PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN promised a strong federal response to the recent surge in coronavirus cases (White House).

Responding to a surge in new coronavirus cases – many believed to be from the new Omicron variant – President Joe Biden announced Tuesday that the federal government would ramp up its efforts to combat the disease, including providing free tests to millions of Americans, and detailing military medical workers to help bolster hospitals at risk of being overwhelmed.

According to The New York Times, Biden also sought to sound a reassuring note. “This is not March of 2020,” he said. “Two hundred million people are vaccinated. We’re prepared; we know more.”

Although the increases are national, the most vulnerable groups are the unvaccinated, the elderly, those were compromised immune systems and people living in areas with low vaccination rates.

Pressure on Manchin on “Build Back Better”

SEN. JOE MANCHIN

Two days after Sen. Joe Manchin (D-West Virginia) announced his opposition to President Joe Biden’s $2 trillion “Build Back Better” program, pressure is building to change his mind.

Biden remarked that he planned to lure Manchin back to the bargaining table to find a compromise. “Joe Manchin and I are going to get something done,” he said, according to the Associated Press.

In Manchin’s home state, the United Mine Workers of America issued a statement urging the senator to “revisit his opposition … and work with his colleagues to pass something that will keep coal miners working and have a meaningful impact.”

Manchin’s support is crucial in a Senate divided 50-50. The bill seeks to move the U.S. away from fossil fuels such as coal but contains child care provisions that are popular.

Sports: Kupp leads Rams to 20-10 win 

COOPER KUPP

Wide receiver Cooper Kupp put on a clinic Tuesday night, makes nine catches and setting a franchise record as the Los Angeles Rams defeated the Seattle Seahawks 20-10 at SoFi Stadium and moved into a tie for first place with the Arizona Cardinals in the NFC West. Both teams are 10-4.

Two of Kupp’s catches went for touchdowns – he netted 136 yards receiving – as the Rams rallied from a 10-3 deficit to win. Matthew Stafford completed 21 of 29 passes for 244 yards and the two scores. He was intercepted once and sacked four times. Sony Michel added 92 yards rushing on 18 carries for L.A.

For Seattle, Russell Wilson completed 17 of 31 passes for 156 yards. He was intercepted once and sacked three times. The Seahawks are 5-9 and are guaranteed to finish the season with a rare losing record.

Weather: Cloudy and then wet

No need to put on much sunscreen for the next few days. The forecast for the West Orange County area is for clouds and/or rain through Saturday. On Wednesday, cloudy skies are expected with a daytime high of 69 (overnight low of 52). Thursday should see rain in the afternoon and a high of 61 (56). Friday will likely be a rainy day with a high of 61 (49).

Finance: Three-day stocks drop reversed

After three consecutive days of losses, Wall Street reversed course and posted strong gains on Tuesday. The S&P 500 rose by 81.21 points to close at 4,649.23 and the Dow was up by 560.54 points to 35,492.70. Nasdaq added 360.14 points to finish at 15,341.09.