In his address to the nation marking the anniversary of the COVID-19 pandemic, the president marked five steps he plans to take to help Americans reach some semblance of normal life by Independence Day.
He announced he plans to direct all states, tribes and territories to make every adult eligible to be vaccinated no later than May 1. He emphasized that not everyone will get the shot by then, but it means “you’ll be able to get in line.”
Second, he announced the federal government will build a new centralized website to help people find the nearest vaccination sites.
Third, he reiterated his intention to reopen a majority of K-8 schools within his first 100 days in office.
Fourth, he promised to expand guidance for those who have been fully vaccinated “to lessen the confusion, to keep people safe and encourage more people to get vaccinate.”
Lastly, Biden promised to be unrelenting in this fight, but pleaded that “I need you, I need every American to play their part,” and emphasized the importance of getting vaccinated.
If everyone can do this, he said, it’s likely that close family and friends will be able to gather for small Fourth of July celebrations.
After such a trying year, Biden said that would make the holiday special, “where we not only mark our independence as a nation, but we begin to mark our independence from this virus.”
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