Joe Biden, Jill Honor 500K Lives Lost To COVID-19: 'We Have To Resist Becoming Numb'

KEY POINTS

Joe Biden and wife Jill led the nation in remembering the 500,000 lives lost to COVID-19
The POTUS said he could relate to those who lost their loved ones
Biden promised America that the nation will see sunny days and joy again

President Joe Biden and his wife Jill took the time to honor the thousands of lives lost to COVID-19.

Half a million lives have been lost due to the pandemic and the first couple led the collective grief of the nation. The POTUS also shared a message of encouragement for those who lost their loved ones due to the virus by sharing his personal experience about losing someone dear to him.

"The people we lost were extraordinary. They spanned generations. Just like that, they took their final breath alone, in America," Biden was quoted by CNN as saying. "For the loved ones left behind: I know all too well. I know what it's like to not be there when it happens. I know what it's like when you are there holding their hands, there's a look in their eye and they slip away. I know that when you stare at that empty chair around the kitchen table it brings it all back no matter how long ago it happened, as if it just happened that moment."

Biden promised the people that they will get through the dark times as a nation and encouraged everyone to join them in remembering the lives lost to heal together.

"We will get through this, I promise you. We ask you to join us to remember. So we can heal. To find purpose, and the work ahead to show that there is light in the darkness. This nation will smile again. This nation will know sunny days again. This nation will know joy again," he continued. "While we've been fighting this pandemic for so long, we have to resist becoming numb to the sorrow. We have to resist viewing each life as a statistic, or a blur, or on the news."

The first lady shared Biden's speech on Twitter and encouraged the netizens to join them in a moment of silence to honor and remember those who were taken from them too soon. The netizens praised the Bidens for their effort and words of encouragement amid the pandemic.

The first couple stood by 500 lighted candles outside the White House. Vice President Kamala Harris and second gentleman Dough Emhoff were also present.