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| Covid experts lead taskforce briefing after Biden said 'we're letting science speak again' – live | |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| Joe Biden purposefully not present at Covid-19 briefing after saying he wants Americans to hear directly from his scientific team | |
| “We’ve identified 12 areas where the president has authorized us to use,” the Defense Production Act, said Andy Slavitt. The administration is also “actively exploring” whether factories can be retrofitted to produce more vaccines. | |
| “We have to make sure the vaccines that are produced are done the right way,” said Slavitt. Based on the current timeline, manufacturers would deliver all doses by early fall. “We don’t want to make a commitment to the public based on things that have not been accomplished,” said Slavitt. | |
| Slavitt is now running through some of the measures the Biden administration has taken to get more vaccines to people. Here are some of those measures: | |
| The US has exercised an option to purchase an additional 200 million doses of vaccine from Pfizer and Moderna, which will bring the total US supply to 600 million doses. That should be enough to vaccinate everyone older than 16. | |
| The administration increased vaccine distributions to states to 10 million per week, from 8.6 million per week, for the next three weeks. | |
| The administration will give states three weeks’ notice of upcoming vaccine allotments, to give them time to prepare. | |
| Andy Slavitt, who is helping coordinate the Covid-19 response, said the Biden administration is working to get vaccines to Americans, “despite not inheriting a fully developed strategy or infrastructure to make vaccines available to Americans.” | |
| Now, we’re hearing from Dr Marcella Nunez-Smith, who is speaking about equity in the Covid-19 response. Communities of color have been disproportionately impacted by Covid-19. A task force for equity is being formed, she said, and will serve an advisory roll in the response. | Now, we’re hearing from Dr Marcella Nunez-Smith, who is speaking about equity in the Covid-19 response. Communities of color have been disproportionately impacted by Covid-19. A task force for equity is being formed, she said, and will serve an advisory roll in the response. |
| “All Americans, everyone in our country, should have the benefit of a safe effective vaccine,” said Nunez-Smith. Being able to pay should not play a roll, not should transportation or work hours. | “All Americans, everyone in our country, should have the benefit of a safe effective vaccine,” said Nunez-Smith. Being able to pay should not play a roll, not should transportation or work hours. |
| “We’re working to make sure transportation and paid time off are available,” she said. In some cases, the vaccine will need to be brought to people who need them, rather than vise versa. | “We’re working to make sure transportation and paid time off are available,” she said. In some cases, the vaccine will need to be brought to people who need them, rather than vise versa. |
| Dr. Anthony Fauci is now giving an update on vaccines and drugs to treat Covid-19. He said current evidence shows vaccines appear to still be very effective against concerning Covid-19 variants. | Dr. Anthony Fauci is now giving an update on vaccines and drugs to treat Covid-19. He said current evidence shows vaccines appear to still be very effective against concerning Covid-19 variants. |
| “What we’re seeing is a very slight, if at all, impact on vaccine induced antibodies,” for B117, said Fauci, and a “moderate” reduction in efficacy against the South African variant, though the vaccine is still effective. | “What we’re seeing is a very slight, if at all, impact on vaccine induced antibodies,” for B117, said Fauci, and a “moderate” reduction in efficacy against the South African variant, though the vaccine is still effective. |
| “We have to be looking forward,” on virus mutations, said Fauci. | “We have to be looking forward,” on virus mutations, said Fauci. |
| Walensky said the CDC is also monitoring virus variants, most notably the most transmissible variant B117 first identified in the UK. | Walensky said the CDC is also monitoring virus variants, most notably the most transmissible variant B117 first identified in the UK. |
| “Viruses mutate and we have always expected variants would emerge,” said Walensky. However, more cases could “increase stress on our already taxed healthcare system,” she said. To date, 308 cases of the B117 variant have been found in 26 states. | “Viruses mutate and we have always expected variants would emerge,” said Walensky. However, more cases could “increase stress on our already taxed healthcare system,” she said. To date, 308 cases of the B117 variant have been found in 26 states. |
| The first case of the P1 variant was found in the US in Minnesota. Researchers have not found any cases of the B1351 variant in the US. The variant was first identified in South Africa. | The first case of the P1 variant was found in the US in Minnesota. Researchers have not found any cases of the B1351 variant in the US. The variant was first identified in South Africa. |
