This article is from the source 'nytimes' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/01/nyregion/Father-Jorge-Ortiz-Garay-coronavirus-death.html

The article has changed 30 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 14 Version 15
He Said Mass Via Live Stream. 8 Days Later, He Fell to the Virus. He Said Mass Via Live Stream. 8 Days Later, He Fell to the Virus.
(32 minutes later)
Father Jorge Ortiz-Garay did not want his parishioners to be afraid.Father Jorge Ortiz-Garay did not want his parishioners to be afraid.
The world all around us is in crisis, he said as he celebrated Mass at St. Brigid’s Church in Brooklyn on March 19, the pews empty and his flock watching at home via live stream. But perhaps the coronavirus, and the fear it has brought, can be seen as an opportunity to become closer to God.The world all around us is in crisis, he said as he celebrated Mass at St. Brigid’s Church in Brooklyn on March 19, the pews empty and his flock watching at home via live stream. But perhaps the coronavirus, and the fear it has brought, can be seen as an opportunity to become closer to God.
“There’s no better time than this time of trials, this time of challenges, to fulfill our call to holiness,” said Father Jorge, as he was known. “At these moments of trial and crisis, at these times when maybe we are asking what will happen to us, trust in the Father.”“There’s no better time than this time of trials, this time of challenges, to fulfill our call to holiness,” said Father Jorge, as he was known. “At these moments of trial and crisis, at these times when maybe we are asking what will happen to us, trust in the Father.”
He assured his parishioners that he was in good health.He assured his parishioners that he was in good health.
But eight days later Father Jorge died at Wyckoff Hospital Medical Center in Brooklyn. He was 49.But eight days later Father Jorge died at Wyckoff Hospital Medical Center in Brooklyn. He was 49.
He was the first Catholic priest in the United States known to have died of the coronavirus, according to the Diocese of Brooklyn, which said two more of its priests had also tested positive.He was the first Catholic priest in the United States known to have died of the coronavirus, according to the Diocese of Brooklyn, which said two more of its priests had also tested positive.
Father Jorge’s death on March 27 marked a grim milestone for the Roman Catholic Church, that most ritualistic of institutions, whose sacred and elaborate traditions have been utterly disrupted by the pandemic. Its fundamental rites — including congregating to worship — have been fractured by imposed isolation and social distancing.Father Jorge’s death on March 27 marked a grim milestone for the Roman Catholic Church, that most ritualistic of institutions, whose sacred and elaborate traditions have been utterly disrupted by the pandemic. Its fundamental rites — including congregating to worship — have been fractured by imposed isolation and social distancing.
Now, mourners say, they are doubly pained by the loss of a church leader and the inability to come together and share the comforting rituals of public grief.Now, mourners say, they are doubly pained by the loss of a church leader and the inability to come together and share the comforting rituals of public grief.
Restrictions on public gatherings, and the fact that the Diocese of Brooklyn canceled all Masses and closed all churches and rectories last month, mean that no public funeral mass will be held for Father Jorge anytime soon.Restrictions on public gatherings, and the fact that the Diocese of Brooklyn canceled all Masses and closed all churches and rectories last month, mean that no public funeral mass will be held for Father Jorge anytime soon.
Elimelec Soriano, a layman who helped Father Jorge organize events for the Mexican community, said he had been flooded with calls from grieving parishioners across Brooklyn and Queens.Elimelec Soriano, a layman who helped Father Jorge organize events for the Mexican community, said he had been flooded with calls from grieving parishioners across Brooklyn and Queens.
“People keep saying, ‘We have to do something for him,’ and I keep saying to them, ‘We will, we will, we just have to pray that this virus goes away first and things go back to normal,’” said Mr. Soriano.“People keep saying, ‘We have to do something for him,’ and I keep saying to them, ‘We will, we will, we just have to pray that this virus goes away first and things go back to normal,’” said Mr. Soriano.
Father Jorge spent the last years of his life at St. Brigid’s, a parish in a working class area on the edge of Bushwick, one of Brooklyn’s most quickly gentrifying neighborhoods. The church conducts half of its weekend masses in Spanish.Father Jorge spent the last years of his life at St. Brigid’s, a parish in a working class area on the edge of Bushwick, one of Brooklyn’s most quickly gentrifying neighborhoods. The church conducts half of its weekend masses in Spanish.
He was well known for his work in the church’s outreach to Latino immigrants in Brooklyn, particularly those who came from Mexico, like he did as a young man.He was well known for his work in the church’s outreach to Latino immigrants in Brooklyn, particularly those who came from Mexico, like he did as a young man.
