Here's Why Every US Flag Will Be Flying At Half-Staff All Week

United States flags will be flown at half-staff across the country this week at the order of President Joe Biden.

The president made the order during an address from the White House on Monday, saying the country must do so to honor those that have died due to COVID-19.

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Over 500,000 Deaths in the U.S. due to COVID-19 as of Tuesday 

The rate of coronavirus deaths continues to increase, as half of the 500,000 total deaths have occurred in the past three months alone according to ABC Denver.

"As a nation, we can't accept such a cruel fate," said Biden, "We've been fighting this pandemic for so long. We have to resist becoming numb to the sorrow."

Biden, along with First Lady Jill Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, held a moment of silence outside of the White House to remember those that have passed away due to the virus.

"We have to resist viewing each life as a statistic or a blur or on the news," said Biden, "We must do so to honor the dead, but equally important care for the living, those they left behind. For the loved ones left behind."

The president posted on his Instagram following the grim milestone, saying more people in the U.S. have now died during COVID-19 than World War I, World War II, and the Vietnam War combined.