Biden plans to confront COVID-19 crisis, increase leave

The Biden administration is keenly aware that unless and until the COVID-19 pandemic is brought to heel, all other efforts to rebuild the economy, reopen schools, and return the country to something approaching normalcy will be deterred. To that end, President Joe Biden immediately made attacking the coronavirus outbreak the key element of his American Rescue Plan, an ambitious $1.9 trillion outline for his first Executive Order and legislative initiatives.

$160B push proposed for vaccinations, health programs

To realize the goal of completing “100 million vaccinations in 100 days,” the Biden administration proposed establishing a national vaccination program as part of the rescue plan, earmarking $160 billion for expanded testing, a public health jobs program, and other public health measures. Specifically, the plan proposes: