Joe good afternoon, everyone. I just finished speaking about the pandemic, the steps we need to curb the spread of the virus, and the challenges of distributing a safe and effective vaccine once one is identified. Before i turn to those issues, let me say a few words about the president s comments last night. Even before acknowledging to bob woodward on tape that he was fully informed on the gravity of the danger related to covid19, he refused to warn the American People. Again, last night, in a Television Town hall, the president revealed in no Uncertain Terms a lack of seriousness with which he continues to take this pandemic. Nearly eight months after this crisis, on the door step of 200,000 american deaths, trump refused once again to take responsibility or to take action. By his own admission, he continued to lie about covid19. He doubled down on the catastrophic mistakes that hes made. And perhaps worst of all, he made clear that he still doesnt have a plan to bring us out of this crisis. He even said, and i quote, a lot of people think that masks are not good. Undercutting the easiest, most effective means we have for reducing the spread of this disease. This virus is still taking nearly 1,000 lives a day. The forecasts show that those numbers are likely to climb this winter. But incredibly, donald trump insists that he wouldnt have done anything differently. Not one thing. Last friday we learned that another one of the thousands of americans died due to this virus and it continues to rise. The very same day that we reported 1,000 deaths on friday, the very same day, canada reported that not one person died of covid19 in canada. Trump wouldnt have done anything differently . If youre a parent in america, preparing for another day that your child cant attend school, if youre grieving the loss of a father, son, mother, daughter, husband or wife, if youre a Small Business owner who is on the brink of total bankruptcy, who cant open or cant go back to work because the virus still is spreading in your community, how does it make you feel to hear the president say he wouldnt have done anything differently . And if he gets four more years, why should we expect anything to change . All the president had to offer last night, President Trump, was the same weak and feckless inaction, the same lies and empty promises that weve seen from the very beginning. He still wont accept any responsibility. He still wont offer a plan. And last night he repeated what he said so many times before. That even if he continues to offer only failing indifference, someday the virus is going to go away by a miracle. Even if he does nothing. Its going to go away by a miracle. It wont go away like a miracle. In fact, even if we get a vaccine, it will not be available for most populations well into the 2021. You know, so were heading into a very dangerous autumn. The fact that the university of washington model, which the white house previously touted, projects that cases and deaths are going to spike this november and by an additional 215,000 americans they say are going to die, beginning the spike in november, but by the first of the year, 215,000 will be dead, additional. Thats more than have already died. We need leadership right now to prevent that from happening. The same university the model shows, the university of washington model, shows that if theres universal masking, these deaths could be cut in half. Between now and the end of the year we can save 100,000 lives. Lets assume theyre off by half in all of this. 50,000 lives. 150,000 dead. Donald trumps own director of c. D. C. Told us that wearing a mask is the single most important step we can take to curb this virus. Heres what he said. He said, i might go so far as to say that this face mask, and he held up a face mask, not this one, is more guaranteed to protect me against covid than when i take a covid vaccine, end of quote. I spoke with the experts today about additional steps we can take to prevent needless death and suffering between now and a vaccine being made available. Uniform national guidelines, they said. And standards on social distancing that can be applied in particular circumstances of states and communities based on their particular circumstances. More effective approaches on testing and tracing. If we do these things between now and january, we can save even more lives. Last night donald trump indicated he has no interest in doing these things. The president s first responsibility is to protect the American People, and he wont. Thats utterly disqualifying. I also spoke to the experts this morning about the paramount importance of preparing now for swift, organized and free distribution of a safe and effective covid19 vaccine when it arrives. And im profoundly grateful for the scientists and researchers working tirelessly to ensure that the safe and effective vaccine becomes a reality as soon as possible. These scientists carry the hopes of our nation, our entire nation, and the entire world. When the work comes to fruition, and it will, there will be no doubt it will save lives. But scientific breakthroughs dont care about calendars. Any more than the virus does. They certainly dont adhere to election cycles. And their timing, approval and distribution should never ever be distorted by political contributions. They should be determined by science and safety alone. A vaccine would offer a way back to normalcy and a path toward better days for all of us. Not only here but around the world. Its not going to happen overnight. Once we have it, its going to take months to distribute it to the entire population. Im more hopeful than ever in the power of science to get us there. But one thing is certain. We cant allow politics to interfere with a vaccine in any way. Americans have had to endure President Trumps incompetence and dishonesty when it comes to testing and personal protective equipment. We cant afford to repeat those fiascos. When it comes to a vaccine, when it occurs. The stakes are too high. American families have already suffered and sacrificed too much. So let me be clear. I trust vaccines, i