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Nowadays, it seems like people are only using social media to get into arguments. So it was incredibly refreshing to find this heartwarming story in a local Facebook group.

Listen to Diana Tyler nights on 92.7 WOBM and download our free 92.7 WOBM app.

We need more people like this in Ocean County.

A user in the Barnegat Township Chatter Facebook group shared a story that will restore your faith in humanity. While she was loading her groceries in her car at the Barnegat Acme, she became distracted and left her wallet in the cart (which had a lot of tip money she earned waitressing). A good samaritan returned the wallet with all of its contents in it. You can read the gratitude dripping in her post below:

Whoever turned in my wallet at Acme this morning and didn’t swipe the $500 in cash, you’re a saint. I worked all week for those tips, I’m a waitress at Lefty’s. I got off work late last night and was uneasy about a man sitting in a truck in the parking lot while I was loading my groceries and called my husband to stay on the phone with me. I must’ve just been distracted when I put the cart back. 

I wish I knew who you were….

Thank You!

Doesn’t a story like this absolutely melt you? I think we’ve all been in a similar situation where we’ve felt that twinge of panic when we’ve left something important somewhere. It’s incredible to know good people still exist in this world. Especially in our own backyard.

I hope the poster is able to find the good samaritan to give him the recognition he deserves.

THE PHEMOMENAL JERSEY SHORE RESTAURANTS WE CAN’T AFFFORD TO LOSE

The 15 Best Movies That Were Filmed At The Jersey Shore

As of October 7, 2021

LOCKOUTS

Can I be locked out of my home during the ongoing COVID-19 emergency?

Maybe. Whether you can qualify for protection from eviction depends on your household income and your completion of a sworn certification.

On August 4, 2021, the Governor signed a new law and issued Executive Order 249. Here’s how they work:

Who Is Eligible?

• The new law protects certain tenants from eviction based on nonpayment of rent, habitual late payment of rent, or failure to accept a rent increase. We’ll refer to these three grounds of eviction collectively as “rental debt.”
• If your household income is below 120% of the area median income (“AMI”) for your county, you are forever protected from eviction based on rental debt that came due between March 1, 2020, and August 31, 2021, but you must file a certification to get this protection. See below.
• If your household income is below 80% of the AMI for your county, and you meet certain other criteria (see below), you are forever protected from eviction based on rental debt that came or will come due between March 1, 2020, and December 31, 2021, but you must file a certification to get this protection. See below.

Can my landlord collect my rental debt another way?

• Yes! Your landlord can still sue you in court to collect the rent you did not pay during these periods, but your landlord cannot evict you because of your rental debt. Your landlord cannot sue you for any rent that was paid by the government or a nonprofit providing rental assistance.

How Do I Self-Certify?

• You can complete the self-certification by going to https://covid19.nj.gov/renter. This site will guide you through a series of questions to determine whether you are eligible for eviction protection based on your household income. You don’t need to know your AMI to complete the form; the computer will calculate that for you once you enter your county of residence and the combined income of all adult members of your household.
• To qualify for protection from eviction based on rental debt that will come due through December 31, 2021, your household income must be below 80% of AMI (which the computer will calculate), and you’ll need to certify that you suffered hardship due to COVID-19 and that you have applied for rental assistance. If you have not suffered hardship due to COVID-19 and/or you have not applied for rental assistance, you can answer “no” to those questions and still complete and submit the certification. You may still be eligible for protection from eviction based on rental debt that came due between March 1, 2020, and August 31, 2021.
• You should complete the Income self-certification form online as soon as possible, whether or not your landlord has filed an eviction action against you. If you are not able to complete the form online, you can call 609-490-4550 for assistance. The State has posted FAQs about the self-certification process here.

What Protection Do I Get?

• If you complete and submit a self-certification showing that you are eligible for protection, your landlord cannot evict you based on rental debt that came due between March 1, 2020, and August 31, 2021, or, if you are a qualifying lower-income person, that will come due through December 31, 2021. This protection from eviction is permanent; so long as you complete a qualifying self-certification, your landlord can never evict you based on rent you did not pay during the applicable covered period.
• The court must dismiss eviction actions based on rental debt—unpaid rent, habitual late payment of rent, or refusal to accept a rent increase—during the applicable covered period.

Who Is Not Protected?

• If you owe rent from before March 1, 2020, your landlord can go to court to get an eviction order based on that unpaid rent.
• If you owe rent that came due after August 31, 2021, and you don’t qualify for protection from eviction based on rental debt that comes due through December 31, 2021, your landlord can go to court to get an eviction order based on that unpaid rent
• If your income is more than 120% of AMI, your landlord can go to court to get an eviction order based on whatever rent you owe.
• If your landlord is trying to evict you for reasons other than nonpayment, habitual late payment, or failure to pay a rent increase, the court can enter an eviction order if the landlord proves other “good cause” for the eviction under state law.
• New Jersey tenants may get protection from eviction only under state law at this point. On August 26, 2021, the Supreme Court of the United States ended the federal eviction moratorium issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

If I applied for rental assistance, do I still have to self-certify?

