This archive report was first published on 22 December 2021.
Published on December 22, 2021, as Europe grappled with a new wave of the virus, several countries, including Germany, Sweden, Portugal, and Scotland, imposed new restrictions on their citizens' movement and activities.
President Biden faced a precarious situation, having campaigned on a promise to curb the pandemic, only to be confronted with a shape-shifting virus claiming over 1,000 American lives daily.
Despite the challenges, the president acknowledged the progress made in vaccine distribution, noting that 'thanks to the prior administration and the scientific community, America is one of the first countries to get the vaccine.'
However, he also denounced the spread of 'dangerous misinformation on cable TV and social media,' and companies that 'make money by peddling lies and allowing misinformation that can kill their own customers and supporters.'
President Biden's moves built on his winter pandemic strategy announced three weeks prior, reflecting an awareness of the growing threat from the Omicron variant.
When questioned about the speed of his response, particularly regarding the availability of free tests, the president defended his actions, stating, 'I don't think anybody anticipated this would spread as rapidly.'
He added, 'It was a big, big rush,' when describing the sudden surge in demand for tests.
