This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/live/2021/may/04/joe-biden-coronavirus-covid-fda-pfizer-politics-washington-live-latest
The article has changed 21 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 13 | Version 14 |
|---|---|
| Biden says US ‘ready to move immediately’ if vaccine approved for young teens – live | Biden says US ‘ready to move immediately’ if vaccine approved for young teens – live |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| FDA likely to authorize Pfizer vaccine for those aged 12 to 15 as Biden targets 70% of US adults vaccinated by Fourth of July – follow the day’s politics news | FDA likely to authorize Pfizer vaccine for those aged 12 to 15 as Biden targets 70% of US adults vaccinated by Fourth of July – follow the day’s politics news |
| That’s it from me today. My west coast colleague, Maanvi Singh, will take over the blog for the next few hours. | |
| Here’s where the day stands so far: | |
| Joe Biden said his administration is “ready to move immediately” if coronavirus vaccines are approved for young teenagers. The president’s comments come as the Food and Drug Administration is expected to soon authorize administering Pfizer’s vaccine to those between the ages of 12 and 15. | |
| The president set a goal of administering at least one vaccine shot to 70% of American adults by 4 July. Biden added that he hopes to see 160 million Americans fully vaccinated by the time America celebrates its independence day. “In two months, let’s celebrate our independence as a nation and our independence from this virus,” Biden said in remarks this afternoon. “The light at the end of the tunnel is actually growing brighter and brighter.” | |
| The White House told states it will implement a new system to create a federal pool for unclaimed vaccine doses. If a state does not claim all of the coronavirus vaccine doses available to its residents, other states will have the opportunity to request unused shots. The change comes amid declining vaccination rates in many states. | |
| House minority leader Kevin McCarthy signaled openness to ousting Liz Cheney from her leadership position. “There’s no concern about how she voted on impeachment. That decision has been made,” McCarthy said of Cheney this morning. “I have heard from members concerned about her ability to carry out the job as conference chair, to carry out the message.” McCarthy’s comments come amid efforts by some House Republicans to remove Chenery as conference chairwoman. | |
| The blog will have more coming up, so stay tuned. | |
| Donald Trump is expanding his website to include a “new communications platform” to help him speak directly to his supporters. | |
| The platform, titled From the Desk of Donald J Trump, includes tweet-length statements with some of the former president’s thoughts on US politics. | |
| However, as tech reporter Charlie Warzel pointed out, the interface could use ... a little bit of work. | |
| Trump lost access to his Facebook and Twitter accounts after the deadly 6 January insurrection, and this new system appears to be his attempt to circumvent those bans. | |
| Facebook is scheduled to announce tomorrow whether it will allow Trump to rejoin its platform, although Twitter executives have indicated that its ban is permanent. | |
| Elise Stenafik has been making calls to fellow House Republicans to push for the conference chair job if Liz Cheney is ousted, according to Politico. | Elise Stenafik has been making calls to fellow House Republicans to push for the conference chair job if Liz Cheney is ousted, according to Politico. |
| Stefanik’s name had already been floated for the job as more House Republicans have called for Cheney to be removed from her leadership position over her criticism of Donald Trump’s lies about widespread fraud in the presidential election. | Stefanik’s name had already been floated for the job as more House Republicans have called for Cheney to be removed from her leadership position over her criticism of Donald Trump’s lies about widespread fraud in the presidential election. |
| Stefanik became a fierce defender of Trump during his first impeachment inquiry, and she is seen by many Republicans as a rising star in the party. | Stefanik became a fierce defender of Trump during his first impeachment inquiry, and she is seen by many Republicans as a rising star in the party. |
| Jack Herrera reports for the Guardian: | Jack Herrera reports for the Guardian: |
| Just months after ICU capacities were at zero in Los Angeles, the county has made a turnaround. But officials advise caution, and warn that vaccine hesitancy is catching up. | Just months after ICU capacities were at zero in Los Angeles, the county has made a turnaround. But officials advise caution, and warn that vaccine hesitancy is catching up. |
| In January, LA buckled under the weight of a monumental Covid-19 surge: Ambulances circled from emergency room to emergency room in search of empty beds, and ICU capacity in the county plunged to zero. With morgues overloaded, the National Guard was mobilized to aid with the handling of bodies. Now, less than four months later, the county has reached a proud milestone. For two days in a row, LA reported zero Covid-19 related deaths. | In January, LA buckled under the weight of a monumental Covid-19 surge: Ambulances circled from emergency room to emergency room in search of empty beds, and ICU capacity in the county plunged to zero. With morgues overloaded, the National Guard was mobilized to aid with the handling of bodies. Now, less than four months later, the county has reached a proud milestone. For two days in a row, LA reported zero Covid-19 related deaths. |
| Sunday became the first day since March 2020 that county officials reported no daily Covid-19 deaths. The welcome news repeated itself on Monday, when the county again reported no daily deaths. | Sunday became the first day since March 2020 that county officials reported no daily Covid-19 deaths. The welcome news repeated itself on Monday, when the county again reported no daily deaths. |
