Biden vows to fight omicron ‘with science and speed, not chaos ... ’

President Joe Biden announced an array of measures Thursday to protect Americans from a potential winter surge of coronavirus infections, as three states confirmed cases linked to the omicron variant and international researchers shared data that the still-mysterious variant may lead to more reinfections.

“We’re going to fight this variant with science and speed, not chaos and confusion,” Biden said in a speech at the National Institutes of Health, appealing to Americans to put aside partisan differences and continue to get vaccinated, wear masks and take other precautions. “This is a moment we can put the divisiveness behind us, I hope.”

The president’s plan includes campaigns to increase vaccinations and booster shots, more stringent testing requirements for international travelers and plans to make rapid at-home coronavirus testing free for more people. While some of the measures are new — notably a plan to launch “family mobile vaccination clinics,” where all eligible members of a family could simultaneously get shots and boosters — others build on existing tactics, such as rallying businesses to mandate vaccination-or-testing requirements for employees.

Public health experts praised aspects of Biden’s plan but called for further investments in testing, screening and combating misinformation about the vaccines. They also said that Biden’s vow that the nation will ward off omicron after it “beat back” the delta variant doesn’t reflect a reality where the virus continues to circulate at high levels, with more than 140,000 coronaviruslinked deaths in the United States since the start of September.

In his remarks, Biden stressed that the vaccines remain the best protection against existing and new variants, and that all adults should get a booster shot as soon as they are eligible,given that immunity appears to wane over time — a position increasingly echoed by public health experts.

“Starting today, we’re making it easier than ever to get a booster shot,” the president said, touting a plan for pharmacies to send text messages and emails to remind Americans when they are due for the additional shots. The federal health department also will launch new booster-shot ad campaigns and partnerships with organizations like AARP, the advocacy group for older Americans.