Dear Neighbors,
I hope you all enjoyed the July 4th holiday 🇺🇸
With lots going on in the Mile Square, I want to update you on the latest.
COVID-19 Updates
The rate of daily positive tests in Hoboken and New Jersey continues to slow as vaccinations remain readily available. As of July 8th, over 5 million New Jerseyans have been fully vaccinated with over 10.4 million doses being administered in New Jersey.
Hoboken’s recent positive test results total 5,054 cases confirmed to date. Two weeks ago there were 5,036 positive cases. Although the weather is warmer and many members of our community are vaccinated, COVID-19 is still around. Please remain vigilant, practice social distancing when necessary, wash your hands and stay safe.
In July 2020, we celebrated a landmark of having no COVID patients at Hoboken University Medical Center (HUMC). After spiking earlier this year with 29 COVID patients, I am pleased to share that in the last 45 days we have had no COVID patients at HUMC!
If you have any reason to believe you have been exposed to COVID and have not been vaccinated, please quarantine and then schedule an appointment for a COVID test at least 5-7 days after potential exposure.
A Big Send-Off for Police Chief Ferrante
On July 1st we said thank you and farewell to Chief Ken Ferrante with a fitting send-off when Mayor Bhalla presented the Chief with the “key” to the City.
Chief Ferrante’s dedication to the job was second to none. On behalf of the grateful people I represent, I want to say “thank you Chief.” Thanks for your hard work and your 28 years of service to the people of Hoboken. Here’s wishing you a long and well-deserved retirement.
City Hall Is Open!
In another sign of life returning to pre-COVID times, this week City Hall officially re-opened to the public. City services will be provided by appointment, which must be made ahead of time by phone or email. To review the list of departments to make your appointment, please click here and then click on the “Departments” tab in the upper right corner. All visitors to City Hall are required to wear a mask indoors.
The Transportation Department will utilize a designated appointment system for scheduling appointments with the Hoboken Parking Utility (HPU). Customers should book in-person Transportation Department visits online here or call 201-653-1919 during office hours. The HPU customer service is available from 8 am to 6 pm, Monday through Friday. Walk-ins will only be accepted if there is an opening at that time. Customers will receive email confirmations, containing appointment instructions, which will dramatically decrease service window waiting times.
Calling All Muralists! The Hoboken Arts Advisory Committee Launches Two New Art Projects
As part of its initiative to beautify and create interest in our local parks, the Hoboken Arts Advisory Committee has launched two mural projects: one for Church Square Park and one for Tom Olivieri Park. Proposals are being accepted through July 19th.
Tom Olivieri Park Mural
The theme of the Tom Olivieri Park mural installation is “Play.” This park is used by children and caregivers alike, and the artwork should be age-appropriate, inviting, and inspiring. The mural will be painted on the east wall of the playground. The wall measures 448 square feet.
Church Square Park Mural
The theme of the Church Square Park mural installation is “Frontline Workers: A Time for Hope and Renewal.” These murals are intended to honor frontline workers who helped the city through the pandemic. The murals will be painted on the small building in the middle of the park. Surfaces sizes are: north and south walls (231 square feet each), east and west walls (147 square feet each).
The Tom Olivieri Park mural will be commissioned for $6,000, and the Church Square Park murals for $8,000. For more information on submissions, guidelines, and timelines click here. For applications for the Church Square Park murals click here and for applications for the Tom Olivieri Park mural click here.
Questions? Contact the Hoboken Arts Advisory Committee here.
COVID and Summer Travel
The rate of new positive cases continues trending lower and the State’s COVID-19 transmission rate presently remains below 1.0 (meaning each new COVID case will spread to less than one other person). However, the CDC has 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 Vaccination News
In spectacular Hoboken news, as of July 8th, 100% of our seniors (65 and older) have received their first dose, and 94% of our seniors are fully vaccinated. Just amazing.
75% of Hoboken residents 18 and older have been provided with at least one dose, and 68% are fully vaccinated.
66% of all Hoboken residents, regardless of eligibility, have been provided with at least one dose, and 60% are fully vaccinated.
Thanks to all who have stepped up and gotten 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: 221 Jackson Street (community room)
Who: Hoboken residents, Hoboken business employees
Day: Thursdays
Time: 3 pm - 7 pm
Vaccine offered: Johnson & Johnson (one-dose) or Moderna (two-doses)
Ages: 18+
Administered By: Better Life Pharmacy
Where: 605 Jackson Street
Who: Hoboken residents, Hoboken business employees
Day: Tuesdays
Time: 4 pm - 7 pm
Vaccine Offered: Johnson & Johnson (one-dose)
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 locations during regular business hours, while supplies last.
CVS pharmacies in Hoboken Midtown and Uptown locations also are supplying the COVID-19 vaccine. To track CVS’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.
I am not throwing away my shot!
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: Wednesdays
Time: 2 - 7 pm
Location: 605 Jackson Street (updated location)
Type of testing: PCR
Who: Hoboken residents, Hoboken business employees
Hoboken Housing Authority, Community Room (Administered by NJ Department of Health)
Date: Fridays (July 9th and 23rd)
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
PromptMD and City MD
Prompt MD has transitioned its COVID-19 testing to its primary office on 1st Street. All Hoboken residents and employees remain eligible for testing at Prompt MD's First Street location. To get a PCR COVID-19 test through Prompt MD you can walk into Prompt MD's primary location in Hoboken 309 1st Street without an appointment or call ahead (201) 222-8411. You can also book a PromptMD COVID test appointment online here.
City MD at 231 Washington Street also offers COVID-19 tests. You can walk in without an appointment and get tested during regular hours.
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 June 21st, I hosted my 37th livestream event and welcomed Jack Silbert and John Branciforte, Sergeants with the Hoboken CERT team. We discussed how they handled working the COVID hotline for an extraordinary 14-month deployment, what they felt was most important about the hotline, how they and the rest of the CERT team are doing, and how our community can support or join the CERT team. I also discussed the latest on COVID vaccines, COVID testing, acquiring Union Dry Dock, and much, much more.
CERT Sergeants Jack Silbert and John Branciforte on Coffee with Cohen
My favorite part of Coffee with Cohen is answering your questions. I addressed your questions regarding the return of regular HOP service, adding additional compost bins, and electric vehicle charging stations. I also shared the results of my poll on whether you called the COVID hotline. Over 500 people have already watched this event and you can check it out here.
Do you have questions you would like me to answer at my next event? Please send them to HobokenPhil@gmail.com as I try to answer each one. The event is hosted on my Facebook page @Philcohenforcouncil and you can watch it here. My next Coffee with Cohen event will be Monday, July 19th at noon and 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. 
