A Million Lives Lost: Governor Gordon Orders Flags Flown Half-Staff to Honor Americans Who Died of COVID-19

One million lives. One million people. One million men, women, and children.

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That's how many lives have been lost to COVID-19 since the pandemic began in 2019. Now, under orders from President Biden, Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon has ordered that all flags in Wyoming be flown at half-staff to honor those who lost their lives to this virus.

A press release from the Governor's office stated that from Thursday until sunset on Monday, May 16, 2022 these flags will remain half-staff, "as a mark of respect and remembrance of the one million American lives lost to COVID-19."

Gordon included the proclamation from President Biden in his release, which reads as follows:

REMEMBERING THE 1,000,000 AMERICANS LOST TO COVID-19
- - - - - - -
BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

A PROCLAMATION

Today, we mark a tragic milestone: one million American lives lost
to COVID-19. One million empty chairs around the dinner
table. Each an irreplaceable loss. Each leaving behind a family,
a community, and a Nation forever changed because of this
pandemic. Jill and I pray for each of them.

As a Nation, we must not grow numb to such sorrow. To heal, we
must remember. We must remain vigilant against this pandemic and
do everything we can to save as many lives as possible. In
remembrance, let us draw strength from each other as fellow
Americans. For while we have been humbled, we never give up. We
can and will do this together as the United States of America.

In memory of the one million American lives lost to COVID-19 and
their loved ones left behind, I hereby order, by the authority
vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United States,
that the flag of the United States shall be flown at half-staff at
the White House and on all public buildings and grounds, at all
military posts and naval stations, and on all naval vessels of the
Federal Government in the District of Columbia and throughout the
United States and its Territories and possessions until sunset May
16, 2022. I also direct that the flag shall be flown at half-staff
for the same period at all United States embassies, legations,
consular offices, and other facilities abroad, including all
military facilities and naval vessels and stations.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twelfth day of
May, in the year of our Lord two thousand twenty-two, and of the
Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and
forty-sixth.

JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR.

The lowering of the flags is effective immediately.