Biden made a formal announcement of his plan to require companies with over 100 employees to have their workers vaccinated against COVID-19 or tested every week. He likewise rejected the concerns raised relating to the encroachment of personal freedom.
Biden: getting vaccinated is not about freedom
On Thursday, during his address to the nation, Biden declared that his plan to force companies to have their employees vaccinated is not about freedom or personal choice.
He also claimed that getting vaccinated is about giving yourself protection and the people around you, your coworkers, your loved ones, and the others you love protection. Biden then claimed that his duty as the president is to protect the American public.
Biden defends forced vaccination and (permanent) masking: "This is not about freedom or personal choice. It's about protecting yourself and those around you, the people you work with, the people you care about, the people you love. My job as president is to protect all Americans" pic.twitter.com/XFeYk9OlSb
— Curtis Houck (@CurtisHouck) September 9, 2021
In his address, Biden likewise expressed multiple times the frustrations he has with unvaccinated individuals, stating that he acknowledges the “anger” vaccinated people have against those who opted not to take the vaccine.
The president later called millions of unvaccinated people to get vaccinated, noting that they have been patient. However, their patience is starting to wear thin and their refusal to take the vaccine is causing harm to everyone.
Biden noted that many Americans are frustrated with the almost 80 million unvaccinated Americans, despite the fact that the vaccine is free, safe, and effective. He then added that people might be confused about what is false and what is true about the virus.
The president likewise aimed at Republican officials all over the country who have been opposing vaccine mandates and mask mandates.
Biden: the pandemic politics is costing the lives of unvaccinated people
Biden likewise noted they have the means to fight against COVID-19 and a specific minority of Americans, who are supported by a definite number of elected officials, are keeping the country from turning the corner.
The president also added that the pandemic politics are getting people sick and are costing unvaccinated individuals their lives. He then asked the parents of children ages 12 years old and above to get the vaccine, noting that children get vaccinated for multiple things, and emphasizing that they should get the COVID vaccine too.
Biden says parents should get their children 12 and older vaccinated for COVID-19: "They get vaccinated for a lot of things. That's it. Get them vaccinated."
For children under 12, he says "every parent, every teenage sibling, every caregiver around them should be vaccinated" pic.twitter.com/CmvWzd6CZc
— CBS News (@CBSNews) September 9, 2021
During his speech, the president likewise confirmed that he already gave instructions to the Department of Labor to require employers who have more than 100 employees to either have their employees vaccinated or tested for the virus every week.
This new mandate could affect almost 100 million workers and will likewise incur substantial fines which could cost up to $14,000 per violation for companies that refuse to follow.
On top of the requirements for the COVID vaccine, Biden also aimed at planning to double federal fines for airline passengers who refuse to wear masks on a flight; this is a mandate imposed in accordance with the guidelines given by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
