shareblue--2020-05-08--Wisconsin school district gets sued for treating trans kids with respect

A group of parents is suing a Wisconsin school district over guidance regarding transgender students , claiming that it harms their parental and religious rights .
Civil rights advocates are now involved in the case , John Doe et al v. Madison Metropolitan School District , speaking on behalf of transgender students who say that the guidance protects their safety and well-being .
The Madison Metropolitan School District 's guidance on supporting transgender , non-binary , and gender-expansive students includes a section called the Gender Support Plan , a document schools are asked to complete when a student comes out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ guidance notes , `` creates shared understanding about the ways in which a student 's authentic gender will be accounted for and supported at school . ''
It instructs staff to be respectful of the student 's name , pronouns , and gender , as well as their need to access restrooms , locker rooms , and other activities that correspond to their gender .
The guidance specifically tells staff to refer to a student 's affirmed name and pronouns and says students have the right to change their name and gender in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
If a student wants to maintain privacy from their family , the school will discuss `` contingency plans '' with the student in case that privacy is compromised .
It also notes that family correspondence may involve , in some situations , using a student 's affirmed name and pronouns in a school setting and their legal name and pronouns with their family .
In a complaint filed back in February , 12 parents within the school district , along with their attorneys , said they opposed the policy because it `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to socially transition to a different gender identity at school without parental notice or consent '' and `` directs its teachers and staff to deceive parents by reverting to the child ’ s birth name and corresponding pronouns whenever the child 's parents are nearby . ''
The parents argued that the gender-affirming guidance violated their parental rights .
In their complaint , they also noted that if their children began to experience gender dysphoria , they `` would not immediately 'affirm ' their children ’ s beliefs about their gender identity and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gender role , but would instead pursue a treatment approach to help them identify and address the underlying causes of the dysphoria and learn to embrace their biological sex . ''
The complaint never uses the term `` conversion therapy , '' but it is a practice that assumes that one 's sexuality or gender can be changed and that belonging to the LGBTQ community is a mental illness .
According to the Trevor Project , a nonprofit focused on preventing suicide among LGBTQ people , the practice `` uses a variety of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stimuli to make their victims associate those stimuli with their LGBTQ identities . ''
The American Psychological Association opposes it .
In 2015 , Judith M. Glassgold , the APA 's associate executive director for public interest government relations , said that `` interventions aimed at a fixed outcome , such as gender conformity or heterosexual orientation , including those aimed at changing gender identity , gender expression or sexual orientation , should not be part of behavioral health treatments '' for LGBTQ people .
The Gay Lesbian Straight Education Network 's 2017 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ transgender and gender-nonconforming students are less likely to face discrimination and more likely to be engaged in school when their schools have supportive and inclusive policies .
The district has stood firm behind its guidance , in spite of the parents ' lawsuit .
District spokesman Tim LeMonds released a statement earlier this year saying that said the district `` prioritizes the safety and well-being of every student '' and that it `` recognizes its tremendous responsibility to uphold the right of every child to be educated in a safe , all-inclusive and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the ACLU of Wisconsin also filed a motion asking to intervene for three high school student groups that include transgender , nonbinary , or gender-expansive people .
The groups want to be allowed to fight the lawsuit as well because they say the district 's guidance protects them from the harm they could experience in a hostile home environment .
`` The only thing that [ plaintiffs ] have alleged is that the guidance exists and they do n't like the guidance and that is simply not a sufficient reason to challenge @ @ @ @ @ @ @ senior staff attorney for the ACLU LGBT & HIV Project , said in a phone interview .
There are approximately 55 students in all three groups , according to the Wisconsin State Journal , all of whom are additionally represented by the ACLU Foundation 's Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Project .
The Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty is representing the parents who brought the lawsuit .
The conservative nonprofit law firm previously represented a conservative professor who blogged about a graduate student after he disagreed with her approach to discussing marriage equality @ @ @ @ @ @ @ information in the post .
The student received threats as a result of that post and the professor was suspended on the basis of unprofessional conduct for several semesters .
In 2018 , the Wisconsin Supreme Court ruled that he had been improperly suspended .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

A group of parents is suing a Wisconsin school district over guidance regarding transgender students, claiming that it harms their parental and religious rights.
Civil rights advocates are now involved in the case, John Doe et al v. Madison Metropolitan School District, speaking on behalf of transgender students who say that the guidance protects their safety and well-being.
The Madison Metropolitan School District’s guidance on supporting transgender, non-binary, and gender-expansive students includes a section called the Gender Support Plan, a document schools are asked to complete when a student comes out as transgender.
The document, the guidance notes, “creates shared understanding about the ways in which a student’s authentic gender will be accounted for and supported at school.”
It instructs staff to be respectful of the student’s name, pronouns, and gender, as well as their need to access restrooms, locker rooms, and other activities that correspond to their gender.
The guidance specifically tells staff to refer to a student’s affirmed name and pronouns and says students have the right to change their name and gender in the the school district’s information system. If a student wants to maintain privacy from their family, the school will discuss “contingency plans” with the student in case that privacy is compromised.
It also notes that family correspondence may involve, in some situations, using a student’s affirmed name and pronouns in a school setting and their legal name and pronouns with their family.
In a complaint filed back in February, 12 parents within the school district, along with their attorneys, said they opposed the policy because it “enables children, of any age, to socially transition to a different gender identity at school without parental notice or consent” and “directs its teachers and staff to deceive parents by reverting to the child’s birth name and corresponding pronouns whenever the child’s parents are nearby.”
The parents argued that the gender-affirming guidance violated their parental rights.
In their complaint, they also noted that if their children began to experience gender dysphoria, they “would not immediately ‘affirm’ their children’s beliefs about their gender identity and allow them to transition to a different gender role, but would instead pursue a treatment approach to help them identify and address the underlying causes of the dysphoria and learn to embrace their biological sex.”
The complaint never uses the term “conversion therapy,” but it is a practice that assumes that one’s sexuality or gender can be changed and that belonging to the LGBTQ community is a mental illness. According to the Trevor Project, a nonprofit focused on preventing suicide among LGBTQ people, the practice “uses a variety of shaming, emotionally traumatic or physically painful stimuli to make their victims associate those stimuli with their LGBTQ identities.”
The American Psychological Association opposes it. In 2015, Judith M. Glassgold, the APA’s associate executive director for public interest government relations, said that “interventions aimed at a fixed outcome, such as gender conformity or heterosexual orientation, including those aimed at changing gender identity, gender expression or sexual orientation, should not be part of behavioral health treatments” for LGBTQ people.
The Gay Lesbian Straight Education Network’s 2017 National School Climate Survey also found that transgender and gender-nonconforming students are less likely to face discrimination and more likely to be engaged in school when their schools have supportive and inclusive policies.
The district has stood firm behind its guidance, in spite of the parents’ lawsuit.
District spokesman Tim LeMonds released a statement earlier this year saying that said the district “prioritizes the safety and well-being of every student” and that it “recognizes its tremendous responsibility to uphold the right of every child to be educated in a safe, all-inclusive and nondiscriminatory learning environment.”
On Monday, the ACLU of Wisconsin also filed a motion asking to intervene for three high school student groups that include transgender, nonbinary, or gender-expansive people. The groups want to be allowed to fight the lawsuit as well because they say the district’s guidance protects them from the harm they could experience in a hostile home environment.
“The only thing that [plaintiffs] have alleged is that the guidance exists and they don’t like the guidance and that is simply not a sufficient reason to challenge the guidance,” John Knight, senior staff attorney for the ACLU LGBT & HIV Project, said in a phone interview.
There are approximately 55 students in all three groups, according to the Wisconsin State Journal, all of whom are additionally represented by the ACLU Foundation’s Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Project.
The Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty is representing the parents who brought the lawsuit. The conservative nonprofit law firm previously represented a conservative professor who blogged about a graduate student after he disagreed with her approach to discussing marriage equality, and included her name and contact information in the post. The student received threats as a result of that post and the professor was suspended on the basis of unprofessional conduct for several semesters.
In 2018, the Wisconsin Supreme Court ruled that he had been improperly suspended.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-05-08--Pence jokes about his publicity stunt a day after White House condemns them

Earlier this week , White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany said the administration had no time for `` publicity stunts '' in the middle of a health crisis .
Yet the next day , Vice President Mike Pence was caught on camera joking about delivering empty boxes of equipment during a photo-op at a Virginia nursing home .
`` We do n't have time in the middle of a pandemic for publicity stunts , '' McEnany said at a Wednesday press briefing .
`` This is not the time for that , it 's not the place for that .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's refusal to let Dr. Anthony Fauci , the nation 's top epidemiologist and a member of the coronavirus task force led by Pence , testify before a House committee .
The White House claimed `` the demands on agencies ' staff and resources are extraordinary in this current crisis , '' and McEnany insisted that members of the task force are too busy addressing the health crisis .
Yet on Thursday , Pence smiled for the cameras as he delivered personal protective equipment , or PPE , to a nursing home in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seemed to joke about carrying empty boxes from a van to the nursing home .
`` Well , can I carry the empty ones ?
Just for the camera ? ''
Pence asked an aide .
Pence did not deliver the empty boxes .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Earlier this week, White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany said the administration had no time for “publicity stunts” in the middle of a health crisis. Yet the next day, Vice President Mike Pence was caught on camera joking about delivering empty boxes of equipment during a photo-op at a Virginia nursing home.
“We don’t have time in the middle of a pandemic for publicity stunts,” McEnany said at a Wednesday press briefing. “This is not the time for that, it’s not the place for that.”
McEnany was defending the White House’s refusal to let Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation’s top epidemiologist and a member of the coronavirus task force led by Pence, testify before a House committee. The White House claimed “the demands on agencies’ staff and resources are extraordinary in this current crisis,” and McEnany insisted that members of the task force are too busy addressing the health crisis.
Yet on Thursday, Pence smiled for the cameras as he delivered personal protective equipment, or PPE, to a nursing home in Virginia. During the photo-op, Pence seemed to joke about carrying empty boxes from a van to the nursing home.
“Well, can I carry the empty ones? Just for the camera?” Pence asked an aide.
“Absolutely,” his staff responded.
Pence did not deliver the empty boxes.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-05-08--Trump's Mother's Day message: 'We've totally rebuilt our military'

Trump also said he was planning on attending a meeting at Camp David over the weekend , which he called a 'very special place that nobody ever gets to see . '
Donald Trump was asked during a Fox News interview on Friday about his message to mothers ahead of Mother 's Day weekend .
Rather than answering the question directly , Trump chose to speak about fighter jets and military budgets instead .
From a May 8 interview on `` Fox & Friends '' : AINSLEY EARHARDT , HOST : This Sunday is Mother 's Day .
What are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to do for Melania ?
And do you have a message for all the moms that are watching .
DONALD TRUMP : Well , we 'll be together .
I 'm going to a Camp David meeting — a big meeting with the Joint Chiefs of Staff .
Camp David is this very special place that nobody ever gets to see but it 's a great work environment .
And we 're going to have meetings on different things .
Our military has never looked better .
It 's never been better .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ equipment that we have now .
We had planes that were 50 years old and more .
Fighter jets , now we have the best in the world .
The F-35 and the F-18 .
What we have is incredible .
The equipment and the people we have are great , but you know , they have to have equipment .
And we spent $ 1.5 trillion — really , more than that .
And we 've totally rebuilt our military , which you have to do .
You know , I 'm @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have to do .
The nice thing is — it 's all built in the USA .
And plenty of equipment coming .
Lot of this equipment is coming .
So it 's very important that we have the best military and we have the .
Our military has never been in condition like it is now and soon will be .
EARHARDT : Do you have a message for the moms that are watching ?
TRUMP : Well all I can say is happy Mother 's Day , and I had a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and she loved me , which is n't hard — which is , I must tell you , probably not easy to do .
But she was so good to me .
She was so good .
I could n't do any wrong , which is a big problem .
Maybe that 's why I ended up the way I ended up , I do n't know .
I could n't do any wrong in her eyes .
And I had a great father too .
Great guy .
Very different types .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
And Melania 's been a great mother to Barron , I will tell you that .
Barron is growing up really beautifully .
And she 's been a great mother to Barron .

Donald Trump was asked during a Fox News interview on Friday about his message to mothers ahead of Mother’s Day weekend.
Rather than answering the question directly, Trump chose to speak about fighter jets and military budgets instead.
From a May 8 interview on “Fox & Friends”:
AINSLEY EARHARDT, HOST: This Sunday is Mother’s Day. What are your plans? What are you going to do for Melania? And do you have a message for all the moms that are watching.
DONALD TRUMP: Well, we’ll be together. I’m going to a Camp David meeting — a big meeting with the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Camp David is this very special place that nobody ever gets to see but it’s a great work environment. And we’re going to have meetings on different things.
Our military has never looked better. It’s never been better. We’ve never had the kind of equipment that we have now. We had planes that were 50 years old and more. Fighter jets, now we have the best in the world. The F-35 and the F-18. What we have is incredible. The equipment and the people we have are great, but you know, they have to have equipment.
And we spent $1.5 trillion — really, more than that. And we’ve totally rebuilt our military, which you have to do. You know, I’m a very budget-conscious person. But you have to do.
The nice thing is — it’s all built in the USA. And plenty of equipment coming. Lot of this equipment is coming. So it’s very important that we have the best military and we have the.
Our military has never been in condition like it is now and soon will be.
EARHARDT: Do you have a message for the moms that are watching?
TRUMP: Well all I can say is happy Mother’s Day, and I had a great mom. I loved my mom and she loved me, which isn’t hard — which is, I must tell you, probably not easy to do. But she was so good to me. She was so good.
I couldn’t do any wrong, which is a big problem. Maybe that’s why I ended up the way I ended up, I don’t know. I couldn’t do any wrong in her eyes.
And I had a great father too. Great guy. Very different types. But my mother was a terrific woman.
And Melania’s been a great mother to Barron, I will tell you that. Barron is growing up really beautifully. And she’s been a great mother to Barron.


shareblue--2020-05-08--Trump claims his crimes aren't on tape like Nixon's. Actually, they are.

Donald Trump on Friday morning defended his behavior and comments surrounding the Russia investigation , saying he `` learned a lot from Richard Nixon '' about how to handle probes into his administration .
`` I learned a lot .
I study history , '' Trump said in an interview with `` Fox & Friends '' — referring to what he learned from Nixon 's `` Saturday Night Massacre , '' in which Nixon fired Department of Justice officials looking into his handling of the Watergate scandal .
`` And the firing of everybody — I should 've in one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ did n't because look at the way it turned out .
They 're all a bunch of crooks and they got caught . ''
Trump continued , `` Of course , there was one difference , one big difference .
Number one , he may have been guilty .
And number two , he had tapes all over the place .
I was n't guilty .
I did nothing wrong , and there are no tapes .
But I wish there were tapes in my case . ''
Trump 's comment is laden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump did fire people in relation to the Russia investigation , including former FBI Director James Comey .
Trump also tried to fire former special counsel Robert Mueller but was thwarted by then-White House counsel Don McGahn .
Trump has also been caught on tape committing alleged crimes and bad behavior .
Here are the five times Trump 's alleged crimes and corruption have been caught on tape : During the 2016 election , Trump specifically asked Russia to find the emails deleted from Hillary Clinton 's private server .
`` Russia , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you 're able to find the 30,000 emails that are missing , '' Trump said at a news conference at the time .
`` I think you will probably be rewarded mightily by our press . ''
Russia apparently was listening to Trump , as the country made its first attempt to hack into Clinton 's server that very same day , according to an indictment of 12 Russian intelligence officers accused of hacking and meddling in the 2016 election .
The now-infamous `` Access Hollywood , '' released in October 2016 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ assault .
`` You know , I 'm automatically attracted to beautiful — I just start kissing them .
It 's like a magnet .
Just kiss .
I do n't even wait .
And when you 're a star , they let you do it .
You can do anything , '' Trump said on the tape .
`` Grab 'em by the pussy .
You can do anything , '' Trump continued .
Trump was caught on tape by his former personal lawyer , Michael Cohen , signing off on an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ model who says she had an affair with Trump .
Trump paid off the model , Karen McDougal , through an elaborate scheme .
The scheme involved David Pecker , the head of the National Enquirer 's parent company , agreeing to purchase the exclusive rights to McDougal 's story , only to kill the story so it would never see the light of day .
Cohen 's tape reveals that Trump then reimbursed Pecker for the McDougal payment .
Cohen paid the money to Pecker , and Trump reimbursed Cohen .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cohen tells Trump in the tape .
To which Trump responds , `` pay with cash . ''
The payments amounted to a violation of campaign finance laws , as Trump paid to keep the information secret so that it did not influence the campaign .
`` Mr. Trump directed me to use my own personal funds from a Home Equity Line of Credit to avoid any money being traced back to him that could negatively impact his campaign , '' Cohen said in congressional testimony in February 2019 .
Cohen continued , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ part because of my decision to help Mr. Trump hide that payment from the American people before they voted a few days later . ''
`` I was going to fire Comey '' Trump admitted to NBC 's Lester Holt that he was thinking about the Russia investigation when he decided to fire Comey .
`` I was going to fire Comey .
Knowing , there was no good time to do it .
And in fact , when I decided to just do it , I said to myself , I said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with Trump and Russia is a made-up story , it 's an excuse by the Democrats for having lost an election , ' '' Trump told Holt in 2017 .
Mueller listed Comey 's firing as one of 11 instances Trump committed possible obstruction of justice .
Mueller did not indict Trump on obstruction of justice because he concluded he could not indict a sitting president .
`` Get rid of her ! ''
Trump was caught on tape ordering the firing of then U.S .
Ambassador to Ukraine Marie Yovanovitch .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said of Yovanovitch in a recording from Lev Parnas , an indicted associate of Rudy Giuliani .
`` Get her out tomorrow .
I do n't care .
Get her out tomorrow .
Take her out .
Okay ?
Do it . ''
Parnas was involved in Trump 's scheme to try and get Ukraine to investigate Joe Biden over a debunked conspiracy theory .
Trump fired Yovanovitch because she was seen as an impediment to getting Ukraine to launch the Biden probe .
Trump was ultimately impeached over the scheme , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the charges .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Donald Trump on Friday morning defended his behavior and comments surrounding the Russia investigation, saying he “learned a lot from Richard Nixon” about how to handle probes into his administration.
“I learned a lot. I study history,” Trump said in an interview with “Fox & Friends” — referring to what he learned from Nixon’s “Saturday Night Massacre,” in which Nixon fired Department of Justice officials looking into his handling of the Watergate scandal.
“And the firing of everybody — I should’ve in one way, but I’m glad I didn’t because look at the way it turned out. They’re all a bunch of crooks and they got caught.”
Trump continued, “Of course, there was one difference, one big difference. Number one, he may have been guilty. And number two, he had tapes all over the place. I wasn’t guilty. I did nothing wrong, and there are no tapes. But I wish there were tapes in my case.”
Trump’s comment is laden with lies and inaccuracies.
First, Trump did fire people in relation to the Russia investigation, including former FBI Director James Comey. Trump also tried to fire former special counsel Robert Mueller but was thwarted by then-White House counsel Don McGahn.
Trump has also been caught on tape committing alleged crimes and bad behavior.
Here are the five times Trump’s alleged crimes and corruption have been caught on tape:
“Russia, if you’re listening”
During the 2016 election, Trump specifically asked Russia to find the emails deleted from Hillary Clinton’s private server.
“Russia, if you’re listening, I hope you’re able to find the 30,000 emails that are missing,” Trump said at a news conference at the time. “I think you will probably be rewarded mightily by our press.” Russia apparently was listening to Trump, as the country made its first attempt to hack into Clinton’s server that very same day, according to an indictment of 12 Russian intelligence officers accused of hacking and meddling in the 2016 election. “Grab ’em by the pussy” The now-infamous “Access Hollywood,” released in October 2016, tape caught Trump openly admitting to sexual assault. “You know, I’m automatically attracted to beautiful — I just start kissing them. It’s like a magnet. Just kiss. I don’t even wait. And when you’re a star, they let you do it. You can do anything,” Trump said on the tape. “Grab ’em by the pussy. You can do anything,” Trump continued.
“Pay with cash”
Trump was caught on tape by his former personal lawyer, Michael Cohen, signing off on an illegal hush-money payment to a former Playboy model who says she had an affair with Trump.
Trump paid off the model, Karen McDougal, through an elaborate scheme.
The scheme involved David Pecker, the head of the National Enquirer’s parent company, agreeing to purchase the exclusive rights to McDougal’s story, only to kill the story so it would never see the light of day.
Cohen’s tape reveals that Trump then reimbursed Pecker for the McDougal payment. Cohen paid the money to Pecker, and Trump reimbursed Cohen.
“We’ll have to pay,” Cohen tells Trump in the tape. To which Trump responds, “pay with cash.”
The payments amounted to a violation of campaign finance laws, as Trump paid to keep the information secret so that it did not influence the campaign.
“Mr. Trump directed me to use my own personal funds from a Home Equity Line of Credit to avoid any money being traced back to him that could negatively impact his campaign,” Cohen said in congressional testimony in February 2019.
Cohen continued, “I am going to jail in part because of my decision to help Mr. Trump hide that payment from the American people before they voted a few days later.”
“I was going to fire Comey”
Trump admitted to NBC’s Lester Holt that he was thinking about the Russia investigation when he decided to fire Comey.
“I was going to fire Comey. Knowing, there was no good time to do it. And in fact, when I decided to just do it, I said to myself, I said, ‘You know, this Russia thing with Trump and Russia is a made-up story, it’s an excuse by the Democrats for having lost an election,'” Trump told Holt in 2017.
Mueller listed Comey’s firing as one of 11 instances Trump committed possible obstruction of justice. Mueller did not indict Trump on obstruction of justice because he concluded he could not indict a sitting president.
“Get rid of her!”
Trump was caught on tape ordering the firing of then U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine Marie Yovanovitch.
“Get rid of her!” Trump said of Yovanovitch in a recording from Lev Parnas, an indicted associate of Rudy Giuliani. “Get her out tomorrow. I don’t care. Get her out tomorrow. Take her out. Okay? Do it.”
Parnas was involved in Trump’s scheme to try and get Ukraine to investigate Joe Biden over a debunked conspiracy theory.
Trump fired Yovanovitch because she was seen as an impediment to getting Ukraine to launch the Biden probe.
Trump was ultimately impeached over the scheme, but Senate Republicans voted to acquit Trump of the charges.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-05-09--Fact check: Trump is lying about kids being safe from virus

