Dear Neighbors,
Happy Fall 🍁🍁🍁
COVID-19 Updates
The rate of daily positive tests in Hoboken and New Jersey remains steady. 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. New Jersey’s transmission rate is at 0.97.
As of September 30th, over 5.8 million New Jerseyans have been fully vaccinated with over 12 million doses administered in New Jersey. Hoboken’s recent positive test results total 5,764 cases confirmed to date. Two weeks ago there were 5,616 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). HUMC is now treating two COVID patients, neither of whom are Hoboken residents. One patient is unvaccinated, and one patient is vaccinated. 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.
Protecting Our Children
Governor Murphy signed an executive order requiring all childcare workers and facility employees to get fully vaccinated by November 1st or get tested weekly. A face mask is required for all employees, students, visitors, and children over the age of two in the facility.
Governor Murphy’s childcare vaccination policy is found here.
The Hoboken Arts and Music Festival is Back!
This Sunday, October 3rd from 11 am - 6 pm, our much loved and missed arts and music festival returns! The festival features over 200 artists, crafters, photographers, food vendors, local restaurants and businesses, kid-friendly activities, and features performances by The Smithereens with guest vocalist Marshall Crenshaw, Swingadelic, Freedy Johnston, Milton, Karyn Kuhl Band, Tony Corrao, Manouche Bag, Tape Hiss, Orquesta La Experiencia, and more.
Observer Highway Stage
12 pm - Milton
12:50 pm - Tape Hiss
1:50 pm - Freedy Johnston
3:10 pm - Karyn Kuhl Band
4:30 pm - The Smithereens with guest vocalist Marshall Crenshaw
7th St. Stage
12:45 pm Manouche Bag
2:10 pm Tony Corrao
3:30 pm Swingadelic
5 pm Orquesta La Experiencia
3rd St. Stage
12 pm - Little Rock n Rollers
1 pm - Music with Corey
2 pm - Erin Lee & the Up Past Bedtime Band
3 pm - Music Together
4 pm - Garden Street School of the Performing Arts
4:50 pm - School of Rock House Band
For more information on the festival with a description of all performances click here.
Hoboken Green Fair
The 10th Annual Hoboken Green Fair takes place Saturday morning from 11 am - 3 pm at Church Square Park. Hosted by the Hoboken Green Team in partnership with the Hoboken Public Library. Join for a day of local foods, organic eats, and education about sustainable lifestyle choices for our community, environmental issues, and how consumers can reduce their impact on the earth by selecting sustainable, eco-friendly products and services. Learn more about it here.
Hoboken Secures Grant Funding for Weehawken Cove Boat Removal Project
Weehawken Cove has been a boat graveyard for years, littered with over a dozen sunken, derelict, and abandoned boats and marine debris. The City of Hoboken has now received over $235,000 in grants from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) along with matching funds of $316,906 from the City of Hoboken, NJDEP, the New York-New Jersey Harbor & Estuary Program, and Riverkeeper.
This 24-month project includes removing the vessels and marine debris, repairing bulkheads, and restoring marine habitats in the Hudson River Estuary. There will also be a public education campaign to prevent the abandonment of marine vessels in the future. Once a qualified salver is selected, the City will begin removing the vessels in the spring of 2022.
It is hoped that removing the vessels will eliminate the release of harmful metals and chemicals, such as oil and mercury, as well as plastics and fiberglass, which will help restore the local ecosystem in Weehawken Cove. Thank you to Mayor Bhalla, and Director of Environmental Services Jen Gonzalez for making this a priority for the administration and for helping secure this funding.
Mayor Bhalla Encourages Residents with Ida Flood Damage to Apply for FEMA Relief
Mayor Bhalla is urging residents whose homes were damaged by Tropical Storm Ida to apply for federal disaster assistance. Residents can apply now through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for disaster assistance.
Residents can use this funding to continue their recovery, make home repairs, pay for temporary housing and more. The fastest and easiest way to apply is by visiting www.disasterassistance.gov. If you can’t apply online, call 800-621-3362 (TTY: 800-462-7585).
When applying for assistance, residents should have the following information readily available:
- A current phone number where FEMA can contact them
- Their address at the time of the disaster and the address where they are now staying
- Their Social Security number, if available
- A general list of damage and losses
- If insured, the policy number or the agent and/or the company name
Insured residents with homeowners or renters insurance and/or flood insurance should file a claim as soon as possible. FEMA is prohibited by law from duplicating benefits for losses covered by insurance.
