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Brooklyn Diocese’s Catholic Nursing Homes Begin Vaccinating Residents and Staff Against COVID-19

By Emily Drooby

It’s a long-awaited shot in the arm, and a shot at hope for the first time in months: seniors and staff were given the COVID vaccine inside of Saints Joachim and Anne Nursing and Rehab Center in Coney Island, Brooklyn, bringing a sigh of relief to the Catholic nursing center after days and nights filled with anxiety and grief.

“Whether they’ve contracted the virus or not, everyone has been affected,” explained Barry Breskin, who is with the center.

In the last three weeks of December alone, New York State has seen over 600 nursing home deaths, continuing a tragic legacy that started in the early days of the pandemic. The state is one of the deadliest in the country, with over 8,000 nursing home deaths.

That’s only the deaths that have been counted — it doesn’t include nursing home residents who died in the hospital. Governor Andrew Cuomo recently delayed the release of those numbers until the end of March.

Saints Joachim and Anne wasn’t immune — they did have cases. Still, about two-thirds of the center remains full.

“We’ve persevered, it’s been difficult,” Barry told Currents News. “But we have a wonderful staff who’s done a tremendous job with infection control and maintaining quality health care.”

Now, they think they can almost see the finish line. During this round of vaccinations, they had 200 doses to give out to just over 400 staff and residents.

There were “very few, if any adverse reactions,” he explained. “And as the process goes on more and more people sign up, we give them every opportunity and encourage them and educate them.”

Cell phone footage of the effort was captured for Currents News, as COVID restrictions barred us from going into the facility.

Visitors have also been barred. Families have been unable to see their loved ones. It’s a standard practice as homes around the country tried to keep COVID out. Now the vaccine brings hope that that will change soon.

“We’ve come up with solutions and window visits and everything, but a sense of normalcy to get the comradery back together to get residents in more of a social setting, that only improves rehabilitation and health,” said Barry.

He says that while they don’t know how long things will take to get back to normal, they’re grateful for this first step and first round of protection.  More doses should be coming soon.

Currents News full broadcast for Fri, 1/15/21 (Catholic news)

Currents News reports secular and religious news from the Catholic perspective.

Some of the top stories on this newscast:

With cases and deaths still surging, COVID vaccinations are more urgent than ever. But there’s a problem across the country.

The United States is playing catch up. Demands aren’t being met. The rollout has been too slow – it could get worse, before it gets better.

Could new variants undermine shots in the arm? When is your turn?

Questions about how and where – and encouragement from the bishop who got it before everyone else.

Pope Francis calls the shots a moral obligation. He’s already gotten his, and hopes you will do the same.

All your vaccine questions answered on this special edition of Currents News.

How Will the Biden Administration Impact Small Business Owners?

Currents News Staff

Things could change for small businesses as a new administration prepares to take over. 

President-Elect Joe Biden wants to make small business a centerpiece of his economic policy plans.

Business consultant Paul Karch, president and CEO of Solaiya joins Currents News to share his insight on how the new Democratic administration could affect small business owners? 

 

Currents News full broadcast for Thurs, 1/14/21 (Catholic news)

Currents News reports secular and religious news from the Catholic perspective.

Some of the top stories on this newscast:

The stunning numbers just released: Christian persecution is up 60 percent worldwide – the ongoing pandemic a major cause.

20,000 National Guard troops have descended on the nation’s capital as fears of more violence push anxiety levels to the brink.

If you have questions about taking the COVID vaccine, Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio will be here to address those concerns.

During the pandemic small businesses are struggling and blood donations are down, so why not partner up? We meet a business owner who started a program that gives a pint of Guinness to anyone who donates a pint of blood.

Worldwide Christian Persecution Has Increased During the Pandemic

By Emily Drooby

The pandemic locked billions of people across the world in their homes. However, that didn’t stop the scourge on society that is Christian persecution. Unfortunately, the problem actually got worse in 2020. It also took on new forms, including the loss of much-needed aid to the faithful.

“Very early on there definitely were reports. We had reports out of India, reports out of Pakistan, and reports out of parts of Africa, talking about the disparity in treatment that’s happening at the local level,” said Ed Clancy of Aid to the Church in Need, a Catholic organization fighting Christian persecution.

He explained that governments blame access to certain communities. But a question remains unanswered.

He asks, “Why is it that these Christian communities seem to be the ones that are suffering more when it comes to not receiving government aid?”

Christian religious gatherings have also been targeted. Ed explained that in some places, “they went in and said that the church could not have its function. Yet every day, a Mosque has hundreds of people come in and out with nobody there stopping them.”

Safety is a big concern. Christian advocacy group Open Doors says that in 2019-2020, the number of Christians being murdered for their faith went up 60 percent.

“We had the pandemic which caused military or government or policing groups to be stretched to the limits, so there’s more opportunity to do bad,” said Ed.

The numbers are grim. 340 million Christians face discrimination. Daily, 13 are killed for their faith and 12 churches or Christian buildings are attacked.

The United Nations even warned that terrorists are exploiting the pandemic and the pain it has caused, using it to recruit.

At the same time, because of restricted church attendance it’s harder to spread word of what’s happening.

