OPINION

PERSPECTIVE: For all the milestones of Biden-Harris win, focus is all COVID-19

Ann Arbor residents gather downtown to celebrate the Biden-Harris win. Torrence Williams | Washtenaw Voice

By Xailia Claunch
Editor

Former Vice President Joe Biden’s win over President Donald Trump is undoubtedly one of great historical significance. He received the most votes of any presidential candidate in history. Vice President-Elect Kamala Harris, Biden’s running mate, is not only the first woman but the first Black and Indian-American person to be elected vice president of the United States.

This election is also historically significant for Trump, whose loss makes him the first incumbent to be denied a second term since George HW Bush’s 1992 loss to Bill Clinton. Trump has refused to acknowledge his loss, taking to Twitter and the courts to contest the results after the race was called by major news outlets.

But despite all this, the most significant aspect of this election was the fact that it all took place in the midst of a global pandemic.

To get a read on what might be ahead, I turned to Jason Morgan, chairman of the Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners. The former director of Government and Community Relations at WCC, Morgan is a Democrat who is active in Ann Arbor and Washtenaw County Democratic party organizations. He says the Biden presidency spells relief for Americans– starting with more COVID aid.

“What is certain is that President-elect Biden will be taking a much different approach to COVID-19,” said Morgan. The swift appointment of a panel of scientists to help guide the Biden team’s strategy is evidence of that.

The country should expect a more engaged and coordinated approach, he said. And, a national COVID-19 strategy.

However, Congress also plays a role in COVID and other kinds of federal aid.

The Democratic majority in the House of Representatives supports an aid package for Americans, Morgan said. That package includes aid for state and local governments.

Washtenaw County needs federal aid for human services, particularly public health, mental health and housing support, Morgan said.

But despite a Democratic President-elect, and Democatic-led House, the Senate may be a roadblock.

With Senate races still up in the air, Morgan predicts Republicans will retain control led by Majority Leader Mitch McConnell. McConnell has been holding up additional aid for months.

“Unless there is a strong enough push in the Senate to support more COVID-19 relief, we may still face a barrier to getting aid to Americans,” Morgan said.

For her part, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer emphasized that the country is still in a pandemic as she congratulated the Biden-Harris win. “Now, with the election behind us, it is time for the American people to unite against our common enemy: COVID-19,” said Whitmer.

Michigan was one of the battleground states that helped Biden win. In a close race, Biden received 50.6% of the state’s votes, with Trump coming in at 47.9%. According to Washtenaw County’s unofficial election results, it voted overwhelmingly blue, with Biden and Harris getting approximately 157,130 votes as opposed to Trump’s estimated 56,241. Voter turnout was around 86%.

President Trump continues to challenge the accuracy of votes counts. Legal wrangling continues including a case that includes Washtenaw, Wayne and Ingham County ballots.

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