Warns Residents To Heed Coronavirus Guidelines As Cases Spike; ‘The Alarms Are Going Off
TRENTON, N.J. (CBSNewYork) – Gov. Phil Murphy warned Friday that he may pause or reverse New Jersey’s reopening as coronavirus cases continue to climb. “We still may be among the leaders in having the lower case numbers… but we are standing in a very dangerous place,” said Murphy. “The alarms are going off.” The statewide transmission rate rose to 1.35 in the last week from a spike in new COVID-19 cases, according to Murphy, who said that number will likely continue to grow as new data comes in.
“We are not past this,” said Murphy. “Everyone who walks around refusing to wear a mask, or who hosts an indoor house party, or who overstuffs a boat is directly contributing to these increases.” The Sussex County Department of Health, meanwhile, said it is investigating a new cluster of infections, CBS2’s Alice Gainer reported Friday. Six teens tested positive for COVID-19. Five live in Sussex County, one lives in another. The teens are 17 to 18 years old, and all attended a graduation party. Health officials said contact tracing identified 24 people who came into close contact with them.
Earlier rounds of testing this week found more than 2,000 new cases, including dozens of Jersey Shore lifeguards who attended social gatherings.
Murphy said the limit on indoor gatherings remains at either 100 people or 25 percent capacity – whichever is lower. But, he said the limits could be lowered if the situation worsens. “I’m not announcing any specific action today, but consider this as being put on notice,” said Murphy. “We will not tolerate these devil-may-care, nonchalant attitudes any longer.” Airbnb recently suspended or removed 35 New Jersey listings that have received complaints or violated policies on parties.
“We have seen a distinct shift to younger, less chronically ill people,” said Dr. Dan Varga, chief physician executive for Hackensack Meridian Health.
“While we are comfortable that the likelihood of young people actually dying from COVID is probably very, very, very low, as long as more people are getting infected, they’re vectors for transmitting this disease to people who could die very easily,” he said. While all hospitals in the system are stockpiling supplies in case of a resurgence, Dr. Varga said there is something others can do to help prevent it. “I think the thing that young people really need to know is that you wear the mask not to protect yourself. You wear the mask to protect others.” said Dr. Varga. “It’s an act of kindness.” The governor reported 699 new COVID-19 cases Friday, bringing the statewide total to 181,660. New Jersey’s coronavirus death toll rose by 10, totaling 13,944. The news that cases are spiking makes local business owners fear the worst. Nick Note: False hope springs eternal and often. My goal here is to present to you PROOF that we have not dodged the bullet. That the coronavirus is a people killing, economy killing monster. THAT IS NOT GOING AWAY. It will comeback in devastating waves. The economy is not and will not recover! Their will be no vaccine and health systems are about to collasp. It will bring oppression, starvation and civil strife the likes of which you have not experienced and most of you have not seen before. You have a small window and short period of time to prepare yourselves and hunker down. The politicians are lying to you even Dr Fauci has repeated lied lest you forget when he told you the public does not need masks. He is a good man given an impossible job. He has decided to lie to you to keep his job gets him a seat at the table where he can try to steer Trump in the right direction. He like many people have no idea what they are dealing with nor how they are being manipulated. You can not go on a date with the devil and keep your virginity.