Biden talks about his virus containing plan
Biden's federal response will include increasing vaccine production, expanding testing and requiring masks on certain public transportation, according to the plan, titled "National Strategy for the COVID-19 Response and Pandemic Preparedness." It is tied to the $1.9 trillion pandemic plan Biden unveiled last week.
The main goals of the strategy revolve around restoring trust in the federal government, increasing vaccinations, mitigating the spread of the virus, exercising the Defense Production Act, reopening schools, stimulating business and travel, addressing health inequalities and preparing for future pandemics.
It's a sharp turn from the Trump administration, which largely tried to pin coronavirus response on the states.
"For almost a year now, Americans could not look to the federal government for any strategy, let alone a comprehensive approach to respond to COVID. And we've seen the tragic costs of that failure," White House coronavirus coordinator Jeff Zients told reporters Wednesday.
Biden is expected to sign coronavirus-related executive orders and present some of his initiatives to the public Thursday afternoon.
Some of the plan's specific goals include:
Conducting regular public briefings with experts.
Issuing an executive order that "directs applicable agencies take immediate action to require mask-wearing on many airplanes, trains, and certain other forms of public transportation in the United States."
Signing an executive order to establish a pandemic testing board to help implement a national testing strategy.
Implementing the Defense Production Act and other authorities to address supply gaps of critical items like N95 masks, rapid test kits and syringes.
Issuing an executive order aimed at helping schools safely reopen.
Establishing the COVID-19 Health Equity Task Force to "address COVID-19 related health and social inequities and help coordinate an equitable pandemic response recovery."
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