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December 22, 2021

Biden Announces New Measures, Defends Vaccine Mandates, Amid Omicron Surge
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President Biden addressed the nation Tuesday amid a fast-growing winter
COVID surge, largely linked to the highly transmissible Omicron variant.
He cautioned people against panicking but said those who are
unvaccinated have "good reason to be concerned." Biden announced a plan
to distribute 500 million free at-home tests starting in January and
more aid for hospitals. Biden also addressed the issue of federal
vaccine mandates.

President Joe Biden: "I know vaccination requirements are unpopular for
many. They're not even popular for those who are anxious to get them.
But my administration has put them in place not to control your life,
but to save your life and the lives of others. Over 400,000 Americans
died from COVID this calendar year - and almost all were unvaccinated,
almost all were preventable."