President-elect Joe Biden said Thursday night during a CNN interview that he will ask the nation to wear face masks during his first 100 days in office.
- “Just 100 days to mask. Not forever — 100 days,” Biden said. “I think we’ll see a significant reduction if that occurs with vaccinations and masking, to drive down the numbers considerably.”
- Biden said he will issue a standing order for masks in some locations.
Per CBS News, Biden floated the idea of a nationwide mask mandate during his time running for president. But he has changed his tune on that idea since he doesn’t have authority to create a mandate like that.
- However, Biden said he will call for masks to be worn in federal buildings and when people travel from state to state, like on airplanes or buses, according to CBS News.
A look at his first 100 days:
Biden wants to focus on immigration, the environment and the economic fallout from the coronavirus pandemic during his first 100 days, according to the Deseret News.
- “This is more than just a financial crisis,” Biden said to NBC’s Holt of the nearly yearlong coronavirus pandemic. “It’s a crisis that is causing real mental stress for millions of people. And it’s within our power to solve it and grow the economy at the same time.”