Coronavirus (COVID-19) Information Page

On 3/2/2022 the Biden Administration released the following National COVID Preparedness Plan:

  • This is a plan to keep America moving forward safely and keep getting us back to our normal routines.
  • It’s a plan that focuses on three key goals:
    • Protect against COVID-19
    • Prepare for new variants
    • Prevent economic and educational shutdowns
  • First, on protection. Unlike at the start of the pandemic, we now have multiple tools to protect ourselves: vaccines, treatments, tests, masks.
    • Vaccines: We have over 215 million people fully vaccinated. This plan lays out a system to get kids under 5 vaccinated as soon as it’s authorized.
    • Treatments: We now have plenty of life-saving pills that cut your chances of going to the hospital by 90%. This plan announces a “Test to Treat” initiative where people can get tested at a pharmacy clinic – and if they’re positive – receive treatment pills on the spot.
    • Tests: We’ve already sent nearly 70 million households free tests. Under our plan, starting next week Americans can order more free tests on COVIDtests.gov
  • Second, we’re preparing for new variants.
    • Early Warnings: We have better monitoring for hotspots and variants of concern. If a new variant emerges, we are able to catch it earlier, faster, and with greater precision.
    • Faster Approvals: If needed, we have plans and processes in place so that we can produce, authorize, and start delivery of new vaccines in 100 days.
    • New Stockpiles: With support from Congress, we’ll have new stockpiles of tests, masks, treatment pills, and PPE ready to deploy whenever we might need them. 
  • Third, preventing economic and educational shutdowns
    • We will work to give schools and businesses the tools they need to prevent economic and educational shutdowns, like paid leave for those who have to miss work due to COVID-19.
    • Ventilation: The Administration will release a set of clear recommendations and actions all buildings can take to improve indoor ventilation and air filtration to keep people safe.
  • We will continue to be an arsenal of vaccines for the world.   
    • America has sent 475 million doses to 112 countries – more than any other nation. And we will not stop.
  • Throughout this plan, we ensure we are protecting the most vulnerable, including the immune-compromised and those with disabilities.
    • The immune-compromised have access to a fourth booster and priority access to new treatments. We have free high-quality masks and more free tests than ever before.
    • We’re launching a comprehensive response to prevent, treat, and better understand Long-COVID and to address mental health.
  • Executing this plan will require additional Congressional funding. Soon, the Administration will send Congress a request for additional funding. Given that virtually all Americans have used these tools and may want to again, we expect Congress to pass it quickly. 
  • In summary: this is a plan that builds on the tremendous progress we’ve made. And thanks to that progress, moving forward, COVID-19 need no longer control our lives. 

Although the Georgia General Assembly is in recess, the Georgia Legislative Black Caucus never stops serving its constituents. This page will provide up-to-date information about the COVID-19 crisis and what the state is doing to address it. We as a Caucus and legislative body will continue to monitor the situation and make you aware if anything new unfolds.

Please also refer to the below resources for the most up-to-date information on COVID-19:
Other services available include:
  • Georgia Department of Labor
  • United Way 2-1-1 - Find information and referral service providing information on community resources best suited to meet your needs - unitedwayatlanta.org
  • Find food assistance, help to pay bills, and other free or reduced-cost programs, including new programs for the COVID-19 pandemic - findhelp.org

As more resources become available, we will post them on our website. If you are aware of any resources or services that should be shared, please send them to info@gablackcaucus.org.

COVID-19 Video and Print Resources: