An image of Anne Frank is projected with a message near the John F. Kennedy Federal Building in Boston on March 22, 2020, by the activist group Never Again Action. Photo courtesy of Never Again Action
Need to know: Thursday, March 26, 2020
‘Deadly as Dachau’: Activists call for mass decarceration during pandemic
Progressive faith-based activists and religious leaders have mounted a nationwide push to release as many people held in jails, prisons and immigration detention facilities as possible to protect them from a coronavirus outbreak.
Prisoners keeping faith during coronavirus, says former Allentown Mayor Ed Pawlowski
Former Allentown Mayor Ed Pawlowski, who was convicted on federal charges in 2018, talks about life on the inside during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Washington National Cathedral donates 5,000 medical masks resurrected from crypts
The 5,000 N95 respiratory masks had been forgotten until the cathedral’s chief stonemason, Joseph Alonso, stumbled on them in an unfinished area of the crypt level early this month.
Catholic convert’s book on the Annunciation hopes to help parents inspire faith in Gen Z
In her new book about the Annunciation, Catholic convert and poet Sally Read addresses young people’s relationship with social media and its impact on faith, drawing from her personal experience as a mother.
India’s executions won’t end a pandemic of violence against women
A gruesome chapter in Indian life closed with the executions of four of the six perpetrators of a horrifying gang-rape of a woman in 2012, but it may only help obscure the real dimensions of violence against women, writes Satpal Singh.
Should older Americans die to save the economy? Ethicists call it a false choice.
Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick set off a firestorm of criticism after he suggested Monday that he and other older Americans should be willing to sacrifice their lives for the sake of the economy, which he said was in mortal jeopardy because of shutdowns related to the coronavirus pandemic.
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‘We’re all gonna get through this’: Hillsong NYC pastor Carl Lentz on coronavirus diagnosis
Hillsong Church NYC pastor Carl Lentz is urging people to take the coronavirus pandemic seriously after testing positive for COVID-19 himself.
In calls with faith leaders, White House focuses on virus as well as election
‘It’s a big day, Nov. 3; that’s going to be one of the biggest dates in the history of religion, as far as I’m concerned,’ Trump said.
States differ on exempting worship from coronavirus closures
As multiple governors issue orders to curb large gatherings and implore residents to stay home in a bid to slow the spread of the coronavirus, at least a half-dozen states have exempted some level of religious activity.
More views from RNS
How the coronavirus could change America’s religion of sports
For many Americans, sports is a religion. Will the coronavirus change that?
Imagine when COVID-19 is over
The day after. A fantasy, and a prayer.
Caring more for each other could have ameliorated the pandemic. It’s not too late.
A crisis either makes us better or worse people; it never leaves us the same, writes Thomas Reese.
