Page 12 - HOH

A4 U.S. NEWS
Friday 22 September 2023
Biden administration announces $600M to produce COVID tests

and will reopen website to order them

By WILL WEISSERT eral officials and the U.S.
Associated Press Postal Service provided
WASHINGTON (AP) — The more than 755 million tests
Biden administration an- for free to homes nation-
nounced Wednesday that wide.
it is providing $600 million It is also meant to comple-
in funding to produce new ment ongoing federal ef-
at-home COVID-19 tests forts to provide free COVID
and is restarting a web- tests to long-term care fa-
site allowing Americans cilities, schools, low-income
to again order up to four senior housing, uninsured
free tests per household — individuals and under-
aiming to prevent possible served communities which
shortages during a rise in are already distributing 4
coronavirus cases that has million per week and have
typically come during cold- distributed 500 million tests
er months. to date, the department
The Department of Health said.
and Human Services says O'Connell said manufac-
orders can be placed at turers would be able to
COVIDTests.gov starting COVID-19 antigen home tests indicating a positive result are photographed in New York, April 5, spread out the 200 million
Sept. 25, and that no-cost 2023. Associated Press tests they will produce for
tests will be delivered for federal use over 18 months.
free by the United States trates the political balance virus is there, we know that these tests, we want to That means that, as de-
Postal Service. President Joe Biden is trying it's circulating. make sure that they're mand for home tests rises
Twelve manufacturers that to strike as he seeks reelec- We know, if past is pro- made available to the via the website or at U.S. re-
employ hundreds of people tion next year between logue, it'll circulate to a American people for free tailers when COVID cases
in seven states from Califor- trumpeting his administra- higher degree and spread, in this way," O'Connell said. increase around the coun-
nia to Maryland have been tion having led the coun- and cases will go up in the "But, at this point, our focus try, producers can focus on
awarded funding and will try through the worst of the fall and winter seasons," is getting through the holi- meeting those orders — but
produce 200 million over- pandemic while also trying O'Connell said. "Anticipat- days and making sure folks that they will then have an
the-counter tests to replen- to trying to better prepare ing that that would be true can take a test if they're additional outlet for the
ish federal stockpiles for for the continued effects of again, or something simi- going to see Grandma for tests they produce during
government use, in addi- a virus that persists. lar, we want to make sure Thanksgiving." period when demand de-
tion to producing enough Dawn O'Connell, assistant the American people have The tests are designed to clines.
tests to meet demand for secretary for preparedness these tools." detect COVID variants cur- She also said that each
tests ordered online, the and response at HHS, said O'Connell said the website rently circulating, and are winter since the pandemic
department said. that though some portions will remain functional to intended for use by the began "as people move in-
The new effort is meant to of the public may be tired receive orders through the end of the year. But they doors into heated spaces"
guard against supply chain of the pandemic and its im- holidays and "we reserve will include instructions on cases rise and added that
issues that sparked some plications, at home-testing the right to keep it open how to verify extended ex- also "there's always an op-
shortages of at-home COV- remains a key way to slow even longer if we're start- piration dates, the depart- portunity or chance for
ID tests made overseas dur- the spread of new cases. ing to see an increase in ment said. another variant to come"
ing past surges in corona- "Whether or not people are cases." The initiative follows four but "we're not anticipating
virus cases. But it also illus- done with it, we know the "If there is a demand for previous rounds where fed- that."q

The building where the Parkland

school massacre occurred is set to be

demolished next summer

fatally shot in a 2018 mas- cy of this matter, but it is community have been
sacre will be demolished essential to prioritize safety calling for its demolition for
next summer, officials an- above all else," it said. "In years, but prosecutors said
nounced Thursday. preparation for the de- they needed to preserve it
The demolition of Marjory molition, crews will clean as evidence for the murder
Stoneman Douglas High and clear the building, trial of the shooter.
School's 1200 building, adhering to state and the On Feb. 14, 2018, former
which has remained closed Environmental Protection student Nikolas Cruz went
and locked behind a fence Agency's landfill disposal with an AR-15-style semi-
since the Parkland shoot- regulations." automatic rifle to the cam-
The 1200 building at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in ing, is scheduled to take Classes have long-since pus, where he killed the 17
Parkland, Fla., is seen, Oct. 20, 2021. place immediately after resumed at the Stoneman people and wounded 17
Associated Press the end of the school year, Douglas campus while the others. He pleaded guilty in
Broward County Public building with bullet-riddled 2021 and was sentenced to
PARKLAND, Fla. (AP) — The ing where 14 students and Schools said in a statement. and blood-splattered walls life in prison last year.q
South Florida school build- three staff members were "We understand the urgen- remained. Members of the