The President of the United States of America (USA), Joseph Biden, said in an address last night that he will order the American states to give all adult citizens the opportunity to be vaccinated against covid-19 by May 1.
In a nationally televised address from the White House on the anniversary of the declaration of the pandemic, Biden said he was working to speed up vaccination against Covid-19 to create a greater sense of normalcy in the country by July 4, when Americans celebrate Independence Day. the Voice of America reported.
Biden called on Americans to be vigilant and continue to protect themselves from the virus, and he did so a few hours after signing into law a package of aid to those affected by the pandemic, in the amount of 1.900 billion dollars.
Independence Day, July 4, is a new target for the president, who has warned citizens that more suffering and more deaths are ahead from a virus that has killed more than 530.000 people in the US - more than any other country.
Millions of people lost their jobs due to the shutdown and other restrictions.
"Photos and videos from 2019 look like they were taken in another time. Last vacation. Last birthday with friends. Last holiday with relatives. While everyone had different experiences, we all lost something," Biden said, recalling victims taken by the pandemic.
He recalled that "the seriousness of the virus was ignored and denied for days, then weeks, then months, which led to new deaths, new infections, new stress and loneliness."
But as the financial aid freed up by the new law reaches more and more vaccinated people, Biden offered cautious optimism to a country that, like the rest of the world, is weary of pandemic restrictions and economic problems.
The White House said it will have enough supplies to vaccinate the American population by the end of May.
About 10 percent of Americans have received both doses of the vaccine so far.
The president also said more U.S. troops would help with vaccinations, adding that families and friends would be able to gather again, in smaller groups, to celebrate the Fourth of July, a holiday that many Americans celebrate with barbecues in their backyards and gardens, or in the parks.
The White House also wants to increase the number of people who can administer vaccines to citizens - and include doctors, opticians, EMS workers, veterinarians and medical students in that operation.
Biden campaigned last year on the promise that he would fight the pandemic more effectively than Republican President Donald Trump, and sought to set an example of behavior such as wearing masks, which Trump sometimes mocked, Voice of America reports.
The president urged Americans to wear masks, keep their distance and take care of hygiene to stop the spread of the virus, while the pace of vaccination accelerates.
Some countries have already relaxed restrictions.
"We faced one of the most difficult and darkest times in the history of this country, the darkest we've ever known, but we got through it," Biden said, adding, "I promise you will come out of this stronger."
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