Dear Neighbor,
I hope you are having a wonderful Thanksgiving 🦃 holiday. This Thanksgiving, I am grateful for the honor of serving as your Councilman and want to take this opportunity to wish you and your families a happy, healthy holiday season.
Here is the latest.
COVID-19 Updates
The rate of daily positive tests in Hoboken is on the rise. The transmission rate for NJ had been below 1.0 for several months, reflecting that for each person who gets COVID, it is spread to less than one other person. Then, with the spike of the Delta variant, New Jersey’s transmission rate had been at or above 1.0 for some time before dipping back below 1.0 once more. But now, New Jersey’s transmission rate has jumped to 1.21.
As of November 24th, over 6.1 million New Jerseyans have been fully vaccinated with over 13.9 million doses administered in New Jersey. As of November 21st, Hoboken’s positive test results total 6,089 cases confirmed since the start of the pandemic. Two weeks ago there were 5,988 positive cases. Please stay vigilant, practice social distancing when necessary, wash your hands, and stay safe.
In July, we celebrated an extended stretch of 60 days of having no COVID patients at Hoboken University Medical Center (HUMC). With the emergence of the Delta variant, that streak was broken in August until October, but a month has now passed since HUMC has admitted a COVID patient. If you have any reason to believe you have been exposed to COVID, please quarantine and then schedule an appointment for a COVID test 5-7 days for those fully vaccinated and immediately for those unvaccinated after potential exposure. To find out when you should get tested, click here.
It is Now Easier for You to Get Your COVID-19 Booster Shot
Adults who received a second Pfizer shot or a second Moderna shot six months ago can now get a free booster shot from the City of Hoboken. Adults who got a Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 shot more than two months ago also are eligible for their booster shot.
You can make your booster appointment at a Hoboken vaccine clinic. To find out the latest information on vaccine clinics and make your appointment click here. Please bring your vaccination card to your appointment. With the holiday season upon us, it is especially important to take every precaution to ensure we gather together safely and protect ourselves, our friends, and our families. A COVID-19 booster shot offers the best way to extend the effectiveness of your vaccination.
I got my booster shot!
Mile Square Theatre’s Indoor Productions are Back!
Mile Square Theatre’s long-awaited indoor performances start in a few weeks with Broadway star, songwriter, and Hoboken local Margo Seibert who will perform her original solo show Emergence. Emergence explores our transformation emerging from the pandemic and remembering we are undoubtedly better together. You can read more about Emergence here and get your tickets here. The performances will be on Friday, December 10 and Saturday, December 11 at 8 pm. (Please note: audience members will be required to be masked and show proof of valid COVID vaccination or a negative test.)
Hoboken’s Youth Advisory Commission Is Accepting Applications
Are you a future leader between ages 13 to 18? Do you know one? Applications are now being accepted for the City of Hoboken's Youth Advisory Commission (YAC).
The YAC is a great opportunity for Hoboken youth to develop leadership and advocacy skills and make positive change. The program is designed to empower Hoboken youth by providing them with a voice on issues that matter most to them.
YAC applications are available here. The City Clerk's office will follow up after you click "Apply Here" at the bottom of this page. Students must be Hoboken residents who attend 6th - 12th grade and are between 13 and 18 years-old as of September 1, 2021. The Mayor and City Council will appoint 12 YAC members. You can apply here or submit your application at the City Clerk's Office by December 1st.
COVID and Travel
The CDC has issued travel recommendations for both vaccinated and unvaccinated travelers. All travelers leaving the State should check with the travel destination and transportation carrier (i.e., airline, cruise ship) to see if there are additional health and safety protocols or requirements, such as proof of a negative COVID-19 test within days of departure. Travelers should also check with their employers, schools, and other entities that may have quarantine policies.
The CDC recommends delaying your travel until you are fully vaccinated.
Domestic Travel
The CDC advises that unvaccinated individuals should get tested 1-3 days before their trip, 3-5 days after travel, and stay home and self-quarantine for 7 days after domestic travel. Vaccinated New Jersey residents are no longer required to quarantine when traveling domestically outside the state. For more information, click here for the CDC’s guidance for domestic travel.
International Travel
The CDC requires all air passengers arriving in the US from a foreign country to get tested for COVID-19 no more than 3 days before their flight departs and present their negative result or documentation of having recovered from COVID-19 before boarding the flight. For more details on international travel from the CDC click here.
COVID Testing Updates
To get the current Hoboken COVID testing and hours click here.
Free Testing for Hoboken Residents and Business Employees:
605 Jackson Street (Administered by Medicine Man)
Date: Monday, Tuesday
Time: 9 am - 12 pm Monday, 4 - 7 pm Tuesday
Location: 605 Jackson Street
Type of testing: PCR
Who: Hoboken residents, Hoboken business employees
605 Jackson Street (Administered by PromptMD)
Date: Wednesdays
Time: 8 am - 12:30 pm
Location: 605 Jackson Street
Type of testing: PCR
Who: Hoboken residents, Hoboken business employees
605 Jackson Street (Administered by Riverside)
Date: Tuesdays
Time: 9 am - 2 pm
Location: 605 Jackson Street
Type of testing: Rapid (15 Minute), PCR
Who: Hoboken residents, Hoboken business employees
Monroe Gardens, 221 Jackson Street (Administered by NJ Department of Health)
Date: December 3rd
Time: 1 pm - 7 pm
Location: Hoboken Housing Authority Community Room
Type of testing: PCR
Who: Hoboken and Hudson County residents, Hoboken business employees
Link for appointments: First-come first-served
City MD
City MD at 231 Washington Street also offers COVID-19 tests. You can walk in without an appointment and get tested during regular hours.
COVID Vaccination News
As of November 24th, nearly 100% of our seniors (65 and older) have received their first dose, and nearly 100% of our seniors are fully vaccinated. Thanks to our seniors for stepping up and protecting themselves and our community!
88% of Hoboken residents 12 and older have been provided with at least one dose, and 79% are fully vaccinated.
85% of Hoboken residents 18 and older have been provided with at least one dose, and 76% are fully vaccinated.
95% of Hoboken residents 30 and older have been provided with at least one dose, and 86% are fully vaccinated.
76% of all Hoboken residents have been provided with at least one dose, and 69% are fully vaccinated.
Mayor Bhalla and the Hoboken Health Department continue collaborating with local providers to offer a free COVID-19 vaccine clinic this week for Hoboken residents and employees of Hoboken businesses at the following location and times:
Walk-in Vaccination Clinics
Where: 605 Jackson Street
Who: Hoboken residents, Hoboken business employees, Hoboken students
Day: Monday (booster only) and Tuesday
Time: 9 am - 12 pm (Monday), 3 pm - 7 pm (Tuesday)
Vaccine Offered: Pediatric Pfizer and Pfizer, Moderna, and J&J boosters
Ages: 5-11 (Pfizer Pediatric), 18+ (booster)
Administered By: Medicine Man Pharmacy and Compounding
Where: 605 Jackson Street
Who: Hoboken residents, Hoboken business employees, Hoboken students
Day: Monday and Wednesday
Time: 4 pm - 7 pm (Monday), 9 am - 1 pm (Wednesday)
Vaccine Offered: Pediatric Pfizer and Pfizer, Moderna, and J&J boosters
Ages: 5-11 (Pfizer Pediatric), 18+ (booster)
Administered By: Hoboken Family Pharmacy
To get current Hoboken information on the City’s vaccination and clinic schedules click here as new information is posted daily.
If you are a Hoboken resident and would like a copy of your vaccination record, please contact LMedeiros@hobokennj.gov. Vaccination records are also accessible for all New Jersey residents through the Docket app.
CVS pharmacies in Hoboken Downtown, Midtown, and Uptown locations also supply the COVID-19 vaccine. Walgreens pharmacies in Hoboken Downtown and its two Uptown locations are also supplying the COVID-19 vaccine. You can also receive the vaccine at the County’s vaccination center in Kearny. Click here to make an appointment.
Coffee with Cohen . . . the home edition
Last year, to practice social distancing, rather than eliminate my monthly Coffee with Cohen events, I turned to the internet. At my last event, Bob Foster, the Founding Member and Director of the Hoboken Historical Museum, and Rand Hoppe, the Museum's Collections Manager, discussed the importance of having a local museum, how the museum serves our community, and how the community can support the Museum.
I also addressed the latest on COVID vaccines, COVID testing, pediatric vaccines, booster shots, and more. Over 250 people have watched this event and you can check it out here.
My next Coffee with Cohen event will be on Monday, November 29th at noon and I will welcome a special guest, Geri Fallo, Hoboken’s Director of Cultural Affairs. I hope to see you there with me and Geri. Do you have any questions? Send them to HobokenPhil@gmail.com as I try to address each one. These events are hosted on my Facebook page Philcohenforcouncil and you can watch them here.
You can always follow me on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram. If you have any questions or concerns, or if I can be of assistance to you or your family, please do not hesitate to contact me at HobokenPhil@gmail.com.
Phil Cohen
Hoboken City Councilman
Hoboken, New Jersey
HobokenPhil@gmail.com
(862) 234-9053
P.S. You can learn more about me and my ideas for Hoboken (as well as read this newsletter and my prior newsletters) on my website philcohen.org.
