IRVINGTON, NJ — Irvington High School reopened its doors after taking a temporary timeout from in-person instruction due to COVID-19. The decision was made by Irvington Superintendent of Schools April Vauss to close the building Sept. 27 and reopen for in-person learning on Oct. 7.
“We always want to be as safe as possible, and, as a precautionary measure, in the overabundance of caution, I decided to have the school quarantined,” Vauss said. “I had meetings with (Irvington) Health Director Sonya White and our health officer for Essex County, Maya Lordo. In consultation with (Lordo) and the rising number of cases, she explained how the delta variant spreads where you go from one case in one day to 48 cases the next, and, because we had seen a couple of cases from the staff and the students, I felt that it was probably best for us to take a moment and clean our buildings thoroughly.
“Not to say that they hadn’t been cleaned, but there are certain ways that we can clean the buildings when the students aren’t around and when the teachers aren’t there, which are the areas that are most frequently used. We just felt that was the best step forward and we decided to take a pause,” Vauss continued. “We had several cases that started to emerge, and we wanted to take a pause and do some deep cleaning to ensure that no other cases would emerge, and so that’s why, under the advisement of our health officer, we deemed it necessary to quarantine the children for a period of time.”
According to Vauss, this incident was not an outbreak, not rising to that classification. The county epidemiologist, in working with the school district, determined that this situation didn’t meet the threshold of what is considered an outbreak. Causing the quarantine were two cases among the teachers and two cases among the students. Vauss personally notified parents, students and staff of the situation.
Now that the school has reopened, Vauss wants parents and students to know the school is safe and thoroughly following all necessary safety measures.
“It is so very important that we understand that you have to socially distance, and we have to wear our masks properly. That is the reason why things didn’t get out of control,” Vauss said. “There is no huge number of cases within our high school and the only way to ensure that that doesn’t happen is that we follow our social-distancing rules, we don’t share food when we’re in school, we wear our mask properly and keep it over our nose and mouth, we use our hand sanitizers, we all contribute to the safety of the building and making sure we don’t come to school when we don’t feel well and avail ourselves of the testing that’s available five days a week at the high school by the Irvington Public School District. It’s open to parents, students and staff. This is something that we offer free of charge.
“The guidelines aren’t as stringent as they were last year,” she continued. “Part of why I decided for us to quarantine, I looked at what we did last year. What’s different is that the guideline for closure is not the same, and, moving forward, regarding any closure, I will not only be in consultation with our health officer, but I’ll also be in consultation with our epidemiologist for our region.”
In the event of another timeout from in-person instruction, Vauss said she will follow the exact same protocol she followed this time.
“If I believe that we need to take a timeout, I will continue in this fashion,” Vauss said. “I will always put the safety of the children and my staff first, because I think that we all understand that you can make mistakes and come back from them, but, if someone falls ill because we didn’t do the things that we felt were necessary, we can’t recover from that. We can’t recover from someone dying. I would not do anything differently moving forward.”
JACKSON, NJ – National School Lunch Week is this week, Oct. 11-15, and New Jersey has more than 800 schools that participate in the National School Lunch Program. Three school districts that are exemplary in implementing their feeding program are Newark, Jackson and Bridgeton.
“These school districts along with so many others have maintained a high standard of excellence,” NJDA Secretary Douglas Fisher said. “School meals provide much needed nutrition for students that helps them perform at their highest levels both in the classroom and in extra-curricular activities while forming healthy eating habits for life.”
The Newark School Board of Education in Essex County has 68 schools and has participated in the National School Lunch Program for more than 40 years. The district also takes part in the School Breakfast Program along with the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program and the Department of Defense Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program.
“The National School Lunch Program has played a key role in allowing us to meet an essential need for so many in our district,” said Dr. Tonya McGill, the Newark Board of Education Executive Director of the Office of Food and Nutrition. “We take pride in ensuring that our students have quality and healthy options available to them each day of the week.”
The Jackson School District in Ocean County works to present a diversity of offerings in an appealing way.
“We want them to walk into our cafeterias and see food that looks good and tastes good, because presentation matters,’’ said Jackson Food Service Director Joe Immordino. “We try very hard to offer multiple options so that everyone can find something they like.’’
Immordino said the district seeks and listens to feedback from students to keep up with trends and desires. The result has been the addition of made-to-order salad bars and pasta stations, as well as working ethnically diverse meals into the rotation.
