In his remarks on the state of the economy and the need for the American Rescue Plan, US President Joe Biden spoke also about the problems the country is facing due to the coronavirus.

“And the January jobs numbers came out today.  And while we are grateful for everyone who found work and is earning a paycheck, it is very clear our economy is still in trouble.  We added just 6,000 private sector jobs in the country last month.  Overall, we added 49,000 jobs.  And this at a time when we have more than 10 million people out of work, 4 million people have been out of work for six months or longer, and 2.5 million women have been driven from the workforce.  Fifteen million Americans are behind in their rental payments.  Twenty-four million adults and twelve million children literally don’t have enough food to eat,” the US president stated.

According to him, the number of suicides has also increased in the US.

“Suicides are up.  Mental health needs are increasing.  Violence against women and children is increasing.  A lot of folks are losing hope.  And I believe the American people are looking right now to their government for help, to do our job, to not to let them down.  So I’m going to act, and I’m going to act fast,” Biden said.

“My plan creates more jobs, it creates more economic growth, and does more to make us competitive with the rest of the world than any other plan.  Don’t take my word for it.  Just look at what leading economists across the nation have said—and the world, and across the ocean have said.

Wall Street investment firm, Moody’s, says if we pass the American Rescue Plan, it will lead to 4 million more jobs than otherwise would be created.  The nonpartisan Brookings Institution has looked at the Rescue—American Rescue Plan and said the GDP of — will reach pre-pandemic projections by 2021, meaning we’ll have recovered by the end of 2021.  And much sooner, by the way, than if we do nothing,” added the US president.