President Biden on Monday evening paid tribute to the staggering number of Americans who lost a loved one in the coronavirus pandemic when the death toll exceeded 500,000.
Biden called the milestone “really grim” and “heartbreaking,” noting that the pandemic claimed more American lives than WWI, WWII and the Vietnam War combined.
“That’s more lives lost by this virus than any other country on Earth,” said Biden.
At the time of his comments, at least 500,071 people had died from the virus.
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The president sympathized with families who suffered the loss of a loved one as a result of COVID-19, reminding them that there is a way through the grief and sorrow.
“For those who have lost loved ones, this is what I know, they are never really gone, they will always be a part of your heart,” Biden said. “The day will come when the memory of the loved one you lost will bring a smile to your lips before a tear comes to your eyes … my prayer for you is that [those days] will come sooner rather than later. “
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The president, first lady, vice president, and second gentleman held a moment of silence outside the White House, where 500 lit candles were meant to represent the more than 500,000 American lives lost.
President Joe Biden, First Lady Jill Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris and Doug Emhoff participate in a moment of silence at a ceremony honoring the 500,000 Americans who died from COVID-19, at the White House, Monday, February 22, 2021, in Washington . (AP Photo / Evan Vucci)
Biden also urged Americans to resist being “ numb ” by the death toll, and not view the deaths simply as a statistic reported on television.
“We can find a purpose worthy of the life they have lived and worthy of the land we love,” Biden said.