Today, for the first time since the onset of the pandemic, America celebrated what many considered a normal Independence Day. As such, President Joe Biden mixed the nation’s 245th birthday party with a celebration of freedom as America gradually emerges from COVID’s shadow. But at the same time, Biden warned that the fight against the virus is not over just yet.
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As lights on buildings in the United States’ capital of Washington D.C. pulsated, thousands of Americans flocked to the nation’s capital to witness all the traditional pomp and ceremony.
Delivering his speech in front of the masses during the Independence Day Party held on the South Lawn of the White House, President Biden was in great form, finally declaring America’s independence from COVID.
“245 years ago, we declared our independence from a distant king. Today, we are closer than ever to declaring our independence from a deadly virus.” Said Biden.
At the same time, calling a vaccination “the most patriotic thing you can do”, he made use of his speech and wasted no time in urging Americans to get vaccinated as soon as possible.
“My fellow Americans, this is the most patriotic thing you can do. So please, if you haven’t gotten vaccinated, do it, do it now, for yourself, for your loved ones, for your community, and for your country.” Said the President.
With America now on the mend after being battered by the dreadful pandemic, President Biden described this year’s Independence day as a day of special celebration, as COVID is about to take a back seat in the country.
“This year, the Fourth of July is a day of special celebration for we are emerging from the darkness of a year of pandemic and isolation, a year of pain, fear and heartbreaking loss. Just think back to where this nation was a year ago. Think back to where you were a year ago, and think about how far we’ve come - from silent streets, from silent streets, to crowded parade routes lined with people waving American flags; from empty stadiums and arenas to fans back in their seats, cheering together again; from families pressing hands against the window to grandparents hugging their grandchildren once again.” Said the President.
Getting a big round of applause, President Biden delivered this powerful message:
“Today, all across this nation, we can say with confidence, ‘America is coming back together.’”
However, on the vaccination front, Americans were none the wiser as to why the vaccination rate fell short of the 70 percent expected, despite the Biden administration’s efforts to convince more Americans to get a vaccine.
Be that as it may, Biden lauded those who had already gotten at least one dose of a COVID vaccine before July 4, and said vaccines were the best defense against new variants of the virus.
The President today also warned that the nation’s fight against the pandemic is not over as yet. And in light of sluggish vaccination rates in some counties, and a still big number of COVID deaths every day, Biden once again urged Americans to get the lifesaving vaccines, and not to give up until the pandemic is completely over, because there’s no shortcut to success.
Watching and truly enjoying fireworks shows all across the nation, the President, as well as all Americans, witnessed the moment when they were literally unshackled from anti-virus restrictions, and the impacts of the pandemic.
Americans’ joy was palpable.
Today, the United States not only celebrated its 245th birthday, but also embraced a new day of freedom from COVID - a new era is on the horizon.
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