How will Biden’s plan to combat coronavirus impact the Coachella Valley?
The president elect’s team announced what they are calling the Biden-Harris plan to beat COVID-19, which gives a more detailed look at what the fight against coronavirus pandemic could look like after January’s Inauguration Day.
News Channel 3’s Dani Romero breaks down what impacts it could have here in the Coachella Valley.
The future administration’s mantra is “Listen to Science” In a seven point plan, they outline just how they aim to beat coronavirus. The first point is to ensure all Americans can get tested, for free, at sites like the one in Coachella.
“Definitely science is the way to go I believe this is the answer,”said Victor Mendoza, getting a flu shot.
Riverside County health officials said it’s too soon to speculate on any specific changes we could see in the Coachella Valley but they are looking into the Biden--Harris plan to beat COVID-19.
“We know the single most effective thing we can do to stop the spread of COVID is wear a mask," said President-elect Joe Biden.
Biden wants every governor to make mask wearing mandatory, and for local authorities to "buttress their state orders."
“A mask remains the most potent weapon against the virus," said Biden.
Masks are required statewide here in California. In Riverside County, Sheriff Chad Bianco has said he is more focused on education than ticketing or enforcement. In April, he said :"Riverside County deputies will not be stopping vehicle or setting checkpoints for motorists, we will not be stopping you while out on a walk with your kids."
The Biden-Harris outline also calls for a task force on racial and ethnic disparities. A California rule already aims to address those disproportionately impacted by coronavirus. Its called the equity metric.
“COVID reaches everybody, but who we have to work hard to reach certain communities that may not trust government so we can work to reach all communities to make sure they get tested, to get the education, get the masks," said Michael Osur, Assistant Director for Riverside County Department of Public Health.
Many of the points in the biden plan aren’t unfamiliar here.
“Thats a California agenda, in many ways the future happens here first, we have established alot of the efforts and they have been established in advice here in the state will begin to scale them," said Governor Gavin Newsom.
Also in this plan, funding to avoid budget shortfalls in areas like education and what’s called a “restart package” to help small businesses buy things like PPE and plexiglass.
Again, Riverside County officials don’t want to say how these plans will change the response here, but it is definitely something they are watching closely.
For more information on the President-elect's future administration plans CLICK HERE.