| Walensky has now moved on to address potential adverse reactions from vaccines, including potential cases of allergic reactions. Allergic reactions are, “rare, treatable” and the risks from Covid-19 are “much higher” than risk of allergy. | Walensky has now moved on to address potential adverse reactions from vaccines, including potential cases of allergic reactions. Allergic reactions are, “rare, treatable” and the risks from Covid-19 are “much higher” than risk of allergy. |
| Dr Rochelle Walensky, the new director of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) starts the briefing out optimistically: “There are some hopeful signs we are watching very closely,” she said. The number of daily deaths are decreasing in the US. | Dr Rochelle Walensky, the new director of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) starts the briefing out optimistically: “There are some hopeful signs we are watching very closely,” she said. The number of daily deaths are decreasing in the US. |
| Nevertheless, the number of cases remains, “extraordinarily high,” said Walensky. “Now, is the time to remain vigilant.” | Nevertheless, the number of cases remains, “extraordinarily high,” said Walensky. “Now, is the time to remain vigilant.” |
| She said that inauguration day, 20 January, was the peak for daily deaths from Covid-19: 4,383 people died from the coronavirus in America that day. | She said that inauguration day, 20 January, was the peak for daily deaths from Covid-19: 4,383 people died from the coronavirus in America that day. |
| People watching the Covid-19 briefing may notice Joe Biden is not present. That is purposeful. The president has said, and Covid-19 task force coordinator Jeff Zients just emphasized, that the president wants Americans to hear directly from his scientific team. | People watching the Covid-19 briefing may notice Joe Biden is not present. That is purposeful. The president has said, and Covid-19 task force coordinator Jeff Zients just emphasized, that the president wants Americans to hear directly from his scientific team. |
| The Covid-19 briefing has started. Follow along with us here. | The Covid-19 briefing has started. Follow along with us here. |
| While we wait for the Biden administration’s Covid-19 briefing to begin, here is where the US stands in the pandemic today: | While we wait for the Biden administration’s Covid-19 briefing to begin, here is where the US stands in the pandemic today: |
| More than 25 million people have been diagnosed with Covid-19, according to Johns Hopkins University | More than 25 million people have been diagnosed with Covid-19, according to Johns Hopkins University |
| More than 425,000 Americans have been killed by Covid-19 (again, according to JHU) | More than 425,000 Americans have been killed by Covid-19 (again, according to JHU) |
| The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) forecasts Covid-19 deaths will continue to rise in the coming weeks, reaching up to 508,000 killed by 13 February | The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) forecasts Covid-19 deaths will continue to rise in the coming weeks, reaching up to 508,000 killed by 13 February |
| Biden is also expected to sign “sweeping” climate change executive orders today, on what climate activists have dubbed “climate day”. | Biden is also expected to sign “sweeping” climate change executive orders today, on what climate activists have dubbed “climate day”. |
| Here’s more from Guardian US climate reporter Oliver Milman: | Here’s more from Guardian US climate reporter Oliver Milman: |
| While we’re waiting for a Covid-19 briefing, it’s worth remembering just how many people have gone through a year of pandemic without health insurance: likely at least 28.9 million. | While we’re waiting for a Covid-19 briefing, it’s worth remembering just how many people have gone through a year of pandemic without health insurance: likely at least 28.9 million. |
| The number of people who lacked health insurance rose through the Trump presidency, and grew by experts millions were added to the ranks of uninsured as the pandemic drove unprecedented job losses. A plurality of Americans rely on private health insurance through an employer. | The number of people who lacked health insurance rose through the Trump presidency, and grew by experts millions were added to the ranks of uninsured as the pandemic drove unprecedented job losses. A plurality of Americans rely on private health insurance through an employer. |
| Now, Biden is fulfilling one of his campaign promises, to remove barriers to accessing health insurance. One of the ways he is doing that is by reopening a health insurance marketplace for people affected by the pandemic. | Now, Biden is fulfilling one of his campaign promises, to remove barriers to accessing health insurance. One of the ways he is doing that is by reopening a health insurance marketplace for people affected by the pandemic. |
| To do so, Biden will use a health insurance law he helped pass during the Obama administration, the Affordable Care Act best known as Obamacare. | To do so, Biden will use a health insurance law he helped pass during the Obama administration, the Affordable Care Act best known as Obamacare. |
| Here are more details on the policy shift from the Associated Press: | Here are more details on the policy shift from the Associated Press: |
