President Joe Biden praised the improvements in the nation’s battle against the pandemic on Tuesday at the beginning of his speech on the state of the Union.
‘Last year COVID-19 Separated us. This year, we are finally together again, “Biden said after entering the hall without masks – for a speech that was a round of applause and deputies without masks.
This was Biden’s first round of applause for the evening – where he pointed to “progress” against the virus and called on Americans to resume some of their routines.
He also spoke about the angry confrontations that erupted over schools, masks and vaccines – as well as the fierce clashes in Congress one night when he put forward a “unity agenda”.
“Let’s use this moment to reset. “Let’s stop looking at COVID-19 as a guerrilla dividing line and see it as it is: a terrible disease,” Biden said.
“Let’s stop seeing each other as enemies and start seeing ourselves as we really are: American compatriots,” he added.
He then spoke about ending some of the measures ordered by health and political officials to control the virus, which provoked a political reaction in some communities.
“We can end the closure of schools and businesses. We have the necessary tools. “It’s time for Americans to get back to work and fill our great centers again,” Biden said.
“People working from home can feel safe to start returning to the office. We are doing this here in the federal government. Most federal workers will return to work in person. Our schools are open. Let it stay that way. “Our kids have to go to school,” Biden said.
“Last year, COVID-19 divided us. We are finally together again this year, “said President Joe Biden at the beginning of his speech on the state of the Union.
“And because 75 percent of older Americans are fully vaccinated and hospitalizations are down by 77 percent, most Americans can take off their masks, return to work, stay in the classroom and continue safely,” he said.
Biden acknowledged that Americans are “disappointed” by the pandemic, amid a series of polls showing that Americans say they think the country is on the wrong track. The pandemic also led to fierce divisions in Congress – where lawmakers clashed over mask mandates, blockades, school policies and figures, including Biden’s coronavirus adviser, Dr. Anthony Fauci.
“For more than two years, COVID-19 has influenced every decision in our lives and the lives of the nation. And I know you’re tired, frustrated and exhausted. But I know that too. “Because of the progress we’ve made, because of your resilience and the tools we have, I can say tonight that we’re moving forward safely, returning to more normal routines,” Biden said.
Almost all lawmakers who attended the speech avoided the masks on Tuesday
He pointed to recent improvements in coronavirus cases after a devastating two years.
“We have reached a new moment in the fight against COVID-19, with severe cases reduced to levels not seen since last July,” he said, citing the latest mask guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
“According to these new guidelines, most Americans in most parts of the country can now be without masks. And based on forecasts, more of the country will reach this point in the next few weeks. Thanks to the progress we have made over the past year, COVID-19 no longer has to control our lives. I know some people talk about “live with COVID-19”. Tonight – I say we will never accept just living with COVID-19. We will continue to fight the virus as well as other diseases. And because it is a virus that mutates and spreads, we will be on the alert, “he said.
But his remarks acknowledged that the virus had not yet been defeated, although he noted a drop in hospitalizations and infections.
“We will continue to fight the virus, as well as other diseases. And because it is a virus that mutates and spreads, we will be on the alert, “he said.
Biden advertises vaccines and boosters, antiviral drugs and tests – after millions of Americans were caught without tests when the omicron struck last fall.
He warned: “We need to prepare for new options. Over the last year, we have become much better at discovering new options. If necessary, we will be able to introduce new vaccines within 100 days, instead of many more months or years.
“And if Congress provides the funds we need, we will have ready stocks of tests, masks and pills, if necessary. I cannot promise that a new version will not appear. But I can promise you that we will do our best to be ready if it happens, “Biden said.
Masked lawmakers rejoiced in the House of Commons for the first time in months as they gathered to hear Biden’s speech.
Biden and his team of speechwriters faced a delicate task on Tuesday. The nation is escaping the omicron leap, but pandemic casualties continue to rise.
The United States has already had more than 900,000 deaths due to COVID-19. Although the omicron jump that swept the country late last year looks fatal, the total number of cases remains at about 70,000 in a moving average for seven days, with daily deaths still above 1,500.
The Centers for Disease Control eased its mask guidelines on Friday for areas that do not experience high levels of infection or severity for hospitals, and Washington lifted some of its restrictions on Monday.
His speech came in a hall of the House of Representatives that held many unmasked lawmakers for the first time in months.
There was a sense of a more traditional state of the union, with members of the Supreme Court, the president’s office and lawmakers disguised themselves after a weekend letter from Capitol doctor Brian Monahan, who wrote that lawmakers could decide whether to disguise. .
There was no mask mandate in the Senate.
Pelosi and Vice President Kamala Harris sat behind the president
Speaker Nancy Pelosi for the first time ordered a mandate for a mask in 2020
The President of the House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi for the first time imposed a mandate for a mask for the floor of the House in July 2020.
There were angry episodes involving a series of MPs who were fined by the House’s weapons sergeant for refusing to comply.
Biden spoke on Tuesday after a sharp drop in coronavirus infections
Coronavirus deaths in the United States have finally begun to decline in recent weeks