President Biden announced in a speech to the nation on Thursday that, as part of the next phase in fighting the coronavirus, he is directing states, tribes and territories to ensure that everyone is eligible for vaccination by May 1.
The new guideline comes as part of a broader strategy that included increasing the number of vaccination sites and active troops supporting the vaccination effort. The White House is also launching a new website and a 1-800 number to help find vaccines.
So far, states have limited eligibility, prioritizing high-risk individuals and frontline workers, although more states have recently expanded the field of who can get one.
Biden’s speech comes as the United States enters a year under some form of blockade. During his speech, Biden set a goal for Americans to start holding meetings by July 4.
“Photos and videos from 2019 seem to have been taken in another time, the last holiday, the last birthday with friends, the last holiday with relatives,” said Biden.
“Although it was different for everyone, we all lost something, a collective suffering, a collective sacrifice – a year full of losses of lives and lives for all of us, but in the loss, we saw how much there was to gain … Finding light in the dark it is very American. In fact, it may be the most American thing we do. “
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Upon opening his comments, Biden apparently fired on the previous government.
“We were hit by a virus that was received by silence and spread out of control – denials for days, weeks and then months,” he said, echoing comments from his campaign.
Biden added: “This has led to more deaths, more infections, more stress and more loneliness.”
During the pandemic, Biden said, Americans “have lost faith in whether our government and our democracy can provide really difficult things for the American people.”
The response to the Biden government’s coronavirus came under attack for failing to act quickly enough to reopen schools, something its critics attribute to the influence of teacher unions.
With the recently approved American Rescue Plan, the Biden administration is investing $ 130 billion in reopening schools with a focus on mitigation strategies and hiring staff.
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“These dollars will help schools pay for essential supplies to implement the mitigation strategies recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), hire more staff – and avoid firing current staff – to accommodate the need for smaller classes due to distance learning. physical and support the academic, social and emotional needs of children after a challenging year, “says a White House newsletter.
Other stimulus funds will go towards expanding tests and efforts to detect variants of the virus.
In a nationwide appeal, Biden urged everyone to do their “part,” which he said included wearing face masks.