TRENTON – Delayed because the pandemic messed with the census, the commission that will redraw New Jersey’s legislative district map has finally held its first meeting.
Friday’s online get-together was an organizational meeting only, without testimony from the public. But the process ahead is crucial to the makeup of the Legislature, and so all eyes are on the retired judge who’ll largely determine the results.
Retired Superior Court Judge Philip Carchman was appointed by Chief Justice Stuart Rabner as the Legislative Apportionment Commission’s 11th member – sometimes called the tiebreaker, since the Democrats and Republicans who work on redistricting rarely agree on a map. But he said he’ll try to get them there.
“I stress settlement as one of my responsibilities,” Carchman said. “In my capacity as the 11th member, this role is critical if not paramount.”
Unlike in past redistricting cycles, Carchman is a member of the panel from the beginning. He suggested that could help him mediate a compromise map.
Not here to be judgy
Carchman said complete success would be a bipartisan map – but that two maps that meet all the legal standards would also be a success. If need be, he said he’s ready to make the hard call on which map to approve for the legislative elections in 2023 through at least 2029.
“I do not want my role to be misunderstood,” Carchman said. “I know that the apportionment process is political and legislative, and I am not assuming the role of a judicial reviewer. I reiterate that my role is not as a judge but a voting member of the commission.”
The legal standards that govern redistricting include the federal and state constitutions, federal and state court decisions and Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act. Carchman also cited “standards that do not appear in the law, such as recognition of communities of interest, continuity of representation, competitiveness and partisan fairness, of all which serve the public interest.”
He didn’t divulge which of those criteria he considers most important.
Raw political power
Redistricting is both a basic democratic function rooted in the Constitution and one of the rawest examples of exerting political power available. Democrats took control of the Legislature after 2001 redistricting in part because their map was selected, then ‘won’ redistricting again in 2011.
Every decade after the census, the boundaries of political districts are adjusted to rebalance their populations. Unlike in congressional districts, legislative districts don’t have to start the decade exactly even – but the farther they are from the ideal level, the less likely a map will be chosen and survive legal challenges.
The Apportionment Commission’s leaders promise there will be opportunities for meaningful public input, although there aren’t yet details on how suggested maps can be submitted electronically.
“We are charged with a responsibility that is going to basically set the landscape for this state for the next 10 years,” said Democratic co-chairman LeRoy Jones Jr.
“This is just merely another step in our democracy, which is going to be transparent, which is going to be engaging,” said Jones, who is the Democratic Party state chairman and Essex County chairman.
Republican co-chairman Al Barlas redistricting is “a fundamental tenet of our democracy.”
“Ideology, politics, geography, all of that aside, our goal as we have all discussed is to end this process with a fair and constitutional map that we can all be proud of – and most importantly that the residents of the state can be proud of,” said Barlas, the Republican Party chairman in Essex County.
“We will be seeking input from the public and various stakeholders, and as Chairman Jones said we welcome it,” he said. “We look forward to it. And quite frankly we need it and we want it.”
There will be at least three public hearings – one each in north, central and south Jersey. In all, the panel’s bylaws require it to hold at least 10 official meetings, though not all will be open to the public. State law exempts the commission from the Open Public Meetings Act.
Eleanor Kreta passed away peacefully at home on Wednesday evening, October 13, 2021. She had just celebrated her 100th birthday this past July wherein she regaled friends and relatives with stories from her rich history which, she noted with pride, included admission to the first class at St. Peter’s College to admit female students. Quite the accomplished lady, Eleanor started out as a senior clerk in a small accounting firm and went on to become the accounting office manager and systems planner for a division of Columbia University. Always a proponent of higher education, and its importance to women, Eleanor went on to become an Adjunct Lecturer in Secretarial Studies at N.Y.U.; an Assistant Professor in the information processing division of Essex County College.; and, an Adjunct Lecturer at Jersey City State College. She subsequently took time off to learn and become proficient in the Spanish language which, along with her second Masters degree, allowed her to teach various business related subjects in two languages. Eleanor went on to develop a program known as “Women in the Contemporary World”. She served as president of the “Bayonne Professional Woman’s Club” as well as the “Essex County College Faculty Association”. She subsequently co-founded the Montessori’s Children House in Bayonne. Never one to sit still Eleanor spent her retired years as a volunteer docent at both the Museum of Natural History in N.Y and the Children’s Museum in Newark, N.J. Eleanor was predeceased by her mother, Julia Kreta (nee Dzamba) and her sister, Margaret Evelyn (Sis) Kreta. Relatives and friends are invited to attend the funeral service on Tuesday, October 19, 2021, 10:00am at the St. John’s Byzantine Catholic Church at 15 East 26th Street, Bayonne, N.J. Arrangements by: Sweeney Funeral Home, Bayonne.
