A memorial service was held in the Kentucky State Capitol rotunda to remember the more than 10,000 Kentuckians who have died of COVID-19. Governor Andy Beshear said more Kentuckians have been lost to the virus than “make up most of our towns and cities,” and the number is approaching the total number who died in World War II, The Korean War and Vietnam combined.
At the ceremony, faith leaders led prayers, there was a moment of silence and health care workers recounted the daily struggles of fighting the pandemic and their personal moments with patients. The nearly hour-long service was at the state Capitol in Frankfort on Sunday.
Beshear noted that Kentucky’s death toll from the pandemic has surpassed the population of many towns across the Bluegrass State. Kentucky recently surpassed the grim milestone of 10,000 coronavirus-related deaths. Beshear also announced that Kentucky-native Amanda Matthews has been commissioned to create a COVID-19 Memorial that will be placed on the statehouse grounds.