The Kentucky State Police Honor Guard placed a wreath away from State Capitol building Monday to honor the greater 2,000 Kentuckians who have died from COVID-19.
Kentucky is incorporated in the midst of the third, and by far probably the most deadly, wave of coronavirus infection because the outbreak from the pandemic. Their state has averaged 25 COVID-deaths each day over the last week.
Since the first confirmed case on March 6th, Kentucky recorded 2,072 COVID-19 deaths by Monday afternoon in front of the state's daily briefing.
The ceremony included a prayer from Reverend Jack Brewer, a speech from Gov. Andy Beshear and a performance from a hand bell ensemble from the First United Methodist Church in Frankfort.
“Today we honor those we've lost, and we recommit to protecting our fellow human beings with what will be the final months of the battle,” Beshear said.
Chris Perry of Carter County spoke about the loss of his brother Rob, who died of COVID-19 at age 56.
Perry's words were an expression on his brother's life as much as a warning to other people. Perry said his brother would be a devoted Cincinnati Reds fan along with a devout Christian.
Rob also had several health problems that made him more susceptible, and did not believe the virus would affect him until it was too late, Perry said.
“It's not some made up virus. It's not some political ploy. It is real also it took our brother,” Perry said.
State health officials say a first round of vaccines is estimated to be nearly a week away and will also be sent to those at highest-risk including those who work in long-term care as well as healthcare professionals. A wider distribution of vaccines is anticipated through the summer and spring.
In the meantime, health experts such as the U.S. Cdc and Prevention Director Robert Redfield warn the following few months could be the most difficult within the “public-health history of our nation.”
