A Message from Mayor Mahr

Earlier today, the state reported another 2,481 COVID-19 positive test results, bringing the statewide total to 116,264. Union County currently has a total of 12,380 confirmed cases and the Westfield Regional Board of Health reports that as of today our total in Fanwood is 69 confirmed cases.

Some of you have been asking for a better context on the Fanwood cases of COVID-19, which I am happy to share. Please know that these numbers are based on data from today.  However, the trends remain the same. With a total population of 7,700,  Fanwood’s infection rate is less than 1%.

Fanwood residents with COVID-19 range in age from 22 to 99 years of age; split 50/50 between men and women.

Of the 69 infected as of April 23, there have been nine deaths.  Seven of the deceased were residents at The Chelsea on South Avenue.  The Board of Health and NJ DOH are both in regular contact with the management of The Chelsea and are overseeing their systems of resident care and social distancing. You can find more information about long-term care facilities and the oversight they are now subject to below.

I am in daily contact with state, county, and local officials regarding all things COVID and have been impressed by their diligence and responsiveness. The state, in conjunction with locals, is currently working on long-term testing and contact-tracing protocols.

Earlier today, Governor Murphy announced that state parks will reopen, with strict social distancing mandates in place, this Saturday, May 2.

If you are having issues getting your unemployment benefits sorted out, or are having a food emergency I urge you to reach out to me directly at mayor@fanwoodnj.org.  We are here to help.

– Mayor Colleen Mahr

DO YOU KNOW A FANWOOD HERO?

Has someone in your life gone above and beyond to serve others during this crisis? Please continue to email me (mayor@fanwoodnj.org) with photos and stories about our front line heroes. We want to publicly acknowledge their sacrifice and dedication!

LOCAL HEROES

“This is our daughter Alexandra Fredas Wood.  She was born and raised in Fanwood and has lived her whole life here.  She and her husband very recently bought their first home and moved to  South Bound Brook.

Alexandra works as a physical therapist at JFK Hospital.  She normally works in the outpatient department, but since Covid-19, she is working in the ICU with Covid-19 patients.  The therapists work with the patients on ventilators positioning them so that they can breathe better.  It is both physically and emotionally draining. We are so proud of Alexandra and the work she is doing.

We want to thank Alex and all of the front line health care workers.  We love you. Stay Safe!”

This was submitted by her mother, Bonnie Fredas. Thank you, Alex!

An Important Message from the Fanwood Police Department

Grandparent scams have been around for a long time. However, scammers are coming up with a new twist based on the coronavirus. COVID-19 grandparent scams are playing on the fears many people have right now, that they might lose a loved one.

Who Is It Targeting: Phone and email users.

What Is It: A grandparent scam is a phishing scam that claims your family member is in trouble.

What Are They After: Scammers are posing as grandchildren who claim they are sick and need money to pay their hospital bills or a loved one is in prison and needs to be bailed out. The information is easily gleaned from social media accounts, giving the caller a name that the person knows to use in their scam. In the current times of the coronavirus, COVID-19 grandparent scams can be particularly compelling.

How You Can Avoid It:

  • Never make a payment over the phone to anyone you do not know or were not expecting to hear from.
  • Resist the urge to act immediately, no matter how dramatic the story is.
  • If you receive a call like one of these, say that you have to go to the store or bank to secure the money and have them call you back; during that time contact Fanwood Police Department at (908) 322-5000.

Long Term Care Reporting Available

Understanding the need for the public to receive accurate up to date information on long term care facilities (LTCF), today the Westfield Regional Health Department shared with us a new portal that has been created by the NJ Department of Health concerning COVID 19 and LTCF.

NJ DOH now mandates that all long term care facilities publish information about their facility to the online portal by 2 pm every day. This information will then be used to populate information on the state website.  If you are looking for information specific to the LTCFs this may be helpful. Here is the link to the new portal.

Governor Murphy Unveils “The Road Back” Plan 

Earlier today Governor Phil Murphy announced his vision, “The Road Back: Restoring Economic Health Through Public Health,” to restart New Jersey and put the state on the road to recovery. Governor Murphy outlined six key principles and benchmarks to guide the process for restoring New Jersey’s economic health by ensuring public health.

