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Remarks: Joe Biden Delivers Remarks on COVID-19 Vaccines - January 15, 2021
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Joe Biden Person
Joe Biden
Negative
00:00:00-00:00:45 (45 sec)
"Good afternoon. Last night I spoke to the nation about the human toll of the pandemic and the economic crisis. I spoke about a two-step plan of rescue and recovery and how we must deliver immediate economic relief to those who need it the most in this country the millions of people who, through no fault of their own, are so badly hurting right now, millions who never thought they would ever be out of work facing eviction or waiting hours in their cars for a meal from a food bank."
1
Joe Biden
Very Positive
00:00:45-00:01:30 (45 sec)
"I talked about how our rescue plan is a necessary bridge to our economic recovery and our ability to build back better, stronger, and more secure and while the crisis -- these crises have caused real damage, I explained how it will cost more, hundreds of billions of dollars more to undo the harm. I talked about our moral obligation to act and about the clear economic consensus that making the investments I am calling for that the resource that the required deficit spending as the original plans have as well are necessary to get us out of this deep hole we find ourselves in as a nation."
2
Joe Biden
Leans Positive
00:01:30-00:02:00 (30 sec)
"I also talked about our seriousness of purpose, our clear plan with transparency and accountability, and why our call for unity is equally necessary. Unity is not some pie-in-the-sky dream. It is a practical step to getting things done. We didn't get into all of this overnight, we won't get out of it overnight either; but we will get through it, and we will get through it together."
3
Joe Biden
Slightly Positive
00:02:00-00:02:31 (31 sec)
"And today I would like to talk more about what that means and sparing no effort, I mean sparing no effort, to get Americans vaccinated. Vice President Harris and I, we just received a briefing from our COVID team. Truthfully, we remain in a very dark winter; infection rates are up 34 percent. More people are being hospitalized because of COVID than ever before."
4
Joe Biden
Very Positive
00:02:31-00:03:04 (33 sec)
"We are up to be between 3,000 and 4,000 deaths per day as we approach a grim milestone of 400,000 deaths in America. That is staggering to state the obvious. I know the pain that so many of you are experience -- experiencing right now, starting by sitting down for breakfast this morning and stared at an empty chair around the kitchen table where a loved one used to sit, laugh, talk about how you love one another."
5
Joe Biden
Positive
00:03:04-00:03:33 (28 sec)
"I know the frustration that we are all feeling. Almost a year later, we are still far from back to normal. The honest truth is this: Things will get worse before they get better. I told you I will always level with you. You know, and the policy changes that we are going to be making are going to take time to show up in the COVID statistics, and they are not just statistics; it's people's lives."
6
Joe Biden
Positive
00:03:33-00:04:04 (32 sec)
"People getting infected today don't show up in case counts for weeks, and those who perish from this disease die weeks after exposure, so it will take time, but I know there are things we can do, and we can do them now. For example, the vaccines offer so much hope, and we are grateful for the scientists and researchers and everyone who participated in the clinical trials."
7
Joe Biden
Somewhat Negative
00:04:04-00:04:42 (38 sec)
"We are grateful for the integrity of the process, the rigorous review and testing that has led to millions of people around the world already being vaccinated safely, but the vaccine rollout in the United States has been a dismal failure thus far and in today's briefing we discussed five things, five things we will do in an attempt to turn things around, five things to turn frustration into motivation, five things to help us meet our goal of 100 million shots by the end of our first 100 days in office."
8
Joe Biden
Very Positive
00:04:42-00:05:12 (30 sec)
"Some wonder if we are reaching too far for that goal. Is it achievable? It's a legitimate question to ask. Let me be clear; I am convinced we can get it done, and this is the time to set big goals to pursue them with courage and conviction because the health of the nation is literally at stake. First, we will immediately work with states to open up vaccinations to more priority groups."
9
Joe Biden
Very Negative
00:05:12-00:05:44 (32 sec)
"The process of establishing priority groups is driven by science, but the problem is the implementation has been too rigid and confusing. If you were to ask most people today, they couldn't tell you who exactly is getting vaccinated. What they do know is there are tens of millions of doses of vaccine sitting unused in freezers around the country while people who want and need the vaccine can't get it."
10
Joe Biden
Somewhat Positive
00:05:44-00:06:09 (26 sec)
"We will fix the problem by encouraging states to allow more people to get vaccinated beyond healthcare workers and move through those groups as quickly as they think we can. That includes anyone 65 years or older, a population that has accounted for over 80 percent of the deaths to date, 80 percent of the deaths to date."
11
Joe Biden
Slightly Positive
00:06:09-00:06:36 (27 sec)
"We also have to continue vaccinating frontline essential workers like educators, first responders, grocery cl -- store workers, et cetera. It won't mean that everyone in this group will get vaccinated immediately as the supply is not where it needs to be, but it will mean that vaccines become available -- as they become available, it will reach more people who need them, will reach out and get the vaccine used."
