Biden pledges to vaccinate tens of millions, reopen schools in first 100 days
The new pledges came as Biden introduced his picks to lead key health agencies and coordinate the federal response to a pandemic that’s infected almost 15 million people in the U.S.
President-elect Joe Biden on Tuesday vowed to administer 100 million coronavirus vaccinations and reopen most schools during his first 100 days in office, while repeating his promise to mandate face coverings on airplanes, in federal buildings and other places under the government’s control.
The new pledges came as Biden introduced his picks to lead key health agencies and coordinate the federal response to a pandemic that’s infected almost 15 million people in the U.S.
“As a new president, I’m going to speak directly to the American people,” Biden said during the event in Wilmington, Del. “We need your help. Wear a mask for 100 days. It’s the easiest thing you can do to reduce Covid cases, hospitalizations, and deaths.”
Biden said he developed these three objectives in consultation with Dr. Anthony Fauci, who he asked to stay on as his chief medical adviser in addition to continuing his role at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.
Biden stressed the steps won’t come close to bringing the pandemic to an end and that vaccinating the rest of the population, supporting overwhelmed hospitals and assisting the tens of millions of people who have lost their health insurance will require a massive effort from both the executive branch and Congress.
“We did not get into this mess quickly, and it’s going to take time to fix,” he said. “But I am convinced that in 100 days we can change the course of the disease and change life in America for the better.”