Plans called off to turn N.Y. cathedral into field hospital
A New York City hospital has now canceled plans to turn the Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine in New York City into an emergency facility for overflow patients. Mount Sinai Hospital said the change of plans is due to apparent progress in reducing the number of new infections.
"Given the most recent data, we are 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," hospital spokesperson Jason Kaplan told CBS News on Friday.
On Thursday, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo expressed optimism that the state was now "bending the curve" of the coronavirus — but noted that it is still battling its worst effects. New York reported its highest single-day death toll, 779 deaths in one day, .
"Amid the coronavirus pandemic and an overwhelmed health care system, the Cathedral has offered the use of its grounds and the Cathedral building itself to help serve our neighbors' most pressing needs," the cathedral said in a blog post. "The Church stepped up to meet health care needs in the City of New York in the past, and we pledge to continue to step up in the present crisis."
A 2013 file photo of the interior of the Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine, on New York's Upper West Side. Richard Drew / AP
The charitable group involved in the plans, Samaritan's Purse, is run by Franklin Graham, son of the influential evangelist Billy Graham and a prominent supporter of President Trump.
Graham's history of anti-Muslim and anti-gay rhetoric prompted Mayor Bill de Blasio to seek assurances from Samaritan's Purse that it would abide by the city's anti-discrimination laws while providing treatment. Daniel told The Times that the cathedral's partnership with Graham's organization did not indicate endorsement of its views.
"I don't agree with their position on Muslims and gays and a number of other things, but I am willing to work together with them to save lives," he said. "I feel like it is sort of like the steward on the Titanic as it is sinking — now is not the time to count the silverware, you have to get people into lifeboats."
Daniel said in a statement to Episcopal News Service that cathedrals have long served as places of "refuge and healing in times of plague and community crisis."
"The Cathedral of St. John the Divine is stepping up now, as we always have, to help support our diverse and beloved community and the community of doctors, nurses and volunteers risking their health and well-being in the service of the people of New York City in our hour of need."
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