Joe Biden to call for 100 days of mask-wearing as one of first acts as president

Joe Biden is to call for 100-days of mask wearing in the US
REUTERS

Joe Biden will ask Americans to commit to 100 days of wearing masks as one of his first acts as US president.

The move marks a notable shift from President Donald Trump, whose own scepticism of mask-wearing has contributed to a politicisation of the issue.

Public health experts say wearing a face covering is one of the easiest ways to manage the pandemic, which has killed more than 275,000 Americans.

President-elect Mr Biden has frequently emphasised mask-wearing as a "patriotic duty" and during the campaign floated the idea of instituting a nationwide mask mandate.

He later acknowledged a mandate would be beyond the ability of the president to enforce.

Speaking with CNN's Jake Tapper, Mr Biden said he would make the request of Americans on Inauguration Day, January 20.

"On the first day I'm inaugurated, I'm going to ask the public for 100 days to mask. Just 100 days to mask - not forever, just 100 days,” He said.

“And I think we'll see a significant reduction" in coronavirus, Mr Biden said.

Mr Biden also said he asked Dr Anthony Fauci to stay on in his administration, "in the exact same role he's had for the past several presidents", as the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, the nation's top infectious-disease expert.

The president-elect said he has asked Dr Fauci to be a "chief medical adviser" as well as part of his Covid-19 advisory team.

Regarding a coronavirus vaccine, Mr Biden said he would be "happy" to get inoculated in public to assuage any concerns about its efficacy and safety.

Three former presidents - Barack Obama, George W Bush and Bill Clinton - have said they would also get vaccinated publicly to show that it is safe.

"People have lost faith in the ability of the vaccine to work," Mr Biden said, adding that "it matters what a president and the vice president do".

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