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WASHINGTON (AP) – The latest on President Joe Biden’s (still local) $ 1.9 trillion coronavirus relief program:
8:05 p.m.
President Joe Biden delivers a grim but optimistic message on the first anniversary of the coronavirus pandemic.
Speaking from a lectern in a draped backdrop in the East Room of the White House, Biden reflects on the worst public health crisis in more than a century. It has killed nearly 530,000 Americans, sickened millions more and devastated the world economy.
Biden says, “We’ve all lost something, a collective pain, a collective sacrifice.”
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6:40 p.m.
President Joe Biden plans to announce during his prime-time speech Thursday night that he will deploy 4,000 additional U.S. troops to support coronavirus vaccination efforts. It also significantly expands the pool of people eligible to serve as vaccinators.
This is according to a senior administration official who briefed reporters ahead of Biden’s speech to the nation. The official said the president will also announce plans to double the number of pharmacies participating in the immunization program, expand mobile operations to immunize residents of communities hard hit by the virus and double the number of immunization centers in mass managed by the federal government.
There are currently 2,000 active duty soldiers supporting vaccination efforts across the country.
The official said the White House plans to detail plans on Friday to expand the number of people who can give injections. Dentists, paramedics, physician assistants, veterinarians and medical students will become eligible to administer vaccines under the new guidelines.
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6.30 p.m.
President Joe Biden will use his first prime-time speech Thursday night to announce that he is ordering states to make all U.S. adults eligible for a coronavirus vaccine no later than May 1.
This is according to two senior administration officials who briefed reporters ahead of Biden’s evening speech on the first anniversary of the pandemic. Officials say the president will also say there’s a good chance Americans can safely gather in small groups by July 4.
Biden is also expected to point out that “the fight is far from over.” But he will say the nation will be in a “much better place” by Independence Day if Americans wear masks, follow public health guidelines and get vaccinated when it’s their turn. Officials spoke on condition of anonymity to stay focused on the president’s speech.
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