Phil Murphy's new, WIMPY (arbitrary) mask mandate

https://www.nj.com/coronavirus/2020/07/nj-will-now-require-people-wear-masks-outside-to-battle-coronavirus-murphy-says.html

MURPHY'S WISHY-WASHY MASK MANDATE

This morning, NJ Governor Phil Murphy announced that he will sign an Executive Order for masks to be worn outside in public when social distancing isn't possible.

Murphy said today on MSNBC's Morning Joe, "We’re gonna ask you: If you can’t socially distance, it’s gonna be required.”

Excuse me, but what the f*ck is that?  Governor Murphy asks for good judgment from people who have shown bad judgment in refusing to wear a mask outdoors? 

What kind of Executive Order lets people decide if they should or shouldn't obey the Executive Order? 

Most importantly, corona-science has not unlocked every mystery of transmission. We don't know what we don't yet know, so why won't government err on the side of caution? New information suggests that coronavirus is a vascular disease, remains airborne for much longer periods than previously thought, scars the lung of the asymptomatic (including the young).

So, does Murphy actually want to lower the rising level of community transmission, or is he buckling to pressure?

Please, Hoboken.  Please up Murphy's Order and mandate masks be worn outside by all: step outside, the mask goes on.  Then this mask mandate actually becomes enforceable, not arbitrary.

Look at this chart. There is a reason a country like Japan is kicking coronavirus' ass.  Japan has 1/25 the U.S. land mass living on 4% of habitable land with about 1/2 the U.S. population and the highest per capita number of elderly of any country in the world.   

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-53188847

One reason is their culture of mask-wearing; all Japanese everywhere have voluntarily worn masks throughout the pandemic. As reported by BBC News Tokyo:

"Japanese people began wearing face masks more than 100 years ago during the 1919 flu pandemic and they've never really stopped. If you get a cough or a cold here it is expected that you will don a mask to protect those around you."

"I think it (a mask) acts as a physical barrier. But it also serves as a reminder to everybody to be mindful. That we still have to be careful around each other," says Keiji Fukuda, an influenza specialist and director of the School of Public Health at Hong Kong University."

Japan's extraordinary success on reducing community transmission, infection and death may be summarized as an effective national government response coupled with outstanding civic cooperation, including voluntary mask wearing. There is no mask mandate required.   

Tragically, America's Psychopath-in-Chief has re-branded mask-wearing from a preventive medical tool into a partisan loyalty test.  It is truly psychotic, and worse that millions of Americans follow this Pied Piper of Death.  

Therefore, Murphy's polite "ask" is as toothless as newborn baby.  

Trumper Death Cult members will give Murphy the finger, as with selfish "Give me Liberty and I'll Give you Covid" Libertarians.  

The NJ Gov must make mask-wearing mandatory period.  Then, localities can easily enforce. With big FINES. 

Think of it this way, if New Jersey doesn't take BIG steps NOW, your kids may not get back to school in the Fall, and we will be back where we were in mid-March.

credit: unknown 

The following update from Mayor Bhalla on COVID-19 (7/7) has new information on testing, state quarantines, and billing.

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Below is an update from Mayor Ravi S. Bhalla on COVID-19:

Impact of COVID-19 in Hoboken

The Hoboken Health Department reported two new cases today, for a total of 619 known, confirmed COVID-19 cases. Fatalities remain unchanged at 29.

Additional three states added to quarantine list

Governor Murphy today added three states to New Jersey’s quarantine list – Delaware, Kansas and Oklahoma. The full list of states residents should quarantine for a full 14 days after returning from are Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Idaho, Kansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Mississippi, North Carolina, Nevada, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Utah.

Testing at Riverside Medical and partnership with Jersey City

We are greatly appreciative to Riverside for continuing to offer testing to the Hoboken public, which they have done for over three months straight for 5-7 days a week. Dr. Brahmbhatt informed me that he is unavailable for the next three days, which will result in the Riverside testing site at 14th and Jefferson Street to be closed until Monday. We wish Dr. Brahmbhatt and his staff a restful and well-deserved time off.

