csmonitor--2020-03-26--Graduation, interrupted: A senior reflects on college’s abrupt end

As with many organizations and governments , the varying pace and degree of high-level decisions is resulting in lots of uncertainty for everyone else .
“ But then I reflect on the inspiring stories of health care workers putting themselves in harm ’ s way , ” Josh writes , ” dealing with medical supply shortages and unimaginable pressure .
And I realize that there are heroes instilling in all of us a lesson in courage and kindness we would otherwise not get to learn in the lecture hall.
” “ An important and formative stage in my life had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ writes Josh .
Some students heeded calls to socially distance almost immediately .
But many , especially certain seniors , partied as hard as ever .
Perhaps they refused to accept this new reality .
Perhaps they grasped it faster than most and decided to put up one last fight against it .
Snow was on the ground and graduation something to look forward to in May .
To Josh Eibelman and his classmates at Cornell University in upstate New York , news of a coronavirus emerging in China this past winter seemed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the dorms are closed and students are scattered across the globe .
When I first read about the novel coronavirus in early January , it barely registered .
As a graduating senior enjoying my final months at school in the small city of Ithaca , New York , I never imagined that a virus in China could affect me .
But two months later , the pandemic brought my time at college to an abrupt end .
The crisis seemed to draw closer early this month when an outbreak erupted in Westchester County @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fellow Cornell University students .
Online classes were just a rumor among us at the time , as other colleges made the move .
Then on March 10 , Cornell announced a gradual transition to remote learning .
Three days later came the shock that classes would be suspended immediately for three weeks , and students were asked to go home as soon as possible .
I called my parents and we agreed they would pick up me and my four years of accumulated goods that Sunday .
Then it hit me : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had likely seen my friends , classmates , and professors all together for the last time .
An important and formative stage in my life had come to a sudden halt .
[ Editor ’ s note : As a public service , all our coronavirus coverage is free .
No paywall . ]
Most students grieved , albeit in different ways .
Some heeded calls to socially distance almost immediately .
But many , especially certain seniors , partied as hard as ever .
Perhaps they refused to accept this new reality @ @ @ @ @ @ @ most and decided to put up one last fight against it .
As with many organizations and governments , the varying pace and degree of high-level decisions is resulting in lots of uncertainty for everyone else .
Selma Helal , a senior from Alexandria , Egypt , majoring in psychology , depends on her job as a laboratory research assistant to pay her living expenses and remain in Ithaca .
The university suspended nonessential research activity last week .
“ It has been especially confusing since it has been emphasized that it is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” says Ms. Helal .
“ Not only am I afraid to further spread the virus to my family and others , but I am also running the risk of not knowing when or if I ’ ll be able to return to the U.S. ” Thankfully , she says , Cornell has begun working with her so that she can keep her job .
While some students felt safer remaining in Ithaca , others wanted to return home .
Adam Shapiro , a senior from Canada in Cornell ’ s School @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lockdown in Ithaca or the closing of the U.S.-Canada border ( nonessential travel was indeed banned on both sides last Wednesday ) .
“ While I undoubtedly wish I could have spent the next two months in Ithaca as a senior , I am thankful to be in good health and comfort back in Montreal , ” he says in a text message .
Students are able to see the bright side .
Elise Viz , a senior mechanical engineering major from a suburb outside Chicago says that “ other than being sad @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , I also found myself strangely excited .
I was happy to go home to my family because I am very close with them and living so far away from them at Cornell really weighed on me at times.
” On my last Saturday in Ithaca , a friend and I toured Cornell ’ s beautiful campus for what ’ s likely to be the last time in a while .
We went inside the gorgeous Sage Chapel , with its Tiffany stained-glass windows .
We crossed the main quad and took some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the view of Ithaca from Libe Slope .
At an outdoor a capella concert , my friend and I agreed to meet when the pandemic is over .
Now , more than a week after much of the student body has dispersed around the world , students are bound by their shared struggles .
Aidan Mahoney , a sophomore studying atmospheric science , is staying in Ithaca because his hometown in Westchester County is experiencing a major coronavirus outbreak .
“ I sing with the Cornell Glee Club , which is now silent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ II , ” he explains .
The club ’ s only academic year hiatus was 1943-45 .
“ Our rehearsals and concerts were platforms to share music with the Cornell and Ithaca communities , but most importantly each other , ” he says .
Back home , I am happy to be able to social distance with family .
But before online classes begin , I ’ m thinking about the senior year memories I will never get to make .
About my grandparents , who are particularly vulnerable now .
About the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ learned recently that the class of 2020 would , indeed , have a college graduation in Ithaca .
No one knows whether those celebrations might have to be postponed for months , or years .
It is hard not to be discouraged .
But then I reflect on the inspiring stories of health care workers putting themselves in harm ’ s way on the front lines of this pandemic , dealing with medical supply shortages and unimaginable pressure .
And I realize that there are heroes instilling in all of us a lesson @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not get to learn in the lecture hall .
Josh Eibelman is a senior at Cornell University in Ithaca , New York .
You can follow him on Twitter at @ JoshEibelman .
Editor ’ s note : As a public service , all our coronavirus coverage is free .
No paywall .

They were toddlers during 9/11. Now they’re ready to graduate from college during a pandemic. What it’s like leaving your school days behind sharing the same questions about the future with the rest of the world.
As with many organizations and governments, the varying pace and degree of high-level decisions is resulting in lots of uncertainty for everyone else. “But then I reflect on the inspiring stories of health care workers putting themselves in harm’s way,” Josh writes,” dealing with medical supply shortages and unimaginable pressure. And I realize that there are heroes instilling in all of us a lesson in courage and kindness we would otherwise not get to learn in the lecture hall.”
“An important and formative stage in my life had come to a sudden halt,” writes Josh. Some students heeded calls to socially distance almost immediately. But many, especially certain seniors, partied as hard as ever. Perhaps they refused to accept this new reality. Perhaps they grasped it faster than most and decided to put up one last fight against it.
Snow was on the ground and graduation something to look forward to in May. To Josh Eibelman and his classmates at Cornell University in upstate New York, news of a coronavirus emerging in China this past winter seemed very far away. Suddenly, today the dorms are closed and students are scattered across the globe.
When I first read about the novel coronavirus in early January, it barely registered. As a graduating senior enjoying my final months at school in the small city of Ithaca, New York, I never imagined that a virus in China could affect me. But two months later, the pandemic brought my time at college to an abrupt end.
The crisis seemed to draw closer early this month when an outbreak erupted in Westchester County, New York, home to many fellow Cornell University students. Online classes were just a rumor among us at the time, as other colleges made the move. Then on March 10, Cornell announced a gradual transition to remote learning. Three days later came the shock that classes would be suspended immediately for three weeks, and students were asked to go home as soon as possible. I called my parents and we agreed they would pick up me and my four years of accumulated goods that Sunday.
Then it hit me: No graduation ceremony this spring. I had likely seen my friends, classmates, and professors all together for the last time. An important and formative stage in my life had come to a sudden halt.
Why We Wrote This They were toddlers during 9/11. Now they’re ready to graduate from college during a pandemic. What it’s like leaving your school days behind sharing the same questions about the future with the rest of the world.
[Editor’s note: As a public service, all our coronavirus coverage is free. No paywall.]
Most students grieved, albeit in different ways. Some heeded calls to socially distance almost immediately. But many, especially certain seniors, partied as hard as ever. Perhaps they refused to accept this new reality. Perhaps they grasped it faster than most and decided to put up one last fight against it.
As with many organizations and governments, the varying pace and degree of high-level decisions is resulting in lots of uncertainty for everyone else. Selma Helal, a senior from Alexandria, Egypt, majoring in psychology, depends on her job as a laboratory research assistant to pay her living expenses and remain in Ithaca. The university suspended nonessential research activity last week.
“It has been especially confusing since it has been emphasized that it is not safe to travel at this time,” says Ms. Helal. “Not only am I afraid to further spread the virus to my family and others, but I am also running the risk of not knowing when or if I’ll be able to return to the U.S.” Thankfully, she says, Cornell has begun working with her so that she can keep her job.
While some students felt safer remaining in Ithaca, others wanted to return home. Adam Shapiro, a senior from Canada in Cornell’s School of Hotel Administration, worried about a lockdown in Ithaca or the closing of the U.S.-Canada border (nonessential travel was indeed banned on both sides last Wednesday). “While I undoubtedly wish I could have spent the next two months in Ithaca as a senior, I am thankful to be in good health and comfort back in Montreal,” he says in a text message.
Students are able to see the bright side. Elise Viz, a senior mechanical engineering major from a suburb outside Chicago says that “other than being sad, confused, and a bit disappointed, I also found myself strangely excited. I was happy to go home to my family because I am very close with them and living so far away from them at Cornell really weighed on me at times.”
On my last Saturday in Ithaca, a friend and I toured Cornell’s beautiful campus for what’s likely to be the last time in a while. We went inside the gorgeous Sage Chapel, with its Tiffany stained-glass windows. We crossed the main quad and took some final photos. I said goodbye to the view of Ithaca from Libe Slope. At an outdoor a capella concert, my friend and I agreed to meet when the pandemic is over.
Alfredo Sosa/Staff/File View caption Hide caption Students walk in the Cornell University campus on Aug. 29, 2017, in Ithaca, New York. Like many college students, Cornell's will be finishing the semester remotely.
Now, more than a week after much of the student body has dispersed around the world, students are bound by their shared struggles.
Aidan Mahoney, a sophomore studying atmospheric science, is staying in Ithaca because his hometown in Westchester County is experiencing a major coronavirus outbreak. “I sing with the Cornell Glee Club, which is now silent for the first time since World War II,” he explains. The club’s only academic year hiatus was 1943-45. “Our rehearsals and concerts were platforms to share music with the Cornell and Ithaca communities, but most importantly each other,” he says.
Back home, I am happy to be able to social distance with family. But before online classes begin, I’m thinking about the senior year memories I will never get to make. About my grandparents, who are particularly vulnerable now. About the tanking economy and my future.
I learned recently that the class of 2020 would, indeed, have a college graduation in Ithaca. No one knows whether those celebrations might have to be postponed for months, or years. It is hard not to be discouraged.
But then I reflect on the inspiring stories of health care workers putting themselves in harm’s way on the front lines of this pandemic, dealing with medical supply shortages and unimaginable pressure. And I realize that there are heroes instilling in all of us a lesson in courage and kindness we would otherwise not get to learn in the lecture hall.
Josh Eibelman is a senior at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York. You can follow him on Twitter at @JoshEibelman.
Editor’s note: As a public service, all our coronavirus coverage is free. No paywall.


