MAPLEWOOD, NJ — A New Jersey nonprofit that supports agencies that help with poverty, domestic violence, mental health, and more, will honor former Mayor Frank McGehee as part of their annual fundraising dinner in May. This will be their first in-person event since March 2020.
Family Connections will honor Frank McGehee with the Roger Manshel Lifetime Achievement Award, and also honor Valley National Bank with the Champion of the People Award.
The Roger Manshel Lifetime Achievement Award honors individuals who exceed expectations in support of Family Connections and their community.
McGehee is a member of the Township Committee for Maplewood and previously served both as mayor and deputy mayor.
“Frank has always been an incredible supporter of Family Connections through his work with Maplewood and personally,” the agency said. “The McGehee Family is so passionate about the agency, his wife Marie serves on the Board of Trustees. The organization is honored to be able to present Frank with this award.”
Family Connections’ A Toast to Hope event will be a celebration of hope and possibility. In addition to the honorees, the program will “highlight a few of many bright lights the organization experienced over the last two years,” they say.
The event will be held in West Orange.
Proceeds from the event will go towards Family Connections’ goal of serving 4,000 individuals and families throughout northern NJ.
Family Connections, based in East Orange, helps support programs across the state for prevention of various social problems as well as support and counseling, ranging from trauma and mental illness to addiction, domestic violence and child abuse.
“Since 1879, Family Connections has been here to make sure that no one faces these challenges alone,” the group says. “Every year, our highly-trained staff and cutting-edge programs support thousands of people across Northern New Jersey on their paths to healing.”
MAPLEWOOD, NJ — A New Jersey nonprofit that supports agencies that help with poverty, domestic violence, mental health, and more, will honor former Mayor Frank McGehee as part of their annual fundraising dinner in May. This will be their first in-person event since March 2020.
Family Connections will honor Frank McGehee with the Roger Manshel Lifetime Achievement Award, and also honor Valley National Bank with the Champion of the People Award.
The Roger Manshel Lifetime Achievement Award honors individuals who exceed expectations in support of Family Connections and their community.
McGehee is a member of the Township Committee for Maplewood and previously served both as mayor and deputy mayor.
“Frank has always been an incredible supporter of Family Connections through his work with Maplewood and personally,” the agency said. “The McGehee Family is so passionate about the agency, his wife Marie serves on the Board of Trustees. The organization is honored to be able to present Frank with this award.”
Family Connections’ A Toast to Hope event will be a celebration of hope and possibility. In addition to the honorees, the program will “highlight a few of many bright lights the organization experienced over the last two years,” they say.
The event will be held in West Orange.
Proceeds from the event will go towards Family Connections’ goal of serving 4,000 individuals and families throughout northern NJ.
Family Connections, based in East Orange, helps support programs across the state for prevention of various social problems as well as support and counseling, ranging from trauma and mental illness to addiction, domestic violence and child abuse.
“Since 1879, Family Connections has been here to make sure that no one faces these challenges alone,” the group says. “Every year, our highly-trained staff and cutting-edge programs support thousands of people across Northern New Jersey on their paths to healing.”
United States Congressman Jeff Van Drew, R-2 has responded to New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy potentially reconsidering the state of New Jersey teaching gender identity and sexual orientation to 2nd and 3rd graders.
Here is Van Drew’s public statement as follows:
“It is imperative that the public and New Jersey legislators continue to push back against these radical policies aimed to indoctrinate our youth,” said Van Drew.
Legislation I am putting forward, the My Child, My Choice Act, will guarantee that no federal taxpayer dollars will be allocated to schools that are instructing students on ‘gender identity’ and promoting children to use whichever bathroom they want based on how they feel.
These lesson plans being proposed by school districts have no place in elementary education. We must continue to put pressure on Governor Murphy and the state of New Jersey in order to protect our nation’s children and ensure that children feel safe and secure when they go to school,” said Van Drew.
Many New Jerseyans have expressed their deep concerns with this level of graphic gender identity and sexual education potentially being taught to 6 and 7 year olds.
New Jersey high school graduation rates
The lists below show 4-year graduation rates for New Jersey public schools for the 2020-21 school year. The statewide graduation rate fell slightly, from 91% in 2019-20 to 90.6%.
The lists, which are sorted by county and include a separate list for charter schools, also include a second graduation rate, which excludes students whose special education IEPs allow them to qualify for diplomas despite not meeting typical coursework and attendance requirements.
Columns with an asterisk or ‘N’ indicate there was no data or it was suppressed to protect student privacy.
Montclair officials have taken the first steps toward safety improvements in the area of the county-owned Mt. Hebron and Valley roads — an intersection near Bradford Elementary School that nearby residents describe in an online petition as “congested and dangerous.”
Several residents in the area say the need for changes is urgent. Essex County Commissioner Brendan Gill, also advocating for safety improvements, says he’d personally been rear-ended at the intersection in February. It’ll ultimately be up to county officials to make any changes at the intersection itself.
“It is abundantly clear that the intersection of Valley Road and Mt. Hebron is a poorly designed and difficult to navigate intersection based on the volume of cars, the volume of pedestrian traffic and its close proximity to an elementary school,” resident Elizabeth Cuccaro Meyerwrote in an online petition started late last year. As of Tuesday, more than 570 people had signed it.
Bradford School is located on Mt. Hebron Road near the intersection. The main entrance to Montclair State University is two blocks away on Valley Road, at Normal Avenue.
Cuccaro Meyer wrote the Township Council must “act swiftly to address these safety issues in order to prevent more accidents and ensure the safety of the school children, families, staff and residents traveling by foot and by car.”
There were eight crashes at the intersection and 15 in the area in 2020 and 2021, Lt. Stephanie Egnezzo, the Montclair Traffic Bureau’s commander, told Montclair Local. A preliminary traffic study conducted over the course of a week in February didn’t find any speeding issue in front of Bradford School, but found an apparent issue on the stretch of Mt. Hebron Road just east of there, between Valley Road and Grove Street (where Mt. Hebron Road passes Immaculate Conception and Mt. Hebron cemeteries). Of nearly 25,000 vehicles traveling in front of 44 Mt. Hebron Road, the measured 85th percentile speed — the speed at or below which 85% of all vehicles was traveling — was 38 mph, despite a 25 mph speed limit.
The steps so far are preliminary, and there’s no timetable yet for more specific changes. Deputy Mayor Bill Hurlock and Councilman Peter Yacobellis are planning to introduce an ordinance in the coming weeks to establish Valley Road near Bradford School as a school zone — limiting speed limits to 25 mph, down from the 30 mph currently in effect. The Township Council passed a resolution earlier this month asking that the county install overhead “trombone-style” traffic lights at the intersection, instead of the ones mounted at poles at the intersection’s corners now. The township’s engineering department is planning a more expansive traffic study, and its results will be forwarded to county officials to inform other possible improvements.
Gill, in arecent letter to Montclair Local, said he supports making changes “proactively and with urgency, rather than waiting for horrific injury or worse due to unsafe traffic conditions” — both at the intersection of Mt. Hebron and Valley roads, and in the area of Watchung Plaza, where township officials areseparately making adjustments to what turns are permissiblewhile asking the county to take on a study in hopes of effecting longer-term improvements.
“Three accidents [at Mt. Hebron and Valley roads] occurred in the month of November 2021 alone, one involving a turned-over car on a weekday morning while school was in session,” the county commissioner, also a Montclair resident, wrote in his letter. “These incidents have hit close to home as I was involved in a car accident at this very corner in February of this year.”
Several people signing the online petition described harrowing experiences at the intersection.
“I have personally almost hit someone at this intersection because there is just so much happening,” Pascale LaFountain wrote. “Kids run ahead of their parents across the street, some cars are in too much of a hurry to wait, and all the fast-moving traffic makes other cars feel like they need to also just get through the intersection fast without waiting for pedestrians. There is so much going on, everyone feels like they just need to get through quickly, and that rush increases risk.”
Theodore Papoulas wrote that he walks his children to Bradford School every day, “and this crossing is always of concern.”
“Last week when I was standing at the corner, a van went up on the sidewalk to get around a car making a left turn there,” he wrote earlier this year. “Too frequently, there are accidents there. … Something needs to be done.”
Cuccaro Meyer, in the petition, describes a number of issues. Among them: high foot traffic during school openings and dismissals, multiple bus stops nearby, crosswalks she describes as poorly marked and “often obscured,” what she called “minimal to non-existent signage” warning drivers of the foot traffic, and parking allowed near the intersection on narrowed lanes.
She asks for interim safety measures including stepped-up police patrols nearby and the planned traffic study. She’s also looking for more permanent safety upgrades such as pedestrian-activated crossing signs. Other improvements such as high-visibility reflective paint crosswalks, moved-back stop lines, relocated bus stops and the installation of actuated traffic signals (which respond to the presence of vehicles or pedestrians) might help as well, she wrote in the petition.
“We are confident the town and county can make many budget-friendly improvements to ensure the safety of our residents,” she wrote.
WWII Veteran, Executive & General Counsel in Maritime Industry, Seton Hall Prep Trustee, St. Peter’s U. Regent, Lifetime Golfer Robert Joseph Nolan of Spring Lake Heights, N.J. died of natural causes on March 27, 2022, in Ocean Grove, N.J. He was 95. Bob Nolan was born on October 29, 1926, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to the late Frank W., and Gertrude Smith Nolan, the third of their five children and grew up in South Orange, NJ where he attended the Seton Hall Preparatory School. Bob received Bachelor of Science degrees from both the United States Merchant Marine Academy and the Georgetown University School of Foreign Service. Following graduation from Seton Hall University Law School in 1957, he worked at the International Terminal Operating Company, Inc., at that time the largest stevedoring and marine terminal operating concern in the world where he later became Executive Vice President and General Counsel. Following his retirement in 1991, Bob served as counsel to the New York law firm of Nourse and Bowles for several years. He was a member of the American and New York State Bar Associations and a member of the Maritime Law Association of the United States. Bob also served as a Trustee of Seton Hall Preparatory School and as a Regent of Saint Peter’s College. In addition, Bob served as an officer or committee member in numerous organizations involved with the marine transport and stevedoring industries. He was a member of the Advisory Committee to the U.S. State Department’s Delegation to the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development. An avid golfer his whole life, Bob belonged to the Essex County Country Club where he was a long time member of its board before moving to Florida where he was a member of the Wilderness Country Club. Bob served in World War II as a merchant mariner in North Atlantic convoy duty and in 1946 he was commissioned in the U.S. Naval Reserve. For his merchant marine service during the war, Bob was recognized as a veteran of that conflict. Bob was married to Marie Suzanne Edmonds of Park Slope, Brooklyn for fifty-five years until her death in 2005 and is survived by their three children, Kevin M. (Natosha Rose) Nolan of Glen Burnie, MD; Brendan W. Nolan of Caldwell, N.J., and Suzanne M. Nolan of Spring Lake, N.J. He is also survived by his brother, the Rev. Paul J. Nolan, grandchildren Alyssa (Michael) Smith, and Ryan (Stephanie) Mohr, and great-grandchildren Kaleb and Michael Smith, 2nd, as well as thirteen nieces and nephews, numerous great nieces and nephews, and many friends. Along with his wife and his parents, Bob was predeceased by his brothers, Frank W. Jr., and John J.Nolan, and sister, Gertrude Nolan Lair. A wake will be held at the Moriarty Funeral Home, 76 Park Street, Montclair, NJ on May 19, 2022, from 2:00 to 4:00 and 7:00 to 9:00 PM. A funeral Mass will be conducted on May 20, at 10:00 AM, at the Church of St. Joseph in West Orange, NJ. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Seton Hall Preparatory School, 120 Northfield Avenue, West Orange, N.J., 07052. For directions and online condolences please visit www.moriartyfh.com. Hugh M. Moriarty Funeral Home 76 Park St. Montclair NJ 07042 (973) 744-4346
Published by The Star-Ledger from Apr. 19 to May 8, 2022.
LYNDHURST — Just a week after a store location in Totowa was sued, another Dunkin’ in North Jersey has been accused of giving customers coffee so hot that it caused burns.
NorthJersey.com reported that Lyndhurst residents Paul and Corrine Haggerty have filed a lawsuit against the store on Valley Brook Road in that township, claiming that in September 2020, Paul Haggerty was served coffee with a mismatched cup and lid, which the couple said caused the beverage to spill on him, resulting in second- and third-degree burns.
The same severity of injury was claimed by another man who recently sued, along with his wife, demanding information from Dunkin’ and its location on Minnisink Road in Totowa on how hot the company typically serves its coffee and at what temperature coffee can cause skin damage.
According to the report, Paul Haggerty said some of his injuries were permanent and affected his employment.
An unrelated NorthJersey.com report from December 2021 identified a Lt. Paul Haggerty among several Lyndhurst police officers sued, along with the department as a whole, over the dissemination of body camera footage of a former planning official and blogger critical of the township’s government suffering an epileptic seizure.
NorthJersey.com reported that Dunkin’ did not respond to requests for comment on the lawsuit brought by the Haggertys.
Other notable lawsuits filed in New Jersey against Dunkin’ were brought in 2012, 2014, and 2021.
We’re coming up on another summer at the Jersey Shore! Before you get lost in the excitement of sunny days on the sand, we’re running down how much seasonal/weekly/daily beach tags will cost you, and the pre-season deals you can still take advantage of!
