On Jan. 20 democracy prevailed and Joe Biden was inaugurated as president. As a new chapter in the United States begins, Americans have high hopes for the Biden administration. 

On Nov. 3 millions of citizens across the country cast their ballots and by Nov. 7 Biden was declared the next president of the United States. The administration’s transition began despite false claims questioning the legitimacy of the election results.

Once inaugurated, Biden signed over a dozen executive orders in the first hours in office. Biden signed an executive order requiring masks to be worn on federal property, rejoined the World Health Organization, created a Covid office reporting directly to him, abolished the “Muslim ban” and signed an executive order banning workplace discrimination against LGBT employees. Many of the executive orders signed were a direct reversal of Trump’s policies. “I think that Biden will do a good job as president. He has great second-hand experience and understanding of his position,” freshman Leah Kaplanovich said. 

In the first 100 days in office, the Biden administration’s main focus is curbing the spread of COVID- 19 and delivering economic assistance to families in need. An important goal for the administration is to vaccinate enough of the country to reach herd immunity with COVID by the end of the first 100 days in office. Biden highlighted the importance in his Inaugural Address. “We can overcome this deadly virus,” Biden said. 

The US has reached over 490,000 total deaths, making solving the COVID crisis an urgent objective for this new administration. Biden has increased weekly vaccine shipments to states to 13.5 million doses, making a 57% increase since he took office, and doubled their direct shipments to local pharmacies. The administration is aiming to have 100 million Americans vaccinated by their 100th day in office and Biden said during a town hall event that “By the end of July this year…we will have over 600 million doses, enough to vaccinate every single American.”

Since Biden increased vaccine shipment, certain citizens in Montgomery County have been able to receive the COVID vaccine. Montgomery County’s top priority is getting all citizens that fall under group 1A fully vaccinated. Group 1A includes hospital personnel, vaccinators, all healthcare professionals, social workers, law enforcement and other personnel. “Getting people vaccinated will help us slowly return to our normal lives mask-free. I would be happy to get the vaccine to protect myself and others,” freshman Lindsey Mcney said. 

In Biden’s inaugural address he made it clear that unifying the country was necessary to overcome the challenges ahead. On Jan. 14 Biden released an economic stimulus proposal aimed to help those struggling in the current economy because of COVID. Congressional Democrats and Biden are now working to pass their $1.9 trillion Coronavirus relief bill through Congress. “We can reward work, rebuild the middle class, and make health care secure for all,” Biden said. 

For the next four years the administration’s plan is to focus on bringing the country together and rebuild after the past administration. Above all, solving the pandemic is priority one, as well as reviving the economy, climate change and racial justice. “It’s a breakthrough after the past four years and we will definitely see change,” Kaplanovich said.