Serving at the Frontline of COVID-19 Crisis

HOST: This week on INC News World: we meet a nurse in Ottawa currently on the frontlines of the coronavirus pandemic; a doctor in New York, another hero on the frontlines in New York City; the Church Of Christ is helping those in need during the pandemic in Australia; officers of the Children’s Worship Service continue to oversee brethren under their care; in Hawaii, even amidst social distancing something is being shared. And a new segment here on INC News World, INC Community. Your INC News World starts now. 

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HOST: Welcome to INC News World, I’m Richie Ferrera, still coming to you from the Los Angeles area, but like most workers in the United States, I’ve been ordered to stay home during this covid-19 pandemic. But that doesn’t mean that INC News World is going to stop bringing you the top stories and events happening inside the Church Of Christ from around the world. So, let’s get started. 

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HOST: We can see how the front lines of this covid-19 virus pandemic is full of medical professionals.

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Health care workers themselves have been pushed to the frontline of an outbreak, putting themselves in harm’s way both physically and mentally. Time.com 

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HOST: But we meet a nurse who finds the motivation to keep helping her patients during this pandemic. Shannon Santamaria has the story.

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SHANNON SANTAMARIA: Kara sees just how challenging it can be to take care of patients. 

KARA CABUSAO (NURSE – SAINT JOHN, OTTAWA): Working in a nursing home is really difficult since the susceptible people are elderly patients and that’s what I am taking care of. So we are always at risk of contracting the virus especially as a nurse. It is my duty to be there for them to support them emotionally and mentally in the absence of their loved ones.

SHANNON SANTAMARIA: And living in the province of New Brunswick, Canada far from the city, there’s a shortage of nurses and medical professionals, and they all feel the weight on their shoulders.

KARA CABUSAO (NURSE – SAINT JOHN, OTTAWA): My coworkers are really scared because they know that we’re at risk. In my workplace right now, all of them are troubled, scared, panic—anxiety. But as a nurse, I have to educate them on how the disease or the virus spreads so they won’t be afraid. Because you’re afraid if you don’t know something, if you’re not informed about something. So it is my duty to choose to step up as a leader to my co-workers.

SHANNON SANTAMARIA: For Kara, helping in this time of need is more than just a career for her.

KARA CABUSAO (NURSE – SAINT JOHN, OTTAWA): I feel them, because I live by myself here. So if I get sick I am the only one who’s gonna take care of myself. So, this profession is not only a job for me, but also like a part of me already. Whenever I see someone who is in need, I immediately help them. And for the residents in the nursing home, they don’t have someone, but us. So we have to be strong for them. They’re alone. They don’t have anyone but us to take care for them.

SHANNON SANTAMARIA: And in a time of uncertainty and danger in this place far away from her family, Kara continues to find the strength she needs to persevere. 

KARA CABUSAO (NURSE – SAINT JOHN, OTTAWA): I actually get my strength when I perform my duties, despite all of the things that’s happening around us.

SHANNON SANTAMARIA: And since being baptized in the Church Of Christ she’s made a promise she’ll never break.

KARA CABUSAO (NURSE – SAINT JOHN, OTTAWA): I promise to our Almighty God I will take an office, and I will not step down because that’s what keeps me going.

SHANNON SANTAMARIA: Performing her duties as a choir member, an EBC Correspondent, and District Multimedia Officer has been her source of joy and strength, especially in trying times such as this. 

KARA CABUSAO (NURSE – SAINT JOHN, OTTAWA): It seems like all of the troubles, all the anxiety fades away. Because you’re serving our Almighty God. I really can’t explain the feeling of contentment, the feeling of security here inside the Church. 

SHANNON SANTAMARIA: For Kara, she finds confidence when she places God first in her life.

KARA CABUSAO (NURSE – SAINT JOHN, OTTAWA): It has taught me to trust God more, because no one can, no one will ever help us but Him. Wherever I go, I’m always all alone. But I know in my heart God is always there for me and He keeps me company.

SHANNON SANTAMARIA: For Kara and members of the Church Of Christ, they find confidence and hope in what God can manifest in their lives. To learn more about the teachings inside the Church Of Christ log onto incmedia.org. Shannon Santamaria; Iglesia Ni Cristo News Network.

