RICHMOND - As the country surpasses 200,000 COVID-19 deaths, Democratic Party of Virginia Chair Susan Swecker released the following statement: 

"Today we mourn the over 200,000 COVID-19 deaths across this country and nearly 3,000 across the Commonwealth. These loved ones are someone's child, someone's parent or grandparent, spouse, friend, or neighbor. They may be just numbers on a chart to Donald Trump, but to us they are real people. As families grieve the losses of their loved ones, I want everyone to know that the DPVA family extends our sincerest condolences. 

"These deaths are even more devastating because this pandemic simply did not have to be this bad. Last week, we found out that President Trump misled the American public about the dangers of the pandemic. His leadership over the past few months has been woefully ineffective, often seeking to divide the country for political gain instead of creating a comprehensive strategy that would combat this disease. Now, we have lost over 200,000 people that we will never get back. 

"Americans need a leader who will put their safety and their interests first. It’s a tragedy that we don’t have that leadership right now, but we can have it again next year if we elect Joe Biden in November. We are re-committing ourselves to make sure that happens in the next 43 days.”

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