Fact
ba
.
se
Remarks: Joe Biden Provides an Update on the Coronavirus Pandemic - December 21, 2021
-
Joe Biden Person
-
Question Person
Joe Biden
Very Positive
00:00:00-00:00:12 (12 sec)
"Good afternoon. I promised when I got elected that I'd always give it to you straight from the shoulder -- the good, the bad, the truth."
1
Joe Biden
Leans Positive
00:00:12-00:00:20 (8 sec)
"So, as we head into Christmas weekend, I want to answer your questions about the rising number of COVID cases -- COVID-19 cases."
2
Joe Biden
Very Negative
00:00:20-00:00:28 (7 sec)
"And I want to start by acknowledging how tired, worried, and frustrated I know you are. I know how you're feeling."
3
Joe Biden
Slightly Negative
00:00:28-00:00:35 (8 sec)
"For many of you, this will be the first or even the second Christmas where you look -- across the table will be an empty kitchen chair there."
4
Joe Biden
Very Negative
00:00:35-00:00:41 (5 sec)
"Tens of millions have gotten sick, and we've all experienced an upheaval in our lives."
5
Joe Biden
Very Positive
00:00:41-00:00:56 (15 sec)
"But while COVID has been a tough adversary, we've shown that we're tougher -- tougher because we have the power of science and vaccines that prevent illness and save lives, and tougher because of our resolve."
6
Joe Biden
Neutral
00:00:56-00:01:09 (13 sec)
"So, that -- let me answer some questions that lay out the steps the Vice President and I are taking to prepare for the rising number of cases experts tell us we could expect in the weeks ahead."
7
Joe Biden
Neutral
00:01:09-00:01:18 (10 sec)
"First, how concerned should you be about Omicron, which is now the dominant variant in this country and it happened so quickly?"
8
Joe Biden
Very Negative
00:01:18-00:01:39 (21 sec)
"The answer is straightforward: If you are not fully vaccinated, you have good reason to be concerned. You're at a high risk of getting sick. And if you get sick, you're likely to spread it to others, including friends and family. And the unvaccinated have a significantly higher risk of ending up in a hospital or even dying."
9
Joe Biden
Very Negative
00:01:39-00:01:48 (10 sec)
"Almost everyone who has died from COVID-19 in the past many months has been unvaccinated. Unvaccinated."
10
Joe Biden
Very Negative
00:01:48-00:02:03 (14 sec)
"But if you're among the majority of Americans who are fully vaccinated, and especially if you've gotten the booster shot -- that third shot -- you're much -- you have much, much less reason to worry. You have a high degree of protection against severe illness."
11
Joe Biden
Very Positive
00:02:03-00:02:21 (19 sec)
"And because Omicron spreads so easily, we'll see some fully vaccinated people get COVID, potentially in large numbers. There will be positive cases in every office, even here in the White House, among the unv- -- among the vaccinated -- among the vaccinated -- from Omicron."
12
Joe Biden
Negative
00:02:21-00:02:25 (4 sec)
"But these cases are highly unlikely to lead to serious illness."
13
Joe Biden
Very Negative
00:02:25-00:02:35 (10 sec)
"Vaccinated people who get COVID may get ill, but they're protected from severe illness and death. That's why you should still remain vigilant."
14
Joe Biden
Neutral
00:02:35-00:02:43 (8 sec)
"According to our doctors, even if you're fully vaccinated, you should wear a mask when indoors in public settings."
15
Joe Biden
Very Positive
00:02:43-00:02:53 (10 sec)
"Wearing a mask provides extra protection for you and those around you. And I know some Americans are wondering if you can safely celebrate the holidays with your family and friends."
16
Joe Biden
Very Positive
00:02:53-00:03:02 (9 sec)
"The answer is yes, you can, if you and those you celebrate with are vaccinated, particularly if you've gotten your booster shot."
17
Joe Biden
Very Positive
00:03:02-00:03:12 (10 sec)
"If you are vaccinated and follow the precautions that we all know well, you should feel comfortable celebrating Christmas and the holidays as you planned it."
18
Joe Biden
Very Positive
00:03:12-00:03:17 (5 sec)
"You know, you've done the right thing. You could enjoy the holiday season."