Donald Trump is falsely suggesting that children are safe from the coronavirus as he pushes to reopen the country now and schools in the summer or fall .
Although Trump is broadly correct that the disease is most deadly to the elderly and to people with existing health problems , his statement that `` the children are n't affected '' is heedless .
Some have died from it .
His recent comments also skirt the threat to healthy adults in their 50s and younger .
A look at his statements on the subject : TRUMP : `` With young children @ @ @ @ @ @ @ see the schools open early next season and on time .
It 's incredible how the — it 's very unique how the children are n't affected , but people that have problems and older people are — can be very badly hurt , injured , or die from this problem . ''
— remarks with Native leaders Tuesday in Phoenix , Arizona .
TRUMP : `` You see how well children seem to do .
It 's incredible .
We realize how strong children are , right ? ''
— remarks with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ affects older people .
It infects — if you have any problem — heart , diabetes , even a little weak heart , a little diabetes , a little — this thing is vicious , and it can take you out , and it can take you out very strongly .
But children do very well . ''
— remarks Sunday to Fox News .
THE FACTS : His suggestion that children are in the clear is false .
To say they `` do very well '' with the disease is generally more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so far .
His implication that the risk is limited to the old and sick is incorrect , It 's true kids get sick less often than adults and tend to be less ill when they do get sick .
But his statements overlook severe COVID-19 illnesses and deaths of children .
And they gloss over the fact that kids can spread disease without showing symptoms themselves .
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention studied the pandemic 's effect on different ages in the U.S. early on and reviewed preliminary research in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It said social distancing is important for children , too , for their own safety and that of others .
`` Whereas most COVID-19 cases in children are not severe , serious COVID-19 illness resulting in hospitalization still occurs in this age group , '' the CDC study says .
At the beginning of April , the CDC analyzed nearly 150,000 laboratory-confirmed U.S. COVID-19 cases and found nearly 2,600 children with the disease .
Since then the number of confirmed cases overall in the U.S. has rocketed , making the April findings very @ @ @ @ @ @ @ found spanned all ages of childhood .
The median age of children sick with COVID-19 was 11 .
More than 5 % , perhaps as many as 20 % , required hospitalization .
People 18-64 were by far the largest age group sickened by the virus — 76 % of the confirmed cases studied by the CDC .
COVID-19 was not and is not limited to the oldest people , even if they are the most vulnerable age group .
The study indicated that children sick with the virus may or may not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fever , cough , shortness of breath .
But it did not get solid data on what other specific symptoms to look for .
In addition to the risk of COVID-19 itself , dozens of children in the United States now are reported to have been hospitalized with a serious and rare inflammatory condition that may or may not be linked to the coronavirus .
That provides another reason not to be complacent about kids and the pandemic , infectious disease specialists say .
For Juliet Daly , 12 , of Covington , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shortness of breath and the like but stomach pain , vomiting , cold limbs , and lips turning blue .
Admitted to a local hospital , she had a heart attack , received CPR and was flown to another medical center for 10 days of care , four of them on a ventilator .
She was found to have had coronavirus and a secondary infection of adenovirus , and was developing `` multisystem organ failure , '' her doctor said .
She has since recovered .
`` I died , '' she said @ @ @ @ @ @ @

Donald Trump is falsely suggesting that children are safe from the coronavirus as he pushes to reopen the country now and schools in the summer or fall.
Although Trump is broadly correct that the disease is most deadly to the elderly and to people with existing health problems, his statement that “the children aren’t affected” is heedless. Some have died from it. His recent comments also skirt the threat to healthy adults in their 50s and younger.
A look at his statements on the subject:
TRUMP: “With young children and children, we’d like to see the schools open early next season and on time. It’s incredible how the — it’s very unique how the children aren’t affected, but people that have problems and older people are — can be very badly hurt, injured, or die from this problem.” — remarks with Native leaders Tuesday in Phoenix, Arizona.
TRUMP: “You see how well children seem to do. It’s incredible. We realize how strong children are, right?” — remarks with nurses Wednesday.
TRUMP: “It affects older people. It infects — if you have any problem — heart, diabetes, even a little weak heart, a little diabetes, a little — this thing is vicious, and it can take you out, and it can take you out very strongly. But children do very well.” — remarks Sunday to Fox News.
THE FACTS: His suggestion that children are in the clear is false. To say they “do very well” with the disease is generally more accurate, based on what is known so far. His implication that the risk is limited to the old and sick is incorrect,
It’s true kids get sick less often than adults and tend to be less ill when they do get sick. But his statements overlook severe COVID-19 illnesses and deaths of children. And they gloss over the fact that kids can spread disease without showing symptoms themselves.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention studied the pandemic’s effect on different ages in the U.S. early on and reviewed preliminary research in China, where the coronavirus started. It said social distancing is important for children, too, for their own safety and that of others.
“Whereas most COVID-19 cases in children are not severe, serious COVID-19 illness resulting in hospitalization still occurs in this age group,” the CDC study says.
At the beginning of April, the CDC analyzed nearly 150,000 laboratory-confirmed U.S. COVID-19 cases and found nearly 2,600 children with the disease. Since then the number of confirmed cases overall in the U.S. has rocketed, making the April findings very preliminary.
The pediatric cases that were found spanned all ages of childhood. The median age of children sick with COVID-19 was 11. More than 5%, perhaps as many as 20%, required hospitalization.
People 18-64 were by far the largest age group sickened by the virus — 76% of the confirmed cases studied by the CDC. COVID-19 was not and is not limited to the oldest people, even if they are the most vulnerable age group.
The study indicated that children sick with the virus may or may not have the usual symptoms for adults: fever, cough, shortness of breath. But it did not get solid data on what other specific symptoms to look for.
In addition to the risk of COVID-19 itself, dozens of children in the United States now are reported to have been hospitalized with a serious and rare inflammatory condition that may or may not be linked to the coronavirus. That provides another reason not to be complacent about kids and the pandemic, infectious disease specialists say.
For Juliet Daly, 12, of Covington, Louisiana, the coronavirus symptoms were not shortness of breath and the like but stomach pain, vomiting, cold limbs, and lips turning blue.
Admitted to a local hospital, she had a heart attack, received CPR and was flown to another medical center for 10 days of care, four of them on a ventilator. She was found to have had coronavirus and a secondary infection of adenovirus, and was developing “multisystem organ failure,” her doctor said.
She has since recovered.
“I died,” she said, “and came back.”