12
Joe Biden
Somewhat Negative
00:06:36-00:07:03 (27 sec)
"The second thing we are going to change if we are getting more people vaccinated, then we need more vaccination sites. That is where we are going to harness the full resources of the federal government to establish thousands of community vaccination centers. On my first day in office, I will instruct the Federal Emergency Management Agency, FEMA, to be again setting up the first of these centers."
13
Joe Biden
Very Positive
00:07:03-00:07:36 (33 sec)
"By the end of our first month in office we will have 100 federally supported centers across the nation that will ultimately vaccinate millions of people. Think of the places that are convenient and accessible, school gymnasiums, sports stadiums, communities centers. We have already had productive conversations with bipartisan groups of county officials, mayors, governors, tribal leaders, leaders of the private sector who shared their ideas with us about this effort."
14
Joe Biden
Very Positive
00:07:36-00:08:14 (38 sec)
"And as we build them, we are going to make sure it is done equitably. We are going to make sure there are vaccination centers in communities hit hardest by the pandemic in black and Latino communities and rural communities as well. Within the first month of our administration, we are going to deploy mobile clinics, mobile clinics moving from community to community that will partner with community health centers and local primary-care doctors to offer vaccines to hard-hit and hard-to-reach communities in cities, small towns and in rural communities."
15
Joe Biden
Very Negative
00:08:14-00:08:38 (24 sec)
"And to staff up these centers, we will mobilize thousands of clinical and non-clinical professionals. Think of the people deployed -- that we deploy in natural disasters, experts from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, from FEMA, and the Centers of Disease Control, our Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, our military medical personnel, our first responders."
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Joe Biden
Very Positive
00:08:38-00:09:05 (28 sec)
"Additionally, we are going to expand the pool of medical professionals, including retired healthcare workers who can administer the vaccine, and to ensure we have enough vaccinators to meet the nation's needs as we ramp this up. And as governors of both parties have asked, our administration will reimburse states 100 percent when their National Guard is deployed in the fight against COVID."
17
Joe Biden
Very Positive
00:09:05-00:09:31 (25 sec)
"We will provide resources to help states cover the cost of personnel, vaccinators, administrative staff, as well as supplies like dry ice and laptops and protective equipment. The third change we are going to make is we are going to fully activate the pharmaceutic -- the pharmacies across the country to get the vaccination to more arms as quickly as possible."
18
Joe Biden
Leans Positive
00:09:31-00:10:05 (35 sec)
"Millions of Americans now turn to their local pharmacies every day for their medicines, flu shots, and much more. We are going to immediately start a new major effort working directly with both independent and chain pharmacies to get Americans vaccinated. This program will extend -- expand beyond access in neighborhoods across country -- across the country so that we can make -- you can make an appointment and get your shot, conveniently show up at a particular time and get it done quickly."
19
Joe Biden
Very Positive
00:10:05-00:10:30 (24 sec)
"The fourth of thing we're going to do is we're going to use the full strength of the federal government to ramp up supply of the vaccines. As I said before, will use the Defense Production Act to work with private industry to accelerate the making of materials needed to supply and administer the vaccine from the tubes and syringe -- and syringes to protective equipment."
20
Joe Biden
Positive
00:10:30-00:10:56 (26 sec)
"And I've already asked the team and we have identified the suppliers who are prepared to work with their -- with our teams, and we're going to work with their teams. Not some day, we're going to go do this; when I say we're going to invoke the Defense Production Act, I said go out, even though we don't have the authority now, go out and identify those companies that are prepared and will be able to do what we're going to ask."
21
Joe Biden
Leans Positive
00:10:56-00:11:21 (25 sec)
"As we made clear earlier this month, the Trump administration's policy of holding back close to half the supply of the vaccines available did not make sense. Our administration will release the vast majority of the vaccines when they're available so more people can get vaccinated weekly while still retaining a small reserve for any unseen shortage or delays."
22
Joe Biden
Very Positive
00:11:21-00:11:52 (31 sec)
"But let me be clear, we are not changing the FDA's recommendation and it's recommended dosing schedules. We believe it's critical that everyone should get two doses within the FDA-recommended timeframe. So, we're not doing away with that -- that availability. Fifth, we will always be honest and transparent about where we stand, both the good news as well as the bad."
23
Joe Biden
Leans Positive
00:11:52-00:12:12 (20 sec)
"We're going to make sure state and local officials know how much supply they'll be getting and when they can expect to get it so they can plan. Right now, we're hearing that they can't plan because they don't know how much supply of vaccines they can expect at what time frame. That stops when we're in office."
24
Joe Biden
Very Positive
00:12:12-00:12:53 (41 sec)
"We'll also promise to provide regular updates to you, the American people, on our progress in our goals. We will be, I promise you, transparent about the decisions we are making and why we're making the decisions. You're entitled to know. Our administration will leave the science and scientists with the -- with the Centers for Disease Control, the National Institute of Health that will be free and totally free from political influence; a surgeon general who's independent and speaks directly to the American people; the FDA whose decisions are based on science and science alone, speaking directly to you."
