States Across the Nation to Enforce Stay at Home Orders to Curb Coronavirus Cases

Currents News Staff

The White House coronavirus task force has revealed the virus has an attack rate of close to one in 1,000 in the New York metro area, with 28 percent of those tested being positive.

“No one wants that distinction, not a single one of us, but it is true, and that’s why we so desperately need help particularly from our federal government to get through it,” said de Blasio.

“This is the group that needs to absolutely social distance and self-isolate at this time,” explained Dr. Deborah Birx, the White House Coronavirus Response Coordinator.

Despite the climbing numbers in New York, President Trump still suggested that he’s eager to end the virtual nationwide shutdown as soon as next week, contradicting his own health experts.

“Our country wasn’t built to be shut down. This is not a country that was built for this,” he said. “America will, again, and soon, be open for business, very soon.”

It’s also countering many officials in states battling exponentially rising cases:

“We believe that social distancing, that’s how you keep the pressure off the healthcare system,” said New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy.

Meanwhile, Governor Andrew Cuomo visited the Javits Center, which the National Guard is quickly working to transform into a makeshift hospital with 1,000 beds.

“We can scramble and create beds. We’ll have a staff problem, because staff are getting sick,” said Cuomo.

Even with the federal government stepping in to supply some crucial medical equipment like masks and gloves, officials say that’s just a temporary solution.

“Our national stockpile allotment covers one shift at a hospital,” said Governor Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan.

Across the country businesses continue to close, and even parks and playgrounds are shuttered temporarily, all in efforts to all help flatten the curve.

Over 142 million Americans in at least sixteen states will be under stay at home orders by March 25.

“It’s time to hunker down in order to win this fight,” said Governor Jay Inslee of Washington.

Currents News full broadcast for Tues, 3/24/20

On the newscast: In the coronavirus crisis, a top Catholic university in New York is pitching in to relieve the pressure building on a Queens hospital; The pandemic is causing jobless claims to soar all across New York, and the state is struggling to keep up; There are reports of progress being made on Capitol Hill to get help to Americans; And a New Jersey priest takes to the air with the Blessed Sacrament.

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.

DeSales Media Expands Televised Live Masses During Coronavirus Cancelations

By Tim Harfmann

NET-TV is bringing the faith directly to your home, channeling your beliefs on television and online.

Currents News’ parent company, DeSales Media Group, is broadcasting 14 live Masses in seven different languages now that public Masses are on hold.

Monsignor Kieran Harrington, Vicar for Communications in the Brooklyn Diocese, said the crisis won’t stop Catholics from worshiping.

“We have a great blessing that technology allows the Mass, the Eucharist to be very present to us, and spiritually, we recognize that we’re in communion with one another even though physically we are not able to receive Holy Communion,” he explained. “While we have to social distance, God is very near to us.”

Broadcasts are sent out from behind the closed doors at the Co-Cathedral of Saint Joseph in Prospect Heights.

The diocese of immigrants is on full display through both weekday and Sunday Masses, including in Creole, Spanish and more.

Regardless of the language, priests say there must be faith.

“This moment is a special time. We need to understand it’s a different time. It’s difficult, but it’s different,” said Father Agustin Orellana, who celebrates Mass in Spanish.

“The same God yesterday is the same God today,” added Father Michel Pierre Louis, who celebrates Mass in Creole.

The new initiative expands DeSales Media’s usual broadcasts of English and Spanish Masses.

“It’s been a little tight, been a little hectic, but we’re getting the hang of it,” said Evan Bellouny from the production department of DeSales Media Group.

Masses are celebrated one right after the other, reaching hundreds of thousands of households.

“It just feels good to bring the Word of God and Jesus to life for these people,” said Bellouny.

This all happens through the power of technology and prayer.

Catholics across the Brooklyn Diocese are being urged to watch Mass on NET-TV, New York’s Catholic Station.

The full Mass schedule is online at https://netny.tv/

You can also find it on Verizon’s Fios channel 48, on Optimum’s channel 30, and on Spectrum’s channel 97.

Catholic University Donates Medical Supplies to Hospital During Coronavirus Crisis

By Emily Drooby

It was a scene of hope and humanity as boxes and boxes of Saint John’s University medical equipment were packed up and driven over to New York-Presbyterian Queens hospital.

The school has been on lockdown for two weeks – classrooms are empty and students are learning from home.

Still, a small group of staff – including Brian Browne – spent their Tuesday fighting back against the coronavirus.

“They were very happy, as you know this is a growing issue across the country,” he said. “Here’s the need for these medical supplies and PPE’s, and we have the capability to give back. They’re happy to take it.”

It’s an important action There’s equipment shortages across New York as hospitals continue to fight the deadly diseases. It’s already so bad that Mayor Bill de Blasio says public hospitals only have about a week’s worth of equipment and supplies left.

“We have excess classroom medical supplies, our students have now gone home, they’re learning remotely and virtually, so we want to give these extra supplies to our neighborhoods down the street,” Browne explained.

