Source: Putnam County Courier
On May 15, 2003 Putnam County Courier reported that "amid fears that SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome) may spread into Putnam County [NY], the Chuang Yen Monastery has cancelled its planned Adult Buddhism Summer Camp planned for the Memorial Day weekend in Kent Cliffs... Wayne Chang, secretary of the Buddhist Association of the United States, made the announcement Sunday following a celebration of Buddha's birthday... Mr. Chang said the organization was taking all precautions due to the rise of the killer illness in Asia. 'Our organization is comprised primarily of Asians. While we welcome all people just like a theater, no one knows if anyone infected with the sickness will attend. We are afraid that a person who is unaware that he or she has the sickness may spread it into Putnam County,' he said."