Insider NJ’s Morning Intelligence Briefing: 3/16/2020 – InsiderNJ

A second New Jerseyan has died from coronavirus, a woman in her 50s who was being treated at a hospital in Monmouth County, state officials announced on Saturday. Governor Murphy, NJDOH Commissioner Persichilli, and other officials held a briefing yesterday, reporting that there are now 98 presumptive positive cases of coronavirus in the state, up from the 69 cases reported on Saturday. Of those 31 new cases confirmed by the state laboratory, Persichilli cited 13 of the state’s 21 counties. Murphy said that a statewide schools shutdown is imminent – details will be announced at today’s 2pm briefing. Murphy discussed social distancing, saying not enough is being done and there’s ‘too much business as usual‘, adding that people shouldn’t be cavalier about the outbreak. A statewide curfew is possible, according to the Bergen Record. Persichilli urged residents to avoid gatherings, either small or large, noting that the second death resulted in contact with a family member (who was the first death) at a family gathering in Monmouth County. Officials also held a briefing on Saturday, announcing that the official count in the state had jumped to 69 cases (as of the time of the briefing). ‘We’ve been prioritizing testing for our most vulnerable residents’, said Persichilli, while Murphy said that ‘we have a lot more that we need’, referring to federal resources. On a morning radio call prior to the Sunday briefing, Murphy said the state is likely to take ‘more draconian steps‘ to curtail the virus, including more school closings and a statewide curfew, according to NJ.com. The Governor said he’s asked the federal government to re-open ACA enrollment in the state. State officials have been holding daily briefings on the coronavirus pandemic. Last week, the Governor declared a state of emergency and recommended the cancellation of public gatherings with 250 or more attendees.

Bergen County Executive Tedesco announced the county has 31 presumptive positive cases of coronavirus as of Saturday, with 18 alone in Teaneck. The county has had one fatality. Tedesco said on Sunday that the county can expect stricter rules and a possible self-quarantine, according to the Bergen Record. On Friday, Tedesco held an evening press conference and announced a supplemental executive order closing movie theaters, public theaters, and performance halls. Last week, Tedesco declared a state of emergency and ordered schools to close and transition to online learning until further notice. Tedesco will hold a news conference today to announce additional measures the county will be taking.

Burlington County announced two new presumptive positive cases of coronavirus. County offices will be closed to the public. The Burlington County Health Department announced the closure of schools starting today and reported community exposure from a presumptive positive case.

Middlesex County declared a state of emergency in response to the coronavirus outbreak.

Mercer County announced its first presumptive positive case of coronavirus yesterday evening. Last week, Executive Hughes declared a state of emergency in the county.

The NJMVC has closed its agencies until March 31st and extended the expiration dates for driver licenses, registrations, and inspections.

The NJ Department of Corrections suspended all visitations to state prisons and halfway houses for the next 30 days, starting this past Saturday.

The NJ Juvenile Justice Commission suspended visits to residential community homes and secure care facilities.

Holy Name Hospital is testing patients for coronavirus in outside tents, according to the Bergen Record.

RWJ Barnabas has shut down visitation to all of its facilities, with few exceptions.

Rep. Kim announced the closure of his DC office following a confirmed case of coronavirus on the floor where his office is located.

Rep. Norcross visited Inspira Health leaders to discuss the federal government’s response to coronavirus.

A third Princeton University staff member tested positive for coronavirus, according to Planet Princeton.

Sussex County proposed a $117.4M budget for 2020, according to NJ Herald.

ICYMI: Camden County announced second presumptive positive case; Senate Health Committee Chairman Vitale sent up an urgent alarm for more testing kits in the state, Schepisi, said ‘we were way too slow with responding to this crisis’; Trump declared a national state of emergency

Senate GOP primary candidate Rik Mehta won the line at the Middlesex GOP convention, which was conducted online; Mehta garnered 150 votes to closest competitor Hirsh Singh’s 30. Mehta now has 14 GOP county lines.

In LD25, Rupande Mehta won the support of the Morris County Democrats for the special Senate election to run against Senator Bucco at the party’s online convention yesterday. Mehta tied with former Morris Township Mayor Grayzel on the first ballot; she won 136-134 on the second round. NJGOP Chairman Steinhardt immediately blasted the Dem nominee, saying the ‘last thing New Jersey needs is anoth’er rubber stamp in the state Senate supporting Phil Murphy’s insatiable appetite for our tax dollars’.

