National Cathedral Bell Tolling for 1,000,000 COVID Deaths President Orders Flags at Half-Staff Through Sunset on May 16th

Cathedral Bell Tolling for 1,000,000 COVID Deaths



As our nation marks a tragic 1 million lives lost to the COVID-19 pandemic, Washington National Cathedral tolled its mourning bell 1,000 times -- once for every 1,000 dead -- on Monday, May 9, 2022, starting at 6 pm ET.

We toll this 12-ton bell for every funeral held at the Cathedral. Funerals mourn the loss, but they also celebrate the lives of our loved ones, and point us to the hope of resurrection. This gesture cannot replace the lives lost, but we hope it will help each American mourn the toll of this pandemic.

Dean Randy Hollerith offers prayers for the dead; for those who mourn; and for first-responders and medical heroes. The Cathedral choristers sing "Pie Jesu" by Maurice Duruflé:

Pie Jesu, Domine, dona eis requiem.
Pie Jesu, Domine, dona eis requiem sempiternam.

Blessed Jesus, Lord, give them rest.
Blessed Jesus, Lord, give them eternal rest.

See https://www.cathedral.org/covidmemorial for more information.

Special thanks to the COVID-19 Scenario Modeling Hub at Johns Hopkins University.

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Fly the United States Flag at Half-Staff Immediately through Sunset on Monday, May 16, 2022 Remembering the 1,000,000 Americans Lost to COVID-19

A Proclamation on Remembering the 1,000,000 Americans Lost to COVID-⁠19

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.