The donations from St. John’s include 186,000 medical gloves, 500 lab coats, 100 protective face masks and 20 face shields.

The gesture is one born from the Catholic Vincentian mission, which has been embedded into the university’s culture from the beginning.

“St John’s was founded by the Congregation of the Mission, who are followers of Saint Vincent de Paul, a great community organizer,” said Browne.” And he asked the question to his followers – a question that was asked to him – and that was, ‘What must be done?’”

This might not be the only way the university aids in fighting the coronavirus crisis. They were listed by Governor Cuomo as a possible location for one of his temporary facilities, similar to what’s being set up at the Javits Center.

The school was toured by officials for that purpose on March 20, but no decision has been handed down.

Another brave group fighting through the coronavirus crisis is Catholic Charities of Brooklyn and Queens. They’re hard at work right now to help anyone who needs it, offering emergency assistance with food, housing and senior services.

You can get in touch with them at ccbq.org.

‘God Bless America’: New Yorkers Gather in Social Distance Song

Currents News Staff

In Brooklyn, New York, American flags were flying as residents of Dyker Heights came out of their homes to wave the stars and stripes and show their patriotism.

These neighbors show that you can still practice social distancing while coming together as a community.

Italians ‘Send’ Prayers to Heaven During Country-Wide Lockdown

Currents News Staff

Some Italians took “praying the rosary” to new heights during the coronavirus crisis. A priest in Rome posted a moving video of a giant rosary made from helium balloons.

It was released into the sky as people on the street and standing on their balconies clapped.

An interesting tidbit from the priest: Latin for rosary is “corona.”

Under Quarantine in Rome: Religious Sisters Pray for End to Pandemic

By Melissa Butz

Two convents of nuns right outside of the Eternal City are currently under quarantine when many tested positive for coronavirus.

Last week the first tests were carried out.

Then more than 40 sisters from the Daughters of San Camillo, had contracted the illness.

They had been praying together as a community for an end to the pandemic.

Likewise, the 21 Angelic Sisters of St. Paul in Rome only had two who tested negative.

They work with children, but schools in Italy closed at the beginning of March.

Currents News reached out to both convents, but did not receive a response to see if the number of cases have risen or how many are in intensive care.

On March 23, Cardinal Krajewski delivered milk and yogurt to the sisters, as a sign of closeness on behalf of Pope Francis.

There are also more than 50 priests, mostly in the north of Italy, who have now died as a result of coronavirus.

Currents News full broadcast for Monday, 3/23/20

On the newscast: New Yorkers are rallying to the aid of the heroes who are on the frontlines against the coronavirus pandemic… to keep doctors and nurses going; The virus crisis from the point-of-view of a Brooklyn priest and what he’s doing to stay in touch with his parishioners; Bishop DiMarzio is talking directly to the diocese about communion and confession; And in Italy, a powerful example of sending prayers straight to heaven.

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.

Catholics Provide Meals to Those in Need During Coronavirus Outbreaks

By Tim Harfmann

The Breadline at Saint Francis of Assisi Church has been open every day for the past 90 years.

Volunteers are used to giving out 250 meals a day, but because of the coronavirus and other places forced to shut down the meal count is up to 300.

“The line has changed,” said Adam Cross, coordinator of the St. Francis Breadline. “Usually the same people every day, you get to know these people. It’s changed. People I’ve never seen, people that look like they’re from different situations.”

Some may have just lost their jobs. Others are homeless.

Regardless, volunteers were hard at work, helping those in need.

“I’d rather not see them suffer,” explained Gavin, one volunteer.

Prepackaged to-go meals were distributed first thing Monday morning as a way to keep the line moving and avoid a large crowd from gathering outside the Manhattan church.

Volunteers even eliminated their separate line for coffee in order to practice social distancing.

Despite the new guidelines, Richard Holland said he’s grateful for the food.

The 58-year-old is homeless and received juice, oatmeal, two sandwiches and a piece of cake.

“It makes me feel that these people are using more faith than fear,” he said.

He said what’s not a piece of cake is finding other resources for the homeless.

Places are forced to close as a precaution.

“It’s not as if they’re turning them away,” said Richard. “In their eyes, they’re protecting the parish or the organization.”

Adam said they’re open because the Breadline is a lifeline.

“They’re like our brothers and sisters, they really are. The way we treat them, the way we care for them,” he said

Volunteers say though there’s a lot of uncertainty at the moment, they’re determined to stay open as long as possible to help those in need.

Journalist in China Gives Americans Look Into the Future About COVID-19

Currents News Staff

On the frontlines of the coronavirus crisis is Jonathan Betz, an American journalist working and living in Beijing, dealing with a new reality.

COVID-19 has changed the lives of millions everywhere, and Johnathan, like many journalists, is on the frontlines trying to tell people the information they need to know while working under quarantine.

China is going to great lengths to stop the spread of this quarantine: checking people’s temperatures before entering public areas, fumigating streets and taking precautions while riding in taxis.

Johnathan joins Currents News from Beijing to share his experience with this new reality, what safety measures he and colleagues are taking and how to confront feelings of isolation.