Some of the offerings have needed to be suspended during COVID protocols, but will return as soon as possible, Immordino said. At this time, the district provides pre-packaged meals in individual boxes during the school day. At times last year, when schools were on full remote status, the district coordinated with the transportation department to deliver meals to any child who needed them at home.
“We’ve had to pivot and adapt a few times now, and we will continue to do that as long as necessary,’’ Immordino said. “As things change, we need to change with them – but what will never change is our commitment to providing quality, healthy meals to every child who wants one.’’
The Bridgeton School District in Cumberland County has 10 schools with two preschools, and serves Early College High School on the campus of Rowan College of South Jersey. Bridgeton is considered a 5-star Nutrition Hub by the NJDA and along with the National School Lunch Program, participates in the New Jersey Farm to School Program, the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program, the Child and Adult Care Food Program and the Summer Food Service Program.
“We want to serve the finest meals available to everyone in our schools,” said Warren DeShields, the Director of Food Services for Bridgeton Public Schools. “Our students deserve the best and we believe that feeding education is always on the menu.”
New Jersey schools follow the nutrition standards set forth by the USDA, which incorporates a wide variety of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and low-fat and fat-free milk options, with limitations on saturated fats, trans-fats, sodium, and calories.
National School Lunch Week was created by the School Nutrition Association to encourage participation in the National School Lunch Program and recognize the school districts providing healthy meals every day. The New Jersey Department of Agriculture administers the program in the Garden State.
An apartment complex in West Orange where 45 families were abruptly evacuated this week due to a rock slide from Hurricane Ida will be demolished, the property owner’s lawyer said Thursday during a community meeting.
The lawyer, Steven Eisenstein, handed evacuees checks for returned security deposits, October’s rent and an extra $1,250 per unit to help cover relocation costs.
Eisenstein said his client’s conclusion that the Ron Jolyn Apartments on Northfield Avenue would have to be razed was based on recommendations from three engineering firms.
“It’s not that he has any choice,” Eisenstein said, referring to owner John Jakimowicz, who was not at the meeting.
The Ron Jolyn Apartments, a red brick garden apartment complex, was evacuated late Monday by West Orange first responders and township officials, also based on the recommendation of engineers.
It was hours after a township employee opened an email that had been sent Friday night warning that a steep, rocky slope behind the apartments was unstable and could result in property damage and “possible loss of life.”
Mayor Robert Parisi hosted Thursday’s meeting at the Wilshire Grand Hotel, where some of the evacuees with families were put up at the township’s expense. As several evacuee children played on a hotel putting green, Parisi promised adults gathered in an outdoor courtyard that the township would go on paying for their accommodations while they sought new permanent housing.
“We’re going to be here until each one of you is set up,” said Parisi, though when pressed he declined to say for how long. “I can tell you we’re not abandoning you.”
In addition to the Wilshire, evacuees had also been put up and the Courtyard by Marriott hotel. But Parisi said they would all be moved Saturday to yet another local hotel, The Cambria.
Evacuees used the meeting to vent their anger and frustration with the evacuation, which took place between 10 p.m. and 1 a.m. Monday night and Tuesday morning, with no warning to tenants, who were given little time to collect what few belongings they could carry. And Parisi took responsibility for it.
“It was done poorly, I admit that,” Parisi said.
“Poorly?” tenant David Rodriguez responded. “It was unprofessional.”
At the meeting, evacuees were given contact information for the Ron Jolyn superintendent, a list of local apartments for rent, and information about a food pantry and relocation services provided by the Ebenezer Baptist Church in neighboring Orange.
Essex County loaned its mobile coronavirus testing truck to the effort, for residents who might need proof of a negative COVID-19 test if applying for a new apartment.
Steven Eisenstein, a lawyer for the owner of the Ron Jolyn Apartments in West Orange, handed a check to evacuated tenant Joanne Lowe for the amount of her returned security deposit, her refunded October rent, and $1,250 to cover relocation costs. Eisenstein said the owner had little choice but to demolish the apartment complex following recommendations by three consultants, after the property was damaged during Hurricane Ida. He could say when demolition might occur.Steve Strunsky | NJ Advance Media For NJ.com
The crowd of 100-plus people included evacuees, local clergy and educators, and various officials of the township, Essex County, and the federal government.
