President Biden called for a national “war footing” Thursday, touting an uptick in vaccinations for older people and urging the public to come together to put the pandemic in the rearview mirror.
“I took office 50 days ago, only 8% of Americans, after months — only 8% of those over the age of 65 had gotten their first vaccination. Today, that number is 65%,” Biden said in prime-time remarks from the White House’s East Room.
“Just 14% of Americans over the age of 75, 50 days ago had gotten their first shot,” he added. “Today, that number is well over 70%.”
Biden delivered his remarks in a 20-minute address one year after the pandemic drew the country to a halt and hours after he signed into law a massive spending bill he and Democrats say is needed to supercharge the COVID-19-slowed economy. Republicans, however, call it a liberal wish list that should have been half the cost.
WHITE HOUSE TO DEPLOY AN ALL-HANDS-ON-DECK SPENDING BILL MESSAGING BLITZ
“I’m using every power I have as president of the United States to put us on a war footing to get the job done,” Biden said, heaping praise on his administration’s vaccine response, which he said was “one of the most complex operations we’ve ever undertaken as a nation in a long time.”
“It sounds like hyperbole, but I mean it — a war footing,” he added, flags of all 50 states displayed behind him along a long red carpet.
The president “applauded” competing vaccine developers and manufacturers who joined forces to turn out another shot “for the good of the country,” an effort aided by active duty military, federal officials, and medical practitioners on call to administer the jab into arms.
“It’s truly a national effort, just like we saw during World War II,” he said.
Absent Biden’s remarks was any credit to former President Donald Trump, his predecessor in the White House, whose administration first stood up the massive vaccine effort.
“My first full day in office, I outlined for you a comprehensive strategy to beat this pandemic. We’ve spent every day since attempting to carry it out,” the president said. “Two months ago, this country didn’t have nearly enough vaccines supply to vaccinate all, or anywhere near all, Americans, but soon we will.”
Calling for “unity,” Biden urged the public to get the inoculation shot and to abide by his administration’s COVID-19 precautions.
“If we don’t stay vigilant and the conditions change, we may have to reinstate restrictions to get back on track,” he said. “I need every American to do their part.”
He also told people to “listen to [Anthony] Fauci,” the nation’s top infectious disease doctor who clashed repeatedly with Trump and whose pronouncements became akin to a partisan Rorschach blot, dividing the country along political lines.
Biden’s speech also offered hope, telling the country there would be sufficient vaccine supply for all adults by the end of May.
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER
“I will not relent until we beat this virus, but I need you, the American people,” Biden said. “I need you.”
