President Joe Biden urged Americans to take the COVID-19 vaccine following a speech Thursday in which he announced new vaccination mandates for federal employers, contractors, and private businesses with over 100 employees.
“Get vaccinated,” Biden whispered, bumping his fist before quickly exiting the room to avoid questions from reporters.
Under the announced COVID-19 safety protocols, private employers with 100 or more employees will need to make sure workers are vaccinated, or mandate weekly testing for unvaccinated employees. All federal employers and employees that do business with the federal government must also require their employees to be vaccinated or submit to weekly testing.
“This is not about freedom or personal choice, it’s about protecting yourself and those around you,” Biden said in his speech announcing the new measures.
“My plan also takes on elected officials and states that are undermining you and these lifesaving actions. Right now, local school officials are trying to keep children safe in a pandemic while their governor picks a fight with them and even threatens their salaries or their jobs,” Biden said. “Talk about bullying in schools. If they’ll not help — if these governors won’t help us beat the pandemic, I’ll use my power as President to get them out of the way.”
“The Department of Education has already begun to take legal action against states undermining protection that local school officials have ordered,” he continued. “Any teacher or school official whose pay is withheld for doing the right thing, we will have that pay restored by the federal government 100 percent. I promise you I will have your back.”
The requirements governing private employers are currently being developed by the Department of Labor’s Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA).
The rule will apply to over 80 million Americans, and employers who don’t comply could face fines of up to $14,000 per violation.
On Thursday, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis said he was concerned about the Biden administration forcing mandates on individuals and businesses, and promised to resist.
“How could we get to the point in the country where you would want to have someone lose their job because of their choice about the vaccine or not?” the governor said. “Maybe they’re making the wrong decision, but to put them out of work … and not let them earn a living because of this, I just think that that’s fundamentally wrong.”
DeSantis added that as the drive for vaccines becomes more “coercive,” people only feel more alienated, and actually makes people inclined to not get a shot.
On Thursday evening, DeSantis’ spokeswoman, Christian Pushaw, noted in a statement, “The constant stream of insults and threats from the White House is a desperate attempt to regain control of the Narrative and distract from the Biden Administration’s abject failures: Afghanistan, the border crisis, and the COVID-19 response.”
Biden went on to take aim at unvaccinated Americans, claiming the vaccinated population was fed up with their health decision.
“We’ve been patient, but our patience is wearing thin. Your refusal has cost all of us. Please, do the right thing,” Biden said.
Android Users, Click Here To Download The Free Press App And Never Miss A Story. It’s Free And Coming To Apple Users Soon.
Support journalism by clicking here to our gofundme or sign up for our free newsletter by clicking here