Biden pushes masks, vaccination to fight Omicron variant of COVID-19

In addition to restricting travel from South Africa and seven other countries in the region starting Monday, President Joe Biden pushed COVID-19 vaccination as the best way to fight the new Omicron variant of the virus. Biden’s comments came following a meeting with his COVID-19 Response Team over the weekend.

“Dr. [Anthony] Fauci informed the President that while it will take approximately two more weeks to have more definitive information on the transmissibility, severity, and other characteristics of the variant, he continues to believe that existing vaccines are likely to provide a degree of protection against severe cases of COVID,” the White House said in a readout of the meeting. “Dr. Fauci also reiterated that boosters for fully vaccinated individuals provide the strongest available protection from COVID.” Booster shot eligibility for the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines were recently expanded to all adults.

Focusing strictly on vaccination, Biden did not announce any new Omicron variant-related restrictions beyond the travel ban Monday. He did urge Americans to mask up when “indoors, in public settings around other people.” Asked on ABC’s “Good Morning America,” if more U.S. restrictions were imminent, Fauci said, “I don’t think so at all.” Later, on “CBS Mornings,” he said, “Let’s not be talking about lockdowns.”

Despite these comments, the prospect of lockdowns already has some prominent officials up in arms.

No. Full stop. Non-negotiable. Thanks. https://t.co/PHQkwBG8d1

— Chip Roy (@chiproytx) November 28, 2021

Fauci is struggling to stay relevant. And it shows.

— Rep Andy Biggs (@RepAndyBiggsAZ) November 29, 2021

During his Monday morning news show tour, Fauci went on to say while it hasn’t been detected yet, the Omicron variant would eventually reach the U.S. He said it could become the dominant strain because it “has a transmissibility advantage” over other variants.

Pharmaceutical companies are already tweaking their existing COVID-19 vaccines to better attack the Omicron variant. However, Fauci said Americans should make it a priority to get either their first shots or a booster dose now, rather than waiting weeks or even months for a newly formulated shot.

“I would strongly suggest you get boosted now,” Fauci said, adding that depending on what scientists learn about the Omicron variant in the coming weeks, “we may not need” targeted boosters to contain the variant.