Category: Uncategorized

BERKELEY HEIGHTS — The question on the mind of westbound Route 78 commuters backed up at Exit 41 because Exit 43 is closed: How much longer?

The NJDOT’s short answer: November.

The ramp at Exit 43 to Diamond Hill Road in Berkeley Heights was closed after Ida’s drenching rain dropped around 10 inches on Somerset County on Sept. 1. The heavy rain washed out the shoulder of the ramp because of the failure of a large drainage pipe, according to DOT spokesmen Steve Schapiro.

Police Capt. Ernie Schmidt told TAP into Berkeley Heights the pipe was under Diamond Hill Road.

“This exit remains closed as crews continue to work 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to replace the pipe, and repair the slope and ramp,” Schapiro said.

Drivers have gotten off at Exit 41 for Plainfield Ave in order to get to Diamond Hill Road. Traffic backs up quickly on the short off-ramp.

Schapiro said the ramp will reopen sometime in November. Work by the DOT is always dependent on the weather.

Contact reporter Dan Alexander at Dan.Alexander@townsquaremedia.com or via Twitter @DanAlexanderNJ

Red flags for someone who claims to be from New Jersey

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EAST ORANGE, NJ — East Orange celebrated recently as a group of high school filmmakers won Best Documentary at the Newark International Film Festival, a five-day showcase of independent talent and creative thinking from around the globe.

The documentary, ‘Beyond the Barrel: An East Orange Story,’ turns a spotlight on the aftereffects and personal impact of gun violence, and delves into the deep-rooted loss that students feel when a gun is turned on family, friends and even a teacher. The short film was produced with the help of award-winning broadcast journalist and filmmaker Samson Styles and under the educational guidance of Jamila T. Davis. The documentary competed in the Newark International Film Festival against close to 1,000 submissions from more than 50 countries.

According to East Orange public information officer Connie Jackson, the high school students who were responsible for this documentary were executive producers Aisha Lavine and Tyler McDougald; production managers Jaidyn Barnes and Samuel Rodriguez; musical scorer Jalil Smith; cast/production assistant Zabaida Carter; cast members Alana Anderson, Andre Hopson and Nneze Eze; and editors Ayman Rashid, Jayden Tucker and Julian Gray.

“As a part of the Summer Work Experience Program, led by VIP Online Academy, all students took part in a social justice class led by attorney Angelo Pinto, co-founder of Until Freedom,” Jackson said Oct. 18. “They were taught the importance of using their voices to create change. During their discussions, students chose to create a campaign around gun violence prevention. They wanted to create something impactful that other students could see, so they decided to film a short documentary.

“Samson Styles is one of the VIP Online Academy instructors,” she continued. “He taught a class called ‘Lights, Camera, Action’ for students who were interested in learning about film and television production. As a part of the social justice project led by Angelo Pinto, Styles and his students helped develop the short documentary using the skills they learned in the six-week program Styles instructed.”

SWEP is part of Mayor Ted R. Green’s “Stands Strong Against COVID” program, which was launched in 2020 with the support of the East Orange City Council. The program featured courses in financial literacy, beauty entrepreneurship, T-shirt branding, using media in business, digital and drone photography, youth entrepreneurship, and culinary arts. The program was spearheaded by LaDonna Johns, manager of the Mayor’s Office of Employment and Training, and delivered to students virtually through the VIP Online Academy, led by Davis, who is an author, activist and entrepreneur who was recently named community practitioner in residence for the Center for Community Research and Engagement at Seton Hall University.

“My heart is full watching the impact the program has had on our students. After being given the resources and the assignment, they took the lead and created magic,” Davis said Oct. 18. “Not only that, but their work is now invoking important conversations and inspiring other students to use their voices to create change. It’s simply amazing, and I’m incredibly proud.”

On Sept. 27, the students involved were presented with special resolutions during the East Orange City Council meeting and were scheduled to be taken out to dinner with East Orange Mayor Ted Green on Oct. 19, after press time. According to Jackson, East Orange students winning an award of this magnitude says a great deal about the city.

