It is 2021 and the COVID-19 virus is still plaguing the country causing many people to quarantine themselves and don a facial covering when leaving their residence. As such, Democrats and Republicans alike are calling on Biden to end the “COVID era”. The problem is if Biden addresses the pandemic the way Trump “addressed” the pandemic, the results will remain unchanged. By looking at Biden’s plan to relieve America of COVID, we can see how it does, indeed, differ from Trump’s for better or for worse.
Trump’s plan: In the first few months of the pandemic, Trump remained completely silent, reassuring America that the virus is nothing to worry about. It was not until March that Trump had addressed the impact of the pandemic, ordering a travel ban and an order for people to quarantine themselves. Not long after, however, Trump had began discussing reopening schools and workplaces, in spite of how risky the result will be. “People know what to do”, said Trump in April of 2020. “They can wash their hands, they can wear a mask, they can do whatever they want-but they’ve got to open these states up. People want their schools open. They don’t want to be shut down”.
Trump had then deviated from the topic, going on to talk about his achievements. “We had the greatest economy we ever had. We had to close it down and we saved 2 million lives. We’re opening it up and [the economy] is coming back very fast”. Specifically, Trump predicts a “V Shape recovery” where the economy will spike again, despite multiple reports saying the catastrophic results of the virus will take a constant toll on the economy. Rather than addressing the virus itself, Trump addressed the American economy and having businesses reopen which, ironically, can only occur once the virus is addressed directly.
Trump is also very reliant on stimulus fundings, especially bills that could be worth trillions of dollars. “I would like to see a bigger stimulus package, frankly, then either the Democrats or Republicans are offering”, says Trump. “If Nancy Pelosi and I, through my representatives or directly, I don’t care, if we agree to something, the Republicans will agree to it”. The proposal of the stimulus package included weekly payment of $1200 for adults and $1000 for children, leaving unemployed workers with only $300. The rest of the funding went towards Trump and the state and local governments. The package also included 25 billions in airline support and 135 billion dollars for the Payroll Protection Program, neither of which had benefited citizens on welfare, which have increased since the start of the pandmeic. “Overall, we are very close to the end- even closer than citizens think”, says Trump.
Biden’s Plan: Unlike Trump, Biden had addressed the virus immediately upon taking office ordering a mask mandate on federal property. “Every single American should be wearing a mask when they’re outside for the next three months at a minimum”, says Biden. “It shouldn’t be a political issue. Let’s institute a mask mandate, nationwide, starting immediately-and we will save lives”. As such, Biden has implied that the reopening of schools and business will need to come slow and steadily. “I will make sure that we set up national standards as to how to open up schools and businesses so that they will be safe, and give them the wherewithal and resources to be able to do that”, says Biden.
This national standards may include only having businesses open every other day or even once a week-but Biden is more concerned about the safety of all Americans rather than the businesses themselves. Biden also focuses on the reproduction rate of a community. If there is a high reproduction rate and more people are likely to enter the business, “Slow down. Mask up. More social distancing. We cannot return to normal until everything is under control”.
Regarding stimulus findings, Biden says, “We should be providing the money the House has passed in order to get out and get people the help they need to keep their businesses open”. One proposal by Biden included funds for personal protective equipment in schools as well as buses and sanitation. He also plans to fund COVID testing sites to ensure nobody is carrying the virus. “We must make sure there’s testing”, says Biden. “That’s a critical piece [Trump] didn’t do, testing and tracing. And we must make sure that people are equipped going to school”. Other money will go towards not only business workers, but the unemployed, though the distribution has yet to be announced. “Through mask mandates and equality and with America’s help, we can end COVID together”, says Biden.
While both Biden and Trump had used stimulus checks and mandates to aid America, their donations and causes vary. Trump is more focused on his own goal of a “V Shape recovery” in the economy rather than the health of the American people, especially the unemployed. Biden, on the other hand, is not afraid to weaken the economy in order to prioritize the American population. It is difficult to live in a society where COVID relief is not bi-partisan, but we continue to pray for a normal, safe, and equal America.
