WASHINGTON (Reuters) – President Joe Biden will lead states to make all adults eligible for COVID-19 vaccines before May 1 and will use his first speech in the first hour to say he hopes life returns normally the July 4 holiday, according to two senior White House officials.
In a speech on Thursday night on the occasion of the anniversary of the coronavirus shutdown, Biden will offer both hopes and warnings, officials said.
Families and friends will be able to gather at the barbecues to celebrate the Independence Day celebration on July 4, but only if they continue to comply with health guidelines and take advantage of an ever-increasing supply of vaccines.
“The president will talk about small meetings like a barbecue in the back garden in your neighborhood. It will be clear that it does not mean big events where a lot of people gather, but we do want to have an Independence Day again, small meetings and celebrations. And that’s a big step in the right direction, ”said a senior assistant.
Biden will order states to remove current rules on vaccine eligibility that give priority to different groups, stressing the administration’s confidence that there will be enough vaccine for everyone.
Reports by Jarrett Renshaw and Jeff Mason; Editing by Leslie Adler and Peter Cooney