NJ Spotlight News
NJ Spotlight News: March 10, 2021
3/10/2021 | 26m 46sVideo has Closed Captions
Starting March 19, restaurants, bars and gyms will be able to increase capacity.
Starting next Friday, March 19 restaurants, bars, gyms and other businesses will be able to increase indoor capacity to 50%. The governor is also increasing limits for indoor gatherings, up to 25 people and 50 people outdoors.
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NJ Spotlight News is a local public television program presented by THIRTEEN PBS
NJ Spotlight News
NJ Spotlight News: March 10, 2021
3/10/2021 | 26m 46sVideo has Closed Captions
Starting next Friday, March 19 restaurants, bars, gyms and other businesses will be able to increase indoor capacity to 50%. The governor is also increasing limits for indoor gatherings, up to 25 people and 50 people outdoors.
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MAKING PUBLIC SCHOOLS RATE FOR EVERY CHILD.
R WJ BARNABAS HEALTH.
LET'S BE HEALTHY TOGETHER.
AND ORSTEAD, COMMITTED TO THE CREATION OF A NEW LONG-TERM, SUSTAINABLE CLEAN ENERGY FUTURE FOR NEW JERSEY.
FROM NJ PBS, THIS IS NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS WITH BRIANA VANNOZZI.
>> THANKS FOR JOINING US TONIGHT.
I'M BRIANA VANNOZZI.
WE BEGIN WITH NEWS ON THE STATE'S NEXT STEPS TO REOPEN.
NEXT FRIDAY, RESTAURANTS, BARS, GYMS AND OTHER BUSINESSES WILL BE ABLE TO INCREASE INDOOR CAPACITY TO 50%.
EMPLOYEES ARE NOT PART OF THAT COUNT, ACCORDING TO THE GOVERNOR.
YOU WILL STILL HAVE TO FOLLOW THE USUAL RULES OF MASKS AND SOCIAL DISTANCING.
MURPHY IS ALSO INCREASING LIMITS FOR INDOOR GATHERINGS UP TO 25 PEOPLE AND 50 PEOPLE OUTDOORS.
BUT IT DOESN'T CHANGE CAPACITY FOR INDOOR RETAIL, RELIGIOUS EVENTS OR WEDDINGS.
THE ANNOUNCEMENT IS ON THE ANNIVERSARY OF THE FIRST COVID- 19 RELATED DEATH IN NEW JERSEY THAT MURPHY HAS BEEN EASING RESTRICTIONS AS VACCINES BECOME MORE WIDELY AVAILABLE AND NEW CASES IMPROVE.
POSITIVE TESTS HAVE TICKED UP SLIGHTLY THE LAST TWO DAYS, INCLUDING THE FIRST CONFIRMED CASE OF THE CONTAGIOUS VARIANT FROM SOUTH AFRICA.
ROUGHLY 3000 CONFIRMED CASES ARE BEING REPORTED TODAY AND ANOTHER 56 DEATHS.
SOME REPUBLICANS SAY THE GOVERNOR IS PICKING WINNERS AND LOSERS, WHICH BUSINESSES ARE ABLE TO EASE RESTRICTIONS.
TODAY, THE GOVERNOR DEFENDED HIS DECISION.
>> THE NUMBERS OF NEW CASES CAN FLUCTUATE FROM DAY TO DAY, PARTICULARLY WHEN YOU LOOK AT WEEKENDS TESTING.
SOME DAYS CAN BE HIGH.
WE BELIEVE THAT WHEN ALL FACTORS ARE WEIGHED, WE CAN MAKE THIS EXPANSION WITHOUT LEADING TO UNDO FURTHER STRESS ON OUR SYSTEM.
UNLIKE SOME STATES, WHICH ARE PRIORITIZING FLAT OUT POLITICS OVER PUBLIC HEALTH.
TEXAS AND MISSISSIPPI COME TO MIND.
OUR MASK MANDATE REMAINS IN EFFECT AND WILL CONTINUE TO BE ENFORCED.
>> THE PANDEMIC RELIEF PACKAGE IS ON THE WAY.
THE MASSIVE $1.9 TRILLION COVID RELIEF BILL TODAY PASSED THE U.S. CONGRESS.