Hoboken will host a virtual Resilient Buildings Workshop on October 13th at 6:30 pm to provide information on how local residents can protect their buildings from flood damage and lower the cost of flood insurance. The presentation will introduce the City's comprehensive water management strategy to protect lives, buildings, and property from future flood damage, followed by breakout sessions with vendors of resilient building products and services.
Attendees must register for the Resilient Buildings Workshop here. After registering, attendees will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.
For more information about FEMA disaster assistance, small business assistance, storm recovery building permits, Resilient Buildings Design Guidelines, and more, click here.
Hoboken Calls on the New Jersey State Investment Council to Divest Its Fossil Fuel Investments from the State Employees’ Retirement Portfolios
Thanks to the members of the New Jersey State Investment Council (SIC) for inviting me to testify at their September meeting and giving me an opportunity to describe Hoboken’s experience on the front lines of climate change. I shared with the SIC and the State Division of Investment (DOI) the City Council’s Resolution unanimously calling on the State Treasurer, the SIC and the DOI to commit to adopting a Climate Action Plan in the next three years that includes divesting from all fossil fuel investments in the State’s pension plan as soon as possible.
You can watch my testimony here and read the City Council resolution here.
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 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:
601 Jackson Street (Administered by Medicine Man)
Date: Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays
Time: 9 am - 12 pm Mondays, 4 - 7 pm Wednesdays, 9 am - 5 pm Fridays
Location: 601 Jackson Street
Type of testing: PCR
Who: Hoboken residents, Hoboken business employees
601 Jackson Street (Administered by PromptMD)
Date: Wednesdays, Thursdays
Time: 8 am - 12:30 pm
Location: 601 Jackson Street
Type of testing: PCR
Who: Hoboken residents, Hoboken business employees
601 Jackson Street (Administered by Riverside)
Date: Tuesdays, Saturdays
Time: 9 am - 2 pm
Location: 601 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 30th, nearly 100% of our seniors (65 and older) have received their first dose, and 98% of our seniors are fully vaccinated. Thanks to our seniors for stepping up and protecting themselves and our community!
83% of Hoboken residents 12 and older have been provided with at least one dose, and 77% are fully vaccinated.
80% of Hoboken residents 18 and older have been provided with at least one dose, and 74% are fully vaccinated.
90% of Hoboken residents 30 and older have been provided with at least one dose, and 83% are fully vaccinated.
72% of all Hoboken residents, regardless of eligibility, have been provided with at least one dose, and 66% 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 Clinic
Where: 605 Jackson Street
Who: Hoboken residents, Hoboken business employees, Hoboken students
Day: Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays
Time: 9 am - 12 pm on Monday, 4 - 7 pm on Tuesday, and 9 am - 12 pm on Wednesday 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 Walgreens 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.
Liberty State Park Rally
Thanks to Sam Pesin and the Friends of Liberty State Park for organizing an important rally last weekend supporting the Liberty State Park Protection Act and inviting me to represent the City of Hoboken and Mayor Bhalla. It was great to see so many citizens join environmental leaders and state, county, and local representatives committed to stopping the privatization of the Peoples’ Park. You can sign an important petition to protect Liberty State Park here.
Photo Credit: Richard McCormack
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. On Monday, I hosted my 41st Coffee with Cohen … the home edition with special guests Councilwoman Emily Jabbour, Councilman Jim Doyle, and Council Candidate Joe Quintero. I have enthusiastically endorsed Emily, Jim and Joe for City Council and Mayor Bhalla for Re-Election. You can read my endorsement here.
During our discussion, Emily and Jim shared their reflections on their most significant accomplishments as council members, Joe discussed his priorities, and the three candidates shared their views on what are the key issues facing the City.
I also discussed the latest on COVID vaccines, COVID testing, Ida relief funding and much, much more. My favorite part of Coffee with Cohen is answering your questions. I addressed your questions regarding the need for more public benches in the 5th Ward, the Spotted Lanternfly, and assessing home damage from Hurricane Ida. I also shared the results of my poll on whether you will attend the Arts and Music Festival on Sunday. Over 350 people have watched this event and you can check it out here.
My 42nd Coffee with Cohen event will be on Tuesday, October 12th at noon. I hope to see you there. Do you have any questions? 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
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.
