Biden announces new COVID initiative providing Americans free Pfizer Pills

Joe Biden said during his State of the Union speech, "We're launching the "Test to Treat" initiative so people can get tested at a pharmacy, and if they're positive, receive antiviral Pfizer pills on the spot, at no cost,"

Biden said that the United States has ordered more of these treatments than any other country in the world, adding Pfizer Inc will offer the U.S. 1 million pills in March and more than double that in April. The Pfizer pill as Biden mentioned, reduces the chances of ending up in the hospital by 90%.

The White House said in a statement that the Biden administration will announce on Wednesday a national preparedness plan for COVID-19, mapping out how "to move forward safely and get back to our more normal routines."

During his speech, Biden also mentioned the progress America has made in fighting the coronavirus but warned Americans must prepare for a possible upcoming new variants.

"I cannot promise a new variant won't come. But I can promise you we'll do everything within our power to be ready if it does," he said.

The U.S. is now in a position to deploy new vaccines within 100 days instead of months or years, he added.

©Photo: Financial Times