By Emily Drooby

It was a scene of hope and humanity as dozens of boxes of medical equipment from St. John’s University 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 some time last week doing their part to fight back against the coronavirus.

“They were very happy. As you know, this is a growing issue across the country,” he said. “There’s a need for these medical supplies and PPEs [Personal Protective Equipment], and we have the capability to give back. They’re happy to take it.”

It’s an important action as there are equipment shortages across New York hospitals while they continue to fight the deadly disease.

It’s been so bad that Mayor Bill de Blasio has warned that there were down to only days worth of medical equipment and supplies remaining.

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

The donations from St. John’s included 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 its 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 have been 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 a final deci sion has not yet 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.

To read the latest updates regarding coronavirus concerns in the Brooklyn Diocese, go to https://thetablet.org/coronavirus.