President-elect Joe Biden is imploring Americans to “recommit” themselves to fighting the coronavirus and follow the advice of public health experts as they head into the holiday season.
In an address on Wednesday, Biden said, “I know how hard it is to forgo family traditions, but it’s so very important.”
He continued, “Our country is in the middle of a dramatic spike in cases. We’re now averaging 160,000 new cases a day. No one will be surprised if we hit 200,000 cases in a single day. Many local health systems are at risk of being overwhelmed. That’s the plain and simple truth.”
“I believe you always deserve to hear the truth from your president,” he added.
Biden continued to say it is Americans’ “patriotic duty” to follow public health guidelines such as social distancing, wearing a mask, and limiting the size of gatherings to help slow the spread of the virus.
He also vowed that his administration would act to ramp up testing around the country to identify people who have contracted the virus and “get them away from one another.”
Additionally, he said he would work to provide more personal protective equipment to schools and businesses.
While he said the federal government has “vast powers to combat the virus,” he added, “The federal government can’t do this alone.”
“Each of us has a responsibility in our own lives to do what we can to slow the virus. Every decision we make matters. Every decision we make can save a life. None of these steps we’re asking people to take are political statements.” he added.
Watch the video below:
President-elect Joe Biden delivers Thanksgiving message: "I know how hard it is to forgo family traditions — but it's so very important." pic.twitter.com/F6hDhFeZrc
— The Hill (@thehill) November 25, 2020
Biden recalled what he said was “first national day of Thanksgiving” in 1777.
“It was celebrated by General George Washington and his troops at Gulph Mills on the way to Valley Forge. It took place under extremely harsh conditions and deprivations — lacking food, clothing, shelter. They were preparing to ride out a long hard winter.”
“Looking back over our history, you’ll see that it’s been in the most difficult of circumstances that the soul of our nation has been forged,” he said. “Now, we find ourselves again facing a long, hard winter.”
President-elect Joe Biden in Thanksgiving message: "This is the moment where we need to steel our spines, redouble our efforts, and recommit ourselves to the fight." pic.twitter.com/YFdXXIGyeL
— The Hill (@thehill) November 25, 2020
He added, “We have fought a nearly year-long battle with a virus that has devastated this nation. It’s brought us pain and loss and frustration, and it has cost so many lives.”
He also acknowledged Americans have “grown weary of the fight” but urged them to “remember we’re at war with a virus not with each other.”
“This is the moment where we need to steel our spines, redouble our efforts, and recommit ourselves to the fight,” he said.
Biden’s comments come as officials around the country have urged their constituents to avoid traveling for Thanksgiving to help curb the spread of COVID-19.
During a press conference on Wednesday, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) said, “This is not a normal Thanksgiving, and to act like it’s a normal Thanksgiving is to deny reality of every health expert in the nation.”
He added, “So even if you’re in this political mindset, ‘I can’t trust the other side. I can’t trust Democrats. I can’t trust Republicans.’ They both agree on this issue.”