LOOK: States With the Most New Small Businesses Per Capita
Every NJ city and town’s municipal tax bill, ranked
A little less than 30 cents of every $1 in property taxes charged in New Jersey support municipal services provided by cities, towns, townships, boroughs and villages. Statewide, the average municipal-only tax bill in 2021 was $2,725, but that varied widely from more than $13,000 in Tavistock to nothing in three townships. In addition to $9.22 billion in municipal purpose taxes, special taxing districts that in some places provide municipal services such as fire protection, garbage collection or economic development levied $323.8 million in 2021.
FAIRFIELD — No one was injured when a small jet went off a runway at Essex County Airport Sunday afternoon.
As the Citation CJ3 jet was descending onto runway 22 around 2:40 p.m. it was not able to touch down at the correct moment due to strong crosswinds, according to a preliminary investigation by Fairfield police.
When the plane did land on the runway it went off the pavement into a drainage brook.
Runway 22 runs north to south at the county-owned field also known as Caldwell Airport.
As police were arriving the three men on board the plane’s owner, Edward P. Gregory, 66, of Bernardsville; Corie Dave Bennett, 45, of Danbury, Connecticut; and Carlos Rodriguez, 57 of Poughkeepsie, New York, were attempting to get out of the plane.
“We are very relieved that no one was injured as a result of this incident,” Fairfield police chief Anthony G. Manna said in a statement.
Plane after sliding off a runway at Essex County Airport 4/17/22
Plane after sliding off a runway at Essex County Airport 4/17/22 (Fairfield Police)
Strong winds
The Nutley Fire Department’s Hazardous Materials Unit helped clean up fuel that leaked into the brook after landing.
New Jersey 101.5 Chief Meteorologist Dan Zarrow said the winds blowing at the time of the crash could have been enough to cause a control issue for the pilot.
“At the time of the incident, surface winds were blowing out of the northwest at the airport. Sustained at 14 mph. Regular gusts to 24 mph. Top gust to 34 mph. Those winds would potentially be even higher just above the surface,” Zarrow said. “Such a northwesterly cross-wind would hit the back-right of the aircraft, and could be enough to cause control problems.”
Spokesman Rick Breitenfeldt said the FAA is investigating the cause of the crash.
Map shows direction of small jet landing 4/17/22
Map shows direction of small jet landing 4/17/22 (Google Street View)
Third NJ small plane crash in a month
Two other small planes have crashed at New Jersey airports since the end of March.
A single-engine M20M crashed on the front lawn of a house on South Main Street in Manville while trying to land at Central Jersey Airport. The pilot got himself out of the plane and was hospitalized for treatment of a facial injury.
A plane rolled off the runway at Morristown Airpot in Hanover on Saturday morning with four people on board. It came to a stop in the grass with significant damage. Both wings had separated from the small plane, according to Morristown Green.
Plane after crashing into a yard on South Main Street in Manville
Plane after crashing into a yard on South Main Street in Manville (Kathy Poch)
We’re coming up on another summer at the Jersey Shore! Before you get lost in the excitement of sunny days on the sand, we’re running down how much seasonal/weekly/daily beach tags will cost you, and the pre-season deals you can still take advantage of!
These are the best hiking spots in New Jersey
A trip to New Jersey doesn’t have to be all about the beach. Our state has some incredible trails, waterfalls, and lakes to enjoy.
From the Pine Barrens to the Appalachian Trail to the hidden gems of New Jersey, you have plenty of options for a great hike. Hiking is such a great way to spend time outdoors and enjoy nature, plus it’s a great workout.
Before you go out on the trails and explore some of our listeners’ suggestions, I have some tips on hiking etiquette from the American Hiking Society.
If you are going downhill and run into an uphill hiker, step to the side and give the uphill hiker space. A hiker going uphill has the right of way unless they stop to catch their breath.
Always stay on the trail, you may see side paths, unless they are marked as an official trail, steer clear of them. By going off-trail you may cause damage to the ecosystems around the trail, the plants, and wildlife that live there.
You also do not want to disturb the wildlife you encounter, just keep your distance from the wildlife and continue hiking.
Bicyclists should yield to hikers and horses. Hikers should also yield to horses, but I’m not sure how many horses you will encounter on the trails in New Jersey.
If you are thinking of bringing your dog on your hike, they should be leashed, and make sure to clean up all pet waste.
Lastly, be mindful of the weather, if the trail is too muddy, it’s probably best to save your hike for another day.
I asked our listeners for their suggestions of the best hiking spots in New Jersey, check out their suggestions:
School aid for all New Jersey districts for 2022-23
The state Department of Education announced district-level school aid figures for the 2022-23 school year on Thursday, March 10, 2022. They’re listed below, alphabetically by county. For additional details from the NJDOE, including specific categories of aid, click here.
NJ Transit is no longer enforcing its mask policy and has made them optional following a federal judge’s decision that voided the CDC mandate.
The decision Monday by U.S. District Judge Kathryn Kimball Mizelle in Tampa nixed the policy on all modes of public transportation including airplanes, buses and trains as well as airports and train stations.
On Tuesday morning, Gov. Phil Murphy announced the new rule on Twitter.
“Masks will no longer be required on NJ Transit & by South Jersey Transportation Authority. Individuals may wear a mask based on personal preference, informed by personal level of risk,” his tweet said.
It was a reversal of a statement Monday night from the agency that said it would wait out the appeals process and continue to enforce policy.
SEPTA announced Monday that it was no longer requiring masks despite a mandate in effect by the City of Philadelphia.
American, Jet Blue, United, Delta and Alaska Airlines all said they will not enforce masks on planes.
PATH train at Hoboken Terminal
PATH train at Hoboken Terminal (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
Where are masks still required
Philadelphia International Airport said it would continue to enforce a mask policy citing the City of Philadelphia mandate.
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey which operates PATH, Newark Liberty, JFK and LaGuardia Airports on Tuesday morning said masks were still required.
The MTA told NBC 4 New York it was going to continue enforcement of the policy on New York City subways, Metro-North and Long Island Rail Road citing a New York State Department of Health policy.
PATCO did not address the issue on its social media feeds.
“Do I give the governor credit for finally seeing that our constant, irrational foot-dragging on the relaxation of restrictions was bad policy that hurt our economy & our kids education & development?!? No,” O’Scanlon told New Jersey 101.5 via text message.
“Just as with the elimination of mask mandate guidance nationally last spring, the governor hasn’t seen the light. He’s just responding to the heat! Given the unyielding history of this administration, we’d be locked down until covid zero if not for the constant pressure from those of us actually paying attention to the science.”
After the ruling was announced, The White House said that the mask mandate was in not in effect “for now.” The TSA said it was no longer enforcing the mandate.
We’re coming up on another summer at the Jersey Shore! Before you get lost in the excitement of sunny days on the sand, we’re running down how much seasonal/weekly/daily beach tags will cost you, and the pre-season deals you can still take advantage of!
