Mask up or vax up? Hudson businesses and pols struggle with losing ground in fight against COVID-19 – NJ.com

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s new recommendation — masks be worn, even by vaccinated people, to prevent the spread of the Delta variant of the coronavirus — won’t be much of a problem for some business owners in Hoboken and Jersey City.

Jesse Simon, 32, the owner of Bareburger in Hoboken, already requires her employees to wear masks, even if they are vaccinated. She is well prepared if more restrictions were to come as she already has online ordering and menus that can be accessed through QR codes to avoid touching.

“But I think that since (working during the pandemic) over the last year and a half, we’ve developed really good systems in place now to handle it,” Simon said. “I feel like we’re in a much better place that if more restrictions are imposed, for us to kind of go into that a little bit more prepared.”

Owner of $1 Boss in Jersey City, Mind Rafiuddin, said all his employees are vaccinated. He said there is a sign on the door, “so our customers know ‘no mask, no service.’ ”

“I always wear my mask, gloves and have hand sanitizer,” Rafiuddin said. “Even if they are vaccinated I tell customers to wear their mask. I want to stay safe and we want people to use the mask because it keeps everyone in the store protected.”

Mela Fleurs Floral Design Owner Melissa Diaz only allows two people in at a time in her studio and most of her orders are handled over the phone or online.

“I think it’s something we’re already used to, and I think everyone is pretty much on the same page and that they want this to be over with,” Diaz said. “So I typically don’t have an issue with people complying, or wearing a mask and I’m all for it.”

Gov. Phil Murphy and state Health Commissioner Judith Persichilli have “strongly recommended” everyone, including people who have been vaccinated, wear masks indoors in places where there is “increased risk.”

The CDC said eight New Jersey counties, including Bergen and Essex counties, should wear masks because of higher transmission rates, labeled “substantial.” Hudson County has a “moderate” transmission rate and is not among the eight counties.

According to the Jersey City COVID-19 tracker, 29 residents tested positive on July 24, the most in a single day since May 20. Some 356 residents have tested positive in July, compared to 176 in June, according to city statistics. Meanwhile, Hoboken has had no more than 10 positive cases of COVID-19 in a single day since July 16.

Dr. Alexander Sarenac, director of emergency medicine at Hudson Regional Hospital, said Wednesday that mask-wearing will reduce transmission of the virus to those unvaccinated, including children.

“If given that cases are rising, I believe in order to reduce the cases, masks and social distancing will be required to reduce the cases,” he said. ” We have had some positive tests in the community, especially among those who are unvaccinated. Some of those patients have been admitted to the hospital.

Some elected officials in Hoboken and Jersey City are taking a hardline stance similar to New York City, where city workers will be required to get vaccinated, or face weekly COVID-19 testing.

“As we are thinking about returning to work, I think what is difficult is how can anyone feel any sense of comfort and safety not being sure whether or not the people around have also been responsible about getting vaccinations,” Hoboken Councilwoman Emily Jabbour said.

But she also conceded that if the CDC is recommending mask-wearing, the city needs to “follow the science.”

Jersey City councilmen Yousef Saleh and Rolando Lavarro Jr. want their city to require vaccinations for municipal workers as well.

“I think we should follow what New York City did … this variant is out there. It is undeniable,” Lavarro said. ” We need to take precautions and we need to stymie this.”

Saleh said he would defer to the health department, but he thinks there is no reason to not be vaccinated. He said all options need to be on the table to combat the Delta variant as ” we have made so much progress already, but for us to go backward, it isn’t good.”

“If we don’t do it, the numbers will dictate what needs to get done at some point,” Saleh said. “If we do a half-hearted approach, then this is going to take even longer to get over.”

A spokeswoman for Jersey City did not respond to comment on whether the city will make vaccinations mandatory for city workers or seek to bring back COVID-19 restrictions.

Hoboken spokeswoman Marilyn Baer said Mayor Ravi Bhalla continues to urge residents to get vaccinated.

“The city of Hoboken is evaluating any and all options to keep Hoboken residents safe,” Baer said.