The Hill’s 12:30 Report: Biden hits the ground running on COVID

To view past editions of The Hill’s 12:30 Report, click here: http://bit.ly/1M1mIfw
To receive The Hill’s 12:30 Report in your inbox, please sign up here: http://bit.ly/1Tt4hqN
–> A midday take on what’s happening in politics and how to have a sense of humor about it.*
*Ha. Haha. Hahah. Sniff. Haha. Sniff. Ha–breaks down crying hysterically.
The Hill’s 12:30 Report: Biden unveils national COVID strategy | Fauci to join today’s White House press briefing | Biden seeks to quickly turn the page on Trump era | More sights and sounds from inauguration | Bernie becomes a meme | Fireworks light up DC | Pete Buttigieg’s confirmation hearing | Jenna Bush Hager interviews Biden granddaughters | CNN’s Kaitlan Collins laughs at old footage of Wolf Blitzer, John King
IN THE BIDEN WHITE HOUSE
Released this a.m. — COVID, we are coming for you:

Via The Hill’s Jessie Hellmann, “President Biden released his national strategy to end the COVID-19 pandemic Thursday, which will include using the Defense Production Act (DPA) and other powers to speed up the manufacturing of testing and vaccine supplies and other items needed to fight COVID-19.” https://bit.ly/3sK5NfA
See for yourself: Read the administration’s plan going forward: https://bit.ly/3sO9RvE
How this is a shift: “The Trump administration had resisted calls to release a comprehensive plan to fight COVID-19, instead deferring significant authority to the states.”
The gist: “The plan … aims to instill confidence in the U.S. pandemic response by accelerating the vaccine rollout, boosting testing and access to treatments and protecting those at most risk, including communities of color.”
TIDBIT — CHECK OUT THIS SUNRISE AT THE WHITE HOUSE THIS MORNING:
I’m picking up what you’re putting down, sky! https://bit.ly/2Mcvip2
Basically, Biden wants to ban the T-word:
Via The Hill’s Jonathan Easley and Morgan Chalfant, “President Biden sought to turn the page on the Trump era immediately upon taking office, calling on the nation to move past the political warfare that defined the last four years and signing a slew of executive actions reversing the last president’s most controversial policies.” https://bit.ly/2XXPYE0
How so: With a slew of executive actions including halting construction of the southern border wall and reversing the so-called “Muslim ban.”
What to expect: https://bit.ly/2XXPYE0
HOW BIDEN IS STRIVING TO PUT AMERICA’S PIECES BACK TOGETHER:
Via The Hill’s Niall Stanage: https://bit.ly/2KxZxX4
CHECK OUT TODAY’S NEW COVER OF TIME MAGAZINE:
OH WOW, THIS IS HAS BEEN QUITE THE MONTH:
Journalist Garrett M. Graff pulled the New York Time covers, three Thursday in a row. The side-by-side photo: https://bit.ly/2KAzX3T
It’s Thursday! *she says to herself as a reminder* I’m Cate Martel with a quick recap of the morning and what’s coming up. Send comments, story ideas and events for our radar to cmartel@thehill.com — and follow along on Twitter @CateMartel and Facebook.
Did someone forward this to you? Want your own copy? Sign up here to receive The Hill’s 12:30 Report in your inbox daily: http://bit.ly/2kjMNnn
IF YOU WATCH ONE THING TODAY:
DC residents all across the city posted videos of the fireworks last night from their vantage points. Popville compiled a list of the best. It’s stunning — watch: https://bit.ly/39Qbj82
IN CONGRESS
My name is Chuck and I am your leader:
Via The Hill’s Alexander Bolton, “Sen. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) has achieved his long-held dream of becoming Senate majority leader after three new Democrats were sworn into the Senate by Vice President Kamala Harris on Wednesday following President Biden’s inauguration.” What to expect from Schumer: https://bit.ly/3o2yK2L
COMING UP ON ‘TRADING PLACES,’ SCHUMER AND MCCONNELL’S RELATIONSHIP IS STILL ICE COLD:
Stepping onto the field — No. 46, Joe!:
Via The Hill’s Niv Elis, “President Biden enters office facing both the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression and the largest debt burden since World War II.”
What we know about Biden’s strategy: “Biden has already made clear his intention to go big on government spending to resuscitate the coronavirus-battered economy, a move backed by mainstream economists who say debt concerns should be addressed after a recovery has taken hold.” https://bit.ly/394C5uc
HOW FORMER PRESIDENT TRUMP CREATED THREE TYPES OF REPUBLICANS — ALL FIGHTING FOR THE FUTURE OF THE PARTY:
Via The New York Times’s Jeremy W. Peters: https://nyti.ms/3sKUzaR
MORE SIGHTS AND SOUNDS FROM INAUGURATION DAY
Wow, this shot of the National Mall is STUNNING: https://bit.ly/2KxHjVE
The older Biden grandchildren posing for photos in their evening wear: They are at the Lincoln Memorial, according to Bloomberg’s Jennifer Epstein: https://bit.ly/394zhgI
What the fireworks looked like for DC residents: https://bit.ly/3p59vhz
^ I should add: When I opened my window last night, the firework sounds were very loud, and I could hear lots of cheering from residents around the city.
What an adorable photo: Here is a shot of President Biden with his youngest grandson, Beau: https://bit.ly/2MeNcHG
This is hilarious:

