New York City Mayor Eric Adams has tested positive for COVID-19 a day after comparing himself to a biblical figure and calling for prayers from the church amid mounting corruption scandals.
The mayor tested positive for the virus on Monday after saying he was “not feeling well,” according to a City Hall spokesperson.
This comes after Adams visited several East New York churches over the weekend, including the Changing Lives Christian Center and the Evangelical Authority Ministry’s Sunday service, as part of an effort to strengthen ties between city leadership and the city’s faith communities.
During his visit, Adams compared himself to the suffering biblical figure of Job.
“East New York has always been resilient,” he told parishioners. “This community knows what it means to fight through tough times and come out stronger. And so do I.”
New York City Mayor Eric Adams has compared himself to a biblical figure as he asked churchgoers to pray for him amid investigations into his top aides.
The mayor visited several East New York churches over the weekend, including the Changing Lives Christian Center and the Evangelical Authority Ministry’s Sunday service, as part of an effort to strengthen ties between city leadership and the city’s faith communities.
Adams, who has previously spoken about his own struggles with learning disabilities, dyslexia and diabetes, told parishioners he has had many “Job moments” in his life.
“I’ve had a lot of Job moments in my life,” Adams said at Power and Authority Evangelical Ministry and Changing Lives Christian Center.
He compared the story to his own struggles with learning disabilities, dyslexia and diabetes. “These are Job-like moments, when your faith is strengthened,” he added.
“This is where I get my strength,” the mayor told reporters. “This is the source of my energy.”
Asked if he felt persecuted, Adams replied: “If that’s all you learned from that sermon, you’re missing out. We all go through things.”
As the mayor was leaving the Church of Power and Authority, he was seen shaking hands with Bishop Rotimi Onabanjo and saying: “Pray, pray for all of them. Pray for me.”
During his visit, Adams compared himself to the suffering biblical figure of Job.
Adams, who has previously spoken about his own struggles with learning disabilities, dyslexia and diabetes, told parishioners he has had many “Job moments” in his life.
The mayor’s comments came just days after some of his closest allies were targeted by federal authorities.
Officers raided the homes of First Deputy Mayor Sheena Wright and Deputy Mayor for Public Safety Phil Banks at 5 a.m. Wednesday, The City reports.
The raids took place simultaneously at Wright’s home in Hamilton Heights, in upper Manhattan, and at Banks’ property in Hollis, Queens.
The reason for the raids remains a secret, but both officers reportedly had their electronic devices confiscated.
This comes after the FBI seized Mayor Adams’ cellphone and laptop and raided the home of his campaign treasurer, Brianna Suggs, last November amid an investigation into his 2021 campaign.
