US President-elect Joe Biden has laid out his three-point plan for combating the coronavirus pandemic in his first 100 days.
Biden announced the three-point plan as he introduced the team he formed to fight the coronavirus pandemic. It came the same day President Donald Trump issued an executive order that aims to prioritize coronavirus vaccine shipments to the US before other countries.
First 100 days
For his first 100 days as US president, Biden plans to get at least 100 million Americans vaccinated, sign a mandate asking people to wear face masks, and get the children back to school safely.
At an event in Wilmington, Delaware, Biden said: "My first 100 days won't end the Covid-19 virus. I can't promise that. But we did not get in this mess quickly, we're not going to get out of it quickly, it's going to take some time. But I'm absolutely convinced that in 100 days we can change the course of the disease and change life in America for the better."
The president-elect vowed that he would give priority to the vaccination of health care workers and residents of long-term care facilities, per the recommendation of vaccine advisers to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
He also said educators will be vaccinated as soon as possible.
Aside from discussing his plans, Biden also introduced at the event the top members of his health team who will be at the forefront of the US government's response to the coronavirus pandemic.
Three-point plan vs coronavirus
As mentioned, the first priority under Biden's plan is to get at least 100 million vaccine shots, prioritizing health care workers and long-term care facilities residents.
The second point of his coronavirus plan is a reiteration of what he said in a CNN interview last week that he will ask Americans to wear masks for the first 100 days after he takes office.
Under the law, Biden cannot unilaterally require every person to wear a mask but he could make it a requirement in places such as federal buildings and on planes, trains and buses for interstate travel.
The third priority under his plan is to get children back in school safely. He claimed that "my team will work to see that a majority of our schools can be open by the end of my first 100 days."
Biden pointed out that this would be possible if Congress provides the necessary funding to protect students, educators and staff and strong public health measures will be established by states and cities for people to follow.
He is calling on Congress to unite and pass a $900 billion Covid-19 economic relief bill that will help reopen businesses and schools safely.
He also mentioned that these objectives were drafted in consultation with the country's top infectious disease doctor Dr. Anthony Fauci, who will also serve as chief medical adviser on the pandemic under his administration.
Biden also called on the Trump administration "to purchase the doses it has negotiated with Pfizer and Moderna and to work swiftly to scale manufacturing to US populations and the world."
