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Aruba’s ONLY English newspaper
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US begins offering 1B free COVID tests, but many more needed
WASHINGTON (AP) — For for free at pharmacies and
the first time, people across community health cent-
the U.S. can log on to a gov- ers. Both initiatives repre-
ernment website and order sent the kind of mass gov-
free, at-home COVID-19 ernment investments long
tests. But the White House seen in parts of Europe and
push may do little to ease Asia, but delayed in the U.S.
the omicron surge, and ex- Experts say the plan to dis-
perts say Washington will tribute 1 billion tests is a
have to do a lot more to fix good first step, but it must
the country's long-troubled become a regular part of
testing system. the pandemic response.
The website, COVIDTests. In the same way that it has
gov, allows people to or- made vaccines free and
der four at-home tests per plentiful, the government
household, regardless of must use its purchasing
citizenship status, and have power to assure a steady
them delivered by mail. But test supply, they say.
the tests won't arrive for "The playbook for rapid
seven to 12 days, after omi- tests should look exactly like
cron cases are expected the playbook for vaccines,"
to peak in many parts of said Zoe McLaren, a health
the country. economist at the Univer-
The White House also an- sity Maryland. "They're both A home test two-pack omicron-triggered rush to cost of up to eight at-home
nounced Wednesday that things that help keep cases commonly sells for more get tested. Since last week, rapid tests bought at drug-
it will begin making 400 mil- down and help keep COV- than $20 at the store — if insurance companies have stores or online retailers.
lion N95 masks available ID under control." you can find one, amid the been required to cover the Continued on next page