shareblue--2020-05-09--Yet another study shows no benefit from drug Trump hyped for virus

A new study finds no evidence of benefit from a malaria drug widely promoted as a treatment for coronavirus infection .
Hydroxychloroquine did not lower the risk of dying or needing a breathing tube in a comparison that involved nearly 1,400 patients treated at Columbia University in New York , researchers reported Thursday in the New England Journal of Medicine .
Although the study is observational rather than a rigorous experiment , it gives valuable information for a decision that hundreds of thousands of COVID-19 patients have already had to make without clear evidence about the drug 's risks and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ doctors wrote in an editorial .
`` It is disappointing that several months into the pandemic , we do not yet have results '' from any strict tests of the drug , they wrote .
Still , the new study `` suggests that this treatment is not a panacea . ''
Donald Trump repeatedly urged the use of hydroxychloroquine , which is used now for lupus and rheumatoid arthritis .
It has potentially serious side effects , including altering the heartbeat in a way that could lead to sudden death .
The U.S. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its use for coronavirus infections except in formal studies .
Doctors at Columbia tracked how 565 patients who did not get the drug fared compared to 811 others who received hydroxychloroquine with or without the antibiotic azithromycin , a combo Trump also has touted .
In all , 180 patients required breathing tubes and 232 died , and the drug did not seem to affect the odds of either .
Patients given hydroxychloroquine were generally sicker than the others , but widely accepted methods were used to take that into account and still @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Its use started within two days of admission for nearly all who received it .
Some critics of earlier studies have said treatment may have started too late to do any good .
The study was funded by the National Institutes of Health , which has launched two of its own trials comparing hydroxychloroquine to placebo — the gold standard for establishing safety and effectiveness .
One study involves COVID-19 patients , and the other aims to see whether the drug can help prevent infections in health care workers exposed to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

A new study finds no evidence of benefit from a malaria drug widely promoted as a treatment for coronavirus infection.
Hydroxychloroquine did not lower the risk of dying or needing a breathing tube in a comparison that involved nearly 1,400 patients treated at Columbia University in New York, researchers reported Thursday in the New England Journal of Medicine.
Although the study is observational rather than a rigorous experiment, it gives valuable information for a decision that hundreds of thousands of COVID-19 patients have already had to make without clear evidence about the drug’s risks and benefits, some journal editors and other doctors wrote in an editorial.
“It is disappointing that several months into the pandemic, we do not yet have results” from any strict tests of the drug, they wrote. Still, the new study “suggests that this treatment is not a panacea.”
Donald Trump repeatedly urged the use of hydroxychloroquine, which is used now for lupus and rheumatoid arthritis. It has potentially serious side effects, including altering the heartbeat in a way that could lead to sudden death.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has warned against its use for coronavirus infections except in formal studies.
Doctors at Columbia tracked how 565 patients who did not get the drug fared compared to 811 others who received hydroxychloroquine with or without the antibiotic azithromycin, a combo Trump also has touted.
In all, 180 patients required breathing tubes and 232 died, and the drug did not seem to affect the odds of either.
Patients given hydroxychloroquine were generally sicker than the others, but widely accepted methods were used to take that into account and still no benefit was seen for the drug.
Its use started within two days of admission for nearly all who received it. Some critics of earlier studies have said treatment may have started too late to do any good.
The study was funded by the National Institutes of Health, which has launched two of its own trials comparing hydroxychloroquine to placebo — the gold standard for establishing safety and effectiveness.
One study involves COVID-19 patients, and the other aims to see whether the drug can help prevent infections in health care workers exposed to the virus. Both got started in April.


shareblue--2020-05-10--Most Americans support limiting in-person worship as virus spreads

While the White House looks ahead to reopening houses of worship , most Americans think in-person religious services should be barred or allowed only with limits during the coronavirus pandemic — and only about a third say that prohibiting in-person services violates religious freedom , a new poll finds .
States have taken different approaches to resuming gatherings as the coronavirus continues to spread , raising tough questions for religious leaders and the faithful about the appropriate time to return .
But the findings of the new poll by The University of Chicago Divinity School and the Associated Press-NORC Center @ @ @ @ @ @ @ even as Donald Trump projects eagerness to reopen , many religious Americans are fine with waiting longer to return to their churches , synagogues , and mosques .
Among that group is 54-year-old Andre Harris of Chicago , a onetime Sunday school teacher who has shifted his routine from physical worship to the conference calls his church is holding during the pandemic .
Harris , a Methodist , said that until `` either there 's a vaccine , or if we know that things have calmed down , I am not comfortable going @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Just 9 % of Americans think in-person religious services should be permitted without restrictions , while 42 % think they should be allowed with restrictions and 48 % think they should not be allowed at all , the poll shows .
Even among Americans who identify with a religion , 45 % say in-person services should n't be allowed at all .
White evangelical Protestants , however , are particularly likely to think that in-person services should be allowed in some form , with just 35 % saying they should be completely prohibited @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — also say they think prohibiting those services violates religious freedom .
That constituency 's support for some form of in-person worship underscores the political importance of Trump 's public calls to restore religious gatherings as a symbol of national recovery from the virus , as energizing evangelical voters remains a key element of Trump 's reelection strategy .
Trump won praise from some evangelical leaders for citing the aspirational ideal of `` packed churches '' on Easter during the first weeks of the pandemic , though his goal did n't materialize on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ since consulted with religious leaders on a phased-in return to in-person worship .
`` It 's wonderful to watch people over a laptop , but it 's not like being at a church , '' Trump said during a Fox News town hall on Sunday .
`` And we have to get our people back to churches , and we 're going to start doing it soon . ''
Vice President Mike Pence is set to meet with faith leaders Friday in Iowa to talk about their reopening of worship .
Iowa is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Montana , where restrictions on in-person services are starting to ease as stay-home orders imposed to stop the virus run their course .
That 's in line with the preference of Patrick Gideons , 63 , of Alvin , Texas , who said worshipers `` should be able to do what they want . ''
`` If they want to be able to hold church the way they normally do , they should be able to do that , '' said Gideons , a self-described born-again Baptist .
As houses of worship @ @ @ @ @ @ @ guidance by a team at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that offered recommendations for faith gatherings has been shelved by the Trump administration .
While those guidelines aimed to help religious organizations use best practices to protect people from the virus , leaders in various denominations have already initiated their own internal discussions .
`` Churches are very aware of the implications of people gathering in their buildings , '' Kenneth Carter , president of the United Methodist Church 's Council of Bishops , said in a recent interview about the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ religious services , Americans are more likely to favor allowing drive-through services , although most still say there should be limits .
Overall , 25 % think that those services should be allowed without any limits , and 62 % say they should be allowed with limits .
The Justice Department last month sided with a Mississippi church in its legal challenge to local limits on drive-in worship .
Still , the poll found 56 % of Americans say prohibiting drive-in services does not violate religious freedom .
White evangelical Protestants were more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ favor allowing drive-through services without restriction , at 40 % .
In total , those who identify with a religious faith are more likely than those who do not to favor no restriction on drive-through religious services , 28 % to 15 % .
As many houses of worship have paused in-person services during the virus , a sizable share of religious Americans has used technology to connect with their faith .
One-fifth of religious Americans said they watched live streaming religious services online at least weekly in 2019 — but since the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 33 % .
About a third of evangelical Protestants streamed services at least weekly in 2019 , but about half do now .
Among Catholics , the share streaming services weekly has increased from 11 % to 22 % .
For members of the Southern Baptist Convention , when and how to resume in-person worship `` would be a congregation-by-congregation decision , '' Russell Moore , president of the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission , said in a recent interview about the draft CDC guidance .
Moore predicted that some virtual worship would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to in-person gatherings .
Part of his work in offering resources to inform decisions , Moore said , involves `` preparing churches for the fact that reopening probably wo n't be one Sunday when everything goes back to the status quo . ''
`` Instead , there 's going to be probably a lengthy period of time where multiple things are happening at once , '' Moore said .

