President Biden plans to request funding from Congress for a new COVID vaccine that he deems necessary. Previous attempts to secure funds for COVID were rejected, including a $9.25 billion request in 2022. Biden recently submitted a $40 million funding proposal that excluded COVID funding but covered Ukraine, disaster funds, and border enforcement. Amid rising COVID cases, debates about mask mandates have resurfaced. Schools and companies, mainly in California, are implementing mandates, but opposition exists. Pfizer, Novavax, and Moderna are developing new vaccines targeting the omicron strain XBB.1.5. Despite declaring the pandemic over in 2022, old patterns are returning, sparking concerns about religious freedom and vaccine mandates.
