A Message from Mayor Mahr

Earlier today, the state reported another 2,651 COVID-19 positive test results, bringing the statewide total to 121,190. Union County currently has a total of 12,779 confirmed cases and the Westfield Regional Board of Health reports that as of today our total in Fanwood is 70 confirmed cases. But the glimmer of light continues; as of last night there were 432 hospital admissions, but 571 discharges!  That’s the kind of trend I like!

Additionally, per the state of New Jersey, over 830 companies are hiring for over 57,000 jobs during this health crisis. Click here for job listings.

As we wrap up another week full of new challenges I encourage you all to take advantage of the State, County, and Local park openings this weekend. Get out and enjoy the fine weather and try to de-stress as best you can. But of course, be sure to wear your mask and keep up the 6-foot distancing.

Give yourself a break and consider a take-out meal from one of our local eateries. They have all been so generous in sending food to first responders and those in need. In fact, today, we had a happy surprise of a lunch delivered by Sheelan’s Crossing for municipal workers to enjoy from a safe distance from one another. Thank you, Sean Flannery! Our fine staff has been so dedicated to delivering services for Fanwoodians and they deserve a virtual pat on the back!

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.

I wish everyone a safe and happy weekend!

– 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

Heather Mills was born and raised in Fanwood and she still lives here with her daughter, Violet. Violet goes to School One, the same school Heather did.

Heather is now a Home Health Aide, working for Jewish Family Services in Elizabeth. She goes out to wok every day to her elderly clients’ homes to help take care of them. She showers them, dresses them, cooks for them, shops for food for them, picks up prescriptions, and gives them companionship and comfort. She is keeping them safe at home. Heather has a warm and compassionate heart. She is stronger and braver than she believes. We are so proud of her!

Thank you, Heather!

An Important Message from Union County and Atlantic Medical System

Indications are that Northern New Jersey appears to be past the peak, with a current patient load at Overlook of 537 patients, at the peak, there were 840 patients.

With the 2nd largest hospitalized population in the nation, Union county ranks fourth in the state, with over 12,000 cases.

They have found that 80% of patients with COVID don’t experience a huge medical event – in fact, some have zero symptoms; the 20% who do get sick get very sick – and 30-35% of these 20% end up in critical care and the majority of this group ends up on ventilators.

Testing is the next hurdle and unfortunately, the notion that if you want a test you get a test is not true, although they are available at point-of-care. Medical officials  continue to predict that Fall and Winter 2020 are going to be tough, and encourage people to:

  • Follow current practices for hand washing, mask-wearing, and social distancing
  • Control what you can by getting a flu shot
  • Seek care if you need it. It is safe to go to the ER and/or dial 911. Hospitals are safe.

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.

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.

Scam Warning from Fanwood InfoTech Professionals

Scamming attempts have spiked to new heights in recent months, often claiming to represent the IRS, claiming to need information regarding unemployment issues or COVID-19 circumstances. Any communication involving money should raise a RED FLAG.

  • Listen for the words “stimulus check” or “stimulus payment.” If someone in an official capacity uses these terms your concern level should rise. The official term is economic impact payment.
  • Do not sign over your economic impact payment check to anyone you don’t know who contacts you via email, text, or phone.
  • No one should ask by phone, e-mail, text, or social media for verification of personal information including your bank account information. A scammer may say the information is to verify your economic impact payment.  Hang up.
  • Scammers will suggest that you can get a tax refund or economic impact payment faster by working with them on your behalf. This scam could even be conducted in person!
  • Scammers may mail you a bogus check, then tell you to call a number or verify information online in order to cash it. Legitimate agencies do not conduct business this way.