COVID Update 7/4/21: Today is the day early in the Biden Administration where the president hoped Americans would be able to gather in small groups again after 18 months.
The odds did not seem good back then & many were skeptical but we were motivated by what we couldn’t see. 1/
The odds did not seem good back then & many were skeptical but we were motivated by what we couldn’t see. 1/
It’s almost hard to remember what a shit show (sorry) it was 6 months ago. No vaccines in inventory, no appointments, bizarre rules to qualify, not enough places or vaccinators. And only 40% said they would take a shot if they could get one. 2/
When we got there, the public had been told 100 million would be vaccinated by the end of January. No one trusted a thing they heard.
I was asked to speak to the public on a regular basis. Biden had one expectation. Tell people the truth, whether the news was good or bad. 3/
I was asked to speak to the public on a regular basis. Biden had one expectation. Tell people the truth, whether the news was good or bad. 3/
We were on a course to vaccinate the country at about the pace we did everything in the pandemic— below average. It would take til the end of ‘21. Biden said he hoped for a more normal holiday season. But internally we knew we had to do much better. For one reason above others.4/
Yes we were losing too many lives
Yes the public was impatient
Yes we needed to restore trust & the economy
But we had another issue. The pace at which variants were coming to the US. 5/
Yes the public was impatient
Yes we needed to restore trust & the economy
But we had another issue. The pace at which variants were coming to the US. 5/
It was going to be a very close call— even if we accelerated everything— as to whether the variant or vaccine would win out.
We needed to accelerate supply dramatically & improve demand or we would face a situation we soon saw in India.
Realizing this, it was hard to sleep. 6/
We needed to accelerate supply dramatically & improve demand or we would face a situation we soon saw in India.
Realizing this, it was hard to sleep. 6/
We engaged FEMA to open up sites, the military to give shots, pharmacies to open appointments, the Defense Production Act to increase supply. And community groups to talk to people & answer vaccine questions. 7/
We worked to move the date to vaccinate the country to September by buying more doses & opening up sites. We announced this. Later we announced we could do it by July. Then May. Then April 19. 8/
We doubled the president’s original vaccination goals. July 4 was looking like a real possibility but many things needed to go right.
The number of cases were down but hovering at too high a level. The future was unclear. 8/
The number of cases were down but hovering at too high a level. The future was unclear. 8/
We had 36 interations of a model as to what could happen. If vaccinations weren’t speedy & mask mandates were relaxed while variants came in, it would not be good.
Drs Walensky & Fauci publicly expressed nervousness. 9/
Drs Walensky & Fauci publicly expressed nervousness. 9/
The first time I remember smiling after coming to the White House was when you started posting pictures of getting vaccinated & reuniting with family members.
One picture became 10 became 100 & 1000. I was seeing exponential growth in a good way! 10/
One picture became 10 became 100 & 1000. I was seeing exponential growth in a good way! 10/
And the news on the vaccines was outstanding. Hundreds of millions vaccinated. An almost perfect record & incredibly well-tolerated.
And the FDA showed that it was protecting the public, jumping on even small signals. 11/
And the FDA showed that it was protecting the public, jumping on even small signals. 11/
On my last day in the White House, with cases & deaths down 95%, we made a long planned announcement.
We were donating 500 million vaccines to countries around the globe. 12/
We were donating 500 million vaccines to countries around the globe. 12/
So today as people gather in small & large groups, indoors and out, we have witnessed a stunning transformation. We have avoided the worst. We have saved hundreds of thousands from being needlessly hospitalized. Many are getting their lives back in some form.13/
COVID remains a challenge. One we can manage. 2/3 of adults are protected from the variant. Most of the other third can be if they choose. And if they do, the variants have very little chance to take root here. 14/
Everyone of us has been harmed in some way by this pandemic. Some in many ways. Our country is not unified but I hope we are unified in our support of one another individually. Suffering is suffering & we are the ones who can help each other. 15/
Some communities suffered much more than others. And even if we can’t unify on many dimensions, on this day when we celebrate our unique gifts as a country, I hope we realize we are only at our best, when those gifts are shared. 16/
Liberty, freedom, peace & rights can only be enjoyed because of courage, sacrifice, a quest for Justice and a common commitment.
I’m grateful to all who have made our story possible.
🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
I’m grateful to all who have made our story possible.
🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
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