19
Joe Biden
Positive
00:03:17-00:03:34 (16 sec)
"And thanks to the progress on vaccinations this fall, we've gone from nearly 90 million adults in July who had not even started their vaccination process to fewer than 40 million today. Still too many, but down from 90 to 40."
20
Joe Biden
Somewhat Negative
00:03:34-00:03:45 (11 sec)
"All these people who have not been vaccinated, you have an obligation to yourselves, to your family, and, quite frankly -- I know I'll get criticized for this -- to your country."
21
Joe Biden
Very Positive
00:03:45-00:03:56 (11 sec)
"Get vaccinated now. It's free. It's convenient. I promise you, it saves lives. And I, honest to God, believe it's your patriotic duty."
22
Joe Biden
Very Positive
00:03:56-00:04:09 (12 sec)
"Another question folks are asking is: What can you do to make yourself and your family feel safer and be safer? The answer is simple: Get your booster shot. Wear a mask."
23
Joe Biden
Slightly Positive
00:04:09-00:04:23 (14 sec)
"Our doctors have made it clear: Booster shots provide the strongest of protections. Unfortunately, we still have tens of millions of people who are eligible for the booster shot who have not yet gotten it. They've gotten the first two shots, but they've not gotten the booster."
24
Joe Biden
Slightly Positive
00:04:23-00:04:40 (17 sec)
"Folks, the booster shots are free and widely available. Over 60 million Americans, including 62 percent of eligible seniors, our most vulnerable group, have gotten their booster shots."
25
Joe Biden
Somewhat Positive
00:04:40-00:04:49 (9 sec)
"I got my booster shot as soon as they were available. And just the other day, former President Trump announced he had gotten his booster shot. It may be one of the few things he and I agree on."
26
Joe Biden
Very Positive
00:04:49-00:05:07 (18 sec)
"People with booster shots are highly protected. Join them. Join us. It's been six months or more since my second shot. If it's been six months or more for your second shot -- when I got my booster -- you can get yours today if you've been six months or more since your second shot."
27
Joe Biden
Neutral
00:05:07-00:05:20 (13 sec)
"Another question that folks are asking is: Are we going back to March 2020 -- not this last March 2021, but March 2020 -- when the pandemic first hit? That's what I keep getting asked."
28
Joe Biden
Very Negative
00:05:20-00:05:25 (4 sec)
"The answer is absolutely no. No."
29
Joe Biden
Leans Negative
00:05:25-00:05:56 (32 sec)
"Here are three big differences between then and now: One -- number one -- the first one -- more than 200 million Americans have been fully vaccinated. In March of 2020, no one was fully vaccinated. What that means is, today, as cases -- a case of COVID-19 for a fully vaccinated and boosted person will most likely mean no symptoms or mild ones similar to the common respiratory viruses."
30
Joe Biden
Very Positive
00:05:56-00:06:09 (13 sec)
"Over 200 million Americans should have the peace of mind that they did not have in March of 2020: They're protected from hospitalization, and they're protected from death."
31
Joe Biden
Leans Positive
00:06:09-00:06:26 (17 sec)
"Second point: We're prepared today for what's coming. In March of 2020, we were not ready. Today, we've spocktiled [sic] enough -- we've stockpiled enough gowns, masks, and ventilators to deal with the surge of hospitalizations among the unvaccinated."
32
Joe Biden
Somewhat Positive
00:06:26-00:06:29 (2 sec)
"Today, we're ready."
33
Joe Biden
Slightly Positive
00:06:29-00:06:34 (6 sec)
"And as I'll explain in a few minutes, we're going to be reinforcing our hospitals, helping them."
34
Joe Biden
Positive
00:06:34-00:06:47 (12 sec)
"Number three, we know a lot more today than we did back in March of 2020. For example, last year, we thought the only way to keep your children safe was to close your -- close our schools."
35
Joe Biden
Neutral
00:06:47-00:06:58 (11 sec)
"Today, we know more and we have more resources to keep those schools open. We can -- you can get 5- to 11-year-olds vaccinated -- a tool we didn't have until last month."
36
Joe Biden
Very Positive
00:06:58-00:07:13 (15 sec)
"Today, we don't have to shut down schools because of a case of COVID-19. Now, if a student tests positive, other students can take the test and stay in the classroom if they're not infected rather than closing the whole school or having to quarantine."
