The local impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic (it is official) are developing so quickly, it's hard to keep up. That's why Mayor Bhalla is issuing regular updates to Hoboken residents on the status of city operations, what's being done to minimize residents' exposure to the virus and best practices to protect yourself and your family, courtesy of the New Jersey Department of Health and the CDC.
COVID-19 UPDATE FROM MAYOR BHALLA (MARCH 11)
Below is an update from Mayor Bhalla regarding COVID-19:
My office, along with the Hoboken coronavirus (COVID-19) task force, continues to closely monitor recent developments regarding the outbreak. Currently, there are no presumed positive COVID-19 cases in Hoboken.
While we have not suspended recreation activities in Hoboken for children, we ask that parents take the following precautions for their children:
- If your child is sick, has a fever or flu-like symptoms, do not send him or her to scheduled practice or games. If our coaches are concerned about the health of your child, he or she could be sent home;
- If your child is sick and cannot attend school, he or she should not participate in a scheduled practice or game;
- Please keep your child home for 24 hours after there are no longer signs of a fever or other flu symptoms (cough, runny nose, sore throat, muscle aches);
- Players should practice good hand hygiene by washing hands for 20 seconds with soap and water before and after scheduled practices or game;
- Players should avoid touching their face, eyes, nose or mouth;
- Please encourage your child to remember to cough and sneeze into their elbow to help prevent the spread of germs, and to wash their hands after anytime they cough, sneeze, or blow their nose;
- Players should not share drinks or snacks with each other;
- Players should avoid high-fives and handshakes;
- Sanitize hard surfaces and shared equipment that leagues utilize;
- If volunteers are uncomfortable or cannot attend league or district meeting(s), utilize free phone/web conferencing service.
Yesterday, I suspended all senior activities and trips at the multi-service center to protect the health and safety of our seniors. The Meals on Wheels service that delivers meals to our homebound seniors will continue to operate.
The Office of Emergency Management has activated the volunteer Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), which will be handing out flyers with information about COVID-19 at transit stations.
To protect the health and safety of employees and residents related to COVID-19, Hoboken is taking the following measures to expand sanitizing procedures:
- Hop buses: cleaning and sanitizing the interior of each bus multiple times per day;
- Municipal garages: cleaning and sanitizing ticketing machines and pay stations;
- Taxis: we are requesting each licensed Hoboken taxi driver clean and sanitize the interiors of taxis multiple times per day;
- City Hall, Multi-Service Center, Police Headquarters, Jackson Street Gym, and restroom facilities in parks: further enhancing implemented sanitizing practices of cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched objects and surfaces, and adding and refilling additional hand sanitizer dispensers when needed
Yesterday, Governor Phil Murphy announced that consumer cost-sharing for medically necessary COVID-19 testing and testing-related service will be waived for certain groups. Click here for more information and to find out if you are eligible: https://nj.gov/governor/news/news/562020/approved/20200310a.shtml?fbclid=IwAR3gvgSWOAB5kbBDkM_KuSY5wd0oyKnHsSJvfVcWLGI29rSG9ObAYNwoCcQ
As a reminder, please stay home if you are sick. Wash and sanitize your hands frequently, and work from home if you can. Please avoid large, discretionary gatherings whenever possible.
If you are in Hoboken and believe you were exposed to a confirmed case of COVID-19, you should contact your healthcare provider first instead of going to the emergency room. If you are having a medical emergency, please call 9-1-1. You may also contact the Hoboken Health Department at 201-420-2000 ext. 5211 if you believe you were exposed to a confirmed case of COVID-19.
For the most up to date information, visit the New Jersey Department of Health at http://www.nj.gov/health or the CDC at http://www.cdc.gov, or call the NJ Department of Health COVID-19 hotline at 1-800-222-1222.
Thank you to residents for your continued assistance and patience.
March 10 COVID-19 update: https://www.hobokennj.gov/news/coronavirus-update-from-mayor-bhalla
March 8 COVID-19 update: https://www.hobokennj.gov/news/update-from-mayor-bhalla-regarding-coronavirus-preparations
If Trump said it was a hoax then why did he start a fantastic team 3 weeks after it appeared, while Obama sat on his hands for 6 n=months and id nothing while 1,000 died during Swine Flu? He was called a xenophobe by Biden and others for for halting flights with China. He and his allies have been called racist for referring to it as the Wuhan Flu. House Dems are trying to pass a bill to prevent from stopping flights (also Northern Italy and Iran) unless they approve as if they are the President, something Obama never did. They also decry him enforcing the border which they want open to let who knows in with the disease. He and his team have been in contact with Governor's in each state and even Inslee and Newsome have now praised him and said he is doing everything he has promised. What is the Dems plan? Spend money, which is their answer to everything.
ReplyDeleteRavi is also concentrating on children. So far the disease is not only not affecting them but primarily those of 80+.
ReplyDeleteYour president says it’s a hoax, so relax. Of course Bhalla would mention children, he wants to be sure his Republican constituents are protected.
ReplyDeleteBS, the President said the Democrats are comparing to to the Spanish Flu which infected over 1/4 of the worlds population, with a high death rate. They were silent when Obama did nothing about H1N1 (Swine Flu) for 6 months. If it was hoax, then when to enact a task force in a record 3 weeks?
ReplyDeleteThe death death rate for normal children is fraction of senior citizens, unlike a traditional flu.
ReplyDeleteYou’re an idiot. Children don’t live in vacuums, unlike you. They may take the virus home and infect an older relative.
DeleteSS1959 you are a moron, what is a "normal" child? You certainly aren't "normal" based on your stupid comments.
DeleteNo if you are immune compromises it doesn't matter what age you are. The average age is is 80 years old . For the flu is 15-20 years less because children are vulnerable for dying. The Cornoviris attacks seniors because they the highest group of immunize deficiency you idiot moron.
ReplyDelete