One million Americans have now died from the coronavirus, according to an announcement President Joe Biden made May 12, according to ABC News.
The number of deaths due to COVID-19 is now equivalent to the population of San Jose, Californiathe tenth-largest city in the country. The death toll is still averaging more than 300 people a day, according to federal data
"One million empty chairs around the family dinner table," Biden said in a pre-taped video message. "[They are] irreplaceable, irreplaceable losses. Each leaving behind a family or community forever changed because of this pandemic. Our heart goes out to all those who are struggling."
Biden is ordering flags be flown at half-staff at the White House and all federal public buildings and grounds until sunset on May 16 in remembrance of those who lost their lives to the virus.
However, the impact involves more than the deaths.An analysis from the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences estimated that 9 million family members may be grieving the loss of a loved one killed by the virus.