37
Joe Biden
Neutral
00:07:13-00:07:19 (6 sec)
"We can keep our K-through-12 schools open, and that's exactly what we should be doing."
38
Joe Biden
Very Negative
00:07:19-00:07:41 (22 sec)
"So, folks, let me summarize: We should all be concerned about Omicron but not panicked. If you're fully vaccinated, and especially if you got your booster shot, you are highly protected. And if you're unvaccinated, you're at higher risk of getting severely ill from COVID-19, getting hospitalized, and even dying."
39
Joe Biden
Very Positive
00:07:41-00:07:45 (4 sec)
"So, the best thing to do is get fully vaccinated and get your booster shot."
40
Joe Biden
Somewhat Positive
00:07:45-00:08:01 (16 sec)
"And, no, this is not March of 2020. Two hundred million people are fully vaccinated. We're prepared. We know more. We just have to stay focused. So that's where we stand."
41
Joe Biden
Neutral
00:08:01-00:08:10 (9 sec)
"Now, let me tell you about the additional steps I'm ordering today to take on what is coming. I know you've heard a lot of this in the news already this morning."
42
Joe Biden
Very Positive
00:08:10-00:08:22 (12 sec)
"Three weeks ago, I laid out a COVID-19 Action Plan for this winter that prepared us for this moment. Today, we're making the plan even stronger."
43
Joe Biden
Slightly Positive
00:08:22-00:08:51 (30 sec)
"First, we're setting up our vaccination and booster efforts -- we're stepping it up significantly. In the past two weeks, we've seen the highest vaccination rates since last spring. And we aren't as vaccinated, as a country, as we should be, though. That's why we have added 10,000 new vaccination sites on top of the 80,000 sites that are already we had -- we already had in place, and even more will open in January."
44
Joe Biden
Positive
00:08:51-00:09:00 (8 sec)
"I know there are some parts of this country where people are very eager to get their booster, where it's harder to get an appointment. Excuse me. [Coughs]"
45
Joe Biden
Positive
00:09:00-00:09:09 (9 sec)
"So starting this week, I'll be deploying hundreds more vaccinators and more sites to help get the booster shots in people's arms."
46
Joe Biden
Somewhat Negative
00:09:09-00:09:20 (11 sec)
"I've ordered FEMA -- the Federal Emergency Management Agency –- to stand up new pop-up vaccination clinics all across the country where you can get that booster shot."
47
Joe Biden
Slightly Positive
00:09:20-00:09:36 (16 sec)
"We've opened -- [coughs] -- excuse me -- we've opened FEMA vaccination sites in Washington State and New Mexico recently as cases have increased. And today, I'm directing FEMA to stand up new sites in areas where there is high demand."
48
Joe Biden
Positive
00:09:36-00:09:43 (7 sec)
"These steps are going to help us add more -- more and more booster appointments in over -- just over the next few weeks."
49
Joe Biden
Leans Positive
00:09:43-00:10:12 (29 sec)
"I also want to say a word to parents: If your children are not vaccinated, please get them vaccinated. If you're a parent -– understandably -- who waited to see how the first shots went with other kids before getting your own kid vaccinated, you can stop waiting. Six million children in our country ages 5 to 11 are vaccinated. Get your children protected today -- now."
50
Joe Biden
Slightly Positive
00:10:12-00:10:38 (26 sec)
"And for those parents out there who have a child that's too young to be vaccinated -- that is under the age of five -- I know this can still be a scary time. But one thing -- one thing you can and must do while we await vaccines for children under five: Get yourself fully vaccinated and boosted, as well as those around you -- your children, your caregivers, your siblings."
51
Joe Biden
Somewhat Negative
00:10:38-00:10:43 (4 sec)
"It's critical to mask up in public indoor places."
52
Joe Biden
Very Positive
00:10:43-00:10:57 (14 sec)
"We know that our youngest children have only rarely been impacted by serious COVID cases -- COVID-19 cases, but they can be further protected if they're surrounded by vaccinated people."
