President-elect Joe Biden calls for unity in the fight against the coronavirus epidemic and calls on Americans to “abandon” some traditions of Thanksgiving and celebrate the holiday at home.
In his speech to the nation on the eve of Thanksgiving, Biden said every single American has a responsibility to slow the spread of the coronavirus, asking people to “stick” and not “indulge in fatigue” from one severe pandemic to another. it will strike the globe in a century.
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The president-elect spoke amid a pandemic attack – more than 260,000 deaths and nearly 13 million cases since the epidemic swept across the country in February and March.
President-elect Joe Biden speaks on Wednesday, November 25, 2020, in Delmingo, Wilmington (AP Photo / Carolyn Kaster)
Speaking on Wednesday’s speech from his hometown of Wilmington (Del.), Biden noted that “our country is in the middle of a dramatic peak of cases. We average 160,000 new cases a day, ”and we warned again that Americans have“ a long, difficult winter ”.
Pointing to the deep partisan divisions of the pandemic, Biden said, “it divided us, angered us, and confronted each other. I know the country is tired of fighting. We have to remember – we are fighting the virus, not with each other or with each other.
And he stressed that “this is the moment when we need to steel our spines, redouble our efforts and re-commit ourselves to the fight. Remember, we are all in this together. “
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Biden highlighted the promise of vaccinations that will soon reach the Americans, but noted that “we are still waiting for us for months in this battle.”
“There’s real hope, tangible hope, so wait,” Biden said when he asked Americans to do their part “to try to slow the virus’s growth.” He stressed that it is “literally our American, patriotic duty” to wear a mask, exercise social distance, and limit the number of gatherings with other people.
“The federal government can’t do that alone,” Biden admitted. “It is the responsibility of all of us in our own lives to do everything we can to slow down the virus. All our decisions matter. Every decision we make can save lives. “
In his speech on the eve of Thanksgiving, Biden stressed that “this year we are asking Americans to give up so many traditions” that are related to the holiday.
– We’re staying home this year. We always held big family gatherings on Thanksgiving Day. Children, grandchildren, aunts, uncles, brothers and sisters and much more, ”said the former vice president. “But this year, because we care a lot about each other, it’s going to be a special Thanksgiving.”
Even though the U.S. Center for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC) stayed home during Thanksgiving, millions of Americans appear to be traveling with friends and family during the holiday.
Biden – whose eldest son, Beau, died of brain cancer in 2015, his first wife, Neilia, and 13-month-old daughter, Amy, who died in a car accident nearly 50 years ago, also spoke directly to millions of Americans who lost a friend or family to the coronavirus.
“For those who have lost a loved one, I know this season can be especially difficult,” Biden said. – Believe me, I know. I remember that first Thanksgiving – that empty chair. Gasp. … I will pray for all of you.
Fox News Madeleine Rivera contributed to the report