While the White House looks ahead to reopening houses of worship, most Americans think in-person religious services should be barred or allowed only with limits during the coronavirus pandemic — and only about a third say that prohibiting in-person services violates religious freedom, a new poll finds.
States have taken different approaches to resuming gatherings as the coronavirus continues to spread, raising tough questions for religious leaders and the faithful about the appropriate time to return. But the findings of the new poll by The University of Chicago Divinity School and the Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research suggest that, even as Donald Trump projects eagerness to reopen, many religious Americans are fine with waiting longer to return to their churches, synagogues, and mosques.
Among that group is 54-year-old Andre Harris of Chicago, a onetime Sunday school teacher who has shifted his routine from physical worship to the conference calls his church is holding during the pandemic.
Harris, a Methodist, said that until “either there’s a vaccine, or if we know that things have calmed down, I am not comfortable going back to the actual building.”
Just 9% of Americans think in-person religious services should be permitted without restrictions, while 42% think they should be allowed with restrictions and 48% think they should not be allowed at all, the poll shows. Even among Americans who identify with a religion, 45% say in-person services shouldn’t be allowed at all.
White evangelical Protestants, however, are particularly likely to think that in-person services should be allowed in some form, with just 35% saying they should be completely prohibited. Close to half – 46% — also say they think prohibiting those services violates religious freedom.
That constituency’s support for some form of in-person worship underscores the political importance of Trump’s public calls to restore religious gatherings as a symbol of national recovery from the virus, as energizing evangelical voters remains a key element of Trump’s reelection strategy. Trump won praise from some evangelical leaders for citing the aspirational ideal of “packed churches” on Easter during the first weeks of the pandemic, though his goal didn’t materialize on Christianity’s holiest day.
Trump has since consulted with religious leaders on a phased-in return to in-person worship.
“It’s wonderful to watch people over a laptop, but it’s not like being at a church,” Trump said during a Fox News town hall on Sunday. “And we have to get our people back to churches, and we’re going to start doing it soon.”
Vice President Mike Pence is set to meet with faith leaders Friday in Iowa to talk about their reopening of worship. Iowa is one of several states, including Tennessee and Montana, where restrictions on in-person services are starting to ease as stay-home orders imposed to stop the virus run their course.
That’s in line with the preference of Patrick Gideons, 63, of Alvin, Texas, who said worshipers “should be able to do what they want.”
“If they want to be able to hold church the way they normally do, they should be able to do that,” said Gideons, a self-described born-again Baptist.
As houses of worship wrestle with when to reopen, draft guidance by a team at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that offered recommendations for faith gatherings has been shelved by the Trump administration. While those guidelines aimed to help religious organizations use best practices to protect people from the virus, leaders in various denominations have already initiated their own internal discussions.
“Churches are very aware of the implications of people gathering in their buildings,” Kenneth Carter, president of the United Methodist Church’s Council of Bishops, said in a recent interview about the draft CDC guidance.
Compared with in-person religious services, Americans are more likely to favor allowing drive-through services, although most still say there should be limits. Overall, 25% think that those services should be allowed without any limits, and 62% say they should be allowed with limits.
The Justice Department last month sided with a Mississippi church in its legal challenge to local limits on drive-in worship. Still, the poll found 56% of Americans say prohibiting drive-in services does not violate religious freedom.
White evangelical Protestants were more likely than those of other faiths to favor allowing drive-through services without restriction, at 40%. In total, those who identify with a religious faith are more likely than those who do not to favor no restriction on drive-through religious services, 28% to 15%.
As many houses of worship have paused in-person services during the virus, a sizable share of religious Americans has used technology to connect with their faith. One-fifth of religious Americans said they watched live streaming religious services online at least weekly in 2019 — but since the outbreak began, that has risen to 33%.
About a third of evangelical Protestants streamed services at least weekly in 2019, but about half do now. Among Catholics, the share streaming services weekly has increased from 11% to 22%.
For members of the Southern Baptist Convention, when and how to resume in-person worship “would be a congregation-by-congregation decision,” Russell Moore, president of the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission, said in a recent interview about the draft CDC guidance.
Moore predicted that some virtual worship would continue even as different areas transition back to in-person gatherings. Part of his work in offering resources to inform decisions, Moore said, involves “preparing churches for the fact that reopening probably won’t be one Sunday when everything goes back to the status quo.”
“Instead, there’s going to be probably a lengthy period of time where multiple things are happening at once,” Moore said.


shareblue--2020-05-10--Coronavirus is forcing people to get creative this Mother's Day

Treats made and delivered by neighbors .
Fresh garden plantings dug from a safe 6 feet away .
Trips around the world set up room-to-room at home .
Mother 's Day this year is a mix of love and extra imagination as families do without their usual brunches and huggy meet-ups .
As the pandemic persists in keeping families indoors or a safe social distance apart , online searches have increased for creative ways to still make moms feel special .
Absent help from schools and babysitters , uninitiated dads are on homemade craft duty with the kids .
Other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at hospitals and senior-living facilities .
Some medical facilities are pitching in by collecting voice and video recordings from locked-out relatives when patients are unable to manage the technology on their own .
In suburban St. Louis , Steve Turner and his family hope to FaceTime with his 96-year-old mother , Beverly , but they plan something more , too .
Her birthday coincides with Mother 's Day this year .
`` We 're going to create a big Mother 's Day-birthday banner signed by the kids and grandkids who live here , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ butterflies and we 'll draw some on .
We 're working with the home to find a place where we can stand outside a window so she can see us . ''
Anna Francese Gass in New Canaan , Connecticut , is hunkered down with her husband and three children and will enjoy her usual Mother 's Day breakfast in bed of rubbery eggs , slightly burnt toast and VERY milky coffee .
But the day wo n't include her own mom , who lives nearby .
`` I ordered a bunch of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ me and the kids are planning to plant them in her flowerbed .
She can supervise from the window .
I just know it will put a huge smile on her face , '' Francese Gass said .
In Alameda , California , 23-year-old Zaria Zinn is sheltering at home with her parents and younger sister .
Knowing how much their mother loves and misses traveling , they 're turning their house and neighborhood into a trip around the world with help from decorations and virtual tours online .
`` We made a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ creating stamps for each location , '' she said .
Their itinerary : Machu Picchu , Paris and Iceland , with some DIY spa time and a Hollywood-style movie night .
Making the most of Mother 's Day in isolation is top of mind for Google search users .
The company said the term `` Mother 's Day gifts during quarantine '' recently spiked by 600 % in the U.S .
Among Pinterest 's 335 million users , searches for `` Mother 's Day at home '' have jumped by 2,971 % , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ New York , Melissa Mueller-Douglas and her 7-year-old daughter , Nurah , had planned to get together with mom and daughter friends at a hotel for a Mother 's Day sleepover .
When it was canceled because of the pandemic , they got busy on Pinterest searching for ideas to bring the party home , just the two of them .
They have eye masks with rhinestones to decorate , thread for mother-daughter bracelets , instant film for a photo shoot and a chocolate fountain purchased at Walmart .
Dad and Nurah 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a mom-son bike ride earlier in the day .
`` We 've repurposed a shimmery tablecloth and made giant flowers out of tissue paper for a photo shoot backdrop .
We 'll be creating a secret handshake and writing in top secret journals to each other , '' Mueller-Douglas said .
`` We 're calling it The Best Day Ever Slumber Party . ''
Kayla Hockman , 26 , in Los Angeles has been worried about her 77-year-old grandmother in Fontana , California , about 50 miles away .
Usually , she and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to brunch or an adventure out .
`` My grandma 's been quite depressed lately since she has n't left her house in two months , and she 's slowly losing hope , '' Hockman said .
`` She and my grandpa have a lot of problems with walking now .
This whole thing of not being able to see anyone has been really taking a hard toll on them . ''
To cheer her up , they 're planning a party on her lawn .
`` It 's going to be a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 'momosas ' and painting , '' Hockman said .
`` We 're going to set it up for all of us to paint a sunflower , her absolute favorite .
She 'll paint on her porch and we 'll be on the lawn , all 6 feet apart . ''
Willie Greer in Memphis thought food , enlisting the help of a neighbor to make his mom 's recipe for pecan pie and deliver it to her in Dallas to brighten her isolation Mother 's Day .
He said the neighbor was happy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the recipe .
`` My siblings and I will also create a ` thank you ' video for mom .
Since we ca n't all be together , each of us will record a short message and at the end we 'll all sing ` A Mother 's Love ' by Gena Hill , '' he said .
`` I 'm pretty sure this is the part where my mom cries her eyes out . ''
These days , virtual experiences are all we have , so Lisa Hill in Portland , Oregon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her 79-year-old mom in Stuart , Florida , after she met a cooking instructor while volunteering to prepare meals at a shelter .
Hill has been cooking alongside Lauren Chandler , who has taken her usual in-home cooking sessions online with a twist : She 's throwing in a free 45-minute session for clients to donate .
`` I feel so far away from her .
I ca n't cook for her .
I ca n't visit , '' Hill said .
`` She 's nervous about everything going on right now and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''

