On Thursday night, President Joe Biden delivered his first prime-time address since taking office in January, marking a year since COVID-19 was declared a global pandemic. During his speech, Biden called on states to open vaccine eligibility for all adults no later than May 1, and announced that he believes “there’s a good chance” small groups will be able to get together by July 4.
“If we do this together . . . you, your families and friends, will be able to get together in your backyard or your neighborhood and have a cookout or a barbecue and celebrate Independence Day.”
“If we do this together . . . you, your families and friends, will be able to get together in your backyard or your neighborhood and have a cookout or a barbecue and celebrate Independence Day,” he said. “That doesn’t mean large events, with lots of people together, but it does mean small groups.” While Biden determined “July 4 with [our] loved ones is the goal” for some sense of normalcy, he made it clear that every American must continue to do their part in getting vaccinated when they become eligible and helping their family and friends to do so as well, wearing masks, and social distancing, also cautioning that scientists have warned conditions may change and could get worse again.
Biden also revealed plans for his administration launch a website that will provide information and clarity on where you can get vaccinated by May 1, as well as further guidance in the coming weeks on “what you can and cannot do once vaccinated.” In addition, the president maintained that the majority of K-8 schools will be able to reopen in his first 100 days in office. Earlier in the day, Biden signed the American Rescue Plan into law, providing $1,400 stimulus checks for individuals, as well as additional aid for families. Watch Biden’s first prime-time address in full ahead.
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