Tag: COVID19

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Legislator Gives Murphy Administration a $10 Billion Blank Check

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the staff of the Ridgewood blog

TRENTON NJ, Governor Phil Murphy signed into law the “New Jersey COVID-19 Emergency Bond Act,” which authorizes the state to borrow up to $9.9 billion to address the unprecedented fiscal crisis that has arisen as a consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic.“The passage of this legislation is an important step in New Jersey’s recovery from the economic ravages of the COVID-19 pandemic,” Governor Murphy said. “While this is by no means a silver bullet, the ability to responsibly borrow is essential to meeting our fiscal needs in the coming year.”

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Murphy Administration’s blanket 14-day quarantine policy unworkable without rapid tests

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 the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, “Two-weeks of captivity solely for the ‘offense’ of coming from out of state is really an unworkable plan,” said Assemblyman Kevin J. Rooney (R-Bergen). “Where you came from has a lot less to do with spreading the virus than what you did while you were there.”

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The Trump Administration Orders hospitals to bypass the CDC when sharing COVID-19 data with the US government

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the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, the debate has begun to rage over the accuracy of the COVID 19 numbers, both for deaths and number of cases .  many claim there is an inconsistency with data collection with  some states count presumed coronavirus deaths along with confirmed cases under the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance issued last month and other states don’t count those deaths.

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FDA Sends Warning on False Positive COVID Test Results

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the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Franklin Lakes NJ, The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced the following actions taken in its ongoing response effort to the COVID-19 pandemic.  A Letter to Clinical Laboratory Staff and Health Care Providers alerting them of an increased risk of a false positive result with BD SARS-CoV-2 Reagents for the BD Max System test.

In one study, the manufacturer found approximately three percent (3%) of results were false positive results. The FDA is working with Becton, Dickinson and Company (BD) to resolve this issue and will continue to keep clinical laboratory staff, health care providers, manufacturers, and the public informed for new or additional information.

 

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New Jersey Can’t Borrow Its Way Off This Fiscal Cliff

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Statement by Ralph Albert Thomas, CPA (DC), CGMA, CEO and Executive Director

New Jersey Society of Certified Public Accountants

ROSELAND NJ, We are deeply concerned that the proposed $9.9 billion borrowing plan announced by Governor Murphy and currently moving through the Legislature will have far-reaching consequences, affecting New Jersey’s ability to grow and attract business.

There is no doubt that New Jersey will require additional resources during this COVID-19 crisis. To address this, we need a comprehensive fiscal strategy that includes all tools at our disposal. Absent that, any plan for borrowing now is premature.

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Data Says Opening Schools Poses Very low Risk to Students and Teachers

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the staff of the Ridgewood Blog

Ridgewood NJ, Dr. Scott Atlas, senior fellow at Stanford University’s Hoover Institution and former chief of neurology at Stanford University Medical Center appeared on Martha MacCallum’s FOX News show to discuss the “hysteria” of opening schools in the fall despite the coronavirus pandemic.

Dr. Scott Atlas told Martha MacCallum on Fox News , “there’s two points that I want to make. One is that teaching is a young profession. In the United States half the teachers are 40 or less and a quarter of them are under 30. Ninety percent are under 60 in public schools.

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State Fair Meadowlands Cancelled

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the staff of the Ridgewood blog

East Rutherford NJ, In a Facebook post the State Fair Meadowlands announced,“We are heartbroken to announce that the State of New Jersey has denied our plans for 2020 State Fair Meadowlands. We will deeply miss the opportunity to celebrate summer with you. Can’t wait to see you in 2021! “

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Murphy Administration Has Failed to Deliver on Infrastructure Improvements Promised by the “Gas Tax”

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the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Morristown NJ,  As many of us are driving more lately, some utilizing public transportation again and some fortunate residents are just returning to work, observations regarding the continued state of disrepair of many roads and bridges in New Jersey have resurfaced. Along with those observations comes some questions the Garden StateInitiative (GSI) believes the public should be asking of our leaders in Trenton. What should we have expected to get from our Gas Tax money? And why would we keep paying more until we see better results?

