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| "Quarantined" by Matt Sesow - for sale at http://www.sesow.com/new.htm |
How's everybody doing? Sterilized your door knobs? Check. Emptied your mailbox with salad tongs? Check. Wrapped your kids in cellophane? Check. This new world order feels like a dream. We're all doing ordinary things amidst extraordinary uncertainty, while bracing ourselves, our families, against attack by microscopic boogie-men.
Somehow, this experience is going to change us all. For the better, I think. Until then, we've all got to do our best to make it to the other side. Stay safe people. I'll continue to post the Mayor's updates on the COVID-19 situation in Hoboken.
Here's the latest:
A new message from Mayor Bhalla:
As I wrote in a message to residents yesterday, I’m inspired by everyday acts of kindness and love for our community from so many residents. I want to highlight a local mom and artist, Sarah Reever, who created a coloring sheet for children, to color and post in windows across the City. Her idea is to create a positive message for our kids, and demonstrate to them and the entire community, that we’ll get through this together. By continuing to self-isolate and social distance, we will all remain #HobokenStrong. Thank you to Sarah for this uplifting gesture for Hoboken.
If your family is posting this in your window, feel free to post a photo on Twitter with the hashtag #HobokenStrong and tag me (@RaviBhalla).
Proactive measures to limit the spread of COVID-19
We’ve been continuing to take proactive steps to limit the spread of COVID-19 in Hoboken. I am so appreciative to all of our residents for continuing to practice our policy of self-isolation. It’s absolutely critical to remain at home as much as possible. I recognize the significant change to our daily lives this is causing, not to mention the significant repercussions for our small businesses, but the more we can contain the spread now, the sooner we’ll be able to get back to normal.
We send out regular communication and updates about COVID-19 through the City of Hoboken’s Nixle email alert system, and if you haven’t signed up already, please visit http://www.hobokennj.gov/alerts. You can also stay up to date through my social media feeds on Twitter (http://www.twitter.com/RaviBhalla) and Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/RaviBhallaHoboken).
The list below is long, but it provides a highlight of some recent regulations and information we’ve announced over the previous week. This is in addition to the closure of bars, restaurants, gyms, playgrounds, and more that we implemented previously.
Total cases of COVID-19
Hoboken currently has 25 confirmed cases. In all cases, the Hoboken Health Department conducts an investigation to ensure those in contact with those individuals go into self-quarantine.
Fill out the census!
Please take 5-10 minutes while you’re at home to fill out the census online with the form you should have received in the mail. We’ll need all the funding we can get once we’re through this crisis and achieving a population threshold will be critical.
Please practice social distancing at our parks and on waterfront
With the weather expected to get nicer, I know it can be tempting to head to a park or waterfront with your family or friends. We are unfortunately now having to operate with the assumption that anyone could have COVID-19, which makes it critical to practice social distancing at all times, and especially in the parks and our waterfront. Please, I’m urgently asking, do not congregate and ensure that social distancing is followed without exception.
New York Waterway suspension of ferry
I was informed by New York Waterway that due to the dramatic drop in ridership, they cannot sustain their operations and are suspending their trans-Hudson service beginning at 10:00 pm tonight. By taking this action, New York Waterway hopes to return to full service after the COVID-19 crisis is over. Only essential workers should be traveling to New York City, and should plan for alternate methods of transportation.
New websites for job seekers and employers
If you are out of work due to COVID-19, Governor Murphy and the State have launched a new and very helpful website to help connect workers to jobs. If you’re looking for work, visit https://jobs.covid19.nj.gov as there are a number of companies looking for workers. If you’re an employer in a critical field hiring with immediate needs, visit https://jobs.covid19.nj.gov/ intake.
All rules, regulations, closures still in effect
As a reminder, all previous rules, regulations and closures announced last week remain in effect for this week.
Governor Murphy’s executive order
Over the weekend, Governor Murphy signed an executive order telling people to stay home except for essential needs. The self-isolation order we put into place earlier this week in Hoboken is largely the same as the Governor’s order, and I thank him for putting these policies in place for the rest of New Jersey. One important clarification is that the Governor’s order specified that construction in municipalities must be permitted, provided the workers practice social distancing. As a result of the Governor’s directive, construction in Hoboken will be allowed to continue.
Donations for those in need
This is a difficult time for everyone, but especially those who may have lost their jobs and now need a helping hand. I’m glad to share that the Hoboken Food Pantry, in partnership with the Hoboken City Council, the Office of Emergency Management and Hoboken CERT Team is organizing a food resource center at the former YMCA at 13th and Washington Street for donations of food and goods. We will be announcing what type of goods to give and the best way to donate them, along with volunteer opportunities in in the next day or two. Thank you in advance to Toni Tomarazzo and Councilmembers Ramos, Fisher and Falco for taking this project on. Stay tuned for additional details.
