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On prime of testing strikes, there’s now a brand new White Home push to distribute masks as properly, with the Biden administration planning to make tens of millions of masks obtainable free of charge.
For The Hill, we’re Peter Sullivan (psullivan@thehill.com) and Nathaniel Weixel (nweixel@thehill.com). Write to us with ideas and suggestions, and observe us on Twitter: @PeterSullivan4 and @NateWeixel.
Let’s get began.
400 million N95 masks to be obtainable
The White Home introduced Wednesday that it’s making 400 million N95 masks obtainable free of charge, a part of a string of actions aimed toward preventing the surging omicron variant.
The masks might be obtainable for pickup at “tens of 1000’s of native pharmacies” in addition to 1000’s of group well being facilities, the White Home stated. The masks will start delivery later this week and can begin to grow to be obtainable late subsequent week, earlier than being “absolutely up and operating” in early February.
Making high-quality masks extra obtainable has been one in all the areas the place President Biden
Joe BidenBiden says he did not ‘overpromise’ Finland PM pledges ‘extraordinarily powerful’ sanctions ought to Russia invade Ukraine Russia: Nothing lower than NATO growth ban is suitable MORE has been beneath strain to step up the response to the virus.
Sen. Bernie Sanders
Bernie SandersThe Hill’s Morning Report – Offered by Fb – Schumer tees up doomed election reform vote Schumer prepares for Senate flooring showdown with Manchin, Sinema White Home to make 400 million N95 masks obtainable free of charge MORE (I-Vt.) and greater than 50 Democratic lawmakers launched a invoice final week, for instance, to ship three N95 masks to each particular person within the U.S.
Caveat: Much like motion on testing, specialists say the Biden administration ought to have acted months in the past to make prime quality masks extra obtainable, however the brand new steps are nonetheless progress.
The masks are being deployed from the Strategic Nationwide Stockpile, which at the moment has greater than 750 million N95 masks, triple the quantity in January 2021, the White Home stated.
Why they’re wanted: Specialists have been stepping up requires folks to make use of increased high quality masks like N95s, which supply significantly better safety than easy fabric masks, particularly within the face of the extremely transmissible omicron variant.
CDC: Prior an infection extra protecting for delta
Vaccinated People with prior COVID-19 infections had the very best safety in opposition to hospitalization and reinfection from the delta variant, in line with a brand new examine the Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention (CDC) launched Wednesday.
The examine discovered safety in opposition to reinfection and hospitalization grew considerably amongst each unvaccinated and vaccinated people who had beforehand recovered from COVID-19, within the time interval earlier than the delta variant emerged to after it grew to become the dominant pressure within the U.S.
Prior an infection supplied higher safety than vaccination alone, the examine discovered.
The examine is prone to additional gasoline the individuals who insist pure immunity is simply as protecting and who will not get vaccinated as a result of they have been contaminated with COVID-19 sooner or later.
Main caveats: Whereas the examine interval ranged from the time earlier than delta took over to when it was the dominant variant, knowledge ends in November, earlier than omicron took over. The CDC additionally famous that the evaluation didn’t embrace info on the severity of preliminary an infection, and doesn’t mirror the danger of extreme illness or dying from a COVID-19 an infection.
CDC conclusion: “We all know that vaccination stays the most secure technique for safeguarding in opposition to Covid-19,” stated Benjamin Silk, a CDC epidemiologist and one of many authors.
STARBUCKS ENDS VACCINE REQUIREMENT
Starbucks is scrapping its COVID-19 vaccine requirement for U.S. employees after the Supreme Court docket blocked the Biden’s administration’s vaccine-or-test mandate for giant employers final week.
“We respect the court docket’s ruling and can comply,” Starbucks Chief Working Officer John Culver wrote in a memo despatched to workers on Tuesday, The Related Press reported.
Culver stated within the memo that the Seattle firm will proceed to strongly encourage its workers to get their vaccines and booster photographs, in line with the AP.
This reversal comes after Starbucks introduced earlier this month that it would implement a vaccine-or-test mandate for the corporate’s 220,000 U.S. workers. The unique order required employees to be vaccinated by Feb. 9 or endure weekly testing.