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HOST: With confirmed cases of covid-19 around the world, the United States now leads with the most confirmed cases and New York state being the hardest hit. 

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The state could be weeks away from a crisis that sees 40,000 people in intensive care. Such a surge would overwhelm hospitals. ABC7NY

HOST: We meet a New York resident and physician who is on the frontlines of this pandemic. Stacy Larkin has the details. 

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DAVID ORIA: Hey guys, I’m David. I keep saying over and over again in all these videos that it’s scary. 

STACY LARKIN: An internal medicine resident at New York City Health and Hospitals, Dr. David Oria is on the frontlines. 

DR. DAVID ORIA (NEW YORK CITY HEALTH & HOSPITALS – MANHATTAN, NEW YORK CITY): It’s the biggest cities in the U.S. and one that’s so affected by so many people just getting sick. The trains are empty when you go home. You know there’s maybe like one other person there in the subway car with you. Using the masks, there are some people coughing on the train so you want to be safe and be careful. 

STACY LARKIN: Nurses, doctors, and health care workers are bravely on the front line fighting against this rapidly spreading virus. 

DR. DAVID ORIA (NEW YORK CITY HEALTH & HOSPITALS – MANHATTAN, NEW YORK CITY): Running out of ventilators. and people are getting intubated. You know, every hour. People are decompensating every hour. So what do we do? It’s just a sense of being very overwhelmed with everything that’s going on, and there’s a huge sense of fear.

STACY LARKIN: With the news of doctors and nurses dying because of covid-19, treating the sick has become not only overwhelming and exhausting but most especially terrifying. 

DR. DAVID ORIA (NEW YORK CITY HEALTH & HOSPITALS – MANHATTAN, NEW YORK CITY): You want to make sure that you do the right things at the right times and that you don’t miss any steps. It just takes a toll on you mentally and emotionally and things like that. So that’s kind of what you carry home.

STACY LARKIN: While Dr. Oria is fighting for the lives of others, he is also fighting to hold onto what keeps him going through these difficult times, his faith inside the Church Of Christ. 

DR. DAVID ORIA (NEW YORK CITY HEALTH & HOSPITALS – MANHATTAN, NEW YORK CITY): All the stuff that’s going on, my wife and I just prayed about it.

STACY LARKIN: Although the members of the Church Of Christ in New York stay in their homes, in compliance with the directive of the government, but through the use of modern technology, they continue to receive spiritual guidance from the Church Administration through the words of God providing every family the strength they need to keep pushing through. 

BROTHER JASON DULALAS (MINISTER OF THE GOSPEL): Now, during these trying times, the brethren within the Church Of Christ are all the more uniting. Now, more than ever, people all over the world are practicing social distancing. But we, as members of the Church Of Christ, although we are also following such rules and guidelines, we are coming even closer to our Almighty God. 

STACY LARKIN: Dr. Oria is just one of the members who is expressing his appreciation for the constant care and concern shown by the Administration of the Church Of Christ. 

DR. DAVID ORIA (NEW YORK CITY HEALTH & HOSPITALS – MANHATTAN, NEW YORK CITY): Especially for someone, just mentally burdened. Having that reminder is everything. Like, I have nothing but gratitude for that level of care that they show us, that they always want us to feel. Like, I have nothing but gratitude.

STACY LARKIN: With the strength that he receives from the words of God, through the care of the Church Administration, he is able to continue to join health care workers and all those at the front lines to brave the uncertainties amidst this crisis. Gratitude, a word that might not come to mind during this time, but this is something that Church Of Christ members feel because of the spiritual care and inspiration they continue to receive during these unprecedented times. Check out more inspiring stories on incmedia.org. Stacy Larkin; Iglesia Ni Cristo News Network.

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HOST: According to the Foodbank Hunger Report, 

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1 in 5 Australians have experienced food insecurity with children representing 22%. Foodbank.org.au

HOST: So the Church Of Christ in Sydney wanted to help those who don’t have enough food or can’t afford to buy more, all the more, since the covid-19 outbreak has set back so many families in the area. Let’s go to Christine Marin with the story.