Understanding that there is a significant demand for testing, I reached out to Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop earlier today, and he generously offered Hoboken residents the opportunity to be tested at their COVID-19 testing site at their Public Safety Headquarters at 465 Marin Boulevard in Jersey City, adjacent to the Newport Mall. Hoboken residents can get tested at this site during its scheduled hours of 8:00 am until 3:00 pm, Wednesday through Friday of this week. Residents should email the Hoboken Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) at covid19@hobokencert.org with your name, email, phone number and address, to inform CERT that you are going to get a test at this Jersey City site. You do not need to wait for a response from CERT after sending the email, you can simply go to the Jersey City testing site as no appointment is needed. Once you are at the testing site, proof of Hoboken residency or employment in Hoboken is required. There is no charge to Hoboken residents for this service, even if you are uninsured.

Testing will also be provided by Jersey City for Hoboken residents in Jersey City on Saturday at St. John’s Church at 110 North Street from 9 am until 1 pm, with registration required at http://njtogether.org/testing. Residents are also asked to please email CERT informing the City that they will be obtaining this testing. Testing at both Jersey City sites utilize a PCR nasal swab, with results of the COVID-19 test available in 3-5 days (it is not a rapid test).

I extend my sincere thanks to Mayor Fulop and his staff for extending this service to Hoboken residents. From the beginning, Mayor Fulop helped guide us as we acquired COVID-19 tests at the start of the pandemic, and we appreciate Jersey City’s regional partnership in combatting this pandemic.

Other testing options

Hoboken residents can also obtain a test, by appointment only, through a drive through testing center at Hudson Regional Hospital (55 Meadowlands Parkway in Secaucus). The testing site has recently been open Tuesdays and Wednesday or Thursdays, from 9:00 a.m. until noon. The COVID-19 test is also a PCR test requiring a nasal swab, with results available in 3-5 days. The testing is available to Hudson County residents with or without insurance at no charge. To schedule an appointment, please call 201-388-1097 or 646-862-1161.

Additional information on testing and Community Emergency Response Team (CERT)

While the testing site at 14th and Jefferson with Riverside Medical will be closed Wednesday through Saturday, our CERT volunteers will continue to accept phone calls, Monday through Friday from 9 am until 1 pm, to facilitate appointments for next week at the Riverside site in Hoboken, which will re-open on Monday. If residents have symptoms or are in urgent need of a test (ie elevated symptoms), please also call CERT as Riverside will accept some Hoboken patients at their Secaucus office (separate from Hudson Regional) this week for a rapid, 15-minute test.

Over the past two days, CERT has fielded 400 calls for testing and I can’t thank them enough for everything they are doing for our City, as they’ve also been staffing the call center between 5-7 days each week the past three months. Due to the recent high call volume, we ask that residents please plan ahead if looking to get a COVID-19 test prior to a certain date and call at least a week before. This may also mean that you are scheduled a few days before you head on a trip or see your family – if this is the case, you should quarantine yourself between the time you receive a test and any target date.

Riverside billing

We are aware some residents both with and without insurance erroneously received additional COVID-19 bills from Riverside for testing. If you receive a bill from Riverside, you do not need to pay for the test as the City is currently processing the payment with Riverside. If you receive a bill in the mail or a phone call, please disregard it as the City will be paying Riverside on a regular basis. Of note, the costs of these payments will likely be reimbursed by the City through federal funding through the CARES Act.  

General testing guideline

Due to the demand at Riverside, Dr. Brahmbhatt has requested that residents and employees of Hoboken businesses who request regular COVID-19 testing, generally limit their testing at the site to twice a month. This should be disregarded if someone has symptoms or reason to believe they were exposed to COVID-19.

Thank you,

Ravi S. Bhalla

Mayor