WASHINGTON: President Joe Biden said the federal government would buy half a billion quick-19-19 test kits and distribute it for free to people to use at home.
But regardless of high public demand for tests, it will still be a few weeks before this kit is available to be sent.
Administration still works in detail about how the program will work.
Does the government have a test? Not yet.
Until this week, the Department of Defense and Health and Human Services are “ do what is called an `accelerated emergency contract, ” secretary of the White House press, said Jen PSAKI.
The contract is expected to be signed soon.
When will the test kit be sent? The first shipping is expected in early January.
All 500 million kits will not arrive at the same time but the opposite will be sent in a batch.
Drugstore I don’t have a test.
How can I get a free kit from the government? You will go to the new government website to request a kit, but the site will not function until after the first test kit has been delivered, said PSAKI.
He said the process was being handled that way to avoid creating more confusion for the public.
But the idea is anyone who wants a test kit to enter this website to request one.
“ We clearly not put a website until there are tests available, “PSAKI said.
Which house test will I get? Unclear.
But PSAKI noted that food and drug administration A.S.
It has approved several different brands of fast home tests that are currently on the market.
Will I be limited to one test or can I ask a lot? To be determined, said PSAKI.
Why does Biden buy this test kit? This represents the recognition by the President that the government needs to do more to increase access to Covid-19 testing, which is an important tool to help slow the spread of Coronavirus.
In cases where infected people show symptoms or not, testing is the only way to find out whether they have a virus so they can avoid it out and potentially spread the disease.
But the demand for test kits soared when the holidays approached and the growing people wanted to test themselves and their families before traveling and as omicron variants were easily transmitted quickly in just a few weeks to become dominant tension in the US.
Biden promises of 500 million test kits are additional in the previous administrative appointment to send 50 million fast tests to public health centers throughout the country.
What is the program cost? Purchases will be paid for money from the $ 1.9 trillion Coronavirus Bill Biden signed into law in March, the White House said.
Costs will definitely be known immediately.
There are other ways to get a test kit for Freebiden to say in Tuesday’s speech, starting in January, a private insurance company will cover the cost of testing at home.
So people will have the option to buy tests in stores or online and then seek replacement from their health insurance providers.
The government will also provide access to tests at free homes for people who may not have health insurance, Biden said.