Amid coronavirus concerns, NJ Republicans have begun cancelling their remaining nominating conventions, according to SaveJersey.

Make The Road NJ called for the release of ICE detainees at the Elizabeth detention center following reports that an employee exhibited coronavirus symptoms.

ICYMI: Morris Dems to use online voting for Sunday’s convention amid acrimonious battle for LD25 Senate seat; Sette challenging Palatucci for RNC Committeeman; Monmouth Dems won’t hold in-person convention; Essex Dems cancelled prez forum; Matos organizing women’s group in support of Biden; Somerset Dems slate appears to be in position; Bergen GOP screening recommended Mehta; Bergen Dems endorsed Biden; Booker announced Belling as SJ director; CWA congressional endorsements; in CD2, Kennedy emerged victorious at AC Dems’ convention, Bennett dropedd bid, nominated Witherspoon for freeholder, Marino says most exciting convention in decades, decidely anti-Van Drew mood, AC Mayor Small circulated, source says South Jersey establishment ‘have no choice but to go to war‘; in CD3, Holman endorsed Richter following Ocean GOP victory, defying conventional wisdom, Richter endorsed by Schneider in BurlCo, as primary becomes increasingly acrimonious; Woloshen Glass campaign manager for Mehta; Zisa condemns negative comments by Republicans against Republicans; Surrency storylines

Life at the epicenter of N.J.’s coronavirus outbreak

Tom Bergeron, roi-nj.com

• Eleven cases. Six of which are in the ICU. And 40 more patients under observation. All at Holy Name Medical Center in Teaneck. The numbers are growing by the day. So quickly that not all of them are included in the state’s official coronavirus count. It’s why Holy Name CEO Mike Maron thinks all the attention the coronavirus has been getting in New Jersey — from the school closings, banning of public gatherings, suspensions of pro sports leagues and even the fights over toilet paper and bottled water — is not enough. Not even close.

Lockdown vs. libertarian tug of war for local officials

Ryan Hutchins, Politico

• Governors and local leaders are furiously working to convince the public to heed social distancing guidance, with a cascade of increasingly stringent limitations raining down in California, Illinois and Ohio on Sunday.

Saudi-Russia oil war may be bad news for Big Oil but it’s good news for drivers | Mulshine

Paul Mulshine, Star-Ledger

• There was lots of bad news last week. But here’s some good news: On Thursday, I filled my station wagon with gas for a mere $20. Thanks to a complex set of circumstances on the world oil market, I found gas at a mere $2.19 a gallon.

Phillipsburg area business owners providing meals to school children in need

Pamela Sroka-Holzmann, For lehighvalleylive.com

• Phillipsburg’s mayor and three area business owners are stepping up to help children in need as schools shut down in response to the coronavirus.

Woman in her 40s is Hoboken’s 4th coronavirus patient, Mayor Bhalla says

John Heinis, Hudson County View

• A woman in her 40s is Hoboken’s 4th coronavirus patient and she is currently hospitalized while her family is on self-quarantine, according to Mayor Ravi Bhalla.

Support builds for N.J. tax holiday to combat COVID-19 economic downturn

Matt Rooney, Save Jersey

• New Jersey’s economy was one of America’s least-robust before COVID-19 hit the nation’s shores. Now some members of the legislature are pushing to incentivize economic activity – or at least less the blow of a major drop off – before things go too far.

More (severe) restrictions are coming Monday — and that’s a good thing

Tom Bergeron, roi-nj.com

• If you haven’t got the message yet — Saw what happened in China and Asia and didn’t think it could happen here; Saw what happened in Italy and Europe and didn’t think it could happen here; Saw what is happening in Teaneck and didn’t think it could happen in your New Jersey town; — you’re going to get the message this week, likely as soon as Monday afternoon. More restrictions are coming into our lives. A curfew? Almost certainly.

Boardwalk battle brewing over Atlantic City tram cars

David Danzis, Press of Atlantic City

• City Council is likely to consider extending a contract with the operator of the Boardwalk tram car at its next public meeting, but the seemingly mundane action could draw some resistance.

Coronavirus: Asbury Park bans nightlife to curb spread

Amanda Oglesby, Asbury Park Press

• To curb the spread of the COVID-19 virus, the city joined a growing number of New Jersey municipalities that are setting curfews on bars, restaurants and event venues. Asbury Park bars and restaurants must close by 10 p.m. beginning Sunday, according to a news release from Asbury Park officials.

LIVE UPDATES: Tracking the coronavirus in New Jersey

NJTV

• NJTV’s listing of coronavirus news in the state.

Chris Christie: Remember the upside | Moran

Tom Moran, Star-Ledger

• And now for something completely different: Let’s give some love to our former governor, Chris Christie, whose signature reform in 2011 is about to save us another $1 billion next year.

For college seniors, coronavirus signals premature end of an era

Susan Snyder, Philadelphia Inquirer

• For many college seniors, the spring before graduation serves as a “last hurrah,” as one Temple University student called it. It’s a time to congregate and savor accomplishments with classmates, cherish final lessons with beloved professors, and prepare to celebrate an achievement with family members.

Coronavirus dismantling everyday life in Burlington County

Lisa Broadt, Burlington County Times

• Burlington County, like communities throughout New Jersey, is embracing unprecedented measures to help fight the rapidly spreading coronavirus. But the actual disruptions of day-to-day life are just beginning.

What virus? An almost-parade in Morristown

Kevin Coughlin, Morristown Green

• Saturday’s Morris County St. Patrick’s Parade was cancelled, along with virtually everything else within a 3,000-mile radius of South Street. But no virus was going to stop these Morristown revelers, who included the Police Pipes and Drums of Morris County and past parade grand marshals at a shoulder-to-shoulder party complete with the customary green fire truck, food and libations, and Ireland’s Greatest Hits, performed with gusto by a pumped-up rock band.

Matthew Broderick says sister Janet, former Morristown rector, on ‘road to full recovery’ from COVID-19

Kevin Coughlin, Morristown Green

• The Rev. Janet Broderick, former rector of St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Morristown, is “on the road to a full recovery” from COVID-19, according to her brother, actor Matthew Broderick. “I’m happy to say she is feeling much better and is on the road to a full recovery. We are all very appreciative for the wonderful care she received from the amazing doctors and nurses at Cedars Sinai” in Beverly Hills, the Tony-winning actor told Deadline.

Mainland constituent districts close all schools for 2 weeks

Nanette LoBiondo Galloway, Down Beach

• The Sparta School District has obtained an injunction implementing a temporary period of home instruction for a 15-year-old high school student with autism, who is barred from physically attending school during this period but will still be allowed to try out for the school’s golf team.

Paterson councilman cancels campaign headquarters kickoff over coronavirus

Jayed Rahman, Paterson Times

• Councilman Luis Velez has canceled his campaign headquarter kickoff that was scheduled for Saturday afternoon over the new coronavirus. “You never know who has the virus. People might be afraid to come out especially when the president declared a national emergency,” said Velez on Saturday. “I care about them and I don’t want to expose them. I want to be safe than sorry.”

Virus threat shutters schools

Kyle Morel, NJ Herald

• Sussex County and the surrounding region continue to brace for the potential of the coronavirus, with the total number of presumed positive cases in New Jersey at 69 as of Saturday afternoon, according to Gov. Phil Murphy.

Coronavirus: Metuchen, Edison, South Brunswick residents test positive

Suzanne Russell, Bridgewater Courier News

• A Metuchen resident, a 72-year-old Edison woman and two South Brunswick residents have tested positive for coronavirus, police and local officials have announced. A Metuchen community message sent out Saturday evening said a borough resident has tested positive for COVID-19 and residents were urged to curtail social congregating with friends and neighbors.

Coronavirus forces online learning in NJ, but what if you can’t afford the internet?

Hannan Adely and Ashley Balcerzak, NorthJersey.com

• As New Jersey rushes into a mass experiment with online instruction thanks to the coronavirus, Michelle Polo-Thorpe worries her students will be left behind. “I have 30 students in my homeroom class and only 11 have a cellphone,” said Polo-Thorpe, a seventh-grade English teacher in Paterson. “We have many students who are new to the country. They don’t have access to a computer outside of school or the public library.”