Gov. Asa Hutchinson of Arkansas reached across the aisle to thank President Joe Biden for his efforts to "depoliticize" the country's response to COVID-19.
The Republican leader made the comments during a conference call held by the Biden administration with the governors of several states to discuss the national response to the worrisome Omicron variant, which has sparked a spike in cases across the country in recent days and prompted testing shortages and delays.
The White House team was thanked by Hutchinson during his opening remarks, according to The Hill. I would like to thank you for your address to the nation last week. Thank you for your comments, they were designed to depoliticize our response. I think that was helpful.
In a national address last week, Biden outlined additional steps his administration is taking to fight the Omicron variant. Biden offered a "stark warning" to the unvaccinated and also praised his predecessor, Donald Trump.
Biden said during his speech from the White House last Tuesday that America is one of the first countries to get the vaccine. Thanks to my administration and the hard work of Americans, we made America among the world leaders in getting shots in arms.
Biden applauded Trump's announcement that he had received a booster shot.
Biden and his White House COVID-19 response team tried to ease the fears of governors who were worried about long testing lines and rapid test shortages in several states.
The chair of the National Governors Association warned federal officials that the government's plan to buy and distribute 500 million free rapid tests could impede states' attempts to boost supply after thanking the president for his previous comments.
"Make sure that we don't allow federal solutions to stand in the way of state solutions," Hutchinson said.
Biden discussed the administration's efforts to improve testing availability by highlighting the proposed purchase of 500 million tests, as well as an additional plan that will require private insurers to reimburse at- home test purchases.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the US averages more than 200,000 cases per day. The nation's largest surge in cases since last winter's peak was caused by the Omicron variant.
Biden reassured the governors that the federal government is prepared to help states deal with surge, after he told them that Omicron is a source of concern but not cause for panic.
