In his first policy speech on the coronavirus after he was elected president, Joe Biden implored the public to wear masks as he warned the United States was still facing a “dark winter,” even as a vaccine seems nearer.
“I will spare no effort to turn this pandemic around once we are sworn in on January 20,” Biden said, with a symbol of the office the president-elect behind him. He vowed to push out vaccine doses “free of charge” as quickly as possible, but stressed he would “follow the science.”
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Biden promised to ensure more protective gear for medics and expand testing, but much of his speech focused on a message of mask-wearing, as he urged people to stop viewing face coverings as a partisan political issue, saying they will save lives during the pandemic.
“I implore you, wear a mask. Do it for yourself, do it for your neighbour. A mask is not a political statement but it is a good way to start pulling the country together,” he said. “The goal is to get back to normal as fast as possible and masks are critical in doing that.”
