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Joe Biden has said that all American adults will be eligible for a vaccine before May 1.
In his first primetime address to the nation as President of the United States, Mr biden He said his goal is to bring the country “closer to normal” by July 4, so that Americans can celebrate Independence Day with their loved ones.
He also announced that 4,000 active troops will be deployed to support vaccination efforts, and medical students, midwives, veterinarians and dentists will be allowed to give injections.
Joe Biden spoke to the nation in his first primetime address. Photo: AP
Almost 530,000 Americans have died from coronavirus in the last year, and millions more have fallen ill.
Speaking from the East Room of the White House, Biden added: “We all lost something, a collective suffering, a collective sacrifice.”
In a speech that lasted about half an hour, the 46th president of the United States addressed many aspects of the pandemic.
He began by talking about how difficult the past year had been, but praised those who looked for the positives, saying that “finding light in the dark is a very American thing.”
Biden then talked about how he carries a note with him saying how many Americans have died with COVID-19.
He read the latest figure, 527,726 deaths, and noted that it was higher than the deaths than the We it suffered in WWI and WWII, the Vietnam War, and 9/11 combined.
He also spoke of the difficulties Americans face, but urged people not to let that divide them.
Noting the attacks that had been launched against Asian Americans, Biden said: “Many of them, our fellow Americans, are on the front lines of this pandemic trying to save lives.
“And yet, still, they are forced to live in fear for their lives just walking the streets of America. It’s wrong, it’s anti-American, and it must end.”
Biden encouraged Americans to get vaccinated, saying the July 4 celebrations could be held.
Biden spoke of the successes in launching the vaccine, 50 days after taking office.
He said, “When I took office, you will remember, I set a goal that many of you said was way above it.
“I said I intended to get 100 million shots in people’s arms in my first 100 days in office.
“I can say that we are no longer going to meet that target. We are going to exceed that target, because we are actually on track to hit this target of 100 million gun shots in my 60th day in office.”
Biden also spoke about how stepping up the vaccination project in the US will make all adults eligible for a vaccine by May 1.
“Let me be clear, that does not mean that everyone is going to have that opportunity right away, but it does mean that you will be able to line up starting May 1,” he said.
The president implored “all Americans to do their part” by getting vaccinated and helping those they know take a hit.
Joe Biden spoke to the nation in his first primetime address. Photo: AP
He said, “Because here’s the point – if we do all of this, if we do our part, we do it together – by the 4th of July there is a good chance that you and your family and friends can gather in your backyard or neighborhood. and have a cookout or barbecue and celebrate Independence Day.
“That doesn’t mean big events, with lots of people together, but it does mean that small groups will be able to come together after this long and difficult year.
“That will make this Independence Day truly special, where we not only mark our independence as a nation, we begin to mark our independence from this virus.”
The president also spoke about the $ 1.9 trillion (£ 1.4 trillion) stimulus package that he signed into law on the same day, and how it will help Americans financially.
As well as providing support checks of $ 1,400 (£ 1,000) to individuals, he said: “Extends unemployment benefits. Helps small businesses, lowers health care premiums for many.
“It provides food and nutrition, keeps families in their homes and will cut child poverty in this country by half, according to experts.
“And it funds all the steps I just outlined to beat the virus and create millions of jobs in the coming weeks and months.”
Analysis: Donald Trump was always present but was not mentioned over Joe Biden’s shoulder
By Alex Rossi, News Correspondent
It was a name that only appeared by omission, but in Joe Biden’s first primetime television address, Donald Trump stood out.
He was the elephant in the room and the man Biden clearly blamed for the devastating scale of the pandemic.
But this was a great solutions speech, it didn’t dwell so much on the mistakes that were made in the past.
This was a realistic appeal to Americans to do their bit, as well as reassurance that the government was behind them when it came to the COVID response.
Exiting the COVID nightmare would put vaccines front and center.
All adults will be offered a coup before May 1 and the bright prospect that small independence meetings can be held before July 4.
The answer offered by Biden is extraordinary, but these are extraordinary times: more than half a million dead and the economy decimated.
The $ 1.9 trillion stimulus package is unprecedented in modern times.
What’s interesting is that this speech, delivered roughly in the middle of Biden’s first 100 days, shows the clear direction and strategy of this administration.
Joe Biden knows that his presidency and his success will depend on how well this answer works. If it fails, you could run into problems; if it works, it could receive a great deal of political support.