A team from the Federal Emergency Management Agency set up shop in the hotel lobby to take applications for relocation and other assistance from the evacuees. The residents may be eligible for FEMA help with Essex County’s declaration as a federal disaster area in Hurricane Ida’s wake.
Ida had triggered a rock slide at the base of the rocky slope down to the Ron Jolyn Apartments, damaging several parked cars and the apartment complex itself. The damage prompted an insurance adjuster for the property owner to have an analysis of the slope’s stability done by the engineering firm Langan.
Langan’s analysis found that “the slope located behind the Apartment Complex is not stable and there is a high risk of a further failure, which would likely result in significant property damage and possible loss of life,” and recommended that the complex be evacuated immediately.
Although residents said firefighters who conducted the evacuation were professional and considerate, they said it was a chaotic, even frightening ordeal that roused some from them from their beds and sent them all on an odyssey that was still far from over on Thursday, when the realization they would not be moving back was heartbreaking.
“Nobody wants to leave their home,” said Ken O’Connor, a 71-year-old retired PSE&G worker who had lived in his Ron Jolyn apartment for 32 years. “It’s like leaving family.”
For O’Connor and others, the evacuation was a far greater disturbance than the storm that prompted it. O’Connor was attending the meeting in a wheelchair and breathing through the portable respirator that offsets his bronchitis and other breathing ailments.
O’Connor, who is single and lived by himself at Ron Jolyn, said he had to rely on a firefighter to drive him and his breathing apparatus to the Courtyard by Marriott hotel. Later, O’Connor got a ride back to the apartment complex to pick up his car, which he drove to Thursday’s meeting at the Wilshire Grand Hotel.
Ken O’Connor was among the evacuees of the Ron Jolyn Apartments in West Orange. O’Connor, who has bronchitis and other respiratory ailments, had lived there for almost 32 years.Steve Strunsky | NJ Advance Media For NJ.com
“It was shocking,” O’Connor said. “It was like having a fire and somebody coming up to your door and knocking, banging on it, and ringing your door bell. ‘Are you in there? Get up. Open up.’ It was around 11, 11:30 or so. I was in bed, going off to sleep.”
By contrast, O’Connor said he would have slept through the storm had a neighbor not called to let him know what was happening.
Some evacuees grumbled that they should be able to move back at their own risk. Several were dissatisfied with the limited time they had been given so far to collect their belongings. They all rejected a waiver presented by Eisenstein that would have granted them access to the property, but bound them to pick up all their things in 10 days and free the owner from any liability while they were on the premises.
Eisenstein said he could not provide a timetable for the apartment complex’s demolition.
One of the residents, Christopher Banks, who has worked in real estate investment, admonished his neighbors not to sign anything, and to hold off on depositing the checks from their landlord’s lawyer until talking to a lawyer of their own.
“Not everybody is a sophisticated real estate person,” said Banks.
For the sixth time since 1940, Montclair voters are again deciding whether to change their school governance model from a mayor-appointed board of education to an elected board.
The last referendum, in 2009, resulted in a vote to stay with an appointed board.
Montclair is one of only 3% of school districts in the state with a so-called Type I board, consisting of seven members appointed by the mayor.
If voters approve the change, the district will join the vast majority of New Jersey districts with a Type II model, with nine members elected by the public.
The budget process would change as well. In Type I towns such as Montclair, school budgets are determined by the Board of School Estimate, a separate body that ordinarily is chaired by the mayor, with two members from the council and two from the school board.
With an elected board, budgets are determined by the school board; bonding for capital improvements and budgets that exceed a roughly 2% increase over prior years’ taxes go to the public for a vote.
Proponents of an elected board say an appointed board gives the mayor too much power. The fact that Mayor Sean Spiller is also the president of the New Jersey Education Association — the statewide teachers union — has increased concerns about the system. It’s no coincidence that the ballot question initiative was rekindled last year during the prolonged battle between the Montclair Education Association (the local affiliate of the NJEA) and the school board over reopening schools during the pandemic.
Though Spiller remained publicly neutral during the standoff, his influence on the local school board, along with his position as a leader of the NJEA, was noted by residents.