• Yes! Depending on your circumstances, you should do both, and it’s probably best to apply for rental assistance first (see below). Filling out a self-certification can protect you from eviction based on rental debt that came due during certain periods. Completing a rental assistance application can get you financial help to pay the rent. The applications are not the same.

What if my landlord locks me out illegally?

It is a crime for your landlord to lock you out. Under New Jersey law, only the courts can order evictions, and only government officials can remove you from your home. If your landlord locks you out, call the local police. They are required to help you get back into your home. The New Jersey Attorney General has issued guidance to law enforcement on their obligations in responding to illegal lockouts. You can show this to police who may not understand their role.

What if I live in a hotel/motel? Can I be evicted now?

Maybe. Under Executive Order 249, the state eviction moratorium does not apply to rooms rented to a “transient guest or seasonal tenant.” However, longtime hotel and motel residents, along with many others, are not considered “transient” or “seasonal” and should be treated the same as any other tenant under the new law. See above.

To discuss your individual circumstances, contact a legal services organization such as Legal Services of New Jersey, Volunteer Lawyers for Justice – New Jersey, Community Health Law Project, Essex County Legal Aid Association, or City of Newark Office of Tenant Services.

RENT PAYMENTS

Do I still need to pay my rent?

Yes. Rent is still due, and you should pay if you can. Even if you are eligible for protection from eviction under the new state law, your landlord can sue you to collect any rent that you owe. If you get assistance from the government or a nonprofit in paying the rent, you will not owe what is paid on your behalf.

Is rental assistance available?

Yes. There is substantial government funding available to assist tenants struggling to pay their rent. The NJ Department of Community Affairs (DCA) is administering several new rental assistance programs, and you can apply for them through the same online site.

How do I apply? Go to https://njdca.onlinepha.com and follow the instructions to submit a pre-application. You must apply online at this site. No paper applications will be accepted. You must have an email address to apply. If you have a disability, limited English proficiency, or limited internet access, you can call 609-490-4550 for help. A friend, family member, or organization can also help you apply. You may also be able to get help from certified HUD housing counselors through Housing Help NJ.

What rental assistance is available? Depending on your eligibility, assistance is available for both back-rent you owe and rent you will owe in the coming months.

How will recipients be chosen? By computerized lottery. Every pre-application submitted will have an equal chance of being selected.

Can I apply if I have or have had other rental assistance? Yes, but the state seeks to avoid duplication by permitting a household to receive only one type of assistance for any given month.

Can my landlord refuse to cooperate or accept the funds? No. It is a violation of NJ Law Against Discrimination for a landlord not to accept payments or complete the necessary paperwork.

What is Nan McKay & Associates? Nan McKay & Associates is the contractor working with the state to implement this program. If you receive communications from Nan McKay, respond!

If I self-certified to get protection from eviction, does that count as an application for rental assistance? No! The two application processes are different. The self-certification can get you protection from eviction. The rental assistance application can help you cover the rent. You should apply for both, and it’s probably best to start by applying for rental assistance.

Other rental assistance. The new law requires DCA to establish an Office of Eviction Prevention. Among other responsibilities, the Office is charged with compiling, publicizing and updating information relating to all federal, state, local, and other sources of financial assistance for residential tenants facing eviction. Until the Office of Eviction Prevention’s website is up and running, you can check the DCA website for summaries of rental assistance programs, and you can use the DCAid portal to see if you are eligible. The DCA website also offers some general answers to questions about rental assistance.

COURT PROCEEDINGS

Are the courts accepting cases that landlords file against tenants?

Yes. Landlords are permitted to file eviction complaints against tenants, and the courts accepted these filings even when most trials were not being scheduled. You may therefore receive an eviction complaint in the mail and/or posted at your residence.

Is the court holding pretrial conferences? Do I have to attend them?

Yes, if you receive a notice for a pretrial conference you must attend.

On July 14, 2021, the New Jersey Supreme Court issued a Notice and series of Orders announcing changes to the landlord-tenant process. The new process involves meetings among court staff, landlords, and tenants before trial (“pretrial conferences”). In general, these meetings are remote (by videoconference or telephone), not in person. If you do not have access to the technology or equipment necessary to participate in a remote proceeding, you can call your county courthouse and ask to use a “technology room.” You can also ask to appear in-person.

The pretrial conferences have several purposes. New staff in the courts, called “landlord-tenant (LT) specialists,” will try to learn the status of the case. The LT specialists will refer tenants to sites where they can self-certify for protection from eviction and apply for rental assistance if that makes sense. The LT specialists can also refer unrepresented parties for legal help. And the LT specialists can help parties settle their cases if both the landlord and the tenant voluntarily agree to a settlement.

If you are a tenant and you receive a notice from the court directing you to appear at a pretrial conference by telephone or video, you should:

• Remember that you must participate in the settlement conference at the scheduled time! If you do not show up, a judge will hear from only the landlord.

