(BUFFALO, NEW YORK) – The Buffalo Teachers Federation (BTF) is calling on everyone in the Buffalo Community to lower their flags in the memory of those whose lives have been lost as a result of COVID-19.

“We ask the public and governments to join with us by lowering their flags to half-staff in memory of those whose lives have been lost as a result of this devastating virus - and that we raise them in unison when together, we have once again defeated a deadly attack on us,” BTF President Phil Rumore said in a released statement.

As of April 6th, there were nearly 131,000 confirmed cases of the Coronavirus in New York State and 4,758 deaths.  In Western New York, there were 1,136 confirmed cases and 30 deaths.  Across the U.S., there are 367,920 confirmed cases and just under 11,000 deaths.

From an array of Health Care Workers and Public Employees, including Nurses Cleaners, Bus Drivers, as well as Grocery Store Workers and Truck Drivers, and Educators – who are continuing to teach their students on-line, to name just a few, these Essential Workers are providing an array of services so life may continue for all Americans until the Coronavirus is beaten and we may return to some level of normalcy.

WNYLaborToday.com Editor's Note: Photo Provided by the BTF.