Watch: https://bit.ly/3qDPsazb
Today’s New York Times front page: https://bit.ly/3o8MER4
The city is slowly returning to normal: The Washington Post’s Dave Jorgenson tweeted last night, “I can hear them moving the concrete barricades that were placed on the streets surrounding our apartment building for a week, which is nice!” https://bit.ly/3o4g1Ei
Chrissy Teigen had quite the day: She has been tweeting live updates from her trip to inauguration. They’re pretty funny. https://bit.ly/39OvK5i
Including my favorite part: Chrissy Teigen tweeted, “hello @joebiden I have been blocked by the president for four years can I get a follow plz” https://bit.ly/39TsN3m
^ And then a few hours later:

Hyperlink https://bit.ly/3sEeeZU
She first tweeted, “OH MY GOD !!!!!!!” and then added “I should prob never tweet again” https://bit.ly/39OvK5i
BERNIE SANDERS BECAME A MEME YESTERDAY — SO I THOUGHT I’D SHARE A FEW OF MY FAVORITES:
Like this:

Hyperlink https://bit.ly/3p8XVlC
And this: https://bit.ly/3nYYWvi
And this: https://bit.ly/2Y2PzA5
Oh, and if you want to make your own Bernie meme: @nick_sawhney tweeted, “I made a website where you can put bernie in places using google maps street view. Enjoy!” Details: https://bit.ly/3o43gJU
TIDBIT — CHECK OUT A CHART OF THE NUMBER OF PETS EACH US PRESIDENT HAS HAD:
President Biden has two dogs, compared to former President Trump with no pets. Oh and: Franklin D. Roosevelt’s stats are quite impressive. The chart: https://bit.ly/395jyxL
LATEST WITH THE CORONAVIRUS
Coronavirus cases in the U.S.: 24,446,837
U.S. death toll: 406,384
Breakdown of the numbers: https://cnn.it/2UAgW3y
NOTABLE TWEETS:
One of the most interesting interviews I’ve seen about President Biden:
Including when President Biden started packing. It’s pretty funny.

Watch: https://bit.ly/392ugVz
Ahh hahahahhaha:

Hyperlink https://bit.ly/2Y1wZZi
ON TAP:
The House and Senate are in. President Biden and Vice President Harris are in Washington, D.C.
10 a.m. EST: President Biden, Vice President Harris, first lady Jill Biden and second gentleman Doug Emhoff watched the virtual presidential inauguration prayer service. Here’s a photo: https://bit.ly/3izvpap
12:45 p.m. EST: President Biden and Vice President Harris receive the President’s Daily Brief.
2:25 p.m. EST: President Biden and Vice President Harris receive a briefing from their COVID-19 team.
WHAT TO WATCH:
This morning: A confirmation hearing for Pete Buttigieg to be transportation secretary. Livestream: https://bit.ly/3sM8ehF
10:45 a.m. EST: House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) held her weekly press briefing. Livestream: https://bit.ly/3sJGElb
11:30 a.m. EST: House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) held his weekly briefing. Livestream: https://bit.ly/3qGmIy4
Noon: The Senate met. Roll call votes are possible this afternoon. The Senate’s full agenda today: https://bit.ly/3p5PWpD
2 p.m. EST: President Biden delivers remarks on the administration’s COVID-19 response and signs executive orders. Livestream: https://bit.ly/36385wR
3 – 4 p.m. EST: First and last votes in the House. The House’s full agenda today: https://bit.ly/3o6GuRv
4 p.m. EST: White House press secretary Jen Psaki holds a press briefing. Keep in mind: Anthony Fauci, the nation’s leading infectious diseases expert, is expected to join. Livestream: https://bit.ly/2NlMr09
NOW FOR THE FUN STUFF…:
Today is National Granola Bar Day.
‘You’ve aged like a fine wine’ — amazing:
CNN compiled video footage of Wolf Blitzer, John King and Kaitlan Collins covering the White House over the years. Collins cracks up at the video and King jokingly pauses and tells her to stop laughing. The clip — it’s very funny: https://cnn.it/3sHBDK2
And because you made it this far into the week, here’s a dog trying to figure out how to interact with the small creature: https://bit.ly/3bXjJNl
The Hill has removed its comment section, as there are many other forums for readers to participate in the conversation. We invite you to join the discussion on Facebook and Twitter.