Many other professional groups, including the American Medical Association and the Association of State and Territorial Health Professionals, also issued statements in support of Biden’s plan.
But the plan was not well received by all.
“I will take every legal opportunity available to the state of Georgia to stop this blatant illegal encroachment by the Biden administration,” Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp, a Republican, tweeted.
The National Council for Safety and Health at Work called the plan a “missed opportunity” because it failed to include workplace protection for key workers such as food, postal and transit workers.
“Social distancing, improved ventilation, shift rotation and protective equipment to reduce exposure are important components of the overall plan to reduce the risk and stop the virus. These tools are missing in the new steps that President Biden announced today, “said Jessica Martinez, the group’s co-executive director.
In addition to the new vaccination requirements, Biden said additional doses will be on the way for people who have already been fully vaccinated to protect themselves from weakened immunity starting Sept. 20. But he noted that these plans will depend on FDA approval for third doses and the CDC’s recommendation for shots.
Biden has promised to use the Defense Manufacturing Act to increase the production of home tests, which are selling out across the country as the Delta option spreads.
He also announced plans to expand access to COVID-19 tests, including offering free tests in thousands of pharmacies across the country and forcing major retailers to sell COVID-19 tests at home at a price.
The BinaxNow test kit, which currently sells for $ 23.99, will now cost about $ 15 for two tests at Kroger, Amazon and Walmart, according to the White House. Food banks and community health centers will also receive free tests.
He called on states to set up COVID-19 testing programs in all schools.
Ja said he thought the big, game-changing news from the president’s speech was the expansion of testing.
“Our country has failed to implement tests in a way that can really bring this pandemic under control,” Ja said. “There are many reasons, data and experience that show that if they were widely available, it would make a dramatic difference in reducing the number of infected in our country.”