Published by The Jersey Journal from Oct. 16 to Oct. 18, 2021.
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.
Update: New COVID-19 cases, deaths in NJ
1,419 new positive PCR tests
1,025,463 total positive PCR tests
439 new positive antigen tests
154,925 total positive antigen tests
28 new lab-confirmed deaths
24,917 total confirmed deaths
2,803 probable deaths
COVID vaccine latest in New Jersey
As of Saturday, 12,043,559 total doses have been administered and 5,966,726 individuals who live, work, or study in New Jersey were fully vaccinated.
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 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.
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
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
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?
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.
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
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.
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
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
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
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
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.
As of Saturday, there have been 1,025,463 total positive PCR tests in the state since March 2020, and there have been 24,917 lab-confirmed coronavirus deaths, according to the state Health Department.
This article was posted online by Essex News Daily. Spot On New Jersey collects excepts of news articles from this source and add these in the ‘Gateway’-category.
The world is filled with humor, inspiration and beauty. Here are seven stories to make you smile from Essex County, NJ.
The world is filled with humor, inspiration and beauty. Here are seven stories to make you smile from Essex County, NJ. (Photo: Ira Sessler)
ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — The world can be a scary place. But it’s also filled with humor, inspiration and beauty. Let’s focus on that second part. Take a look at some recent good news stories in Essex County below. (Click the headlines to read).
Find out what’s happening in Newark with free, real-time updates from Patch.
Find out what’s happening in Newark with free, real-time updates from Patch.
Editor’s note: Maini is Treasurer of Shannon Cuttle’s election campaign.
To the Editor:
I write in support of the re-election of Shannon Cuttle to the South Orange-Maplewood Board of Education. Shannon has been my friend for many years and my colleague on the Board for the last two and a half. I speak from experience in describing Shannon as committed, compassionate, courageous and competent.
Shannon’s deep commitment to children is evidenced by an entire career spent in service, for many years as a teacher and principal, then as an effective policy advocate at the Federal level in support of LGBTQ rights. But Shannon is not a single-issue candidate, repeatedly pressing her colleagues and district administration to work harder on behalf of all marginalized students and families. Immediately prior to Shannon’s work on the Board, their local advocacy work focused on direct help and advice to a wide range of students and their families on how to navigate the school district and advocate more effectively for themselves. Shannon knows very directly the many barriers that marginalized students face and is determined to eliminate them systemically.
I have been honored to learn from and serve with Shannon. Shannon has gently and consistently reminded us all of the power of our words and actions as our children are always listening and watching. Shannon has also guided the board to examine all policies, procedures, and practices through the lens of equity and inclusion, and not simply settle for the easy fixes or as some board members say “pretty words.” Shannon has also moved beyond policy language toward implementation measures and monitoring. As an example, Shannon successfullyadvocated for LGBTQ+ cultural competency training, suicide prevention training. and more comprehensive anti-bias training, all of which are part of this year’s staff development, not only for teachers and other staff, but for contractors as well.
With Shannon’s leadership our school district is able to deliver tangible actions that start to make good on our commitment to each and every student to provide a welcoming, inclusive environment in every class, every day. That is why Shannon’s re-election is critical, so we can see that work through, driven in part by Shannon’s unwillingness to take “good enough” for an answer.
When Shannon ran for the Board of Education three years ago, they said we needed to move the district forward — that we needed a foundation to build upon to address access and equity, including better systems and data collection, renovation of our crumbling outdated facilities and most importantly a stronger district leadership team from central office to the administrative teams in each school. That is a work in progress and effective Board oversight is critical. Shannon is a key part of the Board’s efforts to make that happen.
The board needs to stay focused on its role and purpose. We need board members like Shannon: committed, compassionate, courageous and competent, to move us towards a caring community that builds welcoming, inclusive schools for all students.
