U.S. Colleges Quarantine, Close as COVID-19 Cases Climb

Currents News Staff

Many students will be back online for at least part of the fall semester. The ongoing coronavirus pandemic is forcing some schools to shut their doors, sometimes just days after opening.

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is hitting the brakes on in-person classes for undergraduates, moving online starting Aug. 19

“I only moved in last Friday,” said UNC freshman Chloe Horton.

This decision comes after a rash of COVID-19 cases are confirmed on campus.

“I think the right move from the University initially was to not open at all because back in July, the chancellor sent out an email saying the numbers weren’t where they wanted them to be,” Chloe said.

More than 1,600 miles away, over 150 students at Colorado College are in quarantine due to possible exposure.

CNN Chief Medical Correspondent Sanjay Gupta says there is still a risk.

“The only thing that I think we don’t know is at what point do these schools start to shut down again. The virus is still spreading, I mean this is not the time to open up and I don’t know if I sound like a crazy person saying that or not, but that is the truth,” Sanjay said.

The number of known COVID-19 cases in the U.S. doubles roughly every two months, according to Johns Hopkins University. Health experts say the country needs to be pro-active.

“Clearly we need new testing, we need to be able to scale up testing so that everyone who needs testing, who wants testing can get it,” said Richard Besser, CEO of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, “schools and colleges can use testing as part of their strategy.”

Sanjay has one suggestion.

“If 95 percent of the country just simply wore masks at this point, it would start to bend this curve downward and save tens of thousands of lives,” he said.

What to Expect With the First Virtual Democratic National Convention

Currents News Staff

The Democratic National Convention is virtual this year, which could mean a little less excitement than years past. Political science professor at St. John’s University, Brian Browne, joins Currents News to talk about what viewers can expect when they tune in.

Volunteers Help Clean Prospect Park After a Decrease in Funding and Increase in Attendance

By Emily Drooby

If you take a walk through Prospect Park in Brooklyn, you will likely see trash. It’s a sight that has become common in many NYC public spaces.

“Usage is through the roof, so if usage is through the roof, of course that means more trash,” New York City Councilmember Brad Lander told Currents News.

People using the parks isn’t the only factor behind the garbage, it’s also a lack of money.

City Hall slashed 14 percent of the parks department’s budget. Also, as Sue Donoghue, president of the Prospect Park Alliance explains, the pandemic has hurt their other revenue streams too.

“About 25 percent of our budget was lost because we rely on events and concession revenue in addition to individual donations,” she said. “All of that stopped with COVID the weddings and things that people usually have in the park are no longer happening, so it’s a huge hit to our budget.”

Currently they have about 75 people caring for the park, normally that number is closer to 120.

To bridge the gap, the alliance is asking the community for help, volunteers who can help clean.

“Seeing the garbage is painful, you don’t want to see this beautiful place made ugly and disrespected but the thing we can do about it is roll up our sleeves together and go pick up the trash. It’s a beautiful thing, some problems are hard to solve, garbage all you need are some gloves and a trash bag,” Lander explained while helping to clean the park.

Caring for the environment is a major issue for Pope Francis and for Brother Joseph Bach of the Franciscan Brothers of Brooklyn. He’s impressed by what the Prospect Park volunteers are doing, it’s a step everyone can take.

“We do see a lot of trash lately, especially because of the pandemic, we will see masks or gloves or whatever out there. And I think part of being a good steward, is, let’s try to pick some of this up,” Brother Bach said.

In the park, volunteers like Tamar Cohn and her daughter are enthused so many are cleaning up.

“I think it just validates my point that New York is going to get better, and I think it gives me hope for humanity,” Cohn said.

The Prospect Park Alliance is looking for volunteers every Monday through the month of August. For more information you can check out their website: https://www.prospectpark.org/get-involved/volunteer/

Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens Serves 45,000 People During Pandemic

By Jessica Easthope

On the frontlines of the pandemic along with first responders is Catholic Charities, the agency feeding the communities most in need. Across the country, the agency has given out more than $400 million worth of assistance, the impact of that help has been priceless.

Debbie Hampson the Senior Director of Community Health and Wellness for Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens says the pandemic is putting her team to the test.

“I was on our 9/11 disaster team and our Hurricane Sandy disaster relief team so I’ve seen disasters but I think in a way this is the worst one because it’s affected people across the country,” Hampson said.

From April until the end of June, Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens held 11 pop-up food pantries across the Brooklyn Diocese.

The agency gave out more than 400,000 meals and served more than 45,000 people.

“My staff and our volunteers were willing to go out and be that frontline, giving out that food to people, they’re putting their health and their families health at risk by doing that but the need was so great,” said Hampson.

During the height of the pandemic the agency’s team grew from just a handful of people to nearly 150 volunteers, help they say they couldn’t do without.

“People come forward to help us, we couldn’t do this alone with our teams, we’ve had the Knights of Columbus, Ladies of Charity, people who want to help out their community,” said Richard Slizeski, the Senior Vice President for Mission for Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens.

