Joe Biden plans to lead a unique national memorial service on the eve of his inauguration to honor the terrible death toll of more than 340,000 Americans lost to the coronavirus.
The presidential inauguration committee (PIC) announced on Thursday that it would host a lighting ceremony around the Lincoln Memorial’s reflecting pool along the National Mall in Washington, the day before Biden’s inauguration ceremony at the U.S. Capitol .
Cities and towns across the country are invited to participate in the ceremony by lighting buildings and ringing church bells at the same time, just after sunset on the east coast on January 19, the first moment of national unity publicly marked since the pandemic began to spread across the country earlier this year.
“The inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden and Vice-President-elect Kamala Harris represents the start of a new national journey,” said PIC communications director Pili Tobar.
He added: “However, in the midst of a pandemic – when so many Americans are suffering from the loss of family, friends and neighbors – it is important that we honor those who have died, reflect on what has been one of the most challenging periods in the history of nation, and renew our commitment to come together to end the pandemic and rebuild our nation. “
The virus has already dramatically overhauled plans for Biden’s tenure. Much less guests will attend the inauguration ceremony on the steps of the United States Capitol, while most of the inaugural festivities take place online. The committee said it was “asking the public to refrain from traveling and participate in inaugural activities at home”.
Biden made the coronavirus pandemic the centerpiece of his 2020 presidential campaign, drawing a stark contrast to Donald Trump by wearing a mask in public and often evoking his own experience of the tragedy to empathize with families who lost loved ones to the disease .
Now he is preparing to take office as the public health crisis deepens. The United States has almost 20 million confirmed cases and more than 342,000 deaths, the highest number in the world.
“Things are going to get worse before it gets better,” warned Biden.