THE WHITE HOUSE SAYS PRESIDENT BIDEN PLANS TO SIGN THIS FRIDAY.
IT INCLUDES $1400 DIRECT CHECKS FOR MANY OF THE RESIDENTS, ALONG WITH EXTRA UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS FOR OUR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS.
PLUS, BILLIONS FOR SCHOOLS AND OTHER ANTIPOVERTY PROGRAMS.
THE PLAN PASSED WITHOUT ANY REPUBLICAN SUPPORT, WHO CALLED IT A WASHINGTON WISHLIST WHILE PROGRESSIVES ARGUE THE PLAN DIDN'T GO FAR ENOUGH.
NEW JERSEY CONGRESSWOMAN MIKEY CHERYL SAYS IT DELIVERS AID TO THOSE WHO NEED IT MOST AND SHE JOINS ME NOW.
CONGRESSWOMAN, IT IS GREAT TO SEE YOU.
THIS HAS BEEN A VERY LONG ROAD TO GET TO THIS POINT.
>> IT REALLY HAS.
I'M SO EXCITED WE WERE ABLE TO GET THIS ACROSS THE FINISH LINE.
IT'S CRITICALLY IMPORTANT FOR FAMILIES IN NEW JERSEY.
I HAVE HEARD FROM SO MANY OF OUR MAYORS ABOUT HOW THIS WILL GET OUR TOWNS, POLICE, AND TEACHERS TO THE PANDEMIC.
GETTING OUR SCHOOLS OPEN.
IN TWO DAYS, IT WILL MARK A YEAR SINCE MY KIDS HAVE BEEN IN PERSON SCHOOL.
THIS REALLY SUPPORTS FAMILY THROUGH THE REST OF THE PANDEMIC.
>> LET'S TALK ABOUT A FEW OF THE ITEMS.
ABOUT $10 BILLION IN LOCAL AID, WE KNOW OUR LOCAL LEADERS ARE STARING DOWN LAYOFFS, CUTBACKS AND SERVICES.
IS THIS MONEY GOING TO ENABLE THEM TO AVOID MAKING THOSE TOUGH CHOICES?
>> IT IS, AND THIS IS SOMETHING WE'VE BEEN FIGHTING FOR IN NEW JERSEY SINCE THE BEGINNING.
WE DID GET SOME OF THAT, BUT REALLY NOT ENOUGH.
AND AS YOU KNOW, NEW JERSEY WAS ONE OF THE FIRST AND HARDEST HIT STATES IN THE NATION.
THIS HAS BEEN HARDER ON OUR ECONOMY THAN ALMOST ANYWHERE IN THE COUNTRY.
THERE WAS AN 11th HOUR PUSH IN THE SENATE TO CUT SOME OF THAT OUT, WHICH I AM HAPPY TO SAY I SUCCESSFULLY BEAT THAT.
IT WAS SO CRITICAL TO OUR STATE TO GET THAT MONEY.
>> ARE YOU CONCERNED AT ALL ABOUT HOW QUICKLY THIS MONEY MIGHT GET OUT THERE?
THIS HINGES ON A LOT OF THESE PROGRAMS GETTING ROLLED OUT QUICKLY, EFFECTIVELY.
A LOT OF IT ON THE IRS, PARTICULARLY THE $1400 PAYMENTS.
ARE YOU CONCERNED ABOUT DELAYS?
>> I DO HOPE AND THINK THIS WILL PUT SOME MONEY INTO THE PROGRAM TO HELP THEM GET THOSE CHECKS OUT AND WE SEE RESULTS.
IT'S SO CRITICAL.
WE KNOW THAT THE CHECKS TO PARENTS AND CHILDREN COULD HELP --THE WAY WE WORK THIS OUT, GETTING MONEY DIRECTLY INTO THE POCKETS OF POOR FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN COULD HELP TO ALLEVIATE 45% OF CHILD POVERTY.
THIS IS A HUGE, HUGE BILL THAT WE HAVE TO GET OUT TO THE PEOPLE.
>> THAT CHILD TAX SUPPORT, I THINK THERE IS ABOUT HALF 1 BILLION --HALF 1 MILLION KIDS IN NEW JERSEY THAT WOULD BENEFIT.
WE HAVE BEEN HEARING FROM REPUBLICANS THAT THIS IS TOO EXPENSIVE, HAS THE MONEY BEEN DISTRIBUTED FROM PREVIOUS STIMULUS?
>> SOME OF IT IS STILL BEING DISTRIBUTED BUT THERE ARE VERY DISTINCT PROGRAMS THAT STILL NEED SUPPORT.
THAT INCLUDES THINGS LIKE HELP FOR OUR SCHOOLS, HELP FOR GETTING PEOPLE VACCINATED, HELP FOR THOSE STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS SO THAT AS THEY SET UP THESE VACCINE SUPERCENTERS, THEY CAN PAY FOR SECURITY, THEY CAN PAY FOR PUBLIC HEALTH OFFICIALS, THEY CAN PAY FOR THE SPACE.
WE NEED TO GET THIS MONEY OUT QUICKLY.
I WILL TELL YOU, LEFT, RIGHT, AND CENTER, WE NEED TO MAKE SURE WE ARE PUTTING THE SUPPORT INTO THE ECONOMY THAT IT NEEDS.
WE CAN'T --WE HAVE KEPT OUR ECONOMY GOING, BUT WE CAN'T LOSE THOSE GAINS IN THE LAST GASP OF THE CORONAVIRUS.
WE HAVE TO SEE THE ECONOMY THROUGH TO THE END.
>> CHRIS HOHMANN MIKIE SHERRILL, THANKS SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME.
>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.
>> THAT PACKAGE ALSO INCLUDES MONEY TO BOOST THE VACCINE ROLLOUT, AS THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION PREPARES TO SECURE ANOTHER 100 MILLION DOSES OF JOHNSON & JOHNSON'S VACCINE.
ACROSS THE STATE TODAY, MORE THAN 2.6 MILLION DOSES HAVE BEEN GIVEN AND MORE THAN 900,000 PEOPLE HAVE NOW EITHER HAD THEIR SECOND SHOT OR RECEIVED THE ONE AND DONE VACCINE FROM JOHNSON & JOHNSON.
TODAY'S REOPENING ANNOUNCEMENT FEEL LIKE WE ARE GETTING CLOSER TO WHATEVER THE NEW NORMAL WILL BE.
BUT A NUMBER OF ADVOCATES ARE PUSHING FOR A NOR BASKET -- MORE ACCURATE WAY TO ENSURE OUR SAFETY.
VACCINE PASSPORTS.
A SET OF CREDENTIALS THAT WILL ALLOW TRAVELERS TO SHOW TEST RESULTS AND VACCINATION STATUS.
SENIOR CORRESPONDENT BRENDA FLANAGAN REPORTS.
THERE ARE WORRIES IT WILL CREATE TWO CLASSES OF CITIZENS.
>> Reporter: IMAGINE YOU ARE LINED UP AND SOCIAL DISTANCE WITH FELLOW PASSENGERS WATCHING OTHER PLANES TAKE OFF AND LUGGAGE IT'S STOWED ABOARD YOUR FIRST POST PANDEMIC FLIGHT.
YOU EAGERLY PRESENT YOUR BOARDING PASS, BUT THE ATTENDANT REQUESTS YOUR VACCINATION PASSPORT.
DIGITAL PROOF OF YOUR COVID SHOTS.
IT'S CALMING.
>> WE NEED TO OPEN UP, THAT IS ONE OF THE GREAT WAYS OF GETTING THE ECONOMY GOING AGAIN.
AND GIVING PEOPLE A CHANCE TO HAVE THEIR LONG POST ON FAMILY TRIPS.
IF WE DO THAT, WE NEED TO DO IT RESPONSIBLY.
WE SHOULD REQUIRE PEOPLE TO BE VACCINATED.
THE TIMING IS EVERYTHING.
>> Reporter: STEPHEN CRYSTAL EXPECTS VACCINATION PASSPORTS TO TAKE OFF.
BUT ONLY AFTER MILLIONS MORE PEOPLE GET THE SHOTS.
IT IS A FAST DEVELOPING COVID CREDENTIAL THAT IS ALREADY TAKING SHAPE.
