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| For Musicians This Easter, Still Looking to Soar in Empty Spaces | For Musicians This Easter, Still Looking to Soar in Empty Spaces |
| (7 days later) | |
| For 16 years Jennifer Pascual, the music director for St. Patrick’s Cathedral, has arrived early on Easter Sunday, often at 6:30 a.m., just after sunrise, when she could still manage to find parking on East 51st Street. | For 16 years Jennifer Pascual, the music director for St. Patrick’s Cathedral, has arrived early on Easter Sunday, often at 6:30 a.m., just after sunrise, when she could still manage to find parking on East 51st Street. |
| At 9 a.m., she would try to squeeze in one more rehearsal with the choir. By 10:15, with more than 2,000 worshipers filling the church, she would lead the singers, the organist, a brass quintet, a percussionist, musicians on the harp and the flute in an exultant liturgical performance that is the musical pinnacle of the cathedral’s year. | At 9 a.m., she would try to squeeze in one more rehearsal with the choir. By 10:15, with more than 2,000 worshipers filling the church, she would lead the singers, the organist, a brass quintet, a percussionist, musicians on the harp and the flute in an exultant liturgical performance that is the musical pinnacle of the cathedral’s year. |
| But not this year. | But not this year. |
| The doors of St. Patrick’s are now locked to the public. The coronavirus pandemic means that this Easter Sunday there will be no congregants in the pews, no choristers to conduct, no sharp retorts from the brass to herald the New Testament’s recounting of the resurrection of Christ. | The doors of St. Patrick’s are now locked to the public. The coronavirus pandemic means that this Easter Sunday there will be no congregants in the pews, no choristers to conduct, no sharp retorts from the brass to herald the New Testament’s recounting of the resurrection of Christ. |
| This year, the roster of musicians is now down to two — a cantor and an organist — and there will only be two Masses on Sunday, not the usual eight or nine. But the 10 a.m. Mass, to be led by the Cardinal Timothy Dolan, will be televised and streamed live, a broadcast that is likely to draw a significant audience. Fewer than 600 people would tune in to watch the cathedral’s Sunday Mass streams before the pandemic, said Joe Zwilling, a spokesman for the Archdiocese of New York — and that number was up to more than 100,000 on Palm Sunday. | This year, the roster of musicians is now down to two — a cantor and an organist — and there will only be two Masses on Sunday, not the usual eight or nine. But the 10 a.m. Mass, to be led by the Cardinal Timothy Dolan, will be televised and streamed live, a broadcast that is likely to draw a significant audience. Fewer than 600 people would tune in to watch the cathedral’s Sunday Mass streams before the pandemic, said Joe Zwilling, a spokesman for the Archdiocese of New York — and that number was up to more than 100,000 on Palm Sunday. |
| “We are doing it for broadcast, yes, but we do miss the people in the pews,” said Dr. Pascual, who came to St. Patrick’s in 2003 as its first female music director. “It’s kind of odd to be doing Mass and doing it to an empty cathedral. You look out there and there’s nobody there.” | “We are doing it for broadcast, yes, but we do miss the people in the pews,” said Dr. Pascual, who came to St. Patrick’s in 2003 as its first female music director. “It’s kind of odd to be doing Mass and doing it to an empty cathedral. You look out there and there’s nobody there.” |
| Even Dr. Pascual may just stay home on Sunday, as her two associate organists will be on hand to lead “Jesus Christ Is Risen Today” and other traditional hymns and ancient chants. | Even Dr. Pascual may just stay home on Sunday, as her two associate organists will be on hand to lead “Jesus Christ Is Risen Today” and other traditional hymns and ancient chants. |
| It will be that kind of Easter for congregations and their music directors across the country. In South Carolina, a Presbyterian choir in Columbia is planning to keep only a few members on hand, all spaced apart for appropriate social distancing, The Post and Courier reported. And in Georgia, a pastor is planning to hold an in-person service — drive-in style, with churchgoers staying inside their parked cars. | It will be that kind of Easter for congregations and their music directors across the country. In South Carolina, a Presbyterian choir in Columbia is planning to keep only a few members on hand, all spaced apart for appropriate social distancing, The Post and Courier reported. And in Georgia, a pastor is planning to hold an in-person service — drive-in style, with churchgoers staying inside their parked cars. |
| At St. Patrick’s, a historic landmark that attracts more than five million visitors a year, the preparations for Easter begin months ahead, and involve music for several liturgies. | At St. Patrick’s, a historic landmark that attracts more than five million visitors a year, the preparations for Easter begin months ahead, and involve music for several liturgies. |
| On Holy Thursday, the music is a bit quieter and more introspective, said Jeanne Holcomb, a member of the choir for 17 years. On Good Friday, she said, they move on to Joseph Haydn’s “The Seven Last Words of Christ.” By Saturday and Sunday: “Lots of hallelujahs,” she said. “It’s really, really fun to sing. You really let it all loose after those solemn services.” | On Holy Thursday, the music is a bit quieter and more introspective, said Jeanne Holcomb, a member of the choir for 17 years. On Good Friday, she said, they move on to Joseph Haydn’s “The Seven Last Words of Christ.” By Saturday and Sunday: “Lots of hallelujahs,” she said. “It’s really, really fun to sing. You really let it all loose after those solemn services.” |
