President Biden devoted his first prime-time address to the pandemic that helped put him in the White House, vowing to follow the science and reassuring voters they can follow him. His address about the pandemic he now owns was all at once grim and somber but also optimistic — and peppered with warnings.

“Look, we know what we need to do to beat this virus,” Biden said. “Tell the truth. Follow the science and the scientists. Work together. Put trust and faith in our government to fulfill its most important function, which is protecting the American people.”