“Our priority is to use science, data, and facts to put New Jersey on the road to recovery. In order to restore economic health, we must first promote public health,” said Governor Murphy. “These key principles and metrics are critical for giving New Jerseyans confidence that we will re-open our state with our public health protocols firmly in place and our health care system prepared. Restarting New Jersey’s economy and returning people to work will be done methodically, strategically, and responsibly.”

Governor Murphy’s stay-at-home Executive Order, which has been in effect since March 21st, will remain in effect in its entirety until further notice. The following six principles and key metrics will guide the process for lifting restrictions and restoring New Jersey’s economic health through public health.

Principle 1: Demonstrate sustained reductions in new COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations.

  • 14 day trend lines showing appreciable and sustained drop in cases, hospitalizations and other metrics.
  • Hospitals stepping down from functioning under crisis standards of care

Principle 2: Expand testing capacity.

  • At least double the current diagnostic testing capacity.
  • Prioritize testing for healthcare workers, essential personnel and vulnerable populations.
  • Create a flexible testing plan accessible to all residents.
  • Expand partnerships with institutions of higher education, private-sector-labs and federal government.
  • Ensure that those who test positive are linked to a healthcare provider.

Principle 3: Implement robust contact tracing.

  • Recruit and deploy an army of personnel who will identify and follow up with contacts.
  • Leverage technological data and innovative solutions to increase efficiency.
  • Coordinate the approach of local and state health officials, which will have a coordinated county/regional component.

Principle 4: Secure safe places and resources for isolation and quarantine.

  • To the greatest extent possible, provide individuals who do test positive in the future with a safe and free place to isolate and protect others from COVID-19.
  • Ensure that quarantined contacts are provided supportive services, if needed.

Principle 5: Execute a responsible economic restart.

  • Create Governor’s Restart and Recovery Commission to advise on the process and recommend responsible and equitable decisions.
  • Plan for a methodical and strategic return to work based on level of disease transmission risk and essential classification.
  • Continuation of social distancing measures when feasible and appropriate.
  • Leverage any available federal funds and programs to support health care, individual and small business recovery.

Principle 6: Ensure New Jersey’s resiliency.

  • Learn from the lessons of COVID-19 and prepare for the possibility of resurgence.
  • Ensure hospitals, health care systems and other health delivery facilities have inventories of personal protective equipment and ventilators.
  • Build our own state personal protective equipment and ventilator stockpile.
  • Create a playbook for future administrations for the next pandemic.

Student Loan Relief

New Jersey has secured new relief options for private student loan borrowers, including a 90-day payment grace period, a waiver of late fees, and access to borrower assistance programs. Borrowers are encouraged to contact their loan servicer to find out what relief options are available to them.

NEW HOURS FOR THE UNION COUNTY COVID-19 DRIVE-THRU TEST CENTER

Effective today, the hours of operation at the testing site at Kean University will be from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday. For more information please visit https://ucnj.org/coronavirus-update/testing-center/ or call (908) 214-7107.

Virtual Food Drive Needs Support

The Fanwood Community Foundation (FCF) has launched a virtual food drive to help local food banks. The FCF will match these virtual donations up to $2,020 but would love to surpass that goal!

The FCF has been supporting the community through donations from local donors – individuals, families, and businesses. The FCF provides these public-spirited donors with a vehicle for using their gifts in the best possible way now and in the future, thereby providing for inevitable change.

The Foundation uses a portion of the income from these invested donations to provide grants and support to the local community, like the Community FoodBank of New Jersey. The FCF is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization making your donations tax-deductible.

To make a donation, visit https://cfbnj.org/event/fanwood-community-foundation-virtual-food-drive/.

Fanwood Recreation Goes Virtual

Fanwood Recreation is adding more programs to its Spring ONLINE schedule!

Beginning this coming Wednesday, April 29, children ages 11–15 can register for the 3-session Babysitting Certification program.

Also beginning this coming Wednesday and Thursday, Fanwood Recreation offers these 6-session academic enrichment programs: K–2nd Grade Reading, English Essay Writing Class (grades 5–12), and Study Skills Class (grades 6–12).

For more information about and to register for all these programs, please go to fanwoodrecreation.org.