csmonitor--2020-03-26--Why politics matters – especially now

Why politics matters – especially now

How can anybody think or write about politics at a time like this ?
This oft-heard question reflects an underlying belief that politics is a dirty business and not to be considered during a crisis .
But the reality is , 2020 is a presidential election year .
Many primaries up and down the ballot have yet to take place .
And come Nov. 3 , America will vote – whether in person or by mail – in the general election , as well they should : Politics is vitally important , even more so during a time of immense @ @ @ @ @ @ @ politics is how we get our elected officials , the people who build teams and lead the nation , the state , the city , the town , in good times and bad .
Politics is how we got Abraham Lincoln , Franklin Roosevelt , and Ronald Reagan .
Politics is also how we are getting a $ 2 trillion coronavirus emergency relief package through Congress .
Of course , there are distasteful aspects to politics – the name-calling , the dishonesty , the trickery .
But political activity also has the ability @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and take us out of ourselves and working toward the greater good .
Monitor reporter Story Hinckley wrote compellingly about this last week from Florida .
When I look at my bursting inbox , I see emails from the Trump , Biden , and Sanders campaigns , as well as countless candidates for Congress and other offices .
They ask for money , they tout endorsements , they appeal to slices of the electorate .
On St. Patrick ’ s Day , I was struck by a Trump campaign email announcing “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , I thought , how can they be doing this now ?
Then I thought , why not ?
“ Text SHAMROCK ” to a particular number to join , the email said .
All I could do was chuckle .
Campaigns are also an opportunity for creativity .
At a time when people should not gather in person , candidates are holding virtual events .
Former Vice President Biden , the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee , has been campaigning via webcast from a makeshift home studio in Delaware .
President Donald Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ability to reach the masses .
But he also has enormous responsibility .
How he handles the coronavirus challenge will either make or break his presidency .
But ultimately , at a time of crisis , it makes sense for Americans to put partisanship aside and hope that President Trump , as the nation ’ s chief executive , makes wise decisions .
Let us know what you ’ re thinking at csmpolitics @ csmonitor.com .

Dear reader:
How can anybody think or write about politics at a time like this? This oft-heard question reflects an underlying belief that politics is a dirty business and not to be considered during a crisis.
But the reality is, 2020 is a presidential election year. Many primaries up and down the ballot have yet to take place. And come Nov. 3, America will vote – whether in person or by mail – in the general election, as well they should: Politics is vitally important, even more so during a time of immense challenge.
Why We Wrote This The coronavirus crisis is forcing candidates and their teams to get creative at a time when the democratic process is as vitally important as ever.
For better or worse, politics is how we get our elected officials, the people who build teams and lead the nation, the state, the city, the town, in good times and bad. Politics is how we got Abraham Lincoln, Franklin Roosevelt, and Ronald Reagan. Politics is also how we are getting a $2 trillion coronavirus emergency relief package through Congress.
Of course, there are distasteful aspects to politics – the name-calling, the dishonesty, the trickery. But political activity also has the ability to lift us up, create community, and take us out of ourselves and working toward the greater good. Monitor reporter Story Hinckley wrote compellingly about this last week from Florida.
When I look at my bursting inbox, I see emails from the Trump, Biden, and Sanders campaigns, as well as countless candidates for Congress and other offices. They ask for money, they tout endorsements, they appeal to slices of the electorate.
On St. Patrick’s Day, I was struck by a Trump campaign email announcing “Irish Americans for Trump.” At first, I thought, how can they be doing this now? Then I thought, why not? “Text SHAMROCK” to a particular number to join, the email said. All I could do was chuckle.
Campaigns are also an opportunity for creativity. At a time when people should not gather in person, candidates are holding virtual events. Former Vice President Biden, the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee, has been campaigning via webcast from a makeshift home studio in Delaware.
Get stories that
empower and uplift daily. By signing up, you agree to our Privacy Policy Already a subscriber? Log in to hide ads.
President Donald Trump has his bully pulpit, and easy ability to reach the masses. But he also has enormous responsibility. How he handles the coronavirus challenge will either make or break his presidency. But ultimately, at a time of crisis, it makes sense for Americans to put partisanship aside and hope that President Trump, as the nation’s chief executive, makes wise decisions.
Let us know what you’re thinking at csmpolitics@csmonitor.com.


csmonitor--2020-03-26--Meet the masterminds behind Biden's surge: women operatives

Weeks before Joe Biden launched his 2020 presidential campaign , he released a social media video to address allegations from women who said his uninvited displays of affection had made them uncomfortable .
`` Social norms have begun to change .
They 've shifted , '' said the former vice president .
Looking straight into a cellphone camera , he added : `` I hear what they are saying .
I understand . ''
Kate Bedingfield , an adviser the same age as Mr. Biden 's youngest daughter , was first to propose a direct-to-lens declaration .
She joined forces @ @ @ @ @ @ @ President Barack Obama 's West Wing and relative newbie to Mr. Biden 's orbit .
Together with two of Mr. Biden 's longest-serving confidants – Steve Ricchetti and Mike Donilon – they convinced the almost-candidate it was the right course .
When the boss was ready , Ms. Bedingfield held up her phone to record .
Those early days of spring 2019 portended a defining new reality for Mr. Biden : His innermost circle for decades was dominated by men , with the crucial exceptions of his wife , Jill , and sister @ @ @ @ @ @ @ veteran has expanded his brain trust , and the cadre of women now included have helped shape – and even rescue – a campaign that has whipsawed Mr. Biden from early favorite to disappointing afterthought and finally to prospective Democratic nominee .
`` We do n't have a senior meeting on the campaign where women are not at least half the meeting , '' said Ms. Bedingfield , the deputy campaign manager , who had joined Mr. Biden during his final years as Mr. Obama 's vice president .
Mr. Biden , she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fact that we bring different life experiences to the table , and that that is valuable , '' while also seeing women and men as equals in presidential politics .
It 's a vital dynamic for a politician whose career is marked by both successes and controversies where women are concerned , and also for his party , which again will nominate a man despite a historically diverse field that fueled many Democrats ' hopes that a woman finally could win the presidency .
Accordingly , Mr. Biden has highlighted that women are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they would remain so in his White House .
He pledged days before the South Carolina primary to make a black woman his first Supreme Court nominee .
After taking complete command of the nominating fight over subsequent weeks , he named Democratic operative Jen O'Malley Dillon as his campaign manager and promised to select a woman as his running mate .
Mr. Biden had previously tasked Ms. Dunn with leading his campaign after an embarrassing fourth-place finish in Iowa last month .
Ms. Dunn already had bonded with two other top women @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , who came to the campaign as one of the party 's most high-profile black women strategists .
Ms. Dunn also recommended Mr. Biden make O'Malley Dillon his permanent manager .
Ms. Bedingfield and Mr. Biden 's first campaign manager , Greg Schultz , meanwhile , had built a team with women atop several divisions : policy , political outreach , research , fundraising , and accounting .
And Mr. Biden 's traveling chief of staff is Annie Tomasini , making her the candidate 's day-to-day shepherd .
That 's a notable lineup @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a staunchly patriarchal era .
He joined an all-male Senate in 1973 .
He 's since authored the Violence Against Women Act , but also has been harangued over his handling of Anita Hill 's accusations of sexual harassment against Clarence Thomas before his 1991 Supreme Court confirmation .
Mr. Biden said that led him to recruit the first women to the Senate Judiciary Committee , though he 's never personally apologized to Ms. Hill for anything he did as chairman , instead referring generally to how other senators treated her .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's `` world view '' to want women challenging him .
But she and other women deflect credit for his campaign turnaround , pointing elsewhere , including at the men who remain fixtures .
`` Successful campaigns are about addition , '' Ms. Dunn said , `` not subtraction . ''
Indeed , while Ms. Dunn spent much of her time at Philadelphia headquarters before it was shuttered by the coronavirus , a trio of Mr. Biden 's old-guard – Mr. Donilon , his speechwriter and ad guru since the early 1980s , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Bruce Reed – comprised a traveling mainstay with the candidate .
Still , interviews with nearly a dozen Biden aides and allies made clear that women are a driving force behind the candidate and his campaign .
Women were in the room when Mr. Biden reversed his decades-long support for the Hyde amendment , a prohibition on federal money paying for abortions .
They 've helped soften his defensiveness about lingering criticisms over Ms. Hill .
And women urged Mr. Biden to talk more openly about a debilitating stutter that he learned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ him it was n't a weakness , but a humanizing strength .
When Mr. Biden granted Ms. Dunn final decision-making authority after the Iowa caucuses , she moved quickly .
She recruited O'Malley Dillon , who 'd never worked directly for Mr. Biden , to oversee the Nevada operation .
Ms. Sanders headed to South Carolina .
Those states resuscitated a campaign Ms. Dunn said was `` on the brink of collapse . ''
Ms. Bedingfield and Ms. Sanders were especially vocal in pressing Mr. Biden to bail on New Hampshire when it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
They helped convinced him to visit South Carolina for a rally on friendlier turf before traveling to Nevada .
`` There was a big difference between a fifth-place finish in a ballroom in New Hampshire and a fifth-place finish being in South Carolina , making the case for where we thought our campaign would turn around , '' Ms. Bedingfield said .
In South Carolina , a day after a crucial second-place Nevada finish , Ms. Sanders engineered a private , spur-of-the-moment meeting between Mr. Biden and House Majority Whip Jim Clyburn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democrat hosted a welcome reception for the Congressional Black Caucus .
Days later , Mr. Clyburn delivered an emotional endorsement for his old friend , a move widely credited for turning an expected Mr. Biden victory into a romp and setting up his March surge .
Immediately after South Carolina , it was Ms. Dunn , Ms. Bedingfield , and Ms. Sanders managing whirlwind negotiations with onetime rivals to rally behind the former vice president heading into Super Tuesday .
They ultimately orchestrated remarkable scenes in Dallas with Mr. Biden alongside Pete Buttigieg @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a show of force the night before Mr. Biden won 10 of 14 primaries .
That consolidation of Democratic factions ended Bernie Sanders ' hopes for the nomination .
None of this makes up for the fact that a woman wo n't be elected president this year .
But Lily Adams , who worked for Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton in 2016 and Senator Kamala Harris this cycle , said Mr. Biden 's approach is an important recognition of the moment .
`` Usually , when there are the toughest odds , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ walk through fire are women , because in many cases they 've faced down every obstacle , every amount of bias , '' Ms. Adams said .
`` The importance of diversity in teams is n't just because it 's the right thing to do , but also because it 's the smart thing to do . ''
None of the women around Mr. Biden see themselves as supplanting anyone .
Ms. Dunn said Jill Biden and Valerie Biden Owens are now elevated as `` principals in their own right '' – veritable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ texts regularly with the candidate 's wife .
Val , as Mr. Biden calls his sister , managed her older brother 's politics for decades , becoming the first woman to manage a modern U.S. Senate or presidential campaign .
Mr. Biden still trusts Mr. Ricchetti perhaps more than anyone other than Jill or Val .
And no newcomer matches Mr. Donilon 's comfort with Mr. Biden 's voice .
`` The fact that he values relationships and loyalty , '' Ms. Dunn said , `` does n't mean he ca n't establish @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reported by The Associated Press .
Editor ’ s note : As a public service , the Monitor has removed the paywall for all our coronavirus coverage .
It ’ s free .