• You do not have to settle your case at this conference. If you cannot reach an agreement with your landlord, the court will schedule a trial for a later date.

Is the court holding eviction trials?

Sometimes and in some counties. The courts have been scheduling certain kinds of eviction trials for many months, including those where the landlord claims to have proof that the eviction is necessary to protect the safety of other tenants or of the property.

Under the July 14, 2021, Notice and Orders, it seems other eviction trials were set to resume on or after September 1, 2021, but not all counties have restarted such trials.

Under the new process, most trials will be held remotely (by videoconference or telephone). Again, if you do not have access to the technology or equipment necessary to participate in a remote proceeding, you can call your county courthouse and ask to use a “technology room” or ask to appear in-person.

Can I still get emergency repairs in my apartment?

You always have a right to safe and decent housing. If you have concerns about issues such as inadequate heat, exposure to lead, infestations, leaks, crumbling walls and ceilings, or other hazardous conditions, you should ask your landlord in writing to make repairs (keep a copy). If repairs are not made quickly, you can call 2-1-1, contact the state Bureau of Housing Inspection, or call your municipality to report the problem. Due to COVID-19, code enforcement agencies may still be working with limited staff, and it may take longer to get repairs or inspections. As an alternative, if you can manage the repairs on your own, and your landlord fails to respond to your requests for repairs, you can make them or pay someone to make them. You can then withhold the money you spent on repairs from your rent (save all receipts for the repairs!).

If I’m in a HUD-subsidized unit, do I get any special protections in eviction proceedings?

Yes. Tenants in HUD-subsidized properties get a range of special protections in eviction proceedings. Under a new rule, your landlord cannot file an eviction action against you for nonpayment of rent unless the landlord has given you 30 days’ notice that includes information about the availability of federal emergency rental assistance. The rule applies when the federal government has allocated funds for rental assistance in response to the declaration of a national emergency, such as COVID-19.

ELECTRICITY, GAS, WATER

Can my utilities, water, phone, and internet be shut off during the COVID-19 crisis?

In general, not until January 1, 2022. Executive Order 229, which suspended residential utility and water shutoffs, ended on June 30, 2021, but in Executive Order 246, the Governor announced a state-ordered “grace period” through December 31, 2021. During this grace period,

• Utilities are not allowed to shut off gas, water, or electricity.
• Telecommunications providers are not allowed to shut off residential internet service currently being used by school-aged children for educational purposes.

After the grace period ends on December 31, 2021, a gas, electric, water, internet, or voice service provider must offer to enroll a customer in specified payment plans before shutting off service, and may not shut off services to a customer who makes the required payments. Moreover, the end of the grace period will fall during the state’s annual winter utility service shutoff ban, which protects certain vulnerable families from utility shutoffs from November 15 to March 15 each year.

Do I still have to pay for utilities, water, phone, and internet?

Yes. You still have to pay whatever electric, gas, water, phone, or internet bills you normally pay. If you cannot pay now, you will have to pay later. Assistance with utility bills is available through the same application process DCA uses to administer rental assistance: https://njdca.onlinepha.com/. In addition, DCA offers low-income tenants assistance with some utility bills through other programs. You can also call the customer service number on your utility bill, or look up the number here, to try to work out a payment plan; or you can check the website of the Board of Public Utilities for a list of agencies that offer assistance.

This document is for informational purposes only, is not intended as legal advice, and does not substitute for consulting with a lawyer about specific facts and circumstances. This document does not constitute a solicitation, and your use of this document does not create any attorney-client relationship between you and Lowenstein Sandler. Low-income tenants should contact their legal services offices for assistance, as Lowenstein Sandler accepts pro bono matters only through referrals from our legal services partners. The firm does not otherwise represent individual tenants in residential eviction matters.

Cape May County has been added to the list of counties eligible for public assistance for Ida damages, after being declared a Major Disaster Area by the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

FEMA also said that four more Disaster Recovery Centers would be closing this week, while the one in Middlesex County has now relocated.

The announcement on Friday brings the total to 13 counties that met the threshold of damages from either flooding or tornadoes caused by the violent storms on Sept. 1.

The others have been Bergen, Essex, Gloucester, Hudson, Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Morris, Passaic, Somerset, Union and Warren counties.

Which DRCs remain open?

The DRC in Middlesex County has closed at the Middlesex Fire Academy in Sayreville and now is available at the Piscataway Fire Academy at 171 Baekeland Ave. Hours are Monday through Saturday 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Union County just recently saw a new Disaster Recovery Center open in the Cranford Community Center at 220 Walnut Ave. It is open Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Essex County still has its DRC at Kmart at 235 Prospect Avenue #9413 in West Orange, while Somerset County has its DRC at North End Volunteer Fire Company #3, 169 North 8th Ave. in Manville.

DRCs in Hunterdon and Hudson counties permanently close Tuesday, while the centers in Bergen and Passaic counties close on Wednesday, all at 5 p.m.

Previously, the following centers already have closed: Warren, Morris, Mercer and Gloucester counties.

