Tag: COVID-19 Pandemic

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Understanding the Gig Economy: A Flexible Workforce for a Digital Era

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the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, The term “gig economy” has become a household phrase, describing a labor market driven by internet-era platforms. From Uber drivers to Airbnb hosts, these workers embody a new kind of economic participation. A 2023 study estimated that in 2021, approximately 4.9 million Americans were engaged in platform-based gig work—a figure that reflects the growing prevalence of this economic model.

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The Retail Apocalypse: Ridgewood’s Battle with Store Closures

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the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, brick-and-mortar stores have been grappling with significant challenges over the past decade. The COVID-19 pandemic and the meteoric rise of e-commerce have severely impacted traditional retail, leading to widespread closures. This phenomenon, often referred to as the “retail apocalypse,” has dramatically reshaped the commercial landscape since it began around 2010.

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“Ice Cream Lady” of Paramus, Monica Pidhorecki, is back on the road after a devastating fire destroyed one of her trucks

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all photos courtesy of the “Ice Cream Lady” of Paramus

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Paramus NJ, the beloved “Ice Cream Lady” of Paramus, Monica Pidhorecki, is back on the road after a devastating fire destroyed one of her trucks and left her home temporarily uninhabitable. Thanks to the generosity of local families, a fundraising effort has enabled Pidhorecki to continue delighting the sweet tooths of countless Bergen County kids.

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ADHD Diagnoses on the Rise: A Growing Public Health Concern

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the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, diagnoses of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are becoming an “expanding public health concern,” according to a recent study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The study, published Wednesday, reveals significant increases in the number of children diagnosed with ADHD.

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COVID-19: Voters Lose Trust in “Experts”

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the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, more than three years after “15 days to slow the spread” of COVID-19, most voters have less trust in “government health experts” – and in the news media, too.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone and online survey finds that 50% of Likely U.S. voters say the way the government handled the COVID-19 pandemic caused them to have less trust in public health officials. Thirty percent (30%) say the government’s pandemic response caused them to have more trust in public health officials, while 18% say it did not have much impact. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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Don’t Eliminate Standardized Test Requirement for High School Diploma

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the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, the New Jersey Business and Industry Association is opposing a bill that would permanently eliminate a requirement for students to pass a standardized test to get their high school diploma.

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Bipartisan Legislative Investigation of Pandemic Response Blocked by Democrats

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the staff of the Ridgewood blog

TrentoN NJ, on the floor of the New Jersey State Senate, Senator Joe Pennacchio today once again implored his Democrat colleagues to act on legislation that would convene a special committee with subpoena power to investigate the Executive Branch’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Job Growth Beats Expectations and Unemployment Rate Holds Steady, Labor Force Participation Rate Unchanged

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Washington DC, (12/02/22 8:33am) total nonfarm payroll employment increased by 263,000 in November, and the unemployment rate was unchanged at 3.7 percent, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Notable job gains occurred in leisure and hospitality, health care, and government. Employment declined in retail trade and in transportation and warehousing.

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60% Agree With President Biden: COVID-19 ‘Pandemic Is Over’

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the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, although a majority of Americans agree with President Joe Biden that the COVID-19 pandemic is over, most Democrats still want to make vaccines against the virus mandatory.

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How Many More Nursing Home Settlements Will the Administration Try to Hide from Taxpayers?

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the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Paramus NJ, An out-of-court settlement of almost $16 million with the families of more than 70 seniors who died in state-run veterans facilities was confirmed by the Governor’s Administration today, and Senator Joe Pennacchio warned that more similar announcements may be forthcoming.

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New Jersey Extends Permissions for Outdoor Dining to Support Restaurant Industry

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the staff of the Ridgewood blog

East Rutherford  NJ, Governor Phil Murphy today signed a bill (S-2364 [t.e2ma.net]) to extend expanded permissions for restaurants, bars, distilleries, and breweries to use fixtures and equipment enabling them to serve patrons outdoors in private areas, on sidewalks, and in other municipally-designated outdoor areas. The permissions were set to expire November 30, 2022 but will now be extended by two additional years to support the food and beverage industry, patrons, and local communities by facilitating opportunities to serve customers outdoors.

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Payrolls Increased a More than Expected 372,000 in June

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the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Washington DC, total nonfarm payroll employment rose by 372,000 in June, and the unemployment rate remained at 3.6 percent, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Notable job gains occurred in professional and business services, leisure and hospitality, and health care.

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Ridgewood Public Library : The New Workforce Norm..the Gig Economy with Walter Perog

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the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, Walter Perog presents on the new workforce norm sweeping the country: the gig economy. But what is this ‘gig economy’ all about? Well, it’s a newly popularized social work-order contract between an employer and you. Over 43 million workers left full-time employment alone in 2021 and what did these unemployed people do? Baby-boomers retired, many became freelancers/gig workers, demanding job flexibility like working from home, and lastly, others quit due to debilitating emotional trauma caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

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