Weeks before Joe Biden launched his 2020 presidential campaign, he released a social media video to address allegations from women who said his uninvited displays of affection had made them uncomfortable.
"Social norms have begun to change. They've shifted," said the former vice president. Looking straight into a cellphone camera, he added: "I hear what they are saying. I understand."
Kate Bedingfield, an adviser the same age as Mr. Biden's youngest daughter, was first to propose a direct-to-lens declaration. She joined forces with Anita Dunn, an alumna of President Barack Obama's West Wing and relative newbie to Mr. Biden's orbit. Together with two of Mr. Biden's longest-serving confidants – Steve Ricchetti and Mike Donilon – they convinced the almost-candidate it was the right course.
When the boss was ready, Ms. Bedingfield held up her phone to record.
Those early days of spring 2019 portended a defining new reality for Mr. Biden: His innermost circle for decades was dominated by men, with the crucial exceptions of his wife, Jill, and sister, Valerie. But the 50-year political veteran has expanded his brain trust, and the cadre of women now included have helped shape – and even rescue – a campaign that has whipsawed Mr. Biden from early favorite to disappointing afterthought and finally to prospective Democratic nominee.
"We don't have a senior meeting on the campaign where women are not at least half the meeting," said Ms. Bedingfield, the deputy campaign manager, who had joined Mr. Biden during his final years as Mr. Obama's vice president. Mr. Biden, she said, is "cognizant of the fact that we bring different life experiences to the table, and that that is valuable," while also seeing women and men as equals in presidential politics.
It's a vital dynamic for a politician whose career is marked by both successes and controversies where women are concerned, and also for his party, which again will nominate a man despite a historically diverse field that fueled many Democrats' hopes that a woman finally could win the presidency.
Accordingly, Mr. Biden has highlighted that women are leaders on his campaign and assured voters they would remain so in his White House. He pledged days before the South Carolina primary to make a black woman his first Supreme Court nominee. After taking complete command of the nominating fight over subsequent weeks, he named Democratic operative Jen O'Malley Dillon as his campaign manager and promised to select a woman as his running mate.
Mr. Biden had previously tasked Ms. Dunn with leading his campaign after an embarrassing fourth-place finish in Iowa last month.
Ms. Dunn already had bonded with two other top women advisers: Ms. Bedingfield and Symone Sanders, who came to the campaign as one of the party's most high-profile black women strategists. Ms. Dunn also recommended Mr. Biden make O'Malley Dillon his permanent manager.
Ms. Bedingfield and Mr. Biden's first campaign manager, Greg Schultz, meanwhile, had built a team with women atop several divisions: policy, political outreach, research, fundraising, and accounting. And Mr. Biden's traveling chief of staff is Annie Tomasini, making her the candidate's day-to-day shepherd.
That's a notable lineup for a man who came of age in a staunchly patriarchal era. He joined an all-male Senate in 1973. He's since authored the Violence Against Women Act, but also has been harangued over his handling of Anita Hill's accusations of sexual harassment against Clarence Thomas before his 1991 Supreme Court confirmation. Mr. Biden said that led him to recruit the first women to the Senate Judiciary Committee, though he's never personally apologized to Ms. Hill for anything he did as chairman, instead referring generally to how other senators treated her.
Ms. Dunn said it is Mr. Biden's "world view" to want women challenging him. But she and other women deflect credit for his campaign turnaround, pointing elsewhere, including at the men who remain fixtures.
"Successful campaigns are about addition," Ms. Dunn said, "not subtraction."
Indeed, while Ms. Dunn spent much of her time at Philadelphia headquarters before it was shuttered by the coronavirus, a trio of Mr. Biden's old-guard – Mr. Donilon, his speechwriter and ad guru since the early 1980s, and former chiefs of staff Mr. Ricchetti and Bruce Reed – comprised a traveling mainstay with the candidate. Still, interviews with nearly a dozen Biden aides and allies made clear that women are a driving force behind the candidate and his campaign.
Women were in the room when Mr. Biden reversed his decades-long support for the Hyde amendment, a prohibition on federal money paying for abortions. They've helped soften his defensiveness about lingering criticisms over Ms. Hill. And women urged Mr. Biden to talk more openly about a debilitating stutter that he learned to manage as a boy, convincing him it wasn't a weakness, but a humanizing strength.
When Mr. Biden granted Ms. Dunn final decision-making authority after the Iowa caucuses, she moved quickly. She recruited O'Malley Dillon, who'd never worked directly for Mr. Biden, to oversee the Nevada operation. Ms. Sanders headed to South Carolina.
Those states resuscitated a campaign Ms. Dunn said was "on the brink of collapse."
Ms. Bedingfield and Ms. Sanders were especially vocal in pressing Mr. Biden to bail on New Hampshire when it became clear he'd lose badly there. They helped convinced him to visit South Carolina for a rally on friendlier turf before traveling to Nevada.
"There was a big difference between a fifth-place finish in a ballroom in New Hampshire and a fifth-place finish being in South Carolina, making the case for where we thought our campaign would turn around," Ms. Bedingfield said.
In South Carolina, a day after a crucial second-place Nevada finish, Ms. Sanders engineered a private, spur-of-the-moment meeting between Mr. Biden and House Majority Whip Jim Clyburn, as the state's most powerful Democrat hosted a welcome reception for the Congressional Black Caucus. Days later, Mr. Clyburn delivered an emotional endorsement for his old friend, a move widely credited for turning an expected Mr. Biden victory into a romp and setting up his March surge.
Immediately after South Carolina, it was Ms. Dunn, Ms. Bedingfield, and Ms. Sanders managing whirlwind negotiations with onetime rivals to rally behind the former vice president heading into Super Tuesday. They ultimately orchestrated remarkable scenes in Dallas with Mr. Biden alongside Pete Buttigieg, Amy Klobuchar, and Beto O'Rourke in a show of force the night before Mr. Biden won 10 of 14 primaries.
That consolidation of Democratic factions ended Bernie Sanders' hopes for the nomination.
None of this makes up for the fact that a woman won't be elected president this year. But Lily Adams, who worked for Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton in 2016 and Senator Kamala Harris this cycle, said Mr. Biden's approach is an important recognition of the moment.
"Usually, when there are the toughest odds, the most successful people who are ready to walk through fire are women, because in many cases they've faced down every obstacle, every amount of bias," Ms. Adams said. "The importance of diversity in teams isn't just because it's the right thing to do, but also because it's the smart thing to do."
None of the women around Mr. Biden see themselves as supplanting anyone. Ms. Dunn said Jill Biden and Valerie Biden Owens are now elevated as "principals in their own right" – veritable extensions of the candidate. Ms. Bedingfield texts regularly with the candidate's wife.
Val, as Mr. Biden calls his sister, managed her older brother's politics for decades, becoming the first woman to manage a modern U.S. Senate or presidential campaign. Mr. Biden still trusts Mr. Ricchetti perhaps more than anyone other than Jill or Val. And no newcomer matches Mr. Donilon's comfort with Mr. Biden's voice.
"The fact that he values relationships and loyalty," Ms. Dunn said, "doesn't mean he can't establish new ones."
Get stories that
empower and uplift daily. By signing up, you agree to our Privacy Policy Already a subscriber? Log in to hide ads.
This story was reported by The Associated Press.
Editor’s note: As a public service, the Monitor has removed the paywall for all our coronavirus coverage. It’s free.


