The death toll of the US from the COVID-19 pandemic has reached the 900,000 mark as millions of citizens remain infected by the virus. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi led Congress in a moment of silence at the Capitol to mark the number of deaths.
This week, Nancy Pelosi and members of Congress stood at the steps of the Capitol Monday night for a moment of silence in remembering the 900,000 people who died from COVID-19. With congressional leaders standing in front, Pelosi joined by Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, all wearing face masks and holding lanterns, the event also included the United Army Chorus singing two songs.
The 900,000 mark follows two months after the country reached 800,000 deaths from the coronavirus, especially as the emergence of the Delta and the Omicron variants resulted in a surge of infections and deaths. Only one member of Congress passed away from COVID-19, Republican congressman Ron Wright. Republican Luke Letlow, who was elected during the 2020 elections, passed away before he was sworn into office.
Following the emergence of the highly contagious Omicron variant, a dozen members of the House tested positive. This includes House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer and House Majority Whip Jim Clyburn. Since December, 42 members of the House and eight Senators have tested positive for COVID-19.
US President Joe Biden also marked the grim milestone Friday last week with a statement urging the public to get vaccinated or get their booster shots when they are able to.
In other related news, Pelosi has given her support to congressional staffers who choose to unionize. This follows the emergence of an Instagram account called “Dear White Staffers” that revealed the low pay and lack of diversity on Capitol Hill. The comments follow a press conference when she was pressed on whether she supports unionization efforts and what she thought of the Instagram account.
“Like all Americans, our tireless Congressional staff have the right to organize their workplace and join together in a union. If and when staffers choose to exercise that right, they would have Speaker Pelosi’s full support,” tweeted Pelosi’s deputy chief of staff Drew Hammill.