“Their most trusted source is their parish, so we essentially removed part of that,” explained Ed. “So, it becomes harder for the message, for the information to be delivered.” He says that Aid to the Church in Need routinely finds that church is where a lot of people learn about Christian persecution.

If you want to help Christians facing persecution around the world, donate to Aid to the Church in Need at https://www.churchinneed.org/.

Stout NYC and New York Blood Center’s ‘Give a Pint, Get a Pint’ Is a Hopeful Collaboration

By Jessica Easthope

Every time someone donates blood a life could be saved.

The New York Blood Center used to hold up to 50 blood drives a day. During the pandemic that number dropped to six, causing a massive backorder on life-saving blood. But now that’s slowly changing, thanks to Martin Whelan.

“I’d like to think that anyone would do this if they had the opportunity to. I just happened to come up with a good idea,” said Martin, the owner of restaurant group Stout NYC.

He owns 11 bars and restaurants in New York City, but he’s brought in less than 10 percent of his normal revenue because only three are open. The rest have been transformed into blood drive sites.

While there’s no steady flow of business, Martin partnered with the New York Blood Center to host blood drives in his bars. So far, they’ve hosted about 20 and have donated more than 800 pints of blood.

“Things are pretty dire right now, and any kind of help we can offer to other human beings I think is great,” said Stefanie Izzo, who donated blood for the first time Jan. 14.

Right now, blood is in high demand. Hospitals have resumed non-emergency surgeries, and COVID-19 patients are in desperate need of antibody-rich plasma, which is why people were lining up to do their part at Rivercrest in Astoria, Queens on Thursday.

Those who donated blood left with more than just a good feeling. They got a New York Mets t-shirt and a voucher for two tickets to a game. They’ll also be sent something that makes this program unique.

“They used to give a free pint of Guinness in Ireland when you gave a pint of blood because it’s iron rich, and I contacted the New York Blood Center and said, ‘Can we start a program and we call it ‘Give a Pint, Get a Pint?’ We can’t give you the pint of Guinness the day you give blood but we give you a voucher,” Martin said.

Martin’s Catholic faith motivated him to see the positive in this hard time. It’s also why Monsignor Fernando Ferrarese donates his blood, which is among one of the rarest types in the world.

“Local businesses receive so much from the community and give so much to the community that it’s like synergy to work together, so I think it’s always a good sign,” said Monsignor Ferrarese, the pastor of Immaculate Conception Church in Astoria.

Martin doesn’t receive a cent for hosting the blood drives, but he plans to continue the program indefinitely. All he hopes is that those who come in for their free pint: buy a second.

Upcoming “Give a Pint, Get a Pint” Blood Drives:

Jan. 20: Amity Hall Downtown

Jan. 22 : Rivercrest, Astoria 

Jan. 27: Amity Hall Downtown

Jan. 28: Stout FiDi 

Jan. 29: Rivercrest, Astoria

Feb. 16: Amity Hall Uptown

Feb. 17: Amity Hall Uptown

As Authorities Warn of Domestic Threats Ahead of Biden Inauguration, Trump Urges Calm

Currents News Staff

Horror, confusion and pain are just some of the things lawmakers say they felt during the attempted coup at the U.S. capitol.

“I haven’t seen a sight like that since I was in Iraq in a war zone,” said Colorado Rep. Jason Crow.

But now there’s a new concern surrounding these images: motivation.

Law enforcement agencies warn the insurrection is potentially inspiring home-grown terrorists to carry out more attacks, both in Washington and around the country.

“I would also be significantly concerned about some of these, the longer term planning efforts among the Boogaloo Boys, and the LARPers, cosplay seditionists, hitting at not just state capitols and seats of power across the 50 states, but also infrastructure,” said Christopher Krebs, the former Director of Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency at the Department of Homeland Security. “Hitting soft targets.”

Already, prosecutors have charged dozens of people with federal crimes related to the Capitol chaos. Law enforcement expects to arrest hundreds more.

“We saw, really, the birth of a domestic terror movement last week and we’re going to have to deal with that in the months and years ahead,” said Rep. Crow.

President Trump urges calm.

“Violence and vandalism have absolutely no place in our country,” he said. “And no place in our movement.”

But chatter about copycat attacks has put federal and state officials on high alert.

“They won’t catch anyone by surprise this time,” said Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison. “We know they’re there. We know how violent they can be.”

In response, thousands of armed National Guard troops surround Washington, D.C. and barriers block streets. The iconic National Mall will be closed on Inauguration Day.

“We are on the path to making sure that it is secure,” said Rep. Crow. “And it is going to be secure.”

 

How Will the Biden Presidency Address Pro-Life Concerns?

Currents News Staff

Inauguration day is exactly a week away, and we will have our second ever Catholic president.

Still, Catholic voters are concerned about issues important to them — particularly abortion. 

What will this new administration mean for abortion laws?

Joining Currents News to discuss is the Executive Director of Democrats for life, Kristen Day.

Currents News full broadcast for Wed, 1/13/20 (Catholic news)

Currents News reports secular and religious news from the Catholic perspective.

Some of the top stories on this newscast:

A divided Congress battled it out on the house floor – impeaching President Trump in the wake of the Capitol Hill attacks.

How will the country’s second Catholic president handle major Catholic concerns?

Pope Francis gets his shot – a report on the Vatican’s vaccination rollout.