Dear Neighbors,
I write to offer Spring Greetings and hope that you and your families remain safe and well, as our time of self-isolation continues. As the warmer weather beckons us outside from our homes, please stay safe and be considerate of your neighbors. When I leave my home (and answer my door) I wear a face cover. I ask that you please do the same, and wear your face cover when you venture outside or visit any essential business.
COVID-19 Incidence Update — Heartbreaking Losses and a Flattening Curve
As of Monday, 545 Hoboken residents have tested positive for COVID-19.
Since March 30, 27 Hoboken residents have died due to COVID-19. I want to offer my heartfelt condolences to each Hoboken family that has endured this unimaginable pain at what is already an extraordinarily challenging and stressful time.
Please know that you have the full support of your neighbors and our entire Hoboken community. We are with you. Together, we send you our prayers and extend to you our wishes for your comfort, healing, and peace.
In particular, I want to offer my heartfelt condolences to the family of my friend, neighbor, and long-time 5th Ward resident Anthony Uva. Anthony died far too soon at age 60 from COVID-19 related illness. Anthony’s parents immigrated to America from Italy more than 70 years ago. Anthony was born and raised in Hoboken and lived with generations of his family across the street from me. We sent our kids to the same school and both served as trustees on the school’s board. Anthony loved the arts. He was a longtime trustee of the Mile Square Theatre and someone with whom you would always have a great conversation. The best conversations. Anthony’s loss leaves a great void in our community. I send comfort and wishes of peace and healing to Anthony’s wife Jean and their sons John and Nick. To Anthony’s sister Justine, his brother-in-law Rich, to Anthony’s mother Giovina, and the entire, extended Uva family, I want you to know you are not alone, and we are here for you at this difficult time.
Please Help Save Our Office of Constituent Affairs
Tomorrow, the Hoboken City Council will consider on second and final reading, an ordinance to abolish Hoboken’s Office of Constituent Affairs. Mayor Bhalla opened the Office of Constituent Services in 2018 to better assist Hoboken residents. Director Caroline Caufield and Migdalia Pagan Milano staff this office. In 2019 alone, the Office of Constituent Affairs serviced approximately 2,500 requests from residents, assisted with 50 cases on behalf of tenants, in coordination with Hoboken’s tenant advocate, oversaw 1,050 requests through the Hoboken 311 system, and sent over 6,000 emails on behalf of constituents.
On top of the Office of Constituent Services’ everyday duties, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Ms. Caulfield and Ms. Pagan-Milano have assisted over 1,000 residents in need, many with major life implications. From building and deploying a team of 250 volunteers to feed 900 Hoboken seniors a week, connecting 35 food-insecure families to critical grocery deliveries from the Hoboken Food Pantry, interfacing with federal and state agencies to expedite the cases of 50 residents and small businesses owners with their PPP applications and unemployment insurance claims, and during the month of April alone, corresponding with approximately 700 residents to assist with COVID-related inquiries, Caroline Caulfield and Migdalia Pagan Milano have been the heart and soul of Hoboken’s frontline response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Please let your Council representative know you want to save the Office of Constituent Affairs and ask them to vote no on this ordinance Wednesday evening. You can find your Council Person's email address here.
COVID-19 Antibody Testing Has Come to Hoboken
Many residents have expressed an interest in bringing COVID-19 antibody testing to Hoboken. Antibody testing identifies whether you are either actively shedding the COVID-19 virus, or whether you have COVID-19 antibodies, indicating that you had previously been exposed to COVID-19 and if so, the amount of those antibodies in your system.
Thanks to a partnership between the City of Hoboken, Prompt MD, and Power Analytics, the City of Hoboken has brought rapid, antibody COVID-19 testing that will provide you with same-day results from your test. The testing site, located at the gymnasium at 601 Jackson Street will be open on Wednesday, May 27th, and Friday, May 29th, with additional dates to be provided for June. The test is administered through a finger prick through which a small amount of blood is collected and tested. Residents must register online at http://www.hobokennj.gov/antibody in order to receive a test and will be sent an appointment time. Over 4,600 Hoboken residents have already registered for this test. You can also register by visiting this link. Proof of residency is required. You can read more about Hoboken’s COVID-19 antibody testing here.
Other COVID-19 Testing Remains Available Through Hoboken’s Partnership with Riverside Medical
In addition to the new Antibody testing, the COVID-19 testing regime available for a number of weeks to asymptomatic Hoboken residents remains available and is being administered by Riverside Medical on 15th and Jefferson Streets. This test is administered through the use of a nasal swab and will tell you whether you are actively shedding the COVID-19 virus.
If you or a loved one who is a Hoboken resident feels the need to be tested, either because you believe you may have symptoms of COVID-19, or are just looking for peace of mind, call 201 420-5621 Monday through Saturday, from 9 am to 5 pm to make your appointment. I took this test and recommend that you set aside about 90 minutes to allow for time to register and proceed through the test line, and then to take the test. Like the COVID-19 antibody testing, this test is offered at no cost to you and will be covered either by your insurance or the City of Hoboken.
Critical Census Filing
Despite the extraordinary circumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic, Hoboken’s 2020 Census participation rate has been impressive, and as of May 17th, we are at 60.7% participation citywide! However, we still have a way to go.
I strongly encourage all residents to respond online at www.my2020census.gov, over the phone, or by mail. While the self-response period has been extended, we need you to respond ASAP to avoid the need for in-person follow-up from the Census Bureau.
In order to be eligible for critical funding for our schools, roads, housing initiatives, non-profits, Medicaid, Medicare, and so much more, it is critical that all Hoboken residents complete the 2020 Census. It takes less than ten minutes to fill out the questionnaire online, but your response makes a big impact on our community. You can learn more about the importance of completing the Census here and here.
Coffee with Cohen . . . the home edition
To practice social distancing, rather than eliminate my monthly Coffee with Cohen constituent events, I turned to the internet. Yesterday, I hosted my second Coffee with Cohen Livestream event of the month of May. I enjoyed updating you on the latest on what’s going on with Hoboken’s COVID-19 issues, the latest on Hoboken’s new antibody testing, the return of street cleaning this week, and answering your excellent questions concerning the open streets pilot program and sharing the latest details about the newly established Hoboken Relief Fund that is designed to help our small businesses and neighbors in need. You can learn about the Hoboken Relief Fund here. I am honored to be the Co-Chair of this effort. If you tune in, you will learn the results of my poll in which I ask you how COVID-19 has affected your job status. (My daughter Madeline even makes a brief cameo in this event.) The event is hosted on my Facebook page @Philcohenforcouncil and you can view it here.
As long as we have this state of emergency, I plan to continue hosting this event twice a month on the internet, and I hope you join me at noon on Monday, June 1st for the next one!
If you want to reach out with any questions or concerns, or if I can be of any assistance to you or to your family, please do not hesitate to contact me at HobokenPhil@gmail.com
Stay safe everyone!
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 on my website,
