What Is Biden’s Test to Treat Initiative?

Some good news as we enter the third year of the pandemic: COVID-19 treatments should become easier to access.

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By Stephanie Cornwell, Editorial Assistant Some good news as we enter the third year of the pandemic: COVID-19 treatments should become easier to access. Today's Top Story How Will Biden's 'Test to Treat' Initiative Work for COVID-19? COVID-19 antiviral pills have a distribution problem. While these treatments are up to 89% effective at reducing the risk of hospitalization or death, experts say the supply is too sparse and getting them to patients takes too long. But a new White House initiative called Test to Treat is designed to change that. Here's what you should know. • People will be able to get tested for COVID at a pharmacy and receive free antiviral pills on the spot if they are positive. In his State of the Union address, Biden only referenced Pfizer's antiviral pill, called Paxlovid, but a version from Merck (molnupiravir) is FDA-authorized as well. • COVID antiviral pills require a prescription and should be taken within five days of symptom onset, so allowing them to be prescribed and administered immediately after a positive test should eliminate several blockers to their usage. • Not everyone who gets COVID can take an antiviral pill. Paxlovid is only authorized for people 12 and older with confirmed mild-to-moderate COVID who are at high risk of developing a severe case of the disease. Know More The White House said that Pfizer will deliver a million courses of treatment in March and double that in April. It is unknown exactly how much will be needed. Feel Better The Test to Treat program may take time to reach your area. If you have COVID symptoms or test positive, reach out to your primary care physician or seek medical attention as soon as possible. READ MORE What's the Gut Microbiome Got to Do With Depression? A recent study linked specific gut microbes to higher rates of depression. This discovery adds to the growing evidence of the "gut-brain axis," an important connection between the gut and brain. Understanding this connection helps us build lifestyles and systems that take a more integrated approach to health. An important ingredient to make sure you're getting enough of? Fiber. READ MORE Sexual Assault, Harassment Linked to Greater Risk of High Blood Pressure in Women Reducing sexual violence against women could be an effective way to improve women's long-term cardiovascular health. A recent study showed that women who have experienced sexual harassment may be at higher long-term risk of hypertension compared to women who have no history of this type of trauma. Where do we go from here? Experts say screening women for experiences of sexual assault and workplace harassment during routine checkups is key. READ MORE   In Other News   ■ Why Do We Remember What We Remember? Vox     ■ Inside Kyiv's Metro, a Citywide Bomb Shelter. The New Yorker     ■ Why Success Can Feel So Bitter. The Atlantic More From Verywell Researchers Explore Genetic Links Between IBS and Mental Health Conditions READ MORE Childhood Trauma May Influence COVID Vaccine Hesitancy READ MORE COVID-19 Guidance Often Neglects People With Rare Diseases READ MORE   How'd we do? If you have any feedback, send us a note at   feedback@verywell.com.       You are receiving this newsletter because you subscribed to the Verywell Health newsletter. If you wish to unsubscribe, please click here.   A DOTDASH MEREDITH BRAND 28 Liberty Street, 7th Floor, New York, NY, 10005   © 2022 verywellhealth.com - All rights reserved. Privacy Policy