Three things for September 20
1. Over 600,000 white flags displayed to honor Americans who died of COVID-19
American artist Suzanne Brennan Firstenberg created an art installation of over 600,000 white flags to commemorate the lives lost during the pandemic. The National Mall installation is Fristenberg’s second project memorializing victims of COVID-19. The first exhibit consisted of 267,080 white flags stretching across four acres of grass beside RFK Stadium in Washington D.C.
Almost a year after the first installation, COVID-19 deaths in America have more than doubled. According to the Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center, 673,472 people have died from COVID-19 in the U.S. alone. This increase in casualties inspired Fristenberg to bring the flags to the National Mall.
“So many of these deaths happened in isolation without acknowledgment,” she said. “When I had an opportunity to bring it to the National Mall, even though it’s an immensely greater task, there was no hesitation. I knew I needed to do it.”
Firstenberg’s installation was, in part, a response to Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick’s claim that Americans should be willing to risk contracting the virus to protect the U.S. economy.
“That really disturbed me,” said Fristenberg. “I just felt as though someone had to do something to make a statement that with all these people dying, we had to value each of these lives as well.”
Each flag displayed on the National Mall holds a personal commemorative message from a victim’s loved one.
The flags will be on display from Sept. 17 to Oct. 3.
2. The 73rd Primetime Emmys take place in Los Angeles
After the semi-virtual version of the award show in 2020, the Emmys returned to an in-person celebration with a limited guest list and numerous safety regulations. The in-person audience is limited to only nominees and their guests.
“This season’s celebrating will be done safely with all attendees at Academy events required to provide proof of vaccination. In addition, guests at the Emmys — and everyone working at the Creative Arts shows and the telecast — must have had a negative COVID test within 48 hours of the ceremonies,” said the Emmys.
The host for the night, comedian and actor Cedric the Entertainer, jumped at the opportunity to host in August, telling the Los Angeles Times, “I feel like television definitely was something that we all needed and gravitated to throughout this pandemic,” he says. “With the opportunity to get back out and celebrate in person where people will be there, I want it to be a celebration. We’re going to have a good time.”
With the limited audience and safety precautions in place, television lovers are once again able to celebrate their favorite shows and actors by watching the Emmy Awards on CBS.
3. FBI finds what may be the body of missing woman
22-year-old Gabrielle “Gabby” Petito set off for a road trip with her boyfriend, Brian Laundrie, 23, on July 2; however, when Laundrie returned home on Sept. 1, Petito was not with him.
Petito’s family opened a missing person case on Sept. 11, making Laundrie a person of interest as he was the last to see Petito before she was reported missing.
Laundrie’s parents have not seen him since Sept. 16. On Sept. 18, the FBI began searching Grand Teton National Park and the Spread Creek Dispersed Camping Area in Wyoming for any sign of Petito. The next day, Sept. 19, the FBI recovered human remains matching Petito’s description in a national forest in Wyoming.
The F.B.I awaits forensic identification to confirm the body is Petito’s. Meanwhile, authorities have still been unable to locate Laundrie, who remains a person of interest.
For a full timeline of Gabby Petito’s disappearance, click here.
