FDA Advisory Committee Approves Emergency Use Authorization for Pfizer COVID Vaccine

A major step forward to getting Americans a COVID-19 vaccine was announced Dec. 11. An advisory committee to the Food and Drug Administration approved an emergency use authorization for a Pfizer biontech vaccine.

But, it’s not the final step in the process, so how long before you could get the vaccine.

As COVID-19 continues to ravage the country, Americans getting a vaccine could stop the spread in its tracks.

From the FDA to the CDC, a committee there must also give the vaccine a green light.

And if that happens, “20 million people should get vaccinated in just the next several weeks,” explained Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar.

Here’s how Pfizer biontech says it’ll happen:

Within 24 hours of the FDA’s emergency authorization, much of the vaccine will be shipped from Pfizer’s facility in Kalamazoo, Michigan, first going to hospitals and pharmacies nationwide that partnered with the federal government.

Next, health care workers and residents in long-term care facilities are at the top of the list to get the vaccine.

But, that timeline could depend on which state you live in. Take Illinois, for example.

‘Yes, there are a lot of people in the priority group. Yes, we want to get it to you. But no, it won’t happen on day one, week one or even week two. Patience will be the name of the game,” said Dr. Ngozi Ezike, Director of the Illinois Department of Public Health:

Younger, relatively healthy, non-essential workers can expect “end of March, early April,” said Dr. Anthony Fauci, Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. “Once you get into April, probably full blast with those individuals.”

Some details are still being ironed out, but the goal is to make it as simple as getting a seasonal flu shot.

“They’ll come in at their scheduled time. They’ll meet with a pharmacist or technician. They’ll get their flu shot. They’ll get a record card with a vaccination they got, and we’ll also email them with that record,” explained Jonathan Roberts Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of CVS Health.

Currents News full broadcast for Thurs, 12/10/20 (Catholic news)

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

Some of the top stories on this newscast:

A pivotal day in the pandemic – the FDA could approve emergency use of potentially life-saving COVID vaccine.

Then, the toll the pandemic is having on students with special needs and what’s being done about it.

We’ll meet the new president of St. John’s University and find out what his plans are for the school.

Divine Wisdom Catholic Academy Stays Dedicated to Supporting Special Education Students Amid COVID

By Emily Drooby

Teaching and learning during the pandemic has been an uphill battle. While it’s been hard for all kids, it’s proven to be especially difficult for special education students.

“It was definitely different,” Kerri Okula told Currents News. “We had to think of new and inventive ways of getting the students engaged, and actually online.”

Kerri is the special education learning lab coordinator at Divine Wisdom Catholic Academy in Douglaston, Queens.

Since the pandemic hit in March, she and her team have been working on overdrive.

Their learning lab is just one of the ways the school is trying to stay ahead of the curve and on top of student needs. It’s where they can get the extra help they need during this turbulent time.

“Every day it’s a challenge, and every day brings new challenges,” explained the school’s principal, Miriam Bonici.

Across the country, parents are challenging different departments of education.

Unlike the program at Divine Wisdom Catholic Academy, parents don’t feel like the needs of their children with special needs are being met.

Lawsuits have been popping up in multiple states. Families in Hawaii, New York, Connecticut, Texas and other states are alleging mishandling of students’ special education.

In New York City, parents of eight children have filed a federal lawsuit claiming the Department of Education (DOE) has failed to fulfill their children IEPs, a map that lays out a child’s special education programming. These families say they were denied therapists, translators and technology. They believe their child’s progress has halted or in some cases regressed.

A recently released report from the NYC Education Department shows tens of thousands of students with disabilities did not get their mandated services.

Currents News did reach out to the DOE, but they did not return a request for comment.

On the other hand, in Douglaston, Kerri and her team provide services for about 60 kids. They’re not immune to the struggles of the pandemic, and say working with students and coordinating schedules were very difficult at first.

But for Kerri this isn’t just a job, it’s a calling.

“I was a one-on-one aide with a student that was non-verbal and has autism. So, it was a very close relationship and from September to June, just seeing his interactions and him grow as a student, it was great,” Kerri explained.

Kerri says their goal at this time was to have good communication and be very accessible to their students.

“If we are not seeing them, we are going to regress, we are going to see major deficits so the students as we continue to see them, their strengths are improving and their skills are improving,” she explained, adding that good communication and being easily accessible to students has been a godsend to them.

Miriam calls their level of commitment remarkable.

“They make the time, whether it’s during the school day or after school to make sure they are meeting with all of their students and that the students are getting whatever services they need in order to be successful,’ she noted.

