Bill de Blasio has urged the federal administration for immediate help as the Omicron variant has led to a spike in cases in 5 boroughs of the city. the outgoing Mayor of New York said that the White House might need to take recourse to the Defense Production Act and ramp up production of antibody treatments and at-home test kits.
The variant spread lightning fast around the city has led to the cancelation of the Christmas Spectacular hosted by Radio City Music Hall. Saturday Night Live was broadcast with a skeleton cast and without any live acts or audience.
Bill de Blasio Calls For Mobilizing Every Tool At The Administration’s Disposal
Bill de Blasio said that the administration should mobilize every tool of the private and public sector to provide for tests and vaccines. The mayor’s call for support comes even as the highly mutated Omicron variant had nearly tripled the weekly average. The cases exceeded 5,000 this Sunday.
Bill de Blasio said that the number of cases was expected to rise before easing out. he said that the city was experiencing the Omicron variant particularly hard but it would ease soon.
Bill de Blasio has also called for the acceleration of the antiviral pill being developed by Pfizer. The company claimed last month that the pill could cut down by 89% the risk of hospitalization and death due to COVID-19.
De Blasio departs office on New Year’s Eve. Eric Adams, the Mayor-elect will assume office. de Blasio is barred from reelection due to the term limit. Adams said on Sunday that de Blasio has constantly been in touch with him to help the city get through the pandemic.