53
Joe Biden
Slightly Positive
00:10:57-00:11:22 (25 sec)
"And again, to folks who are not vaccinated: You may think you're putting only yourself at risk, but it's your choice. Your choice is not just a choice about you; it affects other people. You're putting other people at risk -- your loved ones, your friends, neighbors, strangers you run into. And your choice can be the difference between life or death."
54
Joe Biden
Neutral
00:11:22-00:11:31 (9 sec)
"The longer the virus is around, the more likely variants form that may be deadlier than the ones that have come before."
55
Joe Biden
Very Positive
00:11:31-00:11:47 (16 sec)
"Let me say again and again and again and again: Please get vaccinated. It's the only responsible thing to do. And those who are not vaccinated are causing hospitals to overrun -- become overrun again."
56
Joe Biden
Negative
00:11:47-00:12:01 (15 sec)
"I just spoke to the governor of New York. Every COVID-19 [DEL: hospital :DEL] [hospitalization] means someone with a heart attack, cancer, or other serious illness may not get that bed and that lifesaving care they need in the hospital."
57
Joe Biden
Leans Positive
00:12:01-00:12:09 (8 sec)
"Look, let me give it to you straight again: Omicron is serious, potentially deadly business for unvaccinated people."
58
Joe Biden
Very Positive
00:12:09-00:12:24 (15 sec)
"Let me be clear: Thanks to the prior administration and our scientific community, America is one of the first countries to get the vaccine. And thanks to my administration and the hard work of Americans, we led a rollout that made America"
59
Joe Biden
Neutral
00:12:24-00:12:27 (3 sec)
"among the world leaders in getting shots in arms."
60
Joe Biden
Negative
00:12:27-00:12:46 (19 sec)
"But uptake slowed this summer as vaccine resistance among some hardened. Look, the unvaccinated are responsible for their own choices. But those choices have been fueled by dangerous misinformation on cable TV and social media."
61
Joe Biden
Very Negative
00:12:46-00:12:55 (9 sec)
"You know, these companies and personalities are making money by peddling lies and allowing misinformation that can kill their own customers and their own supporters."
62
Joe Biden
Very Negative
00:12:55-00:13:08 (13 sec)
"It's wrong, it's immoral, and I call on the purveyors of these lies and misinformation to stop it. Stop it now."
63
Joe Biden
Neutral
00:13:08-00:13:24 (16 sec)
"One of the other things that we know that has to be done is more testing. Because Omicron spreads easily, especially among the unvaccinated, it's critically important that we know who's infected. That means we need more testing."
64
Joe Biden
Neutral
00:13:24-00:13:27 (3 sec)
"And on that score, we are [DEL: now :DEL] [not] where we should be."
65
Joe Biden
Very Positive
00:13:27-00:13:47 (20 sec)
"Yes, we have over 20,000 free testing sites. Yes, we've used the Defense Production Act and spent $3 billion to greatly expand the number of at-home tests available for purchase online and at your local pharmacy. And, yes, we've made sure insurance covers the PCR tests you get in a hospital or at your doctor's office."
66
Joe Biden
Very Positive
00:13:47-00:14:07 (20 sec)
"But, starting next month, private insurance will all cover -- also cover at-home testing so you can order a test online and get reimbursed. We're providing access to free at-home tests for those who may have insurance as well -- may not have insurance, I should say, as well."
67
Joe Biden
Positive
00:14:07-00:14:14 (7 sec)
"But it's not enough. We have to do more. We have to do better, and we will."
68
Joe Biden
Somewhat Negative
00:14:14-00:14:31 (18 sec)
"Starting this week, the federal government will set up emergency testing sites in areas that need additional testing capacity. Before Christmas, the first several of these federal testing sites will be up and running in New York City with many more to come."
69
Joe Biden
Very Positive
00:14:31-00:14:40 (9 sec)
"This free testing is going to help reduce the waiting lines -- the time you have to stand there and -- and sometimes it's an hour or more."
70
Joe Biden
Neutral
00:14:40-00:14:49 (9 sec)
"We're going to continue to add federal testing sites where needed so that if you want an immediate test, there will be a place where you can go get it."
71
Joe Biden
Positive
00:14:49-00:15:06 (17 sec)
"We also need to do better with at-home testing. So, I'm announcing today: The federal government will purchase one half billion -- that's not million; billion with a "B" -- additional at-home rapid tests, with deliveries starting in January."
