1 Biden Drops Series Of "War Time" Covid Orders
President Biden says it's time to “start treating the ongoing coronavirus outbreak as the national emergency that it is.” Biden spoke at the White House and highlighted his administration's efforts to end the crisis. “This is a war time undertaking,” he noted. He said his top priority is ramping up the national vaccination program – and he warned it will still take months to get the majority of Americans vaccinated. Biden again pleaded with Americans to wear facemasks, calling it a “patriotic duty. “ He added that what he wants is for people to mask up for the next 100 days. To that end, the President signed new executive orders, including the use of wartime powers to boost supplies of top-quality facemasks and other equipment. But also, masks are now required on all forms of public transportation – and that includes airports and airplanes. FAST FACTS! What would it take to get everyone vaccinated? Experts say that one-point-three-million shots a day would be needed to get every adult in America vaccinated against the coronavirus by the end of the year. Mr. Biden wants to see 100-million vaccinations in his first 100 days in office. If that pace can be set, all adults could be vaccinated by spring of 2022.
2 Impeachment Still Coming, But Pelosi Won’t Say When
It’s definitely happening, but House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is still not revealing when she’ll send Donald Trump’s article of impeachment to the Senate. She told reporters that now-former president instigated the violent and deadly attack on the U.S. Capitol on January 6th. Trump will still be tried by the Senate even though he is no longer in office – and a Senate conviction would prohibit Trump from seeking federal office again. Pelosi argued the nation cannot just "move on" from Trump's actions, saying he must be held accountable. She added, Trump is "now gone, thank God." Pelosi suggested she's waiting for guidance from Senate leaders about the parameters of a trial. That is being discussed by new Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Republican leader Mitch McConnell. Meantime, Pelosi said there is no doubt that some House Republicans "gave aid and comfort" to those who stormed the Capitol. Pelosi said alleged aiding-and-abetting is being investigated and will be prosecuted if evidence is found.
3 Fauci: I Feel Liberated
Dr. Anthony Fauci seems to be enjoying his new role in President Biden's administration. At yesterday’s White House briefing, Fauci told reporters that he feels “liberated” that he can candidly talk about science with new leadership at the helm. He said other claims made by the prior administration made it "uncomfortable because they were not based in scientific fact." Fauci was on Former President Trump's coronavirus task force but the two publicly did not see eye-to-eye. So what now? Dr. Fauci calls the coronavirus outbreak an ongoing and very serious situation – even though the outbreak may be "plateauing." He said scientists are paying very close attention to virus mutations but said people should still plan on getting vaccinated.