Image of empty chairs in front of White House on COVID Memorial Day goes viral

There was one chair for every ten lives lost due to COVID-19

trump reuters fist US President Donald Trump gestures while leaving the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center | Reuters

20,000 empty chairs were on display for a memorial in front of the south lawn of the White House on Sunday. They represented the 210,000 Americans who lost lives to the coronavirus pandemic.  

It showcased less than a tenth of the US death toll from COVID-19, with each chair standing for 10 Americans who lost their lives during the pandemic. The picture of empty chairs on National COVID-19 Day of Remembrance went viral on social media. The image was shared by a user DJ Koessler along with a caption that read, “Today is National COVID-19 Day of Remembrance. 20,000 empty chairs on the Mall to honour the 209,000+ lives lost. All within eyesight of the White House.”

The image comes right after President Donald Trump returned to the White House after being treated for the virus. 

Trump returned after staying at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Centre for four days, despite experts critiquing him being released so soon. Trump has in the past, flouted mandates around the virus by not wearing masks and comparing it to the flu. 

The tribute was hosted by COVID Survivors for Change, a community of survivors and families of COVID-19 victims who are urging elected officials to do more to “develop a national plan for safety and recovery,” the website stated. The image shared by DJ Koessler got several comments expressing empathy and grief.

One of them read, “To all of the families who have suffered greatly or lost loved ones from this virus, I am sincerely sorry for what you have gone through.” “So much heartbreak, so much pain. It all could’ve been so different. Sending you love and strength America,” read another comment. To this, a user replied, “Thank you so much. Just cried my way through this thread. We lost my mom to COVID in a nursing home. They couldn't get the proper PPE equipment while Trump sat on his hands. Thanks for the sweet comment.”

📣 The Week is now on Telegram. Click here to join our channel (@TheWeekmagazine) and stay updated with the latest headlines