How the White House plan to combat COVID-19 will affect Pittsburgh area

PITTSBURGH — As the delta variant spreads and omicron emerges just before Christmas and New Year’s Eve, President Joe Biden presented his strategy Thursday to fight it.

Biden’s strategy does not mention lockdowns or shutdowns, but does include widespread vaccinations and boosters. The White House is calling on all adults to get booster shots and to get vaccinated if they are not already. The Biden administration also vowed to expand booster shot availability and free at-home testing. That goes for people with or without insurance.

Masks will be mandated on public transportation through at least March 18. That includes planes, trains and buses. The Port Authority of Allegheny County says drivers are preparing for a long winter ahead with 40-50 operators currently out because of COVID-19.

“Because of flu season, the omicron variant, the case counts locally, extending the mask policy was prudent,” Port Authority spokesperson, Adam Brandolph, tells Channel 11. “People understand that this is really the only way to get through it.”

Buses are disinfected daily and new air filtration systems have been installed on buses and rails.

“The same experience you had today, you’ll have tomorrow,” Brandolph added.

Employees are even being paid to get the COVID-19 shot as an incentive.

The White House is also pushing to get kids vaccinated and keep schools open, while putting protections in place at workplaces.

In the race against omicron, the Biden administration is working to supply treatment pills to prevent hospitalizations and death.

And now, all international travelers arriving in the U.S. will have to test within 24 hours of departing for the U.S., regardless of their vaccination status.

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