Treats made and delivered by neighbors. Fresh garden plantings dug from a safe 6 feet away. Trips around the world set up room-to-room at home.
Mother’s Day this year is a mix of love and extra imagination as families do without their usual brunches and huggy meet-ups.
As the pandemic persists in keeping families indoors or a safe social distance apart, online searches have increased for creative ways to still make moms feel special.
Absent help from schools and babysitters, uninitiated dads are on homemade craft duty with the kids. Other loved ones are navigating around no-visitor rules at hospitals and senior-living facilities.
Some medical facilities are pitching in by collecting voice and video recordings from locked-out relatives when patients are unable to manage the technology on their own.
In suburban St. Louis, Steve Turner and his family hope to FaceTime with his 96-year-old mother, Beverly, but they plan something more, too. Her birthday coincides with Mother’s Day this year.
“We’re going to create a big Mother’s Day-birthday banner signed by the kids and grandkids who live here,” Turner said. “She loves butterflies and we’ll draw some on. We’re working with the home to find a place where we can stand outside a window so she can see us.”
Anna Francese Gass in New Canaan, Connecticut, is hunkered down with her husband and three children and will enjoy her usual Mother’s Day breakfast in bed of rubbery eggs, slightly burnt toast and VERY milky coffee. But the day won’t include her own mom, who lives nearby.
“I ordered a bunch of daffodil and tulip bulbs online, and me and the kids are planning to plant them in her flowerbed. She can supervise from the window. I just know it will put a huge smile on her face,” Francese Gass said.
In Alameda, California, 23-year-old Zaria Zinn is sheltering at home with her parents and younger sister. Knowing how much their mother loves and misses traveling, they’re turning their house and neighborhood into a trip around the world with help from decorations and virtual tours online.
“We made a DIY passport for her and we’re creating stamps for each location,” she said.
Their itinerary: Machu Picchu, Paris and Iceland, with some DIY spa time and a Hollywood-style movie night.
Making the most of Mother’s Day in isolation is top of mind for Google search users. The company said the term “Mother’s Day gifts during quarantine” recently spiked by 600% in the U.S. Among Pinterest’s 335 million users, searches for “Mother’s Day at home” have jumped by 2,971%, the company said.
In Rochester, New York, Melissa Mueller-Douglas and her 7-year-old daughter, Nurah, had planned to get together with mom and daughter friends at a hotel for a Mother’s Day sleepover. When it was canceled because of the pandemic, they got busy on Pinterest searching for ideas to bring the party home, just the two of them.
They have eye masks with rhinestones to decorate, thread for mother-daughter bracelets, instant film for a photo shoot and a chocolate fountain purchased at Walmart. Dad and Nurah’s 3-year-old brother will paint together downstairs after a mom-son bike ride earlier in the day.
“We’ve repurposed a shimmery tablecloth and made giant flowers out of tissue paper for a photo shoot backdrop. We’ll be creating a secret handshake and writing in top secret journals to each other,” Mueller-Douglas said. “We’re calling it The Best Day Ever Slumber Party.”
Kayla Hockman, 26, in Los Angeles has been worried about her 77-year-old grandmother in Fontana, California, about 50 miles away. Usually, she and her sister treat her and their mom to brunch or an adventure out.
“My grandma’s been quite depressed lately since she hasn’t left her house in two months, and she’s slowly losing hope,” Hockman said. “She and my grandpa have a lot of problems with walking now. This whole thing of not being able to see anyone has been really taking a hard toll on them.”
To cheer her up, they’re planning a party on her lawn.
“It’s going to be a surprise pop-up Mother’s Day brunch with ‘momosas’ and painting,” Hockman said. “We’re going to set it up for all of us to paint a sunflower, her absolute favorite. She’ll paint on her porch and we’ll be on the lawn, all 6 feet apart.”
Willie Greer in Memphis thought food, enlisting the help of a neighbor to make his mom’s recipe for pecan pie and deliver it to her in Dallas to brighten her isolation Mother’s Day. He said the neighbor was happy to do it after he sent her the recipe.
“My siblings and I will also create a `thank you’ video for mom. Since we can’t all be together, each of us will record a short message and at the end we’ll all sing `A Mother’s Love’ by Gena Hill,” he said. “I’m pretty sure this is the part where my mom cries her eyes out.”
These days, virtual experiences are all we have, so Lisa Hill in Portland, Oregon, decided to embrace that notion for her 79-year-old mom in Stuart, Florida, after she met a cooking instructor while volunteering to prepare meals at a shelter.
Hill has been cooking alongside Lauren Chandler, who has taken her usual in-home cooking sessions online with a twist: She’s throwing in a free 45-minute session for clients to donate.
“I feel so far away from her. I can’t cook for her. I can’t visit,” Hill said. “She’s nervous about everything going on right now and it will be a good social interaction.”


shareblue--2020-05-11--Alabama Republicans want to use virus aid to build a new Statehouse

Republican state senators in Alabama are considering using federal coronavirus relief funds to foot the bill for a new Statehouse , the Associated Press reported on Saturday .
Alabama Senate President Pro Tem Del Marsh sent a wish list of priorities to Gov .
Kay Ivey for spending the $ 1.8 billion in relief from the CARES Act , federal funding meant to help states deal with the current coronavirus crisis .
The list included using $ 200 million to build a brand new Statehouse .
That amount is eight times more funding than the $ 25 million suggested for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ another outbreak .
Marsh defended using federal aid meant for coronavirus relief to build himself and his colleagues ' new offices , saying the current Statehouse `` has many issues , as you know , including mold issues . ''
Marsh said that using federal aid to build the Statehouse was not his top priority and should only be considered if there are leftover funds .
He said the priority for such leftover funds should be using them to expand rural broadband access across the state .
Senate Minority Leader Bobby Singleton , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was not a part of Marsh 's meeting and had no idea about any priority list .
`` We need to stockpile PPEs ( personal protective equipment ) and masks for the general population and for first responders in hospitals , '' Singleton said .
`` We 've got to make sure we do all of those things that are necessary to protect the public . ''
`` It is unconscionable that the legislature would spend the people 's money , meant to address the incredible hardships this pandemic has wrought on our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on pork and pet projects , '' House said in a statement to the AP .
Ivey , a fellow Republican , also criticized the suggestion by Marsh .
`` There are tens of thousands of Alabamians — probably a lot more — that are truly hurting , and they do n't care one bit about petty political games being played in Montgomery , '' Ivey told the AP .
Marsh did not respond to a request for comment .
Marsh 's suggestion came after weeks of Republican criticism of so-called `` blue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mitch McConnell publicly complained about the possibility of federal aid going to Democratic-controlled states , preferring they go bankrupt rather than take assistance from the federal government .
`` My guess is their first choice would be for the federal government to borrow money from future generations to send it down to them now so they do n't have to do that , '' McConnell said in mid-April on a conservative radio show .
`` That 's not something I 'm going to be in favor of . ''
Donald Trump expressed a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , `` Why should the people and taxpayers of America be bailing out poorly run states ( like Illinois , as example ) and cities , in all cases Democrat run and managed , when most of the other states are not looking for bailout help ? ''
The number of coronavirus cases in Alabama continues to increase .
As of Monday morning , nearly 10,000 Alabamians had confirmed coronavirus cases , and 393 people had died .
On Friday , Ivey announced that more businesses in Alabama would be allowed to reopen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state health experts .
`` I am very very concerned about the fact that we do not have decreasing incidence of disease in the community , '' Dr. Mark Wilson Wilson , a Jefferson County health officer , told WBHM on Friday .
`` COVID-19 is still with us . ''
`` If everybody just starts acting like it 's a normal summer , then I suspect we will see a very bad fall ahead , '' Dr. Jeanne Marrazzo , the director of infectious diseases and the University of Alabama-Birmingham , told @ @ @ @ @ @ @ American Independent Foundation .

Republican state senators in Alabama are considering using federal coronavirus relief funds to foot the bill for a new Statehouse, the Associated Press reported on Saturday.
Alabama Senate President Pro Tem Del Marsh sent a wish list of priorities to Gov. Kay Ivey for spending the $1.8 billion in relief from the CARES Act, federal funding meant to help states deal with the current coronavirus crisis.
The list included using $200 million to build a brand new Statehouse. That amount is eight times more funding than the $25 million suggested for purchasing supplies and equipment to prepare for another outbreak.
Marsh defended using federal aid meant for coronavirus relief to build himself and his colleagues’ new offices, saying the current Statehouse “has many issues, as you know, including mold issues.”
Marsh said that using federal aid to build the Statehouse was not his top priority and should only be considered if there are leftover funds. He said the priority for such leftover funds should be using them to expand rural broadband access across the state.
Senate Minority Leader Bobby Singleton, a Democrat, told Alabama.com that he was not a part of Marsh’s meeting and had no idea about any priority list.
“We need to stockpile PPEs (personal protective equipment) and masks for the general population and for first responders in hospitals,” Singleton said. “We’ve got to make sure we do all of those things that are necessary to protect the public.”
House Minority Leader Anthony Daniels House, a Democrat, criticized Marsh’s suggestion.
“It is unconscionable that the legislature would spend the people’s money, meant to address the incredible hardships this pandemic has wrought on our workers, families, and state, on pork and pet projects,” House said in a statement to the AP.
Ivey, a fellow Republican, also criticized the suggestion by Marsh.
“There are tens of thousands of Alabamians — probably a lot more — that are truly hurting, and they don’t care one bit about petty political games being played in Montgomery,” Ivey told the AP.
Marsh did not respond to a request for comment.
Marsh’s suggestion came after weeks of Republican criticism of so-called “blue state bailouts.”
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell publicly complained about the possibility of federal aid going to Democratic-controlled states, preferring they go bankrupt rather than take assistance from the federal government.
“My guess is their first choice would be for the federal government to borrow money from future generations to send it down to them now so they don’t have to do that,” McConnell said in mid-April on a conservative radio show. “That’s not something I’m going to be in favor of.”
Donald Trump expressed a similar sentiment, tweeting on April 27, “Why should the people and taxpayers of America be bailing out poorly run states (like Illinois, as example) and cities, in all cases Democrat run and managed, when most of the other states are not looking for bailout help?”
The number of coronavirus cases in Alabama continues to increase. As of Monday morning, nearly 10,000 Alabamians had confirmed coronavirus cases, and 393 people had died.
On Friday, Ivey announced that more businesses in Alabama would be allowed to reopen on Monday, a decision that worried state health experts.
“I am very very concerned about the fact that we do not have decreasing incidence of disease in the community,” Dr. Mark Wilson Wilson, a Jefferson County health officer, told WBHM on Friday. “COVID-19 is still with us.”
“If everybody just starts acting like it’s a normal summer, then I suspect we will see a very bad fall ahead,” Dr. Jeanne Marrazzo, the director of infectious diseases and the University of Alabama-Birmingham, told WBHM.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-05-11--Trump declares 'we have prevailed' as death toll passes 80,000

