Biden ramps up pace of vaccinations

US president promises to have all adults eligible for COVID-19 shots by May 1

US President Joe Biden announced on Thursday that he is directing all states, territories and tribes in the United States to make all adults eligible for COVID-19 vaccines by May 1 and set a goal for people to be able to gather in small groups by the Fourth of July holiday.

Biden's first prime-time address to the nation came hours after he signed into law a $1.9-trillion coronavirus relief bill that will provide direct payments to many citizens, extend enhanced jobless aid and disburse funds for vaccine distribution efforts, marking his first major legislative victory as president.

Biden spoke from the East Room of the White House a year to the day after the World Health Organization declared the spread of the virus a pandemic. Within hours of the declaration, then-president Donald Trump spoke from the White House Oval Office and announced he was suspending travel from Europe while also telling the public of the virus:"The risk is very, very low."

Now, one year later, with deaths topping 526,000 in the US and 2.6 million worldwide, Biden said:"We all lost something－a collective suffering, a collective sacrifice, a year filled with the loss of life.

"But in the loss, we saw how much there was to gain. An appreciation, respect and gratitude. Finding light in the darkness is a very American thing to do."

Biden mentioned the loss of faith in government during the pandemic.

"We lost faith in whether our government and our democracy can deliver on really hard things for the American people," he said.

Biden said that "by July the Fourth, there's a good chance" that families and friends will be able "to get together in your backyard or in your neighborhood and have a cookout or a barbecue and celebrate Independence Day".

He warned that a return to normal this summer will require the public continue to wear masks, social distance and sign up to be vaccinated in the meantime.

Biden also denounced what he called "vicious hate attacks" against Asian Americans.

Biden said Asian Americans have been "attacked, harassed, blamed and scapegoated" for the COVID-19 pandemic.

"So many of them are fellow Americans, are on the front lines of this pandemic trying to save lives－and still are forced to live in fear for their lives just walking down streets in America," he said."It's wrong. It's un-American. And it must stop."

A most sweeping directive

Making all adults eligible for a vaccine by May 1 is one of the most sweeping directives so far from Biden, who has largely left decisions to states to determine how to prioritize people for vaccines.

His order to eliminate the current prioritization of vaccine eligibility is a reflection, his aides said, of the administration's confidence that there will soon be enough vaccine for everyone, The New York Times reported.

While Biden said his announcement won't mean everyone will be able to get a shot by May 1, he wants everyone to be able to sign up for their first shot by then, according to the White House.

New polls released on Thursday underscored the popularity of the relief package and solid approval ratings for Biden as he passes the 50-day mark of his presidency.

Despite those high approval ratings for the relief plan, the Biden administration is planning a nationwide sales pitch for the plan, with Biden visiting Pennsylvania on Tuesday.