trust scientists, but i dont trust donald trump. At this moment the American People cant either. Last week senator harris and i laid out three questions this administrations going to have to answer to assure the American People that politics will not play a role whatsoever in the vaccine process. If donald trump cant give answers and his administration cant give answers to these three questions, the American People should not have confidence. If they can, they should have confidence in the transparency they need to trust the vaccine and adopt it in numbers that will make a difference. First question, what criteria will be used to ensure that a vaccine meets the scientific standard of safety and effectiveness . Whats the criteria . Second, if the Administration Green lights a vaccine, who will validate that the decision was driven by science rather than politics . What group of scientists will that be . Thirdly, how can we be sure that the distribution of the vaccine will take place safely, costfree, and without a hint of favoritism . The fact of the matter is development of the vaccine is only part of the battle. Distributing the vaccine to the entire population is as complex and challenging as one of the most sensitive military operations. Ive been calling for an effective Distribution Plan to be laid out for months. If im elected president , ill begin by implementing an effective Distribution Plan from the minute i take office. Thats what i discussed with the experts in the briefing today. They laid out a clear plan, they include a detailed time change time table from when people can get the vaccine. Clear delineation of pirate position to get the vaccine, specific needs means and mechanisms for shipping and storing vaccines at appropriate temperatures, two of those vaccines that have come forward have to be shipped at 70 degrees the division of responsibility has to be clear and i will provide the leadership necessary to carry out that plan. I will level with the American People, i will take responsibility, and i will support rather than tear down the experts responsible for the execution of the plan. I will simply follow the science. Satisfactory answers to these three questions that senator harris and i have laid out so that every american can have confidence in the effectiveness of the covid19 vaccine. This is not about politics, it is about saving lives, it is about getting back to our loved ones and friends making sure they are safe. It is about getting our economy back on its feet, getting back to the movie theaters and restaurants and ballparks. It is about getting back to our lives. I am confident we can and will be united in that pursuit. No matter when that breakthrough emerges, that is what america does best, we unite, we do it together. I am confident we will be able to. I want to thank you, god bless our scientists and researchers and our frontline workers and may god protect our troops. I am happy to take some questions now if that is ok. Everybody is sitting. Ok. Abc, mary. Thank you, mr. Vice president. You just said that when it comes to a vaccine you do not trust allah trump, is there a risk that that message, questioning the president on a vaccine could prevent people from trusting the science . From trusting a vaccine when there finally is one . Biden no, because he does not have any respect for science, you saw what he said about the California Wildfires and scientists dont know, it is necessary so people can trust in the vaccine. That is why said you have to have this board of scientists that say this is why we think this is a good vaccine, why it is approved and there has to be total transparency. Scientists outside the government know what is being approved, the context to which it is being approved and why it is being approved. Reporter for vaccines to work, you do need a certain amount of the population to be willing to to take it. You are saying to not trust the president , trust me if i am elected. Joe biden no, i am not, i am saying trust the scientists. Trust the scientists, it is one thing for donald trump say the vaccine is safe. Ok, then give it to the board of scientists. Have total transparency so independent operators can come out and take a look at it. What did you base the decision on . What did you do . Did you pressure the head of the fda . Im not saying he would or will, but that is what has to happen. You all know the polls better than i do, a lot of the people right now do not trust with the president says about things related to science. Reporter and if the Scientists Say a vaccine under the president s watch is safe and effective joe biden absolutely, do it. Yes. If those three questions i laid out can be answered, yes, absolutely. Thank you, mr. Vice president. You say you do not trust the president , does that mean you also do not trust the cdc and the fda currently . Joe biden no. I do not trust some of the people like the fellow who just took a leave of absence from the cdc. He did not run it, but he was a spokesperson. When i met with the seven scientists today on screen in this room, they told me the people they had worked with in the cdc and the fda there were some very good people in the ranks. Everyday folks not every day, their scientists, there are some very good people. They have been pressured, the heads of the agencies have been in fact moved, moved to say yes or say this will work or that will work. It is a simple proposition, if a vaccine is ready to go, it should be totally transparent , the basis upon which that decision was made, what scientists look at within the government and outside of the government and said this is a useful, safe vaccine to take. That is all im saying, that is going to be necessary. I suggest a matter what i said in this process because all the polling data shows now only 34 of the American People say trump is the same guy that said to inject bleach. This is the same guy to prevent hurricanes to drop a nuclear bomb on them. There is a reason why they are not so certain. Reporter quick question on the economy, the fed announced that their projections for unemployed