iradiophilly | News - Health Comm. Dr. Thomas Farley Resigns; CDC Says Masks Off for Vax; Mother Jumps, Kids Critical

Streaming Radio for Philadelphia
More Music. Fewer Interruptions. Just what you want to hear.

FOLLOW:

News
Talk about what's in the news


The Post

Health Comm. Dr. Thomas Farley Resigns; CDC Says Masks Off for Vax; Mother Jumps, Kids Critical

by: iradioal - Philadelphia, PA
started: 05/13/21 10:03 pm | updated: 05/13/21 10:03 pm

Philadelphia Health Commissioner Dr. Thomas Farley has abruptly resigned over his handling of partial human remains from victims of the 1985 MOVE bombing. Today, 5/13, is the 36th anniversary of the tragedy in West Philadelphia. In 2017, Medical Examiner Sam Gulino found remains in a box related to the investigation of the bombing. Farley instructed him to cremate and dispose of them without notifying the family. The box contained bones and bone fragments of multiple victims. After recent incidents involving local academic institutions and their handling of other MOVE remains, Farley reconsidered his actions. He brought the matter to the mayor and resigned on Tuesday, 5/11. Mayor Kenney met with the Africa family on Wednesday. Gulino has been put on administrative leave. Dr. Cheryl Bettigole has been named as Acting Health Commissioner. The city will hired an outside law firm to investigate. Farley had become a familiar face over the past 14 months throughout the pandemic.

Dr. Farley released this statement:

"In early 2017, I was informed by Medical Examiner Sam Gulino, M.D. that, among unclaimed personal effects of the deceased, a box was located containing materials related to autopsies of victims of the 1985 MOVE bombing. In the box were bones and bone fragments, presumably from one or more of the victims.

"The standard procedure for autopsies in the Medical Examiner's office is, before releasing remains to the next of kin, to retain certain specimens in case they are needed for subsequent investigations. After the investigations are complete, these specimens are disposed of, without notifying anyone. Believing that investigations related to the MOVE bombing had been completed more than 30 years earlier, and not wanting to cause more anguish for the families of the victims, I authorized Dr. Gulino to follow this procedure and dispose of the bones and bone fragments. I made this decision on my own, without notifying or consulting anyone in the Managing Director's office or the Mayor's office, and I take full responsibility for it.

"Amid recent reports about local institutions in possession of bones of the MOVE bombing victims, I have reconsidered my actions. I believe my decision was wrong and represented a terrible error in judgment. I have informed the Managing Director's office of these events and also announced my intention to resign my position as Health Commissioner of the City of Philadelphia.

"I profoundly regret making this decision without consulting the family members of the victims and I extend my deepest apologies for the pain this will cause them."

Mayor Kenney's full statement:

"Earlier this week, I learned of a very disturbing incident involving the Philadelphia Department of Public Health that occurred during the first term of our administration," Kenney said.

"Health Commissioner Dr. Thomas Farley disclosed that several years ago he learned of remains found by the Medical Examiner's Office that belonged to victims of the 1985 MOVE bombing. Instead of fully identifying those remains and returning them to the family, he made a decision to cremate and dispose of them.

"This action lacked empathy for the victims, their family, and the deep pain that the MOVE bombing has brought to our city for nearly four decades. As a result, I have asked Dr. Farley to resign, effective immediately. Additionally, my Administration has placed Medical Examiner Dr. Sam Gulino on Administrative Leave pending a full investigation. Dr. Cheryl Bettigole has been appointed Acting Health Commissioner, and we will conduct a national search process to fill this position for the remainder of my term.

"In addition to these administrative decisions, I wanted to ensure that the Africa family learned of this incident directly from me, and before the general public. Today, I had the opportunity to meet with members of the Africa family and apologize for the way this situation was handled, and for how the City has treated them for the last five decades. I also promised them full transparency into the outside review of this incident, as well as the handling - or mishandling - of all remains of every MOVE victim. The Team investigating this incident will include individuals specifically approved by the Africa family and we will make every effort to resolve this matter to MOVE's satisfaction.

"While Dr. Farley disclosed, accepted responsibility, and resigned, it is imperative to understand the knowledge and actions of others in my administration at the time. In addition to identifying these individuals, it is my goal that this investigation and final report present a complete picture that's been missing for far too long, and that it brings some comfort and closure to the victims' families. My Administration has retained Dechert LLP to conduct this review.

"I cannot imagine that it means much, but I also offer a formal apology to the Africa family and members of the Movement on behalf of the City of Philadelphia, not just for this disgraceful incident, but also for how administration after administration has failed to atone for the heinous act on May 13, 1985 and continues to dishonor the victims. I am profoundly sorry for the incredible pain, harm, and loss caused by that horrific day.

"Today marks 36 years since eleven Black Philadelphians - including children - were killed by their own government. We cannot rewrite history, but we pledge to use this recent revelation as an opportunity to pay dignity and respect to the victims, their families, and all Philadelphians who have suffered because of the MOVE bombing. We are actively engaging local stakeholders on appropriate and meaningful ways to commemorate MOVE, and we will share more on our plans in the coming weeks."

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced on Thursday, 5/13, that it is removing mask and social distancing recommendations for fully vaccinated people in most situations. "Anyone who is fully vaccinated can participate in indoor and outdoor activities - large or small - without wearing a mask or physically distancing," CDC Director Rochelle Walensky said. "If you are fully vaccinated, you can start doing the things that you had stopped doing because of the pandemic." They still recommend everyone to wear a mask in crowded indoor settings like buses, planes, trains, hospitals, prisons, and homeless shelters. State, local, and business rules should still be observed. Many businesses and other locations may decide to keep mask requirements. Pennsylvania says that it will follow the CDC suggestions for fully vaccinated people. Last week, PA officials said it would lift the mask mandate when the vaccination rate reaches 70%. Pennsylvania Department of Health Acting Secretary Alison Beam said on Thursday, "Today's guidance from the CDC affects only people who are fully vaccinated. This is another incentive to get the vaccine that is now easily and conveniently available. Once 70 percent of Pennsylvanians over 18 are fully vaccinated, we can completely lift the masking order." Philadelphia, New Jersey, Delaware have not yet made a decision on the new guidance.

Philadelphia Police responded to a call of a woman jumping from a third floor window only to also find two unresponsive children inside the apartment. It happened around 11:45 a.m. on the 1500 block of North 52nd Street. The mother was found injured outside the apartment building from the fall. Officers discovered a 2-year-old girl and a 4-year-old girl unconscious in the third floor apartment. They were suffering from facial trauma. The girls were transported to Children's Hospital of Philadelphia in critical condition. The mother was taken to Presbyterian Hospital in stable condition with non life-threatening injuries. She is being held in police custody. The investigation is ongoing.