SPECIAL ADDRESS THIS EVENING >> WE NOW KNOW THAT WE WILL LOSE MORE KENTUCKIANS TO COVID-19 THAN WE LOST IN THE KOREAN OR VIETNAM WARS. MARK: EARLIER IN THE DAY, A WREATH WAS PLACED IN THE CAPIT ROTUNDA BY NATIONAL GUARD SOLDIERS TO REMEMBER THE MORE THAN 1000 PEOPLE WHO HAVE DIED FROM COVID-19 IN KENTUCKY. IN HIS SPECIAL ADDRESS ON THE STATE OF THE PANDEMIC, GOVERNOR ANDY BESHEAR SAID 22 NEW DEATHS WERE RECORDED THE SAME DAY >> SO NOW, AS AMERICANS, AS KENTUCKIANS, IT IS OUR TIME TO FULFILL OUR PATRIOTIC DUTY TO PROTECT ONE ANOTHER. AND IN THIS FIGHT, THAT MEANS WEARING A MASK, SOCIAL DISTANCING, KEEPING GATHERINGS TO 10 OR FEWER PEOPLE. MARK: IT’S WORTH NOTING THE FORMAT BESHEAR CHOSE, A SPECIAL ADDRESS SPEAKING BY HIMSELF, INSTEAD OF HIS DAILY BRIEFING, WITH MULTIPLE OFFICIALS AND DIGGING QUESTIONS FROM THE -- AND TAKING QUESTIONS FROM THE MEDIA. HE SAID HE WANTS TO DRIVE HOME THE GRAVITY OF THE NUMBERS, AT A TIME WHEN MANY ARE CONTINUING TO DISCOUNT THE SERIOUSNESS OF COVID-19. >> AND SHAME ON ANYBODY, INCLUDING MANY OF OUR LEGISLATORS AND THOSE WHO SIT ONLINE ALL DAY WHO CLAIM THOSE DEATHS AREN’T REAL. THERE’S 1000 FAMILIES THAT’LL TELL YOU THAT THEY ARE VERY REAL AND VERY PAINFUL. LET’S BE BETTER THAN THAT. MARK: ONE WEEK FROM NOW, KENTUCKY’S SUPREME COURT WILL HEAR ORAL ARGUMENTS ON A CHALLENGE TO BESHEAR’S MASK MANDATE AND OTHER RESTRICTIONS. >> I HAVE TAKEN AGGRESSIVE ACTION TO PROTECT OUR KENTUCKY FAMILIES MOST OF THE TIME, THOSE CHOICES HAVE BEEN DIFFICULT. MARK: AGAINST THIS BACKDROP, RACIAL JUSTICE PROTESTS ALSO CONTINUE. >> THIS PANDEMIC HAS EXPOSED LONG-STANDING RACIAL INEQUALITIES, INCLUDING HEALTH AND ECONOMIC DISPARITIES. OUR BLACK AND AFRICAN-AMERICAN KENTUCKIANS ARE DISPROPORTIONATELY DYING FROM THIS VIRUS. WE MUST COMMIT TO ADDRESSING THESE PROBLEMS NOW. AND WE MUST DEFEAT THIS VIRUS ONCE AND FOR A