Biden sets vaccine signpost

President Joe Biden announced Thursday that he is directing all states, territories and tribes to make all American adults eligible for COVID-19 vaccines by May 1 and set a goal for the public 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 bill that will provide direct payments to many Americans, 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 and hours later then-President Donald Trump spoke from the White House Oval Office and announced he was suspending travel from Europe while also telling Americans of the virus: "The risk is very, very low."

Now, one year later, with more than 526,000 dead in the United States and more than 2.6 million dead worldwide, Biden said:

"We all lost something — a collective suffering, a collective sacrifice, a year filled with the loss of life," Biden said. "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," he added.

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.

But, he said, the nation's response to the deadly disease is proving something he has stressed repeatedly to foreign and US leaders.

"It's never, ever a good bet to bet against the American people," he said. "America is coming back."

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".

"After this long hard year," he said, "that will make this Independence Day something truly special."

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."

Making all adults eligible for the COVID-19 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 Thursday underscored the popularity of the COVID-19 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 pandemic relief plan, the Biden administration is planning a nationwide sales pitch for the plan, with Biden visiting the election battleground state of Pennsylvania on Tuesday, with a stop in suburban Philadelphia, while Vice-President Kamala Harris plans stops in California, Colorado and Nevada on Monday and Tuesday, White House officials said.

The administration also plans to put surrogates and senior administration officials on local TV in markets across the country and mobilize more than 400 mayors and governors to talk about what the plan means for them and their communities, Reuters reported Thursday.