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| Stirring Sermons About Coronavirus, in Empty Cathedrals | Stirring Sermons About Coronavirus, in Empty Cathedrals |
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| At 11:15 on Sunday morning, the Rev. Kristin Kaulbach Miles, a priest at Trinity Church Wall Street, stepped into the sanctuary of the soaring 1846 Gothic Revival building in Manhattan and delivered a sermon about the need to come together in the face of coronavirus. | At 11:15 on Sunday morning, the Rev. Kristin Kaulbach Miles, a priest at Trinity Church Wall Street, stepped into the sanctuary of the soaring 1846 Gothic Revival building in Manhattan and delivered a sermon about the need to come together in the face of coronavirus. |
| But no parishioners were there. | But no parishioners were there. |
| The scene was repeated at some of the most well-known houses of worship in New York: St. Patrick’s Cathedral, the seat of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New York; Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church; and the Cathedral of St. John the Divine, seat of the Episcopal Diocese of New York. Something similar had already played out in the city’s mosques during Friday prayers and in synagogues at Shabbat services on Saturday. | The scene was repeated at some of the most well-known houses of worship in New York: St. Patrick’s Cathedral, the seat of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New York; Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church; and the Cathedral of St. John the Divine, seat of the Episcopal Diocese of New York. Something similar had already played out in the city’s mosques during Friday prayers and in synagogues at Shabbat services on Saturday. |
| The coronavirus outbreak forced the cancellation of religious services across New York and much of the country this weekend, but faith leaders have stepped unto the breach in an effort to comfort and lead communities that are increasingly anxious and unsure about where to turn. | The coronavirus outbreak forced the cancellation of religious services across New York and much of the country this weekend, but faith leaders have stepped unto the breach in an effort to comfort and lead communities that are increasingly anxious and unsure about where to turn. |
| On Sunday, ministers preached messages of calm and compassion to empty churches as their congregants watched on live stream, isolated at home by public health warnings that convinced the Catholic Church and several major Protestant denominations to shut their doors. | On Sunday, ministers preached messages of calm and compassion to empty churches as their congregants watched on live stream, isolated at home by public health warnings that convinced the Catholic Church and several major Protestant denominations to shut their doors. |
| At Trinity Church, Ms. Miles told the story of Jesus asking a Samaritan woman for water “in a way that follows the Covid-19 safety protocols.” Looking across the empty pews, she urged the worshipers at home to be there for each other. | At Trinity Church, Ms. Miles told the story of Jesus asking a Samaritan woman for water “in a way that follows the Covid-19 safety protocols.” Looking across the empty pews, she urged the worshipers at home to be there for each other. |
| “Every hand we don’t shake must become a phone call we make,” she said from the pulpit. “Every inch and every foot of distance we put between ourselves and another must become a thought about how we could help that other should the need arise.” | “Every hand we don’t shake must become a phone call we make,” she said from the pulpit. “Every inch and every foot of distance we put between ourselves and another must become a thought about how we could help that other should the need arise.” |
| Dane Miller, a sacristan, then offered prayers for the sick as well as for President Trump, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo and Mayor Bill de Blasio. He also asked God to grant the faithful good judgment in a time of crisis. | Dane Miller, a sacristan, then offered prayers for the sick as well as for President Trump, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo and Mayor Bill de Blasio. He also asked God to grant the faithful good judgment in a time of crisis. |
| “May we each be guided to the right decisions for the good of all,” he said. | “May we each be guided to the right decisions for the good of all,” he said. |
| The only people seated in the pews were other parish priests, who clapped for each other when the Mass was done. | The only people seated in the pews were other parish priests, who clapped for each other when the Mass was done. |
| There have been more than 600 confirmed cases of coronavirus in New York and two deaths, officials said, sending a wave of fear across the region that has upended daily life. | There have been more than 600 confirmed cases of coronavirus in New York and two deaths, officials said, sending a wave of fear across the region that has upended daily life. |
