Dear Neighbors,
Happy Labor Day and Happy Rosh Hashanah 🍎 🍯 to those who celebrate!
Ida’s Aftermath
Hoboken received a historic amount of rain Wednesday evening from the remnants of Hurricane Ida with 6.54 inches of rain falling in about 8 hours. This was the most rain from a single storm that Hoboken has recorded since 2016, on par with what Hurricane Irene delivered in 2011. What’s worse, Ida comes not even two weeks after Henri dropped more than 4 inches of rain on August 21st. Yes, climate change is real.
If you need help dealing with the aftermath of this deluge, please contact the Hoboken CERT Team hotline at (201) 420-5625 or email me at HobokenPhil@gmail.com
The New Jersey Economic Development Authority is supplying $10 million in disaster relief for small businesses, providing up to $5,000 for flood damage expenses. Hoboken small businesses, please document the impact of the storm with pictures, records, and receipts, etc. For businesses and individuals alike, please document your losses with pictures and receipts because when funding becomes available, your records will be critical.
If you have an emergency, as always, contact the Hoboken Police Department, which has been working 24/7 since the storm began, saving lives. Here is an amazing photo of Hoboken Police Officer Leo Colon rescuing an older gentleman who was trapped in his car last Thursday morning.
A Hoboken Hero, Officer Leo Colon (Photo Credit: Nick Lenzi)
Thanks to all our emergency personnel at the Hoboken Police Department, the Hoboken Fire Department, Hoboken CERT, and the Hoboken Volunteer Ambulance Corps for keeping us safe through this crisis and rescuing tens of people who were trapped or stranded without any loss of life.
COVID-19 Updates
The rate of daily positive tests in Hoboken and New Jersey remains 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. Now, New Jersey’s transmission rate is 1.08. 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 September 5th, over 5.6 million New Jerseyans have been fully vaccinated with over 11.6 million doses administered in New Jersey. Hoboken’s recent positive test results total 5,483 cases confirmed to date. Two weeks ago there were 5,324 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 seven COVID patients, two of whom are Hoboken residents. Six of these seven 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.
Sadly, in the past two weeks, two more COVID-19 related deaths were announced in our community, a woman in her early 90s and a man in his early 70s, increasing Hoboken’s COVID death toll to 56 since the start of the pandemic. I want to offer my heartfelt condolences to each Hoboken family that has endured this unimaginable pain. Please know that you have the full support of your neighbors and the entire Hoboken community. We send you our prayers and extend our wishes for your comfort, healing, and peace.
State Employee Vaccine Mandate
On August 23rd Governor Murphy announced that all employees of state agencies and authorities, as well as staff at public colleges and universities, are required to complete a full vaccination course or undergo regular, weekly testing. You can read about New Jersey’s new vaccination policy here.
Hoboken Public Schools Vaccinate Mandate
As a community, we have a responsibility to do everything in our power to keep each other safe from the ongoing pandemic by getting vaccinated. Continuing to lead the way by protecting our community, the Hoboken Public School District has announced a new policy requiring vaccinations for all students eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine, as well as school faculty and staff. Unvaccinated eligible students, faculty, and staff will be required to be tested on-site, weekly. The district's newly announced policy provides that students too young to be vaccinated will be randomly tested, on-site, on a weekly basis. You can read more about Superintendent Dr. Christine Johnson’s important new policy here.
Spaghetti Dinner
We resumed the great Spaghetti Dinner on the waterfront last month, supporting the Hoboken Volunteer Ambulance Corps! Thanks to my friends from Fox Hill Gardens who came out and joined me to share this special end-of-summer tradition.
With Fox Hill Association President Carmen Vega at the Spaghetti Dinner
With Councilmember Jabbour, Joe Quintero, Mayor Bhalla, and Councilmember Doyle
Another Great Community Bike Ride
Every 4th Sunday of the month you can join your friends, neighbors, and Bike Hoboken for a family-friendly 5-mile bike ride. Thanks to everyone who joined us this past Sunday around the city with a special Hoboken Police Department escort. Last Sunday, about 100 cyclists rode, ages ranging from 2 years old to retired!
Last Sunday’s Community Bike Ride Was a Blast!
I hope to see you on September 26th at 11 am for the next fun family ride!
Congratulations to Mayor Bhalla and his Council Slate!
Last week, Mayor Bhalla and Team Bhalla filed more than 4,300 petitions to appear on the November ballot!
What a team, and what a show of support from our community for Mayor Bhalla and his slate of three candidates to join me on the City Council next year, consisting of my outstanding Council colleagues Jim Doyle and Emily Jabbour, and first-time candidate Joe Quintero (each filed more than 1,000 petitions). I’m looking forward to hitting the campaign trail and introducing my neighbors to Team Bhalla as we approach a critical November election. If you would like to learn more about first-time candidate Joe Quintero, check out his bio here.
Joe Quintero, Councilmember Doyle, Mayor Bhalla, and Councilmember Jabbour
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 will their 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
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: Wednesdays, Thursdays
Time: 8 am - 12:30 pm
Location: 605 Jackson Street
Type of testing: PCR
Who: Hoboken residents, Hoboken business employees
Jackson St. Gym (Administered by Riverside)
Date: Tuesdays, Saturdays
Time: 9 am - 2 pm
Location: 605 Jackson Street
Type of testing: Rapid (15 Minute), PCR
Who: Hoboken residents, Hoboken business employees
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 September 5th, nearly 100% of our seniors (65 and older) have received their first dose, and 97% of our seniors are fully vaccinated. Thanks to our seniors for stepping up and protecting themselves and our community!
79% of Hoboken residents 18 and older have been provided with at least one dose, and 73% are fully vaccinated.
89% of Hoboken residents 30 and older have been provided with at least one dose, and 82% are fully vaccinated.
71% of all Hoboken residents, regardless of eligibility, have been provided with at least one dose, and 65% 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: Thursdays
Time: 4 pm - 7 pm
Vaccine Offered: Johnson & Johnson, Pfizer, or Moderna
Ages: 18+ and Pfizer vaccine for ages 12+
Administered By: Better Life Pharmacy
Where: 605 Jackson Street
Who: Hoboken residents, Hoboken business employees, Hoboken students
Day: Tuesdays
Time: 4 pm - 7 pm
Vaccine Offered: Johnson & Johnson, Pfizer, or Moderna
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.
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 hosted my 39th Coffee with Cohen … the home edition with a special guest, our new Director of the Hoboken Library, Jennie Pu!
We discussed how the Library serves the community, the services, classes, and programs that HPL provides, Jennie’s vision and goals as the new director, the renovation of the main branch, and how our community can support and get involved with the Library. I also discussed the latest on COVID vaccines, COVID testing, the Hoboken Rescue Plan, delivering a 2.8% tax cut for Hoboken taxpayers, and much, much more.
My favorite part of Coffee with Cohen is answering your questions. I addressed your questions regarding the County’s re-paving of Willow Avenue at 9th Street, overgrown weeds near the City parking lot at 13th and Adams, and COVID booster shots. I also shared the results of my poll on how you use your library membership. Over 350 people have already watched this event and you can check it out here.
My 40th Coffee with Cohen event will be next Monday, September 13th at noon with special guest, Hoboken Mayor Ravi Bhalla. Click here to RSVP! I hope to see you there. Do you have questions for me or Mayor Bhalla? Please 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 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. 