72
Joe Biden
Very Positive
00:15:06-00:15:14 (8 sec)
"We'll be getting these tests to Americans for free. And we'll have websites where you can get them delivered to your home."
73
Joe Biden
Very Positive
00:15:14-00:15:31 (17 sec)
"We have arranged for it to be easier for you to find a free COVID testing site near you on Google. Just enter "COVID test near me" in the Google search bar and you can find a number of different locations nearby where you can get tested."
74
Joe Biden
Positive
00:15:31-00:15:41 (10 sec)
"And we're going to continue to use the Defense Production Act as we did earlier this month to make sure we're producing as many tests and as quickly as possible."
75
Joe Biden
Very Positive
00:15:41-00:15:51 (9 sec)
"The bottom line is it's a lot better than it was, but we're taking even more steps to make it easier to get tested and get tested for free."
76
Joe Biden
Negative
00:15:51-00:16:16 (25 sec)
"Next, we are preparing hospitals for what's coming. Those 40 [million] unvaccinated adults have a good chance of getting COVID-19, and some of you will get very sick. That will mean hospitals are going to get extremely stressed -- extremely stressed again, both in terms of equipment as well as personnel to care for those who get sick."
77
Joe Biden
Somewhat Positive
00:16:16-00:16:32 (16 sec)
"That's why my administration has stockpiled and pre-positioned millions of gowns, gloves, masks, and ventilators. We used to call it [DEL: PPP :DEL] [PPE]. We're ready to send them immediately to any state that needs more."
78
Joe Biden
Very Positive
00:16:32-00:16:56 (25 sec)
"In addition, I have directed the Pentagon to mobilize an additional 1,000 troops to be deployed to help staff local hospitals and expand capacity. That's 1,000 military doctors, nurses, and medics. We've already started moving -- military -- excuse me, medical teams. They've already landed in Wisconsin and Indiana this week."
79
Joe Biden
Slightly Positive
00:16:56-00:17:05 (9 sec)
"And this is on top of 300 federal medical -- medical personnel that are now on the ground, having deployed since we learned about Omicron."
80
Joe Biden
Positive
00:17:05-00:17:32 (27 sec)
"Look, while we know staffing is the biggest need for our hospitals, some may need more beds as well. We're prepared. I've directed FEMA to activate the National Response Center and begin deploying teams now to provide additional hospital beds. We'll begin to construct emergency capacity near hospitals, in parking garages, and nearby buildings to be ready if needed."
81
Joe Biden
Neutral
00:17:32-00:17:38 (6 sec)
"And the fuderal [sic] -- the federal government is paying for all of this -- period -- all of it."
82
Joe Biden
Neutral
00:17:38-00:17:48 (10 sec)
"Further, FEMA will deploy hundreds of ambulances and EMS crews so that if one hospital fills up, we can transport patients to beds elsewhere."
83
Joe Biden
Positive
00:17:48-00:17:59 (11 sec)
"This week, we will send dozens of ambulances to New York and Maine, because of the -- because the COVID is spreading very rapidly, to help transport patients."
84
Joe Biden
Very Negative
00:17:59-00:18:14 (15 sec)
"Our doctors, nurses, hospital staffs have gone above and beyond during this pandemic. The strain and stress is real. I really mean it. It's real. And we'll have their backs though. We have to let them know we have their backs."
85
Joe Biden
Neutral
00:18:14-00:18:32 (18 sec)
"Finally, we're making sure that COVID-19 no longer closes businesses or schools. Last week, the federal court reinstated my administration's vaccination-or-test -- the vaccination-or-test rule for businesses with more than 100 employees."
86
Joe Biden
Neutral
00:18:32-00:18:35 (2 sec)
"The rule requires employers with 100 or more employees"
87
Joe Biden
Somewhat Positive
00:18:35-00:18:43 (9 sec)
"to protect their workers who are on site and indoors with a requirement that they be vaccinated or tested each week or go home."
88
Joe Biden
Very Positive
00:18:43-00:19:02 (19 sec)
"These rules are going to keep workers safe. And keep workers safe will help keep businesses open. If people are vaccinated or tested, they are much less likely to get sick and less likely to spread it to others. Customers are more likely to come in and shop because they know it's a safe environment."
