Biden To Push For Mandatory Vaccination

[Rossiman]

Biden urges state, local leaders to mandate COVID-19 vaccine

By

 United Press International

 -

October 16, 2020

 

 

 

 

 

 

Oct. 16 (UPI) —

 

Appearing in an ABC town hall Thursday night, Joe Biden said as president he’d lean on state and local leaders to implement COVID-19 vaccine mandates once one becomes available.

The Democratic presidential nominee opened up the town hall taking President Donald Trump to task for his handling of the coronavirus pandemic and offering his own answers.

 

“He missed enormous opportunities and kept saying things that weren’t true,” Biden said of Trump.

“‘It’s going to go away by Easter. Don’t worry about it. … When the summer comes, it’s all going to go away like a miracle.’ He’s still saying all those things.”

The former vice president said there should have been earlier national standards on how to limit the spread of the virus, including a mask mandate.

When asked whether he would mandate for all Americans to take a COVID-19 vaccine once one’s available, Biden said “it depends on the state and the nature of the vaccine when it comes out and how it’s being distributed.”

 

Biden acknowledged such a mandate would be difficult to enforce completely, comparing it to measles vaccines required by schools.

“We should be thinking about making it mandatory,” he said, adding that he’d ask governors, mayors and council members to encourage and mandate vaccines.

The former vice president’s appearance began at 8 p.m. EDT on ABC News and was expected to last for 90 minutes. In addition to watching their local ABC channel, viewers can stream the event on ABCnews.com or the ABC mobile app.

 

 

 

Edited November 7, 2020 by Rossiman