Biden Unveiling $1.9T Plan to Stem Virus and Steady Economy

WILMINGTON, Del. (AP) — President-elect Joe Biden is unveiling a $1.9 trillion coronavirus plan to turn the tide on the pandemic, speeding up the vaccine rollout and providing financial help to individuals, states and local governments and business struggling with the prolonged economic fallout.

More than 385,000 people have died in the U.S. from COVID-19. Biden hopes his multipronged strategy will put the country on the path to recovery by the end of his administration’s first 100 days.

The plan includes $1,400 checks for individuals, on top of $600 provided in the last COVID-19 bill. It would also raise the federal minimum wage to $15 per hour.

The plan, which would require congressional approval, is packed with proposals on health care, education, labor and cybersecurity. It calls for a $20 billion national vaccination program that would set up community vaccination centers and send mobile units to remote communities.

(Story written by RICARDO ALONSO-ZALDIVAR and BILL BARROW/AP)