“This win demonstrates what East Orange already knows: Our children are exceptional and gifted, and when we all work together, the sky is the limit,” Jackson said.

Green, who was featured in the documentary along with council members, East Orange police officers and Police Chief Phyllis Bindi, praised the students for making such a powerful film.

“It’s amazing to see our young people achieve such an incredible milestone, and it’s a testament to all of their hard work and dedication to this project during the East Orange Summer Work Employment Program, also known as SWEP,” Green said Oct. 18. “The passion they had behind telling their story was truly inspiring, and we’re all extremely proud of this fantastic achievement.”

Styles is also incredibly proud of the students and is grateful to have had the opportunity to work with them.

“They say if you want to keep something, you have to give it away, so to give these young people the knowledge and skills to be able to tell their stories and see this documentary win at the Newark International Film Festival is part of my legacy now. It’s a very prideful moment for me,” Styles said Oct. 18.

Photos Courtesy of Michael Ricciardelli and East Orange

  Abdulsaleem Hasan, East Orange City Council, FEATURED, Gun Control, Mayor Ted Green, Newark International Film Festival, Summer Work Employment/Experience Program

The South Orange-Maplewood School District teacher who came under fire earlier this month after allegations were made on social media that she pulled the hijab off a Muslim student’s head has responded in a letter to the community that she meant no harm.

Tamar Herman, an elementary school teacher at Seth Boyden Elementary School, said in a statement released through her lawyers that the student’s entire face had been covered by a hoodie and mask. She ended the letter by urging members of the community to not let the incident divide them.

“I asked one of my students to raise the hood of her sweatshirt because it was covering her eyes,” Herman said in the statement. “With her mask on too, her whole face was covered.”

“I gently got her attention by brushing up the front of her hood,” the statement said. “The moment I realized she was not wearing her usual hijab underneath, she kept the hood on. And the learning went on. That is what happened.”

Ibtihaj Muhammad, a 2016 Olympic medalist in fencing and a Maplewood resident, wrote on her social media accounts on Oct. 7 that Herman had “forcibly removed the hijab of a second-grade student.” Muhammad’s connection to the student is not clear and Muhammad has not responded to requests for comment.

The incident caused an uproar in the Essex County community, with hundreds of people signing a Change.org petition calling for Herman’s firing.

A spokeswoman for the school district released a statement on Oct. 8, saying an investigation was underway. The investigation was later turned over to the Maplewood Police Department, district officials said.

Attorney Robert L. Tarver Jr., of Toms River, who represents the student, told Maplewood Patch that at least one other student in the classroom confirmed the “forcible” removal of the hijab. Tarver did not immediately respond Thursday to a phone message and an email seeking comment.

Samantha Harris, one of the attorneys representing the teacher, told NJ Advance Media last week that Herman never tried to remove a hijab from the student’s head.

“In accordance with school policy, Ms. Herman directed a student in her class to pull down the hood on a hooded sweatshirt because it was blocking her eyes – and immediately rescinded that request when she realized that the student was wearing the hood in place of, rather than on top of, her usual hijab,” Harris said in an email.

“The misinformation shared on social media has caused tremendous harm to Ms. Herman – a teacher who, after more than 30 years of devoting her heart and soul to children of all backgrounds, has now had to ask for police protection due to the threats she is receiving following the dissemination of false information on social media,” Harris said.

In her statement, Herman said that she has “been helping kids for over 30 years.”

“I help kids tie their shoes. I help kids put on their jackets. I help kids put on their band-aids. I help kids learn every day,” Herman said in the statement. “Often, I am standing near my students to give them instruction or to review their work.”

Herman said she believes the students of Maplewood and South Orange need teachers more than ever.

“Let us be there for OUR kids. Let us cultivate a climate of acceptance, tolerance, compassion, and respect for all,” the statement said. “Diversity is our strength. It should not divide us,” the statement said.”

Thank you for relying on us to provide the journalism you can trust. Please consider supporting NJ.com with a subscription.

