Quick Links Comparing Trump’s and Biden’s Coronavirus Plan

In this article we’ll provide a brief overview of each candidate’s coronavirus plan and give quick links to articles covering the topic from different rated outlets.

Biden: Seven-Step Plan

Joe Biden released his campaign’s plan to address the coronavirus on March 12. It promises to invoke the full authority of the Defense Production Act (DPA), a law that originated from the War Powers Acts of World War II, and grants the executive branch powers to direct industrial production for materials deemed "essential to the national defense." Biden will also restore the United States’ relationship with the World Health Organization (WHO) and restore the White House National Security Council Directorate for Global Health Security and Biodefense. Under his plan, $25 billion would be set aside for the development and eventual distribution of a vaccine.

Biden supports his running mate Kamala Harris’ plan to combat racial and ethnic disparities as a result of COVID-19, which would evolve into an Infectious Disease Racial Disparities Task Force after the pandemic ends.

Trump: Opening Up America Again

In March, Trump signed an executive order authorizing the DPA to direct funds toward development and distribution of health and medical supplies. In April, the Trump administration along with the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) created a task force called “Operation Warp Speed .” The plan aims to produce and deliver 300 million doses of vaccines by January 2021 at no out-of-pocket cost to the patient, as part of a broader strategy to “accelerate the development, manufacturing, and distribution of COVID-19 vaccines, therapeutics, and diagnostics.” Under the plan, individual states would be tasked with creating their own vaccine administration and distribution strategies.

Since the pandemic began, the president has concentrated on reopening the economy, detailed in the White House’s Opening Up American Again guidelines.