Donald Trump on Monday declared that the United States had `` prevailed '' over the coronavirus .
The very same day , the New York Times reported that at least 1,346,800 people nationwide had confirmed coronavirus cases .
At least 80,095 people have died from COVID-19 so far .
DONALD TRUMP : Thanks to the courage of our citizens and our aggressive strategy , hundreds of thousands of lives have been saved .
And we have saved — and if you look at ... on a per-100,000 basis , we 're at the best part of the pack .
Right @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are leading the world .
Germany and the United States are leading the world .
Lives saved per 100,000 .
In every generation , through every challenge and hardship and danger , America has risen to the task .
We have met the moment , and we have prevailed .
Americans do whatever it takes to find solutions , pioneer breakthroughs , and harness the energies we need to achieve a total victory .
Day after day , we are making tremendous strides with the dedication of our doctors and nurses .
These @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people .
These are warriors .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Donald Trump on Monday declared that the United States had “prevailed” over the coronavirus. The very same day, the New York Times reported that at least 1,346,800 people nationwide had confirmed coronavirus cases.
At least 80,095 people have died from COVID-19 so far.
From a May 11 White House briefing:
DONALD TRUMP: Thanks to the courage of our citizens and our aggressive strategy, hundreds of thousands of lives have been saved. And we have saved — and if you look at… on a per-100,000 basis, we’re at the best part of the pack. Right at the bottom — Germany and us are leading the world. Germany and the United States are leading the world. Lives saved per 100,000. In every generation, through every challenge and hardship and danger, America has risen to the task. We have met the moment, and we have prevailed. Americans do whatever it takes to find solutions, pioneer breakthroughs, and harness the energies we need to achieve a total victory. Day after day, we are making tremendous strides with the dedication of our doctors and nurses. These are incredible people. These are brave people. These are warriors.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-05-11--Indiana attorney general banned from work for 30 days over groping allegations

Indiana Attorney General Curtis Hill , a Republican , will have his law license suspended for 30 days and be unable do his job during that time , the state 's highest court ruled on Monday , after he was accused of sexual assault by four different women .
The Indiana Supreme Court unanimously held that a disciplinary commission `` proved by clear and convincing evidence that [ Hill had ] committed the criminal act of battery . ''
`` At the conclusion of the 2018 Indiana legislative session , several legislators , lobbyists , and legislative staff attended an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hill ] also attended this event at the invitation of a lobbyist with whom [ he ] had been dining and drinking that evening .
While at the event , [ Hill ] engaged in acts against four women — a state representative and three legislative assistants — that involved various forms of nonconsensual and inappropriate touching , '' the court wrote .
The four women — a Democratic state legislator , two Democratic staffers , and one Republican staffer — came forward in 2018 and alleged separate sexual assaults at the March @ @ @ @ @ @ @ State Rep. Mara Candelaria Reardon ( D ) , told the Daily Beast last summer that , at that event , Hill allegedly `` slid his hand onto my exposed back and down into my dress and grabbed my ass . ''
According to the outlet , `` several '' individuals later told investigators they had witnessed the incident .
The Republican staffer also claimed Hill groped her at the reception , telling the Daily Beast , `` If I was in any other situation , I would have berated him .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ m a staffer ; that ’ s not my place . ''
After a special prosecutor found the accusations `` credible '' but opted not to bring charges , the women filed a civil suit last year .
A state disciplinary commission eventually launched a separate investigation , and , in February , a hearing officer determined Hill 's conduct was `` offensive , invasive , damaging and embarrassing . ''
She recommended his license be suspended for two months .
Hill has consistently denied any wrongdoing .
`` I touched no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ touched no one in an insolent manner , '' he claimed at the disciplinary commission 's October 2019 hearing .
`` I ca n't help what someone perceives . ''
In an emailed statement on Monday , Hill said that he accepted `` with humility and respect the Indiana Supreme Court ’ s ruling of a 30-day suspension of my license with automatic reinstatement . ''
He noted that he has directed his chief deputy to `` assume responsibility for the legal operations of this office during the temporary suspension of my license @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Hill ordinarily serves as the state 's `` chief legal officer . ''
According to the Associated Press , Indiana law `` requires the attorney general to be 'duly licensed to practice law in Indiana , ' but it does n't specify whether the person can continue serving after facing professional disciplinary action . ''
As of Monday , Hill was still running for reelection .
His campaign website features a video in which he brags of `` continuing commitment to freedom and the rule of law . ''
Last August , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the state of California was not doing enough to hold people who broke the law accountable for their actions .
He referenced a quote from President Ronald Reagan , that reads , `` We must reject the idea that every time a law 's broken , society is guilty rather than the lawbreaker .
It is time to restore the American precept that each individual is accountable for his actions . ''
`` That 's one of my favorite quotes of all time , because it really speaks to the heart of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ American , '' Hill said during the Fox News interview .
`` Accountability for your conduct . ''
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Indiana Attorney General Curtis Hill, a Republican, will have his law license suspended for 30 days and be unable do his job during that time, the state’s highest court ruled on Monday, after he was accused of sexual assault by four different women.
The Indiana Supreme Court unanimously held that a disciplinary commission “proved by clear and convincing evidence that [Hill had] committed the criminal act of battery.”
“At the conclusion of the 2018 Indiana legislative session, several legislators, lobbyists, and legislative staff attended an event at a local bar. [Hill] also attended this event at the invitation of a lobbyist with whom [he] had been dining and drinking that evening. While at the event, [Hill] engaged in acts against four women — a state representative and three legislative assistants — that involved various forms of nonconsensual and inappropriate touching,” the court wrote.
The four women — a Democratic state legislator, two Democratic staffers, and one Republican staffer — came forward in 2018 and alleged separate sexual assaults at the March reception. One of the women, State Rep. Mara Candelaria Reardon (D), told the Daily Beast last summer that, at that event, Hill allegedly “slid his hand onto my exposed back and down into my dress and grabbed my ass.”
According to the outlet, “several” individuals later told investigators they had witnessed the incident.
The Republican staffer also claimed Hill groped her at the reception, telling the Daily Beast, “If I was in any other situation, I would have berated him. But this was the attorney general. I’m a staffer; that’s not my place.”
After a special prosecutor found the accusations “credible” but opted not to bring charges, the women filed a civil suit last year.
A federal judge dismissed the suit two months ago.
A state disciplinary commission eventually launched a separate investigation, and, in February, a hearing officer determined Hill’s conduct was “offensive, invasive, damaging and embarrassing.” She recommended his license be suspended for two months.
The Supreme Court opted for 30 days.
Hill has consistently denied any wrongdoing. “I touched no one in a lewd manner. I touched no one in an insolent manner,” he claimed at the disciplinary commission’s October 2019 hearing. “I can’t help what someone perceives.”
In an emailed statement on Monday, Hill said that he accepted “with humility and respect the Indiana Supreme Court’s ruling of a 30-day suspension of my license with automatic reinstatement.” He noted that he has directed his chief deputy to “assume responsibility for the legal operations of this office during the temporary suspension of my license.”
As Indiana’s attorney general, Hill ordinarily serves as the state’s “chief legal officer.” According to the Associated Press, Indiana law “requires the attorney general to be ‘duly licensed to practice law in Indiana,’ but it doesn’t specify whether the person can continue serving after facing professional disciplinary action.”
As of Monday, Hill was still running for reelection. His campaign website features a video in which he brags of “continuing commitment to freedom and the rule of law.”
Last August, Hill notably complained on Fox News that the state of California was not doing enough to hold people who broke the law accountable for their actions.
He referenced a quote from President Ronald Reagan, that reads, “We must reject the idea that every time a law’s broken, society is guilty rather than the lawbreaker. It is time to restore the American precept that each individual is accountable for his actions.”
“That’s one of my favorite quotes of all time, because it really speaks to the heart of the issue what it means to be an American,” Hill said during the Fox News interview. “Accountability for your conduct.”
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-05-11--White House now asking staff to wear masks — a month after CDC said to

As of Monday , all White House employees have to wear face masks within the White House complex , except when they are at their own desks .
The new policy , outlined in a memo and confirmed by administration officials , comes days after two White House aides who have close contact with Donald Trump and Mike Pence tested positive for the coronavirus , leading to concerns that the virus could quickly spread within the building .
The mask policy comes more than a month after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended on April 3 that all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain . ''
District of Columbia Mayor Muriel Bowser issued guidelines on April 6 on masks or face coverings for workers .
Governors across the country have recommended that masks be worn by the public as they start to open their states for business .
Companies such as Costco and Walmart are requiring their employees to wear masks within their stores .
Both Trump and Pence have come under fire for not following CDC guidance on masks themselves .
Pence received a flurry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a mask during a visit to the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota last month , despite the clinic 's own regulations stating that masks were required .
After making excuses as to why he did n't follow the rules , Pence ultimately admitted he should have worn a mask .
Trump refused to wear a mask during a visit to a mask factory in Arizona last week .
To date , nearly 80,000 people have died of the coronavirus in the United States , according to the Washington Post .
Published with permission of @ @ @ @ @