These are the best hiking spots in New Jersey
A trip to New Jersey doesn’t have to be all about the beach. Our state has some incredible trails, waterfalls, and lakes to enjoy.
From the Pine Barrens to the Appalachian Trail to the hidden gems of New Jersey, you have plenty of options for a great hike. Hiking is such a great way to spend time outdoors and enjoy nature, plus it’s a great workout.
Before you go out on the trails and explore some of our listeners’ suggestions, I have some tips on hiking etiquette from the American Hiking Society.
If you are going downhill and run into an uphill hiker, step to the side and give the uphill hiker space. A hiker going uphill has the right of way unless they stop to catch their breath.
Always stay on the trail, you may see side paths, unless they are marked as an official trail, steer clear of them. By going off-trail you may cause damage to the ecosystems around the trail, the plants, and wildlife that live there.
You also do not want to disturb the wildlife you encounter, just keep your distance from the wildlife and continue hiking.
Bicyclists should yield to hikers and horses. Hikers should also yield to horses, but I’m not sure how many horses you will encounter on the trails in New Jersey.
If you are thinking of bringing your dog on your hike, they should be leashed, and make sure to clean up all pet waste.
Lastly, be mindful of the weather, if the trail is too muddy, it’s probably best to save your hike for another day.
I asked our listeners for their suggestions of the best hiking spots in New Jersey, check out their suggestions:
School aid for all New Jersey districts for 2022-23
The state Department of Education announced district-level school aid figures for the 2022-23 school year on Thursday, March 10, 2022. They’re listed below, alphabetically by county. For additional details from the NJDOE, including specific categories of aid, click here.
NEW JERSEY — The most up-to-date information on coronavirus news impacting New Jersey. You can find additional resources and coverage on our coronavirus page.
Federal judge voids US mask mandate for planes, other travel
A federal judge in Florida on Monday, April 18, voided the national mask mandate covering airplanes and other public transportation as exceeding the authority of U.S. health officials in the coronavirus pandemic.
FDA approves first COVID-19 breath test for emergency use
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced on Thursday, April 15, that it had authorized the first test to detect COVID-19 through breath for emergency use.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said it was extending the order, which was set to expire on April 18, until May 3 to allow more time to study the BA.2 omicron subvariant that is now responsible for the vast majority of cases in the U.S.
Murphy tests positive for COVID
New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy tested positive for COVID-19, officials announced on Thursday, March 31. He’s asymptomatic and feeling well, but was set to cancel all events and isolate for five days.
Moderna’s low-dose COVID vaccine works for kids under 6, company says
Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine works in babies, toddlers and preschoolers, the company announced on March 23 — and if regulators agree it could mean a chance to finally start vaccinating the littlest kids by summer.
Moderna asks FDA to authorize 4th dose of COVID shot
Drugmaker Moderna asked the Food and Drug Administration on March 17 to authorize a fourth shot of its COVID-19 vaccine as a booster dose for all adults.
WHO now tracking hybrid COVID-19 variant: ‘deltacron’
Scientists are learning more about a hybrid variant of COVID-19 that has been detected called “deltacron.” Deltacron was first reported early this year, when it was thought to be a co-infection of the omicron and delta coronavirus variants (meaning people were possibly infected with two variants at once). Now, researchers believe it’s a single, hybrid variant that combines genes from both delta and omicron.
TSA extends mask mandate on planes, public transit
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is developing guidance that will ease the nationwide mask mandate on airplanes, buses and other mass transit, according to a U.S. official, but the existing face-covering requirement will be extended through April 18.
NJ drops school mask mandate but not all districts end requirement
As New Jersey health officials continue to report progress in beating back the latest wave of COVID-19 infections, Gov. Phil Murphy on March 7 allowed schools to drop the mask mandate. However, not all school districts across the state opted to drop masking rules.
Gov. Murphy ends Public Health Emergency 2 years after NJ’s first COVID case
On March 4, 2020, New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy received word that the state recorded its first case of COVID-19. He recalled the day on Friday, March 4, exactly two years later, during what he said was his last in-person COVID-19 briefing.
What the CDC’s new ‘Community Level’ tool means for your county
Most Americans live in places where healthy people, including students in schools, can safely take a break from wearing masks under new U.S. guidelines released Friday, March 4.
Murphy dropping NJ schools mask mandate
While COVID numbers continue to decline in New Jersey, Gov. Phil Murphy announced an end to the state’s mask mandate for public schools. The governor said students and school staff can go maskless beginning March 7. The statewide mandate has been in effect since the start of the academic year in September.
4th COVID shot: Who will need another booster soon?
As COVID cases caused by the omicron variant finally start to wane in the U.S., is it time to look ahead to the next variant? And will we need another booster shot to protect us from it?
Pfizer asks FDA to allow COVID vaccine for kids under 5
Pfizer on Tuesday, Feb. 1, asked the U.S. to authorize extra-low doses of its COVID-19 vaccine for children under 5, potentially opening the way for the very youngest Americans to start receiving shots as early as March.
Newark University Hospital gets military aid amid COVID surge
Gov. Murphy: NJ schools could ditch masks before end of academic year
As New Jersey’s COVID numbers start to slowly drop, Gov. Phil Murphy predicted Thursday, Jan. 20 that schools in the Garden State could reach a point before the end of this school year where masks are no longer required.
CDC encourages more Americans to consider N95 masks
U.S. health officials on Friday, Jan. 14, encouraged more Americans to wear the kind of N95 or KN95 masks used by health care workers to slow the spread of COVID-19. Those kinds of masks are considered better at filtering viruses from the air. But they previously were in short supply, and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention officials had said they should be prioritized for health care workers.
Murphy reinstates Public Health Emergency for NJ as COVID spreads rapidly
Gov. Phil Murphy renewed his Public Health Emergency and State of Emergency declarations for the Garden State on Tuesday, Jan. 11. The executive order allows state agencies and departments to use resources to assist in the battle against COVID-19, according to a release from the governor’s office.
NJ COVID surge, pandemic recovery top priorities for Gov. Murphy in 2022
New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy delivered his State of the State address on Tuesday, Jan. 11, as the Garden State continued to grapple with another wave of COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations.
“Our state remains on a war footing against a virus that has now taken on a new form. Omicron is doing its best to stop us in our tracks and push us back. We will not let it,” Murphy said.
FDA shortens Moderna booster wait time to 5 months
The agency announced it amended its emergency use authorization for the Moderna vaccine to allow adults to get a booster dose a month earlier than previously.
Officials, including Peter Marks, director of the FDA’s Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, cited the highly transmissible omicron variant as reasoning for the update.
The booster wait times for those who received the Johnson & Johnson (two months)or the Moderna vaccines (six months), have not changed.
Additionally, the CDC also recommended that moderately or severely immunocompromised children 5 to 11 years old receive an additional, third dose of the Pfizer vaccine 28 days after their second shot.
NJ COVID hospitalizations soar
COVID-19 hospitalizations in New Jersey have blown passed the peak number reported during last winter’s surge, state Health Department data showed on Monday, Jan. 3. There were 4,715 people hospitalized on Sunday, Jan. 2. By comparison, the peak daily number of hospitalizations during last winter’s surge was 3,873.
NJ first lady positive for COVID; Gov. Murphy tests negative
New Jersey’s first lady Tammy Murphy tested positive for COVID-19 on a rapid antigen test, a spokesperson said on Sunday, Jan. 2. Gov. Phil Murphy and the rest of his family tested negative, but will continue to test regularly in the coming days, the spokesperson said.
NJ cities tighten COVID restrictions with mask, vaccine mandates
As COVID cases continue to surge across New Jersey, the cities of Hoboken and Paterson enacted new indoor mask mandates. Meanwhile, Newark geared up for a new vaccine mandate for indoor dining and entertainment venues.
Paterson schools go remote after winter break amid COVID surge
As New Jersey continues to see a startling spike in COVID-19 cases statewide, the Paterson school district announced on Wednesday, Dec. 22, that students will start 2022 remotely. They were initially expected to return to classrooms on Jan. 4, however given the spike in COVID cases, they will learn remotely from Jan. 4 through Jan. 17. School buildings will reopen on Jan. 18.
NJ, NY CityMD locations temporarily close while demand for testing grows
Newark issues indoor mask mandate in public spaces to curb COVID uptick
Folks in Newark will need to mask up before they enter indoor public spaces under an executive order signed on Monday, Dec. 19, by Mayor Ras Baraka. The indoor mask mandate was issued as the state and city continue to see a concerning spike in COVID-19 cases, spurred by the omicron and delta variants.
Biden pledges 500M free COVID-19 tests to counter omicron
According to the company, the currently authorized booster dose increased omicron-neutralizing antibodies approximately 37-fold, compared to pre-boost levels.
Breakthrough COVID infections may create ‘super immunity’
The U.S. death toll from COVID-19 topped 800,000 on Dec. 14, a once-unimaginable figure seen as doubly tragic, given that more than 200,000 of those lives were lost after the vaccine became available last spring.
Additionally, the TSA will extend the requirement to wear a mask on planes, trains, subways and other public transportation hubs including airports and bus terminals through the winter.
Scientists call omicron variant ‘most mutated’ version of virus
There’s one thing we keep hearing from the scientists who’ve gotten a close look at the omicron version of the virus: It’s really mutated. More mutations don’t necessarily make a virus more dangerous, but viruses evolve over time to increase their chance of survival, which can be bad for humans.
First omicron variant case confirmed in NJ, Murphy says
Gov. Phil Murphy and New Jersey Department of Health Commissioner Judy Persichilli said New Jersey’s first omicron case was confirmed on Friday, Dec. 3, in a fully vaccinated woman who visited New Jersey from Georgia.
Omicron COVID variant identified in California; 1st known US case
The first known case of the omicron variant of COVID-19 was identified in California, the White House and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced on Wednesday, Dec. 1. Dr. Anthony Fauci said the person was a traveler who returned from South Africa on Nov. 22 and tested positive on Nov. 29.
US panel backs first-of-a-kind COVID-19 pill from Merck
The Food and Drug Administration panel voted 13-10 that the antiviral drug’s benefits outweigh its risks, including potential birth defects if used during pregnancy.
How to pronounce the new COVID-19 variant
Omicron, the latest COVID-19 variant of concern designated by the World Health Organization, gets its name from a letter in the Greek alphabet. But unlike the alpha or delta variants before it, omicron might not roll off the tongue so naturally to English speakers.
Rising concerns over omicron variant
Hoboken Mayor Ravi Bhalla said he expects COVID cases to rise until at least the new year, and he’s asking people to remain vigilant over the holiday season as both New Jersey and New York closely monitor for the first cases of the omicron variant.
Omicron variant prompts new US travel ban on South Africa, other nations
5 things to know about omicron, the new COVID ‘variant of concern’
The announcement of a COVID-19 variant called omicron by scientists in South Africa, where it was first detected, has sent governments and financial markets around the world reeling. Click here to learn more about what experts know about the new “variant of concern.”
What is this new omicron COVID variant in South Africa?
South African scientists have identified a new version of the coronavirus that they say is behind a recent spike in COVID-19 infections in Gauteng, the country’s most populous province. It’s unclear where the new variant actually arose, but it was first detected by scientists in South Africa and has also been seen in travelers to Belgium, Botswana, Hong Kong and Israel.
CDC approves expanding COVID-19 vaccine boosters to all adults
The U.S. on Friday, Nov. 19, opened COVID-19 booster shots to all adults and took the extra step of urging people 50 and older to seek one, aiming to ward off a winter surge as coronavirus cases rise even before millions of Americans travel for the holidays.
Pfizer agrees to let other companies make its COVID-19 pill
Pfizer said it would grant a license for the antiviral pill to the Geneva-based Medicines Patent Pool, which would let generic drug companies produce the pill for use in 95 countries, making up about 53% of the world’s population.
Getting a COVID vaccine before the holidays? Here are some key dates to know
Time is running out if you plan to be fully vaccinated against COVID by the holidays. Click here for the deadlines to be fully vaccinated before each holiday.
US lifts nearly 20-month international travel ban
More than a year and a half after COVID-19 concerns prompted the U.S. to close its borders to international travelers from countries including Brazil, China, India, South Africa, the United Kingdom and much of Europe, restrictions are shifting to focus on vaccine status.
Bans on travel from specific countries ended on Nov. 8. The U.S. will allow in international travelers, but they must be vaccinated — with a few exceptions.
The U.S. also reopened the land borders with Canada and Mexico for vaccinated people. Most trips from Canada and Mexico to the U.S. are by land rather than air.
US gives final clearance to COVID vaccine for kids 5 to 11
U.S. health officials on Nov. 2 gave the final signoff to Pfizer’s kid-size COVID-19 shot, a milestone that opens a major expansion of the nation’s vaccination campaign to children as young as 5.
The Food and Drug Administration already authorized the shots for children ages 5 to 11 — doses just a third of the amount given to teens and adults. But the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention formally recommends who should receive FDA-cleared vaccines.
Vaccinated just as likely to spread delta variant within household as unvaccinated: study
People who have received COVID-19 vaccinations are able to spread the delta variant within their household just as easily as unvaccinated individuals, a new study published on Oct. 29, shows.
Child tax credit 2022: What we know so far
As inner-party conflict continues to shave off elements of President Joe Biden’s sweeping domestic policy package, there may be good news for parents. While it’s unclear what the ultimate bill will include, Democrats arrived at a framework Thursday, Oct. 28, that included a one-year extension of the expanded child tax credit.
Moderna says its low-dose COVID shot safe, effective for kids 6 to 11
FDA says Pfizer COVID vaccine looks effective for young kids
Federal health regulators said late Oct. 22, that kid-size doses of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine appear highly effective at preventing symptomatic infections in elementary school children and caused no unexpected safety issues, as the U.S. weighs beginning vaccinations in youngsters.
NJ among top vaccinated states in U.S.
New Jersey is among the top 10 states in the country with the highest COVID-19 vaccination rates at 74%. Helping to lead the charge is Paterson, which has a 90% vaccination rate.
COVID vaccine mandate for state workers, teachers begins
Many state employees returned to in-person work on Oct. 18, the same day Gov. Phil Murphy’s requirement for them to either be vaccinated against COVID-19 or submit to regular virus testing went into effect. The vaccine or test mandate also applies to teachers in New Jersey.
New COVID safety guidance for the holidays released by the CDC
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention released updated COVID-19 safety guidance for the holiday season on Friday, Oct. 15, including getting vaccinated, wearing a mask indoors if you’re not vaccinated and avoiding crowded and poorly ventilated spaces.
Rutgers team tries to understand ‘brain fog’ COVID connection
Dr. William Hu, the Chief of the Division of Cognitive Neurology at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, is leading a team trying to figure out what brain fog is and how it’s connected to COVID-19.
FDA endorsement essentially calls for Johnson & Johnson to be 2-shot vaccine
An FDA panel unanimously recommended a Johnson and Johnson booster vaccine on Friday, Oct. 15. The terms of the endorsement essentially call for the J&J COVID-19 vaccine to be a two-dose shot, rather than the one-dose shot for which it’s been known since it first got emergency use authorization last spring.
The panel called for a second shot to be available to people 18 and older, at least two months after the first shot.
FDA panel recommends Moderna booster shot, but the process isn’t over
A panel of medical experts affiliated with the Food and Drug Administration endorsed a COVID vaccine booster from Moderna on Thursday, Oct. 14. The panel recommended a half dose as a booster.
Vice President Kamala Harris visits NJ day care, vaccination site
Vice President Kamala Harris made a stop in New Jersey on Friday, Oct. 8, to discuss the state’s latest vaccination efforts. She visited a day care center to highlight child care provisions in the president’s spending proposal as well as a vaccination site at Essex Community College.
Children will feel impact of pandemic on mental health for years: UNICEF report
UNICEF released a critical report on Friday, Oct. 8, which found that children and young people could feel the impact of the pandemic on their mental health for many years to come.
COVID vaccine for kids: Doctor answers your questions
The Pfizer vaccine for kids could be on the market in about a month after the drug maker filed for FDA authorization Thursday, Oct. 7, for their shot for kids ages 5 to 11.
However, many parents still have questions about the children’s COVID vaccine. Dr. Sallie Permar, the head of pediatrics at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, joined the PIX11 Morning News on Friday, Oct. 8, to share more information and answer some of the biggest questions.
Pfizer’s request to OK shots for kids a relief for parents
Parents tired of worrying about classroom outbreaks and sick of telling their elementary school-age children no to sleepovers and family gatherings felt a wave of relief Thursday, Oct. 7, when Pfizer asked the U.S. government to authorize its COVID-19 vaccine for youngsters ages 5 to 11.
NJ leaders take on ‘Mayors Vaccine Challenge’
Two New Jersey mayors are going head-to-head in an effort to get more people vaccinated against COVID-19. It’s all part of the ongoing vaccination campaign in the Garden State that has already propelled it as one of the nation’s leaders in the fight against COVID-19. Paterson Mayor Andre Sayegh is squaring off with Trenton Mayor Reed Gusciora in what the state is calling the “Mayors Vaccine Challenge.”
New Jersey surpasses 1 million COVID-19 cases
As of Tuesday, Sept. 28, more than 1 million cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed in New Jersey since the pandemic reached the state in 2020.
Pfizer submits vaccine data on kids to FDA
Pfizer Inc. and BioNTech SE announced they have submitted initial data to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) from the Phase 2/3 trial of their COVID-19 vaccine in children 5 to 11.
In the trial, which included 2,268 participants 5 to 11 years of age, the vaccine demonstrated a favorable safety profile and elicited robust neutralizing antibody responses using a two-dose regimen of 10 μg doses.
NJ offers $500 ‘return to work bonus’ to unemployed residents
Unemployed New Jersey residents could earn a $500 bonus to return to the workforce as part of a new program announced by Gov. Phil Murphy on Monday, Sept. 27. The “Return and Earn” initiative will offer the one-time bonus to folks who secure a job through the program, including positions that require on-the-job training.
CDC director overrules panel, backs booster for all adults in high-risk jobs
The panel had voted against saying that people ages 18 to 64 can get a booster if they are health-care workers or have another job that puts them at increased risk of being exposed to the virus.
FDA OKs Pfizer COVID-19 boosters for 65 and older, high-risk Americans
The FDA authorized booster doses for Americans who are 65 and older, younger people with underlying health conditions and those in jobs that put them at high-risk for COVID-19. The ruling represents a drastically scaled back version of the Biden administration’s sweeping plan to give third doses to nearly all American adults to shore up their protection amid the spread of the highly contagious delta variant.
J&J booster shot 94% effective 2 months after 1st dose
Johnson & Johnson on Tuesday, Sept. 21, said new data shows a second dose — or a booster shot — of their one-shot COVID vaccine was found to be 94% effective against symptomatic COVID-19 when given two months after the initial dose.
Pfizer says COVID-19 vaccine works in kids ages 5 to 11
Pfizer said Monday, Sept. 20, its COVID-19 vaccine works for children ages 5 to 11 and that it will seek U.S. authorization for this age group soon — a key step toward beginning vaccinations for youngsters.
Vaccine mandate for child care facilities
Gov. Phil Murphy said all child care workers and facility employees need to be fully vaccinated by Nov. 1 or face regular weekly testing. As of Sept. 24, all employees, students and children in a facility’s care ages two and up will need to wear masks indoors, with limited exceptions.
Moderna vaccine is most effective against hospitalization from COVID-19: study
A study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention compared how effective each of the three COVID-19 vaccines are in preventing hospitalization from the virus. The CDC reported that effectiveness was higher for the Moderna vaccine (93%) than the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine (88%) and the J&J vaccine (71%).
New Jersey surpassed as state with highest rate of COVID deaths
Mississippi has surpassed New Jersey as the state with the highest rate of COVID-19 deaths in the U.S., with roughly 1 of every 320 Mississippians having succumbed to the coronavirus.
COVID-19 is ‘getting better’ at becoming airborne virus
Recent COVID-19 variants are much more adept at airborne transmission than the original version of the coronavirus, according to a new study. University of Maryland researchers analyzed the Alpha variant first identified in the United Kingdom and discovered that carriers breathe out 43 to 100 times more infectious viral aerosols than those infected with the original strain.
COVID-19 variants significantly reduce protection of vaccines, prior infection: study
A new study confirms that vaccinations and even prior COVID-19 infection provide significantly less protection against newer variants. Researchers from Oregon Health & Science University say in order to protect against the Alpha, Beta, and now Delta variants, these findings stress the importance of doubling down on both vaccinations and public health measures during the pandemic.
Mask debate moves from school boards to courtrooms
The rancorous debate over whether returning students should wear masks in the classroom has moved from school boards to courtrooms. In at least 14 states, lawsuits have been filed either for or against masks in schools. In some cases, normally rule-enforcing school administrators are finding themselves fighting state leaders in the name of keeping kids safe.
Supreme Court allows evictions to resume during pandemic
The Supreme Court’s conservative majority is allowing evictions to resume across the United States, blocking the Biden administration from enforcing a temporary ban that was put in place because of the coronavirus pandemic. New Jersey’s statewide rent moratorium expires at the end of the year.
These foods are extra hard to find right now because of shortages, supply chain issues
Notice your grocery store shelves looking a little bare lately? You’re definitely not the only one. Supply chain issues have created shortages of highly specific ingredients.
‘It’s up to us’: Fauci says pandemic could possibly end by spring 2022
The nation’s top infectious disease expert believes the pandemic’s end is near as long as the U.S. follows the right protocols to contain COVID-19. Dr. Anthony Fauci said he sees the light at the end of the tunnel, but it’s only open if the country’s 80 million to 90 million unvaccinated people are convinced to get the shot.
Comirnaty: What’s the story behind the new Pfizer vaccine name?
Comirnaty, who? It’s the same exact mRNA vaccine Pfizer has been producing through the emergency use authorization, but now it’s being marketed under a new name.
Is an earache a new COVID-19 symptom?
Doctors say they’re seeing a new COVID-19 symptom in some patients. According to experts, an earache has been reported more frequently by those testing positive for COVID. Earaches can cause pain, a feeling of blockage and sometimes muffled hearing.
Johnson & Johnson: Vaccine booster provides ‘rapid, robust’ response
Johnson & Johnson on Wednesday, Aug. 25, announced new data the company said supports the use of its COVID vaccine as a booster shot for people previously vaccinated with their single-shot vaccine.
J&J said the new data showed that a booster shot of their vaccine generated a “rapid and robust increase in spike-binding antibodies, nine-fold higher than 28 days after the primary single-dose vaccination.”
NJ to require teachers, state workers be fully vaccinated
All school personnel and state workers in New Jersey will be required to get vaccinated against COVID-19, Gov. Phil Murphy announced Monday, Aug. 23.
Will COVID booster shot have the same side effects as the first two shots?
The Biden administration said Wednesday, Aug. 18, that COVID booster shots will soon be available, but how will the Sept. 20 rollout work, and what side effects should Americans expect?
Lambda and B.1.621: New COVID variants could be the worst yet, doctor warns
At least two new COVID-19 variants have hit the United States and they could be worse than the delta variant in their infectiousness and ability to stand up to vaccines, according to a top medical authority.
U.S. health officials call for booster shots for all to battle COVID-19
U.S. health officials recommended all Americans get COVID-19 booster shots to shore up their protection amid the surging delta variant and evidence that the vaccines’ effectiveness is falling. The announcement was made on Aug. 18.
Schumer calls for federal crackdown on fake vaccine cards
COVID claims more young victims as deaths climb yet again
The COVID-19 death toll has started soaring again as the delta variant tears through the nation’s unvaccinated population and fills up hospitals with patients, many of whom are younger than during earlier phases of the pandemic.
Concerts, outdoor events still risky as delta variant surges, experts say
Concerts and outdoor events are returning, and many are requiring proof of vaccination as part of new safety protocols designed to help prevent the transmission of COVID-19. But while experts say being outdoors is less risky in general, they continue to recommend additional precautions for those visiting crowded outdoor venues.
Biden weighs stiffer vaccine rules as delta variant spreads rapidly across U.S.
When the pace of vaccinations in the U.S. first began to slow, President Joe Biden backed incentives like million-dollar cash lotteries if that’s what it took to get shots in arms. But as new COVID infections soar, he’s testing a tougher approach.
Who doesn’t need the COVID-19 vaccine?
It has been eight months since the first doses of the COVID-19 vaccine were administered to health care workers nationwide. Since then, the vaccine has become available to anyone ages 5 and older. Experts explain the few instances in which a person would not qualify for, or should delay getting vaccinated.
Extra COVID shot OK’d for immunocompromised individuals
With more than 600 colleges and universities now requiring proof of COVID-19 inoculations, an online industry has sprung up offering fake vaccine cards.
What to do if you lose your COVID-19 vaccine card
Don’t worry if you’ve lost your COVID-19 vaccine card, there are several ways you can get it replaced. No matter where you got your shots, getting a replacement card is possible.
Will NJ reinstate a travel advisory?
Gov. Murphy said on Aug. 9, a new travel advisory is not off the table, but for now he encouraged mask wearing, which is mandatory in all airports and on flights, and other COVID safety protocols. “You gotta use your head,” he added.
Will NJ mandate masks indoors?
Despite CDC data showing New Jersey falls under its guidance to wear masks indoors, Gov. Murphy said he will not yet mandate face coverings but added, “we leave all options on the table.”
COVID transmission levels call for indoor masking under CDC guidelines
Indoor masking is advised in areas with COVID transmission rates considered “substantial” or “high” under recently updated guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. As of Aug. 8, all of New Jersey falls under those categories.
How do you know if you have the delta variant of COVID-19?
So you’ve tested positive for COVID – but which COVID exactly? Is there a way to tell if you have the highly transmissible delta variant? There is a way to tell, but there’s not really a way for you to tell.
COVID breakthrough cases: Is one vaccine better than others?
Are kids more vulnerable to the delta variant of COVID-19?
Hospitals around the United States, especially in the South, are starting to fill back up again as the delta variant tears though the country. With previous waves of infection, we’ve been most worried about the elderly being vulnerable. Now, it’s younger people – even children – starting to show up in hospital beds.
NJ schools mask mandate: Teachers’ union backs, Republicans slam Murphy decision
New Jersey Republicans have largely trashed Gov. Phil Murphy’s announcement on Aug 6 that masks will be required in all schools in the upcoming academic year.
NJ health care workers must be vaccinated or tested for COVID-19
Gov. Phil Murphy signed an executive order on Aug. 6 mandating that all workers in state and private health care facilities either be vaccinated for COVID-19 or tested for it twice a week.