Anthony G. Attrino may be reached at tattrino@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @TonyAttrino. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

Among more than 650 Americans in 37 states who have reported illnesses from a salmonella outbreak tied to onions imported from Chihuahua, Mexico are five people in New Jersey, according to data released Wednesday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

No deaths have been recorded and no official recall has been issued, but nearly one-fifth (129 in 652) of people who’ve gotten sick have required hospitalization, the CDC said. Hospitalizations specific to New Jersey were not disclosed.

Most of the illnesses were reported in late August and early September, according to the CDC, and the onions distributed by ProSource Inc. were last imported on Aug. 27. However, the CDC warned that the vegetable can last for up to three months in storage, so tainted onions could still be in homes and businesses.

The CDC said red, white and yellow onions were sold by ProSource to grocery stores and restaurants across the United States, and that anyone who is unsure where their onions came from should throw them out.

Most people recover from the effects of salmonella poisoning within a week, but children younger than 5 and adults over 65 are at increased risk of medical treatment or hospitalization.

Symptoms include prolonged diarrhea, fever, vomiting, and dehydration.

Patrick Lavery is New Jersey 101.5’s afternoon news anchor. Follow him on Twitter @plavery1015 or email patrick.lavery@townsquaremedia.com.

Red flags for someone who claims to be from New Jersey

It’s always a pleasure to highlight strong people who are not afraid to fight.

One of those new voices of common sense and critical thinking is Assemblyman Brian Bergen. He’s a West Point graduate and combat veteran who served our nation faithfully for eight years as an officer Apache pilot in the U.S. Army. HERE’s his bio from the NJ Assembly site.

He was elected to the Assembly in 2019 and is running for a second term. The current leader, Jon Bramnick, is running for the state Senate, leaving a vacancy.

Brian stepped up to run and is being challenged by the insider elites who don’t want a tough-minded, tough-talking man of action to be at the helm. Might make them look bad for the decades of ineffective leadership allowing the Democratic majority to grow and damage this state nearly beyond repair.

Brian Bergen gives hope to those of us who know that the current path of the GOP opposition is weak and ineffective. New Jersey is sliding fast down the path of Massachusetts and Vermont, both states with GOP governors but with such a weak state party and legislative presence, the governors are essentially “Democrat lite.”

Not sure where this race is going to fall, but the front runner is Bramnick’s running mate Nancy Munoz who actively opposed the medical-freedom parents supporting the removal of the religious exemptions to mandatory vaccines.

‘Most said nothing as the governor crushed businesses, hurt families, and took away liberty’

Should anyone currently in the Assembly leadership keep their job? How is it possible that the GOP spent the past year complaining about the process of legislation, whining that the speaker never posted their bills, but rarely stepping out to attack the governor and the majority?

Other state legislative groups joined lawsuits, attacked on the airwaves, and did everything possible to stop the destruction of civil, economic, religious, and medical liberties.

Even the GOP nominee for governor, now desperate to win and take advantage of the growing anger with Murphy, was silent throughout most of the lockdowns.

Our so-called opposition leaders sat back and criticized other states and the incumbent president as states like Florida, Georgia, and Texas opened up. Most were scared to death of a virus with a 99% survival rate for most people. Most said nothing as the governor crushed businesses, hurt families, and took away liberty through the force of executive and police power.

While Florida now surges in economic growth and civil liberties, New Jersey is watching debt and taxes rise, the quality of education fall, and the exodus continuing.

As the saying goes, the definition of insanity is doing the same thing and expecting different results. In New Jersey, it seems the only way the state will change is if new leaders are given a chance to lead.

The post above reflects the thoughts and observations of New Jersey 101.5 talk show host Bill Spadea. Any opinions expressed are Bill’s own. Bill Spadea is on the air weekdays from 6 to 10 a.m., talkin’ Jersey, taking your calls at 1-800-283-1015.

New Jersey’s COVID metrics are continuing to drop, another key indicator that the current outbreak is waning.

The rate of transmission (r/t) is at it lowest levels in months, at .89. Anything below 1.0 indicated the outbreak is not expanding.

