Biden says fully vaccinated Americans can celebrate the holidays and urges unvaccinated to get the shots

• Biden urged unvaccinated Americans and those without boosters to get their shots during a speech Tuesday.
• He reassured fully vaccinated people that they are largely protected from the worst effects of the virus.

President Joe Biden on Tuesday sought to reassure fully vaccinated Americans that spending time with family over the holidays is safe, but continued to strongly urge unvaccinated people to get their shots amid the dramatic surge in COVID-19 cases driven by the Omicron variant.

"We should all be concerned about Omicron, but not panicked," he said. "If you're fully vaccinated, and especially if you got your booster shot, you are highly protected. And if you're unvaccinated, you're at a higher risk of getting severely ill from COVID-19, getting hospitalized, and dying."

Biden specifically encouraged the unvaccinated to get their shots. "All these people who have not been vaccinated: you have an obligation to yourselves, to your family, and quite frankly — I know I'll get criticized for this — to your country," he said.

"Get vaccinated now. It's free. It's convenient. I promise you, it saves lives, and I honest to God believe it's your patriotic duty," Biden continued.

Biden added that fully vaccinated people should "feel comfortable" celebrating the holidays as they planned to, but should continue to wear masks in many indoor settings.

"I know some Americans are wondering if you can safely celebrate the holidays with your family and friends," he said.
"The answer is yes you can, if you and those you celebrate with are vaccinated, particularly if you've gotten your booster shot."

The president explained that vaccinated people who get COVID-19, a situation often referred to as breakthrough cases, "may get ill, but they're protected from severe illness and death."

Biden also made clear that the country will "absolutely" not return to statewide lockdowns that were imposed at the onset of the pandemic in March 2020.

There are "three big differences" between March 2020 and now: more than 200 million Americans are now fully vaccinated, the US is "ready" for a surge in hospitalizations among the unvaccinated, and there is more information about how to mitigate the spread of the virus in places like schools, Biden said.

The president warned that the massive surge in cases driven largely by the new variant is overwhelming hospitals and threatening care for non-COVID patients, as well.

Omicron has become the most dominant variant in the United States, accounting for 73% of new coronavirus cases last week, federal health officials said Monday, according to the Associated Press.

"Those who are not vaccinated are causing hospitals to become overrun again," Biden said. "Every COVID-19 hospitalization means someone with a heart attack, cancer, or some other serious illness may not get that bed and care they need in the hospital."

He added, "The strain and stress is real. I mean it, it's real."

But Biden insisted that K-12 schools and businesses would stay open, in part with the help of vaccine mandates and regular testing.

"COVID-19 is scary but the science is clear: kids are as safe in schools as they are anywhere," he said.

The White House announced on Tuesday that it would pump significantly more resources into coronavirus testing, medical equipment, and medical personnel in the coming weeks. FEMA will set up "pop-up" sites where people can get their booster shots, Biden said, adding that 1,000 troops will be deployed to assist at hospitals nationwide.

Biden also unveiled plans to purchase 500 million rapid, at-home COVID-19 test kits that Americans can order online for free beginning in January.

The news comes as coronavirus cases have rapidly increased in the country over the past few weeks ahead of the holiday season, and as recent reports show long wait times to get a COVID-19 test and testing shortages in high-demand areas such as New York City.

"I know you're tired. I really mean this. And I know you're frustrated. We all want this to be over, but we're still in it. This is a critical moment," Biden said in concluding remarks of his speech. "We also have more tools than we ever had before. We're ready. We'll get through this."