ZIP Advertisement The US is returning to early pandemic surges. It's time to compel people to do the right thing, expert says Share Updated: 9:26 PM EDT Jul 29, 2021 Jason Hanna and Madeline Holcombe, CNN The US is returning to early pandemic surges. It's time to compel people to do the right thing, expert says Share Updated: 9:26 PM EDT Jul 29, 2021 Hide Transcript Show Transcript we all want our lives to get back to normal and fully vaccinated workplaces will will make that happen more quickly and more successfully. We all know that in our gut with incentives and mandates we can make a huge difference and save a lot of lives. Every federal government employee will be asked to attest to their vaccination status. Anyone who does not a test or it's not vaccinated will be required to mask no matter where they were test one or two times a week to see if they acquired covid socially distance and generally will not be allowed to travel for work. Likewise today, directing my administration and take steps to apply similar standards to all federal contractors. If you want to do business with the federal government, get your workers vaccinated since many vaccinations are required for active duty military. Today, I'm asking the Defense Department to look into how and when they will add COVID-19 to the list of vaccinations. Armed forces must get our men and women in uniform Who protect this country from grave threats. Should be protected as much as possible from getting COVID-19. I think this is particularly important because our troops serving places throughout the world, many where vaccination rates are low and diseases prevalent. It's an american blessing that we have vaccines for each and every american. We've made it our first and top priority to have available vaccines for every eligible american. And that's never gonna change as long as I'm here. It's a shame it was just such a shame to squander that blessing. This is american tragedy. People are dying and will die. Who don't have to die. If you're out there unvaccinated, you don't have to die. Look, this is not about red states and blue states. It's literally about life and death. It's about life and death.