Test and treat essential to living with COVID-19
On March 2, 2022, the White House released a COVID-19 strategy called the "National COVID-19 Preparedness Plan" to guide the United States into "New Normal "The plan has four main objectives.
The plan has four main goals.
1. Prevention and treatment of COVID-19
One of the most talked about is the "test and treat" one-stop shop. The program will allow Americans to get tested at a pharmacy and, if they test positive, receive free antiviral treatment on the spot.
2. Preparing for new mutant strains
The core of the programme is to improve the surveillance capacity in the US to rapidly identify new mutant strains. The goal is to develop a targeted vaccine within 100 days of the emergence of a mutant strain.
3. Avoiding closure (of schools/businesses etc.)
The programme aims to provide schools and businesses with COVID-19 testing, guidance and equipment, including improved ventilation and air filtration systems.
4. Overseas Support Programme
This includes donating 1.2 billion doses of vaccine globally and addressing issues such as inadequate oxygen supplies by providing emergency supplies.
Behind America's move towards a new normal is the tragic process of over 950,000 people dying of disease and over 200,000 children being orphaned. For the general public, the first step in the new normal has been implemented. Whatever the case, we still need to take precautions. Because living with the virus means that "Covid-19 does find everyone". Covid-19 is unlikely to disappear any time soon, so our fight against the new crown will be a long one and we cannot change the reality of a long-lasting epidemic.
While the White House plan moves forward, the US continues to promote free
Covid-19 rapid test kits and free mask programs. In addition, the U.S. government will continue to provide hundreds of millions of free quality masks to Americans at pharmacies, grocery shops and community health centres across the country.
The Covid-19 rapid test kit may become as much of a household necessity as the mask. This rapid test kit will also become the next $100 billion market.
