Archdiocese Taking Precautions Against the Coronavirus

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From students in schools to people in the pews, the archdiocese is taking precautions against the global crisis caused by the outbreak of the coronavirus.

Cardinal Dolan included the coronavirus as an intention in the Prayer of the Faithful during the 10:15 a.m. Mass he celebrated on the Second Sunday of Lent, March 8.

“We ask the God of healing to be with us at this time of concern for the coronavirus, to bring healing to those who are suffering, to bring protection to those who care for them, and to bring calm and prudence to all of us.”

A partial building closure of the New York Catholic Center in Manhattan was conducted March 10 as a test exercise to assess its capability to conduct business remotely if the Catholic Center is required to close for an extended period of time.

The New York Catholic Center, St. Joseph’s Seminary in Dunwoodie and Central Services in field offices of the 10-county archdiocese are receiving frequent updates about the coronavirus as well as measures to help prevent employees and their families from catching the virus.

A March 4 letter from Msgr. Joseph LaMorte, vicar general and moderator of the curia for the archdiocese, included a presentation prepared by ArchCare’s chief medical officer that provided information about the virus, its potential for transmission, prevention measures and advice for individuals and businesses to deal with the virus.

A day earlier, Msgr. LaMorte sent a letter to priests, directors and coordinators of religious education and coordinators of youth ministry. “As always, the health and well-being of our archdiocesan family is of the utmost importance and we will continue to implement proactive measures to reduce the risk of transmitting the virus throughout the archdiocese.”

He advised them to continue to take common precautions “to help keep the children and youth in your program healthy: encouraging hand washing, avoiding close contact with people who are sick, advising parents that children and youth should stay home when they are sick, opening windows for ventilation, and cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched objects and surfaces.”

“Effective immediately,” said the letter, “all religious education and youth ministry pupils, catechists, staff, volunteers and administrative personnel” returning from international travel are required to obtain written medical clearance from their physician before returning to religious instruction and youth ministry programs.

Parents must submit the written medical clearance letter, signed and stamped by a licensed physician, to the director or coordinator of religious education or youth ministry.

“Please know that, as of March 2…an identical policy is being followed by the archdiocese of New York’s Department of Education for children and staff returning from international travel.”

Michael Deegan, superintendent of schools for the archdiocese, sent a letter to parents and guardians Feb. 28. “For weeks, the Health and Safety Task Force from the Archdiocese of New York’s Office of the Superintendent of Schools has been in communication with federal, state and city officials monitoring the situation to ensure the health and safety of our schools and evaluating policies and procedures to keep our students and adults safe,” he said.

The packet for parents and guardians included a letter and Frequently Asked Questions Guide from the New York City Department of Health with information about the coronavirus and general flu prevention measures.

“As this situation evolves and changes, the Task Force will provide further information and guidelines for our archdiocesan schools,” Deegan said.

“We encourage all families to practice good hygiene and healthy practices such as washing hands regularly, avoiding close contact with people who are sick, avoiding bringing sick children to school and getting your flu shot to lower the risk of spreading illness.”

A March 6 update from the superintendent of schools included this instruction: “Additionally, never has it been more important that any student or staff member who may be sick stay home.”

That was followed by a link to “Talking to Children About Coronavirus, A Parent Resource,” a document provided by the National Association of School Psychologists and the National Association of School Nurses. The information may be accessed through catholicschoolsny.org.

Fordham University announced March 9 that it was suspending public classes on its New York-area campuses and would continue these courses online March 11.

The online classes will continue until further notice.

As of the morning of March 9, the campus did not have any confirmed cases of COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus. The university announcement said the decision to switch to online and electronic instruction was meant to “reduce potential pathways for community spread of COVID-19 on campus.”

The announcement also said the university’s actions were consistent with the governor’s declaration of a state of emergency in New York March 7. As of March 9, New York state is reporting 142 confirmed COVID-19 cases.

Fordham’s spring break will continue as scheduled March 14-22.

Students who are not able to return home will be allowed to remain in their residence halls, as planned, and one dining facility will remain open on each campus.

All university events are canceled at least through March 29.

Iona College in New Rochelle began spring break early, canceling all in-person and online undergraduate classes and graduate Arts & Science classes from 10 p.m. March 9, through Friday, March 13. Graduate business classes continue in an online format. Staff and administrative offices remain open.

“While there are no known or suspected cases of the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) at Iona College at this time, we are operating out of an abundance of caution,” said a statement posted on the college’s website.

A letter specifically to priests of the archdiocese from Msgr. LaMorte March 3 advises they instruct parishioners and staff to stay away from the parish while they are sick.

“As precautionary and preventive measures to reduce possible transmission of the virus, we recommend that as pastors, you might consider the following measures to be implemented at your parishes. The cardinal would like to leave this to your good judgment:

• Holy water in fonts could be changed regularly.

• Distribution of Holy Communion might be distributed only under one species (in the form of bread).

• You may advise Mass attendees to forgo any shaking of hands or exchange of kisses during the sign of peace.”

Infection control, according to the letter, requires promoting respiratory hygiene/cough etiquette and hand hygiene as for any respiratory infection, ensuring that materials for respiratory hygiene/cough etiquette (i.e. tissues in receptacles for their disposal) and hand hygiene (i.e., soap) are available at places of work and worship.

“In the event that an outbreak occurs within the archdiocese, you will be informed of civil directives and responsive actions to be taken to combat the outbreak in your area,” Msgr. LaMorte wrote.

“Such actions could involve quarantining in your residence, cessation of Mass and religious services, and closure of school and religious education programs…

“We hope and pray that this information and our attempts to minimize risk will help you, your parish staff and families to stay well and safe.”