WILMINGTON, Del. (US) – President-elect Joe Biden pleaded with Americans on Wednesday to take extra attention to remain safe over the Thanksgiving holiday as COVID-19 cases soar.
Biden gave a presidential-style speech where people have grown weary with restrictions amid the coronavirus pandemic. He urged them to exercise caution as caseloads surge.
“I know the country has grown weary of the fight. We need to remember – we’re at war with the virus, not with one another,” Biden said as he urged Americans to forgo the type of big family gatherings normally associated with Thursday’s holiday, wear protective masks and maintain social distancing.
More than 261,000 Americans have died from COVID-19, with the daily toll on Tuesday surpassing 2,000 for the first time since May.
Biden said the United States faced “a long hard winter”, however, it was during the most difficult circumstances such as this that “the soul of our nation has been forged.”
He said he hoped the recent positive news on vaccine development would guide people to take simple steps to get the virus under control.
Biden has offered a message of healing and reconciliation after Trump’s tumultuous term.
“Our democracy was tested this year,” Biden said. “In America, we have full and fair and free elections and then we honor the results. The people of this nation and the laws of the land won’t stand for anything else.”
Trump’s administration gave the green light on Monday for formal transition efforts despite him continuing to make allegations of voting fraud.