Please join me in voting for Shannon Cuttle for another term on the Board of Education this November.
Thank you,
Annemarie Maini Treasurer Cuttle for SOMA Board of Education
The views expressed in this letter are those of the author and do not represent the views of the South Orange-Maplewood Board of Education.
Note: Elections this year feature early in-person voting in the period October 23rd – October 31st at designated polling places around Essex County. If you want to vote by mail, you must explicitly request a mail-in ballot; unlike some prior years they are not automatically being sent to all voters. Mail-in ballots must be postmarked by November 2nd.
The election is Tuesday, November 2nd with polls open from 6:00 AM to 8:00 PM. Vote at your regular polling place.
Editor’s note: Maini is Treasurer of Shannon Cuttle’s election campaign.
Shannon Cuttle
Dear Editor:
I write in support of the re-election of Shannon Cuttle to the South Orange-Maplewood Board of Education. Shannon has been my friend for many years and my colleague on the Board for the last two and a half. I speak from experience in describing Shannon as committed, compassionate, courageous and competent.
Shannon’s deep commitment to children is evidenced by an entire career spent in service, for many years as a teacher and principal, then as an effective policy advocate at the Federal level in support of LGBTQ rights. But Shannon is not a single-issue candidate, repeatedly pressing her colleagues and district administration to work harder on behalf of all marginalized students and families. Immediately prior to Shannon’s work on the Board, their local advocacy work focused on direct help and advice to a wide range of students and their families on how to navigate the school district and advocate more effectively for themselves. Shannon knows very directly the many barriers that marginalized students face and is determined to eliminate them systemically.
I have been honored to learn from and serve with Shannon. Shannon has gently and consistently reminded us all of the power of our words and actions as our children are always listening and watching. Shannon has also guided the board to examine all policies, procedures, and practices through the lens of equity and inclusion, and not simply settle for the easy fixes or as some board members say “pretty words.” Shannon has also moved beyond policy language toward implementation measures and monitoring. As an example, Shannon successfullyadvocated for LGBTQ+ cultural competency training, suicide prevention training. and more comprehensive anti-bias training, all of which are part of this year’s staff development, not only for teachers and other staff, but for contractors as well.
With Shannon’s leadership our school district is able to deliver tangible actions that start to make good on our commitment to each and every student to provide a welcoming, inclusive environment in every class, every day. That is why Shannon’s re-election is critical, so we can see that work through, driven in part by Shannon’s unwillingness to take “good enough” for an answer.
When Shannon ran for the Board of Education three years ago, they said we needed to move the district forward — that we needed a foundation to build upon to address access and equity, including better systems and data collection, renovation of our crumbling outdated facilities and most importantly a stronger district leadership team from central office to the administrative teams in each school. That is a work in progress and effective Board oversight is critical. Shannon is a key part of the Board’s efforts to make that happen.
The board needs to stay focused on its role and purpose. We need board members like Shannon: committed, compassionate, courageous and competent, to move us towards a caring community that builds welcoming, inclusive schools for all students.
Please join me in voting for Shannon Cuttle for another term on the Board of Education this November.
Thank you,
Annemarie Maini Treasurer Cuttle for SOMA Board of Education
The views expressed in this letter are those of the author and do not represent the views of the South Orange-Maplewood Board of Education.
Note: Elections this year feature early in-person voting in the period October 23rd – October 31st at designated polling places around Essex County. If you want to vote by mail, you must explicitly request a mail-in ballot; unlike some prior years they are not automatically being sent to all voters. Mail-in ballots must be postmarked by November 2nd.
The election is Tuesday, November 2nd with polls open from 6:00 AM to 8:00 PM. Vote at your regular polling place.
UPDATE: A 24-year-old Washington State man was returned to New Jersey to face charges of sexually assaulting a 14-year-old Glen Rock child.
Devin C. Curtis was arrested in Clarkston, WA a little over three weeks ago. He was booked into the Bergen County Jail on Friday after waiving extradition.
The FBI and law enforcement agencies in both Clarkston and Moscow, Idaho assisted after the child’s parents told Glen Rock detectives of an “online relationship their child was having with an individual that they believed was an adult,” Police Chief Dean Ackermann previously said.