89
Joe Biden
Somewhat Negative
00:19:02-00:19:11 (9 sec)
"I know vaccination requirements are unpopular for many. They're not even popular for those who are anxious to get them."
90
Joe Biden
Leans Negative
00:19:11-00:19:29 (18 sec)
"But my administration has put them in place not to control your life, but to save your life and the lives of others. Over 400,000 Americans died from COVID this calendar year -- and almost all were unvaccinated, almost all were preventable."
91
Joe Biden
Very Positive
00:19:29-00:19:37 (8 sec)
"The rule is legal and effective, and it's going to save thousands of American lives."
92
Joe Biden
Very Positive
00:19:37-00:20:07 (29 sec)
"We must also keep our K-12 schools open. Look, the science is clear and overwhelming. We know how to keep our kids safe from COVID-19 in school. K-through-12 schools should be open. And that safety is increased if schools require all adults who work in the schools to get vaccinated and take the safety measures that CDC has recommended, including masking."
93
Joe Biden
Very Positive
00:20:07-00:20:20 (14 sec)
"I got Congress to pass billions of dollars in school improvements, ventilation, and social distancing. Schools should be safer than ever from COVID-19."
94
Joe Biden
Very Positive
00:20:20-00:20:30 (10 sec)
"And just Friday, the CDC issued test-to-stay guidelines, so schools can stay open and kids can stay in class even if a classmate tests positive."
95
Joe Biden
Very Positive
00:20:30-00:20:43 (13 sec)
"COVID-19 is scary. But the science is clear: Children are as safe as -- are -- as safe in school as they are anyplace, assuming the appropriate precautions have been taken, and they've already been funded."
96
Joe Biden
Very Negative
00:20:43-00:21:03 (19 sec)
"Let me close with this: I know you're tired -- I really mean this -- and I know you're frustrated. We all want this to be over. But we're still in it, and this is a critical moment. But we also have more tools than we've ever had before."
97
Joe Biden
Somewhat Positive
00:21:03-00:21:07 (4 sec)
"We're ready. We'll get through this."
98
Joe Biden
Very Positive
00:21:07-00:21:12 (5 sec)
"As we head into the holidays, I want us to all keep the faith."
99
Joe Biden
Very Positive
00:21:12-00:21:20 (8 sec)
"I want to sincerely thank you for your perseverance, your courage, your countless acts of kindness, love, and sacrifice during these last two years."
100
Joe Biden
Somewhat Negative
00:21:20-00:21:35 (15 sec)
"Throughout our history, we've been tested as a people and as a nation. Through war and turmoil, we had to ask whether we'd be safe, whether we'd be okay, whether we'd be -- get back to who we are."
101
Joe Biden
Somewhat Positive
00:21:35-00:21:45 (9 sec)
"We've always endured because we remember there is no challenge too big for America -- I mean this from the bottom of my heart -- no challenge."
102
Joe Biden
Very Positive
00:21:45-00:21:51 (6 sec)
"We've come through better and stronger because we stay together as the United States of America."
103
Joe Biden
Neutral
00:21:51-00:21:59 (9 sec)
"That's what we have to keep doing today. We can do this together, I guarantee you."
104
Joe Biden
Very Positive
00:21:59-00:22:11 (12 sec)
"May God bless you all, and may God protect our troops. And happy holidays. God love you all. Thank you."
105
Question
Positive
00:22:11-00:22:21 (9 sec)
"Mr. President, on testing, sir, you said, "We have to do better." But public health officials have been saying, for months, you need to surge rapid test for just this moment."
106
Question
Very Negative
00:22:21-00:22:28 (7 sec)
"Is it a failure that you don't have an adequate amount of tests for everyone to be able to get one if they need one right now?"
107
Joe Biden
Slightly Negative
00:22:28-00:22:38 (10 sec)
"No, it's not, because COVID is spreading so rapidly, if you notice. It just -- just happened almost overnight, just in the last month. And --"
108
Question
Neutral
00:22:38-00:22:39 (1 sec)
"What's your message --"
109
Joe Biden
Neutral
00:22:39-00:22:43 (4 sec)
"I'm going to answer his question."