Hospitalizations have increased slightly, but remain below 900 and have been fluctuating in a narrow range for weeks.

Nowhere has the improvement been greater than in Union County. Once a New Jersey hotspot, the number of new infections have dropped 88% in Union County in the last week. Union is now listed on the CDC data tracker as having a “low” risk of community transmission. It is the only county in New Jersey to reach the CDC’s lowest risk tier, and one of only about 30 counties in the entire country with that designation.

Essex County has seen a 50% drop in new infections, and is now listed as having a “moderate” risk of community transmission.

Bergen, Hudson, Mercer, Middlesex, Morris, and Passaic counties are classified as “substantial” risk, with the rest of the state still in the CDC’s highest tier.

The change is welcome news to COVID weary New Jersey residents, but comes as state health officials still warn of a Fall and Winter spike in infections as more people move to indoor activities. They are warning people to take precautions through the upcoming holidays, though say trick-or-treating is considered safe.

The drop in metrics also comes as New Jersey approaches six million fully vaccinated individuals. 5,989,956 people who live, work or study in New Jersey are considered fully vaccinated. However, few of those are coming back for their recommended booster shot. Only 20% of those eligible, have received the extra dose.

State health officials are also preparing to launch a blitz to get kids as young as 5 vaccinated, once the FDA approves the shots for kids. That is expected to happen as early as next month. New Jersey Health Commissioner Judy Persichilli says vaccine doses will be made available at state clinics as well as pediatricians offices and possible inside schools.

Governor Phil Murphy says he is still considering making a COVID vaccination mandatory to attend in-person classes in New Jersey.

Delta variant dominating NJ – here are signs you may have it

New Jersey’s COVID metrics are continuing to drop, another key indicator that the current outbreak is waning.

The rate of transmission (r/t) is at it lowest levels in months, at .89. Anything below 1.0 indicates the outbreak is not expanding.

Hospitalizations have increased slightly, but remain below 900 and have been fluctuating in a narrow range for weeks.

Nowhere has the improvement been greater than in Union County. Once a New Jersey hotspot, the number of new infections have dropped 88% in Union County in the last week. Union is now listed on the CDC data tracker as having a “low” risk of community transmission. It is the only county in New Jersey to reach the CDC’s lowest risk tier, and one of only about 30 counties in the entire country with that designation.

Essex County has seen a 50% drop in new infections, and is now listed as having a “moderate” risk of community transmission.

Bergen, Hudson, Mercer, Middlesex, Morris, and Passaic counties are classified as “substantial” risk, with the rest of the state still in the CDC’s highest tier.

The change is welcome news to COVID-weary New Jersey residents, but comes as state health officials still warn of a fall and winter spike in infections as more people move to indoor activities. They are warning people to take precautions through the upcoming holidays, but have said trick-or-treating is considered safe.

The drop in metrics also comes as New Jersey approaches six million fully vaccinated individuals. However, few of those are coming back for their recommended booster shot. Only 20% of those eligible have received the extra dose.

State health officials are also preparing to launch a blitz to get kids as young as 5 vaccinated, once the United States Food and Drug Administration approves the shots for kids. That is expected to happen as early as next month. New Jersey Health Commissioner Judy Persichilli said vaccine doses will be made available at state clinics as well as pediatricians’ offices and possible inside schools.

Gov. Phil Murphy said he is still considering making a COVID vaccination mandatory to attend in-person classes in New Jersey.

Delta variant dominating NJ – here are signs you may have it

NEW JERSEY — Below you will find the most up-to-date information on coronavirus news impacting New Jersey. You can find additional resources and coverage on our coronavirus page.

When can you get a COVID booster shot? These are the rules for each vaccine

Confused by all the COVID booster shot updates? Here’s the status for each vaccine approved in the United States, and the rules that determine who can get one.

COVID vaccine mandate for state workers, teachers begins

Many state employees returned to in-person work on Monday, 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.

IRS sending October installment of child tax credit after delay in September

Families across the country are starting to receive their October child tax credit. The IRS says the program’s fourth monthly payment is already hitting Americans’ bank accounts after a technical issue last month caused delays for some recipients. 