Additionally, all centers now are closed on Sundays and close on weekdays at 5 p.m.

The Hudson County DRC at Secaucus Public Library and Business Resource Center is closed Monday for Columbus Day.

How much has been distributed

As of Oct. 5, FEMA had approved more than $88.5 million for 18,932 families in New Jersey.

Of that amount, more than $82.5 million was in Housing Assistance grants for repairs to primary residences or for rental of temporary housing, while more than $6 million was for grants to repair or replace damaged personal property or to pay for disaster-related necessary expenses and other serious needs.

FEMA had also completed damage inspections of 30,956 homes, as part of determining whether applicants are eligible for assistance.

Help is still available

Disaster survivors can still access information and assistance online, by calling 800-621-3362, or through the FEMA app available for smartphones.

Survivors who are deaf, have a speech or hearing disability and use TTY may call 800-462-7585. Multilingual operators are available.

The deadline to apply for disaster assistance is Nov. 4.

Residents who previously registered for assistance do not need to visit a center, but can ask questions or seek further information in-person, in addition to online or by phone.

Those applying for FEMA assistance are urged to have the following information:

•  A current phone number where you can be contacted
•  Address at the time of the disaster and the address where you are now staying
•  Social Security number, if available
•  A general list of damage and losses
•  If insured, the policy number or the agent and/or the company name

NJ Supreme Court to hold judicial conference on jury selection

The New Jersey Supreme Court has announced two dates—Nov. 10 and 12—for a judicial conference focusing on jury selection. The conference was called at the behest of the Court in an opinion by Chief Justice Stuart Rabner in State v. Andujar, 247 N.J. 275 (2021), which held that a criminal defendant had been denied his right to a fair and impartial jury as a result of a prosecutor who performed a criminal background check on a potential juror. In Andujar, the Court signaled its concerns about implicit bias and its impact on peremptory challenges, calling for a judicial conference to study the issue. The New Jersey State Bar Association (NJSBA) has long held that implicit bias and diversity are a priority, and also that peremptory challenges are an important tool for defendants and should not be eliminated.

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.

Vice President Kamala Harris visits NJ day care, vaccination site

Vice President Kamala Harris made a stop in New Jersey on Friday, Oct. 8, to discuss the state’s latest vaccination efforts. She visited a day care center to highlight child care provisions in the president’s spending proposal as well as a vaccination site at Essex Community College.

Children will feel impact of pandemic on mental health for years: UNICEF report

UNICEF released a critical report on Friday, Oct. 8, which found that children and young people could feel the impact of the pandemic on their mental health for many years to come.

COVID vaccine for kids: Doctor answers your questions

The Pfizer vaccine for kids could be on the market in about a month after the drug maker filed for FDA authorization Thursday, Oct. 7, for their shot for kids ages 5 to 11.

However, many parents still have questions about the children’s COVID vaccine. Dr. Sallie Permar, the head of pediatrics at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, joined the PIX11 Morning News on Friday, Oct. 8, to share more information and answer some of the biggest questions.

Pfizer’s request to OK shots for kids a relief for parents

Parents tired of worrying about classroom outbreaks and sick of telling their elementary school-age children no to sleepovers and family gatherings felt a wave of relief Thursday, Oct. 7, when Pfizer asked the U.S. government to authorize its COVID-19 vaccine for youngsters ages 5 to 11.

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

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

NJ leaders take on ‘Mayors Vaccine Challenge’

Two New Jersey mayors are going head-to-head in an effort to get more people vaccinated against COVID-19. It’s all part of the ongoing vaccination campaign in the Garden State that has already propelled it as one of the nation’s leaders in the fight against COVID-19. Paterson Mayor Andre Sayegh is squaring off with Trenton Mayor Reed Gusciora in what the state is calling the “Mayors Vaccine Challenge.”

New Jersey surpasses 1 million COVID-19 cases

As of Tuesday, Sept. 28, more than 1 million cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed in New Jersey since the pandemic reached the state in 2020.

Pfizer submits data to FDA

Pfizer Inc. and BioNTech SE announced they have submitted initial data to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) from the Phase 2/3 trial of their COVID-19 vaccine in children 5 to 11.

In the trial, which included 2,268 participants 5 to 11 years of age, the vaccine demonstrated a favorable safety profile and elicited robust neutralizing antibody responses using a two-dose regimen of 10 μg doses. 

NJ offers $500 ‘return to work bonus’ to unemployed residents

Unemployed New Jersey residents could earn a $500 bonus to return to the workforce as part of a new program announced by Gov. Phil Murphy on Monday, Sept. 27. The “Return and Earn” initiative will offer the one-time bonus to folks who secure a job through the program, including positions that require on-the-job training.

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

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

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

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

The panel had voted against saying that people ages 18 to 64 can get a booster if they are health-care workers or have another job that puts them at increased risk of being exposed to the virus.

