President Joe Biden on Thursday addressed the U.S. reaching the milestone of 1 million coronavirus deaths.
"One million empty chairs around the family dinner table," Biden said in a pre-taped video message. "Each irreplaceable, irreplaceable losses. Each leaving behind a family or community forever changed because of this pandemic. Our heart goes out to all those who are struggling."
Biden is ordering flags be flown at half-staff at the White House and all federal public buildings and grounds until sunset on May 16 in remembrance of those who lost their lives to the virus.
His remarks kicked off a second virtual summit focused on the global response to the ongoing health crisis and preventing future pandemics. The United States is co-hosting the event alongside Belize, Germany, Indonesia and Senegal.
Biden also noted the U.S. is not alone in its grief.
"Around the world many more millions have died," he said in the video message. "Millions of children have been orphaned, with thousands still dying every day. Now is the time for us to act. All of us together. We all must do more, must honor those we have lost by doing everything we can to prevent as many deaths as possible."
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