110
Question
Neutral
00:22:43-00:22:45 (2 sec)
"Mr. Pres- --"
111
Joe Biden
Negative
00:22:45-00:22:57 (12 sec)
"And so, no, it's not a failure, but the alarm bell went off. I don't think anybody anticipated that this was going to be as rapidly spreading as it did."
112
Joe Biden
Leans Negative
00:22:57-00:23:08 (11 sec)
"And so, the question is: We had a lot of people who have access to a test, who could order them, could -- could have their insurance pay for them, et cetera."
113
Joe Biden
Positive
00:23:08-00:23:29 (21 sec)
"But it all started -- all of a sudden, it was like everybody rushed to the counter. There was a big, big rush. And I knew that was coming, so what I tried to do is meet with the companies and use the Defense Production Act to get a half a billion more tests and figure out how to get them to their homes, get them on the shelves in the store."
114
Joe Biden
Neutral
00:23:29-00:23:32 (2 sec)
"I mean, so that -- that's what it's all about."
115
Joe Biden
Positive
00:23:32-00:23:32 (1 sec)
"Yes?"
116
Question
Neutral
00:23:32-00:23:41 (9 sec)
"Mr. President, what's your message to Americans who are trying to get tested now and who are not able to get tested and who are wondering what took so long to ramp up testing?"
117
Joe Biden
Neutral
00:23:41-00:23:42 (1 sec)
"Come on. What took so long?"
118
Question
Somewhat Positive
00:23:42-00:23:47 (5 sec)
"That's what -- I'm hearing that from people who are trying to get tested now before the holidays."
119
Joe Biden
Slightly Positive
00:23:47-00:23:59 (12 sec)
"Well, what took so long is -- it didn't take long at all. What happened was the Omicron virus spread even more rapidly than anybody thought."
120
Joe Biden
Neutral
00:23:59-00:24:14 (16 sec)
"If I had told you four weeks ago that this would spread by -- a day-to-day basis it would spread by 50, 100 percent, 200 percent, 500 percent, I think you would have looked at me and say, "Biden, what are you drinking?" But that's what it did."
121
Joe Biden
Neutral
00:24:14-00:24:26 (11 sec)
"Now, we don't know what's going to happen from here. It looks -- there's some evidence that, in South Africa where a lot of this started, that it's dropping off quickly, too. We don't know."
122
Joe Biden
Very Positive
00:24:26-00:24:33 (7 sec)
"But I do know that we're not going to be in a position, like I said when we -- remember we were having a problem with masks and gowns and the like? I said, "I promise you.""
123
Joe Biden
Neutral
00:24:33-00:24:42 (10 sec)
"Remember the critici- -- I got questions from some of you. "Why are you still paying for all these masks and gowns? Why you stockpiling this?" Because we don't know. It turns out we're going to need them."
124
Joe Biden
Neutral
00:24:42-00:24:45 (2 sec)
"In the back, and then --"
125
Question
Very Negative
00:24:45-00:24:52 (7 sec)
"Do travel bans work, sir, and will you reverse the travel ban now that Omicron is so prevalent here in the U.S.?"
126
Joe Biden
Neutral
00:24:52-00:24:56 (4 sec)
"I'm considering reversing. I'm going to talk with my team in the next couple of days."
127
Joe Biden
Very Negative
00:24:56-00:25:09 (14 sec)
"Look, remember why I said we put the travel ban on: It's to see how much time we had before it hit here so we could begin to decide what we needed by looking at what's happening in other countries."
128
Joe Biden
Neutral
00:25:09-00:25:17 (8 sec)
"And -- but we're past that now. And so, it's something that is being raised with me by the docs, and I'll have an answer for that soon."
129
Question
Very Positive
00:25:17-00:25:29 (12 sec)
"Mr. President, you often talk about the importance of keeping your word of trust. Do you believe Senator Manchin kept his word to you? And how do you rebuild trust with progressives in your party to advance your legislation now?"
130
Joe Biden
Neutral
00:25:29-00:25:38 (9 sec)
"You know, I told you before -- you've heard me say this before: Some people think maybe I'm not Irish because I don't hold a grudge."
131
Joe Biden
Positive
00:25:38-00:25:43 (5 sec)
"Look, I want to get things done. I still think there's a possibility of getting Build Back Better done."