| Hello – this is Jessica Glenza taking over from Martin Belam. Among the most high profile events happening in Washington DC today is the first Covid-19 briefing, which the Biden administration promised will be a regular feature of his administration. | Hello – this is Jessica Glenza taking over from Martin Belam. Among the most high profile events happening in Washington DC today is the first Covid-19 briefing, which the Biden administration promised will be a regular feature of his administration. |
| At 11am ET, we’re expecting Biden’s first Covid-19 briefing. Here’s a closer look at what is expected: | At 11am ET, we’re expecting Biden’s first Covid-19 briefing. Here’s a closer look at what is expected: |
| School closures have been disruptive for students across the United States but, for many students of color in Milwaukee’s public school system, the immediate impacts have been downright alarming. | School closures have been disruptive for students across the United States but, for many students of color in Milwaukee’s public school system, the immediate impacts have been downright alarming. |
| In the long run, educators fear, Covid and a long history of segregation and discrimination have formed a toxic cocktail that could reverberate for decades to come. | In the long run, educators fear, Covid and a long history of segregation and discrimination have formed a toxic cocktail that could reverberate for decades to come. |
| “It’s not only a question of how we get these kids back to where they would have been had the pandemic not occurred, but how do we get them back to where they should be?” said Dan Rossmiller of the Wisconsin Association of School Boards. | “It’s not only a question of how we get these kids back to where they would have been had the pandemic not occurred, but how do we get them back to where they should be?” said Dan Rossmiller of the Wisconsin Association of School Boards. |
| “And that, of course, was the preexisting problem.” | “And that, of course, was the preexisting problem.” |
| Virtual instruction has been the norm in Milwaukee public schools since March, when schoolhouse doors were first forced to close because of Covid. And in few places are the concerns about its impacts more acute than on Milwaukee’s north side, a majority-Black area in one of the most segregated cities in the nation. In the neighborhoods surrounding Martin Luther King Jr elementary, a school on the city’s near-north side, 55% of children live in poverty – nearly four times the state average for children in poverty. | Virtual instruction has been the norm in Milwaukee public schools since March, when schoolhouse doors were first forced to close because of Covid. And in few places are the concerns about its impacts more acute than on Milwaukee’s north side, a majority-Black area in one of the most segregated cities in the nation. In the neighborhoods surrounding Martin Luther King Jr elementary, a school on the city’s near-north side, 55% of children live in poverty – nearly four times the state average for children in poverty. |
| Angela Harris, a 41-year-old teacher at the school, recalled the distress among students when she told them in the spring they wouldn’t be returning to the classroom. | Angela Harris, a 41-year-old teacher at the school, recalled the distress among students when she told them in the spring they wouldn’t be returning to the classroom. |
| She remembers rushing to the stockpile of snacks she kept in the classroom for hungry students and how she had loaded them into children’s backpacks so they’d have something to eat if food at home was scarce. She recalls one student in particular, wearing a green and black jacket donated by a local NBA star, and the way his face tightened in devastation at the news he might not see his teacher again. | She remembers rushing to the stockpile of snacks she kept in the classroom for hungry students and how she had loaded them into children’s backpacks so they’d have something to eat if food at home was scarce. She recalls one student in particular, wearing a green and black jacket donated by a local NBA star, and the way his face tightened in devastation at the news he might not see his teacher again. |
| “I can just visualize his face, in that coat, in that moment, asking me, ‘Mrs Harris, but what do I do if mommy is mean to me again?’ And me not knowing how to help him,” Harris said. | “I can just visualize his face, in that coat, in that moment, asking me, ‘Mrs Harris, but what do I do if mommy is mean to me again?’ And me not knowing how to help him,” Harris said. |
| Read more of Mario Koran’s report from Milwaukee: Milwaukee was already failing students of color. Covid made it worse | Read more of Mario Koran’s report from Milwaukee: Milwaukee was already failing students of color. Covid made it worse |
| By the way, if you want to get a sense of the pace at which Joe Biden has been attempting to set his agenda for the next four years, NBC News have published a list of all of Biden’s executive orders to date. Elizabeth Janowski has gathered 40 so far – with more expected today. | By the way, if you want to get a sense of the pace at which Joe Biden has been attempting to set his agenda for the next four years, NBC News have published a list of all of Biden’s executive orders to date. Elizabeth Janowski has gathered 40 so far – with more expected today. |
| Read more here: NBC News – Here’s the full list of Biden’s executive actions so far | Read more here: NBC News – Here’s the full list of Biden’s executive actions so far |