Biden's inauguration tribute to COVID dead: Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool will light up and church bells toll across nation to honor lives lost
Joe Biden's inauguration will include a tribute to those who lost their lives to the coronavirus with church bells ringing across the nation and the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool illuminated.
It will the first time the pool, which is located on the National Mall in front of the Lincoln Memorial, will be lit to memorialize American lives lost.
Biden's Presidential Inaugural Committee invited other cities to join in the tribute in a national moment of unity and remembrance, which will take at 5:30 p.m. ET on January 19 - the evening before Biden takes the oath of office.
Cities are encouraged to light their own buildings and ring church bells as part of the ceremony, which will be led by Biden on the National Mall.
The Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool will be lit up the night before Joe Biden's inauguration to pay tribute to those who lost their lives to COVID
Biden's inauguration team is encouraging cities across the nation to lit up buildings and ring church bells at 5:30 p.m. ET on January 19 as part of a nation-wide tribute to COVID victims
Coronavirus cases are on the rise in the United States with over 19.7 million infected and more than 341,000 deaths. On Wednesday, the United States hit a pandemic record of more than 3,900 deaths and 125,000 hospitalizations in a single day.
'In the midst of a pandemic – when so many Americans are grieving the loss of family, friends, and neighbors – it is important that we honor those who have died, reflect on what has been one of the more challenging periods in the nation’s history, and renew our commitment to coming together to end the pandemic and rebuild our nation,' PIC Communications Director Pili Tobar said in a statement Thursday.
The announcement came as Biden's inauguration ceremony itself is getting smaller and smaller.
Workers started disbanding stands built around the White House for the inauguration parade to discourage people from coming to watch the event. The Biden team has asked supporters to stay home because of the pandemic.
Additionally, lawmakers on Capitol Hill have canceled the traditional luncheon held on Inauguration Day for the new president, sparing Biden a crowded sit down on Capitol Hill after he takes the oath of office.
The Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies announced the cancellation on Tuesday, citing the coronavirus pandemic, and noted the decision was made in consultation with Biden's inaugural committee.
'In light of the ongoing pandemic, the JCCIC, in consultation with the Presidential Inaugural Committee, has made the decision to not move forward with hosting the traditional inaugural luncheon,' said JCCIC spokesperson Paige Waltz in a statement.
The luncheon began in 1953. It takes place in Statutory Hall, which is jam packed with tables and people to toast the new president.
It is hosted by lawmakers who plan the meal and seating arrangements. For President Donald Trump's luncheon in January 2017, they served Maine lobster, Gulf shrimp, and Seven Hills Angus beef.
The luncheon also involves speeches, toasts and gifts. President Barack Obama’s 2013 luncheon served steamed lobster, grilled bison and apple pie.
Workers break down the reviewing stands that were erected in front of the White House for the inauguration parade as Biden's team asks supporters to stay home
Joe Biden will hold a scaled-back inauguration because of the coronavirus pandemic
President Trump shakes hands with Hillary Clinton as he and Melania arrive at his luncheon in January 2017 - this year's presidential inauguration luncheon has been canceled due to COVID
Biden is planning a scaled-back Inauguration Day on January 20th with a focus on safety procedures given the rising number of COVID cases around the country.
It is 20 days until he and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris take the oath of office.
Biden's inaugural team has already pleaded with supporters to stay home instead of coming to Washington D.C. to gather in crowds on the National Mall to see him take the oath office.
'The Presidential Inaugural is urging the public to refrain from any travel and participate in the inaugural activities from home,' the committee said in an announcement earlier this month.
The committee said the ceremony's footprint will be 'extremely limited' and the parade - that traditionally delivers the newly sworn-in president back to the White House via Pennsylvania Avenue - will be 'reimagined.'
Construction of the inaugural platform in front of the U.S. Capitol and the parade viewing stand in front of the White House commenced weeks ago.
On January 20, the PIC announced that Biden and Harris would take their oaths of office in a 'historic ceremony that includes vigorous health and safety protocols.'
The aim, the committee said, was to have a ceremony that 'honors and resembles sacred American traditions while keeping Americans safe and preventing the spread of COVID-19.'
The release also previewed Biden's speech saying that it 'lays out his vision to beat the virus, build back better, and bring the country together.'
The PIC has brought on a chief medical adviser, Dr. David Kessler, who Biden already tapped to be co-chair of his COVID-19 advisory board.
Kessler is former commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration, serving under Presidents George H.W. Bush and Bill Clinton.
Stephanie Cutter, President Barack Obama's deputy campaign manager in 2012, will serve as an executive producer for the inauguration.
The presidential inaugural platform is under construction in front of the U.S. Capitol for the upcoming swearing-in ceremony on January 20th
Inauguration day typically begins at the White House with the outgoing president greeting the incoming one.
So far, Trump has refused to concede the election and has suggested he might make the unprecedented move of skipping the affair.
'I don’t want to talk about that,' Trump said on Fox & Friends earlier this month when asked if he would go.