Spiller, who has appointed four board member since he was elected in 2020, does not sit on the Board of School Estimate. A lawsuit in 2015, when he was a councilman and NJEA leader, removed him from the board. After he became mayor last year, the council voted to have another councilman sit on the board instead.
Benefits of appointed school board
Advocates for an appointed board say it provides greater transparency and is more effective at narrowing the student achievement gap.
According to Doris Schapira of the League of Women Voters of the Montclair Area, an elected board can become political despite being nominally nonpartisan, since members have to finance their own campaigns and may become beholden to contributors.
An elected board, she says, makes it easy for single-issue candidates to have an outsize influence on decisions about the schools. Only 10 signatures are needed to run, and voter turnout hovers around 10%. What’s more, many voters in November elections focus on the top of the ballot and don’t vote down-ballot for school board members, she said.
“Our survey of past board members shows that the majority would not have run for elected office because of the cost and time it takes for campaigning and raising funds,” she said. “Money should not be the reason someone serves on the board of education.”
The League is also concerned about putting a vote on the school bond referendums into the public’s hands. “Thirty-one percent of school bond referendums were voted down in 2020,” she said. “An appointed BOE can protect the district from voters without children in the schools who just want to keep their tax bills down.”
To address the potential for a mayoral conflict of interest and reflect the town’s diversity, the league recommends that an advisory committee of eight to 10 community members identify and nominate board members for appointment by the mayor.
Benefits of elected school board
Councilman Peter Yacobellis said an elected board will make the selection process more transparent and put it in the “hands of the people.”
“With the current system, you have only one chance every four years to have any say or influence over school policy, with the election of the Mayor,” he said in an email to voters. “With the proposed system, you would have a say almost every year as some of the staggered terms of nine Board Members ended and they were re-elected or replaced.”
Yacobellis said he has no issues with Spiller’s appointments. “They are upstanding and terrific people,” he said. “But should any one person have all that power?”
“We can invite fresh thinking and perspectives by expanding the Board of Education from seven to nine individuals and having them be directly elected by [the people].”
While acknowledging that there is the potential for candidates or factions with “narrow agendas” to take over the board, he said it’s a “small risk.”
“I trust the outcome of a town-wide election more than the judgment of any one woman or man who is mayor at any given time.”
In-person early voting is Oct. 23 to Oct. 31, and any Essex County residents may use any of the following polling sites during the early voting period only:
Essex County (all locations open Monday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Sunday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.):
Bloomfield: Watsessing Park Community Center, Bloomfield Avenue & Conger Street
Cedar Grove: Cedar Grove Park Community Center, 199 Fairview Ave.
East Orange: East Orange City Hall, 44 City Hall Plaza
Fairfield: Fairfield Community Center, 221 Hollywood Ave.
Irvington: Irvington Municipal Building, 1 Civic Square West
West Orange: New Education Center at South Mountain Recreation Complex, 560 Northfield Ave.
Newark: Essex County Complex Parking Garage, West Market Street Entrance
Newark: Cherry Blossom Welcome Center Branch Brook Park, Park Avenue and Lake Street
Newark: Weequahic Park Community Center, Meeker Avenue & Elizabeth Avenue
Newark: West Side Park Community Center, 600 17th St.
For questions about how to vote or for help with your ballot, contact the Essex County Clerk’s office at 973-621-4920 or email info@essexclerk.com.
Julia Martin is the 2021 recipient of the David Carr Reporter of the Year award for her coverage of Montclair for NorthJersey.com. For unlimited access to the most important news from your local community, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.
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.
Gov. Murphy gives NJ COVID update
Daily health indicators
New cases: 1,577 (Statewide total: 1,024,061)
Hospitalizations: 886
ICU: 209
Ventilators: 118
New deaths: 19 (Death toll: 24,889)
The statewide rate of transmission: 0.94
Vaccines administered: 12,023,983
Fully vaccinated: 5,958,580
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 Friday, there have been 1,024,061 total positive PCR tests in the state since March 2020, and there have been 24,889 lab-confirmed coronavirus deaths, according to the state Health Department.
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.
Gov. Murphy gives NJ COVID update
Daily health indicators
New cases: 1,577 (Statewide total: 1,024,061)
Hospitalizations: 886
ICU: 209
Ventilators: 118
New deaths: 19 (Death toll: 24,889)
The statewide rate of transmission: 0.94
Vaccines administered: 12,023,983
Fully vaccinated: 5,958,580
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 Friday, there have been 1,024,061 total positive PCR tests in the state since March 2020, and there have been 24,889 lab-confirmed coronavirus deaths, according to the state Health Department.
