US Chooses Coexistence with COVID-19... Announces One-Stop Testing and Treatment Strategy

If Confirmed Positive After Testing at Pharmacy
Pfizer Oral Antiviral Treatment Prescribed for Free

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Hyun-ui] The United States has announced a strategy to respond to the ‘new normal’ following the COVID-19 pandemic.

On the 2nd (local time), the White House unveiled a 96-page “National COVID-19 Preparedness Plan” focusing on △COVID-19 response △preparation for new variants △prevention of school and workplace shutdowns △overseas vaccine donations.

Instead of ending COVID-19, the Biden administration has shifted its quarantine policy toward coexistence, aiming to move COVID-19 from a pandemic crisis to a stage that does not disrupt daily life. The White House explained, “The new strategy ensures that COVID-19 can no longer dictate the lives of Americans.”

The core of the new strategy is a one-stop program called “test to treat,” where if a COVID-19 test at a pharmacy returns positive, the patient immediately receives Pfizer’s oral COVID-19 treatment Paxlovid for free.

Starting this month, one million Paxlovid pills will be distributed to major pharmacy chains nationwide, including CVS, Walgreens, and Kroger. Jeff Zients, White House COVID-19 Response Coordinator, stated, “Next month, we will provide more than twice that amount,” adding, “These facilities will be set up not only in pharmacies but also in clinics, community health centers, and long-term care facilities.”

President Biden also pledged to distribute new vaccines within 100 days if new variants emerge and require them.

However, securing funding remains a critical issue. Many measures in the new strategy require congressional budget approval, and it is uncertain whether Republicans will participate amid strong opposition.

The New York Times reported, “The Biden administration requested an additional $30 billion in COVID-19 response funds from Congress last month and now plans to request tens of billions more,” adding, “Republican lawmakers have already expressed skepticism about the budget size.”

As the U.S. accelerates its return to normalcy, Google will resume in-office work starting next month on the 4th. John Casey, Google’s Global Head of Wellbeing, informed employees via email that “remote work will end at some U.S. offices, including the San Francisco headquarters,” CNBC reported.

Most employees will work three days in the office and two days remotely or wherever they prefer. Google stated, “Other offices in the U.S. and other countries will also resume in-office work depending on the situation.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.