| “The government is utterly failing to provide rational, reliable leadership,” said Jeffrey Cahn, executive director of Romemu, a popular Upper West Side synagogue that he said was the first in New York to cancel in-person Shabbat services. | “The government is utterly failing to provide rational, reliable leadership,” said Jeffrey Cahn, executive director of Romemu, a popular Upper West Side synagogue that he said was the first in New York to cancel in-person Shabbat services. |
| “As religious leaders we have a pulpit,” Mr. Cahn said. “If we can tell 4,000 people, ‘Even though everybody says do X, we are telling you to do Y and do it now,’ then we should do that.” | “As religious leaders we have a pulpit,” Mr. Cahn said. “If we can tell 4,000 people, ‘Even though everybody says do X, we are telling you to do Y and do it now,’ then we should do that.” |
| Mr. Cahn said his synagogue was now advising congregants not to gather in groups in their homes, even to watch Shabbat services online. | Mr. Cahn said his synagogue was now advising congregants not to gather in groups in their homes, even to watch Shabbat services online. |
| Updated June 22, 2020 | Updated June 22, 2020 |
| A commentary published this month on the website of the British Journal of Sports Medicine points out that covering your face during exercise “comes with issues of potential breathing restriction and discomfort” and requires “balancing benefits versus possible adverse events.” Masks do alter exercise, says Cedric X. Bryant, the president and chief science officer of the American Council on Exercise, a nonprofit organization that funds exercise research and certifies fitness professionals. “In my personal experience,” he says, “heart rates are higher at the same relative intensity when you wear a mask.” Some people also could experience lightheadedness during familiar workouts while masked, says Len Kravitz, a professor of exercise science at the University of New Mexico. | A commentary published this month on the website of the British Journal of Sports Medicine points out that covering your face during exercise “comes with issues of potential breathing restriction and discomfort” and requires “balancing benefits versus possible adverse events.” Masks do alter exercise, says Cedric X. Bryant, the president and chief science officer of the American Council on Exercise, a nonprofit organization that funds exercise research and certifies fitness professionals. “In my personal experience,” he says, “heart rates are higher at the same relative intensity when you wear a mask.” Some people also could experience lightheadedness during familiar workouts while masked, says Len Kravitz, a professor of exercise science at the University of New Mexico. |
| The steroid, dexamethasone, is the first treatment shown to reduce mortality in severely ill patients, according to scientists in Britain. The drug appears to reduce inflammation caused by the immune system, protecting the tissues. In the study, dexamethasone reduced deaths of patients on ventilators by one-third, and deaths of patients on oxygen by one-fifth. | The steroid, dexamethasone, is the first treatment shown to reduce mortality in severely ill patients, according to scientists in Britain. The drug appears to reduce inflammation caused by the immune system, protecting the tissues. In the study, dexamethasone reduced deaths of patients on ventilators by one-third, and deaths of patients on oxygen by one-fifth. |
| The coronavirus emergency relief package gives many American workers paid leave if they need to take time off because of the virus. It gives qualified workers two weeks of paid sick leave if they are ill, quarantined or seeking diagnosis or preventive care for coronavirus, or if they are caring for sick family members. It gives 12 weeks of paid leave to people caring for children whose schools are closed or whose child care provider is unavailable because of the coronavirus. It is the first time the United States has had widespread federally mandated paid leave, and includes people who don’t typically get such benefits, like part-time and gig economy workers. But the measure excludes at least half of private-sector workers, including those at the country’s largest employers, and gives small employers significant leeway to deny leave. | The coronavirus emergency relief package gives many American workers paid leave if they need to take time off because of the virus. It gives qualified workers two weeks of paid sick leave if they are ill, quarantined or seeking diagnosis or preventive care for coronavirus, or if they are caring for sick family members. It gives 12 weeks of paid leave to people caring for children whose schools are closed or whose child care provider is unavailable because of the coronavirus. It is the first time the United States has had widespread federally mandated paid leave, and includes people who don’t typically get such benefits, like part-time and gig economy workers. But the measure excludes at least half of private-sector workers, including those at the country’s largest employers, and gives small employers significant leeway to deny leave. |