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LANCE CHALONER (CLUB MANAGER – PCYC MT. DRUITT, AUSTRALIA): We got together several weeks ago at PCYC Mt. Druitt for this Aid to Humanity. 

CHRISTINE MARIN: Lance from PCYC, or the Police Youth Community Club, received a call from the Church Of Christ with a plan to provide food to Sydney’s hungry youth.

LANCE CHALONER (CLUB MANAGER – PCYC MT. DRUITT, AUSTRALIA): And they generously offered the opportunity for our public and our community to be served with groceries and other items that would help them through, in probably, hardship. It was going to be a day’s event for five hours. Sadly, the epidemic, the coronavirus epidemic has put a stop to that. 

CHRISTINE MARIN: With the spread of the coronavirus that causes covid-19, governments all over the world, including Australia, placed limits on gatherings and events. 

BROTHER FELIX SANTOS (DISTRICT SUPERVISING MINISTER): The original plan is to invite many people as we can also with the help of this organization, PCYC, that they already invited people to join with us. 

CHRISTINE MARIN: But instead of cancelling this Aid to Humanity event, the Church Of Christ worked with the PCYC to incorporate the government’s new health measures. 

LANCE CHALONER (CLUB MANAGER – PCYC MT. DRUITT, AUSTRALIA): It doesn’t stop the Aid to Humanity’s passion and their energy. They still wanted to give the food out, we promised to transport it around and they’ve gone to the trouble of bringing it to our building.

BROTHER FELIX SANTOS (DISTRICT SUPERVISING MINISTER): That’s why we decided through the approval of the Church Administration to continue to hold this activity and should not be stopped as long as we have our opportunity to help those who are in need.

LANCE CHALONER (CLUB MANAGER – PCYC MT. DRUITT, AUSTRALIA): They’ve got such a focus and a vision but they’ve got such a level of integrity that the issues such as this will not stop them. They’ve got contingency plans and they’ll work around it and I think the imagination and the vastness of what they do, I think it speaks volumes for them.

CHRISTINE MARIN: And this isn’t the first time Lance and the PCYC helped distribute relief goods from the Church Of Christ led by the Executive Minister, Brother Eduardo V. Manalo, and it looks like it won’t be the last.

LANCE CHALONER (CLUB MANAGER – PCYC MT. DRUITT, AUSTRALIA): Thank you, Sir, because what you do is marvellous. You’re a wonderful individual. Your transparency is there. You just want to do good. We just want to work with and help you in any type of way. 

CHRISTINE MARIN: It’s an anxious time for Australia and the world with this pandemic, but the number of people who don’t have enough food remains. The Church Of Christ continues to help those in need and will hold larger Aid to Humanity events when the gathering bans are lifted. To see more Aid to Humanity events in the future, log on to incmedia.org/inc-news-world. Christine Amor Marin; Iglesia Ni Cristo News Network; Sydney, Australia.

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HOT: With so many children confined at home and out of school, they lack mental and social stimulation. But a study shows 

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that arts and crafts activities help children develop an improved academic performance, motor skills, and critical-thinking skills. PBS

HOST: So let’s meet a group of individuals who reached out to the youth to help them grow despite these difficult times. Michelle Peredo has more.

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CHRISTIAN DIAZ (CWS OFFICER – CONCORD, CALIFORNIA): The kids would really miss being with their friends in school. 

MICHELLE PEREDO: Children across California have recently been out of school due to the recent stay-at-home order. And it’s been a hard task for some parents to manage agendas for their children.

CHRISTIAN DIAZ (CWS OFFICER – CONCORD, CALIFORNIA): I also think the parents will have a hard time coming up with activities.

MICHELLE PEREDO: It hasn’t been an easy thing for the children either, including CWS or Children’s Worship Service youth members of the Church Of Christ. 

CHRISTIAN DIAZ (CWS OFFICER – CONCORD, CALIFORNIA): I think the kids really miss meeting for activities and seeing all the brothers and sisters and officers.

MICHELLE PEREDO: But despite the order put in place in the state, it didn’t stop the CWS officers in the Local Congregation of Concord to be involved with the children under their care.

