“We’ve been patient, but our patience is wearing thin,” said President Joe Biden on Thursday, venting his and many Americans’ collective frustrations over those not yet vaccinated. During the address, the president laid out a six-point action plan to step up the fight against COVID-19, including new mandates and recommendations for schools.

All Head Start and Early Head Start programs staff will be required to be vaccinated. The same mandate extends to teachers and youth program personnel at the Department of Defense.

Biden also called on all governors to require vaccinations for all teachers and staff in an effort “to protect our youngest, most precious Americans and give parents that comfort. Vaccination requirements in schools are nothing new. They work, and they’re overwhelmingly supported by educators and their unions and all school officials trying to do the right thing by our children. I’ll always be on your side."

The president also took aim at elected officials such as Florida Governor Ron DeSantis (R), who threatened to withhold funding and teachers’ salaries in districts that impose school mask mandates.

“Let me be blunt. My plan also takes on elected officials with states that are undermining you and these life-saving actions. Right now, local school officials are trying to keep children safe in a pandemic while their governor picks a fight with them and even threatens their salaries or their jobs. Talk about bullying in schools,” Biden remarked.

Biden also called on schools to set up regular testing for students, teachers, and staff consistent with CDC guidance.

I don’t feel comfortable that she’s roaming around masklessNYC teacher on unvaccinated colleague

National Education Association (NEA) President Becky Pringle supports strategies laid out in Biden’s plan.

“Educators remain committed to working together to ensure our local schools are the safest places in the community for every student, educator and family. As students and educators go back to school this year, we are focused on keeping students safe, learning and engaged. That is why the National Education Association strongly supports President Biden’s new COVID-19 vaccinate-or-test requirements in workplaces with 100 or more employees and call for state vaccination requirements for all educators,” Pringle said in a statement.

“Vaccines must be combined with other mitigation measures, like masking, distancing, improving ventilation, and testing. That is why NEA fully supports the administration’s call for increased screening testing in public schools,” she added.