| The highlight of her week, though, usually comes well before Masses begin, at the final rehearsal on Wednesday night. | The highlight of her week, though, usually comes well before Masses begin, at the final rehearsal on Wednesday night. |
| “We’d go for hours and hours, because we have to rehearse everything for Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday,” Ms. Holcomb said. “And everybody’s like, ‘Oh my Lord, this is taking so long.’ But at the end of it, we just feel so accomplished.” | “We’d go for hours and hours, because we have to rehearse everything for Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday,” Ms. Holcomb said. “And everybody’s like, ‘Oh my Lord, this is taking so long.’ But at the end of it, we just feel so accomplished.” |
| “It’s a lot of music,” she added. “But it’s all so good.” | “It’s a lot of music,” she added. “But it’s all so good.” |
| In past years, Ms. Holcomb, who lives in Brooklyn, would usually cap off the weekend at the cathedral with a visit to her sister in New Jersey on Easter Sunday. But she will spend this year’s holiday the same way as everyone else, following Mass from afar. | In past years, Ms. Holcomb, who lives in Brooklyn, would usually cap off the weekend at the cathedral with a visit to her sister in New Jersey on Easter Sunday. But she will spend this year’s holiday the same way as everyone else, following Mass from afar. |
| “I’ll watch the live stream, but otherwise, I’m singing by myself just for fun,” she said. “It’s a bummer, but then so many people have it worse. I just miss it, that’s all.” | “I’ll watch the live stream, but otherwise, I’m singing by myself just for fun,” she said. “It’s a bummer, but then so many people have it worse. I just miss it, that’s all.” |
| For her part, Dr. Pascual will still play the organ on Saturday night for the Easter vigil, which will also be streamed live online. Dr. Pascual has always felt a particularly strong attachment to the vigil, and to the weekend as a whole — her last name has roots in the Latin word for Easter. But this year no one will be baptized or confirmed at the cathedral during the Saturday vigil, as is usual, and the deacon who typically leads a portion of the liturgy is stuck in Portugal because of the virus. | For her part, Dr. Pascual will still play the organ on Saturday night for the Easter vigil, which will also be streamed live online. Dr. Pascual has always felt a particularly strong attachment to the vigil, and to the weekend as a whole — her last name has roots in the Latin word for Easter. But this year no one will be baptized or confirmed at the cathedral during the Saturday vigil, as is usual, and the deacon who typically leads a portion of the liturgy is stuck in Portugal because of the virus. |
| Dr. Pascual ordinarily spends most of her Easter at the church, playing the cathedral’s towering pipe organ herself for the Masses at noon and 1 p.m. | Dr. Pascual ordinarily spends most of her Easter at the church, playing the cathedral’s towering pipe organ herself for the Masses at noon and 1 p.m. |
| “Sometimes they would throw in a 2 p.m.,” Dr. Pascual said, “if there’s really still thousands of people waiting.” | “Sometimes they would throw in a 2 p.m.,” Dr. Pascual said, “if there’s really still thousands of people waiting.” |
| Updated June 30, 2020 | |
| 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. | |
| 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. | 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. |
| 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. |
| Later there would be desk work to be done before finally heading home to Wood-Ridge, New Jersey. After she left, typically, there would still be two more Masses to go — one in Spanish at 4 p.m., another in English at 5:30 — when her two associate organists would usually take the reins. | Later there would be desk work to be done before finally heading home to Wood-Ridge, New Jersey. After she left, typically, there would still be two more Masses to go — one in Spanish at 4 p.m., another in English at 5:30 — when her two associate organists would usually take the reins. |
| “We normally have thousands and thousands of tourists coming through the door, and sometimes a line that wraps around the cathedral for people trying to get into Mass,” Dr. Pascual said. “It’s kind of sad that we don’t have that this year.” | “We normally have thousands and thousands of tourists coming through the door, and sometimes a line that wraps around the cathedral for people trying to get into Mass,” Dr. Pascual said. “It’s kind of sad that we don’t have that this year.” |
| Dr. Pascual, who earned her doctorate in organ performance from the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, said she has missed the presence of the choir in services this week the most. “Not having them help provide the music is a huge loss,” she said. | Dr. Pascual, who earned her doctorate in organ performance from the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, said she has missed the presence of the choir in services this week the most. “Not having them help provide the music is a huge loss,” she said. |
| Still, she predicted, even reined in a bit by the necessities of public health, the music of Easter will be a great balm to many souls. | Still, she predicted, even reined in a bit by the necessities of public health, the music of Easter will be a great balm to many souls. |
| “St. Augustine said, ‘He who sings prays twice,’” she said. “So hopefully what we do helps people to get through this pandemic and gives them some sense of faith and hope.” | “St. Augustine said, ‘He who sings prays twice,’” she said. “So hopefully what we do helps people to get through this pandemic and gives them some sense of faith and hope.” |