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

FDA OKs Pfizer COVID-19 boosters for 65 and older, high-risk Americans

The FDA authorized booster doses for Americans who are 65 and older, younger people with underlying health conditions and those in jobs that put them at high-risk for COVID-19. The ruling represents a drastically scaled back version of the Biden administration’s sweeping plan to give third doses to nearly all American adults to shore up their protection amid the spread of the highly contagious delta variant.

J&J booster shot 94% effective 2 months after 1st dose

Johnson & Johnson on Tuesday, Sept. 21, said new data shows a second dose — or a booster shot — of their one-shot COVID vaccine was found to be 94% effective against symptomatic COVID-19 when given two months after the initial dose.

Pfizer says COVID-19 vaccine works in kids ages 5 to 11

Pfizer said Monday, Sept. 20, its COVID-19 vaccine works for children ages 5 to 11 and that it will seek U.S. authorization for this age group soon — a key step toward beginning vaccinations for youngsters.

Child care facilities

Gov. Phil Murphy said all child care workers and facility employees need to be fully vaccinated by Nov. 1 or face regular weekly testing. As of Sept. 24, all employees, students and children in a facility’s care ages two and up will need to wear masks indoors, with limited exceptions.

Moderna vaccine is most effective against hospitalization from COVID-19: study

A study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention compared how effective each of the three COVID-19 vaccines are in preventing hospitalization from the virus. The CDC reported that effectiveness was higher for the Moderna vaccine (93%) than the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine (88%) and the J&J vaccine (71%).

New Jersey surpassed as state with highest rate of COVID deaths

Mississippi has surpassed New Jersey as the state with the highest rate of COVID-19 deaths in the U.S., with roughly 1 of every 320 Mississippians having succumbed to the coronavirus.

COVID-19 is ‘getting better’ at becoming airborne virus

Recent COVID-19 variants are much more adept at airborne transmission than the original version of the coronavirus, according to a new study. University of Maryland researchers analyzed the Alpha variant first identified in the United Kingdom and discovered that carriers breathe out 43 to 100 times more infectious viral aerosols than those infected with the original strain.

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

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

COVID outbreaks in NJ schools

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

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

EU removes US from safe travel list

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

COVID-19 variants significantly reduce protection of vaccines, prior infection: study

A new study confirms that vaccinations and even prior COVID-19 infection provide significantly less protection against newer variants. Researchers from Oregon Health & Science University say in order to protect against the Alpha, Beta, and now Delta variants, these findings stress the importance of doubling down on both vaccinations and public health measures during the pandemic.

Mask debate moves from school boards to courtrooms

The rancorous debate over whether returning students should wear masks in the classroom has moved from school boards to courtrooms. In at least 14 states, lawsuits have been filed either for or against masks in schools. In some cases, normally rule-enforcing school administrators are finding themselves fighting state leaders in the name of keeping kids safe.

Supreme Court allows evictions to resume during pandemic

The Supreme Court’s conservative majority is allowing evictions to resume across the United States, blocking the Biden administration from enforcing a temporary ban that was put in place because of the coronavirus pandemic. New Jersey’s statewide rent moratorium expires at the end of the year.

These foods are extra hard to find right now because of shortages, supply chain issues

Notice your grocery store shelves looking a little bare lately? You’re definitely not the only one. Supply chain issues have created shortages of highly specific ingredients.

‘It’s up to us’: Fauci says pandemic could possibly end by spring 2022

The nation’s top infectious disease expert believes the pandemic’s end is near as long as the U.S. follows the right protocols to contain COVID-19. Dr. Anthony Fauci said he sees the light at the end of the tunnel, but it’s only open if the country’s 80 million to 90 million unvaccinated people are convinced to get the shot.

Comirnaty: What’s the story behind the new Pfizer vaccine name?

Comirnaty, who? It’s the same exact mRNA vaccine Pfizer has been producing through the emergency use authorization, but now it’s being marketed under a new name.

Is an earache a new COVID-19 symptom?

Doctors say they’re seeing a new COVID-19 symptom in some patients. According to experts, an earache has been reported more frequently by those testing positive for COVID. Earaches can cause pain, a feeling of blockage and sometimes muffled hearing.

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

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

Johnson & Johnson: Vaccine booster provides ‘rapid, robust’ response

Johnson & Johnson on Wednesday, Aug. 25, announced new data the company said supports the use of its COVID vaccine as a booster shot for people previously vaccinated with their single-shot vaccine.

J&J said the new data showed that a booster shot of their vaccine generated a “rapid and robust increase in spike-binding antibodies, nine-fold higher than 28 days after the primary single-dose vaccination.”

NJ to require teachers, state workers be fully vaccinated

All school personnel and state workers in New Jersey will be required to get vaccinated against COVID-19, Gov. Phil Murphy announced Monday, Aug. 23.

Will COVID booster shot have the same side effects as the first two shots?

The Biden administration said Wednesday, Aug. 18, that COVID booster shots will soon be available, but how will the Sept. 20 rollout work, and what side effects should Americans expect?