Culver stated on the time that the “vaccine is the best choice we now have, by far, relating to staying protected and slowing the unfold of COVID-19.”
The Supreme Court docket final week dominated 6-3 in opposition to the Biden administration’s vaccine-or-test mandate for giant employers, blocking it from taking impact whereas different authorized challenges play out.
Senate Dems name for price-gouging probe
Two Democratic senators are calling on the Federal Commerce Fee (FTC) to analyze stories of price-gouging of at-home COVID-19 exams.
“As media stories proceed to disclose value gouging and scams associated to at-home check kits, we strongly urge the FTC to behave as essential and use its full authority to analyze the scenario and maintain unhealthy actors accountable immediately,” write Sens. Ed Markey
Ed MarkeySenate Democrats name for investigation into reported value gouging for COVID-19 exams Biden’s FDA nominee advances by means of key Senate committee In a single day Power & Setting — Manchin raises hopes on local weather spending MORE (Mass.) and Richard Blumenthal (Conn.) in a letter to FTC Chair Lina Khan
Lina KhanSenate Democrats name for investigation into reported value gouging for COVID-19 exams Hillicon Valley — 5G delayed once more close to airports On The Cash — US regulators go after unlawful mergers MORE. “Nobody needs to be allowed to reap a windfall and fraudulently exploit worry and human struggling.”
The letter comes amid broader issues concerning the value and availability of at-home fast exams, a key software in preventing the pandemic.
Specialists have lengthy lamented {that a} pack of two exams can value greater than $20 within the U.S., whereas fast exams are sometimes free or just a few {dollars} in Europe.
Markey additionally wrote to main producers and retailers of COVID-19 exams, calling on them to decrease their costs. He stated a check can value as little as $2 to make, however typically sells for $12 or extra.
He additionally raised issues that retailers are marking up the price of the exams and referred to as for them to be offered at value.
NEW MEXICO CALLS IN NATIONAL GUARD
New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham
Michelle Lynn Lujan GrishamNew Mexico calls in Nationwide Guard to workers colleges, little one care facilities Democrats desperate to fill energy vacuum after Pelosi exit White Home asks governors to call infrastructure coordinators MORE (D) on Wednesday introduced a “Supporting Lecturers and Households” initiative to encourage state employees and members of the Nationwide Guard to help at colleges struck by COVID-19 outbreaks.
In a press launch on Wednesday, the governor stated that “excessive staffing shortages attributable to a surge in COVID-19 instances” prompted the initiative.
Particularly, this system encourages state employees and Nationwide Guard members to volunteer to get licensed as substitute pre-Ok-12 academics or as little one care employees to allow them to be obtainable to assist with in-person studying and little one care.
“Our colleges are a vital supply of stability for our children – we all know they study higher within the classroom and thrive amongst their friends,” Lujan Grisham stated in an announcement.
The governor’s announcement famous that many colleges within the state have been pressured to maneuver towards distant studying as workers members have both examined constructive for the virus or been required to isolate attributable to publicity.
WHAT WE’RE READING
- After Omicron, we might use a break. We may get it (Stat)
- What number of well being care employees are vaccinated? It’s anybody’s guess (Politico)
- PCR vs. antigen: Which check it’s best to take after having Covid-19 (CNN)
STATE BY STATE
- Massachusetts little one care packages will get free fast COVID exams later this month, Gov. Charlie Baker broadcasts (Mass Reside)
- Iowa units new one-week document for COVID instances, practically 1,000 in hospitals (Des Moines Register)
- 15 week abortion ban passes first check in Florida Legislature (Orlando Sentinel)
- Omicron surge seems to have peaked in Illinois, however officers urge continued warning as hospitals stay harassed (Chicago Tribune)
OP-EDS IN THE HILL
Let’s cease saying ‘breakthrough instances’ — it is not serving to
That is it for right now, thanks for studying. Take a look at The Hill’s well being care web page for the most recent information and protection. See you tomorrow.
