JOE BIDEN has told America in no uncertain terms that the worst of the Covid-19 pandemic is still to come.
The President-elect issued a sobering end-of-year message as the coronavirus continues to spiral out of control in the US with more than 3,000 deaths per day recorded.
While the Irish-American politician acknowledged that a new vaccine offered hope for the future, in the immediate the US is facing an unprecedented challenge.
“Here is the simple truth: Our darkest days in the battle against Covid are ahead of us, not behind us,” he warned.
“So we need to prepare ourselves, to steel our spines. As frustrating as it is to hear, it’s going to take patience, persistence and determination to beat this virus.”
While the incoming President praised Congress for working together to pass anothEr Covid-19 relief bill, he acknowledged that other measures would be required including further stimulus checks and funding for the distribution of any vaccine.
He also took aim at President Donald Trump over his handling of the cyberattack US government agencies have endured under his watch.
“I’ve seen no evidence that suggests it’s under control,” Biden said. “The Defense Department won’t even brief us.”
Biden was particularly scathing of Trump’s “irrational” attempt to downplay the seriousness of the hack, adding that his “failure will land on my doorstep.”
“The truth is this, the Trump administration failed to prioritiSe cybersecurity,” he said.
He also dismissed the idea of him enjoying any kind of “honeymoon period” once he takes office on January 20.
“I don’t think it’s a honeymoon. I think it’s a nightmare that everybody’s going through, and they all say, ‘It’s got to end.’ It’s not a honeymoon. They’re not doing me a favour.”
