Biden criticizes Texas and Mississippi for lifting restrictions: ‘Neanderthal thinking’
“I think it’s a big mistake. Look, I hope everybody’s realized by now, these masks make a difference. We are on the cusp of being able to fundamentally change the nature of this disease because of the way in which we’re able to get vaccines in people’s arms,” Biden mentioned when requested in regards to the selections by GOP Govs. Greg Abbott of Texas and Tate Reeves of Mississippi to chill out restrictions.
“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 mentioned, referencing a card he retains in his pocket with the day by day demise toll of the virus amid his administration’s push to get vaccines into arms.
Biden, who’s assembly with a bipartisan group of lawmakers within the Oval Office with regards to ending most cancers, known as on all Americans to proceed to observe tips regardless of the blended messaging from some state officers.
“It’s critical — critical, critical, critical — that they follow the science: Wash your hands, hot water, do it frequently. Wear a mask and stay socially distanced. And I know you all know that. I wish the heck some of our elected officials knew it,” he advised reporters.
Abbott and Reeves each introduced this week that they have been lifting masks mandates in Texas and Mississippi and will enable enterprise to function at full capability. The selections come as well being specialists warning that enjoyable restrictions now might result in one other surge in coronavirus instances, particularly as variants proceed to unfold.
“Please hear me clearly: At this level of cases with variants spreading we stand to completely lose the hard-earned ground we have gained. These variants are a very real threat to our people and our progress,” Walensky mentioned Monday throughout a White House briefing.
Walensky added: “Now is not the time to relax the critical safeguards that we know can stop the spread of Covid-19 in our communities. Not when we are so close.”
Johnson & Johnson’s single-dose coronavirus vaccine, the third Covid-19 shot licensed for use within the US, has began to be administered this week.
On Wednesday, Walensky reiterated that she is encouraging people to put on masks and apply social distancing with a view to shield their very own well being and cease the virus from spreading.
“Every individual is empowered to do the right thing here, regardless of what the states decide,” Walensky mentioned.