Police in Clarkston arrested Curtis for child pornography texts that they said they found during the investigation. Authorities then learned that Curtis came to Glen Rock and sexually assaulted the underage victim in April, Ackermann said.
Clarkston is in Washington’s southeast corner, roughly a half hour due south of Moscow — and more than 2,500 miles from Glen Rock.
Curtis remained held in the county jail awaiting a first appearance in Central Judicial Processing Court in Hackensack on charges of sexual assault, aggravated criminal sexual contact and child endangerment through sexual conduct.
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New Jersey voters will have more options than ever when it comes to casting their ballots in this November’s General Election.
Election Day is Nov. 2, but in-person early voting — a first in New Jersey — will run from Saturday, Oct. 23, through Sunday, Oct. 31.
In addition to in-person opportunities, vote by mail continues to grow in popularity across the state and appears to be gaining more traction following last year’s almost entirely vote-by-mail November election, which was triggered by the coronavirus pandemic.
As of 2020, about 600,000 voters statewide had chosen to receive vote by mail ballots for all elections. That figure had climbed to nearly 818,000 as of last week, according to figures from the state Division of Elections. For the upcoming election, 862,200 mail-in ballots had been sent out from county clerks’ offices around the state as of last week and 163,138 of those had already been returned.
While mail-in ballots were sent to all homes last year, only those who previously selected to vote by mail or who have requested mail-in ballots for the upcoming general election will receive them. Vote-by-mail applications include options to receive mail-in ballots for all future elections or for specific elections.
Eight states, most recently California, have enacted universal vote by mail, with laws requiring that every voter be mailed a ballot. New Jersey isn’t pushing for this approach yet — preferring to leave voters with a range of choices for now — but some counties are actively encouraging voters to cast mail-in ballots.
Camden County, which saw the state’s highest vote-by-mail participation rates in 2019 — 34.3 percent in the general election and 50.3 percent in the primary — is mailing out vote-by-mail ballot applications to all registered voters who haven’t already signed up for this option.
So far, they have sent out more than 91,800 vote-by-mail ballots for the November election and that figure will increase as requests continue arriving, officials said.
“We’ve been one of the highest ones for quite a few years now,” said Camden County Deputy Clerk John Schmidt. “A lot of that is due to the cooperation that we get from our board of county commissioners. They’ve been very helpful in providing us with the means to promote vote by mail.”
The state’s philosophy on voting options is straightforward.
“Voting should be as easy and efficient as possible for eligible voters,” said Alicia D’Alessandro, spokeswoman for the secretary of state.
Vote-by-mail participation has grown steadily in New Jersey during the last 18 years, according to statewide statistics.
In 2003, 2.6% of all ballots cast in the General Election were mail-in. That figure hit 12.3% in 2018 and 16.7% in 2019.
Since the 2020 election was primarily mail-in, thanks to the pandemic, the figure last year was 93.5%.
If the 2021 primary election is any indication — 28.6% of ballots were cast by mail in June — the popularity of mail-in voting will only continue to increase.
Additional voting options are important, officials believe, in an age when work schedules and child care duties make getting to a polling place on a single day a challenge for many.
“It’s not a 9-to-5 world anymore,” Schmidt said. “Times are changing and we think it’s important that every voter is able to cast their vote in a convenient fashion.”
Gloucester County has also seen robust vote-by-mail rates — 47.9% in the primary and 21.2% for the general election in 2019 — and has invested heavily in equipment and security measures to handle vote-by-mail ballots, explained County Clerk James Hogan.
The process is secure, he said, noting that they have 11 drop boxes around the county for voters to deposit their ballots if they don’t want to mail them.
Fire suppression and security systems assure the ballots remain safe until they are opened for counting on Election Day. Ballot pick-ups from drop boxes are handled by retired law enforcement officers who are accompanied by sheriff’s officers equipped with body cameras and police car cameras to ensure the ballots are secure, Hogan noted.
Following a career in law enforcement that included jobs as police chief and county sheriff, Hogan’s training in protecting the chain of custody for evidence came in handy.
“We just applied that whole process to this vote-by-mail system,” he said.
While they were planning on about 26,000 vote-by-mail ballots this year, they are now up to 30,000 applications and more are coming in, Hogan said.
In 2016, Essex County had 10,000 voters submitting ballots by mail.
