“There are moments in history when more is required of a particular generation than of Americans in any other time. We are in this moment now, “said recently-inducted President Joe Biden on Thursday. “History will measure whether we are up to the task. I believe we are. “
Biden then previewed a nearly 200-page plan that was made available to the public. “This is the model we used to respond to Hurricane Sandy,” he said. He also signed 10 executive orders related to fighting the coronavirus pandemic.
On the second day of his presidency, Biden announced 100 government-funded vaccination centers. He said there would be “a covid link for every state,” a move that would hopefully clear recent confusion between these parties about allotments and delivery.
Related story
US Covid-19 update: Record number of new virus deaths to mark the 1 year anniversary of the outbreak in the US
He called for “a war effort by ramping up production … to speed up the manufacture of everything that is needed.”
“We will put the full force of the federal government behind the test,” said the president, adding that the American people will receive briefings, “not from the president, but from the real experts in science.”
Americans must wear masks for international travel. Biden specifically said masks would be required on “planes, trains and buses”. He called masking “a patriotic act”.
All international travelers coming to the US must be tested before departure and quarantined for 10 days after they arrive, the president said.
“Let me be clear: things will keep getting worse before they get better,” he warned. “The death toll is likely to exceed 500,000 next month.”
He added, “We didn’t think of it overnight. The brutal truth is that it will be months before Americans are vaccinated. “
And these efforts “will be one of the greatest operational challenges our country has ever faced.”
Biden also rattled off brief descriptions of each executive order as he signed them. According to the President, they addressed:
- Supply chain
- Worker safety
- Ensure a fair response
- Promoting safe travel
- Set up a pandemic test board
- Studying a Safe Schools Commission
- Maintain Covid data
- Expansion of access as well as care and treatment
- Make sure the National Guard and FEMA are available
- Our global response policy
Comments are closed.