As of Monday, all White House employees have to wear face masks within the White House complex, except when they are at their own desks.
The new policy, outlined in a memo and confirmed by administration officials, comes days after two White House aides who have close contact with Donald Trump and Mike Pence tested positive for the coronavirus, leading to concerns that the virus could quickly spread within the building.
The mask policy comes more than a month after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended on April 3 that all Americans wear “cloth face coverings in public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain.”
District of Columbia Mayor Muriel Bowser issued guidelines on April 6 on masks or face coverings for workers.
Governors across the country have recommended that masks be worn by the public as they start to open their states for business. Companies such as Costco and Walmart are requiring their employees to wear masks within their stores.
Both Trump and Pence have come under fire for not following CDC guidance on masks themselves.
Pence received a flurry of criticism after he didn’t wear a mask during a visit to the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota last month, despite the clinic’s own regulations stating that masks were required. After making excuses as to why he didn’t follow the rules, Pence ultimately admitted he should have worn a mask.
Trump refused to wear a mask during a visit to a mask factory in Arizona last week.
To date, nearly 80,000 people have died of the coronavirus in the United States, according to the Washington Post.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-05-11--Evangelical leader says criticism of anti-gay pledge is a 'distraction'

Evangelical leader Franklin Graham claims that he is not `` condemning '' gay people , despite the fact that his organization , Samaritan 's Purse , requires its staff to sign a statement saying that they are Christians and support the organization 's stance against marriage equality for LGBTQ people .
Samaritan 's Purse was invited by Mount Sinai Health System to set up a field hospital in New York City 's Central Park to treat patients with COVID-19 .
The 68-bed hospital opened in April , and Mount Sinai said it told Samaritan 's Purse staff to adhere to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ against patients , including on the basis of sex , gender , gender expression , or gender identity .
Now the field hospital has been dismantled and the last patients have been discharged .
Its time in New York was marked by criticism of the organization by elected officials , activists , and individuals and protests against its presence in the city , which New York City Council Speaker Corey Johnson called `` an affront to our values of inclusion . ''
Samaritan 's Purse released a statement saying that it has wound @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` the surge in COVID hospital admissions is reaching manageable levels . ''
Graham , the son of preacher Billy Graham , told the New York Times in an interview published on Sunday , `` I would want the gay community to know that I 'm not here condemning them at all .
Just because I do n't agree does n't mean I 'm against them . ''
He said that criticism of the Central Park field hospital was a `` distraction '' from treating people during the pandemic .
In addition to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in its statement of faith ( `` marriage is exclusively the union of one genetic male and one genetic female '' ) , Graham also has a history of making anti-LGBTQ statements .
Graham has called transgender women `` pedophiles '' and `` sexually perverted men '' as recently as 2017 .
He has called the fight for LGBTQ equality a `` a full-scale assault against Christianity and the followers of Christ . ''
Last year , he told openly gay former presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg that he should be `` repentant of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ... defines homosexuality as sin . ''
In 2017 he called homosexuality `` an abomination . ''
In the interview with the Times , Graham said that the statement of faith was necessary for uniting the organization 's work and presence , but denied that its religious views were in any way imposed on its patients .
`` Our staff prays all day long , '' Graham said .
`` They would not force themselves on somebody and try to force our religion on somebody or what we believe . ''
People who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ required to adhere to the organization 's statement of faith , according to its website .
In April , the group said that it did not have volunteers at its New York field hospital and that only official personnel were involved in the operation , but a March press release mentioned `` local volunteers , '' and LGBTQ activist A. Timothy Lunceford-Stevens filed a complaint with the New York City Human Rights Commission after he said he attempted to volunteer at the hospital and was turned away because he would not sign the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ called on the group to leave New York City and for Mount Sinai to `` sever its relationship '' with the organization .
He wrote on Facebook that the group 's presence `` is painful for all New Yorkers who care deeply about the LGBTQ community .
I am aware that our battle against COVID-19 is still ongoing , and that our health care system - and the amazing workers who have been the heroes of this unprecedented time in our history - still needs support ...
But as a city that values @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can not continue to allow a group with the track record of Samaritan 's Purse to remain here when we are past the point they are needed . ''
The LGBTQ rights organizations Reclaim Pride Coalition and ACT UP Coalition led a protest near the field hospital on April 14 .
Jay W. Walker , an activist with the Reclaim Pride Coalition , told NBC News , `` How was this group ever considered to bring their hatred and their vitriol into our city at a time of crisis when our people are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Episcopal Church in New York initially agreed to work with Mount Sinai Health System to set up a field hospital at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in upper Manhattan .
They pulled out of the plan after discovering that Mount Sinai was working with Samaritan 's Purse .
Bishop Andrew M.L .
Dietsche of the Episcopal Diocese of New York said the statement of faith was a `` key '' reason for the Church 's decision .
Dietsche said that Graham held an `` exclusionary view and a very narrow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' and that adhering to Samaritan 's Purse 's statement of faith would force Episcopalians to `` repudiate all the good work that 's been done in the Diocese of New York around the full inclusion of gay and lesbian people . ''

Evangelical leader Franklin Graham claims that he is not “condemning” gay people, despite the fact that his organization, Samaritan’s Purse, requires its staff to sign a statement saying that they are Christians and support the organization’s stance against marriage equality for LGBTQ people.
Samaritan’s Purse was invited by Mount Sinai Health System to set up a field hospital in New York City’s Central Park to treat patients with COVID-19. The 68-bed hospital opened in April, and Mount Sinai said it told Samaritan’s Purse staff to adhere to its principles and guidelines on not discriminating against patients, including on the basis of sex, gender, gender expression, or gender identity.
Now the field hospital has been dismantled and the last patients have been discharged. Its time in New York was marked by criticism of the organization by elected officials, activists, and individuals and protests against its presence in the city, which New York City Council Speaker Corey Johnson called “an affront to our values of inclusion.”
Samaritan’s Purse released a statement saying that it has wound up its operations in Central Park because “the surge in COVID hospital admissions is reaching manageable levels.”
Graham, the son of preacher Billy Graham, told the New York Times in an interview published on Sunday, “I would want the gay community to know that I’m not here condemning them at all. Just because I don’t agree doesn’t mean I’m against them.”
He said that criticism of the Central Park field hospital was a “distraction” from treating people during the pandemic.
In addition to his organization’s stance against marriage equality in its statement of faith (“marriage is exclusively the union of one genetic male and one genetic female”), Graham also has a history of making anti-LGBTQ statements.
Graham has called transgender women “pedophiles” and “sexually perverted men” as recently as 2017. He has called the fight for LGBTQ equality a “a full-scale assault against Christianity and the followers of Christ.” Last year, he told openly gay former presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg that he should be “repentant of” his sexuality because “the Bible … defines homosexuality as sin.”
In 2017 he called homosexuality “an abomination.”
In the interview with the Times, Graham said that the statement of faith was necessary for uniting the organization’s work and presence, but denied that its religious views were in any way imposed on its patients. “Our staff prays all day long,” Graham said. “They would not force themselves on somebody and try to force our religion on somebody or what we believe.”
People who volunteer with Samaritan’s Purse are also required to adhere to the organization’s statement of faith, according to its website. In April, the group said that it did not have volunteers at its New York field hospital and that only official personnel were involved in the operation, but a March press release mentioned “local volunteers,” and LGBTQ activist A. Timothy Lunceford-Stevens filed a complaint with the New York City Human Rights Commission after he said he attempted to volunteer at the hospital and was turned away because he would not sign the statement. On May 1, Johnson called on the group to leave New York City and for Mount Sinai to “sever its relationship” with the organization. He wrote on Facebook that the group’s presence “is painful for all New Yorkers who care deeply about the LGBTQ community. I am aware that our battle against COVID-19 is still ongoing, and that our health care system – and the amazing workers who have been the heroes of this unprecedented time in our history – still needs support … But as a city that values diversity and compassion for all, we cannot continue to allow a group with the track record of Samaritan’s Purse to remain here when we are past the point they are needed.” The LGBTQ rights organizations Reclaim Pride Coalition and ACT UP Coalition led a protest near the field hospital on April 14. Jay W. Walker, an activist with the Reclaim Pride Coalition, told NBC News, “How was this group ever considered to bring their hatred and their vitriol into our city at a time of crisis when our people are fighting a pandemic?” Leaders of the Episcopal Church in New York initially agreed to work with Mount Sinai Health System to set up a field hospital at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in upper Manhattan. They pulled out of the plan after discovering that Mount Sinai was working with Samaritan’s Purse. Bishop Andrew M.L. Dietsche of the Episcopal Diocese of New York said the statement of faith was a “key” reason for the Church’s decision. Dietsche said that Graham held an “exclusionary view and a very narrow view of what constitutes being a Christian,” and that adhering to Samaritan’s Purse’s statement of faith would force Episcopalians to “repudiate all the good work that’s been done in the Diocese of New York around the full inclusion of gay and lesbian people.”