India is currently experiencing an unprecedented crisis in its tackling of COVID-19. This week, California Congressman Ami Bera met with Vice President Kamala Harris to discuss India’s crisis with the pandemic.
Bera, the longest-serving Indian American in the US Congress, met with Harris during the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus meeting at the White House this week. India’s COVID-19 crisis was discussed during the meeting. Bera praised the Biden administration for immediately sending assistance to India including funds, medical equipment, and expertise as well as vaccine doses.
Bera also praised Harris’s leadership in helping the Indian-American community to send help to their family and friends in India. Harris previously touched on the administration’s commitment to helping India in its time of need during the pandemic during an event at the State Department. During the event, Harris shared how the pandemic has affected even her family in India.
“I also shared my hope that the US will continue to be an active global leader in helping stop the pandemic in India and across the world. American leadership will be critical to saving lives and ending this pandemic once and for all,” said Bera.
Also this week, Harris hosted a private virtual vaccine discussion with several celebrities and influencers, in an effort to get more information out about the vaccine towards the 18-29 age bracket. The private event’s guests include Lily Collins, Joe Jonas, Kim Kardashian, Karlie Kloss, Tan France, and Camilla Cabello among others. White House officials also revealed that Kris Jenner also made an appearance.
The Biden administration’s COVID-19 response senior adviser Dr. Marcella Nunez Smith was also with Harris at the event.
White House officials revealed that Kardashian was the first to ask a question regarding the vaccine and if those with COVID antibodies should still get vaccinated. To note, people who have contracted COVID should still get vaccinated. However, those who tested positive in the last 90 days may need to consult their physician for the best possible time to receive the vaccine.
Tan France of Queer Eye also asked Harris how she reached out to young people in her life about getting vaccinated, not as vice president but as a stepmother or family relative. France said he hopes to use that as a way for him to reach out to young people in his life.