St. John’s University’s New President Focused on Vincentian Mission, Community Prior to Installation

Currents News Staff

As the fall semester comes to a close, St. John’s University will be making a fresh start next semester with a new president. Father Brian Shanley O.P., will succeed Bobby Gempesaw in February 2021.

Father Shanley joined Currents News to share his upcoming plans and the story behind how he ended up coming to the Queens campus after spending 15 years at Rhode Island’s Catholic university, Providence College.

Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens Holds First Ever Toy Drive

By Jessica Easthope

Boxes of toys came flooding in at Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens’ first ever toy drive on Dec. 10. In years past, Catholic Charities collected toys from other groups and distributed them during the Christmas season. This year they’re taking charge — and all the toys they can get.

“For the children to have them, still believe that there is a Christmas and people still care so more than ever, we need to be there for our community,” said Debbie Hampson, Senior Director of Community Health and Wellness Services at Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens.

Nearly 900,000 New Yorkers are unemployed this Christmas. Those who came Thursday with toys for kids of all ages said giving back is more important than ever before.

“This year we need a little Christmas it has been so hard. So many people have passed away, and so many people are despondent and in despair. We need a little bit of Christmas,” said Antonio Burzi, who came to donate a puzzle.

“This pandemic has made such a difference in the lives of so many people. That’s what it’s all about: to give to people in need,” said Barbara Slattery who donated Frozen themed toys.

A single box of toys was nearly full when Tammy Rivera, a representative from the New York City Council of Carpenters, came with a truckload of donations.

“It’s about helping one another right now. Everyone is essential you ask me and for those who can’t do it for their families this year we’re going to help you do it for your family,” Tammy said.

Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens is hoping to have toys for more than 2,000 kids this year. The first distribution is on December 17 in Rego Park, Queens at Our Lady of the Angelus Church.

Stimulus Checks Will Not Be Part of Congress’s COVID Relief Proposal

Currents News Staff

There’s still a stalemate on a stimulus package, and the clock is ticking.

“People’s eyes are fixed on Congress,” said Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell. “They need the House and the Senate to stop chasing our tails and make a law.”

A bipartisan group of lawmakers has proposed a deal that includes giving the unemployed $300 more a week for 16 weeks, $300 billion in aid for small businesses and a continued pause on federal student loan payments through the end of April.

The plan doesn’t include stimulus checks.

“We need a large bold program to stimulate the economy, help people out of the conditions they’re in,” said Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, “but keep the economy going for a long period of time.”

Congress is trying to get a bill passed soon, because aid programs that were approved in March — including jobless assistance measures and eviction protections — expire before the end of the year.

“We’re not going home until we get one,” said West Virginia Democratic Senator Joe Manchin. “How can you face the people back home who have lost their unemployment check and lost their food assistance and they’ve lost their shelter, all necessities of life we take for granted.”

Sticking points include state and local aid and liability protection for employers.

“This need not be rocket science,” said McConnell, “but we can’t do a thing unless the Democrats decide they actually want to make a law.”

Currents News full broadcast for Wed, 12/09/20 (Catholic news)

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

Some of the top stories on this newscast:

The Christmas season is officially underway in the Diocese of Brooklyn with the lighting of the Christmas tree at Grand Army Plaza – there’s a special addition to this year’s display.

Pope Francis expresses a private act of veneration to the Immaculate Conception at dawn to avoid crowds.

An original song by students inspired by Carlo Acutis – the first millennial on the path to sainthood.

Baseball legend Darryl Strawberry on how his faith in God helped turn his life around.

Baseball Legend Darryl Strawberry Says Faith Changed His Life in Book, ‘Turn Your Season Around’

Currents News Staff

Former New York baseball legend Darryl Strawberry is known for his achievements on the field – as a player for the New York Mets and the Yankees – but he’s also known for some troubling behavior off the field.

In Strawberry’s new book, “Turn Your Season Around: How God Transforms Your Life,” he talks about how his faith got him through some challenging times.

Darryl Strawberry joined Currents News to discuss fame, fortune and its downfall as well as his new book and evangelization ministry.

How Blessed Carlo Acutis Inspired Holy Trinity Diocesan High School’s New Song, ‘Born an Original’

By Jessica Easthope

From the mouth of a Blessed into the hearts of three singers: Carlo Acutis, the teenager who was beatified in October, inspired the song “Born an Original.”

The lyrics are made up of his own words, brought to life again by Holy Trinity Diocesan High School Campus Minister Theresa Marino and students Luca DiGregoli and Bryce Ridley.