CHRISTIAN DIAZ (CWS OFFICER – CONCORD, CALIFORNIA): So I have two nephews at home, and they always want me to play with them. So I thought of an idea of creating paper block heads. It was actually an assignment I did for art school. So I thought it was a great idea to start with that, and being able to allow the kids to express their artistic creativity. 

MICHELLE PEREDO: And CWS officers like Christian decided to take the activity online, to share with other CWS members in their local, holding daily activities to keep them busy.

CHRISTIAN DIAZ (CWS OFFICER – CONCORD, CALIFORNIA): As officers, we try to come up with activities to have the kids to remain active and productive. We try to come up with different activities for the kids, like fostering physical exercise and expressing their artistic creativity.

CHRISTIAN DIAZ (CWS OFFICER – CONCORD, CALIFORNIA) INTERVIEWING: Now that you don’t go to school because of the virus what do you do at home every day?

FINN LEE DIAZ (CWS MEMBER – CONCORD, CALIFORNIA): I call my friends and do an activity. The activity was very fun, and I like it. And I like it because I did it with all my friends.

MICHELLE PEREDO: And it wasn’t just CWS officers in Contra Costa county that took action in reaching out to these kids at home. CWS officers in the Local Congregation of Burlingame held digital visitations, or check-ins, to see how children were doing in their homes.

PAULINE AGUINALDO (CWS OFFICERS – BURLINGAME, CALIFORNIA): This time all of us are in our little screens, although the officers and then the children with their parents. We get to ask the kids how they’ve been doing. We can tell that they do miss the house of worship, and attending the activities that we usually have regularly with the kids. Just because the shelter in place order took effect doesn’t mean that we should be less active in the performance of our duty. We also got to make sure that they receive the reminders about being a good Christian in the Church. So for yesterday’s visitation we asked him the importance of praying, when are the times that we should pray and even just the same like for worship service, how do we conduct ourselves in a proper manner?

CHRISTIAN DIAZ (CWS OFFICER – CONCORD, CALIFORNIA): So for us officers we also tried to connect with each other still through technology. And as a CWS teacher, I try to remain active and continue to interact with the kids. With these activities we are able to strengthen the love of the brotherhood, because we are able to reunite with each other and socialize.

PAULINE AGUINALDO (CWS OFFICERS – BURLINGAME, CALIFORNIA): It’s our duty to our Almighty God. It’s our love for the children under our care. And especially during these times with what’s happening around the world, we do want to check up on the children and make sure that they’re okay that their families are okay.

MICHELLE PEREDO: As families around America are continuing to be ordered to stay at home, Church Of Christ officers are also continuing to fulfill their duties of taking care of its members no matter the situation. To keep up with all the current events inside the Church Of Christ, visit incmedia.org/incnews world. Michelle Peredo for the Iglesia Ni Cristo News Network; Burlingame, California. 

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HOST: To take preventive measures during this pandemic, it’s important to practice social distancing. 

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Social distancing means remaining out of congregate settings, avoiding mass gatherings, and maintaining distance (approximately 6 feet or 2 meters) from others when possible. CDC

HOST: But being physically apart doesn’t stop any of us from sharing what we love most. Sharing your faith online can be as easy as a click of a button. And we meet someone who’s doing her best to share her faith despite the circumstances. Adara Pineda has the details.

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ADARA PINEDA: Whether it’s sharing stories, posts and videos, we all want to communicate or share a message to others. But for Shannon she sees the impact social media has especially during this pandemic.

SHANNON SANTAMARIA (INC MEMBER – WAIPAHU, HAWAII PACIFIC): I noticed, most especially now, that social media has taken root in every aspect of our lives, especially with social distancing. Like we have the power to influence and we have the power to be influenced. You know, we should really take that time to share our faith and influence people to do good things.

ADARA PINEDA: But what is it that Shannon is sharing?

SHANNON SANTAMARIA (INC MEMBER – WAIPAHU, HAWAII PACIFIC): Being able to share INC Media videos from Executive News or Getting To Know Us or Bible verses, and even INC News World, the latest activities happening in the Church. I feel like those content would be able to inspire people who are waiting to see something new online.

