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Police Chief Accused of Linking Deputy’s Covid-19 Death to ‘Homosexual Events’ Police Chief Accused of Linking Deputy’s Covid-19 Death to ‘Homosexual Events’
(about 13 hours later)
MIAMI — A Florida police chief has been replaced after a police union said he berated his officers and told them that a sheriff’s deputy had died from the coronavirus because he was a “homosexual who attended homosexual events.”MIAMI — A Florida police chief has been replaced after a police union said he berated his officers and told them that a sheriff’s deputy had died from the coronavirus because he was a “homosexual who attended homosexual events.”
Dale Engle, the police chief in Davie, Fla., a town of 106,000 residents west of Fort Lauderdale, was placed on administrative leave on April 11 “pending further review of allegations brought forward by the Fraternal Order of Police,” the town administrator, Richard J. Lemack, said in a statement.Dale Engle, the police chief in Davie, Fla., a town of 106,000 residents west of Fort Lauderdale, was placed on administrative leave on April 11 “pending further review of allegations brought forward by the Fraternal Order of Police,” the town administrator, Richard J. Lemack, said in a statement.
Mr. Lemack added that “the allegations will be investigated in accordance with the Town’s Equal Employment Opportunity compliance policy by outside counsel.”Mr. Lemack added that “the allegations will be investigated in accordance with the Town’s Equal Employment Opportunity compliance policy by outside counsel.”
On Thursday, Mr. Lemack appointed Patrick Lynn, the former police chief in Davie, as acting chief.On Thursday, Mr. Lemack appointed Patrick Lynn, the former police chief in Davie, as acting chief.
Mr. Lynn served as the chief for almost 10 years before he retired in 2017. He has “the institutional knowledge of the agency, the community, along with the requisite leadership skills to provide interim guidance and support,” Mr. Lemack said.Mr. Lynn served as the chief for almost 10 years before he retired in 2017. He has “the institutional knowledge of the agency, the community, along with the requisite leadership skills to provide interim guidance and support,” Mr. Lemack said.
The complaint against Chief Engle, which was written by Mike Tucker, the Florida State Fraternal Order of Police chief of staff, described a patrol briefing on April 7 during which Davie police officers expressed concern about the coronavirus. The Miami Herald reported on the complaint on Saturday.The complaint against Chief Engle, which was written by Mike Tucker, the Florida State Fraternal Order of Police chief of staff, described a patrol briefing on April 7 during which Davie police officers expressed concern about the coronavirus. The Miami Herald reported on the complaint on Saturday.
Chief Engle “belittled” the officers and ordered them into the parking lot in formation “like cadets back in the police academy,” according to the complaint.Chief Engle “belittled” the officers and ordered them into the parking lot in formation “like cadets back in the police academy,” according to the complaint.
“Engle then proceeded to berate these members about the issues they raised, yelling about their ‘baseless’ concerns,” the complaint said.“Engle then proceeded to berate these members about the issues they raised, yelling about their ‘baseless’ concerns,” the complaint said.
Chief Engle then cited Shannon Bennett, a Broward County sheriff’s deputy who had died of Covid-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus, four days before.Chief Engle then cited Shannon Bennett, a Broward County sheriff’s deputy who had died of Covid-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus, four days before.
The chief suggested that Officer Bennett had contracted the coronavirus and died from it because “he was a homosexual who attended homosexual events,” the complaint said.The chief suggested that Officer Bennett had contracted the coronavirus and died from it because “he was a homosexual who attended homosexual events,” the complaint said.
After the incident, the chief sent an email to his department in which he tried to walk back his comments. He said that he had been trying to “provide as much information as possible” and that his comments may have been “taken out of context,” according to the complaint. The chief also invited officers to talk to him if they wanted to discuss something.After the incident, the chief sent an email to his department in which he tried to walk back his comments. He said that he had been trying to “provide as much information as possible” and that his comments may have been “taken out of context,” according to the complaint. The chief also invited officers to talk to him if they wanted to discuss something.
Mr. Tucker added in his report that Chief Engle’s actions, if true, “were unacceptable and are not representative of the longstanding professionalism of the Davie Police Department.”Mr. Tucker added in his report that Chief Engle’s actions, if true, “were unacceptable and are not representative of the longstanding professionalism of the Davie Police Department.”
Chief Engle was hired as a police officer in Davie in 1998 and was put in charge of the department last year. He did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Monday.Chief Engle was hired as a police officer in Davie in 1998 and was put in charge of the department last year. He did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Monday.
The State Fraternal Order of Police, which has 23,000 members, has called for a third party, like the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, to conduct an investigation.The State Fraternal Order of Police, which has 23,000 members, has called for a third party, like the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, to conduct an investigation.
The National Fraternal Order of Police also weighed in. “If these allegations are true, the disgusting insinuation made by Chief Engle is not becoming of the badge he wears,” the group said on Twitter.The National Fraternal Order of Police also weighed in. “If these allegations are true, the disgusting insinuation made by Chief Engle is not becoming of the badge he wears,” the group said on Twitter.
Officer Bennett, 39, had been a member of the Broward Sheriff’s Office for more than 12 years. His most recent assignment was as a school resource officer at Deerfield Beach Elementary School, about 15 miles north of Fort Lauderdale. The Broward Sheriff’s Office described him as “an out and proud gay law enforcement deputy” who was planning to marry his partner later this year.Officer Bennett, 39, had been a member of the Broward Sheriff’s Office for more than 12 years. His most recent assignment was as a school resource officer at Deerfield Beach Elementary School, about 15 miles north of Fort Lauderdale. The Broward Sheriff’s Office described him as “an out and proud gay law enforcement deputy” who was planning to marry his partner later this year.
