Thank you for signing the petition to protect high-risk people from COVID in the "back to normal" phase. Below is an update. 

The US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is currently unable to keep up with the COVID response needed because funds are lacking. The Director of HHS has cut 35 percent of its monoclonal antibody treatments (Evusheld) -- for immunocompromised people -- to states. Even before the lack of funds, far fewer doses of these treatments were available than immunocompromised people really need.

[Note: there are questions about whether or not Evusheld would be effective against BA.2, "Stealth Omicron," and so far, two in vitro studies show efficacy against BA.2, and one in vitro study (not peer-reviewed) shows no efficacy.]

Recently, leaders of the US House of Representatives took $15 billion in COVID funding out of the Omnibus budget bill. Of course, without COVID funding, there is little chance that high-risk people can be well-protected against future variants. But there is a glimmer of hope that it will be restored (see the attached article). 

Thanks again for your support! I hope this petition has been shared widely! Feel free to email me if you have any questions or concerns: eshaneh [at] gmail dot com.