Stimulus Checks Could Arrive This Weekend; Small Gatherings May Return By July 4

There were a lot of positive announcements made today, but two of the biggest were that stimulus checks could arrive for people who qualify for them by this weekend, and that life may be somewhat normal by the July 4th weekend.

White House press secretary Jen Psaki said that some Americans ill receive their stimulus checks as early as this weekend, according to CNBC. "People can expect to start seeing direct deposits hit their bank accounts as early as this weekend," Psaki said at a press briefing.

She added that "Payments to eligible Americans will continue throughout the course of the next several weeks."

If you want to know if you are eligible for a stimulus check this time around, check CNBC's stimulus calculator.

Tonight, President Biden made his first prime-time address to the nation, noting that the White House’s COVID19 task force determined that vaccinations of the prioritized populations should be far enough along by the end of April that restrictions can be lifted. "That means you’ll be able to get in line beginning May 1," he said.

The President resident also urged Americans to “stick with the rules” so the recovery doesn’t stall, saying that we have to stay vigilant. He noted that conditions can change, which could require reinstating restrictions.

He also denounced the recently rising number of hate crimes against Asian-Americans, saying that they are "forced to live in fear for their lives just walking down streets in America... It's wrong. It's un-American. And it must stop."

He said that if all goes well with vaccinations, "there's a good chance" Americans can have traditional family celebrations (but not huge ones) by July 4: "We [will] not only mark our independence as a nation, but we [will] begin to mark our independence from this virus"

"Don't bet against the American people," he said, offering hope that we can "come out stronger."