City, Tucson Medical Center Honor Coronavirus Victims

TUCSON, AZ — As a national memorial for coronavirus victims took place, Tucsonians held ceremonies of their own to honor the lives lost to the fast-spreading virus.

The local and national events occurred in tandem at 3:15 p.m. on Tuesday afternoon.

The Tucson Medical Center said it was holding a small ceremony for staff members featuring a prayer and bell ringing. Anyone watching was encouraged to light a candle or ring a bell at 3:30 p.m. Arizona time to join in a "collective moment of remembrance."

Mayor Regina Romero and the City of Tucson also took part in the National Moment of Unity and Remembrance organized by the Biden-Harris Presidential Inaugural Committee to honor the lives of the approximately 400,000 Americans who have died since the start of the pandemic, according to a news release from the city.

Bells rang out across the U.S. for four minutes, including the bell at the top of Tucson Fire Central, which was rung by Romero.

Additionally, Tucson City Hall, the Pima County Historic Courthouse and the University of Arizona fountain in front of Old Main, will be lit an amber color - the color of a candle flame - at 5:30 p.m.

“At a time when so many Americans are grieving the loss of family, friends, and neighbors, it is important that we take a moment both as a nation and as a community to honor those we lost to COVID-19,” Romero said in a statement.