Biden calls for unity in fight against COVID-19

In his first speech as president, Joe R. Biden called upon the nation to unite in the battle against the ongoing COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic.

Speaking at his inauguration ceremony, Biden called the months ahead a Winter of peril.

“We’re entering what may be the toughest and deadliest period of the virus,” he said. “We must set aside politics and finally face this pandemic as one nation.”

Biden’s remarks regarding the pandemic stood in stark contrast to the rhetoric of his predecessor who in his own statement earlier in the day spoke about the pandemic in the past tense and generally only as it relates to the economy of the country.

His plans for tackling the pandemic have already been lauded by some physicians organizations.

The American College of Physicians has already backed some of his proposed actions.

As previously reported, the organization is in favor of many of the recommendations put forth by the Biden team and made their own recommendations to the incoming administration including the development of an evidence-based science-focused response to the disease.

“ACP applauds the plans outlined by President‐elect Biden to address the critical needs of both patients and physicians,” Jacqueline W. Fincher, MD, MACP, president of ACP, says in the release. "On behalf of the internal medicine community we are ready, willing and able to help move our country past this unprecedented public health emergency through a multi‐step plan that addresses so many critical needs of our patients and our health care profession.”

Biden’s proposed Emergency Legislative Package, that calls for funding to increase COVID-19 vaccinations and financial relief for underserved communities, aligns closely with many of ACP’s policy recommendations including:

• Addressing the need to address racial inequities and health disparities
• Increasing funding for vaccinations, testing, and public health
• Addressing shortages of personal protective equipment
• Expanding paid family and medical leave