BFF-36 Democrats call for flags at half staff when virus toll hits 100,000

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Democrats call for flags at half staff when virus toll hits 100,000

WASHINGTON, May 21, 2020 (BSS/AFP) – Top Democrats on Thursday urged
President Donald Trump to order flags flown at half staff when the US
coronavirus death toll reaches 100,000, saying the salute would
reflect a “national expression of grief.”

“Our hearts are broken over this great loss” from the pandemic,
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and top Senate Democrat Chuck Schumer wrote
in a letter to the president.

This weekend’s observation of Memorial Day, which honors those who
died serving in the US military, coincides with the country likely
reaching the grim milestone of 100,000 COVID-19 fatalities.

As of Thursday the nation had 93,558 confirmed virus-related
deaths, by far the highest toll in a world severely impacted by the
pandemic.

The two Democrats said it would be fitting to pay respects to
victims of the crisis while honoring the nation’s military heroes.

“Respectful of them and the loss to our country, we are writing to
request that you order flags to be flown at half staff on all public
buildings in our country on the sad day of reckoning when we reach
100,000 deaths,” Pelosi and Schumer wrote.

“It would serve as a national expression of grief so needed by
everyone in our country.”

The United States has averaged nearly 1,300 coronavirus deaths per
day this week.

BSS/AFP/MRU/2150hrs