Currents News full broadcast for Monday, 5/11/20

On the newscast:

– Emergency action to protect New York nursing home residents from the coronavirus. But is it coming too late?

– New York City could start reopening in June as long as progress against the outbreak stays strong.

– Dozens of New York City kids are sick with a rare illness that could be linked to Covid-19.

– The power of love overcomes the outbreak of the disease with the first marriage celebrated in the Diocese of Brooklyn in months.

Watch weeknights at 7:00 pm EST on NET-TV in the New York City area on Spectrum, Optimum, and Fios. Subscribe to our YouTube channel to receive notifications about new content.

Media Expert Shares Insight on What the Presidential Election Could Look in the Age of COVID-19

Currents News Staff

Election day is just six months away, and the 2020 campaign may go down as the most unusual presidential race in American history, as it presents unique challenges to both the news media covering it and to the candidates themselves.

For some voters, President Trump’s reelection could be determined by the job he’s doing with the coronavirus pandemic and the economy. Most at risk in the coronavirus crisis are seniors.

When the president won election, he got their votes. Now some polls suggest their support is wavering. How does he win them over on election day?

The Biden campaign is dealing with a sexual assault allegation that goes back to 1993 when Biden was a U.S. senator. How has he been handling that?

Meanwhile, the Obamas have been getting press, with the former president endorsing his former vice president Joe Biden, and Michelle Obama is also starring in a Netflix documentary.

How much power do they have in getting a Democrat back in the White House?

The Biden campaign is dealing with a sexual assault allegation that goes back to 1993 when Biden was a U.S. senator. How has he been handling that?

In the 24-hour news cycle, there are a lot more opinion shows available, where news organizations seem to lean to one side of the aisle or the other.

Is there such a thing as objective journalism anymore?

With more than 40 years experience as a television and radio journalist, founder media coaching company “Contacts Media,” Frank Cipolla, joins Currents News to lend his perspective on what the presidential election and reporting on it could look like in the age of COVID-19.

Currents News full broadcast for Saturday, 5/9/20

On the newscast:
-It has been months since parishioners have prayed in the pews. But the Bishop of Brooklyn has a plan, already in action.

-An installation from a distance as the United States gains a new Archbishop. The ceremony that would have had thousands just seated a handful.

-A sad goodbye for the Diocese of Brooklyn, but one months in the making. Father Jorge Ortiz-Garay’s body has made its way back to Mexico.

-We meet one frontline nurse that has dealt with sickness her entire life.

Watch weeknights at 7:00 pm EST on NET-TV in the New York City area on Spectrum, Optimum, and Fios. Subscribe to our YouTube channel to receive notifications about new content.

Homepage

JoAnn DiNapoli

Eggplant connoisseur JoAnn DiNapoli joins Msgr Jamie to make her signature dish!

Currents News full broadcast for Friday, 5/8/20

On the newscast:

– Songs of hope and healing are how Lincoln Center is using music to help people grieve in the age of coronavirus. It is an interfaith effort.

– The long journey home weeks after Father Jorge Ortiz-Garay’s death from Covid-19. The pastor of Brooklyn’s Saint Brigid’s parish is finally laid to rest in Mexico.

– The coronavirus crisis is causing a record 20.5-million jobs to vanish in April. The unemployment rate is now close to 15%.

– A white father and son are arrested in the murder of an unarmed black jogger in Georgia.

Watch weeknights at 7:00 pm EST on NET-TV in the New York City area on Spectrum, Optimum, and Fios. Subscribe to our YouTube channel to receive notifications about new content.

Ruins Dating Back to Roman Empire Rediscovered Near Pantheon

Currents News Staff

Only in a city like Rome does maintenance work on drainage systems end up unearthing second-century monuments. As lockdown restrictions in Italy begin to relax, curious onlookers have been stopping to look at ruins that, part of the ancient square, are now buried in front of the Pantheon.

“We found something that had already been partly discovered before,” explained archaeologist Fabio Turchetta. “It’s the flooring of the square from Hadrian’s era, the same period that witnessed the construction of the Pantheon we see today. The paving was made of travertine slabs, which had already been discovered in the 1990s, while the square was being restored.”

Dating back to the time of the Roman Empire, some of these slabs are still in their original positions, exactly where they were placed during Hadrian’s reign.

Unlike then, when the square was slightly lower than the Pantheon, the temple now sits slightly lower than the square.

“This shift happened because Rome grew over the centuries. Imperial Rome was covered by medieval Rome, medieval Rome by Renaissance Rome,” Fabio said. “The temple, on the other hand, which, fortunately, was converted into a church, remained unchanged. It is now one of the best-preserved Roman monuments.”

Even the most seemingly insignificant ceramic fragments are important in determining to which historical period the different layers belong.

“To give a simple example, we are able to recognize our grandparents’ fine china by simply looking at one of their plates,” added Fabio. “We can do the same with ancient ceramics. So, if we know a plate is from, say, the 1800s, then we know the layer in which it’s found is also from the 1800s.”

Although the ruins will be reburied once the drains are repaired, Fabio reassuringly tells passersby that if they want to see a second-century monument from Hadrian’s reign, all they have to do is turn around and look at the Pantheon.

Lincoln Center’s ‘Memorial for Us All’ Provides Hope and Healing During Pandemic

By Jessica Easthope

Lincoln Center has already made its mark on music, the arts and New York City and now it’s looking to leave a lasting impression on the hearts of those who have lost someone to COVID-19.

