HUNTINGTON BEACH, CA — SATURDAY, APRIL 25, 2020: Huntington Beach police patrol the beach near the pier as thousands of beach-goers enjoy a warm, sunny day amid state-mandated stay-at-home and social distancing mandates to stave off the coronavirus. April 25, 2020. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
a. There are those who are concerned about enforcement of distancing rules, going forward: Denis Prager, a columnist says, “People will argue that a temporary police state has been justified because of the allegedly unique threat to life posed by the new coronavirus. I do not believe the data will bear that out. Regardless, let us at least agree that we are closer to a police state than ever in American history.”
We need to pay attention to this emerging controversy at the local level at least. If we get into this at Blogfinger, it will concern local issues such as the actions or inactions of the OGCMA.
b. NJPen: Coronavirus update—113,856 cases, 6,442 deaths. Murphy introduces “Restart and Recovery Commission.”
“The governor also extends property tax deadlines from May 1 to June 1, and Health Commissioner Judy Persichilli says long-term care testing models in South Jersey are underway.”
c. Patch: “Gov. Phil Murphy has clarified which businesses are permitted to open –and the ways in which certain businesses may operate – under the stay-at-home order he issued at the onset of the coronavirus outbreak in March.”
d. “The first priority right now is the health and safety of everybody in town. It’s just too soon to know exactly how and when we will reopen,” Ocean City Spokesperson Doug Bergen told Patch.
Why can’t the CMA and the Neptuners adopt this attitude? The residents of OG should always be the top priority of those who have power in the Grove: elected officials, Township employees and the OGCMA.
e. Blogfinger: Speaking of Asbury-No-Park mega-events, remember Oct 3, 2020. Zombie Walk.
Zombies on the AP boards. More autumn parking terrorism. © This mob scene will go viral into the Grove. Paul Goldfinger photo.
f. Hal Wirths. Star Ledger columnist: “Government action – not the coronavirus – is crippling our economy and destroying jobs. The only thing that will stop the destruction is decisive leadership that defines our mission. Sadly, that is not happening in New Jersey under Murphy. He has provided no definitive timeline to reopen business other than it is more likely to be weeks rather than months.”
This controversy is worth watching. Is New Jersey just following New York? We need a New Jersey plan, with, for us, particular interest in our neighborhood of Monmouth County. The Jersey Shore has its own particular issues.
g. Coaster: “The Ocean Grove Area Chamber of Commerce has cancelled all its spring events including the May 30 Giant Spring Flea Market. Also cancelled are the Spring Fling Arts and Crafts Show May 2 and the Vintage Car show May 16. Still scheduled for the fall are the Giant Fall Flea Market Sept. 12 and British Car Show.”
h. The Washington Post: “For now, officials in New Jersey say most of the state’s beaches and boardwalks will open this summer. They just aren’t sure whether the summer beach experience will include trips into crowded restaurants or whether there will be restrictions on how many people can pack onto beaches or boardwalks at the same time.”
“Anyone who tells you they know exactly where we are going to be in six weeks, in my view, really hasn’t been paying attention to what is happening with the virus,” said the Long Beach, NJ, mayor Mancini. Can we send this quote to the CMA Board?
Assuming that beaches are permitted to reopen this summer, Mancini said, “New Jersey will probably become a favored destination for those looking to escape big East Coast cities amid what is expected to be continued aversion to long-distance travel.”
“I think New Jersey will be mobbed this summer because no one wants to get in an airplane or a cruise ship,” Mancini said.
Asbury Park restaurateur Marilyn Schlossbach who owns 3 restaurants in the City transports delivery lunches for seniors in Asbury Park. (Bonnie Jo Mount/The Washington Post)
“I am exhausted and tired and broke, and the season has not begun,” she said. “My heart breaks for all of us.”
i. Washington Post: “The pandemic is endangering the U.S. beef, chicken and pork supply chains, as worker infection has shut down at least 20 plants and forced those still open to slow production. Watch for shortages.
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