On Monday, Representative Nydia Velazquez, a Democrat whose district includes Bushwick, praised Father Jorge in a statement for “comforting those in need while advancing the rights and opportunity of our immigrant community.”On Monday, Representative Nydia Velazquez, a Democrat whose district includes Bushwick, praised Father Jorge in a statement for “comforting those in need while advancing the rights and opportunity of our immigrant community.”
“It is particularly difficult for us to lose such a community pillar during this challenging time,” she said. “May we all draw strength from his memory and seek to care for one another, especially the vulnerable, as he did his entire life.“It is particularly difficult for us to lose such a community pillar during this challenging time,” she said. “May we all draw strength from his memory and seek to care for one another, especially the vulnerable, as he did his entire life.
Father Jorge’s death highlighted a troubling trend that has emerged in New York, where information released by the city indicates that poorer neighborhoods of Brooklyn, Queens and the South Bronx have the city’s highest proportion of positive coronavirus test results.Father Jorge’s death highlighted a troubling trend that has emerged in New York, where information released by the city indicates that poorer neighborhoods of Brooklyn, Queens and the South Bronx have the city’s highest proportion of positive coronavirus test results.
“Everything happened so fast,” said Father Joseph Dutan, a young priest at St. Brigid’s who stood beside Father Jorge at Mass that day.“Everything happened so fast,” said Father Joseph Dutan, a young priest at St. Brigid’s who stood beside Father Jorge at Mass that day.
According to the city, Brooklyn and Queens are home to 59 percent of people diagnosed with Covid-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus, and 53 percent of the people who have died from it lived in those boroughs.According to the city, Brooklyn and Queens are home to 59 percent of people diagnosed with Covid-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus, and 53 percent of the people who have died from it lived in those boroughs.
“A lot of people here have jobs where they cannot do their work from home on a computer,” said Father Vincenzo Cardilicchia, a parish priest in Bushwick who was a friend of Father Jorge’s.“A lot of people here have jobs where they cannot do their work from home on a computer,” said Father Vincenzo Cardilicchia, a parish priest in Bushwick who was a friend of Father Jorge’s.
“People here live on top of each other. This is not Long Island or Staten Island or New Jersey, where you have a lot of space and a yard in front of your house.”“People here live on top of each other. This is not Long Island or Staten Island or New Jersey, where you have a lot of space and a yard in front of your house.”
In Bushwick, more than 68 percent of people who were tested for the virus received a positive result, according to information released by the city.In Bushwick, more than 68 percent of people who were tested for the virus received a positive result, according to information released by the city.
“It is facile to think this is an equal opportunity virus,” said Dr. Ashwin Vasan, a professor at Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health. “In some ways that is true because we can all get sick from it, but the impact of the pandemic is not going to be felt equally across society.”“It is facile to think this is an equal opportunity virus,” said Dr. Ashwin Vasan, a professor at Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health. “In some ways that is true because we can all get sick from it, but the impact of the pandemic is not going to be felt equally across society.”
“We know that in communities of color, lower income communities, communities with a higher proportion of immigrants and other marginalized groups, those folks at a baseline suffer from higher rates of chronic health conditions than the general population,” he said.“We know that in communities of color, lower income communities, communities with a higher proportion of immigrants and other marginalized groups, those folks at a baseline suffer from higher rates of chronic health conditions than the general population,” he said.
Bushwick has been squeezed by gentrification in recent years, with an average asking rent in 2017 of $2,530, slightly higher than the average for all of Brooklyn.Bushwick has been squeezed by gentrification in recent years, with an average asking rent in 2017 of $2,530, slightly higher than the average for all of Brooklyn.
But the neighborhood remains poorer than the rest of the city, with a poverty rate of 27.1 percent in 2017, compared with 17.9 percent citywide, according to the Furman Center, a think tank at New York University. It said 53.9 percent of residents there identified as Hispanic.But the neighborhood remains poorer than the rest of the city, with a poverty rate of 27.1 percent in 2017, compared with 17.9 percent citywide, according to the Furman Center, a think tank at New York University. It said 53.9 percent of residents there identified as Hispanic.
Father Cardilicchia said that Father Jorge “was not afraid” to go into the community to preach to poor working people, “right until the end.” Updated June 24, 2020
Updated June 22, 2020 Scientists around the country have tried to identify everyday materials that do a good job of filtering microscopic particles. In recent tests, HEPA furnace filters scored high, as did vacuum cleaner bags, fabric similar to flannel pajamas and those of 600-count pillowcases. Other materials tested included layered coffee filters and scarves and bandannas. These scored lower, but still captured a small percentage of particles.
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.
