The Latest: Biden says his family following holiday guidance
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Latest on President-elect Joe Biden (all times local):
4 p.m.
As Americans face the complications of holding holiday celebrations amid the ongoing pandemic, President-elect Joe Biden says he and his family are trying to navigate the same issues, with safety measures.
Biden said Monday that he and his wife are planning to follow the advice of medical officials who recommend no more than 10 people at a gathering, masked and socially distanced. Biden also says anyone at their Thanksgiving gathering would be tested for the virus 24 hours before getting together.
The restrictions may be difficult, but Biden says, “I just want to make sure we’re able to be together next Thanksgiving, next Christmas."
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is urging people to celebrate virtually or with members of their household, noting that in-person gatherings with people from different households “pose varying levels of risk.” Guidance also notes that a gathering’s size “should be determined based on the ability of attendees from different households” to socially distance and follow hygiene recommendations.
___
HERE'S WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT PRESIDENT-ELECT JOE BIDEN'S TRANSITION TO THE WHITE HOUSE:
President-elect Joe Biden met with several business and labor leaders ahead of an economic address on Monday. He is optimistic about the economy despite the surging coronavirus pandemic.
Read more:
— Biden seeks window on vaccine plans as Trump stalls handoff
— AP FACT CHECK: Trump conclusively lost, denies the evidence
— Hand tally of Georgia presidential race continues
___
HERE'S WHAT ELSE IS GOING ON:
3:55 p.m.
President-elect Joe Biden says that more coronavirus deaths will be the consequence of the Trump administration refusing to share its vaccine distribution plans with his incoming administration.
Asked about the importance of obtaining such plans, Biden said Monday after a speech in Wilmington, Delaware, that “more people may die if you don’t coordinate.”
Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris have spoken about the dangers of the Trump administration’s refusal to provide them with information and resources needed to ensure a smooth transition. President Donald Trump has continued to falsely claim he won the Nov. 3 election, citing unsubstantiated claims of widespread voter fraud.
Biden says a vaccine is vital to repairing nation’s economy, Biden says, “If we have to wait until Jan. 20 to start that planning, it puts us behind.”
Biden says he understands Trump’s “reluctance” to admit defeat and share plans but calls it “a shame.”
___
3:50 p.m.
President-elect Joe Biden is urging Congress to pass another round of coronavirus relief.
Biden on Monday referenced the coronavirus relief bill passed by the Democratic-controlled House earlier this year. It would provide $3 trillion in relief for state and local governments, direct cash payments to individuals, assistance for renters and more.
It was not taken up in the Republican-controlled Senate. Negotiations on a relief package between Congress and the White House stalled before the election.
Biden says both tackling the virus and delivering economic relief are keys to start rebuilding the nation’s economy.
His remarks came after a Monday meeting with business and labor leaders. He says the two groups were “singing from the same hymnal.”
___
3:35 p.m.
President-elect Joe Biden says the outgoing Trump administration’s failure to share specific plans on combating the coronavirus pandemic is stymying American businesses’ abilities to find ways to grow and survive in challenging circumstances.
Biden said during a speech Monday in Wilmington, Delaware, that “the sooner we have access to the administration’s distribution plan, the sooner this transition will smoothly move forward.” Specifics that the administration has withheld, Biden said, like vaccine distribution, could help “small businesses and entrepreneurs that are the backbone of our communities but are teetering on the edge.”
Biden says he and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris had an “encouraging” virtual meeting with nine leaders of some of the country’s largest labor unions like the AFL-CIO and corporations, including Microsoft and Target. Biden says the leaders “all agree that means rallying the country behind a national strategy with robust public health measures.”
In her remarks, Harris pledged to shore up the economy by “creating millions of good-paying union jobs.”
___
3:25 p.m.
Vice President-elect Kamala Harris says she and President-elect Joe Biden “don’t have a moment to waste” when it comes to tackling the coronavirus pandemic.
Harris made brief remarks Monday after the two met with business and labor leaders about the coronavirus and its economic impact.
Her comments demonstrate that she and Biden are moving forward despite President Donald Trump’s refusal to concede the election and formally allow the transition process to begin.
Harris says the road ahead “will not be easy.” She says she and Biden witnessed the economic devastation of the pandemic firsthand on the campaign trail.
