Biden: The darkest days in the fight against covid are ahead

End of the year message from Joe Biden, in Spanish 10:31 PM

(CNN) -

President-elect Joe Biden said Tuesday that the "darkest days" in the battle against the coronavirus pandemic "are ahead of us, not behind us," and urged Americans to prepare for the fight. .

“One thing I can promise you about my leadership during this crisis: I will tell you bluntly.

I'm going to tell you the truth.

And this is the simple truth: the darkest days in the battle against COVID are ahead of us, not behind us, "Biden said in a statement in Wilmington, Delaware.

"So we have to prepare, be firm," continued the president-elect.

“As frustrating as it is to hear, it will take patience, persistence and determination to defeat this virus.

There will be no time to lose in taking the steps we need to reverse this crisis, "he added.

Biden claims Trump over cyber attack

Biden said that in addition to acting swiftly to provide more economic relief and support to Americans, his administration will urgently address the recent massive cyberattack against American companies and federal government agencies.

“There is still much we don't know, including the full extent of the breach or the extent of the damage it has caused.

But we know this: this attack constitutes a serious risk to our national security, "said Biden.

advertising

"The Trump administration did not prioritize cybersecurity," he said.

Biden criticized President Donald Trump for downplaying the cyber attack and contradicting Secretary of State Mike Pompeo's public comments linking the attack to Russia.

Biden said the Trump administration must "make an official attribution."

“This attack happened under the guard of Donald Trump when he was not watching.

It remains your responsibility as president to defend American interests for the next four weeks, "Biden said.

Biden's thanks

In the middle of the holidays and before Christmas, he said, "This season of reflection has a much deeper meaning than it usually does."

It has been "one of the most difficult years we have faced as a nation," Biden said.

The president-elect pointed to the pandemic, economic crisis, protests against racial injustice, forest fires and historic storms.

Biden thanked everyone involved in the development and distribution of coronavirus vaccines.

Also to health workers on the front line and members of the deployed army and their families.

"Our hearts go out to all of you who have gone through difficult times - blameless, I might add - unable to sleep at night, very depressed with the concern of what tomorrow will bring to you and your family," he said.

Biden spoke about how many other Americans follow the advice of Public Health experts and have renounced Christmas traditions.

• READ: Celebrate Christmas with small rituals and make them special without having a big meeting

“Like we did on Thanksgiving, we all have to take good care of ourselves to keep ourselves apart a little bit more.

I know it's difficult, ”Biden said.

This is expected to be the president-elect's last formal appearance before Christmas.

Biden plans to stay at his home near Wilmington for the holidays.

Biden already received the vaccine

Biden receives covid-19 vaccine 1:07

The speech takes place in the middle of a Christmas season in which Public Health experts have advised Americans not to travel or gather in large groups as coronavirus cases and the number of deaths increase across the country.

It also comes a day after Biden received his first dose of the Pfizer and BioNTech vaccine against covid-19.

The event was broadcast live on national television, and the president-elect reassured Americans regarding the vaccine.

"There is nothing to worry about," said Biden, who urged Americans to get the vaccine as soon as it is available to them.

The two vaccines that received an emergency use authorization from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have begun to be administered to healthcare workers and others.

One is from Pfizer and another is developed by Moderna.

As of Tuesday afternoon, more than 319,000 Americans had died from the virus.

Congress approved stimulus

The president-elect's speech comes the day after Congress voted to approve a $ 900 billion COVID-19 relief package that promises to accelerate vaccine distribution and provide much-needed help to small businesses affected by it. the pandemic, Americans who have lost their jobs during economic turmoil, and frontline healthcare workers.

Biden has said that while immediate funding is critical, when he takes office in January, his administration will take additional steps to support Americans and businesses and fund vaccine distribution efforts.

The president-elect has moved quickly to put together his administration.

It only remains for him to announce a few positions in his cabinet.

One of the highest-profile positions in his incoming administration is attorney general, and Biden is not expected to make that announcement before Christmas, according to a person familiar with the matter.

cyberattackcoronavirus