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Governor Murphy has decided to Close Many Wildlife Management Areas due to budgetary constraints

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Trenton NJ, In response to recent news that Governor Murphy has decided to close many Wildlife Management Areas due to budgetary constraints, the New Jersey Outdoor Alliance (NJOA) and the 10th District Legislators agree that this plan doesn’t make sense.  Senator Jim Holzapfel and Assemblymen Greg McGuckin and John Catalano are calling on the Governor to reconsider these closures and reopen the areas that are funded through profits made from the users of the parks and license fees.

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Reader says NJEA Runs the Schools will effectively hold veto power on any and all changes that are proposed

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“Changes will ultimately be decided by the NJEA and dictated to state government and the various school districts. At the very least, the NJEA will effectively hold veto power on any and all changes that are proposed to life in our public schools in response to COVID-19. For their part, the powers that be know not to push too hard for changes of which the NJEA will not approve. The final plan will preserve all of the jobs, pay and benefits the teachers and administrators currently enjoy, and disadvantage students more or less exclusively. It will amount to a huge middle digit to parents of current students, and to sheep-like taxpayers who diligently fund this nonsense year-in and year-out.”

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Murphy Administration continues to struggle with fulfilling the unemployment claims

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the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Trenton NJ,  According to reports over the weekend, the Murphy Administration continues to struggle with fulfilling the unemployment claims of suffering New Jersey residents. Legislators continue to grow frustrated with the lack of communication with Murphy’s staff at the Department of Labor.

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Mask Up At Starbucks

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the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, The United States’ most ubiquitous coffee chain, Starbucks, is now requiring customers to wear masks at all of its US locations, starting July 15. Mask use mandates in the US continue to vary by state; however, the new Starbucks policy will be applied consistently, regardless of the state’s policy. Customers who do not wish to wear masks may be able to purchase coffee and other products via drive-through windows, curbside pickup, or delivery. Several other national business chains have implemented similar mask mandates at all locations, including Costco, and other national chains have called on governors to mandate mask use statewide, following high-profile conflicts and incidents at stores across the country.

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Debate Heats up Over School Openings in the Fall

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the staff of the Ridgewod blog

Ridgewood NJ,Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Director Robert Redfield said Thursday that the health risks of keeping schools closed are greater than those of opening them, amid a push by President Trump to have students in classrooms this fall. “I’m of the point of view as a public health leader in this nation, that having the schools actually closed is a greater public health threat to the children than having the schools reopen,” Redfield told The Hill’s Steve Clemons.

At the Ridgewood Board of Education during the discussion of the Infant/Toddler Development Center , “Due to the pandemic, the district may have to pivot at any time; therefore, we cannot guarantee that schools will not be directed to close buildings and transition to remote learning.” The district is currently surveying parents and prepping for the opening  .

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Governor Murphy Says New Jersey Will Need ‘Revenue Raisers’ to Balance Budget

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the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Trenton NJ, no surprise to New Jersey voters, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy hinted again at tax increases for next fiscal year, saying the state will need “revenue raisers” to balance the budget and recover from the pandemic.

In May Gov. Phil Murphy’s administration laid out a series of spending cuts, deferrals and other budget adjustments to offset short-term revenue losses caused by the coronavirus pandemic  But he and lawmakers still face even more difficult decisions on state spending in the future.

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Running Errands? Getting a Haircut? Look For These Safety Measures

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the staff of the  Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood  NJ, Now that New Jersey is moving along in its multi-stage plan to reopen the state’s economy after months of shut downs due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there are many more opportunities for you to get out and about. But that doesn’t mean that you should forget about all of the important safety measures you’ve been taking: It’s still important to wear a face covering and practice social distancing, to help slow the spread of COVID-19 in your community.

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