President-elect Joe Biden anticipated that from the first day he takes office, he will ask Americans to commit to wearing a mask for 100 days. In his first joint interview with his vice president-elect, Kamala Harris, the Democratic leader also confirmed that he will keep the government’s top infectious disease specialist, Dr. Anthony Fauci, in office.
In an interview with CNN journalist Jake Tapper, Biden said he will make the request to Americans during his inauguration on January 20.
“On the first day I take office, I will ask the public to wear a mask for 100 days. Only 100 mask days; not forever, only 100 days. And I think we will see a significant reduction in the virus,” Biden said.
The president-elect has frequently emphasized the use of masks as a “patriotic duty,” and during his campaign, he hinted at the possibility of ordering their use at the national level. Although he later acknowledged that enforcing the mandate would be beyond the president’s ability.
The president-elect also said that he asked Dr. Anthony Fauci to remain in his administration “in exactly the same position he has held during the past presidents,” as director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.
Biden commented that he asked Fauci to be “a senior medical adviser” and be part of his Covid-19 combat team.
On the other hand, on the coronavirus vaccine, Biden said he would “gladly” inoculate himself in public to ease any concerns about the vaccine’s efficacy and safety.