Lambda and B.1.621: New COVID variants could be the worst yet, doctor warns

At least two new COVID-19 variants have hit the United States and they could be worse than the delta variant in their infectiousness and ability to stand up to vaccines, according to a top medical authority.

U.S. health officials call for booster shots for all to battle COVID-19

U.S. health officials recommended all Americans get COVID-19 booster shots to shore up their protection amid the surging delta variant and evidence that the vaccines’ effectiveness is falling. The announcement was made on Aug. 18.

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

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

Schumer calls for federal crackdown on fake vaccine cards

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

COVID claims more young victims as deaths climb yet again

The COVID-19 death toll has started soaring again as the delta variant tears through the nation’s unvaccinated population and fills up hospitals with patients, many of whom are younger than during earlier phases of the pandemic.

NJ county opens COVID booster shot appointments

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

Concerts, outdoor events still risky as delta variant surges, experts say

Concerts and outdoor events are returning, and many are requiring proof of vaccination as part of new safety protocols designed to help prevent the transmission of COVID-19. But while experts say being outdoors is less risky in general, they continue to recommend additional precautions for those visiting crowded outdoor venues.

Biden weighs stiffer vaccine rules as delta variant spreads rapidly across U.S.

When the pace of vaccinations in the U.S. first began to slow, President Joe Biden backed incentives like million-dollar cash lotteries if that’s what it took to get shots in arms. But as new COVID infections soar, he’s testing a tougher approach.

Who doesn’t need the COVID-19 vaccine?

It has been eight months since the first doses of the COVID-19 vaccine were administered to health care workers nationwide. Since then, the vaccine has become available to anyone over the age of 12. Experts explain the few instances in which a person would not qualify for, or should delay getting vaccinated.

Extra COVID shot OK’d for immunocompromised individuals

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

Fake COVID vaccine cards worry college officials

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

COVID vaccines would be required for military under new plan

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

What to do if you lose your COVID-19 vaccine card

Don’t worry if you’ve lost your COVID-19 vaccine card, there are several ways you can get it replaced. No matter where you got your shots, getting a replacement card is possible.

Will NJ reinstate a travel advisory?

Gov. Murphy said on Aug. 9, a new travel advisory is not off the table, but for now he encouraged mask wearing, which is mandatory in all airports and on flights, and other COVID safety protocols. “You gotta use your head,” he added.

Will NJ mandate masks indoors?

Despite CDC data showing New Jersey falls under its guidance to wear masks indoors, Gov. Murphy said he will not yet mandate face coverings but added, “we leave all options on the table.”

COVID transmission levels call for indoor masking under CDC guidelines

Indoor masking is advised in areas with COVID transmission rates considered “substantial” or “high” under recently updated guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. As of Aug. 8, all of New Jersey falls under those categories.

How do you know if you have the delta variant of COVID-19?

So you’ve tested positive for COVID – but which COVID exactly? Is there a way to tell if you have the highly transmissible delta variant? There is a way to tell, but there’s not really a way for you to tell.

COVID breakthrough cases: Is one vaccine better than others?

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

Are kids more vulnerable to the delta variant of COVID-19?

Hospitals around the United States, especially in the South, are starting to fill back up again as the delta variant tears though the country. With previous waves of infection, we’ve been most worried about the elderly being vulnerable. Now, it’s younger people – even children – starting to show up in hospital beds.

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

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

NJ schools mask mandate: Teachers’ union backs, Republicans slam Murphy decision

New Jersey Republicans have largely trashed Gov. Phil Murphy’s announcement on Aug 6 that masks will be required in all schools in the upcoming academic year.

Gov. Murphy mandates masks in schools

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

NJ health care workers must be vaccinated or tested for COVID-19

Gov. Phil Murphy signed an executive order on Aug. 6 mandating that all workers in state and private health care facilities either be vaccinated for COVID-19 or tested for it twice a week.

50% of U.S. population is fully vaccinated, White House says

The United States reached a vaccination milestone on Aug. 6: 50% of the population, all ages, were fully vaccinated, the White House COVID-19 data director confirmed.

CDC says people who’ve had COVID should get shot or risk reinfection

Even people who have recovered from COVID-19 are urged to get vaccinated, especially as the extra-contagious delta variant surges — and a new study shows survivors who ignored that advice were more than twice as likely to get reinfected.

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

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

Warning of more delta mutations, Fauci urges vaccinations

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

Moderna says vaccine 93% effective after 6 months

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

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

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

What is the delta plus variant of COVID?

The latest surge in COVID-19 infections is fueled by the highly contagious delta variant first identified in India late last year. Now, a variation of that variant is beginning to generate headlines. Here’s what we know about the COVID sub-strain being called delta plus.

Vaccine mandate for state colleges?

Currently, some state colleges in New Jersey are mandating the COVID-19 vaccine for students and staff and some have made it optional. Murphy said a universal mandate “is certainly an option,” but for now individual universities can make their own call.

More ‘pain and suffering’ ahead as COVID cases rise, Fauci says

Dr. Anthony Fauci warned on Aug. 1 that more “pain and suffering” is on the horizon as COVID-19 cases climb again and officials plead with unvaccinated Americans to get their shots.