csmonitor--2020-03-25--White House, Senate agree on historic $2 trillion rescue bill

The White House and Senate leaders of both major political parties announced the agreement early Wednesday on an unprecedented $ 2 trillion emergency bill to rush sweeping aid to businesses , workers , and a health care system slammed by the coronavirus pandemic .
The urgently needed pandemic response measure is the largest economic rescue measure in history and is intended as a weekslong or monthslong patch for an economy spiraling into recession and a nation facing a deadly toll .
Top White House aide Eric Ueland announced the agreement in a Capitol hallway shortly after midnight , capping days @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The deal still needs to be finalized in detailed legislative language .
`` Ladies and gentlemen , we are done , '' Mr. Ueland said .
`` We have a deal . ''
The economic rescue package would give direct payments to most Americans , expand unemployment benefits and provide a $ 367 billion program for small businesses to keep making payroll while workers are forced to stay home .
One of the last issues to close concerned $ 500 billion for guaranteed , subsidized loans to larger industries , including a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the airlines .
Hospitals would get significant help as well .
`` After days of intense discussions , the Senate has reached a bipartisan agreement on a historic relief package for this pandemic , '' said Majority Leader Mitch McConnell , R-Ky. , a key negotiator .
`` It will rush new resources onto the front lines of our nation 's health care fight .
And it will inject trillions of dollars of cash into the economy as fast as possible to help American workers , families , small businesses , and industries @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the other side ready to soar . ''
At the White House on Tuesday , even as the public health crisis deepened , President Donald Trump expressed eagerness to nudge many people back to work in the coming weeks and held out a prospect , based more on hope than medical science , that the country could be returning to normal in less than a month .
`` We have to go back to work , much sooner than people thought , '' Mr. Trump told a Fox News town hall .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the country `` opened up and just raring to go '' by Easter , April 12 .
But in a White House briefing later , Mr. Trump said that `` our decision will be based on hard facts and data . ''
Medical professionals say social distancing needs to be stepped up , not relaxed , to slow the spread of infections .
At the White House briefing , the public health authorities said it was particularly important for people in the hard-hit New York City metropolitan area to quarantine themselves for 14 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ left the city to do the same .
Dr. Anthony Fauci , the government 's top infectious disease expert , said pointedly at the briefing , `` No one is going to want to tone down anything when you see what is going on in a place like New York City . ''
On Capitol Hill , five days of arduous talks produced the bill , creating tensions among Congress ' top leaders , who each took care to tend to party politics as they maneuvered and battled over crafting the legislation .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ which permitted both sides to mark big wins .
Even before the deal was reached , news of the likely but elusive agreement had sent the stock market rocketing on Tuesday .
The rescue package would be larger than the 2008 bank bailout and 2009 recovery act combined .
The package would give one-time payments of $ 1,200 per adult and $ 500 per child directly to the public .
A huge cash infusion for hospitals expecting a flood of COVID-19 patients grew during the talks at the insistence of Sen. Chuck Schumer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pressed for tens of billions of dollars for additional relief to be delivered through the Federal Emergency Management Agency , the lead federal disaster agency .
Democrats said the package would help replace the salaries of furloughed workers for four months , rather than the three months first proposed .
Furloughed workers would get whatever amount a state usually provides for unemployment , plus a $ 600 per week add-on , with gig workers like Uber drivers covered for the first time .
`` It ensures that all workers are protected whether they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or large , along with self-employed and workers in the gig economy , '' Mr. Schumer said .
Republicans won inclusion of an `` employee retention '' tax credit that 's estimated to provide $ 50 billion to companies that retain employees on payroll and cover 50 % of workers ' paychecks .
Companies would also be able to defer payment of the 6.2 % Social Security payroll tax .
Democrats pointed to gains for hospitals , additional oversight of the huge industry stabilization fund , and money for cash-strapped states .
A @ @ @ @ @ @ @ growing from a $ 46 billion White House proposal to more than $ 300 billion , which dwarfs earlier disasters – including Hurricane Katrina and Superstorm Sandy combined .
To provide transparency , the package is expected to create a new inspector general and oversight board for the corporate dollars , much as was done during the 2008 Troubled Asset Relief Program bank rescue , officials said .
Mr. Trump in recent days has sounded a note of frustration about the unprecedented modern-day effort to halt the virus ' march by essentially shutting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ threaten the U.S. economy .
Even though the Trump 's administration recommended Americans curtail activities for 15 days , starting just over a week ago , the Republican president said he may soon allow parts of the economy , in regions less badly hit by the virus , to begin reopening .
He continued on that theme Tuesday as he weighed a relaxation of social distancing guidelines after the 15-day period is up .
His suggestion that the pandemic could ease and allow a return to normalcy in a mere few weeks is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ many others in government .
On Tuesday , top defense and military leaders warned department personnel that the virus problems could extend for eight to 10 weeks or longer .
Army Gen. Mark Milley , chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff , said during a Defense Department town hall meeting that the crisis could even extend into July .
Mr. Trump has balked at using his authority under the recently invoked Defense Protection Act to compel the private sector to manufacture needed medical supplies like masks and ventilators , even as he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We are a country not based on nationalizing our business , '' said Mr. Trump , who has repeatedly railed against socialism overseas and among Democrats .
This story was reported by The Associated Press .
AP writers Lolita C. Baldor , Zeke Miller , Mary Clare Jalonick , Ricardo Alonso-Zaldivar , Alan Fram , and Padmananda Rama contributed to this report .
Editor ’ s note : As a public service , the Monitor has removed the paywall for all our coronavirus coverage .
It ’ s free .

The White House and Senate leaders of both major political parties announced the agreement early Wednesday on an unprecedented $2 trillion emergency bill to rush sweeping aid to businesses, workers, and a health care system slammed by the coronavirus pandemic.
The urgently needed pandemic response measure is the largest economic rescue measure in history and is intended as a weekslong or monthslong patch for an economy spiraling into recession and a nation facing a deadly toll.
Top White House aide Eric Ueland announced the agreement in a Capitol hallway shortly after midnight, capping days of often intense haggling and mounting pressure. The deal still needs to be finalized in detailed legislative language.
"Ladies and gentlemen, we are done," Mr. Ueland said. "We have a deal."
The economic rescue package would give direct payments to most Americans, expand unemployment benefits and provide a $367 billion program for small businesses to keep making payroll while workers are forced to stay home.
One of the last issues to close concerned $500 billion for guaranteed, subsidized loans to larger industries, including a fight over how generous to be with the airlines. Hospitals would get significant help as well.
"After days of intense discussions, the Senate has reached a bipartisan agreement on a historic relief package for this pandemic," said Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., a key negotiator. "It will rush new resources onto the front lines of our nation's health care fight. And it will inject trillions of dollars of cash into the economy as fast as possible to help American workers, families, small businesses, and industries make it through this disruption and emerge on the other side ready to soar."
At the White House on Tuesday, even as the public health crisis deepened, President Donald Trump expressed eagerness to nudge many people back to work in the coming weeks and held out a prospect, based more on hope than medical science, that the country could be returning to normal in less than a month.
"We have to go back to work, much sooner than people thought," Mr. Trump told a Fox News town hall. He said he'd like to have the country "opened up and just raring to go" by Easter, April 12. But in a White House briefing later, Mr. Trump said that "our decision will be based on hard facts and data."
Medical professionals say social distancing needs to be stepped up, not relaxed, to slow the spread of infections. At the White House briefing, the public health authorities said it was particularly important for people in the hard-hit New York City metropolitan area to quarantine themselves for 14 days and for those who have recently left the city to do the same.
Dr. Anthony Fauci, the government's top infectious disease expert, said pointedly at the briefing, "No one is going to want to tone down anything when you see what is going on in a place like New York City."
On Capitol Hill, five days of arduous talks produced the bill, creating tensions among Congress' top leaders, who each took care to tend to party politics as they maneuvered and battled over crafting the legislation. But failure was never an option, which permitted both sides to mark big wins.
Even before the deal was reached, news of the likely but elusive agreement had sent the stock market rocketing on Tuesday. The rescue package would be larger than the 2008 bank bailout and 2009 recovery act combined.
The package would give one-time payments of $1,200 per adult and $500 per child directly to the public.
A huge cash infusion for hospitals expecting a flood of COVID-19 patients grew during the talks at the insistence of Sen. Chuck Schumer, the Democratic leader, while Republicans pressed for tens of billions of dollars for additional relief to be delivered through the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the lead federal disaster agency.
Democrats said the package would help replace the salaries of furloughed workers for four months, rather than the three months first proposed. Furloughed workers would get whatever amount a state usually provides for unemployment, plus a $600 per week add-on, with gig workers like Uber drivers covered for the first time.
"It ensures that all workers are protected whether they work for businesses small, medium, or large, along with self-employed and workers in the gig economy," Mr. Schumer said.
Republicans won inclusion of an "employee retention" tax credit that's estimated to provide $50 billion to companies that retain employees on payroll and cover 50% of workers' paychecks. Companies would also be able to defer payment of the 6.2% Social Security payroll tax.
Democrats pointed to gains for hospitals, additional oversight of the huge industry stabilization fund, and money for cash-strapped states. A companion appropriations package ballooned as well, growing from a $46 billion White House proposal to more than $300 billion, which dwarfs earlier disasters – including Hurricane Katrina and Superstorm Sandy combined.
To provide transparency, the package is expected to create a new inspector general and oversight board for the corporate dollars, much as was done during the 2008 Troubled Asset Relief Program bank rescue, officials said.
Mr. Trump in recent days has sounded a note of frustration about the unprecedented modern-day effort to halt the virus' march by essentially shutting down public activities in ways that now threaten the U.S. economy.
Even though the Trump's administration recommended Americans curtail activities for 15 days, starting just over a week ago, the Republican president said he may soon allow parts of the economy, in regions less badly hit by the virus, to begin reopening.
He continued on that theme Tuesday as he weighed a relaxation of social distancing guidelines after the 15-day period is up. His suggestion that the pandemic could ease and allow a return to normalcy in a mere few weeks is not supported by public health officials or many others in government.
On Tuesday, top defense and military leaders warned department personnel that the virus problems could extend for eight to 10 weeks or longer. Army Gen. Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said during a Defense Department town hall meeting that the crisis could even extend into July.
Mr. Trump has balked at using his authority under the recently invoked Defense Protection Act to compel the private sector to manufacture needed medical supplies like masks and ventilators, even as he encourages them to spur production. "We are a country not based on nationalizing our business," said Mr. Trump, who has repeatedly railed against socialism overseas and among Democrats.
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empower and uplift daily. By signing up, you agree to our Privacy Policy Already a subscriber? Log in to hide ads.
This story was reported by The Associated Press. AP writers Lolita C. Baldor, Zeke Miller, Mary Clare Jalonick, Ricardo Alonso-Zaldivar, Alan Fram, and Padmananda Rama contributed to this report.
Editor’s note: As a public service, the Monitor has removed the paywall for all our coronavirus coverage. It’s free.


