Omicron variant: "No reason to panic", according to Joe Biden
President Joe Biden during a meeting with business leaders, in the library of the Eisenhower Executive Office Building on the White House campus, Monday, November 29, 2021 in Washington.
© AP Photo / Evan Vucci
Text by: RFI Follow
2 min
“
If people are vaccinated and wear a mask, there is no need for containment.
Joe Biden spoke on Monday, November 29, about the emergence of the Omicron variant of the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus.
While several countries are barricading themselves, in particular vis-à-vis southern Africa - which is the case of the United States - the American president is showing his calm.
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"
There are reasons to be concerned about this new variant, but no reason to panic,
" the US president said on Monday, November 29 from the White House.
Joe Biden calls on Americans to get vaccinated, to have their children vaccinated, to receive their booster dose if necessary, as well as to wear the mask inside.
The list of countries where Omicron, a variant with many mutations, has been detected continues to grow every day, especially in Europe, after the first cases detected in southern Africa on Thursday 25 November.
Canada announced its first two cases on Sunday.
The day before, Israel simply closed its borders to foreigners.
►Read also: Omicron, give scientists time to analyze the phenomenon
"
Sooner or later,
" Biden believes, the Omicron will appear in the United States, which is not the case at the moment.
Asked about possible new restrictions to come, "
I do not anticipate that at this stage,
" he nevertheless replied, as the United States closed its borders to travelers from eight African countries. southern.
In addition, the President of the United States was questioned about a possible vaccination obligation, and a possible obligation to test oneself, to take a domestic flight.
At this point, he said, “
this is not a recommendation
” from the scientific community.
On Thursday, Joe Biden intends to present a detailed strategy for winter control.
"
Not with closures or confinements, but by amplifying vaccination, reminders, tests,
" said the head of state.
It will be a few weeks before we know everything we need to know about how strongly the existing vaccines protect against the new variant.
But Dr. Fauci and our medical team believe that our vaccines will continue to provide a degree of protection against severe disease.
- President Biden (@POTUS) November 29, 2021
Biden pays tribute to South African scientists, but justifies flight restrictions
The South African scientific community quickly informed the world of the emergence of this new variant.
This kind of transparency should be encouraged and applauded.
Because it increases our ability to respond quickly to brand new threats.
And that's exactly what we did.
On the very day that the WHO identified the new variant, I took immediate action to restrict travel from countries in southern Africa.
But while these restrictions can slow Omicron down, they can't stop it.
This is what it does: it gives us time.
Time to act more, to move faster, and to make sure people understand.
You have to get vaccinated, you have to have this injection, you have to do this booster.
Sooner or later we're going to have cases of this new variant here in the United States.
This variant is a cause for concern, not a reason to panic.
United Kingdom: four months later, partial return of restrictions
In Trafalgar Square, the giant 24-meter fir tree finds its place between the two fountains.
All that's missing is the decorations.
A Christmas market faces it.
The sweet smell of a booth attracts Hyden, he puts his camera away.
He has not heard of the variant and is enjoying a few days of vacation in London.
There was no question of wasting this moment with his wife and daughter.
“
I'm fed up, to be honest.
I have not been vaccinated, I have never had the coronavirus, I just want to continue living my life and I think the rest of the world must continue to live,
”explains this resident of Leicester, north of London.
With his family, they will celebrate Christmas together as usual.
Rachel is not.
Last year she was alone.
His family lives abroad.
She walks with her father and sister who came to visit her from Canada.
They arrived just before the new restrictions.
They all wear the mask, even outside.
Omicron's arrival doesn't bode well, they say.
Rachel will soon be getting her third dose.
“
I'm worried, not personally, but about the spreading and closing of things again.
I am vaccinated and I wear a mask.
At this point, you just have to do your best by following the rules,
”she says.
She will celebrate Christmas with her boyfriend, they will send the gifts by post and contact their loved ones via Skype or Zoom.
London, Marie Boëda
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