WWII Act issued to fight pandemic
WASHINGTON, D.C. — On his first full day in the White House, President Biden signs several Executive Orders relating to his plan to tackle the COVID–19 pandemic.
In one action, the new administration is using the Defense Production Act, used during World War II to manufacture materials, to allocate federal resources to fight the pandemic. This act is in effort to speed up production and distribution of pandemic-related supplies, including vaccines, tests, and PPE.
Biden, who plans to have 100 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine administered by April, established the position of COVID-19 Response Coordinator in the Executive Office. The coordinator will report directly to Biden; advise and assist the President and executive departments; coordinate all elements of the COVID-19 response; and perform such duties as the President may otherwise direct.
The order, titled “Executive Order on Organizing and Mobilizing the United States Government to Provide a Unified and Effective Response to Combat COVID-19 and to Provide United States Leadership on Global Health and Security,” also mentions a focus of federal government resources to support the safe reopening of schools and child care services.
