Statement on President-elect Joe Biden’s COVID-19 task force

Media Contacts
Matt Wellington

Former Director, Public Health Campaigns, PIRG

As the virus rages across the country, bold action is necessary to slow spread

U.S. PIRG

WASHINGTON — President-elect Joe Biden has announced some of the people who will comprise his Transition COVID-19 Advisory Board. The group of top health experts from across the country will advise the incoming administration on efforts to contain the novel coronavirus.  

Matthew Wellington, the public health campaigns director for U.S. PIRG, issued the following statement in response to President-elect Biden’s task force. 

“Health professionals across the country are breathing a collective sigh of relief — and then gearing up for the challenge ahead. After months of the federal government ignoring calls for a comprehensive national strategy to combat COVID-19, President elect-Biden will deliver one.  

“However, the president-elect and his task force can’t fully put that plan into action until after the inauguration on January 20, 2021. For the next 10 weeks, as we face the worst surge in the virus that we’ve ever seen, state governors need to make the hard calls required to save lives.

“In areas where the virus is spreading unchecked, governors should close non-essential businesses, ensure people stay home, and enforce mask-wearing to stop the spread quickly. At the same time, states should ramp up their ability to test widely and quickly trace and isolate people who came into contact with someone who has tested positive.  

“There is no on and off switch for dealing with COVID-19. It will take decisive leadership and diligent, steady action to save lives. President-elect Biden’s comprehensive plan offers many answers, but with colder weather sending more Americans inside more often in the coming months, we can’t afford to wait to implement more stringent policies. State governors have to step up now so we can save tens of thousands of lives.”

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