NEW YORK (The hill) – President Biden on Tuesday tried to clarify his remarks from days earlier that the coronavirus pandemic “is over”, telling fundraising guests that the COVID-19 situation isn’t as bad as it used to be.
Biden attended a Democratic National Committee fundraiser in New York City ahead of his speech Wednesday at the United Nations General Assembly. At one point, speaking of pandemic efforts, Biden referred to her comments to CBS’s Scott Pelley last week in which she claimed the pandemic was “over.”
Biden acknowledged that he was “criticized” for observations, adding: “But basically it’s not where it was.”
The president also urged those in attendance to receive their recall shots if they have not already done so.
Biden attracted warmth from public health experts and some lawmakers for his remarks to “60 Minutes” at the Detroit Auto Show last week, which was the first time the event has been able to run at full speed since the start of the pandemic.
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“The pandemic is over,” he told the program. “We still have a problem with COVID. We are still working hard on it. It is, but the pandemic is over. If you notice, no one is wearing masks. Everyone seems to be quite fit. And so I think it’s changing. And I think this is a perfect example of that. “
The United States still has an average of more than 400 deaths per day from COVID-19, according to data from the New York Times, and more than 1 million Americans have died from the virus since the start of the pandemic in early 2020.
Highly contagious variants have spread around the world, making it nearly impossible to completely eradicate COVID-19.
As a result, the Biden administration has focused its messages on the importance of vaccinating and receiving booster shots to boost immunity, as well as the wide availability of antiviral pills and other forms of treatment for those who contract the virus.
Tuesday’s fundraiser drew around 100 guests and raised nearly $ 2 million for the Democratic National Committee. Attendees included New York Mayor Eric Adams and actor Robert De Niro.
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