Limiting outdoor activities
Hoboken is full of active residents, and healthy activity is certainly needed during our period of self-isolation. While I understand the temptation to spend time outside exercising, the safest method is to exercise indoors if at all possible. Many of our gyms and health clubs are offering online fitness classes which you can do from home. This is a win-win – providing our gyms and their employees some extra dollars since they are undoubtedly suffering, while remaining indoors. Please strongly consider this option and contact your local gym! This isn’t to say to remain indoors 24/7, 7 days a week – everyone needs fresh air – but it’s another way to limit your exposure to COVID-19.
Riverside Medical testing facility
As mentioned in previous days, Riverside Medical has opened up a testing facility in North Hoboken on 14th Street, which for the time being is for Riverside patients. I’ve heard concern from residents in the area about their safety and risk of exposure. I want to strongly assure all residents that this testing center is safe, contained, and operates with all of the standards of the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and is overseen by the Hoboken Police Department. We assessed this location because it provided the best access for queuing capacity and was at least two blocks from nearby residences. Hoboken is one square mile and the fourth most densely populated city in the country, and any location we chose would have been criticized. We made the best decision on location we could with the least impact on our residents. To be clear – this additional testing site is a net benefit for Hoboken, because it reduces the total number of people that need to get tested. I’m hopeful that we can secure additional testing kits, which are at a shortage nationally, for Riverside Medical to test the general public soon.
Two new testing facilities in Secaucus and PNC Bank Arts Center
A new testing COVID-19 drive-through testing center will open to the public on Tuesday at Hudson Regional Hospital in Secaucus (55 Meadowlands Pkwy). Although it’s not in Hoboken, it’s still good news and will be open by appointment by calling 201-388-1097. Residents must be exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19 in order to be tested. The testing site will be open from 10 am to 5 pm on weekdays. The test results will likely be available within 3-5 days of testing, according to Hudson County. Thank you to County Executive DeGise and his team for making this available.
Governor Murphy also announced the opening of a new COVID-19 testing center at the PNC Bank Arts Center (116 Garden State Parkway in Holmdel).
This location will be open seven days a week, until supplies last. According to the Governor, priority will be given to those experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 including cough, fever (99.6F or above), and shortness of breath.
Moving in or out
A common question I’m receiving, since it’s near the end of the month, is whether or not people can move in or out of their building. This is permitted and not an issue, as long as social distancing is practiced. The Hoboken Parking Utility will continue to honor the no parking signs that have been purchased for moving.
Tax update
The U.S. Treasury Secretary announced that the deadline for filing federal taxes will be moved from April 15 to July 15. No interest or penalties will be assessed during this time. If you are owed refunds, you can still file earlier than the original deadline.
COVID-19 hotlines
Please continue to use the two COVID-19 hotlines we have set up if you have any general questions or are a senior in need of assistance. While my office has received a number of calls, and I’ve received many myself through social media, the best way to get a quick response is by calling the general COVID-19 hotline at 201-420-5620, and if you’re a senior needing assistance, 201-420-5625. These lines are open 7 days a week from 9 am until 8 pm. Thank you to our Community Emergency Response Team for answering these calls.
HOP and recycling/garbage
Given the mandated closure of businesses at 8 pm by the Governor and a city-wide curfew at 10:00 pm, we are allowing for additional flexibility with garbage and recycling permitted to be put out at 4:00 pm city-wide. We are also shutting down HOP service except the senior shuttle, which will also be used to help provide additional travel and delivery of goods for seniors.
Dedicated hours for vulnerable populations
Thank you to our local supermarkets for working with us to reserve specific hours for our most vulnerable populations including seniors and pregnant women.
ShopRite: 7-8 am, 7 days a week
ACME: 7-9 am, weekdays only
Kings: 7-8 am, 7 days a week
Trader Joe's: 9-10 am, 7 days a week (seniors are given priority in line over the general public during this hour)
Walgreens has also implemented specific hours for seniors from 8-9 am on Tuesdays as well.
Visits to medical facilities
Several of our medical facilities are receiving a high volume of patients both from those that may have COVID-19, as well as for other medical needs including regular checkups or routine visits. This is at times creating a high volume at these medical facilities. To ensure large clusters of people aren’t occurring in medical offices, I ask that only those with critical needs and those believing they may have COVID-19 travel to their medical facilities and book an appointment ahead of time whenever possible. If you can put off your routine visits, it will help our social distancing efforts.
Tenant advocate for those needing assistance
I completely sympathize with all of the residents who are going through difficult times and may no longer have their jobs due to COVID-19. We will be putting out additional information in the coming days for those who may be struggling to pay their rent with a reduced or lost paycheck. To that end, if you are a tenant and are struggling to make ends meet, we’re making our tenant advocate, Andrew Sobel, Esq. available for residents looking for free legal advice related to their tenancies, over the phone. To book an appointment, please email hfranklin@sobelhan.com or call 201-590-2728.
Hotlines
If you’re going through tough times, know that there are people and professionals who can help. Here are some resources:
Mental Health: 1-866-202-4357
Family Helpline: 1-800-843-5437
Suicide Prevention: 1-855-654-7635
Domestic Violence 1-800-572-7233
Thank you very much again to everyone for practicing self-isolation and remaining at home as much as possible.
Together, we’ll get through this.
Thanks,
Mayor Ravi S. Bhalla
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