132
Joe Biden
Neutral
00:25:43-00:25:56 (13 sec)
"What I don't want to do is get into -- and Joe went on TV today and -- I don't know if it was TV or not; I'm told he was speaking to the liberal caucus in the House and said, "Joe Biden didn't mislead you, I misled you.""
133
Joe Biden
Very Positive
00:25:56-00:26:15 (19 sec)
"And so, look, I'm not -- I'm not looking for -- let me say something: You saw what happened yesterday. All the talk about how my Build Back Better plan was going to increase inflation, was going to cause these debts and all the like -- what happened?"
134
Joe Biden
Neutral
00:26:15-00:26:24 (9 sec)
"Goldman Sachs and others said if we don't pass Build Back Better, we're in trouble -- because it's going to grow the economy. And without it, we're not going to grow."
135
Joe Biden
Neutral
00:26:24-00:26:30 (6 sec)
"And what happened? Stock prices went way down. It took a real dip."
136
Joe Biden
Neutral
00:26:30-00:27:01 (31 sec)
"If you take a look, the va- -- I wasn't -- everybody thinks because I quoted 17 Nobel laureates saying, "This is going to help inflation" -- think about it in terms of if you're a hardworking person and you're making 60 grand if you're alone, if you're mom or just on her own; or if you're making 80 grand -- a mom and dad, 90 grand, like a lot of people do, and you're worried about inflation: You should be worried about it because it's a devastating thing for people who are working class and middle-class folks. It really hurts."
137
Joe Biden
Neutral
00:27:01-00:27:15 (14 sec)
"Where is most of the cost now? The cost is finding it in gasoline, even though I've put -- even though I was able to bring it down 12 cents a gallon and will come down more, I believe. We talked about what the cost in food prices going up, et cetera."
138
Joe Biden
Positive
00:27:15-00:27:29 (14 sec)
"But look what's in -- look what's in Build Back Better: Childcare -- you can reduce it by up to 70 percent. That will be the difference between 20 million women who go -- aren't back in the workforce being able to go back, if you pass it."
139
Joe Biden
Somewhat Positive
00:27:29-00:27:46 (17 sec)
"We're talking about -- we're talking about healthcare, insulin. We're in a situa- -- we got -- we got 200,000 kids with Type 1 diabetes. You know what it's costing? It cost somewhere between 10 cents and 10 dollars to come up with a formula -- okay? -- a while ago. All right?"
140
Joe Biden
Neutral
00:27:46-00:27:56 (9 sec)
"You know what it's costing on average? $560, $640 a month, up to $1,000 a month."
141
Joe Biden
Slightly Negative
00:27:56-00:28:20 (24 sec)
"What do you do if you're a mom and a dad working with minimum wage, busting your neck, and you look at your kid and you know if you don't get that vaccine for them -- I mean, that -- excuse me -- if you don't get that drug for them, if you don't get that -- that -- that -- be able to take that, what happens? They're like to go into a coma and maybe die."
142
Joe Biden
Somewhat Positive
00:28:20-00:28:30 (11 sec)
"Not only do you put the kid's life at stake, you strip away all the dignity of a parent looking at their child. I'm not joking about this."
143
Joe Biden
Very Negative
00:28:30-00:28:56 (26 sec)
"Imagine being a parent, looking at a child, and you can't afford -- you have no house to borrow against, you have no savings. It's wrong. But all the things in that bill are going to reduce prices and cost for middle-class and working-class people. It's going to reduce their costs."
144
Joe Biden
Very Positive
00:28:56-00:29:08 (11 sec)
"What's inflation? Having to pay more than the money you have because things have gone up. Well, it'll bring down all those costs across the board, from childcare to a Child Care Tax Credit."
145
Joe Biden
Neutral
00:29:08-00:29:10 (3 sec)
"But I'm not supposed to be having this press conference right now."
146
Question
Very Positive
00:29:10-00:29:30 (19 sec)
"Mr. President, did Senator Manchin break his commitment to you? When you announced the framework, the White House says that all 50 senators were believed to get behind it -- all 50 Democratic senators. So, did Senator Manchin break his commitment to you?"
147
Joe Biden
Somewhat Positive
00:29:30-00:29:42 (12 sec)
"Senator Manchin and I are going to get something done. Thank you."
148