“Five years later, we are currently at more than 55,000 ballots that we have mailed to voters,” reported Essex County Clerk Christopher Durkin.
The 2020 election season demonstrated that New Jersey’s counties can handle vote by mail on a large scale, Durkin said.
“Going through last year, where the turnout was the largest ever, that was the best test run you could ever have — a presidential election being an all vote by mail.”
“One thing that voters need to be mindful of is that it’s a multi-step process to vote by mail,” he said. “There are chances to make mistakes, so it’s important to be mindful and make sure you follow each step in the vote-by-mail process in order to have your vote count.”
If people are going to use the secure ballot drop boxes, rather than the U.S. Postal Service, to return their ballots, they have to use the boxes in their own counties, D’Alessandro noted.
It’s not clear if these additional voting options will drive increased turnout.
High turnout seen last year — turnout is always higher in presidential election years — wasn’t necessarily due to vote by mail, Hogan observed.
“Turnout’s been anemic and going down,” he said. “Last year there was a tremendous increase … I don’t know if everything being done is going to increase voter participation or just the anger and polarization that’s driving it up.”
His office heard from many voters last year who were angry that they could not vote in person. While that decision was dictated by Gov. Phil Murphy’s COVID-related decree, critics blamed front-line election workers.
“We deal with a lot of anger,” Hogan said.
One factor likely driving increased vote-by-mail interest this year is efforts by civic engagement groups to promote the process.
Hogan took to Facebook last month to highlight his concerns over those mailings, which he said went out to more than 100,000 county residents. It includes a form already filled in with the voter’s name and a postage-paid envelop addressed to the county clerk’s office.
The clerk received one himself.
“I took a stand on it, only because these interest groups, they’re not doing things properly,” Hogan said, because many of those receiving these have already selected to cast their ballots by mail, so if they mail these new forms it creates additional administrative headaches for the clerk’s office and confuses voters.
He also doesn’t like that it appears the mailing was coming from his office.
Tom Lopach, CEO and president of the Voter Participation Center and Center for Voter Information, says the groups are working to ensure all eligible New Jersey voters can make their voices heard.
“VPC and CVI are bringing democracy to New Jerseyans by providing millions of prospective voters with the same vote-by-mail applications used by their counties,” he said in a statement. “New Jerseyans can easily vote by mail by completing this application and simply dropping it in the mail. As our mailings clearly state, if New Jersey residents already have submitted an application to vote by mail, there is no need to submit another request.
“VPC and CVI are non-profit, non-partisan organizations that work to ensure that the New American Majority — people of color, young people, and unmarried women —participate in democracy at a level equal to their presence in society. In 2020, VPC and CVI helped 4.6 million Americans return vote-by-mail ballot applications nationwide.”
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ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — This election season is shaping up to be fairly quiet in Essex County, with few contested elections and foregone conclusions for some of the contested races. The biggest question on the ballot this upcoming Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 2, is the choice for governor.
Democratic incumbent Gov. Phil Murphy, with running mate Lt. Gov. Sheila Y. Oliver, will be facing off against Republican challenger Jack Ciattarelli, with running mate Diane Allen. Also running for governor and lieutenant governor are the teams of Joanne Kuniansky and Vivian M. Sahner on the Socialist Workers Party ticket; Madelyn R. Hoffman and Heather Warburton on the Green Party ticket; and Gregg Mele and Eveline Brownstein on the Libertarian Party ticket.
There are also two state public questions for voters to consider; both concern gambling statutes. In the first question, voters are being asked to decide whether the state should pass a constitutional amendment to allow wagering on postseason college sport competitions held in New Jersey and competitions in which a New Jersey–based college team participates. The second question regards whether to allow organizations that are permitted to hold raffles to keep the raffle proceeds to support themselves.
Countywide, voters must elect the sheriff, a three-year term. Running for office are Democratic incumbent Armando B. Fontoura, who has been serving as Essex County sheriff since 1990, and Republican challenger Nicholas G. Pansini.
Voters residing in the 27th Legislative District must choose between Democratic incumbents and Republican challengers for state Senate and Assembly. The Democratic incumbents are Richard J. Codey for state Senate and John F. McKeon and Mila M. Jasey for Assembly. Republican challengers are Adam Kraemer for state Senate and Jonathan Sym and Kevin Ryan for Assembly. Codey has served as a state senator since 1982; he has also twice stepped in as New Jersey governor, following the resignations of Gov. Christine Todd Whitman in 2001 and Gov. Jim McGreevey in 2004. McKeon has been an assemblyman since 2002, and Jasey has been an assemblywoman since 2007.
