Dear Neighbors,
Here's an update on the latest Hoboken happenings.
COVID-19 Updates
The daily rate of positive tests in Hoboken is still high. 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. After jumping above 1.0 due to the Omicron variant’s impact, New Jersey’s transmission rate now has fallen back below 1.0 and presently is at .58.
Over 6.5 million New Jerseyans have been fully vaccinated with over 13.9 million doses administered in New Jersey, as of January 27th. As of January 25th, Hoboken’s positive test results total 9,318 cases confirmed since the start of the pandemic. Two weeks ago, there were 8,385 positive cases. Please stay vigilant, practice social distancing when necessary, wash your hands, and stay safe.
Last July, we celebrated an extended stretch of 60 days of having no COVID patients at Hoboken University Medical Center (HUMC). However, HUMC is now hospitalizing 26 people with COVID. Eight are Hoboken Residents with four being 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 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.
Sadly, in the past two weeks, two more COVID-19 related deaths were announced in our community, a woman in her early 70s and a woman in her mid-60s, increasing Hoboken’s COVID death toll to 59 since the start of the pandemic. I want to offer my heartfelt condolences to each Hoboken family that has endured this terrible pain and loss.
School Bond Referendum Election Results
Thanks to all the voters of the 5th Ward who came out in large numbers and participated in Tuesday’s referendum. By a 2:1 margin, voters decisively rejected the Board of Education’s proposed bond for its plan for a new High School. Your voices were heard.
By law, the Board of Education cannot introduce another educational bond referendum for at least another year. As the leaders of our Public School District consider their next steps, I hope to see collaborative, constructive engagement with community stakeholders, including the High School’s 5th Ward neighbors, in order to develop a revised plan that meets the needs of our growing school population and incorporates feedback from our engaged community. As this issue will not be before the community for a vote for at least another year, now is the time to pause, pursue thoughtful and respectful dialogue, and constructively chart a path for the long-term benefit of our public school district and our entire community.
Secretary Buttigieg Recognizes Hoboken’s Vision Zero Program as a National Model
Thank you to United States Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg for recognizing Hoboken’s Vision Zero program when he rolled out a new National Plan yesterday. It’s amazing how Hoboken’s Vision Zero efforts and our track record of zero pedestrian deaths in three years is the new national model for pedestrian safety infrastructure improvements. Secretary Buttigieg’s comments are a huge tribute to the folks in Mayor Bhalla’s Administration and our community members who have worked tirelessly — and continue working — to make our community safer for pedestrians in our densely populated Mile Square. You can read more about this extraordinary recognition here.
Revitalizing the City’s Recreation Programs
Hoboken is seeking qualified applicants for a new role – Administrator of the City's Division of Recreation. The Recreation Administrator will be responsible for leading key initiatives to improve, expand, and modernize the City's recreation programs.
As Hoboken's youth population continues to grow and the demand for recreation services increases, we must provide new and innovative programs to meet our residents’ needs. Director of Health and Human Services, Leo Pellegrini, will lead this effort with the new Recreation Director, focusing on priorities such as upgrading technology and mobile applications for sports leagues as well as exploring opportunities for new and affordable programming.
Over 2,000 children between the ages of 5 and 18 enjoy sports and physical activity through the City's Recreation Department's youth athletic programs. Every year, the department offers baseball, flag football, soccer, tennis, basketball, softball, and other sports. To learn more about this new position, click here. Those interested in submitting an application can do so online here or email a resume and cover letter to Personnel Officer Michael Kraus at Mkraus@Hobokennj.gov.
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 5 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 1 day 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:
601/605 Jackson Street (Administered by Medicine Man)
Date: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday
Time: 9am - 2pm Mon/Tues, 4 - 7pm Wed, 9am - 3pm Friday
Location: 601 and 605 Jackson Street
Type of testing: PCR
Who: Hoboken residents, Hoboken business employees
605 Jackson Street (Administered by PromptMD)
Date: Wednesday, Thursday
Time: 8 am - 1 pm
Location: 605 Jackson Street
Type of testing: PCR
Who: Hoboken residents, Hoboken business employees
601/605 Jackson Street (Administered by Riverside)
Date: Tuesday, Saturday
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.
At-home testing
The NJ Department of Health and Vault Medical Services is offering free, at-home COVID-19 saliva test kits. To order your kit go to learn.vaulthealth.com/nj. I ordered four free test kits from the federal government for my family, and you can order yours at https://www.covidtests.gov/.
COVID Vaccination News
As of January 27th, 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!
97% of Hoboken residents 12 and older have been provided with at least one dose, and 82% are fully vaccinated.
93% of Hoboken residents 18 and older have been provided with at least one dose, and 79% are fully vaccinated.
Nearly 100% of Hoboken residents 30 and older have been provided with at least one dose, and 89% are fully vaccinated.
84% of all Hoboken residents have been provided with at least one dose, and 72% are fully vaccinated.
Mayor Bhalla and the Hoboken Health Department continue collaborating with local providers to offer a free COVID-19 vaccine and booster clinic this week for Hoboken residents and employees of Hoboken businesses at the following location and times:
Walk-in Vaccination Clinics
Where: 601 Jackson Street
Who: Hoboken residents, Hoboken business employees, Hoboken students
Day: Tuesday
Time: 4 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: 601 Jackson Street
Who: Hoboken residents, Hoboken business employees, Hoboken students
Day: Thursday
Time: 4 pm - 7 pm
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 on January 24th, Malani Cademartori, Vice President of the Hoboken Board of Education, joined me for a discussion on the High School bond referendum and much more. Over 450 people have watched this event and you can check it out here.
My next Coffee with Cohen event will be on February 8th at noon. I hope to see you there. 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.
