Since President Biden has signed the historic $1.9 trillion Covid relief bill into law, his administration’s agenda now shifts to vaccinating Americans as quickly as possible.
In a new commercial released this week, the 42nd, 43rd, and 44th presidents urge the country to get vaccinated when they’re eligible. Former Presidents Jimmy Carter, Bill Clinton, George W. Bush and Barack Obama each discuss what they miss most about life before the virus broke out last year.
“This vaccine means hope,” Obama says in the video. “It will protect you and those you love from this dangerous and deadly disease.” President Obama also mentions wanting to “hug” and visit his mother-in-law, Michelle’s mom Marian Robinson.
“I want to go back to work, and I want to be able to move around,” Clinton says.
“What I’m really looking forward to is going to opening day in Texas Rangers stadium with a full stadium,” adds Bush.
The minute-long clip also flashes images of the Former Presidents and their first ladies getting the vaccination.
The PSA was created by the nonprofit Ad Council and the COVID collaborative. A spokesperson for the AD Council told Reuters that Donald Trump was not included in the commercial because it was filmed on the day of president Biden’s inauguration, which Trump did not attend.
The Covid relief package earmarks $14 billion for research, development, distribution and strengthening confidence in vaccines.
$47.8 billion will go toward testing sites, contact tracing and additional mitigation efforts.
President Biden spoke about his administration’s vaccine efforts as he addressed the nation during his primetime speech Thursday (March 11). “Just 14% of Americans over the age of 75 — 50 days ago had gotten their first shot,” he said. “Today, that number is well over 70%. When I came into office you may recall I set a goal that many of you said was kind of way over the top. I said I intended to get 100 million shots in people’s arms in my first 100 days in office. Tonight, I can say we’re not only going to meet that goal, we’re going to beat that goal.”
Check out the presidential Covid PSA below: