Joe Biden Unveils Comprehensive Coronavirus Relief Plan

     In his first four days on the job, Joe Biden has done more to combat coronavirus than Donald Trump did in almost a year. He has returned the United States to the World Health Organization and recreated the pandemic response team that Trump destroyed. In terms of prevention, he instituted a federal mask and social distancing mandate that applies to federal property, employees, and contractors as well as interstate commerce. He has restored daily coronavirus briefings and vowed to lead by example through wearing a mask.

     He has also announced plans for relief and legislative action as his cabinet continues to be confirmed. He extended the Trump administration's freeze on evictions and frozen student loan collection and extended unemployment benefits. His legislative proposals include using the National Guard and pharmacies to distribute vaccines (100 million in 100 days) while focusing especially on racial inequities in the virus and creating federal guidelines to reopen schools. He is also proposing undoing some of Trump's tax cuts to fund stimulus checks and aid for small businesses.

     More remains to be done, but Biden has certainly exceeded the low bar set by Trump.