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Biden Addresses COVID-19 Bill, Holiday Pandemic Precautions

Associated Press

   WILMINGTON, DEL. - President-elect Joe Biden on Tuesday expressed
   empathy with struggling families and applauded Congress for passing the
   coronavirus relief bill as the nation deals with a COVID-19 surge
   that's casting a shadow over the Christmas holiday.

   He called out to frontline workers, scientists, researchers, clinical
   trial participants and those with deployed family members during the
   holiday season.

   "Our hearts are always with you -- keep the faith," he said in a
   year-end address from Wilmington, Delaware.

   Noting the ways that the pandemic has altered his own holiday
   celebrations, which typically include up to two dozen relatives, Biden
   said, "not this year."

   "This season of reflection carries a much deeper meaning than it
   usually does," Biden said, encouraging Americans to continue to take
   precautions to try to stem the spread of the virus, which has now
   killed more than 320,000 people in the United States. "Jill and I send
   our prayers, as I'm sure all of you do, to all that are facing this
   dark winter," he said, referring to his wife.

   The day before, Biden got vaccinated on live television as part of an
   effort to reassure people that the COVID-19 vaccine is safe.

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