Walmart requiring COVID vaccination, masks for many employees

In a memo, Walmart announced that associates who work in multiple facilities, and associates of its campus office, will need to be vaccinated against COVID-19 by Oct. 4. Walmart also required associates, including those fully vaccinated, to wear masks in its stores.

Iconic NJ restaurant The Fireplace closes after 65 years

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

The Fireplace, like many other restaurants across the country, was affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and temporarily shuttered its doors before reopening in May, when they implemented drive-thru, takeout and curbside pickup followed by indoor dining in October.

New delta variant research makes strong case for vaccination

A report released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention emphasized the delta variant is more dangerous and fast-spreading than first thought. The findings also made clear why efforts to get more people vaccinated are vital.

CDC data shows delta variant spreads as easily as chickenpox

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released new information on July 30, saying the coronavirus delta variant can spread as easily as chickenpox.

Pfizer: COVID vaccine protective for at least 6 months

The effectiveness of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine wanes slightly over time but it remains strongly protective for at least six months after the second dose, according to company data released on July 28.

Disney World requires masks indoors regardless of vaccination status

Beginning July 30, Disney World required all visitors ages 2 and older to wear a face covering while indoors as well as in Disney buses, the monorail and the Disney Skyliner, regardless of vaccination status.

NJ mask guidance

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

CDC mask guidance: Vaccinated people should wear face coverings in public indoor settings

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reversed course on some masking guidelines, recommending that even vaccinated people return to wearing masks indoors in parts of the U.S. where the coronavirus is surging.

U.S. headed in ‘wrong direction’ on COVID-19, Fauci says

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

Doctors warn about slightly different symptoms with delta variant of COVID

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

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

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

Is asking about someone’s COVID vaccine status a HIPAA violation?

HIPAA was signed into law by President Bill Clinton in 1996 during a time when medical records were being computerized. It was created to simplify the administration of health insurance and to prevent unauthorized access to peoples’ medical histories.

In fact, HIPAA doesn’t block anyone from asking another person about their health status, according to Alan Meisel, law professor and bioethics expert at the University of Pittsburgh.

Gov. Murphy holds off on reinstating mask mandate

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

Child tax credit checks: Will they become permanent?

The parents of an estimated 60 million American children began receiving child tax credit payments from the IRS in a move expected to lift millions of families above the poverty baseline for the remainder of 2021. Should they become permanent?

Biden grapples with ‘pandemic of the unvaccinated’

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

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

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

Common cholesterol drugs may significantly reduce risk of death from COVID-19: study

Statins, a common medication for lowering cholesterol, may be saving lives among patients with COVID-19. A new study reveals hospitalized coronavirus patients who take statins are much less likely to die from the illness.

WHO chief says it was ‘premature’ to rule out COVID lab leak

The head of the World Health Organization acknowledged it was premature to rule out a potential link between the COVID-19 pandemic and a laboratory leak, and he said he is asking China to be more transparent as scientists search for the origins of the coronavirus.

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

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

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

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

Delta now dominant COVID variant in New Jersey

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

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

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

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

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

There’s more to the worker shortage than pandemic unemployment, experts say

The workforce shortage is a combination of several factors, including the COVID-19 pandemic, a shift in the economy, and changes in the workforce demographics, experts say.

Free health insurance included in stimulus benefits for unemployment recipients

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

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

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

Workers enjoy the upper hand as companies scramble to hire

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

Vaccine freebies

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

Latest official indicators

As of Sunday, there have been 1,017,837 total positive PCR tests in the state since March 2020, and there have been 24,800 lab-confirmed coronavirus deaths, according to the state Health Department.

COVID-19 timeline: How novel coronavirus spread

Tips to protect yourself and others amid coronavirus outbreaks

“For every parent who has heard the words, ‘your child has cancer,’ it is a moment frozen in time,” said Monica Vermeulen, founder of the Monmouth County-based Ashley Lauren Foundation. “In one shattering instant, life forever changes. Coping with pediatric cancer is one of the most distressing events that a family must face. They are thrown into a world of unfamiliar and uncertain terrain.

“I am not a stranger to this dreaded disease,” Vermeulen continued. “In February 1991, my daughter, Ashley Lauren, was a typical, energetic 3-year-old child, adored by her family. When Ashley’s diagnosis of Wilms Tumor (kidney cancer) came, our lives were shattered. After losing her left kidney and adrenal gland to the disease, it had spread into her lymph system. Ashley endured many grueling years of chemotherapy, radiation and their effects. Ashley is now a grown woman, is cancer-free and lives with hope in her heart and, in her honor, I began the foundation.”

Vermeulen runs the nonprofit with a “passion to bring hope and help” to children in New Jersey who have been diagnosed with cancer and their families.

The independent nonprofit works “hands-on” with each family. “We provide immediate relief for the daily burdens thrust upon those who are battling pediatric cancer,” Vermeulen said.