25
Joe Biden
Very Positive
00:12:53-00:13:22 (29 sec)
"Look, while millions of Americans have already got the vaccine and millions more were all ready to get it, we also know we need to address vaccine hesitancy and build trust in many communities. We know that's the case, for example, in black, Latino, Native American communities, people who have not always been treated with dignity and honesty they deserve by the federal government and the scientific community throughout our history."
26
Joe Biden
Very Positive
00:13:22-00:13:48 (26 sec)
"We also see the disinformation campaigns are already underway to further undermine trust in the vaccines. Our administration will launch a massive public education campaign to rebuild the trust. We'll help people understand what science tells us, that the vaccines help reduce the risk of COVID infections and can better safeguard our health and the health of our families and our communities."
27
Joe Biden
Very Negative
00:13:48-00:14:12 (24 sec)
"It's a critical piece to account for a tragic reality of the disproportionate impact this virus is had on black, Latinos, Native American people, who are being infected at about four times the rate of white Americans and dying in nearly three times the rate of white Americans. This is unacceptable. It's unconscionable."
28
Joe Biden
Very Positive
00:14:12-00:14:52 (40 sec)
"Equity is central to our COVID response. The vice president and I commit to making sure communities of color and rural neighborhoods, those living with disabilities and seniors are not left behind in our vaccination plans. Look, our plan is as clear as it is bold; get more people vaccinated for free, create more places for them to get vaccinated, mobilize more medical teams to get the shots in people arms, increase supply, and get it out the door as soon as possible."
29
Joe Biden
Negative
00:14:52-00:15:20 (28 sec)
"This is going to be one of the most challenging operational efforts ever undertaken by our country, but you have my word we will manage the hell out of this operation. But as I said last night, we need funding from commerce -- Congress to make this happen. And I'm optimistic. I'm convinced the American people are ready to spare no effort and no expense to get this done."
30
Joe Biden
Very Positive
00:15:20-00:15:48 (28 sec)
"All of these steps will take some time. It may take many months to get where we need to be. There will be stumbles. And yes, I know so much has already been asked of you. And when we're sworn in next week, we're going to ask you to keep the faith and keep following what we know works. One of our 100 day challenges is to mask up everyone."
31
Joe Biden
Neutral
00:15:48-00:16:10 (22 sec)
"The day we're inaugurated, we're going to ask you to mask up for the next 100 days. This is not a political issue. And I will issue an executive order to require a mask where I have the authority to do that, in federal worker -- for federal workers on federal property, on interstate travel by train and planes."
32
Joe Biden
Very Negative
00:16:10-00:16:35 (25 sec)
"We'll also be working with mayors and governors in red states and blue states and require mask -- and ask them to require masking up in their cities and their states. Look, I hope we now know this is not a political issue. This is about saving lives. I know it's become a partisan issue, but what a stupid, stupid thing for it to happen."
33
Joe Biden
Very Negative
00:16:35-00:17:09 (33 sec)
"This is a patriotic act. We are asking you, we're in a war with this virus, and experts saying -- have shown that wearing a mask from now until April will save as many as 50,000 lives. Quite frankly, it was shocking to see members of the Congress while the Capitol was under siege by a deadly mob of thugs refusing to wear a mask while they were in secure locations."
34
Joe Biden
Very Negative
00:17:09-00:17:41 (33 sec)
"I'm so proud of my congresswoman, right here in the state of Delaware, Lisa Blunt Rochester, trying to hand out masks while people are lying on the floor huddled up, and her Republican colleagues were refusing to put them on. What the hell is the matter with you? It's time to grow up. The result? At least four members of Congress today, including a cancer survivor, now have COVID-19 who were in those rooms."
35
Joe Biden
Slightly Negative
00:17:41-00:18:09 (28 sec)
"For God's sake, wear a mask if not for yourself, for your loved ones, for your country. These are real matters of life and death. We need you to stick with the handwashing, social distancing, and avoid indoor gatherings with people outside your own household. We'll be a partner to the states and cities."
36
Joe Biden
Very Positive
00:18:09-00:18:32 (23 sec)
"So, where things are working will help do more of the good work. And when things can improve, we'll bring more resources to bear to get folks tested vaccinated. I promise you, we're going to work closely with nonprofits and with the private sector, who we know all want to partner with us in this effort."
37
Joe Biden
Very Positive
00:18:32-00:19:09 (37 sec)
"The more people we vaccinate in the faster we do it, the sooner we can put this pandemic behind us and the sooner we can build our economy back better and get back to our lives into our loved ones. As we're seeing during this pandemic, we can't solve our problems as a divided nation. The only way we come through this is if we come through together as Americans, fellow Americans, as the United States of America."
38
Joe Biden
Very Positive
00:19:09-00:19:28 (19 sec)
"Vice President-elect Harris and I ran on that vision. And starting at noon on Wednesday, that's exactly how we're going to govern and ask for your help. God bless you all and keep you safe, and may God protect our troops. Thank you."
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