| LA officials cautioned that the reporting of Covid-19 fatalities can lag behind actual deaths: reporting delays over the weekends have meant that the Sundays and Mondays regularly show lower tallies of deaths than other days of the week. But caveats aside, the atmosphere in the city was celebratory. After a brutal winter – when it regularly saw more than 200 people die each day – LA has entered spring with a steadily declining death rate. | LA officials cautioned that the reporting of Covid-19 fatalities can lag behind actual deaths: reporting delays over the weekends have meant that the Sundays and Mondays regularly show lower tallies of deaths than other days of the week. But caveats aside, the atmosphere in the city was celebratory. After a brutal winter – when it regularly saw more than 200 people die each day – LA has entered spring with a steadily declining death rate. |
| Taking questions from reporters after his prepared remarks, Joe Biden acknowledged the next phase of US vaccination efforts will present unique challenges because most adults who want the vaccine have already gotten it. | Taking questions from reporters after his prepared remarks, Joe Biden acknowledged the next phase of US vaccination efforts will present unique challenges because most adults who want the vaccine have already gotten it. |
| The president said the next phase of his administration’s vaccination strategy will focus on “convincing the American people, rather than guaranteeing them we’d have the supply for them”. | The president said the next phase of his administration’s vaccination strategy will focus on “convincing the American people, rather than guaranteeing them we’d have the supply for them”. |
| “I think at the end of the day, most people will be convinced by the fact that their failure to get the vaccine may cause other people to get sick and maybe die,” Biden said. | “I think at the end of the day, most people will be convinced by the fact that their failure to get the vaccine may cause other people to get sick and maybe die,” Biden said. |
| He added, “It’s easier because I don’t have to put together this massive logistical effort, but in the other sense, it’s harder [because] it’s beyond my personal control.” | He added, “It’s easier because I don’t have to put together this massive logistical effort, but in the other sense, it’s harder [because] it’s beyond my personal control.” |
| In his remarks that concluded moments ago, Joe Biden confirmed his administration is aiming to have 70% of American adults at least partially vaccinated by July 4. He also set a goal of having 160 million Americans fully vaccinated by then. | In his remarks that concluded moments ago, Joe Biden confirmed his administration is aiming to have 70% of American adults at least partially vaccinated by July 4. He also set a goal of having 160 million Americans fully vaccinated by then. |
| As of today, 246,780,203 vaccine shots have been administered in the US, according to the Bloomberg vaccine tracker. About 44% of the US population has received at least one shot, and 32% are fully vaccinated. | As of today, 246,780,203 vaccine shots have been administered in the US, according to the Bloomberg vaccine tracker. About 44% of the US population has received at least one shot, and 32% are fully vaccinated. |
| According to the White House pandemic response team, the US will need to administer about 100 million shots over the next two months to meet Biden’s goals. | According to the White House pandemic response team, the US will need to administer about 100 million shots over the next two months to meet Biden’s goals. |
| Joe Biden took a handful of questions from reporters after concluding his prepared remarks on the coronavirus pandemic and vaccine distribution. | Joe Biden took a handful of questions from reporters after concluding his prepared remarks on the coronavirus pandemic and vaccine distribution. |
| Asked about whether he will meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin while in Europe next month, Biden said he hoped to do so. | Asked about whether he will meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin while in Europe next month, Biden said he hoped to do so. |
| “That is my hope and expectation,” Biden said. “We’re working on it.” | “That is my hope and expectation,” Biden said. “We’re working on it.” |
| The US president is currently scheduled to attend the G-7 summit in Cornwall, England, next month, followed by a visit to Brussels. | The US president is currently scheduled to attend the G-7 summit in Cornwall, England, next month, followed by a visit to Brussels. |
| Joe Biden noted today marks two months until July 4, when America celebrates its independence day. | Joe Biden noted today marks two months until July 4, when America celebrates its independence day. |
| By that point, 70% of adult Americans will hopefully have received at least one of their vaccine shots, Biden said. The president also set a goal of having 160 million Americans fully vaccinated by then. | By that point, 70% of adult Americans will hopefully have received at least one of their vaccine shots, Biden said. The president also set a goal of having 160 million Americans fully vaccinated by then. |
| “In two months, let’s celebrate our independence as a nation and our independence from this virus,” Biden said. “The light at the end of the tunnel is actually growing brighter and brighter.” | “In two months, let’s celebrate our independence as a nation and our independence from this virus,” Biden said. “The light at the end of the tunnel is actually growing brighter and brighter.” |
| The president acknowledged it will “take time to get everything back to normal,” and he urged every American to get vaccinated as quickly as they are able to. | The president acknowledged it will “take time to get everything back to normal,” and he urged every American to get vaccinated as quickly as they are able to. |
