Meeting Spiritual Needs During the Pandemic

Hospital Chaplains Re-Imagine Their Jobs During Pandemic Most days since this pandemic started, we share the latest grim numbers: how many Californians have Covid-19, and how many have died from it. Because the coronavirus is so contagious and dangerous, many people have died in hospitals without loved ones by their sides. But there are people who provide comfort, like Sister Donna Maria Moses, a Catholic nun and the senior chaplain at Santa Clara Valley Medical Center. She manages staff and volunteer chaplains of all faiths at the hospital. She described how her job has changed as we’ve learned more about the virus. Guest: Sister Donna Maria Moses, Dominican nun and Senior Chaplain, Santa Clara Valley Medical Center Hotel Rooms for Healthcare Workers Treating COVID-19 Patients Health care workers battling the coronavirus could soon get free hotel stays under a program announced by Governor Newsom. Reporter: Guy Marzorati, KQED Oakland Teachers Donate Stimulus Checks to Their Students Undocumented workers who’ve lost jobs during the coronavirus pandemic are left out of unemployment benefits and the federal stimulus package... even if they pay taxes. Now, teachers and principals at Oakland Unified are pledging to donate their stimulus checks to struggling families. Reporter: Farida Jhabvala Romero, KQED Meditation Is Popular During Tough Times In times of high stress and anxiety, experts, including the California Surgeon General, say having a mindfulness practice, like meditation, can be helpful. So it’s no surprise that Google searches for the word “meditation” are at an all time high, now that we have a global pandemic on our hands. Reporter: Chloe Veltman, KQED Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices