Paul Goldfinger. Blogfinger.net 3/25/20
Blogfinger: New Jersey Governor Murphy fired the first round on the subject of second homers in a tweet last weekend when he asked that second homers not come to the Shore during this difficult time.
Only one OG citizen, a second homer, has contacted Blogfinger to complain about Murphy’s second-homer decision, but we have heard of complaints from Long Beach Island and the Atlantic City area.
This topic related to second homes may explode as “the tension grows.” One woman from LBI said that the risks to her family include “physical and emotional health.” She feels that she is entitled to stay in her 2nd home without interference. It is unclear how such a mandate could be enforced.
But Murphy’s requirements soon expanded via Executive Order which says that everyone in the state (9 million) should follow his “near lockdown” order to stay at home except for “essential travel” such as going for “essentials” such as food or for medical reasons. He also asked for non-essential businesses around the state to close and for most people to “stay off the roads.”
You can go outside for walks or other forms of exercise and you can visit family or close friends. If you go outside you must follow the “social distancing” 6 foot rule and do not assemble in groups. No parties.
APP: NJ has had 62 Corona deaths so far and 4,402 cases. New Jersey has the second highest number of cases in the country (Daily News Roundup. Montclair University.)
Monmouth County has 207 cases and 2 deaths. Ocean Grove has had only one case so far documented with a positive Corona test. Asbury Park has 4, Belmar 1, Bradley 1, and Ocean 4. Ocean County has Jackson 18 and Lakewood is highest with 69.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis announced via a March 23 Executive Order that passengers flying from the New York area would be subject to mandatory isolation (self-quarantine for 14 days) to slow the spread of the virus.
Later it was announced that the Governor’s Executive Order would be expanded saying that anyone flying to Florida from New York, New Jersey or Connecticut would be subjected to 14 days of self quarantine or face misdemeanor charges. This was reported by the News Press (Ft.Myers)
The report said that the self quarantine order was not for car or rail passengers.
“It is critical people adhere to the Federal Government’s request so New York City does not become “another seeding point” for the rest of the country, said Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.”
Politico: The Federal Government is mandating that anyone from New York who travels out of the state should “shelter in place” for 14 days no matter where they go.
VP Pence said, “We have to deal with the New York City metropolitan area as a high-risk area, and for that reason we are taking these steps and asking for the cooperation of the American people,” Pence said.
So far 11 states have passed mandatory “stay at home” orders including New Jersey and New York. These also have mandatory closing of nonessential businesses.
Residents of New Jersey may still leave their homes to head to the grocery store, seek medical care, visit close family or someone you have a “close personal relationship” with like a romantic partner, report to work or go outside for exercise. However, Murphy urged everyone to continue to practice safe social distancing by staying at least 6 feet away from others.
New Jersey Patch report regarding Asbury Park says,
” Asbury Park officials want people to adhere to social distancing or they’ll close the beaches and boardwalk during the coronavirus crisis. The Asbury Park Police Department will be monitoring the Asbury Park boardwalk and beaches to ensure social distancing practices are being followed per Gov. Phil Murphy’s executive order. Should residents and visitors fail to follow guidelines, the boardwalk and beaches are subject to closure, officials said. Running and walking on the boardwalk is permitted. Bicycles are not permitted on the boardwalk from 10 a.m. to midnight. Groups of two or more and congregation on the boardwalk are not permitted.
Seaside Heights has closed its beaches. (along with Pt. Pleasant, and Ocean City.) The Seaside Mayor there has asked people with vacation homes in that town to “stay away.” (NJ.com) As of Monday Seaside Heights became the first shore town to shut down its beaches — even for casual walks for year-round residents — to combat the spread of the novel coronavirus.
Other notes, reading between the lines:
a. Morristowngreen.com According to a Morristown infectious disease specialist, “We still are learning about how the virus is transmitted, its life span, the kinds of surfaces on which it lingers, and how long it can survive in a variety of conditions “It makes good sense to wash your clothes in general,” he said, adding, “If you come into contact with someone who appears ill or you think is ill, it’s a good idea to wash your clothes in hot water.” So routine clothes washing is not essential.
Still, “social distancing measures are the most effective part the mitigation strategy as it currently exists,” he emphasized.
b. In Italy they are studying the use of lung ultrasound exams to look for evidence of viral invasion into lung tissues. this is being done to help physicians decide on who must be hospitalized. Not everyone who has a positive Corona test needs the hospital.
Screening in emergency rooms remains a challenge since patients with mild symptoms, even with a positive test, usually can go home.
For those with positive tests and mild symptoms, the ultrasound has been useful for that kind of triage.
c. NBC News reports that plasma taken from recovered Corona patients might help those who are very sick. It is the antibodies in the plasma which may be found to help. Studies are ongoing.
d. NBC News: The use of drugs: anti-malarial hydroxychloroquine and the antibiotic zithromycin in combination has been found to be helpful in reducing the severity of disease.
e. Shortage of nurses is developing, especially for ICU and ER.
Instead of worrying about those with second homes coming to the shore, be concerned with those who continue to gather in groups and/ or fail to maintain social distancing in any setting. They are spreading the virus.
I am a health care worker – while I do not have to take care of patients with Covid-19, my heart aches for my fellow co-workers who are caring for these patients. Our hospital is almost full with infected patients.
Wash your hands, cover your cough and keep a distance. This is real and everyone is responsible for stopping the spread.
Sure we can stay away from our second homes despite their being much safer for us and considering we socially isolate and are acting responsibly.
Gov. Murphy are you willing to pay my real estate taxes which are incredibly high to fund all of Neptune Township? What? No?
Ah you just want to continue to soak OG homeowners for punitive real estate taxes and continue to provide nothing for OG.
Editor’s note: Isak Grove—-Your last sentence, seemingly directed at the Governor, belongs in the face of Neptune Township. But our readers know what you mean. PG @Blogfinger.net