| The Biden administration has launched a website, www.vaccines.gov, to help Americans locate a coronavirus vaccine near them. | The Biden administration has launched a website, www.vaccines.gov, to help Americans locate a coronavirus vaccine near them. |
| Joe Biden confirmed his administration will be winding down mass vaccination sites to shift its focus to smaller sites that are closer to communities with lower vaccination rates. | Joe Biden confirmed his administration will be winding down mass vaccination sites to shift its focus to smaller sites that are closer to communities with lower vaccination rates. |
| “Now we’re going to have to bring the vaccine to people who are less eager,” Biden said. “We also know that there are millions of Americans who just need a little bit of encouragement to get the shot.” | “Now we’re going to have to bring the vaccine to people who are less eager,” Biden said. “We also know that there are millions of Americans who just need a little bit of encouragement to get the shot.” |
| Biden pledged that his administration would look at “creative ways to make it easier and more fun to get vaccinated” for reluctant Americans, particularly younger citizens. | Biden pledged that his administration would look at “creative ways to make it easier and more fun to get vaccinated” for reluctant Americans, particularly younger citizens. |
| “Even if your chance of getting seriously ill is low, why take the risk when you have a safe, free and convenient way to prevent it?” Biden said. “This is your choice, it’s life or death.” | “Even if your chance of getting seriously ill is low, why take the risk when you have a safe, free and convenient way to prevent it?” Biden said. “This is your choice, it’s life or death.” |
| Joe Biden is now delivering remarks on the coronavirus pandemic and his administration’s vaccine distribution. | Joe Biden is now delivering remarks on the coronavirus pandemic and his administration’s vaccine distribution. |
| The president celebrated that more than 220 million shots had been administered by his 100th day in office, which occurred last week. About 150 million Americans now have at least one shot, and 105 million Americans are fully vaccinated. Cases and deaths have also declined significantly since he took office in January. | The president celebrated that more than 220 million shots had been administered by his 100th day in office, which occurred last week. About 150 million Americans now have at least one shot, and 105 million Americans are fully vaccinated. Cases and deaths have also declined significantly since he took office in January. |
| Biden described the trend in coronavirus cases and vaccination rates as a “dramatic turnaround from where we were in January”. | Biden described the trend in coronavirus cases and vaccination rates as a “dramatic turnaround from where we were in January”. |
| The president also acknowledged that the federal government’s vaccination program is pivoting to a “new phase” as vaccination rates fall in many states. | The president also acknowledged that the federal government’s vaccination program is pivoting to a “new phase” as vaccination rates fall in many states. |
| “As anticipated, the pace of vaccination is slowing,” Biden said. “Soon, we’ll have reached the adults who are most eager to get vaccinated. And at that point, this effort will shift to a new phase.” | “As anticipated, the pace of vaccination is slowing,” Biden said. “Soon, we’ll have reached the adults who are most eager to get vaccinated. And at that point, this effort will shift to a new phase.” |
| The president noted the Food and Drug Administration is currently reviewing data to determine if and when to authorize vaccine shots for those between the ages of 12 and 15. | The president noted the Food and Drug Administration is currently reviewing data to determine if and when to authorize vaccine shots for those between the ages of 12 and 15. |
| Although that decision will be entirely up to the FDA, Biden said his administration is “ready to move immediately” if the vaccines are approved for young adults. | Although that decision will be entirely up to the FDA, Biden said his administration is “ready to move immediately” if the vaccines are approved for young adults. |
| The president said his administration would quickly move to make 20,000 pharmacies across the country ready to vaccinate adolescents if the approval comes through. Vaccine shots will also be shipped directly to pediatricians. | The president said his administration would quickly move to make 20,000 pharmacies across the country ready to vaccinate adolescents if the approval comes through. Vaccine shots will also be shipped directly to pediatricians. |
| The US is currently administering first doses of coronavirus vaccine at a rate of about 965,000 per day. | The US is currently administering first doses of coronavirus vaccine at a rate of about 965,000 per day. |
| That is half the rate of three weeks ago, but nearly twice as fast as needed to meet Joe Biden’s target that he’ll be officially discussing at the White House moments from now of vaccinating 70% of adults in the US by Fourth of July. | That is half the rate of three weeks ago, but nearly twice as fast as needed to meet Joe Biden’s target that he’ll be officially discussing at the White House moments from now of vaccinating 70% of adults in the US by Fourth of July. |
| Biden’s new move to shift vaccine supply from states where demand is falling short of supply to other states where demand is high and unfulfilled is now a key priority. | Biden’s new move to shift vaccine supply from states where demand is falling short of supply to other states where demand is high and unfulfilled is now a key priority. |
| Governors were informed of the chance by the White House this morning, and the adjustment was first reported by the Washington Post. | Governors were informed of the chance by the White House this morning, and the adjustment was first reported by the Washington Post. |