Governor Walz Orders Flags Flown at Half-Staff in Honor of Minnesotans Who Have Lost Their Lives to COVID-19
Governor Tim Walz has directed all flags at state and federal buildings in Minnesota to be flown at half-staff from sunrise to sunset on Sunday, July 19, 2020. He has directed flags to fly at half staff on the 19th of every month through 2020 to remember, mourn, and honor lives lost due to COVID-19.
“Minnesota will never forget those we’ve lost due to COVID-19,” said Governor Walz. “In lowering our flags we honor and remember their lives and commit to doing all we can to slow the spread of this deadly virus.”
Individuals, businesses, and other organizations are also encouraged to join in lowering their flags to honor Minnesotans who have lost their lives to COVID-19 and their families.
The proclamation from Governor Walz back in June reads:
WHEREAS: The State of Minnesota is weathering the “long winter” known as COVID-19; and
WHEREAS: First responders, state employees, and essential workers are on the frontlines working tirelessly and fearlessly to protect our communities and neighbors; and
WHEREAS: On March 21, 2020, we lost our first Minnesotan to COVID-19; and
WHEREAS: As of June 18, 2020, 1,344 of our mothers and fathers, sons and daughters, husbands and wives, friends and neighbors, have passed due to COVID-19; and
WHEREAS: Deaths due to COVID-19 are disproportionally affecting Indigenous communities, people of color, the homeless, the elderly, individuals with pre-existing conditions and disabilities; and
WHEREAS: We come together as one community in these challenging moments to mourn and support each other.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, TIM WALZ, Governor of Minnesota, do hereby order all United States flags and Minnesota flags to be flown at half-staff at all state and federal buildings in the State of Minnesota, from sunrise until sunset on Friday, June 19, 2020, to remember, mourn, and honor the lives lost due to COVID-19.