Describing how the Ashley Lauren Foundation is different from other nonprofits who help children diagnosed with cancer and their families, Vermeulen said, “There are organizations that fund research, we do not do that. I know that hands-on support is greatly needed and emotional support is essential, and that’s what we do … 24/7. When a need comes up, we’re there.”

Since its founding in 2005, the foundation has helped more than 1,000 children (newborn to age 21). At any given time, the foundation is “actively assisting” 100 children.

Specifically, the foundation works to “ease the journey when pediatric cancer is diagnosed by providing direct financial and material assistance as well as emotional support and advocacy.”

The foundation offers families financial assistance to help with household bills, medications not paid through medical insurance, traveling expenses to-and-from hospitals, funeral expenses and more. The nonprofit also helps with food, clothing and household items.

Vermeulen stressed the extreme financial hardship for families when one parent must stop working and for single-parent households.

“One of the biggest needs for a family battling pediatric cancer is financial assistance,” she said. “I can personally attest to that. The needs are so vast, and we are committed to doing all that we can to help in this area. We have been receiving referrals of families who are in jeopardy of losing household utilities; health insurance, etc. because they are losing time from work and their medical bills are so enormous.

“In addition, we have been receiving referrals of families who can no longer afford the medications needed for their child and are without transportation to and from their child’s treatment center. As unbelievable as all of this might sound, it is true.”

For families coping with pediatric cancer, emotional support is of paramount importance, too. Annually, the foundation hosts four parties for the children and their families — a Spring Party at the Boardwalk, Summerfest, Harvest Party, and Holiday Party. Bus service is always offered to those who need transportation to and from events.

Each event — open children who are off treatment and their families, too — typically draws as many as 250 attendees.

In the time of COVID-19, the in-person events for children have been impossible, Vermeulen noted. But the organization and its supporters have come up with creative ways to deliver happy moments to the children.

“We do everything we can to bring smiles to their faces and joy to their hearts,” Vermeulen said.

Since in-person parties are not feasible, supporters have held toy drives and collected baskets full of treats to be delivered to the children.

The nonprofit also runs a Making Dreams Come True program. Recently, “very generous” supporters of the nonprofit funded a trip to Disney World for a 13-year-old with spinal cancer. Airfare, accommodations and park tickets were all provided to the child who “always wanted to go to Florida” and her family.

The foundation also has a Birthday Brigade program for each child.

“The Ashley Lauren Foundation has been a tremendous help for all of the families I have referred to it, providing both financial and practical assistance as well as delightful holiday and birthday gifts to help the children’s spirits,” said Heather Hoover, a pediatric oncology social worker at Newark Beth Israel Hospital. “The amount of assistance has been generous enough to meet specific emergent needs of very low-income families who are faced with the recent cancer diagnosis of one of their children.

“The single-parent families I have referred have been particularly grateful for the assistance so generously provided, as they are often unable to work as they struggle to accommodate their schedules with their child’s treatment and must often wait up to two months for disability benefits to start.”

Vermeulen explained that families typically learn about the foundation from the hospital where the child is being treated or via word-of-mouth.

The foundation is partnered with several hospitals where children receive their care.

Partner hospitals include:

• Monmouth Medical Center in Long Branch
• St. Barnabas Medical Center in Livingston
• Hackensack/Meridian Hospital in Hackensack
• Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick
• St. Peter’s Hospital in New Brunswick
• K Hovnanian Children’s Hospital at Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune
• Newark Beth Israel Medical Center in Newark
• Goreyb Children’s Center at Overlook Medical Center in Morristown
• St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital in Paterson
• Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
• and Memorial Sloan Kettering, New York Presbyterian, New York University Hospital, Columbia Presbyterian, and Mount Sinai Hospital, all in New York City.

The foundation stays with families for as long as its services are needed.

“Basically (we’re with them) as soon as we get the referral and we stay with them until we are no longer needed,” Vermeulen said. “We stay when a child is in remission, when they go for checkups and bloodwork; if a child relapses, we’re there; and, if a child loses their battle, we’re there. We don’t just drop the family; we stay until we know we’re no longer needed. The family knows when they’re fine.”

She said sometimes families who have received assistance become volunteers themselves.

Vermeulen said like other nonprofits, fundraising in the time of the coronavirus has been challenging for ALF.

Before COVID-19, the biggest source of fundraising was in-person events such as galas and golf outings. Direct donor contributions and 50/50 raffles also support the nonprofit.

“The pandemic has eliminated the in-person fundraising events, so we’ve had to be creative,” she said. “We’ve been fortunate to have help, like other organizations, with federal and local grants — that was a big. Currently, ALF is running an off-site 50/50 raffle (for more information, go to the nonprofit’s website below).

The nonprofit, which currently has about two dozen volunteers, is always looking for people to help with its efforts.

“We always need volunteers,” Vermeulen said. Donations also are always gratefully accepted. To learn more about the foundation, go to its website, call 732-414-1625 or email info@ashleylaurenfoundation.org.