MAPLEWOOD, NJ — The South Orange–Maplewood School District is investigating a discrimination allegation at Seth Boyden Elementary School, in which a second-grade teacher allegedly forcibly removed a hijab from a student’s head. The incident first gained publicity in a Facebook post written by Ibtihaj Muhammad, a former Olympic fencer and SOMSD graduate. In a statement from the district on Oct. 7, the district said it is investigating the incident.
“The district takes matters of discrimination extremely seriously. This evening, we were alerted to social media posts related to the allegations. Social media is not a reliable forum for due process, and the staff member(s) involved are entitled to due process before any action is taken,” the Oct. 7 statement read. “We must abide by our legal obligations to keep personnel and student matters confidential. We will utilize the existing district due process mechanisms to ensure fair and just outcomes based upon the results of our investigation. Any decision or outcome related to this will be reserved for after the completion of the investigation.”
However, in an update sent by Superintendent of Schools Ronald Taylor on Oct. 12, the district said that it was no longer investigating the incident, instead deferring to the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office and Maplewood Police Department.
“Pursuant to our memorandum of understanding with the Maplewood Police Department, we have been directed to pause our internal investigation into the alleged actions as the prosecutor’s office and MPD lead their own inquiry,” Taylor wrote Oct. 12. “As a reminder, while the district cannot comment on matters involving personnel or staff, the community can be assured that all necessary measures have been taken to remedy the immediate situation within the purview of the district’s power, while this matter is being investigated. Our ultimate hope is that a fair and just outcome would arise from this formal review for all parties involved.”
Neither of the district’s statements named the teacher, but Muhammad’s post named Tamar Herman.
“Yesterday, Tamar Herman, a teacher at Seth Boyden Elementary in Maplewood, N.J., forcibly removed the hijab of a second-grade student. The young student resisted, by trying to hold onto her hijab, but the teacher pulled the hijab off, exposing her hair to the class,” Muhammad wrote in the Oct. 7 Facebook post. “Herman told the student that her hair was beautiful and she did not have to wear hijab to school anymore.”
In a statement to WABC-TV, an ABC affiliate in New York, a lawyer who represents Herman said the teacher did not remove the hijab from the student’s head.
“This is not a story about a teacher who forcibly removed a student’s hijab. This is a story about social media, misinformation and what happens when people publicize rumors without any knowledge of or regard for the truth. (The teacher) did not, as has been alleged, forcibly remove a student’s hijab or tell a student that she should not have to wear a hijab. In accordance with school policy, (the teacher) directed a student in her class to pull down the hood on what appeared to be 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,” attorney Samantha Harris told ABC. “The misinformation shared on social media has caused tremendous harm to (the teacher) — 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.”
According to the district, it too has received harassing messages and urges everyone to keep a cool head while the investigation continues.
“Our district has been the focus of heavy media scrutiny on both the local and national levels, due to the alleged actions of a staff member,” Taylor said Oct. 12. “Our central office, as well as Seth Boyden’s main office, have been flooded with hundreds of calls, and we have received over 2,000 emails, a majority of which have been from parties outside of our community and New Jersey. The overarching tone of these correspondences condemn the alleged actions of the staff member and strongly advocate for adverse personnel action. However, some of the correspondences have been threatening, disrespectful and vulgar in nature.
“The values of our district and community have always centered around diversity, equity and respect regarding our differences. Our goal is to be inclusive and to provide an environment of safety where both our students and staff can thrive irrespective of their race, gender, religious affiliation, sexual identity or socioeconomic status,” Taylor continued. “Although the nature of the allegations can cause an emotional response, we want to request patience and civility during this time. The harsh and threatening comments received towards the Seth Boyden school, staff and district as a whole is concerning. Our staff should not be afraid to come to school or feel a heightened sense of concern for their personal safety due to threats from others. We are hopeful and all agree that the alleged actions of one employee should not condemn an entire community.”
A request to the district for more information was not returned by press time on Oct. 12. Seth Boyden Principal Shannon Glander also did not return a request for comment.
