Election 2020 updates: Biden warns of 'dark winter,' pushes masks in pandemic plan

Biden wasted no time in making his first promise as president-elect, saying he would form a team to work on defeating COVID-19 on Monday. He said it would begin to implement its plan on Jan. 20, the day of his inauguration.

"On Monday I will name a group of leading scientists and experts as transition advisors to help take the Biden-Harris COVID plan and convert it into an action blueprint that will start on January the 20, 2021," he said. "That plan will be built on bedrock science."

While on the campaign trail, Biden often set out to show the difference between his approach to the coronavirus pandemic and President Donald Trump's inconsistent approach that often antagonized science. The U.S. set records for most cases each of the last three days, crossing 100,000 cases each time.

"Folks, our work begins with getting COVID under control," Biden said. "We cannot repair the economy, restore our vitality or relish life's most precious moments, hugging our grandchildren, our children, our birthdays, weddings, graduations, all the moments that matter most to us until we get it under control."

"I'll have the honor of serving with a fantastic vice president who you just heard from, Kamala Harris, who makes history as the first woman, first black woman, the first woman from south Asian descent, the first daughter of immigrants ever elected in this country," Biden said. "Don't tell me it's not possible in the United States. It’s long overdue. And we're reminded tonight of those who fought so hard for so many years to make this happen. Once again, America's bent the arc of the moral universe more towards justice."

"Kamala, Doug, like it or not, you’re family. You've become an honorary Biden. There's no way out," he continued.

Following a brief speech, Harris introduced Biden, who jogged out to the stage and greeted a newly masked Harris with double fist bumps. They posed for photos in front of the podium and then Harris exited the stage.

"Folks, the people of this nation have spoken. They've delivered us a clear victory, a convincing victory, a victory for we, the people. We’ve won with the most votes ever cast on a presidential ticket in the history of the nation: 74 million," he said. "And what I must admit has surprised me, tonight we're seeing all over this nation, all cities in all parts of the country, indeed across the world, an outpouring of joy, of hope of renewed faith in tomorrow, bring a better day. And I'm humbled by the trust and confidence you've placed in me."

"I pledge to be a president who seeks not to divide but unify. Who doesn't see red states and blue states, only sees the United States," in a callback to remarks from former President Barack Obama. "And work with all my heart with the confidence of the whole people, to win the confidence of all of you. And for that is what America I believe is about. It's about people and that's what our administration will be all about."

"You chose hope and unity, decency, science, and yes, truth," she said eliciting cheers, applause and honking horns. "You chose Joe Biden as the next president of the United States of America. And Joe is a healer, a uniter, a tested and steady hand. A person whose own experience of loss gives him a sense of purpose that will help us as a nation reclaim our own sense of purpose. And a man with a big heart who loves with abandon. It's his love for Jill, who will be an incredible first lady."

"It's his love for Hunter and Ashley and his grandchildren and the entire Biden family. And while I first knew Joe as vice president, I really got to know him as the father who loved Beau, my dear friend who we remember here today," she continued.