csmonitor--2020-03-19--Moral quandary: How to help people without putting them at risk

“ Friendly visits ” are being done via telephone .
In addition to hot meals , the service is including nonperishable and shelf stable food .
Volunteers who deliver meals follow CDC protocols .
“ The flip side of this crisis is that New York is this huge city with very often disconnected people , but during times of emergency , it brings us together , ” Ms. Shapiro says .
CityMeals on Wheels , which delivers meals to 18,000 of New York ’ s elderly shut-ins , has had to adjust to fewer volunteers and stricter protocols , says @ @ @ @ @ @ @ global crisis deepens , social service agencies are facing growing uncertainty , and many programs may need to be curtailed as volunteers and staff members stay home to protect not just themselves , but the vulnerable populations they serve .
It ’ s become one of the ironies of the COVID-19 crisis .
In times of national disaster , residents instinctively respond by helping out in overwhelming numbers .
People often long to gather , find solidarity and solace in numbers , and a willingness to help those in need .
It was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a volunteer at CityMeals on Wheels , was told she had to forgo her weekly visit with the 96-year-old woman with whom she ’ s become close .
They usually spend at least two hours visiting every Friday .
Like many who serve the homeless , Josiah Haken and the staff at New York City Relief had to scramble last week as they tried to readjust to a world that had suddenly changed .
The faith-based agency relies on its volunteers , Mr. Haken says .
For decades the organization has been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from around the country .
Most devote a full week to service , staying in the organization ’ s facility in New Jersey and helping out as the agency ’ s fleet of relief buses deliver hot soup , socks , and counseling services to five sites throughout New York City .
Last week , their group of volunteers , mostly students from Michigan , cut short their service .
And amid the countless disrupted routines of American life , those scheduled to come over the next month have understandably canceled , he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , are following government guidelines and staying home .
[ Editor ’ s note : As a public service , all our coronavirus coverage is free .
No paywall . ]
“ So we just started to think about what it means for us to go forward , ” says Mr. Haken , the vice president of outreach at New York City Relief , which has a paid staff of about 20 people in addition to the volunteers .
“ You know , how do we follow in the direction of our faith @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do ?
And so at the same time , we realized that we need to be smart and wise and careful.
” It ’ s become one of the ironies of the COVID-19 crisis .
In times of national crisis and disaster , residents instinctively respond by helping out in overwhelming numbers .
Communities respond to the fears and anxieties surrounding life ’ s disruptions , people often long to gather , find solidarity and solace in numbers , and a willingness to help those in need .
But now , instead of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is the duty to wash hands and stay six feet away .
Instead of gathering to comfort and console , the way to help most is to “ socially distance , ” even during a particularly vulnerable time in our common lives together .
Yet given how closely the relief agency works with people living on the streets , the pandemic is now challenging their very mission , presenting the staff with moral and logistical dilemmas that are , at once , both deeply personal and deeply profound .
“ The people who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crises are the people who are at the bottom of the economic ladder – people who are homeless are food insecure , ” says Mr. Haken .
“ Yet you have people in the street who are already more likely and prone to have compromised immune systems , ” he says .
“ So what does it mean for us to consider that factor ?
It ’ s a lot.
” So far , being smart and wise and careful includes following CDC guidelines , and readjusting their service routines .
Workers and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ times , not just when they serve food , and change them every 15 minutes .
They ’ ve always washed hands and used hand sanitizer , but now they ’ re providing stations for their clients to clean their hands .
As the lines form for their services , they encourage them to maintain a six feet space between them .
“ We ’ re trying to find that middle ground to achieve our ultimate mission , which is to feed the hungry , clothe the naked , provide the poor wanderer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , noting how his agency roots its mission in the mandates of Isaiah .
Still , as the global crisis deepens , congregations and social service agencies around the country are facing growing uncertainty , and many programs may need to be curtailed as volunteers and staff members stay home to protect not just themselves , but the vulnerable populations they serve .
At the New York Society for Ethical Culture in Manhattan , volunteers and staff have had to readjust as well in a time of social distancing .
It ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ long-time volunteer at the historic humanist congregation , just across the street from Central Park , finds frustrating .
“ We may be physically distancing , but we are socially communicating , ” says Ms. Kaplan , co-chair of the Society ’ s communications committee .
“ I think in every sense , our being a community , our being an ethical family and extended family , we can continue to be present with each other in a variety of ways.
” Most of the society ’ s staff had already been working @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a deep need to be present with the few staff members that came in that day , in an office following CDC protocols .
As co-chair of the communication ’ s committee , she ’ s helping to brainstorm how the society can move forward with its services and other outreach missions .
Its Sunday “ platform , ” the term they use for their non-theistic but spiritually centered services , has been canceled for the foreseeable future , and committee meetings have moved online or to conference calls .
“ We ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nothing but saying , how do we calm people ’ s fears ?
” says Liz Singer , president of the Society for Ethical Culture ’ s board of trustees .
“ How do we let them know we ’ re here ?
How do we let them know that if they feel the need to come in , how can they be able to reach out and to talk to us ?
” The society also maintains a women ’ s homeless shelter in the basement of their building , a partnership @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It also houses a televisiting program that connects families with loved ones being held in New York ’ s notorious Rikers Island jail complex , which houses those awaiting trial and who can not afford bond .
“ We ’ ve got a lot of people concerned with these outreach programs , asking , ‘ Are people getting food ?
Are we going to be able to continue ?
’ ” Ms. Singer says .
It was a painful moment last Friday when Fatime Ba , a volunteer in the “ friendly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , was told she had to forgo her weekly visit with the 96-year-old woman with whom she ’ s become close , and usually spends at least two hours visiting every Friday .
“ It took me a minute to realize , wait a minute , this is becoming real now , ” Ms. Ba says .
“ When I call her , you could hear that disappointment in her voice .
And she kinda ended up worried , she ’ s worried , because I don ’ t know what we ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , it has to be done , because we need to protect ourselves from whatever is happening right now.
” The mission of CityMeals on Wheels , which delivers tens of thousands of meals to 18,000 of New York ’ s elderly shut ins , has also had to adjust to fewer volunteers and stricter protocols for its services , says executive director Beth Shapiro .
“ Many of our meal recipients are already socially distanced , ” she says .
“ They ’ re isolated , they ’ re left alone , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the door is connectivity for them.
” The “ friendly visits ” program , however , is now being done via the telephone .
And in addition to the hot meals the agency delivers , the service is now including nonperishable and shelf stable food .
Volunteers who deliver these meals follow CDC protocols , sanitizing their hands and maintaining a six foot distance from their clients during deliveries , she says .
Despite seeing fewer volunteers , Ms. Shapiro is witnessing a renewed commitment from those they still rely upon .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that New York is this huge city with very often disconnected people , but during times of emergency , it brings us together .
And I would say , quite frankly , the city feels like a small town in times like these.
” Despite her disappointment at not being able to visit her friend , Ms. Ba is remaining committed to do what she can .
“ I started as a volunteer because , when I came in America 20 something years ago , I was received with open arms , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Senegal who now works as a social worker .
“ So to me , it ’ s like giving back to the community , ” she continues .
“ I have found a way to say thank you , thank you for everything that you ’ ve done for me , for everything that I have now .
I have to go back into the community and show my appreciation.
” Editor ’ s note : As a public service , we ’ ve removed the paywall for all our coronavirus coverage .
@ @ @ @ @

