Biden responds to COVID-19 pandemic with series of orders

Less than two years ago, the world learned of the novel coronavirus known as COVID-19. Since then, tens of millions of people have become infected around the world, and nearly five million have died, including more than 700,000 Americans. National and international economies continue to struggle to right themselves as people wrestle with the virus' life-changing impact.

In the United States, the optimism created by the swift development and deployment of effective vaccines has faded as millions of eligible people refuse to get the shots, prompted by either fear, personal belief, or political conviction and fueled by partisan misinformation campaigns. Their refusals to take the vaccine give continued viability to the virus, which, in turn, keeps schools and stores in turmoil, families in a quandary, and the economy shaken with uncertainty.

In the face of some people's persistent reluctance to become vaccinated, which President Joe Biden sees as a public good, the frustrated leader made a series of sweeping actions designed to compel wider use of the shots or routine testing through the workplace.

Paths to vaccination

Federal employees. On September 9, 2021, President Biden signed an Executive Order (EO) directing federal government employees to get vaccinated within 75 days or be terminated.