St. John’s, Queens College could have role in coronavirus response: Cuomo

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers toured St. John’s University campus to plan potential emergency facilities. Photo via St. John’s

By David Brand and Victoria Merlino

St. John’s University and Queens College are poised to play an important role in the state’s all-hands-on-deck response to the spread of the coronavirus, Gov. Andrew Cuomo said Friday.

At a press briefing in Albany, Cuomo said the state may establish temporary facilities on the two campuses to help beat back the spread of the virus, which causes the illness COVID-19. Cuomo briefly discussed the plan after signing an executive order shutting down businesses and banning social gatherings, effective Sunday.

“We’re looking at a possible number of locations for large temporary facilities,” Cuomo said, noting that the Javits Center, some private colleges and a number of CUNY and SUNY sites were under consideration. Queens College and St. John’s were listed on the screen behind him.

Officials from the two schools said the plans are not yet finalized, but could include a temporary hospital, housing for first responders or other resources. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers visited both schools earlier this month to plan potential uses. 

A screenshot of Cuomo’s press conference with the possible locations of facilities listed with him.

"St. John's University reached out to Governor Cuomo's office about campus space available to be used to assist in the emergency response to the COVID-19 health crisis,” said SJU spokesperson Brian Browne.

"Serving those most in need is at the heart of the founding and enduring Catholic and Vincentian mission of St. John's University,” Browne added.

Browne said the state and the school are considering all available campus facilities for projects, like setting up a field hospital in the Taffner Field House Athletic Complex. The plan could include using on-campus dorms and off-campus student housing as a respite center or to house first responders and medical personnel, he said. 

"St. John's University already has first-hand experience at this type of effort. In the days and months immediately following September 11 our Manhattan Campus — at the time located in the shadow of the World Trade Center at 101 Murray Street — was completely turned over to emergency management personnel and transformed into a respite center during the rescue and recovery efforts,” Browne said. 

There were 7,290 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in New York state, including 1,042 cases in Queens, according to the latest case data Friday afternoon.