Joe Biden has said that one of his first acts as the president would be to ask the Americans to commit to wearing facemasks for at least a hundred days. His move marks a dramatic shift from President Trump, whose own skepticism on wearing facemasks has led to extreme politicization of the public health care issue.
As a result, it has made millions of people reluctant to wear a face-covering that scientists say is one of the easiest ways to curb the spread of the pandemic that has so far killed 275,000 people across the US. On the other hand, since his campaign days, President-elect has asked his supporters and has described it as a “patriotic duty.” Previously, he had also floated the idea of a national mandate on face coverings. But later, he acknowledged that it would be beyond the ability of a president to enforce it on-ground.
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While speaking to a local news channel, Biden said that on his inauguration day, he would ask the Americans to wear face coverings. Moreover, President-elect also reiterated his call for the legislators in Capitol Hill to pass a coronavirus relief bill and expressed support for a $900 billion package presented this week by a group of bipartisan lawmakers.
Biden has said that his transition team is already working on a relief package and his close aides have stated that this would be their first legislative push. Besides, he has asked the nation’s top infectious-disease expert, Dr. Anthony Fauci, to stay on his administration in the same role he has had for the past few years – as the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.
He asked Fauci to be his administration’s medical expert and a part of his coronavirus advisory team. Referring to the development of an effective vaccine, Biden gave credit to the incumbent administration for the work they have done but added that the distribution plan would be critically examined.
Many political and health experts have suggested that the Biden administration will face grave difficulties in the distribution plan, especially when it comes to instilling public confidence in the vaccine. However, Biden has said that he would be willing to inoculate publicly to address the concerns about its legitimacy and efficacy.
On Thursday, Joe Biden addressed the reports of Trump’s plans to issue pardons of his family and himself. President-elect said it is very concerning, given what precedent it would set. He added that the Justice Department would act independently, and they will decide whom to investigate. Meanwhile, the incumbent has continuously refused to concede to his rival’s victory and currently enjoys the support of several Republican lawmakers even after the flurry of legal challenges failed to overturn the election results.
