Virtual candle-light vigil being held on anniversary of pandemic
Published March 10, 2021 at 12:11 am
Thursday (March 11) marks the one-year anniversary of the pandemic.
As a show of solidarity, 20 health organizations from across Ontario are urging the public to honour those who have died as a result of COVID-19, and reflect on the hope for the future.
The Registered Nurses’ Association of Ontario (RNAO), as well as other professional associations and organizations representing health-care providers, are encouraging Ontarians to light a candle as a sign of remembrance and share their tributes on social media using the hashtags #Candle4COVID and #TogetherWeCanDoIt.
To date, more than 7,000 Ontarians have died as a result of the virus, while thousands more have been impacted in other ways.
“Everyone has been affected by the pandemic and we need to remember the tragic loss of life, those who required critical care, and the effect this has had on families, friends, health-care workers and other essential services. A candle symbolizes hope as we look to the future and to better days ahead within our own communities, the province, Canada and countries around the world,” Doris Grinspun, CEO of the RNAO, said in a news release.
The event will be taking place all day, culminating in a virtual candle-light vigil at 7 p.m., during which participants are encouraged to step out onto their balcony, porch, or driveway and light a candle to honour those who have died due to the virus.