Coffee Chronicles: Stories Over Coffee

It's been a while but better late than never. We had the privilege of speaking with many people in their professions about their experience with COVID-19 but registered nurse, Donald Darby, was able to give us a perspective that we haven't thought of in combatting the virus, boosting your immune system. The body's built-in infection-fighting system could use a little help in fighting the disease and Donald dives into his regimen. He spoke with us about how herbalism has helped boost his immune system and the various superfoods that should be taken often to prevent infection. His stories of working on the COVID-19 units in one of New York's largest health systems have affected him and his fellow health care workers.

On our 4th Episode of Coffee Chronicles, we interview Marc Krokowski, an EMT with the FDNY. Over a cup of coffee, we talk about how the pandemic put a pause to his training in FDNY's paramedic school and put him back on the streets. Marc tells us of the hospitals being overrun in Brooklyn, the area that Marc works in, and how the recent protests have affected their operations.

After their 2nd date, Matt and Khani decided on a more adventurous 3rd date. They would book their travel tickets and fly to Costa Rica for a few days. While they were enjoying getting to know each other in the tropical paradise, the COVID-19 pandemic grew resulting in travel restrictions. Costa Rica would close its borders and airlines would cancel flights in and out of the country. What would result is a love story that can be told over coffee. A story that tells us that there is a possibility in finding love despite that the feeling that the world is burning around you.

To read more about this episode please visit our site: Coffee Chronicles: Stories Over Coffee

In episode 2 of our first season, we continue to hear the effects of COVID in New York. I interview my friend and fellow paramedic, Jose Piniero. Jose hired me when I first earned my paramedic certification and introduced me to EMS work in Long Island.  As a paramedic, Jose got to see COVID-19's progression in parts of Long Island.  From hearing its emergence in China and Europe to seeing it the neighborhoods of Long Island, his account of how quickly it rose to the scale of pandemic put fear into even the most experienced paramedics. With PPE supplies dwindling and information changing about the virus, Jose speaks about how adaptability and communication helped his department deal with the burdened emergency system.