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.  

Need to be vaccinated by Thanksgiving, Hanukkah or Christmas? Here are the deadlines

People who want to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by Thanksgiving, Hanukkah or Christmas are running out of time. Two of the three vaccines available in the U.S. require two doses spread weeks apart and a waiting period once the shots have been administered.

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.

US hits 700,000 COVID deaths just as cases begin to fall

The United States reached its latest heartbreaking pandemic milestone Friday, Oct. 1, eclipsing 700,000 deaths from COVID-19 just as the surge from the delta variant is starting to slow down and give overwhelmed hospitals some relief.

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 data 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.

Is it safe to trick-or-treat this Halloween? CDC weighs in

CDC Director Rochelle Walensky said on Face the Nation that kids can trick-or-treat safely this year, adding, “If you’re able to be outdoors, absolutely.”

CDC director overrules panel, backs booster for all adults in high-risk jobs

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Thursday, Sept. 23, endorsed booster shots for millions of older or otherwise vulnerable Americans. CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky signed off on the recommendations from a panel of advisers, but then overnight added one more the panel had rejected.

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.

Walensky disagreed and put that recommendation back in, noting that such a move aligns with an FDA booster authorization decision earlier this week. 

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.

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.

U.S. panel backs Pfizer COVID-19 boosters only for 65 and over, high-risk

An influential federal advisory panel overwhelmingly rejected a plan to give Pfizer COVID-19 booster shots to most Americans, but it endorsed the extra shots for those who are 65 or older or run a high risk of severe disease.

COVID outbreaks in NJ schools

As of Wednesday, Sept. 15, there were six outbreaks in New Jersey schools, according to Health Commissioner Judy Persichilli. An outbreak is defined as at least three cases that are epidemiologically connected and not from the same household.

The cases are a mix of students and staff, Persichilli said. More information will be released on the state Health Department website in the coming days.

EU removes US from safe travel list

The European Union recommended that its 27 nations reinstate restrictions on tourists from the U.S. because of rising coronavirus infections there.

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.

NJ COVID hospitalizations top 1,000 for the first time since May: Gov. Murphy

For the first time since May, more than 1,000 people were hospitalized with COVID-19 in New Jersey on Wednesday, Aug. 25, Gov. Phil Murphy said. There were 1,012 people hospitalized with COVID, 92 of whom were on ventilators, according to state Health Department data. The last time the state had more than 1,000 COVID hospitalizations was over three months ago on May 11, Murphy said.

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.

August child tax credit payments issued: Here’s why yours might be delayed

The second installment of expanded child tax credits was issued on Aug. 13 to millions of eligible families, but some payments will likely be delayed due to a technical glitch, the U.S. Department of Treasury said.

Schumer calls for federal crackdown on fake vaccine cards

The Senate’s top Democrat says federal law enforcement officials need to crack down on fake COVID-19 vaccination cards being sold online.

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.

NJ county opens COVID booster shot appointments

Health care officials in a northern New Jersey county began offering COVID-19 booster shots to qualified residents on Aug. 14. Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr. said appointments for a third shot of the Moderna or Pfizer vaccine were open at vaccination centers at Kmart in West Orange and Essex County College in Newark.

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 over the age of 12. 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

The FDA has approved an extra, third dose of the Pfizer or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine for transplant recipients and others with severely weakened immune systems.

Fake COVID vaccine cards worry college officials

With more than 600 colleges and universities now requiring proof of COVID-19 inoculations, an online industry has sprung up offering fake vaccine cards.

COVID vaccines would be required for military under new plan

Members of the U.S. military would be required to have the COVID-19 vaccine beginning Sept. 15, under a plan announced by the Pentagon on Aug. 9 and endorsed by President Joe Biden.

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?

COVID-19 breakthrough cases are rising, and now people want to know which vaccine offers the best protection from the coronavirus.

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.

