family doctors – watercress words by Dr Aletha

Updated September 15, 2026

Note: The second half of this post is mostly for historical interest, for those who want to remember or learn about the federal response to the COVID-19 pandemic under President Biden, 2021-2024. The first part remains important as of this update and probably will remain so indefinitely.

On September 9, 2021, President Biden addressed the nation from the White House briefing room, sharing

where we are in the battle against COVID-19, the progress we’ve made, and the work we have left to do.

His remarks outlined a series of executive orders and recommendations. One that I think no one can disagree with is asking the nation’s family physicians, and I am one, to talk to our patients about the vaccine.

I’m already doing that; most primary care doctors are. But I think he should have taken it one step further, and that is to ask Americans to

Talk to your doctor about COVID-19

a female physician talking to a male patient — photo from the LIGHTSTOCK.COM collection (affiliate link)

Like most of you, I am on social media, not just professionally but personally, and I have been appalled when people I know pass around information that is unverified, unreferenced, contrary to science, inflammatory, conspiratorial, and sometimes just plain nonsense.

I absolutely support anyone’s right to have an opinion and share it, but labeling opinion as truth when it may or may not be true is irresponsible. And I somewhat agree with Mr. Biden when he said ” These pandemic politics, as I refer to, are making people sick, causing unvaccinated people to die. “

So I am asking you to make your personal physician your first line source for understanding the SARS-CoV-2 virus and the available vaccines.

Your doctor knows you, and any medical decision ultimately boils down to what you and they decide working together, it’s called “shared decision making.”

What if your doctor recommends against the vaccine? That’s possible because I know there are some medical professionals who have taken the minority opinion on the safety of the vaccine. I do not understand their position; some of the high profile ones are known for consistently taking a stance against mainstream medicine.

If that’s the case for you, I encourage you to ask why they lack confidence in the vaccine and what would it take for them to change their minds. Ultimately, the choice one way or the other is yours, so be sure it is a truly informed choice.

Michael Munger, M.D., consults a patient at his medical office in Overland Park, Kan. — Photo compliments of the American Academy of Family Physicians

President Biden Visits NIH Vaccine Research Center — NIH immunologist Dr. Kizzmekia Corbett speaks to President Joe Biden about the fundamental research that contributed to the development of the Moderna and Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines when the President visited NIH’s Vaccine Research Center on February 11, 2021. Credit: NIH/Chiachi Chang

Here is my previous review of President Biden’s original plan to deal with the pandemic as he took office in January 2021.

2021-National Strategy for the COVID-19 Response and Pandemic Preparedness

President Biden, Vice President Harris, and their science and healthcare teams have developed a plan with 7 goals to end this pandemic and prevent others. You can read the entire 200 page report at the link. Here is a list of the 7 goals with a few of the points of each goal.

1. Restore trust with the American people.

establishes a federal COVID-19 response team to coordinate efforts
regular public briefings led by science experts
track and make data available to the public by the CDC

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) activated its Emergency Operations Center (EOC) to coordinate with the World Health Organization (WHO), federal, state and local public health partners, and clinicians in response to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak. CDC is closely monitoring the situation and working 24/7 to provide updates. — Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) activated its Emergency Operations Center (EOC) to coordinate with the World Health Organization (WHO), federal, state and local public health partners, and clinicians in response to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak. CDC is closely monitoring the situation and working 24/7 to provide updates credit James Gathany, public domain

2.Mount a safe, effective, and comprehensive vaccination campaign.

increase the production of vaccines
give states clearer projections on vaccine availability
partner with states to create more vaccine centers
launch a national campaign to educate and encourage Americans on vaccine

3. Mitigate spread through expanding masking, testing, data, treatments,health care workforce, and clear public health standards.

asking Americans to wear masks for 100 days (note-this adds to any state or local recommendations or mandates on mask use)
require masks on public transportation
the CDC develop guidelines to help schools and businesses to reopen
create programs to develop new treatments for COVID-19

cloth facial coverings to prevent transmission of COVID-19 — Mask use required on airplanes, trains, and other public transportation

4.Immediately expand emergency relief and exercise the Defence Production Act.

increase emergency funding to the states for pandemic costs, including for PPE and use of National Guard
invoke the Defense Production Act to increase the supply of PPE, and testing and vaccination supplies

5. Safely reopen schools, businesses, and travel while protecting workers.

develop a national strategy to reopen most schools within 100 days
federal agencies to issue updated guidance on protection for workers
asks Congress to provide financial aid to schools, universities, and daycares (cost in the billions)

a girl with a large backpack, walking to a school bus

6. Protect those most at risk and advance equity, including across racial, ethnic and rural/urban lines.

establishes an equity task force to address disparities based on race, ethnicity, and geography
create a U.S. Public Health Workforce to help with testing and vaccinations in their communities

Healthy People 2030, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion. Retrieved [date graphic was accessed], from https://health.gov/healthypeople/objectives-and-data/social-determinants-health

7. Restore U.S. leadership globally and build better preparedness for future threats.

rejoin the World Health Organization
increase humanitarian aid and support efforts to fight COVID-19 around the world
asks for Congressional support to establish a national center to prepare for future biological threats

2 bandaids crossed on a world globe — photo from the Lightstock collection (affiliate link)

Exploring the HEART of Health

Thank you for reading this post. Please follow this blog and me on social media.

I share information and inspiration to help you transform challenges into opportunities for learning and growth.

Add your name to the subscribe box to be notified of new posts by email. Click the link to read the post and browse other content. It’s that simple. No spam.

I enjoy seeing who is new to Watercress Words. When you subscribe, I will visit your blog or website. Thanks and see you next time.