Guernsey Press

Joe Biden remembers victims of coronavirus on eve of inauguration

Four hundred lights representing the pandemic’s victims were illuminated behind him around the Lincoln Monument’s Reflecting Pool.

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US President-elect Joe Biden returned to Washington ahead of his inauguration to mark the national tragedy of the coronavirus pandemic with a moment of collective grief for Americans lost.

His arrival coincided with the news that the US death toll had surpassed 400,000 in the worst public health crisis in more than a century – a crisis which Mr Biden will now be charged with controlling.

“To heal we must remember,” the incoming president told the nation at a sunset ceremony at the Lincoln Memorial.

Four hundred lights representing the pandemic’s victims were illuminated behind him around the monument’s Reflecting Pool.

The sober moment on the eve of Mr Biden’s inauguration – typically a celebratory time in Washington when the nation marks the democratic tradition of a peaceful transfer of power – was a measure of the enormity of loss for the nation.

During his brief remarks, Mr Biden faced the larger-than life statue of Abraham Lincoln, the Civil War president who served as more than 600,000 Americans died.

As he turned to walk away at the conclusion of the vigil, he faced the black granite wall listing the 58,000-plus Americans who perished in Vietnam.

President-elect Joe Biden speaks during a Covid-19 memorial
President-elect Joe Biden speaks during a Covid-19 memorial (Evan Vucci/AP)

“For many months we have grieved by ourselves,” said Ms Harris, who will make history as the first woman to serve as vice president when she’s sworn in.

“Tonight, we grieve and begin healing together.”

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