Residents in the 28th Legislative District must choose between Democratic incumbents and Republican challengers for state Senate and Assembly. The Democratic incumbents are Ronald L. Rice for state Senate and Cleopatra G. Tucker and Ralph Caputo for Assembly. Republican challengers are Frank Contella for state Senate and Monique Headen and Anthony D’Angelo for Assembly. Rice has served as a state senator since 1986, and Tucker and Caputo have served as Assembly members since 2008.
Voters living in the 34th Legislative District must choose between Democratic incumbents and Republican and independent challengers. The Democratic incumbents are Nia H. Gill for state Senate and Thomas P. Giblin and Britnee N. Timberlake for Assembly. Republican challengers are Scott Pollack for state Senate and Tafari K. Anderson and Irene DeVita for Assembly. Clenard H. Childress Jr. is running for the Assembly as an independent under the slogan “Stop the Insanity.” Gill has served as a state senator since 2002, Giblin has served as an assemblyman since 2006 and Timberlake has served as an assemblywoman since 2018.
With three open seats on the Bloomfield Board of Education, Bloomfield voters must choose three of six candidates. Running together under the slogan “Strength and Experience” are incumbents Shane Berger and Michael Heller and challenger Satenik Margaryan; Berger is seeking a fourth nonconsecutive term and Heller is seeking a third nonconsecutive term. Running together under the slogan “For Our Kids” is the slate of challengers Monica Charris Tabares, Pedro A. Gongora and Yomara Knott.
In East Orange, Democratic Mayor Ted R. Green is running for reelection unopposed, as are the following Democratic council members: Ward 1 Councilman Christopher James, Ward 3 Councilman Bergson Leneus, Ward 4 Councilwoman Tameika Garrett-Ward and Ward 5 Councilwoman Alicia Holman. The only contested East Orange race is for Ward 2 council member, with Democratic incumbent Christopher Awe vying to reclaim his seat against independent challenger Simone Jelks-Bandison, who is running under the slogan “Independently Empowering the Community.” Awe has served as Ward 2 councilman since 2018.
Glen Ridge will have a quiet election season with two candidates running unopposed for two open seats on the borough council and three candidates running unopposed for three open seats on the board of education. Running for council are Civic Conference Committee candidates Ann Marie Morrow and Rebecca Meyer, and running for BOE are CCC candidates Kristin O’Neil, Anthony Bonnett and David Campbell. Morrow, Bonnett and Campbell are all incumbents.
In Maplewood, there are two open seats on the Maplewood Township Committee. Incumbent Committeewoman Nancy J. Adams and challenger Jamaine L. Cripe, both Democrats, are running unopposed. Additionally, the ballot for Maplewood will include a referendum asking residents to approve installing artificial turf on the field in DeHart Park.
The South Orange–Maplewood Board of Education has three vacancies and five candidates vying for election. BOE First Vice President Shannon Cuttle, running under the slogan “Forward Together,” is the only incumbent seeking reelection; Cuttle is running for a second term. Challengers include the team of Arun Vadlamani and Qawi Telesford, running under the slogan “Excellence, Action, Accountability”; William Rodriguez; and Kaitlin M. Wittleder, running under the slogan “Student Voices Matter.”
The Orange Board of Education also has five candidates vying for three seats. Three incumbents are running: Siaka Sherif; Derrick Henry, running under the slogan “Orange 1st”; and David Kent Armstrong, running under the slogan “About the Children.” Running a joint campaign under the slogan “Achieving Greatness Together” are challengers Myrtha Lominy-Rhodes and Cierra Green. With a lot of shake-ups in the past few years, this past year was the first in Orange where the entire Board of Education was elected rather than having appointed members.
West Orange will see two challengers run unopposed for the two open seats on the board of education. They are Brian Rock, running under the slogan “Moving Forward Together,” and Eric Stevenson, under the slogan “West Orange First.”
Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 2, and there are multiple ways for county residents to vote, including by mail, early in-person voting, via drop box and in person on the day.