“We realized we really have a lot in common with him, he was there age when he passed and his legacy was in 15 years and he did such an extraordinary amount for the Lord,” Theresa said.

The three composed the song in a week. With faith shining through their talent, the song has taken on a different meaning for each of them.

“It said something along the lines of people are born an original but die as photocopies and I found that interesting because it inspired me to take my life and do something original with it,” said senior Luca.

Blessed Carlo Acutis died of leukemia in 2006 — his first miracle was saving a Brazilian boy who suffered from a rare disease. But it was the work he did on earth that makes him relatable to the high school seniors.

“From simply writing a song about him it gave me an insight on what his life was like and why he had the connection he did with God and it encouraged me to do the same,” said Bryce.

“I feel like if this guy was around I’d be friends with him and to have that connection with a saint is what makes it once in a lifetime for me,” Luca said.

Theresa says she’s seen her students strengthen their relationships with God at a time in life when many stray away.

“To see the faith become real in terms of making God really present in the life of a teenager and how that can affect them going forward, that’s what we’re all here to do if we’re in the business of Catholic school,” Theresa said.

The group plans to record “Born an Original” and make it available online to stream. They’re also hoping to get it to Carlo Acutis’ family, to let them know just how far his legacy has reached.

Say ‘No’ to Sin, ‘Yes’ to Grace, Pope Francis Says on Immaculate Conception Feast

By Currents News Staff and Junno Arocho Esteves

VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Mary’s Immaculate Conception offers a glimpse to the promised life for all Christians who open their hearts to God and his grace, Pope Francis said.

Addressing pilgrims in St. Peter’s Square on the feast of the Immaculate Conception Dec. 8, the pontiff said the grace “to be totally free from sin” is a gift from God and the “fullness of holiness” given to Mary from the beginning.

“And what Mary had from the beginning will be ours in the end, after we have passed through the purifying ‘bath’ of God’s grace. What opens the gates of paradise to us is God’s grace, received by us with faithfulness,” he said.

In the early morning, the Holy Father visited the Spanish Steps privately to pay homage to the Immaculate Conception at a Marian statue atop a tall column. Customarily, the pope, accompanied by hundreds of people, would pray before the statue every year.

However, the Vatican announced Nov. 30 that the pontiff would “make an act of private devotion” due to the coronavirus pandemic and avoid the risk of infection that would be caused by a large gathering.

Pope Francis prayed silently before the famed statue, which was erected in 1857 to commemorate Pope Pius IX’s declaration three years earlier of the dogma that Mary was conceived without sin. After he departed, Rome firefighters used a truck and tall ladder to hang a ring of flowers and a rosary from the statue’s outstretched arm.

In a statement released Dec. 8, Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni said that after leaving the Spanish Steps, the pontiff visited in the Basilica of St. Mary Major, where he prayed before the icon of Mary “Salus Populi Romani” (“health of the Roman people”) and celebrated Mass in the chapel of the Nativity.

After praying the Angelus prayer, the Holy Father said that although the public could not be present for the laying of flowers at the statue of Mary, it “does not impede us from offering our mother the flowers that please her most: prayer, penance and a heart open to grace.”

In his main talk, the Holy Father reflected on the Marian feast day that “celebrates one of the wonders of the story of salvation.”

“Even she was saved by Christ, but in an extraordinary way,” the pontiff said, because God wanted the mother of his son to “not be touched by the misery of sin from the moment of her conception.”

Pope Francis said Christians must remember that to pass “through the narrow door” that leads to paradise, they must first be mindful of their faults and open their hearts to God.

“Do you know who is the first person we are sure entered paradise? Do you know who? A ‘ruffian;’ one of the two who was crucified with Jesus,” he said. “Brothers and sisters, God’s grace is offered to everyone; and many who are the least on this earth will be the first in heaven.”

He warned the faithful not to take advantage of the Lord’s patience by continually postponing “a serious evaluation of one’s own life” and thus, be unable to obtain God’s grace.

“We may be able to deceive people, but not God,” the Holy Father said. “He knows our hearts better than we ourselves do. Let us take advantage of the present moment!”

Pope Francis urged the faithful to “seize the day” by saying “‘no’ to evil and ‘yes’ to God” and “to once and for all stop thinking of ourselves, dragging ourselves into hypocrisy and to face our own reality as we are.”

“And this, for us, is the path for becoming ‘holy and immaculate,'” the pontiff said. “The uncontaminated beauty of our mother is incomparable, but at the same time it attracts us. Let us entrust ourselves to her and say ‘no’ to sin and ‘yes’ to grace once and for all.”