WASHINGTON (AP) – The latest report on President Joe Biden’s $ 1.9 billion coronavirus (always local) relief package:
20:05
President Joe Biden delivers a gloomy but optimistic message on the one-year anniversary of the coronavirus pandemic.
In a pulpit in a background of the flag in the East Chamber of the White House, Biden reflects on the worst public health crisis in more than a century. It killed nearly 530,000 Americans, made millions more sick and devastated the world economy.
Biden says, “We have all lost something, a collective suffering, a collective sacrifice.”
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18:40
President Joe Biden plans to announce during his first speech Thursday night that he will deploy 4,000 additional U.S. troops to support the coronavirus vaccination efforts. He also greatly expands the number of people who are eligible to adjust as vaccinators.
This is according to a senior administration official who informed reporters prior to Biden’s speech to the country. The official says the president will also announce plans to double the number of pharmacies participating in the vaccination program, expand mobile operations to vaccinate people in communities hard hit by the virus, and increase the number of federal mass vaccination centers doubled.
There are currently 2,000 active duty troops supporting vaccination efforts across the country.
Officials say the White House plans to discuss plans Friday to expand who can fire shots. Dentists, paramedics, medical assistants, veterinarians and medical students will be eligible to give vaccinations under the new guidance.
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18:30
President Joe Biden will use his first speech for the first time on Thursday night to announce that he is instructing countries to allow all U.S. adults to be eligible for a coronavirus vaccine by May 1st.
According to two senior government officials, reporters briefed on Biden’s anniversary of the pandemic’s anniversary. Officials say the president will also say there is a good chance that Americans will be able to gather safely in small groups by July 4th.
Biden is also expected to emphasize that the “battle is far from over.” But he would say the nation would be in a “much better place” during Independence Day holiday if Americans wore masks, followed public health guidelines and were vaccinated if it was their turn. Officials spoke on condition of anonymity to keep the focus on the president’s address.