The latest of Lincoln Center’s musical endeavors is called “Memorial for Us All.”

The difference is this mini concert series is not taking place within the vast, historic performing arts center, but in the home of anyone who tunes in.

“The aspect of a funeral really allows people to come together in community and really honor and remember an individual and that is l missing right now,” said Leah Johnson, Lincoln Center’s Executive Vice President and Chief Communications and Marketing Officer.

Launching the series was an easy decision for Lincoln Center.

“Music is such an important part of the funeral ritual whether you have faith or not and we thought that is something that we could provide,” Johnson said.

“Memorial for Us All” premieres Sundays at 6 p.m. on NET TV. The first concert was hosted by famed jazz trumpet player Wynton Marsalis.

Marsalis performed a take on music from a New Orleans-style funeral. People also submitted hundreds of names of those who have passed away to be displayed during the concert.

Leading the charge on getting names and the word out about “Memorial for Us All” is Interfaith Center of New York and Father Michael Lynch.

“I think the goal for ‘Memorial for Us All’ is for people to be consoled and for people to have hope,” said Fr. Lynch, who also serves as the Vicar for Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs for the Brooklyn Diocese.

Fr. Lynch said at a time when so many are in mourning, “Memorial for Us All” provides more than music.

“We can help people of all faiths or no faith or who are struggling with their faith to face the reality of death, the crisis of COVID, honor the dead together and live in hope together,” Fr. Lynch said.

Originally Lincoln Center had planned on premiering only four memorials but has since decided to extend the series. On Mother’s Day, world-renowned celloist Yo-Yo Ma will be performing.

NET-TV will broadcast these pre-recorded tributes at 6 p.m. The Tablet is a sponsor of “Memorial for Us All.”

The Tablet and NET-TV Facebook pages will premiere the pre-recorded tribute at 6 p.m. for four consecutive Sunday eves, beginning May 10.

To watch on The Tablet’s Facebook page, go to https://www.facebook.com/thetablet.

To watch on NET TV’s page, go to https://www.facebook.com/NETTVny.

Viewers can submit names to “Memorial for Us All” at lincolncenter.org.

Do I Have Immunity to COVID-19 If I Test Positive for the Antibodies? We Ask the Doctor

Currents News Staff

It appears our pets aren’t immune to the coronavirus, as a few have tested positive for it.

In this week’s “Ask the Doctor” segment, Currents News gains some insight on protecting our furry little friends during the pandemic.

We’ve also spoken about hydroxychloroquine, as a new study says it didn’t help COVID-19 patients in New York City. Given the possible dangerous side effects of the drug – including heart arrhythmia – should hydroxychloroquine be used to treat the virus?

Researchers in Arizona discovered a new mutation of the coronavirus, which suggests it might be weakening.

Meanwhile, many people have been getting the antibody test. President Trump said May 8 that he will also receive the antibody, but the CDC says even if you have the antibodies, it doesn’t necessarily mean you’re immune to the virus.

To help Currents News answer some of these questions and debates is Dr. Robert Tiballi, an infectious disease expert with the Catholic Medical Association.

Send Currents News your questions about the coronavirus at [email protected]. And tune in on Fridays – the doctor could have an answer.

These Strict Guidelines Are Now in Place as Italy Begins to Open Churches for Mass

By Melissa Butz

Masses can soon be celebrated with the presence of the faithful.

Masses in Italy have been suspended since March 8, with bishops protesting the fact that they didn’t resume with phase two of the country’s lockdown lift on May 4.

However, a compromise has been found – the first public Mass will be held Monday, May 18.

After a tug-of-war between the Church and State, Italian bishops signed an agreement with their government to specify how to safely celebrate Mass again.

“The defined protocol lays out some sanitary measures, so we can return to celebrate, while respecting everyone’s health,” explained Stefano Russo, Secretary of the Italian Episcopal Conference.

The new protocols refer to the parish, the priest and the faithful.

Churches must limit the number of participants, to ensure a circumference distance of three-feet at all times.

Parishes that can, should have designated entrances and exits.

Hand sanitizer must be at the door, there is to be no holy water, liturgical items or microphone.

The priest can celebrate baptisms, weddings and funerals; but not confirmation. He must give communion with a mask and gloves.

There won’t be a collection, but donations can be placed in baskets positioned around the church.

Those with fever, coronavirus, or in contact with an infected person cannot attend Mass. All must wear masks, regardless.

There will be no sign of peace and no choir, but an organist is allowed

Like the rest of the measures, if the number of infected people increases, religious ceremonies will be suspended again to stop the spread.

The Vatican has not announced when they will start celebrating public Masses, but they will likely follow in Italy’s footsteps and rebegin in the month of May.

Currents News full broadcast for Thursday, 5/7/20

On the newscast:

– The coronavirus crisis is ripping through Queens, taking a heavy toll on the body and the mind. Suicides are rising at an alarming rate but there is help available.

– Job losses continue to mount in the pandemic. Millions more Americans are out of work.

– Getting a vaccine to stop the outbreak could force Catholics to confront a big moral issue. America’s leader on pro-life activities, Archbishop Joseph Naumann, examines the role of abortions.

– Nurse Colleen Donovan is confronting Covid-19 head-on. She’s counting on God to keep her going in the fight. It is Nurses Appreciation Week.

Watch weeknights at 7:00 pm EST on NET-TV in the New York City area on Spectrum, Optimum, and Fios. Subscribe to our YouTube channel to receive notifications about new content.