White House to host July 4 'independence from virus' bash

[notpolltested]

Cue the fireworks. President Joe Biden wants to imbue Independence Day with new meaning this year by encouraging nationwide celebrations to mark the country’s effective return to normalcy after 16 months of coronavirus pandemic disruption.

Even as the U.S. is set to cross the grim milestone of 600,000 deaths from the virus on Tuesday, the White House is expressing growing certainty that July Fourth will serve as a breakthrough moment in the nation’s recovery. That’s even though the U.S. is not expected to quite reach its goal of having 70% of adults vaccinated by the holiday.

As COVID-19 case rates and deaths drop to levels not seen since the first days of the outbreak, travel picks up and schools and businesses reopen, Biden is proclaiming “a summer of freedom” to celebrate Americans resuming their pre-pandemic lives.

The holiday will see the largest event yet of Biden’s presidency: He plans to host first responders, essential workers and military servicemembers and their families on the South Lawn for a cookout and to watch the fireworks over the National Mall. Well more than 1,000 guests are expected, officials said, with final arrangements still to be sorted out.

https://apnews.com/article/government-and-politics-joe-biden-lifestyle-coronavirus-pandemic-health-f97e0316c51d2d8362a17d149daedb14

America is coming back! Hope they show this amazing performance from Ray Charles 21 years ago...

[Under The Radar]

1. It is too soon for that Joe.

[notpolltested]

3. If they are vaccinated than there should be no issue with a gathering nt

[Under The Radar]

5. It is just that 40% of the population hasn't been vaccinated

We have not reached herd immunity and we had another 350 deaths yesterday. He is just opening himself up to ridicule, dancing in the end zone, hypothetical.
Joe considers himself empathetic, the families of those still dying will not see it that way.
Wait and celebrate when there are zero deaths for a few days in a row, or even weeks.

[notpolltested]

8. COVID 0 is unrealistic and might never happen. This is celebrating a new stage of low prevalence,

high vaccination and the return to all the things we couldn't do before.

[RegularJam]

7. Have you been outside?

I was at a firework show with thousands of people at a Pride event in a stadium this past Saturday. Not a mask in sight.

There isn’t a single thing going on in my area that isn’t being done at full capacity.

[BannonsLiver]

2. Did he clear it with our DU epidemiologists?

Oh and...

[notpolltested]

4. I agree - All signs show that in areas of high vaccination the virus is on the ropes, so why not

have some fun!

[RegularJam]

6. This is the message.

The Biden administration gets it.

[WarGamer]

9. People are still dying from it...

A bit soon.

[notpolltested]

10. This might be with us for a long time in some form.

Let's celebrate our progress in entering a new phase with high vaccination and low prevalence that are enabling people to get back to their lives and livelihoods.