“Friendly visits” are being done via telephone. In addition to hot meals, the service is including nonperishable and shelf stable food. Volunteers who deliver meals follow CDC protocols. “The flip side of this crisis is that New York is this huge city with very often disconnected people, but during times of emergency, it brings us together,” Ms. Shapiro says.
CityMeals on Wheels, which delivers meals to 18,000 of New York’s elderly shut-ins, has had to adjust to fewer volunteers and stricter protocols, says executive director Beth Shapiro.
As the global crisis deepens, social service agencies are facing growing uncertainty, and many programs may need to be curtailed as volunteers and staff members stay home to protect not just themselves, but the vulnerable populations they serve.
What if your job means serving the most vulnerable? Groups who care for homeless and elderly people are grappling with how to still help during a pandemic.
It’s become one of the ironies of the COVID-19 crisis. In times of national disaster, residents instinctively respond by helping out in overwhelming numbers. People often long to gather, find solidarity and solace in numbers, and a willingness to help those in need.
It was a painful moment Friday when Fatime Ba, a volunteer at CityMeals on Wheels, was told she had to forgo her weekly visit with the 96-year-old woman with whom she’s become close. They usually spend at least two hours visiting every Friday.
Like many who serve the homeless, Josiah Haken and the staff at New York City Relief had to scramble last week as they tried to readjust to a world that had suddenly changed.
The faith-based agency relies on its volunteers, Mr. Haken says. For decades the organization has been able to house cadres of volunteer workers from around the country. Most devote a full week to service, staying in the organization’s facility in New Jersey and helping out as the agency’s fleet of relief buses deliver hot soup, socks, and counseling services to five sites throughout New York City.
Last week, their group of volunteers, mostly students from Michigan, cut short their service. And amid the countless disrupted routines of American life, those scheduled to come over the next month have understandably canceled, he says. Most local volunteers, too, are following government guidelines and staying home.
Why We Wrote This What if your job means serving the most vulnerable? Groups who care for homeless and elderly people are grappling with how to still help during a pandemic.
[Editor’s note: As a public service, all our coronavirus coverage is free. No paywall.]
“So we just started to think about what it means for us to go forward,” says Mr. Haken, the vice president of outreach at New York City Relief, which has a paid staff of about 20 people in addition to the volunteers. “You know, how do we follow in the direction of our faith and what our faith leads us to do? And so at the same time, we realized that we need to be smart and wise and careful.”
It’s become one of the ironies of the COVID-19 crisis. In times of national crisis and disaster, residents instinctively respond by helping out in overwhelming numbers. Communities respond to the fears and anxieties surrounding life’s disruptions, people often long to gather, find solidarity and solace in numbers, and a willingness to help those in need.
But now, instead of the laying on of hands, there is the duty to wash hands and stay six feet away. Instead of gathering to comfort and console, the way to help most is to “socially distance,” even during a particularly vulnerable time in our common lives together.
Yet given how closely the relief agency works with people living on the streets, the pandemic is now challenging their very mission, presenting the staff with moral and logistical dilemmas that are, at once, both deeply personal and deeply profound.
“The people who are often forgotten in these kinds of crises are the people who are at the bottom of the economic ladder – people who are homeless are food insecure,” says Mr. Haken. “Yet you have people in the street who are already more likely and prone to have compromised immune systems,” he says. “So what does it mean for us to consider that factor? It’s a lot.”
So far, being smart and wise and careful includes following CDC guidelines, and readjusting their service routines. Workers and remaining volunteers now wear gloves at all times, not just when they serve food, and change them every 15 minutes.
They’ve always washed hands and used hand sanitizer, but now they’re providing stations for their clients to clean their hands. As the lines form for their services, they encourage them to maintain a six feet space between them.
“We’re trying to find that middle ground to achieve our ultimate mission, which is to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, provide the poor wanderer with shelter,” says Mr. Haken, noting how his agency roots its mission in the mandates of Isaiah.
Still, as the global crisis deepens, congregations and social service agencies around the country are facing growing uncertainty, and many programs may need to be curtailed as volunteers and staff members stay home to protect not just themselves, but the vulnerable populations they serve.
Corey Hayes/Courtesy of New York City Relief View caption Hide caption Josiah Haken, vice president of outreach operations for New York City Relief, takes the temperature of a guest as the organization serves meals to homeless people, while taking precautions to avoid the spread of the coronavirus, in Chelsea Park in New York City on March 18, 2020.
Physically distancing, socially communicating
At the New York Society for Ethical Culture in Manhattan, volunteers and staff have had to readjust as well in a time of social distancing.
It’s a term that Elinore Kaplan, a long-time volunteer at the historic humanist congregation, just across the street from Central Park, finds frustrating.
“We may be physically distancing, but we are socially communicating,” says Ms. Kaplan, co-chair of the Society’s communications committee. “I think in every sense, our being a community, our being an ethical family and extended family, we can continue to be present with each other in a variety of ways.”
Most of the society’s staff had already been working from home, but Ms. Kaplan felt a deep need to be present with the few staff members that came in that day, in an office following CDC protocols. As co-chair of the communication’s committee, she’s helping to brainstorm how the society can move forward with its services and other outreach missions.
Its Sunday “platform,” the term they use for their non-theistic but spiritually centered services, has been canceled for the foreseeable future, and committee meetings have moved online or to conference calls.
“We’ve spent the last three days doing nothing but saying, how do we calm people’s fears?” says Liz Singer, president of the Society for Ethical Culture’s board of trustees. “How do we let them know we’re here? How do we let them know that if they feel the need to come in, how can they be able to reach out and to talk to us?”
The society also maintains a women’s homeless shelter in the basement of their building, a partnership with The Olivieri Center in New York. It also houses a televisiting program that connects families with loved ones being held in New York’s notorious Rikers Island jail complex, which houses those awaiting trial and who cannot afford bond.
“We’ve got a lot of people concerned with these outreach programs, asking, ‘Are people getting food? Are we going to be able to continue?’ ” Ms. Singer says.
“This is becoming real now”
It was a painful moment last Friday when Fatime Ba, a volunteer in the “friendly visiting” program at CityMeals on Wheels, was told she had to forgo her weekly visit with the 96-year-old woman with whom she’s become close, and usually spends at least two hours visiting every Friday.
“It took me a minute to realize, wait a minute, this is becoming real now,” Ms. Ba says. “When I call her, you could hear that disappointment in her voice. And she kinda ended up worried, she’s worried, because I don’t know what we’re going to do. But again, it has to be done, because we need to protect ourselves from whatever is happening right now.”
The mission of CityMeals on Wheels, which delivers tens of thousands of meals to 18,000 of New York’s elderly shut ins, has also had to adjust to fewer volunteers and stricter protocols for its services, says executive director Beth Shapiro.
“Many of our meal recipients are already socially distanced,” she says. “They’re isolated, they’re left alone, so even a quick meal coming to the door is connectivity for them.”
The “friendly visits” program, however, is now being done via the telephone. And in addition to the hot meals the agency delivers, the service is now including nonperishable and shelf stable food. Volunteers who deliver these meals follow CDC protocols, sanitizing their hands and maintaining a six foot distance from their clients during deliveries, she says.
Despite seeing fewer volunteers, Ms. Shapiro is witnessing a renewed commitment from those they still rely upon. “The flip side of this crisis is that New York is this huge city with very often disconnected people, but during times of emergency, it brings us together. And I would say, quite frankly, the city feels like a small town in times like these.”
Despite her disappointment at not being able to visit her friend, Ms. Ba is remaining committed to do what she can.
“I started as a volunteer because, when I came in America 20 something years ago, I was received with open arms,” says Ms. Ba, an immigrant from Senegal who now works as a social worker.
Get stories that
empower and uplift daily. By signing up, you agree to our Privacy Policy Already a subscriber? Log in to hide ads.
“So to me, it’s like giving back to the community,” she continues. “I have found a way to say thank you, thank you for everything that you’ve done for me, for everything that I have now. I have to go back into the community and show my appreciation.”
Editor’s note: As a public service, we’ve removed the paywall for all our coronavirus coverage. It’s free.


csmonitor--2020-03-19--Sweeter than hand sanitizer: handmade French soaps get a boost