50% of U.S. population is fully vaccinated, White House says
The United States reached a vaccination milestone on Aug. 6: 50% of the population, all ages, were fully vaccinated, the White House COVID-19 data director confirmed.
CDC says people who’ve had COVID should get shot or risk reinfection
Even people who have recovered from COVID-19 are urged to get vaccinated, especially as the extra-contagious delta variant surges — and a new study shows survivors who ignored that advice were more than twice as likely to get reinfected.
The latest surge in COVID-19 infections is fueled by the highly contagious delta variant first identified in India late last year. Now, a variation of that variant is beginning to generate headlines. Here’s what we know about the COVID sub-strain being called delta plus.
Vaccine mandate for state colleges?
Currently, some state colleges in New Jersey are mandating the COVID-19 vaccine for students and staff and some have made it optional. Murphy said a universal mandate “is certainly an option,” but for now individual universities can make their own call.
More ‘pain and suffering’ ahead as COVID cases rise, Fauci says
Dr. Anthony Fauci warned on Aug. 1 that more “pain and suffering” is on the horizon as COVID-19 cases climb again and officials plead with unvaccinated Americans to get their shots.
Walmart requiring COVID vaccination, masks for many employees
Walmart associates who work in multiple facilities, and associates of its campus office, needed to be vaccinated against COVID-19 by Oct. 4. Walmart also required associates, including those fully vaccinated, to wear masks in its stores.
Iconic NJ restaurant The Fireplace closes after 65 years
The Fireplace, like many other restaurants across the country, was affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and temporarily shuttered its doors before reopening in May, when they implemented drive-thru, takeout and curbside pickup followed by indoor dining in October.
New delta variant research makes strong case for vaccination
A report released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention emphasized the delta variant is more dangerous and fast-spreading than first thought. The findings also made clear why efforts to get more people vaccinated are vital.
CDC data shows delta variant spreads as easily as chickenpox
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released new information on July 30, saying the coronavirus delta variant can spread as easily as chickenpox.
Pfizer: COVID vaccine protective for at least 6 months
The effectiveness of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine wanes slightly over time but it remains strongly protective for at least six months after the second dose, according to company data released on July 28.
Disney World requires masks indoors regardless of vaccination status
Beginning July 30, Disney World required all visitors ages 2 and older to wear a face covering while indoors as well as in Disney buses, the monorail and the Disney Skyliner, regardless of vaccination status.
CDC mask guidance: Vaccinated people should wear face coverings in public indoor settings
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reversed course on some masking guidelines, recommending that even vaccinated people return to wearing masks indoors in parts of the U.S. where the coronavirus is surging.
U.S. headed in ‘wrong direction’ on COVID-19, Fauci says
Is asking about someone’s COVID vaccine status a HIPAA violation?
HIPAA was signed into law by President Bill Clinton in 1996 during a time when medical records were being computerized. It was created to simplify the administration of health insurance and to prevent unauthorized access to peoples’ medical histories.
In fact, HIPAA doesn’t block anyone from asking another person about their health status, according to Alan Meisel, law professor and bioethics expert at the University of Pittsburgh.
Child tax credit checks: Will they become permanent?
The parents of an estimated 60 million American children began receiving child tax credit payments from the IRS in mid-July in a move expected to lift millions of families above the poverty baseline for the remainder of 2021. Should they become permanent?
‘Pandemic of the unvaccinated’
President Joe Biden was forced to confront the worrying reality of rising cases and deaths — and the limitations of his ability to combat the persistent vaccine hesitance responsible for a summer backslide.
Common cholesterol drugs may significantly reduce risk of death from COVID-19: study
Statins, a common medication for lowering cholesterol, may be saving lives among patients with COVID-19. A study revealed hospitalized coronavirus patients who took statins were much less likely to die from the illness.
WHO chief says it was ‘premature’ to rule out COVID lab leak
The head of the World Health Organization acknowledged on July 15, 2021, that it was premature to rule out a potential link between the COVID-19 pandemic and a laboratory leak.
Wildfire smoke linked to increased COVID-19 risk, study says
A study released in July 2021 suggested that exposure to wildfire smoke is linked to an increased risk of contracting COVID-19.
Global COVID-19 deaths hit 4 million amid rush to vaccinate
The global death toll from COVID-19 eclipsed 4 million on July 7, 2021, as the crisis increasingly became a race between the vaccine and the highly contagious delta variant.
Unvaccinated made up 99% of US COVID deaths in July 2021
There’s more to the worker shortage than pandemic unemployment, experts say
The workforce shortage is a combination of several factors, including the COVID-19 pandemic, a shift in the economy, and changes in the workforce demographics, experts say.
Latest official indicators
As of Monday, there have been 1,924,257 total positive PCR tests in the state since March 2020, and there have been 30,325 lab-confirmed COVID-19 deaths, according to the state Health Department.
Mamma Vittoria is a full service catering venue offering on and off premise catering with spacious banquet rooms. This week Nella Cicchino and her team are hosting the Nutley Chamber of Commerce Membership Luncheon.
While Mamma Vittoria has a long-standing reputation for host memorable weddings that are AFFORDABLE, they also host business and civic events.
This week’s chamber luncheon is open to members and non-members alike. Scheduled for Thursday, April 21 from noon to 1:30 p.m., there is a nominal $20 fee for the luncheon.
Nutley Chamber of Commerce is an integral part of Nutley’s hometown character and small town image. It is a voluntary, non-profit, private organization, autonomous and independent, neither seeks nor accepts financial aid from any other organization. Financed entirely by membership dues, the Chamber is not supported by tax dollars, affiliated with town government nor answerable to any other organization. Its sole loyalty is to its Members and our community.
Please RSVP to chamber@nutleychamber.com to attend the April 2022 luncheon.
Come see old friends, meet new ones, and find out a little what Mamma Vittoria is all about.
At Mamma Vittoria we can work with you to use our catering halls in Essex County to customize any event to perfection.
Whether you are planning a small, intimate wedding, a rehearsal dinner, a memorable quinceañera / sweet sixteen, a communion for your child, special surprises such as baby and bridal showers, even an extravagant bar/bat mitzvah! We are committed to ensuring that your special event will be flawless and exceed your expectations.
Our Essex County catering halls and banquet rooms are also the ideal setting for corporate meetings, reunions and end of year school events. What’s your celebration? Consider sharing it with Mamma Vittoria. Already have your own location? Even if you choose not to use our Essex County NJ catering halls, Mamma Vittoria can also cater food to your home, office or any venue of your choosing. Our off premise menus are ideal for any type of party or celebration. Ethnic foods can also be prepared on request.
Mamma Vittoria 160 Franklin Ave. Nutley NJ 07110 973.662.0242