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. Father Cardilicchia said that Father Jorge “was not afraid” to go into the community to preach to poor working people, “right until the end.”
“He would go to a body shop to give ashes to the people working there on Ash Wednesday,” which this year fell on Feb. 26, he said. “All people do in this city is just work, work, work, so he would go to the homes and bless their homes.”“He would go to a body shop to give ashes to the people working there on Ash Wednesday,” which this year fell on Feb. 26, he said. “All people do in this city is just work, work, work, so he would go to the homes and bless their homes.”
Father Jorge’s path to Brooklyn was a winding one. Born into a wealthy family in Mexico City, he became a lawyer and was engaged to be married when he felt a call to the priesthood.Father Jorge’s path to Brooklyn was a winding one. Born into a wealthy family in Mexico City, he became a lawyer and was engaged to be married when he felt a call to the priesthood.
He left his fiancée and his legal practice and studied first in Italy and then at a seminary in Newark, becoming a priest in 2004.He left his fiancée and his legal practice and studied first in Italy and then at a seminary in Newark, becoming a priest in 2004.
He moved in 2014 to St. Brigid’s, a parish that was largely Irish and Italian until the early 1990s but which today draws congregants with roots from across Latin America.He moved in 2014 to St. Brigid’s, a parish that was largely Irish and Italian until the early 1990s but which today draws congregants with roots from across Latin America.
“It is very Ecuadorean, Mexican and Dominican, and a little Puerto Rican and Colombian and Salvadoran and Nicaraguan too,” Father Dutan said. “It is a little bit of all of South America. We have parishioners from everywhere here.”“It is very Ecuadorean, Mexican and Dominican, and a little Puerto Rican and Colombian and Salvadoran and Nicaraguan too,” Father Dutan said. “It is a little bit of all of South America. We have parishioners from everywhere here.”
Before the introduction of public health restrictions, the parish office at St. Brigid’s was often a hive of activity, Father Dutan said, with people stopping by for spiritual advice, couples arriving for marriage counseling or neighborhood stalwarts stopping by for a social call.Before the introduction of public health restrictions, the parish office at St. Brigid’s was often a hive of activity, Father Dutan said, with people stopping by for spiritual advice, couples arriving for marriage counseling or neighborhood stalwarts stopping by for a social call.
Each December, Father Jorge organized a mass on the Feast of Our Lady of Guadelupe that drew thousands of people, the diocese said. Before he died, he had been thinking of holding it at Barclays Center this year, when the holiday falls on a Saturday, said Father Dutan.Each December, Father Jorge organized a mass on the Feast of Our Lady of Guadelupe that drew thousands of people, the diocese said. Before he died, he had been thinking of holding it at Barclays Center this year, when the holiday falls on a Saturday, said Father Dutan.
Father Jorge began to feel unwell not long after Mass on March 19, but he did not give it much thought, said Father Dutan. He suffered from chronic bronchitis but was relatively young, and it did not seem unusual when he developed a cough.Father Jorge began to feel unwell not long after Mass on March 19, but he did not give it much thought, said Father Dutan. He suffered from chronic bronchitis but was relatively young, and it did not seem unusual when he developed a cough.
But then his fever went up and would not come down, and by last Monday night he called the young priest who lived one floor above him in the rectory. Could Father Dutan take him to the hospital?But then his fever went up and would not come down, and by last Monday night he called the young priest who lived one floor above him in the rectory. Could Father Dutan take him to the hospital?
“He was running out of breath. He said, ‘I don’t feel well, I have to go to the hospital,’” said Father Dutan, who quickly called an ambulance. He watched as emergency medical workers took Father Jorge, then gently told him that he could not come along. “That was the last time I saw him.”“He was running out of breath. He said, ‘I don’t feel well, I have to go to the hospital,’” said Father Dutan, who quickly called an ambulance. He watched as emergency medical workers took Father Jorge, then gently told him that he could not come along. “That was the last time I saw him.”
But it was not the last time he heard from Father Jorge. The older priest continued to text his friends from inside the hospital. The night before he died, he texted Father Dutan to ask for his prayers.But it was not the last time he heard from Father Jorge. The older priest continued to text his friends from inside the hospital. The night before he died, he texted Father Dutan to ask for his prayers.
“I said ‘No, Father, you have to fight,’" Father Dutan said. “He said to me, ‘Don’t worry, I am happy. I am not scared because I know the Lord is with me.’ Those were his last words to me. They were very consoling.”“I said ‘No, Father, you have to fight,’" Father Dutan said. “He said to me, ‘Don’t worry, I am happy. I am not scared because I know the Lord is with me.’ Those were his last words to me. They were very consoling.”