of the Union address, said the country had “reached a new moment in the fight against COVID-19” amid declining cases of severe disease.
“We will continue to combat the virus as we do other diseases. And because this is a virus that mutates and spreads, we will stay on guard,” Biden said.
The new plan focuses on four main objectives: protecting against and treating COVID-19; preparing for new variants; preventing future economic and educational shutdowns; and continuing efforts to vaccinate the world.
In addition to continuing vaccination efforts, specific proposals include a new “test-to-treat” initiative that would allow individuals to access both a COVID-19 test and to receive antiviral medication if necessary at “one-stop” sites like pharmacies and community health centers. The plan calls for these one-stop sites to be operational this month.
Biden acknowledged that the broad-based plan will require Congress to approve additional funding for the ongoing measures.