US President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris on Monday held consultations with scientists and healthcare experts, who will lead the next administration's charge on the coronavirus pandemic. "We can save tens of thousands of lives if everyone would just wear a mask for the next few months. Not Democratic or Republican lives. American lives," Biden said at a theatre in downtown Wilmington, Delaware, where his campaign organized virtual meetings and speeches for months leading up to the November 3 presidential election.

"So please, I implore you: Wear a mask. Do it for yourself. Do it for your neighbour. A mask is not a political statement, but it is a good way to start pulling the country together," Biden added, as he and Harris were briefed virtually by experts.

A blueprint to combat COVID-19

The task force will be co-chaired by former Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Dr. David Kessler, former Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy, and Dr. Marcella Nunez-Smith, an associate professor at Yale University, whose research focuses on healthcare equity for marginalized communities. The 13-member task force will help Biden put together a blueprint to combat the pandemic.