ment are going to be lower than expected. In polling we see time and again that President Trump has an edge over you on the economy. Why do you think that is . Joe biden i have been out of office for four years, that is a long time. We actually created more jobs in the last three years of our administration than he did in the first four of his. There are fewer people at risk, i think it is a matter of my being able to communicate, my position on jobs and trade and what i would do. For example, the wto just ruled that his trade policies were illegal. Guess what, we went in 1416 times and won every single time. Why should every american remember that . Part of it is reminding people and laying out for them what my plans for economic recovery is. Reporter if people have questions about the economic fallout from the pandemic now, you have said that you would have acted earlier. What do you say to people who might question how the Economic Impact could have been different even if you acted earlier. The social distancing and closings would still be in place. Joe biden not necessarily. You would not have the rates of infection, you would not have day die. D people a we need a national guidance. State. Es state from you may very well the able to open up in a rural area, not an area that is metropolitan. The degree to which the virus is rampant in that area. This administration has not laid out the criteria. There is no National Criteria. What is the National Criteria for opening schools . They still dont have one, we need that. You need to be sure that you can open safely, securely. You can have social distancing, you can have the wearing of masks, smaller classes, a whole range of things. But why wont he lay out the guidance . Even the cdc initially had stronger guidance, what happened . You talk about political manipulation he said, do not put those out. The president said testing causes more cases, it is about being honest. He loves to quote churchill, he loves to quote roosevelt. Roosevelt said in a crisis it is going to get worse and worse until it gets better and better and better. The American People are strong, give it to them straight, they can handle everything. That is what i will do. Cnn, jessica. Reporter thank you, mr. Vice president , you mentioned the cdc directors comments this morning about the vaccine about masks and how critical they are. You previously called for a mask mandate. If you are elected, what steps would you take to put that in place, and how would that work . Joe biden i found it fascinating the president said and biden did not put in a mask mandate. I am not the president , he is the president. Bidens problems and the cities are in flames im not the president. I would call the governors to the white house and say there is a question that i think they could be answered in the positive, a question whether i can mandate over state lines of every single state. Our legal team thinks i can do that based upon the degree to which there is a crisis in those states, and how bad things are for the country, and if we dont do it what happens . I would make the case, i would make the case why it is necessary. I would have the scientists lay out in detail why, i would go to every governor and i would go to governors and i would say we have to have this national mandate. We must do it. The minimum what i would do, i would not walk around saying masks dont matter, like he said in the town hall. People dont like masks, matter of fact they could be worse, dont hold me to this stephanopoulos asked why . And he said because waiters do not like it. Come on. Reporter what would happen if a republican governor pushed back on you on this . Get buyinget nuy when it has become so politicized, would you sign an executive order . Joe biden the question is if i have the Legal Authority to sign an order, i cannot guarantee that. If i did, i would. Reporter in terms of the distribution of the virus, communities of color have been affected, would they get access to the virus first . How would that work in the description of americans available to get the virus. Joe biden based on the proposal laid out and the National Science foundations coordinating with the cdc and other agencies, they indicate that the first group of people that should get a vaccine if and when it is available are people at the greatest risk. That includes everything from Nursing Homes to people with serious preexisting conditions that would cause people to be in real trouble. A lot of those people happen to be black and brown. So, it would be based upon the degree of exposure. It would go first though, i would argue, but a scientific award laid it out for me today to first responders, doctors, and nurses. Most need it to have available. That would be the first and it would move to the least one thing that has not happened yet, im not a scientist, but i hope i am wellinformed on this issue. There have been no tests yet on children, so children, ironically, may be the last people to get the vaccine because it will take time. They indicated to me 2021 to be able to do the kind of testing on children. Children are less likely, it is more likely that their teachers and the elderly grandparents would be exposed. So, first we go to the people most susceptible. Children are going to have to be part of this, but there is a lot more work to be done. There have been no trials yet on children. Reporter today government released a plan on how they would distribute the vaccine. Would you go with a court of the federal government put in place . Put onen they had not in place yet. What i would do is make sure i brought in all of the experts to make sure what is the most rational means of distribution. There are two types of vaccines being worked on now, one is an rna model that are done by two of the operations i think and the other changes the cell structure. One deals with the mrna, that requires two injections and requires to be stored at 70 degrees below zero. In addition to all of this, there are mechanical issues as to how and where the vaccine is onesuming, say the moderna assuming that the vaccine i