| So far, the evidence seems to show it does. A widely cited paper published in April suggests that people are most infectious about two days before the onset of coronavirus symptoms and estimated that 44 percent of new infections were a result of transmission from people who were not yet showing symptoms. Recently, a top expert at the World Health Organization stated that transmission of the coronavirus by people who did not have symptoms was “very rare,” but she later walked back that statement. | So far, the evidence seems to show it does. A widely cited paper published in April suggests that people are most infectious about two days before the onset of coronavirus symptoms and estimated that 44 percent of new infections were a result of transmission from people who were not yet showing symptoms. Recently, a top expert at the World Health Organization stated that transmission of the coronavirus by people who did not have symptoms was “very rare,” but she later walked back that statement. |
| Touching contaminated objects and then infecting ourselves with the germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. A number of studies of flu, rhinovirus, coronavirus and other microbes have shown that respiratory illnesses, including the new coronavirus, can spread by touching contaminated surfaces, particularly in places like day care centers, offices and hospitals. But a long chain of events has to happen for the disease to spread that way. The best way to protect yourself from coronavirus — whether it’s surface transmission or close human contact — is still social distancing, washing your hands, not touching your face and wearing masks. | Touching contaminated objects and then infecting ourselves with the germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. A number of studies of flu, rhinovirus, coronavirus and other microbes have shown that respiratory illnesses, including the new coronavirus, can spread by touching contaminated surfaces, particularly in places like day care centers, offices and hospitals. But a long chain of events has to happen for the disease to spread that way. The best way to protect yourself from coronavirus — whether it’s surface transmission or close human contact — is still social distancing, washing your hands, not touching your face and wearing masks. |
| A study by European scientists is the first to document a strong statistical link between genetic variations and Covid-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus. Having Type A blood was linked to a 50 percent increase in the likelihood that a patient would need to get oxygen or to go on a ventilator, according to the new study. | A study by European scientists is the first to document a strong statistical link between genetic variations and Covid-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus. Having Type A blood was linked to a 50 percent increase in the likelihood that a patient would need to get oxygen or to go on a ventilator, according to the new study. |
| The unemployment rate fell to 13.3 percent in May, the Labor Department said on June 5, an unexpected improvement in the nation’s job market as hiring rebounded faster than economists expected. Economists had forecast the unemployment rate to increase to as much as 20 percent, after it hit 14.7 percent in April, which was the highest since the government began keeping official statistics after World War II. But the unemployment rate dipped instead, with employers adding 2.5 million jobs, after more than 20 million jobs were lost in April. | The unemployment rate fell to 13.3 percent in May, the Labor Department said on June 5, an unexpected improvement in the nation’s job market as hiring rebounded faster than economists expected. Economists had forecast the unemployment rate to increase to as much as 20 percent, after it hit 14.7 percent in April, which was the highest since the government began keeping official statistics after World War II. But the unemployment rate dipped instead, with employers adding 2.5 million jobs, after more than 20 million jobs were lost in April. |
| States are reopening bit by bit. This means that more public spaces are available for use and more and more businesses are being allowed to open again. The federal government is largely leaving the decision up to states, and some state leaders are leaving the decision up to local authorities. Even if you aren’t being told to stay at home, it’s still a good idea to limit trips outside and your interaction with other people. | States are reopening bit by bit. This means that more public spaces are available for use and more and more businesses are being allowed to open again. The federal government is largely leaving the decision up to states, and some state leaders are leaving the decision up to local authorities. Even if you aren’t being told to stay at home, it’s still a good idea to limit trips outside and your interaction with other people. |
| Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days. | Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days. |
| If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.) | If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.) |
| If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others. | If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others. |
| If you’re sick and you think you’ve been exposed to the new coronavirus, the C.D.C. recommends that you call your healthcare provider and explain your symptoms and fears. They will decide if you need to be tested. Keep in mind that there’s a chance — because of a lack of testing kits or because you’re asymptomatic, for instance — you won’t be able to get tested. | If you’re sick and you think you’ve been exposed to the new coronavirus, the C.D.C. recommends that you call your healthcare provider and explain your symptoms and fears. They will decide if you need to be tested. Keep in mind that there’s a chance — because of a lack of testing kits or because you’re asymptomatic, for instance — you won’t be able to get tested. |
| On Friday night, Rabbi David Ingber used the live stream service to offer comfort to worshipers. | |
| “One of the beautiful things now is every place can be a synagogue,” the rabbi said. Despite their dislocation, he told the worshipers that the past week should make them “acutely aware of how interwoven we all are.” | |
| “Even though we are not physically close, we are all connected,” he said. | “Even though we are not physically close, we are all connected,” he said. |
| Others have urged their followers to care for those whose lives have been affected by the outbreak. | Others have urged their followers to care for those whose lives have been affected by the outbreak. |
| “Let us pray for all who are sick, as well as doctors, nurses, caregivers and all those working hard to combat the disease,” Cardinal Timothy Dolan said in a statement on Saturday. | “Let us pray for all who are sick, as well as doctors, nurses, caregivers and all those working hard to combat the disease,” Cardinal Timothy Dolan said in a statement on Saturday. |
| Father James Martin, a Jesuit priest and writer who said he had been in voluntary isolation since returning from a pilgrimage to Israel, gave spiritual advice to his 600,000 Facebook followers on Saturday. | Father James Martin, a Jesuit priest and writer who said he had been in voluntary isolation since returning from a pilgrimage to Israel, gave spiritual advice to his 600,000 Facebook followers on Saturday. |
| Citing the teaching of Jesus and the work of St. Ignatius of Loyola, the founder of the Jesuits, he urged his viewers to “resist panic” and not to “demonize or scapegoat” Asian people for a pathogen first detected in Wuhan, China. | Citing the teaching of Jesus and the work of St. Ignatius of Loyola, the founder of the Jesuits, he urged his viewers to “resist panic” and not to “demonize or scapegoat” Asian people for a pathogen first detected in Wuhan, China. |
| “This virus is no one’s fault,” Father Martin said in a video. “We still have the fundamental Christian responsibility to love people and not treat them like dirt. Lots of things have been canceled by the coronavirus, but love is not one of them.” | “This virus is no one’s fault,” Father Martin said in a video. “We still have the fundamental Christian responsibility to love people and not treat them like dirt. Lots of things have been canceled by the coronavirus, but love is not one of them.” |
| Some religious leaders have also sought to comfort the members of their own clergy. | Some religious leaders have also sought to comfort the members of their own clergy. |
| In a letter last Wednesday, the Rt. Rev. Andrew Dietsche, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of New York, told priests and deacons that they “do not have the freedom to indulge in ourselves the common fears of the masses.” | In a letter last Wednesday, the Rt. Rev. Andrew Dietsche, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of New York, told priests and deacons that they “do not have the freedom to indulge in ourselves the common fears of the masses.” |
| “We are called to a witness of strength, courage and faith and to be a calm, non-anxious presence in times of fear,” he wrote. He added that “maintaining a normalcy about the common life of our church” could “go a long way to reassuring our people and helping them, in the midst of uncertainty, to live in trust, confidence and hope.” | “We are called to a witness of strength, courage and faith and to be a calm, non-anxious presence in times of fear,” he wrote. He added that “maintaining a normalcy about the common life of our church” could “go a long way to reassuring our people and helping them, in the midst of uncertainty, to live in trust, confidence and hope.” |