U.S. averaging 100,000 new COVID-19 infections a day as delta surges

The United States is now averaging 100,000 new COVID-19 infections a day, returning to a milestone last seen during the winter surge in yet another bleak reminder of how quickly the delta variant has spread through the country. The U.S. was averaging about 11,000 cases a day in late June. Now the number is 107,143.

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.

Gov. Murphy mandates masks in schools

In a reversal of plans, Gov. Phil Murphy announced on Aug. 6 a mandate for masks in schools for 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.

‘You have lost your minds’: Murphy lashes out at anti-vax protesters

Gov. Phil Murphy ran out of patience for protesters against the COVID-19 vaccine at a bill signing in Union City on Aug. 4.

Warning of more delta mutations, Fauci urges vaccinations

The White House COVID-19 response team said the delta variant continues to surge across the country. During a briefing on Aug. 5, Dr. Anthony Fauci called on Americans to take precautions to stop the virus from mutating. “The ultimate end game of all this is vaccination,” he said.

Moderna says vaccine 93% effective after 6 months

Moderna said its COVID vaccine has 93% efficacy six months after the second shot, according to a report released on Aug. 5.

Can I get ‘long COVID’ if I’m infected after getting vaccinated?

It’s unclear, but researchers are studying the chances of long-term symptoms developing in anyone who might get infected after vaccination.

What is the delta plus variant of COVID?

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

In a memo, Walmart announced that associates who work in multiple facilities, and associates of its campus office, will need 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

A popular restaurant in New Jersey closed its doors after 65 years of service.

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.

NJ mask guidance

Gov. Phil Murphy and New Jersey Department of Health Commissioner Judy Persichilli strongly recommended that both vaccinated and unvaccinated residents wear masks in indoor settings when there is increased risk.

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

The United States is in an “unnecessary predicament” of soaring COVID-19 cases fueled by unvaccinated Americans and the virulent delta variant, the nation’s top infectious diseases expert said on July 25.

Doctors warn about slightly different symptoms with delta variant of COVID

As concern grows regarding the COVID-19 delta variant, health leaders are warning about somewhat different symptoms that come with it.

Most unvaccinated Americans unlikely to get COVID-19 shots, new AP poll finds

A new poll shows that most Americans who haven’t been vaccinated against COVID-19 say they are unlikely to get the shots. About 16% say they probably will get the vaccine.

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.

Gov. Murphy holds off on reinstating mask mandate

New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy says he’s not ready to reinstitute mask requirements, now or when schools are back in session in September. Murphy says he “is comfortable where we are” on mask mandates but is also closely monitoring developments.

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 a move expected to lift millions of families above the poverty baseline for the remainder of 2021. Should they become permanent?

Biden grapples with ‘pandemic of the unvaccinated’

President Joe Biden is confronting the worrying reality of rising cases and deaths — and the limitations of his ability to combat the persistent vaccine hesitance responsible for the summer backslide.

Child tax credit: When to expect payments, how it may impact tax returns

Payments for the highly anticipated expanded child tax credits were being sent to families in the tri-state area, and the rest of the nation, for the first time in mid-July. While the additional money may be very helpful for some families across the economic spectrum, the overall tax credit situation is complicated.

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 new study reveals hospitalized coronavirus patients who take statins are 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 it was premature to rule out a potential link between the COVID-19 pandemic and a laboratory leak, and he said he is asking China to be more transparent as scientists search for the origins of the coronavirus.

Wildfire smoke linked to increased COVID-19 risk, study says

A new study suggests that exposure to wildfire smoke is linked to an increased risk of contracting COVID-19.

What can I do if I didn’t get my child tax credit payment?

The official disbursement date for the first child tax credit payments from the Internal Revenue Service was July 15, but parents may not see the cash right away.

Delta now dominant COVID variant in New Jersey

The highly transmissible delta variant is now the dominant strain in New Jersey, Gov. Phil Murphy said on July 12. The governor urged New Jersey residents to get vaccinated against COVID if they haven’t already done so.

Global COVID-19 deaths hit 4 million amid rush to vaccinate

The global death toll from COVID-19 eclipsed 4 million in July as the crisis increasingly becomes a race between the vaccine and the highly contagious delta variant.

