Just after noon today, the leadership of the nation and perhaps the rest of the free world will be turned over to Joseph Robinette Biden Jr.

There is always a great deal of pageantry surrounding the presidential inauguration — performances, parades and the like. 

This time, however, the atmosphere will be much more subdued. The still raging COVID-19 pandemic means crowds cannot gather to celebrate the peaceful transition of power. 

And, because of the Jan. 6 riots at the Capitol, thousands and thousands of troops won’t be marching in a show of service and patriotism but rather will be on guard to protect against any possible violent disruptions of the proceedings. 

Our nation is not united as we stand. Bitter and acrimonious elections, from the choice for president on down, have helped to fracture us. 

The juxtaposition of this on the heels of the annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day, a day where a man who fought for civil rights and who urged our nation to look past its differences and see what it holds in common, is startling as well. 

Whether you voted for the incoming administration — most of those in our community did not and millions more across the nation also did not — we still all face the same challenges. First and foremost among those is finding a way to unlock the pandemic’s grip on our lives. 

Thankfully, the vaccines are starting to be distributed and we encourage all those who can to take them. 

As for the divisions that also have infected our nation, there are no quick remedies. But as a nation, we need to start finding ways to bridge the chasms between us. And the sooner, the better.