President Joe Biden addresses nation on first anniversary of Covid shutdown

President Joe Biden on Thursday night will mark the one-year anniversary of the coronavirus-induced shutdowns by commemorating Americans’ sacrifices and looking ahead toward a post-pandemic world.

“I’m going to talk about what comes next,” Biden said Wednesday in a preview of the speech, which will be his first prime-time address as president. “I’m going to launch the next phase of the Covid response and explain what we will do as a government and what we will ask of the American people.”

“There is light at the end of this dark tunnel,” he said.

Biden, on his 50th day as president, will also use the spotlight to kick off a victory lap following the final passage in Congress of his $1.9 trillion Covid relief bill.

Biden signed the bill into law Thursday afternoon. He is set to embark on a nationwide tour next week to tout the first major legislative accomplishment of his administration.

The president will depart Tuesday for Delaware County in Pennsylvania, an electoral swing state that was key to Biden’s victory over former President Donald Trump.

Biden’s prime-time speech is scheduled for just after 8 p.m. ET on Thursday night, and will be broadcast from the East Room of the White House. The address is expected to last less than 20 minutes, an administration official said.

The president will acknowledge the devastating death toll of the pandemic — at least 529,267 dead in the U.S., according to Johns Hopkins University data — as well as the life-altering challenges caused by sudden lockdowns around the country, the official said.

Biden is also expected to emphasize his administration’s efforts to rapidly ramp up production, acquisition and distribution of Covid vaccines, an unprecedented operational endeavor, according to the official.

White House press secretary Jen Psaki said Biden will “lay out some more specifics” of how the administration will fight the virus moving forward.

Biden on Wednesday, in remarks following a meeting with executives from Johnson & Johnson and Merck, hinted that he will deliver a message of hope and promise through his prime-time address.

But the Democratic president, in sharp contrast with his predecessor, suggested that he will continue to temper that optimism with notes of caution.

“We cannot let our guard down now, or assume that victory is inevitable,” Biden said Wednesday. “Together, we’re going to get through this pandemic and usher in a healthier, more hopeful future.”

“So there is real reason for hope, folks,” he said.

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[jaysnowden]

He’s been practicing this speech for 49 days.

[tomato]

How can a person talk this long and not say a damn thing?

[Matt-mhud]

Happy 'two weeks to flatten the curve' anniversary!

[stefensmith]

Why they cut out the beginning where he said tolight? 😂

[skknicks]

I’m surprised to see the comments open

[sukmidri]

One year anniversary of 2 weeks to flatten the curve

[KristophM]

"Most popular President ever" my ass.

[danielgreen]

When you are watching and wincing the entire time hoping he can make it through a sentence and the teleprompter is within his view it shows you what direction our country has gone in. Give it a few weeks before the vice president works towards removing him from office because of his senility. Make no bones about it this is the back door plan.

[eyebidder]

"sorry, I don't have time to answer any questions, time for my nap"

[cozzoli]

I'm not trump fan but damn, how the heck did this fossil win? The grim reaper could give a more inspiring speech than that

[theoutofdoors]

Our freedoms do not come from the government, they are inherent and inalienable. Any government that tries to infringe upon them is not a lawful government. Any law that tries to take them away has no authority, per the constitution.

[brittbent]

When is this dude going to answer questions and speak without a teleprompter? Seriously though, when?

[johnruggiero]

I lost my mother (grandmother who raised me) to a heart issue all of a sudden in Oct 2020. I couldn’t sit by her side while she laid in hospital for 7 days, & then no funeral. RIP Nanu. You will be missed.

[afielder]

More thumbs down then thumbs up. 80 million voters yet everywhere you look more dislikes than likes.

[captainmorgan]

There goes 20 minutes of my life I'll never get back.

[shorton]

Most votes by any POTUS ever huh?? I think we can all see what's happened here. Stop the insanity!

[theJingaja]

Why cut off so quickly at the end when the Press was asking questions?

[tipuuu]

Remember the first week of lockdown when truck drivers were heros now they don't even exist

[Navesblue]

The dislikes to likes ratios on every video I've seen about this address keeps my faith alive for our country's future.

[amascia]

*Live free or die: Death is not the worst of evils.*
General John Stark
[died May 8, 1822... age 93]