‘To heal, we must remember,’ Biden says at ceremony for coronavirus victims.

President-elect Joseph R. Biden Jr. arrived in Washington on Tuesday and led a nationwide mourning for Individuals killed by the coronavirus pandemic because the dying toll topped 400,000, a gesture to the tragedy the nation had endured at the same time as he pledged that mild would pierce the darkness.

On the eve of his inauguration because the 46th president of the US, Mr. Biden flew to the capital from his residence in Wilmington, Del., and headed to the Lincoln Memorial, the place he presided over a short ceremony paying tribute to those that had died from Covid-19 previously yr.

“To heal, we should keep in mind,” Mr. Biden mentioned, standing in entrance of the Reflecting Pool, which was surrounded by 400 lights to commemorate the 400,000 victims of the virus. “It’s exhausting generally to recollect. However that’s how we heal. It’s vital to do this as a nation. That’s why we’re right here right now. Between sunset and nightfall, allow us to shine the lights within the darkness alongside the sacred pool of reflection and keep in mind all whom we misplaced.”

As he spoke, the bells at Washington Nationwide Cathedral started to chime, and the Empire State Constructing in New York and the House Needle in Seattle had been lit. Cities from Miami to San Diego additionally deliberate to mild buildings for the event whereas Mr. Biden’s inaugural committee inspired Individuals to mild candles of their home windows in a present of nationwide solidarity. Occasions had been additionally deliberate for Mr. Biden’s hometowns, Wilmington and Scranton, Pa.

Mr. Biden is assuming the function of mourner in chief and projecting an air of command of the difficulty that has vexed the Trump administration for the previous yr. He has declared getting management of the pandemic the central situation of his administration, and has been extremely important of how his predecessor dealt with the worst public well being disaster in additional than 100 years.

On Monday night time, as President Trump ordered an end to the ban on travelers from Europe and Brazil that had been aimed toward stopping the unfold of the coronavirus to the US, Mr. Biden’s aides mentioned he would rescind the transfer when he takes workplace on Wednesday, earlier than it was scheduled to enter impact.

Mr. Trump’s order was issued at a time of heightened nervousness over the coronavirus and what Mr. Biden has warned shall be a “darkish winter.” The nation has skilled a post-holidays surge in instances that has overwhelmed some hospitals and led to record numbers of deaths. The nationwide vaccination rollout has been gradual and chaotic. And a extra contagious virus variant is spreading, whereas others are being found.

The somber remembrance on Tuesday kicked off two days of in-person and digital occasions in Washington as Mr. Biden takes the oath of workplace on Wednesday at a time of financial wrestle and cultural upheaval after President Trump’s 4 tumultuous years within the White Home.

Somber in his demeanor and transient in his remarks, Mr. Biden was joined by his spouse, Jill Biden, in addition to Vice President-elect Kamala D. Harris and her husband, Doug Emhoff. Cardinal Wilton D. Gregory, the archbishop of Washington, delivered the invocation whereas two acclaimed gospel singers, Yolanda Adams and Lori Marie Key, carried out.