Gov. Andy Beshear to recognize 5th anniversary of COVID-19 in Kentucky

FRANKFORT, Ky. – On Thursday, March 6, Gov. Andy Beshear is marking the fifth anniversary of COVID-19 in Kentucky.

According to the governor’s office, Beshear will join state and local officials, families and Dr. Steven Stack to recognize the impact of the illness.

“During the hardest times, I promised our people that we would get through our challenges, and that we would get through them together; and it was the deep well of compassion from our people that gave me the confidence to make that statement,” Beshear said. “As we mark this fifth anniversary of COVID-19 in the Commonwealth, let us honor the lives lost and forever changed as we also recommit ourselves to caring for our fellow Kentuckians.”

According to state officials, since the start of the pandemic, COVID-19 contributed to more than 20,450 Kentucky deaths.

Thursday’s ceremony will begin at 2 p.m. Central Standard Time in the Kentucky State Capitol Rotunda with the chiming of bells.

Officials say early in the pandemic, Beshear would ask Kentuckians to unite by ringing bells at 10 a.m. each day so that those who were feeling alone would “know we were with them.”

Beshear and Stack will provide remarks, along with Dr. Crystal Miller of the Harrison County Health Department and Prisha Hedau, a student who was inspired to tell her own story of the pandemic after tuning in to the governor’s daily news conferences. Pastor Richard Gaines of Consolidated Baptist Church and Rabbi David Wirtschafter of Temple Adath Israel, both in Lexington, will offer prayers. The program will include vocal performances by Sandra Wiggins.