• Home
  • Archive
  • Media Kit
  • Contact Us
  • May 28, 2025

The Madison Times

The Paper That's More Than Black and White

  • News
    • Local News
    • National News
    • International News
    • Sports News
    • Education News
  • Columns
    • Columnists
    • Editorials
    • Letters to the Editor
    • Life Lessons with Alex Gee
  • Events
  • Health
  • Finance
  • Lifestyle
  • Classifieds
  • Community
    • Middle Spread
  • Milwaukee

Share this:

  • Tweet
  • Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email
  • Click to print (Opens in new window) Print

Biden Administration Announces Winter COVID-19 Preparedness Plan

December 17, 2022

By Karen Stokes

President Joe Biden (Photo/White House)

On December 15th, the Biden Administration announced their Winter COVID-19 Preparedness Plan to ensure Americans stay ahead of increases in COVID-19 cases this winter.

COVID-19 is not the disruptive force it once was, but the virus is still infecting people and cases are on the rise.

According to nytimes.com the test positivity rate in Milwaukee County is very high. An average of 233 cases per day were reported in Milwaukee County, a 31 percent increase from the average two weeks ago. Since the beginning of the pandemic, a total of 329,550 cases have been reported.

Families are gathering together for the holidays and spending more time inside.

Throughout the COVID-19 response, the Biden Administration has been prepared for whatever the virus throws our way and this moment is no different.

Elements of the plan consists of:

-Opening COVIDTests.gov for a limited time to give Americans another easy option to access testing when there’s greater need. Starting today, each U.S. household can order 4 free at-home tests at COVIDTests.gov, with tests starting to ship the week of December 19th.

-The administration is asking governors to step up now to get more people vaccinated and expand access to testing and treatments and reminding them of the significant federal support available to them, including personnel and critical supplies to address needs.

-Putting comprehensive surveillance capabilities to work in order to closely monitor Omicron sub variants that emerge here at home and around the world, monitor trends and stay on top of the virus.

-Working with pharmacies, grocery stores, community-based organizations, and other partners on the ground to distribute free high-quality masks.

-Expanding the pool of staff members at nursing homes who can administer shots and reaching out to governors where nursing home vaccination rates are low to offer our support.

-Releasing a winter playbook for nursing homes and long-term care facilities to accelerate action on updated vaccinations, treatment for residents testing positive, and indoor air quality

The bottom line is there are tools, infrastructure and know-how needed to manage this moment – to protect people, prevent hospitalizations and deaths, minimize disruptions, and respond to challenges. Everyone just needs to do their part.

For more information on home tests people can visit www.COVIDTests.gov.

Share this:

  • Tweet
  • Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email
  • Click to print (Opens in new window) Print

Popular Interests In This Article: COVID-19, Karen Stokes

Read More - Related Articles

  • UW–Oshkosh Renames Multicultural Center to Honor Dr. Dorian Boyland
  • Wisconsin Senate Passes Bill to Extend Medicaid Coverage for New Mothers
  • Milwaukee News Company Secures Partnership with Amazon
  • Milwaukee County Transit System Hits the Runway Celebrating 414 Day
  • Milwaukee’s Fresh Coast Jazz Festival Blends World-Class Talent and Community Impact


Connect With Us

Become Our Fan On Facebook
Find Us On Facebook


Follow Us On Twitter
Follow Us On Twitter

Editorials

Karma Chavez
Amanda Zhang
Julianne Malveaux
Benjamin Chavis
George Curry

Journalists

Jacklin Bolduan
Brianna Rae
Aarushi Agni
Rob Franklin
Claire Miller

Topics

Brown Girl Green $
Young Gifted & Black
Universally Speaking
Ask Progress
Civil Rights

Topics

Police Shooting
Police Brutality
Black Lives Matter
NAACP
Racism

Politicians

Barack Obama
Hillary Clinton
Gwen Moore
Paul Soglin
Scott Walker

Contact Us

Phone:
414-449-4860

Copyright © 2025 Courier Communications. All Rights Reserved.
We use third-party advertising companies to serve ads when you visit our website. These companies may use information (not including your name, address, email address, or telephone number) about your visits to this and other websites in order to provide advertisements about goods and services of interest to you. If you would like more information about this practice and to know your choices about not having this information used by these companies, click here.