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The White House coronavirus task force made remarks to reporters for the first time since July on Thursday, as cases and deaths continued to rise, but did not ask questions. The country has just passed the dark milestone of 250,000 deaths from COVID-19, with winter and the holidays fast approaching.
The task force tried to balance it out by emphasizing the need to remain vigilant, as cases increased, with the hope that the vaccine will be released online next month. Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar said “hope and help” was on the way. Vice President Mike Pence echoed a similar message.
“We’re getting there, America,” he said.
Pence noted that cases and hospitalizations are on the rise, and said President Trump – absent at the briefing – had ordered the task force to speak to reporters. Pence said they were continuing to mobilize testing, as the country waited for the vaccine to become available.
“Even though we see help along the way with vaccines being developed at an historic rate as I mentioned before as we meet today we are seeing an increase in cases and positivity. across the country, ”Pence said. “But we approach this moment with the confidence of experience. We know the American people know what to do. We have forged a partnership that is truly transparent with national and local health authorities. And as we will describe to you today. , we have continued to work seven days a week, throughout this year and up to this precise time to ensure that the American people have access to the health care that we would want any member of our family receive as we face this pandemic. “
Dr Anthony Fauci praised the effectiveness of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines, and assured Americans that the vaccine review and approval process is rigorous and safe.
“I hear a lot now when we made those announcements last Monday and then two Mondays ago about reluctance on the part of people – well did you rush that? Was it too fast? Is it really safe? And is it really effective? Said Fauci. “The speed process did not compromise safety at all, nor did it compromise scientific integrity. It was a reflection of the extraordinary scientific advancements in these types of vaccines that allowed us to do things in months that took years before. really want to address people’s concerns about it. “
The working group met on Tuesday and warned of the dire consequences if further mitigation measures are not taken. The task force said the country could kill up to 2,000 a day by Christmas and recommended closing restaurants and eateries inside. The task force also suggested that Pence or President Trump publicly urge Americans to take more precautions.
Mr. Trump has remained largely removed from the public since election day and his loss to President-elect Joe Biden. Mr. Trump has largely given up on meeting with the task force. He gave an update last week on Operation Warp Speed, the push to speed up the vaccine.
Pharmaceutical companies Moderna and Pfizer over the past two weeks have offered some promising news on the vaccine front. But public health officials like Dr Anthony Fauci have warned that the country is going through a long, dark winter, when people will spend more time indoors, where the risk of the spread and contraction of COVID-19 is high. higher.
Meanwhile, Biden has formed his own coronavirus advisory board, especially since the Trump administration will not allow him to meet with current health officials.
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