The Latest: Biden urges Americans to avoid big holiday dos

President-elect Joe Biden calls the latest coronavirus relief package from Congress a “down payment” on addressing the multiple crises facing the country

Biden (Copyright 2020 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

The Latest on President-elect Joe Biden (all times local):

3:25 p.m.

President-elect Joe Biden says that the nation has a long way to go in fighting the coronavirus pandemic and is encouraging Americans to avoid large gatherings over the Christmas holidays.

Biden says that “we all have to care enough for each other that we have to stay apart for just a little bit longer. I know it’s hard.”

Biden spoke Tuesday in a live year-end address from his home state of Delaware. He warned that experts are warning things are going to get worse before they get better and that tens of thousands of Americans are expected to die in the months ahead, even with vaccines.

The president-elect also says the country needs everyone to wear a mask and avoid large gatherings, particularly inside. He adds “we need to work in a bipartisan way” and applauded Congress for passing a $900 billion pandemic relief package.

3 p.m.

President-elect Joe Biden says the coronavirus relief package passed by Congress is “just the first step” and a “down payment” in addressing multiple crises facing America.

Biden said Tuesday that he will put forward a plan in early 2021 that will ask Congress to send more help to firefighters, police, frontline health workers and millions of working families.

He noted that the latest relief package extends unemployment benefits for 10 weeks but said “it’s going to take a lot longer than that.”

Biden said he’ll also seek more resources to distribute COVID-19 vaccines and boost testing, which will be needed to reopen schools.