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Plan for Cathedral Hospital Stalls Amid Concern Over Evangelical Role Plan for Cathedral Hospital Stalls Amid Concern Over Evangelical Role
(2 months later)
Plans to turn the Cathedral of St. John the Divine into a vast coronavirus field hospital were abruptly shelved on Thursday, with public health officials saying that a leveling off in virus-related hospitalizations in New York City had made them reassess the need for the project.Plans to turn the Cathedral of St. John the Divine into a vast coronavirus field hospital were abruptly shelved on Thursday, with public health officials saying that a leveling off in virus-related hospitalizations in New York City had made them reassess the need for the project.
But behind the scenes, Episcopal leaders said they were upset by the role played in the project by Samaritan’s Purse, an evangelical humanitarian organization whose approach to L.G.B.T. issues runs counter to that of the Episcopal Diocese of New York, which is based out of the cathedral.But behind the scenes, Episcopal leaders said they were upset by the role played in the project by Samaritan’s Purse, an evangelical humanitarian organization whose approach to L.G.B.T. issues runs counter to that of the Episcopal Diocese of New York, which is based out of the cathedral.
Samaritan’s Purse is led by the Rev. Franklin Graham, who has been criticized for anti-Muslim and anti-L.G.B.T.Q. rhetoric and whose organization is based on a statement of faith that includes a belief that “marriage is exclusively the union of one genetic male and one genetic female.”Samaritan’s Purse is led by the Rev. Franklin Graham, who has been criticized for anti-Muslim and anti-L.G.B.T.Q. rhetoric and whose organization is based on a statement of faith that includes a belief that “marriage is exclusively the union of one genetic male and one genetic female.”
The Episcopal Church did not realize that Samaritan’s Purse would be involved in the project when it offered the use of the cathedral to Mount Sinai Health System last month, and the slowing rate of hospitalizations might have created an opportunity for all parties to step back from a fraught situation, officials said.The Episcopal Church did not realize that Samaritan’s Purse would be involved in the project when it offered the use of the cathedral to Mount Sinai Health System last month, and the slowing rate of hospitalizations might have created an opportunity for all parties to step back from a fraught situation, officials said.
The project was intended to turn the church, which describes itself as the largest cathedral in the world, into a 200-bed medical facility. If the need for hospital space increases, those plans may be reactivated, but Dean Clifton Daniel III, the cathedral’s leader, said he thought Samaritan’s Purse would not be back.The project was intended to turn the church, which describes itself as the largest cathedral in the world, into a 200-bed medical facility. If the need for hospital space increases, those plans may be reactivated, but Dean Clifton Daniel III, the cathedral’s leader, said he thought Samaritan’s Purse would not be back.
“The cathedral and Samaritan’s Purse have very different creeds and very different core beliefs and commitments,” Dean Daniel said. “But we here at the cathedral were willing to set those differences aside, severe as they are, in the service of this city and community.”“The cathedral and Samaritan’s Purse have very different creeds and very different core beliefs and commitments,” Dean Daniel said. “But we here at the cathedral were willing to set those differences aside, severe as they are, in the service of this city and community.”
The dean said he was told by Mount Sinai on Wednesday night that the project would not move forward because the outbreak in New York had begun to plateau. In a statement on Thursday, a spokesman for the hospital network said it was “optimistic that we are seeing a flattening of the curve.”The dean said he was told by Mount Sinai on Wednesday night that the project would not move forward because the outbreak in New York had begun to plateau. In a statement on Thursday, a spokesman for the hospital network said it was “optimistic that we are seeing a flattening of the curve.”
“As such, we are reassessing needs, resources and plans for how best to care for New Yorkers,” said Jason Kaplan, the spokesman. “We are grateful for all the help we are receiving and, if needed, will continue to look for other ways to expand care as the pandemic continues to unfold.”“As such, we are reassessing needs, resources and plans for how best to care for New Yorkers,” said Jason Kaplan, the spokesman. “We are grateful for all the help we are receiving and, if needed, will continue to look for other ways to expand care as the pandemic continues to unfold.”
Kaitlyn Lahm, a spokeswoman for Samaritan’s Purse, said the group decided against opening a field hospital at the cathedral, where the floor was covered on Thursday by blue tarps that bore the relief group’s stylized cross logo. She did not say what had led to the change.Kaitlyn Lahm, a spokeswoman for Samaritan’s Purse, said the group decided against opening a field hospital at the cathedral, where the floor was covered on Thursday by blue tarps that bore the relief group’s stylized cross logo. She did not say what had led to the change.
“After further discussions and assessment, we will not be moving forward with an expansion at this location,” Ms. Lahm said. “We continue to partner with Mount Sinai Health at our Central Park emergency field hospital and will work with them to establish more treatment capacity if needed.”“After further discussions and assessment, we will not be moving forward with an expansion at this location,” Ms. Lahm said. “We continue to partner with Mount Sinai Health at our Central Park emergency field hospital and will work with them to establish more treatment capacity if needed.”
Ms. Lahm said the group does not discriminate in providing treatment. She added: “We are a Christian organization and we hire Christians who share our statement of faith.”Ms. Lahm said the group does not discriminate in providing treatment. She added: “We are a Christian organization and we hire Christians who share our statement of faith.”
The role of Samaritan’s Purse in responding to the coronavirus outbreak in New York first drew criticism last month when the group, in partnership with Mount Sinai, built a field hospital in Central Park.The role of Samaritan’s Purse in responding to the coronavirus outbreak in New York first drew criticism last month when the group, in partnership with Mount Sinai, built a field hospital in Central Park.
