Biden Puts Main Effort on Licking Coronavirus; Fauci Lauds Biden's Cue to "Let Science Speak"

President Joe Biden unveiled sweeping measures to battle COVID-19 on his first full day in office today (January 21, 2021), with his chief medical adviser, Dr. Anthony Fauci, praising his new boss' willingness to "let the science speak" in contrast to the Trump administration, the Reuters website reports. 

Biden said he was taking steps to speed up the federal response to the virus, including expanding testing and vaccinations and increasing mask-wearing.

Biden also signed executive orders to establish a COVID-19 testing board to ramp up testing, address supply shortfalls, establish protocols for international travelers, and direct resources to hard-hit minority communities.

Pope Francis Sends Biden "Good Wishes" on Pres.; Prays God Grants Him Wisdom,Strength in New Job

 In a message of "cordial good wishes" to President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. after his installation as the 46th president of the U.S., Pope Francis assured him of his prayers "that Almighty God will grant you wisdom and strength in the exercise of your high office," the America Magazine website reports today (January 20, 2021).

He told the president that he prayed that "under your leadership, may the American people continue to draw strength from the lofty political, ethical and religious values that have inspired the nation since its founding. 

"At a time when the grave crises facing our human family call for farsighted and united responses," the pope wrote, "I pray that your decisions will be guided by a concern for building a society marked by authentic justice and freedom, together with unfailing respect for the rights and dignity of every person, especially the poor, the vulnerable and those who have no voice."

Trump Praises Achievements in Farewell Address; Built Greatest Economy in History,Had No New War

U.S. President Donald Trump struck an optimistic and defiant note in his farewell address today (January 19, 2021), vowing his movement was here to stay and praising his administration's achievements in restoring America while not starting any new wars, the RT website reports.  

"We did what we came here to do-- and so much more," Trump said in the speech this afternoon. 

He argued that his administration restored American strength at home and leadership abroad, "built the greatest economy in the history of the world," and achieved a series of historic peace deals in the Middle East." 

Trump added, "I am especially proud to be the first president in decades who has started no new wars."

Pope:MLK's Non-Violence Message Is Crucial; King Called for Unity and Obliterating Hatred

Pope Francis honored civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on the commemoration of his birthday today (January 18, 2021) , saying his message of equality through peaceful means remains more timely than ever, the AP website reports. 

Francis also sent a message of prayer today to King's daughter, the Rev. Bernice King, with whom the pontiff met in 2018. 

King called for unity, not division, and extinguishing hatred and "not holding onto it," the pope said. 

Pentagon Denies Trump Final Parade on Jan 20; Instead 25K National Guard Troops to Guard D.C.

President Donald Trump, who still hasn't conceded that he lost the presidential election, will be leaving the White House on the morning of January 20, but he will not be participating in any of the traditional hand-off rituals that incumbents typically do to welcome newly elected Presidents, the Alter Net website reports today (January 17, 2021).

Trump has asked the Pentagon for a traditional farewell parade, but the Pentagon has refused having one. 

Instead, some 25,000 National Guard troops will be deployed to Washington, D.C.to maintain peace and order at Joe Biden's presidential inauguration on January 20.

 

Poll:68% of Americans Want Trump Out of Pol.; Trump Now at Lowest Approval No. of His Pres.

 The ruinous final weeks of Donald Trump's presidency have damaged his already low public standing, with 68% of Americans saying they want Trump's political career to end, the Bloomberg News website reports today (January 16, 2021). 

A Pew Research Center survey, released yesterday, shows Trump with the lowest approval number of his presidency at 29%, driven by last week's assault on the U.S. Capitol by a violent mob, and Trump's impeachment for instigating the attack.

Seventy-five percent of Americans -- including 52% of Republicans -- say Trump bears some responsibility  for the Capitol riots, which led to the deaths of five people. 

Pope Francis,Pope Benedict Get COVID Vaccine; Both Popes Are Vulnerable Because of Their Age

 The Vatican said that both Pope Francis and ex-Pope Benedict have received the first dose of a vaccine against coronavirus, the Reuters website reports today (January 15, 2021). 

The 84-year-old pope and 93-year-old former pope, got their jabs as part of a Vatican vaccination program that began on January 13.

Both men are vulnerable to contracting the virus because of their age.