Biden eyes 4th of July as goal to declare ‘Independence from this virus’

President Biden delivered his first primetime address on Thursday night, providing an update on the country’s plan to defeat the virus as the nation marks one year of battling the coronavirus pandemic.

Video Transcript

JOE BIDEN: I promise I will do everything in my power. I will not relent until we beat this virus.

But I need you, the American people. I need you. I need every American to do their part. And that's not hyperbole. I need you. I need you to get vaccinated when it's your turn and when you can find an opportunity, and to help your family, your friends, your neighbors get vaccinated as well.

Because here's the point. If we do all this, if we do our part, if we do this together, by July the 4th, there's a good chance you, your families and friends will be able to get together in your backyard or in your neighborhood and have a cookout or a barbecue and celebrate Independence Day. That doesn't mean large events with lots of people together, but it does mean small groups will be able to get together.

After this long, hard year, that will make this Independence Day something truly special, where we not only mark our independence as a nation, but we begin to mark our independence from this virus.