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The rising number of cases among Americans in the COVID-19 pandemic comes as the Delta variant is infecting more Americans whether vaccinated or not. Following recent resistance from Republican Governors on COVID-19 protocols, US President Joe Biden hit out at the GOP leaders for refusing to comply with guidelines that would help curb the spread of the Delta variant of coronavirus in their states.
Speaking from the White House, Biden seemed to be singling out GOP Governors such as Greg Abbott of Texas and Ron DeSantis of Florida -- both states known for its very high infection rates as of late -- along with other Republican officials who are blocking the imposition of mask mandates to curb the spread of the Delta variant in his criticism. In his criticism, Biden voice his support for the city and private mandates that would require people to be vaccinated if they are to go about their daily activities.
“If you’re not going to help, at least get out of the way of people trying to do the right thing,” said Biden.
Biden endorsed the move by New York City to require vaccinations in order to dine indoors or to go to the gym. Biden also supported the corporations who are requiring their employees to be vaccinated in order to go back to work and added that more should follow suit. These policies have been blocked in some level by several GOP-led states.
Following the rising cases of the Delta variant, the CDC and other public health officials advised that vaccinated people should still wear a face mask in some public indoor settings. This is also as the Biden administration is considering other methods to get more people vaccinated.
Following Biden’s comments criticizing GOP Governors for their further resistance, DeSantis pushed back on Biden even as his state is seeing surges of COVID-19 cases. Speaking with reporters, DeSantis said that he will not “get out of the way” with his rejection of mask guidelines continue to worsen the pandemic in his state.
DeSantis also criticized the CDC for its advice that kids including those under 12 years old and who have yet to be vaccinated against COVID-19, should wear masks in class.
