President-elect Joe Biden said on Monday that Americans should limit their Thanksgiving gatherings to 10 people due to the coronavirus pandemic.
“There should be no group more than 10 people in one room inside the home,” Biden said during remarks on the economy. “That’s what they’re telling me.”
Biden also urged Americans to wear masks and practice social distancing at Thanksgiving events.
He said that he and his wife, Jill Biden, have narrowed down which of their family members they will have over for Thanksgiving, and made sure that they were recently tested.
The president-elect in his remarks applauded governors around the country for implementing restrictions to stem the pandemic, particularly Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine (R) and Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D). He also said it was “irresponsible” to suggest that Americans should skirt public health guidance on wearing masks.
“We’re talking about 350- 400,000 people dying? I mean what are they doing?” Biden said. “It’s totally irresponsible!”
Biden also appeared to lash out at President Trump’s top coronavirus adviser, Scott Atlas, who suggested in a tweet that people should “rise up” against Whitmer’s decision to end indoor dining in restaurants as well as in-person learning in high schools and universities.
“The idea that the president’s now-existing, remaining adviser on COVID is saying that they should resist, I’m like what the hell’s the matter with these guys? What is the matter with them? Resist.”
The U.S. has recorded more than 1 million new coronavirus cases in the past week alone, according to data from Johns Hopkins University. Cities and states that had been moving toward fully reopening their economies have now backtracked or implemented new restrictions as a result.