“We remain committed to diversity, equity and inclusion throughout our schools, including providing antibias and anti-racism training for all educators in the district on a regular basis,” the district’s Oct. 7 statement said. “We put the words into action as exemplified by our adoption of an intentional integration plan, creation of an assistant superintendent position focused on access and equity, and engagement with outside equity experts.”
Other organizations released statements in support of the student and her family, including the SOMA-based Black Parents Workshop.
“The state of New Jersey has one of the strongest antidiscrimination laws in the nation, and this incident underscores why the impact on children by discriminatory behavior must be our foremost concern. When a child walks into a classroom, they deserve to feel safe and not burdened by the necessity to validate their race, ethnicity or religious beliefs,” the BPW stated on Oct. 11. “We believe if the South Orange–Maplewood School District would implement the anti-racist and cultural competency training for teachers that the Black Parents Workshop and others have advocated, incidents such as this would not occur. It is long past time for this district’s practices to match its rhetoric.”
The president of the New Jersey chapter of the Islamic Center of North America, Tariq Zamir, said the ICNA-NJ is supporting the family.
“Students in this state have a right to safety, security and freedom from humiliation while on school premises, which includes respect for their religion. It is the duty of faculty and administrators to ensure those rights,” Zamir said. “The level of cultural insensitivity allegedly exhibited by the faculty member in this incident cannot be tolerated and should be grounds for dismissal.”
A poll conducted by Wallethub said that out of everybody who participated in the survey, New Jersey was voted as the number one best state to live in within the entire good ole’ U-S of A.
Of course, when it comes to anything regarding how much things cost here in Jersey, you already know the state didn’t score too well. Everything in New Jersey is ridiculously expensive. However, in the areas of education, opportunity, and health care, the state measured up pretty well compared to everywhere else.
New Jersey coming up number one in the country, though? According to some pretty intense Facebook comments, the folks from the southern region of the state disagree with that.
After sharing the results of the poll, people were not shy sounding off about their feelings. Most people came to the conclusion that people who were polled must not have been New Jersey residents and were judging based on the metrics alone and not personal experience.
Seriously though, read some of the things people are saying… wow.
Read what South Jersey residents have to say about NJ being voted as best state to live in:
A new survey declared that New Jersey has been voted as the best state to live in for 2021. South Jersey residents apparently disagree with those findings….
New Jersey’s got some pretty dangerous criminals on the loose, too. Here’s the list:
Check out all of South Jersey’s unsolved murders:
NJ words that should be added to the dictionary
13 words submitted by Steve Trevelise’s followers for inclusion in the Dictionary — because somebody’s got to explain New Jersey to the rest of the country.
Jersey does have some pretty amazing food, though. Here are 20 AMAZING NJ diners too tasty not to try
The spike in COVID-19 cases began Oct. 1, and as of Wednesday, 15 students from the school have tested positive, the district said.
The spike in COVID-19 cases began Oct. 1, and as of Wednesday, 15 students from the school have tested positive, the district said. (Shutterstock)
SOUTH BRUNSWICK, NJ — The South Brunswick School District has moved sixth-graders from Crossroads North to online learning amid a spike in COVID-19 cases among students. … Read more
The White House is telling states to prepare to begin inoculating children ages 5-11 in early November. Here’s the latest for NJ.
NEW JERSEY — The Garden State is preparing for a massive influx of demand for children ages 5 to 11 to get the Pfizer/BioNTech coronavirus vaccine, which the Food & Drug Administration is scheduled to discuss on Oct. 26. After that meeting, the FDA is expected to approve the shot for kids as early as Halloween or by early November…. Read more
The spike in COVID-19 cases began Oct. 1, and as of Wednesday, 15 students from the school have tested positive, the district said.
The spike in COVID-19 cases began Oct. 1, and as of Wednesday, 15 students from the school have tested positive, the district said. (Shutterstock)
SOUTH BRUNSWICK, NJ — The South Brunswick School District has moved sixth-graders from Crossroads North to online learning amid a spike in COVID-19 cases among students. … Read more
Organizers hope to spotlight Black-owned restaurants and breweries in the city. They’ll also be raising funds for coronavirus relief.
NEWARK, NJ — An effort to put a well-deserved spotlight on some Black-owned restaurants and breweries around Newark – while also raising money for coronavirus relief – officially kicked off Tuesday…. Read more
