In his
first prime-time address, President Joe Biden instilled hope that
Americans may get a taste of normalcy as early as the Fourth of July after a
harrowing year of dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic.
“That
doesn't mean large events with lots of people together, but it does mean small
groups will be able to get together after this long, hard year, that will make
this Independence Day something truly special,” he said Thursday night.
The announcement
comes as the president directed states to ensure that all adults are eligible
for a coronavirus vaccine by May 1.
Dr.
Salvatore Pardo, of Northwell Health, says Biden’s ambitious goal is
attainable.
“I
think we have to accelerate our vaccination rate. I think we are doing that,”
he told News 12. “If that's true and we get that done and people are willing to
be vaccinated…I think it’s a realistic thing to start becoming more normalized.
But it’s going to take everybody's willingness to do that.”
Pardo says getting vaccinated against COVID-19 is a community
effort.
President Biden also announced a new federal website that will help residents find the nearest location where they can get vaccinated.