ADARA PINEDA: Sharing what she loves online has inspired friends and even family.

SHANNON SANTAMARIA (INC MEMBER – WAIPAHU, HAWAII PACIFIC): You know, sharing INC Media, sharing the truth, it can bring someone who’s searching or bring someone we don’t know who’s looking and ultimately, can save them, you know, we can help them find that peace that they need, especially now.

ADARA PINEDA: And that’s exactly what Shannon experienced.

SHANNON SANTAMARIA (INC MEMBER – WAIPAHU, HAWAII PACIFIC): Even before staying at home and having social distance, I would constantly upload Bible verses and social media content that would be positive Christian content. And I guess randomly my friend Justin Hippolito he decided to message me out of the blue and asked about the Church Of Christ. And it took me to surprise because I wasn’t expecting someone to message me and be like, “Hey, what’s this Church all about?” And it’s just because I decided to share content that day.

ADARA PINEDA: Eager to learn more, Shannon invited him to a worship service.

SHANNON SANTAMARIA (INC MEMBER – WAIPAHU, HAWAII PACIFIC): So before social distancing was required and staying at home was required, I decided to invite him to a couple of worship services, evangelical missions, Church activities where brethren around his age would be able to meet him and get to know him. And, you know, he really not only enjoyed the company, but also, he was able to observe how we live our life and how we’re not just listening to the words of God but we’re also embodying it.

ADARA PINEDA: Despite the unusual circumstances this hasn’t stopped Shannon from sharing her faith and checking up on her friends.

SHANNON SANTAMARIA (INC MEMBER – WAIPAHU, HAWAII PACIFIC): Even with the social distancing and staying at home implemented here in Hawaii, and he is an essential worker because he’s in the military. I still try to reach out to him and talk to him in hopes that you know, we can have a Bible study online and showed him that there’s still people who want to learn the truth and who are willing to continue to find that truth and even worship and worship the Almighty God.

ADARA PINEDA: And for Shannon she continues to help people find the peace they need by sharing the truth.

SHANNON SANTAMARIA (INC MEMBER – WAIPAHU, HAWAII PACIFIC): This is a time where a lot of people can get really anxious, they get worried. Some of them might get really sad. There’s a lot of problems going around right now. So just by sharing positive Christian content can go a long way for someone who just casually sees it online. And, you know, I hope that I could be able to share my faith and that they would come to learn the truth. And especially now because I want them to find that peace, you know, in a time where it’s full of uncertainty.

ADARA PINEDA: Whether you’re sharing a post to a friend or on your profile page, sharing your faith is easy. To learn more log onto INCMedia.org. Adara Pineda; Iglesia Ni Cristo News Network; Honolulu, Hawaii.

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HOST: The projects and activities inside the Church Of Christ that we feature on INC News World are truly worldwide. Want to learn more about the local congregations that make these events come to life? Let’s find out in this week’s instalment of INC Community Around the World.

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HOST: Right in the middle of this world-famous city is the Local Congregation of Los Angeles. Since its establishment in September of 1968, the local congregation has grown, leading to the establishment of even more congregations all throughout Southern California and beyond. 

For over 50 years there have been so many projects and activities that have strengthened the brotherhood and fostered love and care in the community. Today, though the streets are quieter, many shops are empty, and though you may be far from the city, or live in the area but are simply practicing social distancing, you can still learn so much about this Church Of Christ congregation in LA. 

Learn about the chapel and the history of this congregation on the show Blueprint. Discover how the congregation has impacted the community on the INC Giving Show. And learn about the most recent projects here through weekly episodes of INC News World. 

Ideally, we’d love for you to come and visit in person. In due time. Till then, you can still connect with us online. Just ask us a question by clicking the red question tab on the top right corner of incmedia.org. Maybe even schedule a Bible study with us and we’ll try to connect with you. Wherever you may be, you can easily reach out and we’ll connect you with the local congregation near you. We can’t wait to meet you. 

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HOST: Well, that does it for us on INC News World. Tune in every Friday for new episodes of INC News World on incmedia.org. I’m Richie Ferrera, and on behalf of the entire INC News World team, thank you for joining us. Have a great weekend and God bless!