President Biden will be in Chester, Delaware County, today, his first public appearance outside the White House, writes Kathleen E. Carey for the Daily Times.

He is expected to tout the benefits of the $1.9 trillion COVID relief package known as The American Rescue Plan. He will also visit two small businesses, one of which is owned and operated by a woman.

President Biden is dropping in on Delaware County at a time when federal, state and local representatives are criticizing Pennsylvania officials for failing to deliver enough COVID-19 vaccines to the county.

U.S. Rep. Mary Gay Scanlon (D-5) wrote to the president Jan. 28 and to Acting U.S. Secretary of Health Norris Cochran, requesting rapid vaccine deployment for the county.

“The absence of a strategic national plan, when combined with misinformation promulgated by the former administration, have created widespread frustration and anxiety as state and local governments try to stand up vaccine distribution, and individuals seek to protect themselves and their families,” she wrote.

President Biden invoked the Defense Production Act Feb. 5 to help with vaccine production and distribution.

The American Rescue Plan includes $1,400 checks to many Americans, financial aid to local and state governments and $30 million for the restaurant industry.

It also has $20 billion for vaccine manufacturing and distribution.

Read more at the Daily Times about President Biden’s visit.

Click here to see President Biden’s March 11 speech on the one-year anniversary of the pandemic.