|
 Asked if he had a message to Texas and Mississippi, Biden told
reporters: "I think it's a big mistake. Look, I hope everybody's
realized by now, these masks make a difference."
Biden said the increasing availability of vaccinations was making a
difference in containing the pandemic, but it was critical to remain
vigilant about wearing masks, washing hands and social distancing.
"The last thing, the last thing we need is Neanderthal thinking
that, 'In the meantime, everything's fine, take off your mask,
forget it.' It still matters," Biden said before a brainstorming
meeting with Republican and Democratic lawmakers to address cancer.
Asked about Biden's remarks, Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves told
Fox News Channel: "We no longer have a healthcare crisis in our
state ... I wish the president would focus on trusting Americans
rather than trying to insult Americans."
Biden said more than 511,000 people had died of the disease in the
United States, and it would take time until everyone eligible was
vaccinated.
Cases of COVID-19 in the United States remain upwards of 50,000
daily even after the U.S. government has distributed more than 100
million vaccine doses and put shots into over 50 million arms,
according to federal data.
"It is critical, critical, critical, critical, that they follow the
science: Wash your hands, Hot water, Do it frequently. Wear a mask
and stay socially distanced. I know you know that. I wish the heck
some of our elected officials would."
Texas Governor Greg Abbott issued the most sweeping rollback of
coronavirus restrictions of any U.S. state on Tuesday, lifting a
mask mandate and saying most businesses may open at full capacity
next week.
[to top of second column] |
 Reeves also lifted
state-imposed mask mandates across Mississippi
on Tuesday and removed COVID-19 related
restrictions on business operations.
White House senior adviser Andy Slavitt told reporters earlier the
federal government is planning to spend $100 million to help the
partnership between Merck & Co and rival Johnson & Johnson announced
on Tuesday accelerate vaccine production.
The infusion will help J&J ramp up production of its one-shot
vaccine, Slavitt said.
J&J was contracted to deliver 200 million doses to the federal
government by the end of May and roughly a billion doses globally by
end-2021.
"Over time we believe Merck will be able to double the capacity of
Johnson & Johnson," Slavitt said.
Biden said on Tuesday the United States will have enough vaccine
supply to inoculate all adults by May.
J&J, Pfizer Inc, and Moderna Inc are contracted to deliver 700
million doses by mid-year between them.
(Reporting by Jarrett Renshaw, Carl O'Donnell, Andrea Shalal and
Lisa Lambert; Editing by Sonya Hepinstall, Bill Berkrot and Grant
McCool)
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