Amid the rapid spread of the new coronavirus across Europe , the hallmark Marseille tradition of soapmaking is enjoying a renaissance , as the French rediscover an essential local product .
Serge Bruna 's grandfather entered the then-booming business in the southern port city more than a century ago .
His father followed suit , although the family enterprise was requisitioned during World War II , when soap was considered an essential commodity .
Today , Mr. Bruna sells soap from the same shopfront on Marseille 's Old Port – wearing a sanitary mask and skintight gloves .
`` Even @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of virus-repellent soap , it is good to take precautions , '' he said .
Mr. Bruna 's Savonnerie de la Licorne , which runs four soap shops on the Old Port , a museum , and a small factory in the heart of Marseille , has seen its shop sales increase 30 % and delivery orders quadruple since Italy declared a state of emergency over the coronavirus .
`` We had fewer tourists or none at all in our stores , '' he said .
`` On the other hand , [ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ visitors and some even came to stockpile . ''
As the public rushed to buy supplies to last during a looming quarantine , Mr. Bruna and his artisans continued making soap by hand , filling the port-view shops as well as boxes destined for export .
BFMTV , a French news outlet , reported on the surge of demand for traditional French soap as hand sanitizer is running out .
During these unusual conditions , soapmakers have to adapt to meet the demand as well as they can .
The Savonnerie Fer à @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Marseille , strengthened its teams to support the production while its online sales went from 2,500 to 5,000 euros a day .
The Savonnerie Fer à cheval provided 5,000 soaps to Marseille ’ s naval firefighters and contacted the World Health Organization as well as the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health to offer help .
“ We will keep going as long as the chain of supply doesn ’ t stop .
We are here , we ’ re holding on .
We will do everything in our power to supply as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Seghin , president of the Savonnerie Fer à cheval , the oldest soap factory in Marseille , said .
With an abundance of local oils , soda , and salt , Marseille boasts a lengthy tradition of producing the natural soaps once prized throughout Europe .
But only a handful of businesses are still active .
Since French shops were ordered closed this week as a public health precaution , the Savonnerie de la Licorne now only carries out deliveries , supplying pharmacies across France and handling individual orders made online .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ soaps is more important than before , but I would say that people who have lost the habit of using Marseille soap have all of a sudden rediscovered its properties , '' he said .
This story was reported by The Associated Press .
Material from BFMTV was used in this report .
Editor ’ s note : As a public service , the Monitor has removed the paywall for all our coronavirus coverage .
It ’ s free .

Amid the rapid spread of the new coronavirus across Europe, the hallmark Marseille tradition of soapmaking is enjoying a renaissance, as the French rediscover an essential local product.
Serge Bruna's grandfather entered the then-booming business in the southern port city more than a century ago. His father followed suit, although the family enterprise was requisitioned during World War II, when soap was considered an essential commodity.
Today, Mr. Bruna sells soap from the same shopfront on Marseille's Old Port – wearing a sanitary mask and skintight gloves.
"Even though we work in a factory full of virus-repellent soap, it is good to take precautions," he said.
Mr. Bruna's Savonnerie de la Licorne, which runs four soap shops on the Old Port, a museum, and a small factory in the heart of Marseille, has seen its shop sales increase 30% and delivery orders quadruple since Italy declared a state of emergency over the coronavirus.
"We had fewer tourists or none at all in our stores," he said. "On the other hand, [Marseille residents] were much more frequent visitors and some even came to stockpile."
As the public rushed to buy supplies to last during a looming quarantine, Mr. Bruna and his artisans continued making soap by hand, filling the port-view shops as well as boxes destined for export.
BFMTV, a French news outlet, reported on the surge of demand for traditional French soap as hand sanitizer is running out.
During these unusual conditions, soapmakers have to adapt to meet the demand as well as they can. The Savonnerie Fer à cheval, the oldest soap factory in Marseille, strengthened its teams to support the production while its online sales went from 2,500 to 5,000 euros a day. The Savonnerie Fer à cheval provided 5,000 soaps to Marseille’s naval firefighters and contacted the World Health Organization as well as the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health to offer help. “We will keep going as long as the chain of supply doesn’t stop. We are here, we’re holding on. We will do everything in our power to supply as many people as possible,” Raphaël Seghin, president of the Savonnerie Fer à cheval, the oldest soap factory in Marseille, said.
With an abundance of local oils, soda, and salt, Marseille boasts a lengthy tradition of producing the natural soaps once prized throughout Europe. But only a handful of businesses are still active.
Since French shops were ordered closed this week as a public health precaution, the Savonnerie de la Licorne now only carries out deliveries, supplying pharmacies across France and handling individual orders made online.
"I'm not sure that making our soaps is more important than before, but I would say that people who have lost the habit of using Marseille soap have all of a sudden rediscovered its properties," he said.
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This story was reported by The Associated Press. Material from BFMTV was used in this report.
Editor’s note: As a public service, the Monitor has removed the paywall for all our coronavirus coverage. It’s free.


csmonitor--2020-02-06--China’s health crisis as a leadership crisis

Every year hundreds of books are written about leadership , reflecting not only a rising desire to understand it but also evolving ideas about what it is .
Yet there is nothing like watching a country actively debate it .
And not just any country .
China , with a fifth of the world ’ s population , seems to be in serious introspection about its top-down , one-man rule following widespread anger at the government ’ s response to the coronavirus outbreak .
The introspection is even evident at the top .
On Monday , the head of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ met with other leaders and admitted there had been “ shortcomings and deficiencies ” in the response .
The public health crisis , they said , is “ a major test of China ’ s system and capacity for governance.
” They also cited a need for a systematic review of “ areas of weakness ” in government .
For a party that regards both itself and its vision for Chinese society as infallible , this is a rare expression of humility , a character trait highly recommended in current books on leadership @ @ @ @ @ @ @ listening – the party has only stepped up censorship of any online criticism of officials .
One prominent intellectual , Xu Zhiyong , wrote on social media that Mr. Xi should resign for his “ inability to handle major crises.
” Another , Xu Zhangrun , a law professor at Tsinghua University in Beijing , wrote that the party ’ s restriction of freedoms only hindered the people ’ s ability to raise concerns during the early days of the outbreak .
And instead of assigning party members by merit to serve the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the past , the leadership now deems loyalty to the party to be more important .
“ The political system has collapsed under the tyranny , and a governance system [ made up ] of bureaucrats , which has taken [ the party ] more than 30 years to build has foundered , ” he said .
Many Chinese are trying to help their leaders be better leaders .
As a prominent novelist , Xu Kaizhen , told The New York Times , “ If they can rearrange the order in their hearts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ different governance style.
” For China this is a healthy debate , made possible by a health crisis that is truly a test of leadership

Every year hundreds of books are written about leadership, reflecting not only a rising desire to understand it but also evolving ideas about what it is. Yet there is nothing like watching a country actively debate it. And not just any country.
China, with a fifth of the world’s population, seems to be in serious introspection about its top-down, one-man rule following widespread anger at the government’s response to the coronavirus outbreak. The introspection is even evident at the top.
On Monday, the head of the ruling Communist Party, Xi Jinping, met with other leaders and admitted there had been “shortcomings and deficiencies” in the response. The public health crisis, they said, is “a major test of China’s system and capacity for governance.” They also cited a need for a systematic review of “areas of weakness” in government.
For a party that regards both itself and its vision for Chinese society as infallible, this is a rare expression of humility, a character trait highly recommended in current books on leadership. Yet in another key trait – listening – the party has only stepped up censorship of any online criticism of officials. One prominent intellectual, Xu Zhiyong, wrote on social media that Mr. Xi should resign for his “inability to handle major crises.” Another, Xu Zhangrun, a law professor at Tsinghua University in Beijing, wrote that the party’s restriction of freedoms only hindered the people’s ability to raise concerns during the early days of the outbreak. And instead of assigning party members by merit to serve the people, as the party did in the past, the leadership now deems loyalty to the party to be more important.
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“The political system has collapsed under the tyranny, and a governance system [made up] of bureaucrats, which has taken [the party] more than 30 years to build has foundered,” he said.
Many Chinese are trying to help their leaders be better leaders. As a prominent novelist, Xu Kaizhen, told The New York Times, “If they can rearrange the order in their hearts, we’ll see a very different governance style.” For China this is a healthy debate, made possible by a health crisis that is truly a test of leadership


csmonitor--2020-05-14--From loneliness to permanently companioned

Have you ever felt lonely ?
I know I have .
With the recent requirements for physical distancing , many people are struggling with being alone for far too long .
Even before the coronavirus had entered the scene , Britain had started a successful campaign to pair volunteers with those experiencing loneliness .
There are statistics indicating that the feeling of loneliness is on the rise in other places , too .
Genuine caring from another individual can lessen feelings of loneliness .
But at times I ’ ve felt lonely even when loved ones are present .
So @ @ @ @ @ @ @ faced this very question last year when our son got married .
My husband and I happily welcomed our new daughter-in-law into the family , but thinking about the changes to come brought feelings of loss .
My son and his fiancée had a yearlong engagement with many joyful gatherings .
But each occasion seemed to bring on bouts of loneliness for me .
Sometimes it would come as not feeling accepted by the group , as kind as they were .
Other times it was just emptiness or fears about the future @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has been realizing that , fundamentally , companionship isn ’ t a physical need but a spiritual one .
And I ’ ve found the antidote is becoming more aware of our oneness with God .
Christian Science explains that God is infinite and always present , and that our entire being is the expression of God ’ s qualities .
Our relation to God is like the sun and its rays .
God is the sun , and we shine forth , or reflect , His infinite light .
You can ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Apostle Paul puts it this way : “ Neither death , nor life , nor angels , nor principalities , nor powers , nor things present , nor things to come , nor height , nor depth , nor any other creature , shall be able to separate us from the love of God ” ( Romans 8:38 , 39 ) .
But how do we experience this oneness when loneliness seems overwhelming ?
It starts with prayer that affirms God ’ s presence and power , and our true nature as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
This is not an intellectual process .
It ’ s an opening of thought to God that surrenders a mortal , material sense of existence in favor of spiritual reality : the always-present power of God that is forever good and loving .
God is closer than our next thought , and His entire being is Love .
As we read in the Bible , “ Yea , I have loved thee with an everlasting love : therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee ” ( Jeremiah 31:3 ) .
This spiritual @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It is here now .
“ Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures ” by Mary Baker Eddy , the Monitor ’ s founder , defines “ substance ” in part as “ that which is eternal and incapable of discord and decay .
Truth , Life , and Love are substance ... ” ( p. 468 ) .
Truth , Life , and Love are Bible-based names for God .
Divine substance is always present , and infinitely so .
It is rock solid .
This idea of our dependable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bedrock .
Each time I turned to God in prayer , I would feel a reassuring sense of companionship and acceptance as God ’ s loved child .
It was not a consolation prize or a feeling I was getting something that was second best .
It was the best – a warm and fully satisfying sense of God ’ s presence and power .
Step by step it became easier to see that I could never truly be lonely .
Praying to understand more of my oneness with God freed me from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I became more confident in God ’ s unwavering companionship , I became freer with my own expressions of caring because my happiness wasn ’ t dependent on acceptance or companionship in return .
I realized I already had these and could joyously express love toward others .
The bouts of loneliness stopped , and I have good relationships with family members old and new .
This feeling of loving companionship with our divine Father-Mother , God , is available to everyone .
It satisfies the heart with permanent companionship and provides a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one another .
Editor ’ s note : As a public service , all the Monitor ’ s coronavirus coverage is free , including articles from this column .
There ’ s also a special free section of JSH-Online.com on a healing response to the global pandemic .
There is no paywall for any of this coverage .