The Broward sheriff, Tony Gregory, said in a statement that Officer Bennett left work early on March 23 because he was not feeling well. He tested positive for the coronavirus on March 27 and died on April 3, according to the Sheriff’s Office.The Broward sheriff, Tony Gregory, said in a statement that Officer Bennett left work early on March 23 because he was not feeling well. He tested positive for the coronavirus on March 27 and died on April 3, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
Updated May 28, 2020 Updated June 1, 2020
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.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.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.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.)
More than 40 million people — the equivalent of 1 in 4 U.S. workers — have filed for unemployment benefits since the pandemic took hold. One in five who were working in February reported losing a job or being furloughed in March or the beginning of April, data from a Federal Reserve survey released on May 14 showed, and that pain was highly concentrated among low earners. Fully 39 percent of former workers living in a household earning $40,000 or less lost work, compared with 13 percent in those making more than $100,000, a Fed official said.More than 40 million people — the equivalent of 1 in 4 U.S. workers — have filed for unemployment benefits since the pandemic took hold. One in five who were working in February reported losing a job or being furloughed in March or the beginning of April, data from a Federal Reserve survey released on May 14 showed, and that pain was highly concentrated among low earners. Fully 39 percent of former workers living in a household earning $40,000 or less lost work, compared with 13 percent in those making more than $100,000, a Fed official said.
There is an uptick in people reporting symptoms of chilblains, which are painful red or purple lesions that typically appear in the winter on fingers or toes. The lesions are emerging as yet another symptom of infection with the new coronavirus. Chilblains are caused by inflammation in small blood vessels in reaction to cold or damp conditions, but they are usually common in the coldest winter months. Federal health officials do not include toe lesions in the list of coronavirus symptoms, but some dermatologists are pushing for a change, saying so-called Covid toe should be sufficient grounds for testing.
Yes, but make sure you keep six feet of distance between you and people who don’t live in your home. Even if you just hang out in a park, rather than go for a jog or a walk, getting some fresh air, and hopefully sunshine, is a good idea.Yes, but make sure you keep six feet of distance between you and people who don’t live in your home. Even if you just hang out in a park, rather than go for a jog or a walk, getting some fresh air, and hopefully sunshine, is a good idea.
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.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.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’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.
Charity Navigator, which evaluates charities using a numbers-based system, has a running list of nonprofits working in communities affected by the outbreak. You can give blood through the American Red Cross, and World Central Kitchen has stepped in to distribute meals in major cities.Charity Navigator, which evaluates charities using a numbers-based system, has a running list of nonprofits working in communities affected by the outbreak. You can give blood through the American Red Cross, and World Central Kitchen has stepped in to distribute meals in major cities.
Sheriff Gregory called Officer Bennett “a fine deputy and individual” who was instrumental in leading an initiative to foster unity between law enforcement and the L.G.B.T. community.Sheriff Gregory called Officer Bennett “a fine deputy and individual” who was instrumental in leading an initiative to foster unity between law enforcement and the L.G.B.T. community.
Sgt. Thomas Reyes, the president of the Fraternal Order of Police chapter in Miami, described Officer Bennett as a friend who volunteered at gay events, such as an annual prom.Sgt. Thomas Reyes, the president of the Fraternal Order of Police chapter in Miami, described Officer Bennett as a friend who volunteered at gay events, such as an annual prom.
“I loved watching him and his family get together on Facebook and sing,” he said. “He was a fun guy to be around.”“I loved watching him and his family get together on Facebook and sing,” he said. “He was a fun guy to be around.”
A message that was posted to the Sheriff’s Office Facebook page on April 5 included a quotation from Officer Bennett: “Through my work ethic and loyalty I was welcomed with open arms and have made a second family with the men and women here at the Broward County Sheriff’s Office. What I want you to know about me is that I am a human being, I am sensitive, I have feelings, and I love the same way you love.”A message that was posted to the Sheriff’s Office Facebook page on April 5 included a quotation from Officer Bennett: “Through my work ethic and loyalty I was welcomed with open arms and have made a second family with the men and women here at the Broward County Sheriff’s Office. What I want you to know about me is that I am a human being, I am sensitive, I have feelings, and I love the same way you love.”
In a statement on Monday, Officer Bennett’s partner, Jonathan Frey, responded to the accusations against Chief Engle.In a statement on Monday, Officer Bennett’s partner, Jonathan Frey, responded to the accusations against Chief Engle.
“The Chief’s alleged comments are completely false, homophobic, and slanderous,” said Mr. Frey, who had been in a relationship with Officer Bennett for a year and a half. “I look forward to the fair and impartial investigation initiated by the Town Manager, and I hope that appropriate action will be taken at its conclusion.”“The Chief’s alleged comments are completely false, homophobic, and slanderous,” said Mr. Frey, who had been in a relationship with Officer Bennett for a year and a half. “I look forward to the fair and impartial investigation initiated by the Town Manager, and I hope that appropriate action will be taken at its conclusion.”
Aimee Ortiz contributed reporting.Aimee Ortiz contributed reporting.