Slizeski says donations are keeping the agency going. In addition to the pop-up food pantries, Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens is seeing a 1000 percent increase at the 20 food pantries it runs year-round. Slizeski says when they were feeding people who thought they would never be at a food pantry, the agency’s true mission came into play.

“Part of our mission is we recognize the dignity of every single person and part of that dignity is to be able to live and feed your families and we’re walking with people on that journey,” Slizeski said.

Pandemic or not, for Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens, the work is never done.

Currents News full broadcast for Mon, 8/17/20 (Catholic news)

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

Some of the top stories on this newscast:

The Democratic National Convention is different this year but they could be choosing America’s second Catholic president.

No end in sight for New York City’s gun violence. Could the President step in? He says he’s ready for action.

And in Sunset Park, Brooklyn investigators going door to door trying to control the new COVID spike.

How the heroes of Catholic Charities continue to make a huge difference in the lives of so many New Yorkers.

Currents News full broadcast for Fri, 8/14/20 (Catholic news)

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

Some of the top stories on this newscast:

The governor has given the green light to New York’s schools, but some parents still have their foot on the brakes.

You’ll hear from a teacher who says Catholic schools can be the safest in the city because they have the room to social distance.

How does Kamala Harris stack up with the so-called “Catholic vote?”

Currents News full broadcast for Thurs, 8/13/20 (Catholic news)

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

Some of the top stories on this newscast:

A Brooklyn neighborhood is on high alert and we’re taking the pulse of the people.

A big roadblock could stand in the way of reopening the Big Apple’s public schools.

Catholic parents in the city are hoping they’re not forgotten when it comes to new pandemic aid.

As Fall Season Approaches, CDC Director Issues Coronavirus Warning

Currents News Staff

This is the greatest public health crisis to hit this nation in a century. The director of the Center for Disease Control and Prevention is issuing a strong warning to Americans regarding COVID-19.

“I’m asking you to do four simple things: wear a mask, social distance, wash your hands and be smart about crowds,” Dr. Robert Redfield said, “if we don’t do that as I said last April, this could be the worst fall, from a public health perspective, that we’ve ever had.”

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) echoed the guidance, publishing a list of tips for families, again reminding Americans to wash their hands, wear a mask, and social distance.

Additionally, the FDA is asking people to donate blood due to the ongoing shortages because of the pandemic.

All this comes as local officials debate how and when to get kids back to school safely. In the Dallas school district, Superintendent Michael Hinojosa says the issue is complex.

“We haven’t seen our kids since March and there are a lot of mental health issues they’re struggling with and learning is better in person,” Hinojosa said, “but only if it’s safe.”

And with some schools already in session, how to handle outbreaks continues to be a major concern for both educators and parents.More than 2,000 students, teachers, and staff have already been quarantined across five states after outbreaks of new cases occurred after those schools re-opened.

St. Michael’s Church Concerned for Undocumented Community in Wake of COVID-19 Spike in Sunset Park

By Jessica Easthope

The city-wide COVID-19 infection rate in New York is around one percent, in Sunset Park, Brooklyn it’s nearly seven percent.

“We do have one of the biggest majorities of undocumented immigrants in the city, so I think this goes to show the lack of resources and medical attention these people can afford and receive,” said Daniela Alba, a parish secretary at St. Michael’s Church in Sunset Park.

Recently 3,300 people in Sunset Park were tested, 228 were positive. The city says the cause of the spike is a mystery, but Daniela says she thinks the community’s Latin culture is playing a role.

“We come from a culture when a lot of people want to be out and about for the summer. We hope that everyone understands, you can take the risk but the consequences are going to be dire because of the lack of resources, income and lack of awareness that exists in this community unfortunately,” said Daniela.

The virus has hit immigrant-rich communities in New York City the hardest. New spikes are also being seen in the Rockaways, Queens and in the Bronx. According to the latest data from the New York City Department of Health, Hispanics outnumber all other ethnicities in overall coronavirus cases and deaths.

St. Michael’s requires parishioners to socially distance, wear a mask and have their temperatures taken before coming in.

Father Fulgencio Gutierrez, the new pastor of St. Michael’s, says the church is doing everything it can to keep parishioners safe, but once they leave, it’s up to them.

“Maybe they’re not following the guidelines and the norms, social distancing, and I hope the people get it,” said Fr. Fulgencio.

The pandemic has wounded the physical and financial well-being of the undocumented community. Daniela says St. Michael’s is connecting as many parishioners as possible with community resources.

“Really and truly what our aim is is to do what Jesus Christ did to help the poor, the lowly the ones most in need and that’s what we’re called to do at all times and especially now during this pandemic, during this uptick and for the people of Sunset Park,” said Daniela.

The city is knocking on doors, posting flyers and making calls in Sunset Park. Fr. Fulgencio says faith will help the community make it through.

“We believe that God is with us, that Jesus is walking with us through the storm that we’re not alone,” Fr. Fulgencio said. “We will conquer it and cross the storm victorious.”

Sisters of Social Service

Joe Estevez discovers ways to resolve the ever increasing homeless problem in Los Angeles. He interviews some of the Sisters of Social Services about their history, ministry, and dedication towards social awareness and action.