99 percent of U.S. COVID deaths are unvaccinated people: Fauci

America’s top infectious disease expert says about 99.2% of recent COVID-19 deaths in the United States involved unvaccinated people. And Dr. Anthony Fauci says “it’s really sad and tragic that most all of these are avoidable and preventable.”

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.

Free health insurance included in stimulus benefits for unemployment recipients

Along with $1,400 stimulus checks and monthly child tax credit payments, the American Rescue Plan has another important benefit available to people who qualified for unemployment assistance this year: free health care.

Will one dose of a two-dose COVID-19 vaccine protect me?

Yes, but not nearly as much as if you had both doses. Experts recommend getting fully vaccinated, especially with the emergence of worrisome coronavirus mutations such as the delta variant first identified in India.

Workers enjoy the upper hand as companies scramble to hire

With the economy growing rapidly as it reopens from the pandemic, many employers are increasingly desperate to hire. Yet evidence suggests that as a group, the unemployed aren’t feeling the same urgency to take jobs.

Vaccine freebies

New York, New Jersey and several companies nationwide are offering incentives for those who get vaccinated, including free food and drinks.

Latest official indicators

As of Wednesday, there have been 1,029,748 total positive PCR tests in the state since March 2020, and there have been 24,973 lab-confirmed coronavirus deaths, according to the state Health Department.

COVID-19 timeline: How novel coronavirus spread

Tips to protect yourself and others amid coronavirus outbreaks

As expected, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has given the go-ahead for people who got the Moderna or Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccines to get a booster dose. Federal health regulators also announced it’s okay to mix and match, and for people to get a different kind of shot than they originally received.

On Thursday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will consult an expert panel before finalizing official recommendations for who should get boosters and when.

In New Jersey, the biggest question now is how many additional people will show up to get a booster.

The Pfizer booster was approved by federal health regulators in September, but so far there’s been little interest.

During a coronavirus pandemic response press conference held virtually on Wednesday, Gov. Phil Murphy said to date only 20% of the 1.2 million of those that are eligible to receive a booster shot have done so.

Murphy said while there might be some confusion about who needs a booster and how long immunity lasts for which age group, “boosters would not have been approved if folks in the federal science and medical communities did not conclude that they added meaningful extra protection.”

With immunity proven to wane in some individuals, the governor stressed that more people need to roll up their sleeves.

“We’re less well off with fewer eligible people being boosted than we are if they are boosted. It’s got to be the case.”

Currently, boosters are available for those 65 and older, residents of long-term care settings, people age 18 to 64 with underlying medical conditions and those who are at an increased risk of COVID exposure and transmission because of occupational or institutional settings.

Dr. Ed Lifshitz, the director of communicable disease services for the New Jersey Department of Health, said while the vaccines are very effective, there is some waning of immunity over time.

It’s an issue Lifshitz said the CDC has looked at very carefully, especially for older people.

“The fact that immunity wanes over time and because of the fact that if they do get sick they tend to have more serious illness than younger people, it does make sense for them to boost.”

The governor said there are probably a number of reasons why demand for boosters has been lagging.

“I think there was some mixed messaging out of the feds. Disagreements in healthy discussions between different branches of the health organizations – probably some false sense of security by some.”

In making the booster announcement, the FDA authorized a third Moderna booster dose for everyone 65 and older, and those with medical issues and people who work or live in high-risk situations who got their second vaccine at least six months ago.

The same authorization was given last month for those who received the Pfizer vaccine at least six months ago.

The FDA also said everyone who received the J&J vaccine at least two months ago should get a booster.

The J&J shot has been shown to be less effective than the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines in preventing COVID infection, although all three vaccines been efficacious in preventing serious illness.

As for mixing and matching, the FDA said it’s OK to use any brand for the booster regardless of which vaccination people got first. The interchangeability of the shots is expected to speed the booster campaign, particularly in nursing homes and other institutional settings where residents have received different shots over time.

You can contact reporter David Matthau at david.matthau@townsquaremedia.com.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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