In his first primetime speech Thursday night, President Joe Biden addressed the nation on the one-year anniversary of the World Health Organization declaring the novel coronavirus a pandemic. Biden said he will direct every U.S. state and territory to make all adults eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine by May 1, announcing the plan to assure that all Americans will be able to sign up to receive a vaccination against the virus that has infected more than 29 million Americans and killed more than 530,600 in a year.
Biden clarified: “Let me be clear, that doesn’t mean everyone is going to have that shot immediately but it means you’re going to be able to get in line beginning May 1.” Biden said the United States would also double its plan to administer 1 million vaccine shots each day to 2 million each day. The President’s address came after he signed the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan, which is set to deliver $1,400 direct payments to Americans as early as this weekend along with additional funding for vaccinations, vital benefits like unemployment and an increased child tax credit.
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