Mayor Bill de Blasio said at a news conference last week that the city had received assurances from Samaritan’s Purse that it would follow local anti-discrimination laws in providing treatment. Mount Sinai has defended its decision to partner with Samaritan’s Purse as a pragmatic move during a public health crisis.Mayor Bill de Blasio said at a news conference last week that the city had received assurances from Samaritan’s Purse that it would follow local anti-discrimination laws in providing treatment. Mount Sinai has defended its decision to partner with Samaritan’s Purse as a pragmatic move during a public health crisis.
“While our organizations may have differences of opinions, when it comes to Covid-19 we are fully united: We will care for everyone and no patients or staff will be discriminated against,” Mr. Kaplan said in an email. “Mount Sinai and Samaritan’s Purse are unified in our mission to provide the same world-class care to anyone and everyone who needs it. No questions asked.”“While our organizations may have differences of opinions, when it comes to Covid-19 we are fully united: We will care for everyone and no patients or staff will be discriminated against,” Mr. Kaplan said in an email. “Mount Sinai and Samaritan’s Purse are unified in our mission to provide the same world-class care to anyone and everyone who needs it. No questions asked.”
Updated June 5, 2020
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.
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.
Mass protests against police brutality that have brought thousands of people onto the streets in cities across America are raising the specter of new coronavirus outbreaks, prompting political leaders, physicians and public health experts to warn that the crowds could cause a surge in cases. While many political leaders affirmed the right of protesters to express themselves, they urged the demonstrators to wear face masks and maintain social distancing, both to protect themselves and to prevent further community spread of the virus. Some infectious disease experts were reassured by the fact that the protests were held outdoors, saying the open air settings could mitigate the risk of transmission.
Exercise researchers and physicians have some blunt advice for those of us aiming to return to regular exercise now: Start slowly and then rev up your workouts, also slowly. American adults tended to be about 12 percent less active after the stay-at-home mandates began in March than they were in January. But there are steps you can take to ease your way back into regular exercise safely. First, “start at no more than 50 percent of the exercise you were doing before Covid,” says Dr. Monica Rho, the chief of musculoskeletal medicine at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab in Chicago. Thread in some preparatory squats, too, she advises. “When you haven’t been exercising, you lose muscle mass.” Expect some muscle twinges after these preliminary, post-lockdown sessions, especially a day or two later. But sudden or increasing pain during exercise is a clarion call to stop and return home.
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.
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.
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.)
Taking one’s temperature to look for signs of fever is not as easy as it sounds, as “normal” temperature numbers can vary, but generally, keep an eye out for a temperature of 100.5 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. If you don’t have a thermometer (they can be pricey these days), there are other ways to figure out if you have a fever, or are at risk of Covid-19 complications.
The C.D.C. has recommended that all Americans wear cloth masks if they go out in public. This is a shift in federal guidance reflecting new concerns that the coronavirus is being spread by infected people who have no symptoms. Until now, the C.D.C., like the W.H.O., has advised that ordinary people don’t need to wear masks unless they are sick and coughing. Part of the reason was to preserve medical-grade masks for health care workers who desperately need them at a time when they are in continuously short supply. Masks don’t replace hand washing and social distancing.
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.
The cathedral’s leaders see it as a beacon of an inclusive form of Christianity as well as a representative of New York City in all its diversity.The cathedral’s leaders see it as a beacon of an inclusive form of Christianity as well as a representative of New York City in all its diversity.
Its Edenic 11-acre grounds in Morningside Heights are home to an AIDS memorial, and one of its chapels houses a bronze and white gold triptych, “The Life of Christ,” by Keith Haring, a gay artist who died of AIDS in 1990.Its Edenic 11-acre grounds in Morningside Heights are home to an AIDS memorial, and one of its chapels houses a bronze and white gold triptych, “The Life of Christ,” by Keith Haring, a gay artist who died of AIDS in 1990.
One of the Episcopal bishops in New York, Mary D. Glasspool, was the first openly lesbian bishop to be consecrated in the Anglican Communion, of which the Episcopal Church is a part. She and the other bishops declined to comment on the hospital project on Thursday.One of the Episcopal bishops in New York, Mary D. Glasspool, was the first openly lesbian bishop to be consecrated in the Anglican Communion, of which the Episcopal Church is a part. She and the other bishops declined to comment on the hospital project on Thursday.
Dean Daniel is known for reminding parishioners that Matthew Shepard, a college student killed in 1998 in an act of homophobic violence, was laid to rest in 2018 at the Washington National Cathedral, the Episcopal house of worship that is a fixture of American politics and religion.Dean Daniel is known for reminding parishioners that Matthew Shepard, a college student killed in 1998 in an act of homophobic violence, was laid to rest in 2018 at the Washington National Cathedral, the Episcopal house of worship that is a fixture of American politics and religion.
On Thursday, he said that the cathedral was ready and willing to help local, state or public health authorities respond to the coronavirus pandemic, and that its commitment to both the city and its core beliefs remained unshaken.On Thursday, he said that the cathedral was ready and willing to help local, state or public health authorities respond to the coronavirus pandemic, and that its commitment to both the city and its core beliefs remained unshaken.
“We’ve always been committed to the people of the city, especially those who might be marginalized or oppressed or for whom prejudice exists,” Dean Daniel said. “And in most recent years, obviously the L.G.B.T.Q. community for whom we have been a strong advocate, we will continue to be a strong advocate.”“We’ve always been committed to the people of the city, especially those who might be marginalized or oppressed or for whom prejudice exists,” Dean Daniel said. “And in most recent years, obviously the L.G.B.T.Q. community for whom we have been a strong advocate, we will continue to be a strong advocate.”