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New Jersey Governor Offers Timeline to Begin Reopening Within Weeks New Jersey Governor Offers Timeline to Begin Reopening Within Weeks
(about 1 month later)
Gov. Philip D. Murphy on Monday sketched out benchmarks New Jersey will have to reach before the coronavirus lockdown can be lifted, even as he warned of a financial “Armageddon” that could leave the state unable to pay its teachers, firefighters and police officers.Gov. Philip D. Murphy on Monday sketched out benchmarks New Jersey will have to reach before the coronavirus lockdown can be lifted, even as he warned of a financial “Armageddon” that could leave the state unable to pay its teachers, firefighters and police officers.
The stay-at-home order will remain fully in place until further notice, but the governor said he expected the timeline for reopening to be measured in weeks, not months.The stay-at-home order will remain fully in place until further notice, but the governor said he expected the timeline for reopening to be measured in weeks, not months.
He also said that schools might reopen before the end of June. “There is a chance that we could get back in school,” he said in an interview Monday morning on CNBC.He also said that schools might reopen before the end of June. “There is a chance that we could get back in school,” he said in an interview Monday morning on CNBC.
Hours later, at a media briefing, Mr. Murphy laid out four broad metrics that will be used to determine when and how businesses can begin to reopen.Hours later, at a media briefing, Mr. Murphy laid out four broad metrics that will be used to determine when and how businesses can begin to reopen.
He said the approach required success on several fronts: a 14-day decline in new coronavirus cases and hospitalization rates; expanded testing; a robust ability to trace people who have had contact with those infected with the virus; and an increased availability of places, such as hotels, where the sick can remain in isolation, free of charge.He said the approach required success on several fronts: a 14-day decline in new coronavirus cases and hospitalization rates; expanded testing; a robust ability to trace people who have had contact with those infected with the virus; and an increased availability of places, such as hotels, where the sick can remain in isolation, free of charge.
“A plan that is needlessly rushed,” he said, “will needlessly fail.”“A plan that is needlessly rushed,” he said, “will needlessly fail.”
When pressed on the timing of a phased-in reopening, he was noncommittal, but suggested it could come by Memorial Day, the unofficial start to summer at the Jersey Shore.When pressed on the timing of a phased-in reopening, he was noncommittal, but suggested it could come by Memorial Day, the unofficial start to summer at the Jersey Shore.
“I want to see the shore humming throughout the summer,” he said.“I want to see the shore humming throughout the summer,” he said.
Still, social distancing is likely to be the norm for months to come, including on beaches, he said.Still, social distancing is likely to be the norm for months to come, including on beaches, he said.
He said a commission whose members would be announced on Tuesday will be responsible for guiding decision-making. The reopening, he cautioned, would not necessarily mirror the slow wave of shutdowns that began in mid-March.He said a commission whose members would be announced on Tuesday will be responsible for guiding decision-making. The reopening, he cautioned, would not necessarily mirror the slow wave of shutdowns that began in mid-March.
“Don’t expect a LIFO strategy — last in, first out,” he said.“Don’t expect a LIFO strategy — last in, first out,” he said.
Mr. Murphy, a Democrat, gave few specifics about what sectors of the economy might be first to reopen, but he said his “bias” was toward making decisions that applied statewide, not region by region.Mr. Murphy, a Democrat, gave few specifics about what sectors of the economy might be first to reopen, but he said his “bias” was toward making decisions that applied statewide, not region by region.
New Jersey has had the second highest number of cases of the coronavirus in the country, behind only New York. As of Monday, at least 6,044 people had died with Covid-19, the disease caused by the virus, and more than 111,000 people had tested positive.New Jersey has had the second highest number of cases of the coronavirus in the country, behind only New York. As of Monday, at least 6,044 people had died with Covid-19, the disease caused by the virus, and more than 111,000 people had tested positive.
Without a larger infusion of federal money, New Jersey’s finances remain bleak, Mr. Murphy said, leaving the state potentially unable to pay public sector workers.Without a larger infusion of federal money, New Jersey’s finances remain bleak, Mr. Murphy said, leaving the state potentially unable to pay public sector workers.
“That’s the sort of Armageddon that we’re looking at,” he said on CNBC.“That’s the sort of Armageddon that we’re looking at,” he said on CNBC.
By last week, a staggering 858,000 residents had filed for unemployment benefits, up from 84,000 for the same time period last year. Many others were still having trouble filing; the system remained bogged down by antiquated technology and extraordinarily high usage.By last week, a staggering 858,000 residents had filed for unemployment benefits, up from 84,000 for the same time period last year. Many others were still having trouble filing; the system remained bogged down by antiquated technology and extraordinarily high usage.
If schools were to reopen, the governor said there would most likely be rules in place to limit large assemblies and require students and teachers to wear masks.If schools were to reopen, the governor said there would most likely be rules in place to limit large assemblies and require students and teachers to wear masks.
He said he expected that many decisions would be made in concert with neighboring states, but would not be done in lock-step.He said he expected that many decisions would be made in concert with neighboring states, but would not be done in lock-step.
“I don’t think you’ll see us taking in each case identical steps, but I think you’ll see our steps harmonized,” Mr. Murphy said on CNBC.“I don’t think you’ll see us taking in each case identical steps, but I think you’ll see our steps harmonized,” Mr. Murphy said on CNBC.
The governor’s announcement came a day after Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo offered a similarly broad blueprint for lifting New York’s lockdown after May 15, when his order shutting down the state is set to expire. Mr. Cuomo said “low-risk” businesses like construction and manufacturing might begin to reopen in parts of the state that were less affected by the virus.The governor’s announcement came a day after Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo offered a similarly broad blueprint for lifting New York’s lockdown after May 15, when his order shutting down the state is set to expire. Mr. Cuomo said “low-risk” businesses like construction and manufacturing might begin to reopen in parts of the state that were less affected by the virus.
The head of New Jersey’s Republican Party, Douglas J. Steinhardt, criticized the lack of specifics in Mr. Murphy’s announcement, as well as the absence of any mention of the tough choices that may lie ahead, including the need to furlough state workers and cut the budget.The head of New Jersey’s Republican Party, Douglas J. Steinhardt, criticized the lack of specifics in Mr. Murphy’s announcement, as well as the absence of any mention of the tough choices that may lie ahead, including the need to furlough state workers and cut the budget.
“He offered nothing new,” Mr. Steinhardt said. “It’s the same stuff he’s been talking about: Appoint a commission and go to the federal government and beg for money.”“He offered nothing new,” Mr. Steinhardt said. “It’s the same stuff he’s been talking about: Appoint a commission and go to the federal government and beg for money.”
Updated June 1, 2020
Exercise researchers and physicians have some blunt advice for those of us aiming to return to regular exercise now: Start slowly and then rev up your workouts, also slowly. American adults tended to be about 12 percent less active after the stay-at-home mandates began in March than they were in January. But there are steps you can take to ease your way back into regular exercise safely. First, “start at no more than 50 percent of the exercise you were doing before Covid,” says Dr. Monica Rho, the chief of musculoskeletal medicine at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab in Chicago. Thread in some preparatory squats, too, she advises. “When you haven’t been exercising, you lose muscle mass.” Expect some muscle twinges after these preliminary, post-lockdown sessions, especially a day or two later. But sudden or increasing pain during exercise is a clarion call to stop and return home.
States are reopening bit by bit. This means that more public spaces are available for use and more and more businesses are being allowed to open again. The federal government is largely leaving the decision up to states, and some state leaders are leaving the decision up to local authorities. Even if you aren’t being told to stay at home, it’s still a good idea to limit trips outside and your interaction with other people.
Touching contaminated objects and then infecting ourselves with the germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. A number of studies of flu, rhinovirus, coronavirus and other microbes have shown that respiratory illnesses, including the new coronavirus, can spread by touching contaminated surfaces, particularly in places like day care centers, offices and hospitals. But a long chain of events has to happen for the disease to spread that way. The best way to protect yourself from coronavirus — whether it’s surface transmission or close human contact — is still social distancing, washing your hands, not touching your face and wearing masks.
Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days.
If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.)
More than 40 million people — the equivalent of 1 in 4 U.S. workers — have filed for unemployment benefits since the pandemic took hold. One in five who were working in February reported losing a job or being furloughed in March or the beginning of April, data from a Federal Reserve survey released on May 14 showed, and that pain was highly concentrated among low earners. Fully 39 percent of former workers living in a household earning $40,000 or less lost work, compared with 13 percent in those making more than $100,000, a Fed official said.
Yes, but make sure you keep six feet of distance between you and people who don’t live in your home. Even if you just hang out in a park, rather than go for a jog or a walk, getting some fresh air, and hopefully sunshine, is a good idea.
Taking one’s temperature to look for signs of fever is not as easy as it sounds, as “normal” temperature numbers can vary, but generally, keep an eye out for a temperature of 100.5 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. If you don’t have a thermometer (they can be pricey these days), there are other ways to figure out if you have a fever, or are at risk of Covid-19 complications.
The C.D.C. has recommended that all Americans wear cloth masks if they go out in public. This is a shift in federal guidance reflecting new concerns that the coronavirus is being spread by infected people who have no symptoms. Until now, the C.D.C., like the W.H.O., has advised that ordinary people don’t need to wear masks unless they are sick and coughing. Part of the reason was to preserve medical-grade masks for health care workers who desperately need them at a time when they are in continuously short supply. Masks don’t replace hand washing and social distancing.
If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others.
If you’re sick and you think you’ve been exposed to the new coronavirus, the C.D.C. recommends that you call your healthcare provider and explain your symptoms and fears. They will decide if you need to be tested. Keep in mind that there’s a chance — because of a lack of testing kits or because you’re asymptomatic, for instance — you won’t be able to get tested.
Charity Navigator, which evaluates charities using a numbers-based system, has a running list of nonprofits working in communities affected by the outbreak. You can give blood through the American Red Cross, and World Central Kitchen has stepped in to distribute meals in major cities.
He also questioned Mr. Murphy’s decision to allow Representative Tom Malinowski, a Democrat running for re-election in a swing district, to speak at the briefing rather than the director of the Department of Labor, which has been besieged by unemployment claims.He also questioned Mr. Murphy’s decision to allow Representative Tom Malinowski, a Democrat running for re-election in a swing district, to speak at the briefing rather than the director of the Department of Labor, which has been besieged by unemployment claims.
“He turned what was supposed to be an information session into a political pitch,” Mr. Steinhardt said.“He turned what was supposed to be an information session into a political pitch,” Mr. Steinhardt said.
Federal guidelines released by the White House 10 days ago advised states that they could move into limited reopening after meeting certain criteria, including two weeks of sustained downward trends in documented cases of Covid-19.Federal guidelines released by the White House 10 days ago advised states that they could move into limited reopening after meeting certain criteria, including two weeks of sustained downward trends in documented cases of Covid-19.
In New Jersey, where only residents with fevers and persistent coughs have been able to get tested, that threshold remains a hurdle. The rate of those who have tested positive for the virus has been hovering at about 43 percent, well above the 10 percent recommended by the World Health Organization before quarantine restrictions should be eased.In New Jersey, where only residents with fevers and persistent coughs have been able to get tested, that threshold remains a hurdle. The rate of those who have tested positive for the virus has been hovering at about 43 percent, well above the 10 percent recommended by the World Health Organization before quarantine restrictions should be eased.
Mr. Murphy has said that he expected the state’s testing ability to expand greatly in the coming weeks as Rutgers University’s newly approved saliva test becomes more broadly available. The test does not require a nasal swab, making it easier and less dangerous for health care workers to administer.Mr. Murphy has said that he expected the state’s testing ability to expand greatly in the coming weeks as Rutgers University’s newly approved saliva test becomes more broadly available. The test does not require a nasal swab, making it easier and less dangerous for health care workers to administer.
On Monday, he said he expected the state to be able to double its testing capacity by the end of next month.On Monday, he said he expected the state to be able to double its testing capacity by the end of next month.
Mr. Murphy’s step toward establishing a blueprint for a phased reopening comes as other states have been more aggressive about such plans.Mr. Murphy’s step toward establishing a blueprint for a phased reopening comes as other states have been more aggressive about such plans.
In Georgia, close-contact retail businesses like barbers and tattoo parlors were allowed to open on Friday. Areas where large numbers of people congregate, such as movie theaters, were expected to accept customers on Monday, though mayors of large cities like Atlanta and Augusta have resisted Gov. Brian Kemp’s call for reopening.In Georgia, close-contact retail businesses like barbers and tattoo parlors were allowed to open on Friday. Areas where large numbers of people congregate, such as movie theaters, were expected to accept customers on Monday, though mayors of large cities like Atlanta and Augusta have resisted Gov. Brian Kemp’s call for reopening.
Michael Egenton, the chief lobbyist for the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce, said the group was eager to see the state begin to reopen. “Every day a business is closed hurts their bottom line,” he said.Michael Egenton, the chief lobbyist for the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce, said the group was eager to see the state begin to reopen. “Every day a business is closed hurts their bottom line,” he said.
But Mr. Egenton added, “We want to make sure we don’t see a huge spike happen, or another wave, because we pushed too fast, too hard.”But Mr. Egenton added, “We want to make sure we don’t see a huge spike happen, or another wave, because we pushed too fast, too hard.”