Health care workers joined community leaders and Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf Tuesday in a nationwide moment of remembrance for those who have died of COVID-19.
The memorial was one of many inaugural events leading up to the swearing-in Wednesday of President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris, who was born in Oakland.
Schaaf offered condolences to the loved ones of the more than 760 victims of COVID-19 in Alameda County. She also expressed gratitude for essential workers
“Community leaders, volunteers, educators, health care workers, these are the people we celebrate today and who deserve to be part of this ceremony as we join in this national moment,” Schaaf said.
The bells of Our Lady of Lourdes church near Lake Merritt in Oakland rang out at 2:30 p.m., as the mayor and other community leaders released white doves. Similar ceremonies were held simultaneously in cities and towns across the country as Biden and Harris presided over the lighting of 400 lights on the National Mall in recognition of the lives lost.
Biden has outlined an ambitious COVID-19 response that includes a $1.9 trillion relief package. The plan sets aside $400 billion to directly address the virus, including funding for additional public health workers, support for states and an expansion of people eligible for the vaccine. Biden hopes to deliver 100 million doses of the vaccine in his first 100 days in office.
The U.S. death toll from COVID-19 reached 400,000 Tuesday.