TRENTON, N.J. – In honor of the thousands of residents lost to the coronavirus a little more than a year into the pandemic, the Assembly passed a resolution designating an annual day of public mourning on March 10, the date of the first recorded death in New Jersey.
Assemblyman Christopher DePhillips sponsors the resolution creating a “Covid-19 Memorial Day” to remember the lives claimed by the virus in New Jersey and nationally, and acknowledge the ongoing grieving and widespread loss felt throughout the pandemic.
“It is an extraordinary loss of life by any measure,” said DePhillips (R-Bergen). “The people of our state have lost fewer lives to war. The men and women who lost their lives in service to our country deserve recognition, and those who have passed too soon because of this once-in-a-lifetime pandemic should be remembered too.”
The state of 9 million people has reportedly lost more than 24,000 people from complications related to Covid-19, including both confirmed and probable deaths.
By comparison, 12,565 New Jersey service members died in four years in World War II, 1,487 as a result of the Vietnam War, and 750 as a result of 9/11.
“We rightfully honor the essential workers who have saved so many lives. We also need to honor the lives that have been lost,” DePhillips concluded.
On March 9 of every year, New Jersey will honor essential workers as “Covid-19 Heroes Day.”
Assemblyman Christopher Tully cosponsored the joint resolution.