Dear Neighbors,
While we enjoy the last weeks of summer 😎 I want to update you on the latest in Hoboken.
COVID-19 Updates
The rate of daily positive tests in Hoboken and New Jersey 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. But now, the New Jersey transmission rate is 1.27. According to Governor Murphy and the New Jersey Department of Health, the highly transmissible delta variant is now the dominant strain of COVID in New Jersey.
As of August 19th, over 5.4 million New Jerseyans have been fully vaccinated with over 11.2 million doses administered in New Jersey. Hoboken’s recent positive test results total 5,324 cases confirmed to date. Two weeks ago there were 5,194 positive cases. Although the weather is warmer and many members of our community are vaccinated, COVID-19 remains. 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). However, now HUMC is treating eight COVID patients, three of whom are Hoboken residents. All eight HUMC COVID patients are unvaccinated. If you have any reason to believe you have been exposed to COVID, please quarantine and then schedule an appointment for a COVID test at least 5-7 days after potential exposure.
Hoboken Public Schools Will Require Masks When the School Year Begins
Regardless of vaccination status, all students, educators, staff, and visitors will be required to wear a face mask for the start of the school year in 2021-2022. Like last year, when Hoboken’s Public Schools distinguished themselves by largely staying open safely for in-person learning, our schools are taking every precaution to create a safe environment for our students, especially those under 12 years of age who are ineligible for vaccinations. You can read more about the State’s mask policies here.
Stevens Institute of Technology Requires Vaccinations for its Community
Stevens Institute of Technology (Stevens) has determined that all of its students, staff and faculty will need proof of COVID-19 vaccination to attend Stevens this school year. Thank you Stevens for being such a good neighbor and taking these responsible steps to better protect the Stevens community and your Hoboken neighbors from COVID-19. You can read more about Stevens’ vaccination policies here.
FDA and CDC Authorize Pfizer or Moderna Booster Shots
For individuals with moderately to severely compromised immune systems, the FDA and CDC have approved a third Pfizer or Moderna booster dose at least four weeks after receiving a second Pfizer or Moderna dose. Individuals should receive the same brand booster shot as their first doses.
The CDC recommends that individuals should receive a booster shot if they are already fully vaccinated and meet any of the following criteria:
- Receiving active cancer treatment for tumors or cancers of the blood
- Received an organ transplant and are taking medicine to suppress the immune system
- Received a stem cell transplant within the last 2 years or are taking medicine to suppress the immune system
- Moderate or severe primary immunodeficiency (such as DiGeorge syndrome, Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome)
- Advanced or untreated HIV infection
- Active treatment with high-dose corticosteroids or other drugs that may suppress the immune system
For more information on booster vaccinations for immunocompromised individuals, visit the CDC’s website here.
Hoboken Calls on the State to Divest from Fossil Fuels
Wednesday the City Council called on the State of New Jersey to divest from fossil fuels investments in the State’s pension plan within three years. I sponsored the Council’s resolution which makes clear we want to protect state employees’ pensions which Hoboken employees pay into, but in a way that addresses the global climate crisis. Thanks to my Council colleagues for joining me and unanimously supporting this resolution. For news coverage of this important resolution, see the Jersey Journal’s coverage here.
Hoboken Green Team’s 10th Annual Green Fair
The 10th Annual Green Fair is on Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021 and the City of Hoboken Green Team is seeking vendors. The Green Fair will take place at Church Square Park from 11 am to 3 pm and will feature organic food vendors and live music.
The Green Fair aims to introduce sustainable lifestyle choices to the community, raise awareness of environmental issues, and demonstrate how consumers can reduce their impact on the earth by choosing sustainable, eco-friendly products and services. The Fair welcomes green businesses, nonprofits and the local arts community that support environmental sustainability. Interested vendors can register here by September 20th.
Hoboken Green Team’s Hydration Station Program
With the tremendous heat wave we recently experienced, we know staying hydrated is critical. Plastic water bottles, however, are unsustainable. To reduce single-use plastic water bottles in landfills and to make it easier for residents and visitors to stay hydrated, the Hoboken Green Team relaunched the citywide Hoboken Hydration Station program.
Look for the Hoboken Hydration Station sticker on the participating business storefronts like: Green Rock Tap & Grill, Purely Juiced, Choc O Pain French Bakery and Café, Fleet Feet Hoboken, JackRabbit, Cork City Pub, The Ferryman on 1st, Finnegans, Northern Soul, and West Elm. For a map of all participating businesses, click here. You can learn more about the Hydration Station program here.
Mile Square Theatre’s Live Performances are Coming Back!
Starting in September, Mile Square Theatre (MST) and the Hoboken Business Alliance will present a special series of outdoor performances. Mile Square Theatre will present two productions, marking the long-awaited return of live performances to Hoboken.
An open-air production of “The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged) [revised]” will be held at Sinatra Park Amphitheatre, from September 16th until October 2nd. You can get your free tickets here.
MST also will present En Plein Air, a series of performances by a broad range of artists, on September 25th and 26th at the 7th and Jackson Plaza. A selection of songs, music, and choreography will be performed by resident performers of the Metropolitan Opera in New York City, including Dancers of the MET. James and Jerome, a duo of NYC storytellers; On the Waterfront Storytellers, a collective of Moth-style performers; and the MST Dance Academy Performance Group will also perform. You can get your free tickets here.
Hobokens’ Firefighters Locals Create a Charity Fund!
Despite the pandemic’s difficulties, Hoboken’s heroes have stepped up and supported our community each and every day. Last week, our Fire Department kicked off a Charity Fund with a golf event. The Fund gives the Fire Department one more way to give back to our community. I was honored to sponsor a hole at this successful charity kickoff. Thanks IAFF Local 1078!
COVID and Summer 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 plans 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 City’s latest information on Hoboken’s COVID tests and hours click here.
Free Testing for Hoboken Residents and Business Employees:
Jackson St. Gym (Administered by Medicine Man)
Date: Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays (except for Friday, August 20)
Time: 4 - 7 pm (Wednesday), 9 am - 12 pm (Mondays & Fridays)
Location: 605 Jackson Street
Type of testing: PCR
Who: Hoboken residents, Hoboken business employees
Jackson St. Gym (Administered by PromptMD)
Date: Thursdays
Time: 8 am - 12:30 pm
Location: 605 Jackson Street
Type of testing: PCR
Who: Hoboken residents, Hoboken business employees
Hoboken Housing Authority, Community Room (Administered by NJ Department of Health)
Date: Friday (August 20th)
Time: 1 - 7 pm
Location: 221 Jackson Street
Type of testing: PCR, saliva-based (do not drink or eat 30 minutes before the test)
Who: Hoboken and Hudson County residents, Hoboken business employees
No appointment necessary
Riverside Medical Group
Riverside Medical Group recently closed our public COVID-19 testing facility and transferred its testing facilities to their three Hoboken offices. All Hoboken residents and Hoboken employees remain eligible for free COVID testing at Riverside offices.
To get your COVID-19 test with Riverside, Hoboken residents and employees can call their preferred Riverside test location:
232 Clinton Street - (201) 876-3215
609 Washington Street - (201) 706-8490
1111 Hudson Street - (201) 942-9314
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
In spectacular Hoboken news, as of August 19th, nearly 100% of our seniors (65 and older) have received their first dose, and 96% of our seniors are fully vaccinated.
78% of Hoboken residents 18 and older have been provided with at least one dose, and 71% are fully vaccinated.
87% of Hoboken residents 30 and older have been provided with at least one dose, and 81% are fully vaccinated.
70% of all Hoboken residents, regardless of eligibility, have been provided with at least one dose, and 64% are fully vaccinated.
Mayor Bhalla and the Hoboken Health Department continue collaborating with local pharmacies to offer free COVID-19 vaccine clinics for Hoboken residents and employees of Hoboken businesses at the following locations and times:
Walk-in Vaccination Clinics
Where: 605 Jackson Street
Who: Hoboken residents, Hoboken business employees, Hoboken students
Day: Today August 20th
Time: 8 am - 12 pm
Vaccine Offered: Johnson & Johnson (one-dose) or Moderna (two-doses) or Pfizer
Ages: 18+ and Pfizer vaccine for ages 12+
Administered By: Better Life Pharmacy
Where: 605 Jackson Street
Who: Hoboken residents, Hoboken business employees
Day: Tuesdays
Time: 3 pm - 7 pm
Vaccine Offered: Johnson & Johnson (one-dose) or Pfizer
Ages: 18+ and Pfizer vaccine for ages 12+
Administered By: Medicine Man Pharmacy and Compounding
To get the City’s latest information on vaccinations and clinic schedules click here.
In addition to the clinics above, Hoboken Family Pharmacy is currently offering the COVID-19 vaccine at their Hoboken location at 307 First Street during regular business hours, while supplies last. Residents and employees can schedule an appointment here or by calling (201) 420-7777.
CVS pharmacies in Hoboken Downtown, Midtown, and Uptown locations also are supplying the COVID-19 vaccine. To track CVS’s Hoboken vaccine supply click here. Walgreens pharmacies in Hoboken Downtown and its two Uptown locations are supplying the COVID-19 vaccine. To track Walgreen’s Hoboken vaccine supply click here. You can also receive the vaccine at the County’s vaccination center in Kearny. Click here to make an appointment.
Torna’s Pizzeria Delivers!
Congratulations to Torna's for making great pizza in the 5th Ward for over 50 years! 
Mike and the Percontino family have been whipping up their pizza (with the famous sauce) and other great Italian 🇮🇹 food since 1968! Stop by Torna's on 9th Street between Willow and Park between 10am and 10pm for a classic Hoboken Slice and other great eats!
Coffee with Cohen . . . the home edition
Last year, to practice social distancing, rather than eliminate my monthly Coffee with Cohen constituent events, I turned to the internet. On Monday, August 23rd at 12 noon I will host my 39th Coffee with Cohen … the home edition with a special guest, our new Director of the Hoboken Library, Jennie Pu!
Jennie Pu, Hoboken’s Library Director, Joins Coffee with Cohen on Monday
Do you have questions you would like me or Jennie to answer? Please send them to HobokenPhil@gmail.com as I try to address each one. The event is hosted on my Facebook page @Philcohenforcouncil and you can watch it here. I hope to see you there.
You can also follow me on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram. As always, 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
5th Ward Councilman
City of 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.
