Biden Calls Omicron Variant a ‘Cause for Concern,’ not ‘Panic’
Summary from the AllSides News Team
President Joe Biden said Monday that the newly-discovered omicron COVID-19 variant was “a cause for concern, not a cause for panic.”
Biden also said his strategy to combat the new variant would focus on vaccines, not new lockdowns and travel restrictions. The same day, the World Health Organization said omicron posed a “very high” global risk due to “considerable uncertainties” about the variant. The CDC also strengthened its vaccine booster shot recommendations, urging all adults to get a booster two months after a Johnson & Johnson dose or six months after a second Pfizer or Moderna dose.
Outlets across the spectrum varied on highlighting Biden’s statement, the WHO’s statement or the CDC’s booster recommendation. Coverage was mostly balanced across the spectrum. In one case, a Fox News (Right) homepage headline implied Biden was copying former President Donald Trump’s anti-lockdown stance from before the release of COVID-19 vaccines.
Featured Coverage of this Story
From the Right
Biden: Strategy for omicron variant is vaccination, not shutdownsPresident Biden on Monday said he will unveil his plan Thursday to tackle the new omicron variant of COVID-19, saying the strategy will not include more lockdowns. Instead, Biden plans to rely on vaccinations to combat the latest version of the virus to pose a serious threat.
Speaking during a meeting with CEOs of various companies to discuss the holiday shopping season and his administration’s work to address the supply chain crisis, Biden also said that Americans who are eligible for a booster shot have "no excuse" for not getting...
From the Left
Biden says Omicron variant is "cause for concern, not a cause for panic"President Biden on Monday urged Americans to remain calm as scientists work to determine the strength and the transmissibility of the new Omicron variant of the coronavirus, saying the U.S. has the ability to deal with the new strain that is circulating the globe.
The president, flanked by chief medical adviser Dr. Anthony Fauci and Vice President Kamala Harris, told the nation the variant is a "cause for concern, not a cause for panic." He said the U.S. has more tools to fight COVID-19 than ever before, and is in a much...
From the Center
Biden: Omicron coronavirus variant 'cause for concern, not a cause for panic'President Biden on Monday described the omicron variant of COVID-19 as a "cause for concern" but not a cause for panic, saying Americans getting vaccinated and getting their booster shots is the best defense against the virus.
He also said officials would release more guidance on how they plan to fight the spread of COVID-19 this winter, but promised it wouldn't include lockdowns.
"This variant is a cause for concern, not a cause for panic," Biden said in prepared remarks at the White House. "We have the best vaccine in the world, the...
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