LANSING, Mich. (Feb. 25, 2021) — Today, Sen. Dayna Polehanki (D-Livonia) offered a resolution on the Senate floor to recognize the first Monday in March as COVID-19 Victims and Survivors Memorial Day.

“COVID-19 has wreaked havoc across the globe and has had catastrophic effects on human life, our community, and our economy,” Sen. Polehanki said. “Each life lost to COVID-19 has left a hole in the hearts of loved ones, family members, and surrounding communities.”

As of Monday, Feb. 22, 2021, more than 2.46 million people worldwide and 500,000 in the U.S. have lost their lives due to COVID-19, including more than 16,342 in Michigan.

“We cannot ignore the tragic reality this pandemic has had on our nation, our state, and our local communities,” Sen. Polehanki added. ‘This is the least we can do for those we have lost and those who were fortunate enough to survive.”

Senate Resolution 19 also urged Michigan residents to continue taking preventative measures — such as social distancing, mask-wearing, and following public health orders — to mitigate spread of the coronavirus in tribute to essential workers and those who continue to rise in service to protect the public curing the ongoing pandemic.

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