Asbury Park. Boardwalk shut, but beaches still open, however practice distancing. This Paul Goldfinger photo is not recent but may be predictive when NJ case numbers get worse in April. ©

Paul Goldfinger MD.   Blogfinger.net

a.  Projections from Rutgers suggest a 60,000 bed shortage in April in NJ. They say that it could worsen without “strict” distancing.  Interestingly they mention “a moderate level of distancing” which can make matters worse. We have to be “strict” and many engage in compromises.

I have seen that in action where people make exceptions to the grouping rules and the distance rules of 6 feet, or certainly nothing less than 4 feet, but that is a compromise.

If you get too close, you could get infected droplets in your mouth, nose or eyes due to sneezing and coughing, but also from hands touching live drops and then touching your face, and even from someone with the virus just breathing on you at close range.

b. As of today in NJ  6,876 cases and 81 dead.   The startling thing about these deaths is that they can evolve very quickly from what presents as a minor problem, and the mechanism is not only life threatening respiratory insufficiency, but also unexpected cardiac arrest.

c. The NJ Governor is hoping that banks will allow reprieves for mortgage payments, eg 90 days. In New York, Gov. Cuomo has already mandated that.

d.  The second home issue is still alive.  This is from the APP:

“Many permanent residents (and a few mayors) are urging second home owners to stay away. Never mind if they stock their car before they leave and agree to follow all the virus guidelines once they arrive. The second homeowners argued that this was still a free country and they had a right to use their homes — and they pay a lot of taxes all year round. Some locals defended them.”

This is a debate worth having because it is about freedoms that may be stifled during Corona, and the issues can trigger fundamental disagreements about our liberties.