Americans continue to mourn as the country recently surpassed the 400,000 mark of those who have died from COVID-19, including 8,139 in North Carolina. To help honor all those who have been lost to this deadly disease, the North Carolina governor's mansion will be illuminated on Tuesday (January 19). The memorial is part of a nationwide effort, started by the Presidential Inaugural Committee, to honor the lives taken by the pandemic.
On Tuesday, Gov. Roy Cooper said the Executive Mansion will be lit up at 5:30 p.m. as a tribute to those who have died and the families who have been left behind by "this cruel virus."
"In the midst of the battle against the pandemic, we continue to mourn the hundreds of thousands of Americans we have lost and send our prayers to the grieving families and friends they leave behind," said Gov. Cooper. "Please join me in honoring their memories by taking responsible actions to prevent more deaths by wearing a mask, keeping our distance and being smart."
Gov. Cooper also encouraged counties and municipalities across the state to take part in the memorial by lighting up buildings and ringing bells at churches and houses of worship.
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