The president of the United States, Joe Biden, considered this Monday that the new variant of the covid-19, called omicron, “It is cause for concern, but not for panic”, for which he assured that the experts do not consider that “additional measures” are necessary in the country.
This was indicated by Biden in an intervention from the White House accompanied by the chief epidemiologist of the US Government, Antony Fauci. The president remarked that the country is in a “better situation” than last year’s Christmas, and urged citizens to seek the booster dose of vaccines available in the US.
The new variant, first identified in South Africa, “is cause for concern, but not for panic,” Biden said, acknowledging that it is “almost inevitable” that “at some point” it will arrive in the country. As of this Monday, the US has imposed restrictions on travelers from South Africa and seven other countries in the south of the African continent.
“We do not yet believe that additional measures are necessary,” he added, and defended these limitations in order to “buy time” and increase vaccination in the country. “If people are vaccinated and wear a mask,” he added, “there is no need for confinement.”
The United States, the country hardest hit by the pandemic with more than 775,000 deaths, has almost 60% of its population vaccinated with the full schedule, and about 20% have also received the booster dose.
Mario Twitchell is an accomplished author and journalist, known for his insightful and thought-provoking writing on a wide range of topics including general and opinion. He currently works as a writer at 247 news agency, where he has established himself as a respected voice in the industry.