Have you ever felt lonely? I know I have. With the recent requirements for physical distancing, many people are struggling with being alone for far too long.
Even before the coronavirus had entered the scene, Britain had started a successful campaign to pair volunteers with those experiencing loneliness. There are statistics indicating that the feeling of loneliness is on the rise in other places, too.
Genuine caring from another individual can lessen feelings of loneliness. But at times I’ve felt lonely even when loved ones are present. So what permanently fills the void?
I faced this very question last year when our son got married. My husband and I happily welcomed our new daughter-in-law into the family, but thinking about the changes to come brought feelings of loss. My son and his fiancée had a yearlong engagement with many joyful gatherings. But each occasion seemed to bring on bouts of loneliness for me. Sometimes it would come as not feeling accepted by the group, as kind as they were. Other times it was just emptiness or fears about the future.
For me, a key step has been realizing that, fundamentally, companionship isn’t a physical need but a spiritual one. And I’ve found the antidote is becoming more aware of our oneness with God. Christian Science explains that God is infinite and always present, and that our entire being is the expression of God’s qualities. Our relation to God is like the sun and its rays. God is the sun, and we shine forth, or reflect, His infinite light.
You can’t get any closer than that. The Apostle Paul puts it this way: “Neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God” (Romans 8:38, 39).
But how do we experience this oneness when loneliness seems overwhelming? It starts with prayer that affirms God’s presence and power, and our true nature as the expression of divine goodness and joy. This is not an intellectual process. It’s an opening of thought to God that surrenders a mortal, material sense of existence in favor of spiritual reality: the always-present power of God that is forever good and loving.
God is closer than our next thought, and His entire being is Love. As we read in the Bible, “Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee” (Jeremiah 31:3).
This spiritual reality is not some far-off ethereal wispiness. It is here now. “Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures” by Mary Baker Eddy, the Monitor’s founder, defines “substance” in part as “that which is eternal and incapable of discord and decay. Truth, Life, and Love are substance ...” (p. 468). Truth, Life, and Love are Bible-based names for God. Divine substance is always present, and infinitely so. It is rock solid.
This idea of our dependable, substantial relation to God became my bedrock. Each time I turned to God in prayer, I would feel a reassuring sense of companionship and acceptance as God’s loved child. It was not a consolation prize or a feeling I was getting something that was second best. It was the best – a warm and fully satisfying sense of God’s presence and power.
Step by step it became easier to see that I could never truly be lonely. Praying to understand more of my oneness with God freed me from the fear of being alone. As I became more confident in God’s unwavering companionship, I became freer with my own expressions of caring because my happiness wasn’t dependent on acceptance or companionship in return. I realized I already had these and could joyously express love toward others. The bouts of loneliness stopped, and I have good relationships with family members old and new.
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empower and uplift daily. By signing up, you agree to our Privacy Policy Already a subscriber? Log in to hide ads.
This feeling of loving companionship with our divine Father-Mother, God, is available to everyone. It satisfies the heart with permanent companionship and provides a more solid basis for our relationships with one another.
Editor’s note: As a public service, all the Monitor’s coronavirus coverage is free, including articles from this column. There’s also a special free section of JSH-Online.com on a healing response to the global pandemic. There is no paywall for any of this coverage.


csmonitor--2020-04-22--A spiritual path out of uncertainty

A spiritual path out of uncertainty

Perhaps one of the most challenging aspects of the coronavirus pandemic is the many questions it raises , both for today and for the future .
How will it impact people we love ?
How will we manage financially ?
Will life ever be the same ?
The uncertainty of the present – as well as the future – makes answers elusive .
An ongoing series in The Christian Science Monitor focuses on “ navigating uncertainty , ” exploring topics ranging from economic change , technological change , and climate change to the future of democratic governance and human rights @ @ @ @ @ @ @ way of navigating uncertainty is for individuals and groups around the world to step up to shape their future and chart a path toward progress .
Another way I ’ ve found is through a faith that grows into spiritual understanding .
At a time of great and completely unforeseen financial uncertainty in my life , I found myself seriously questioning whether I ’ d be able to keep my house .
I felt unmoored and afraid .
I had no idea what the future held , and at first , the idea @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seemed unfathomable .
In those moments of desperation , I prayed .
Through many years of reading the Bible and “ Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures ” by Mary Baker Eddy , the discoverer of Christian Science , I had learned that God is ever present and good , always there for us in times of need .
And I had experienced this on many occasions before .
So in that moment of extreme need , I asked God for help .
Help came through a simple but powerful idea @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It was a statement in Science and Health : “ Divine Love always has met and always will meet every human need ” ( p. 494 ) .
This was so comforting , since the future felt like something I couldn ’ t even begin to navigate , much less figure out .
Here was the promise that Love , another name for God , would meet my needs .
But how ?
As I prayed , it was very helpful to consider what God as Love does .
Divine Love nurtures @ @ @ @ @ @ @ And because God , who is Love , is truly ever present , there can be no place where divine Love is not actively loving .
And this loving nature of God defines each one of us .
As God ’ s children , we are actually the spiritual reflection of the Divine – the very expression of God ’ s endless love .
My thought became so filled with a sense of the bigness , the wonderfulness , and the all-embracing nature of divine Love , that it felt completely natural to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the future gradually dissipated .
As the days and weeks went by , it was amazing how my every need was met .
For every challenge , there was a solution .
Often it came step by step , but at every turn , I could see evidence of God ’ s care , and I was able to keep my home .
Above all , I continue to be content in life , which feels really blessed and satisfying .
This is something I never would have imagined possible without prayer .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ us strength during this difficult and uncertain period .
We can understandingly trust in Love ’ s power to take care of all of us , because Love is an actual law , which is operating universally .
The forever near and dear presence of divine Love assures each one of us of the promise of good going forward .

Perhaps one of the most challenging aspects of the coronavirus pandemic is the many questions it raises, both for today and for the future. How will it impact people we love? How will we manage financially? Will life ever be the same? The uncertainty of the present – as well as the future – makes answers elusive.
An ongoing series in The Christian Science Monitor focuses on “navigating uncertainty,” exploring topics ranging from economic change, technological change, and climate change to the future of democratic governance and human rights. The series brings out that one way of navigating uncertainty is for individuals and groups around the world to step up to shape their future and chart a path toward progress. Another way I’ve found is through a faith that grows into spiritual understanding.
At a time of great and completely unforeseen financial uncertainty in my life, I found myself seriously questioning whether I’d be able to keep my house. I felt unmoored and afraid. I had no idea what the future held, and at first, the idea that I would ever feel secure again seemed unfathomable.
In those moments of desperation, I prayed. Through many years of reading the Bible and “Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures” by Mary Baker Eddy, the discoverer of Christian Science, I had learned that God is ever present and good, always there for us in times of need. And I had experienced this on many occasions before. So in that moment of extreme need, I asked God for help.
Help came through a simple but powerful idea that carried me through this difficult period. It was a statement in Science and Health: “Divine Love always has met and always will meet every human need” (p. 494). This was so comforting, since the future felt like something I couldn’t even begin to navigate, much less figure out. Here was the promise that Love, another name for God, would meet my needs. But how?
As I prayed, it was very helpful to consider what God as Love does. Divine Love nurtures; Love supplies; Love restores. And because God, who is Love, is truly ever present, there can be no place where divine Love is not actively loving. And this loving nature of God defines each one of us. As God’s children, we are actually the spiritual reflection of the Divine – the very expression of God’s endless love.
My thought became so filled with a sense of the bigness, the wonderfulness, and the all-embracing nature of divine Love, that it felt completely natural to trust it. And my fear about the future gradually dissipated.
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empower and uplift daily. By signing up, you agree to our Privacy Policy Already a subscriber? Log in to hide ads.
As the days and weeks went by, it was amazing how my every need was met. For every challenge, there was a solution. Often it came step by step, but at every turn, I could see evidence of God’s care, and I was able to keep my home. Above all, I continue to be content in life, which feels really blessed and satisfying. This is something I never would have imagined possible without prayer.
Divine Love is present now, giving us strength during this difficult and uncertain period. We can understandingly trust in Love’s power to take care of all of us, because Love is an actual law, which is operating universally. The forever near and dear presence of divine Love assures each one of us of the promise of good going forward.