By Alexandra Alper

WASHINGTON (Reuters). Despite being welcome by the U.S. president, Joe Biden’s efforts to help hospitals and provide coronavirus testing kits are not sufficient to curb an increase in Omicron-related coronavirus infections over Christmas and New year’s. Health experts say that these steps were too small and too late.

Anne Rimoin (a UCLA epidemiologist) praised Biden’s focus on coronavirus testing. He had announced plans to make 500 million home-tested kits.

“Unfortunately, it’s late in coming and will be a small drop in the bucket compared to the tsunami of cases on the horizon.”

White House promised that the tests would begin January and only one or two Americans will need them. Rimoin explained that households need to take far greater decisions every day about exposure.

She stated, “We require those tests immediately.” According to more than 12 interviews, U.S. testing has fallen behind due to a shortage in skilled workers and at-home test availability, and underinvestment over the past months.

Biden is a Democrat, who was elected to office in January. He campaigned with a promise that he would take control over the pandemic. Trump’s predecessor, Republican President Donald Trump, downplayed it as thousands of deaths.

He has focused on getting Americans vaccinated. This is despite the opposition of many Republican leaders. They reject vaccination and have a strong anti-vaccination movement that’s fuelled by conspiracy theories and social media. Recent statistics show that the U.S. has surpassed 800,000. It also ranks among the top 10 richest countries in terms of vaccination rates.

Biden’s recent measures including pop-up vaccination clinics managed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and federal testing sites at the heart of New York City were well received by local politicians and health professionals.

Biden stated that around 1,000 soldiers were serving as nurses, doctors and medics to hospitals. Biden stated that those not currently vaccinated are most at risk.

“NO, NOTHING’S GOOD ENOUGH”

In an interview on ABC Wednesday night, President Obama answered questions about the shortage of tests and said that “Nothing’s been enough” adding “I wish I would have thought about ordering 500 million tests at-home “two months ago”.

Biden supported the approach of New York state and local officials, which is where Omicron has been growing. Others criticised Biden’s attempt to reassure Americans that businesses and schools could be open, that they could gather the vaccines safely and not emphasize the risk they could face if the booster shots aren’t given.

Breakthrough Omicron infection rates are on the rise among 61% of fully-vaccinated citizens. However, only 30% of those who have had booster shots claim that they provide better protection.

Gregg Gonsalves of Yale University, an epidemiologist, tweeted that “vaccines work”, and that he kept repeating it, “vaccines works, vaccines work,” adding that a booster shot is crucial to protect against Omicron variant.

Biden could have included masks in his response, he said.

“And on masks?” Bupkis. His message was to “Get people N95s, and other superior masks.” This sounded like an administration that was caught flat-footed and running to catch up.

“There’s a tidal wave of infection coming, and I would have liked to see the president emphasize that all of us – whether vaccinated or boosted or unvaccinated – can do more to minimize transmission risks,” said Joshua Salomon, a Stanford University professor of health policy.

According to the World Health Organization, holiday parties could lead to “overwhelming health systems” and even more deaths. Instead the White House said on Tuesday it was following CDC guidance https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/holidays/celebrations.html, which includes recommending masks in indoor public settings and self-testing before gatherings with another household.

“They are going to take the shortest route now. They are aware that people are exhausted and fed up. Gonsalves stated that they know any discussion of harsher measures will be met with vociferous resistance from Republicans.

Although this decision might have prevented further political backlash from occurring, there were still some who saw it as a missed opportunity. Harvard Professor Bill Hanage stated that he was aware of the reasons lockdowns weren’t popular but said that curbing illegal activities is a valuable tool.

He stated that it takes time to get rapid test results out. Hanage stated that people can decide to skip the holiday party if they don’t want to go, or because they wish to visit Grandma Christmas Day.

Many U.S. municipalities, states and companies have taken immediate action to cancel or enact new mask- and vaccine requirements.