After his January 20 inauguration, President Joe Biden issued a series of Executive Orders (EOs) in the first days of his term, aiming to advance his Administration’s response to the COVID-19 crisis and other priorities. Among the early days’ executive orders are:

• a mask mandate for federal buildings and lands
• a mask mandate for certain modes of public transportation
• a promise to invoke the Defense Production Act as needed to compel manufacturing of COVID-19-related supplies
• an ask for DOL clarification that workers who refuse unsafe working conditions can still receive unemployment insurance, and
• a call on OSHA to consider issuing a COVID-19 Emergency Temporary Standard for workplaces

Impact on General Dentistry: AGD is evaluating the potential impact of the Administration’s executive orders, as details and specifics regarding their implementation are largely still pending. AGD appreciates the Administration’s commitment to combatting the COVID-19 pandemic, which continues to impact dentists, patients, and the country as a whole adversely.