Biden Evokes Nostalgia in US during COVID-19, Cerebrating July Fourth

U.S. President Joe Biden is going to mark the nation's 245th birthday on Sunday with a traditional celebration looking forward to a rebound from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Having had an enjoyable holiday in Michigan before spending a quiet night at his family home in Delaware, Biden is returning to the White House to host around 1,000 people for burgers and fireworks, celebrating the nation's 245th anniversary.

This step evokes a sweet dose of nostalgia for a country that is going through pandemic restrictions and hardship even with widespread availability of vaccines.

The current pandemic forced cancellation of nearly all celebrations last year and led to a toned-down January inauguration for the Democratic president.

Some features from normal life, before the pandemic, have returned in the United States, where people traveled and gathered without masks even though Biden has fallen somewhat short of his goal to get 70% of U.S. adults at least one vaccine shot by Sunday.

The government calculated the number as about 67%, as some people have resisted getting shots.

"On Sunday, we'll celebrate our independence as a nation, as well as our progress against the virus," Biden told a group of teachers on Friday. "In the days ahead, we have a chance to make another beginning."

Smoke from ground-beef patties rose off of charcoal grills at the White House on Saturday as workers prepared dishes for Sunday's event.

In a sharp shift from recent months, the doors of the White House will be open to hundreds of invited guests, marking the largest event since Biden's presidency.

The lawn event is expected to include essential workers who helped in the COVID response and military families.

The president will make remarks and there will be a 17-minute fireworks display set off from both sides of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool.

On the other hand, the president has warned all US residents of the new Delta variant, urging them to receive their vaccine shots.

“The Delta variant is more contagious, it’s deadlier, and it’s spreading quickly around the world – leaving young, unvaccinated people more vulnerable than ever,” he tweeted. “Please, get vaccinated if you haven’t already. Let’s head off this strain before it’s too late.”