THE INTERNATIONAL AIR TRANSPORT ASSOCIATION OFFERS A DIGITAL PLATFORM FOR GLOBAL REGISTRATION OF COVID VACCINATION DOCUMENTS.
APPS MIGHT WORK RIGHT AT THE GATE.
ANOTHER PLATFORM, THE COMMON PAST TRAVEL HEALTH APP SAYS IT IS COLLATING RELIABLE VACCINATION DATA ON A GLOBAL SCALE FOR AIRLINE PASSENGERS.
>> IT'S INTEGRATED INTO THE PROCESSES.
>> Reporter: UNITED AIRLINES RECENTLY LOCKED A DIGITAL HEALTH PASS FOR PASSENGERS WHO WILL LINK AND DISPLAY DOCUMENTS ABOUT THEIR COVID STATUS.
WHILE MANY COUNTRIES ALREADY DEMAND PROOF OF NEGATIVE TEST RESULTS, YOU CAN NOW GET RAPID TESTS DONE AT NEWARK AIRPORT.
COVID VACCINATION TRAVEL PASSPORTS AREN'T MANDATORY ANYWHERE YET.
GIVE THE TECHNOLOGY ABOUT SIX MONTHS TO CATCH UP AND ADDRESS PRIVACY CONCERNS MSS HISTORY ANALYST HENRY HEARTFELT.
>> YOU WOULD HAVE THE ABILITY TO SHARE YOUR VEXING INFORMATION WITH THE AIRLINE, WITH A HOTEL, AND SO ON.
AS OPPOSED TO HAVING TO DOWNLOAD ONE OR MORE OF THESE DIGITAL HEALTH PASSPORTS.
>> IT'S NOT A NEW TRAVEL IDEAL, SOME COUNTRIES REQUIRE PROOF OF VACCINATION AGAINST YELLOW FEVER.
BUT THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION SAYS IT IS UNFAIR TO REQUIRE VACCINATION PASSPORTS WHILE SO FEW PEOPLE HAVE ACCESS.
>> AT THE PRESENT TIME, THE USE OF CERTIFICATION OF VACCINATION AS A REQUIREMENT FOR TRAVEL IS NOT ADVISED.
QUITE SIMPLY, VACCINATION IS JUST NOT AVAILABLE ON AN EQUITABLE BASIS.
>> WE KNOW THERE ARE REALLY SIGNIFICANT INEQUITIES HAPPENING.
AND NOW WE ARE HAVING PEOPLE TRAVEL WHEN THE PEOPLE WHO ARE WORKING IN THE AIRPORT THEMSELVES MAY NOT HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE VACCINATED.
>> Reporter: MONTCLARE EPIDEMIOLOGIST STEPHANIE SILVERA ADDS CURRENT VACCINES GUARD AGAINST NEW VARIANTS TRAVELERS COULD ENCOUNTER.
THE IDEA OF PASSPORTS EXTENDS WELL BEYOND TRAVEL.
IBM CLAIMS ITS HEALTH PASS CAN HELP BRING PEOPLE BACK TO WORK, SCHOOL, OR STADIUMS.
WHAT DO STATE HEALTH OFFICIALS THINK?
>> I THINK THERE'S A PLACE FOR PASSPORTS, AS LONG AS THE ISSUING IS DONE IN A RESPONSIBLE AND LEGAL FASHION.
>> Reporter: GOVERNOR MURPHY ALSO WORRIED ABOUT FRAUD.
>> ARE PEOPLE GOING TO START FORGING VACCINATION PASSPORTS?
CHANCES ARE, THAT BECOMES NECESSARY AND PEOPLE WOULD COME UP WITH A WAY TO BYPASS IT.
>> Reporter: ANOTHER PROBLEM TO SOLVE AS WE TRY TO LEAVE THE PANDEMIC BEHIND.
I MET BRENDA FLANAGAN, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.
>> THE YEARS DON'T STOP TURNING IN POLITICS, STATEWIDE ELECTIONS.
THE REPUBLICAN PARTY TOPPED HOLLY TO FINISH OUT THE LATE- TERM OF THE LATE SENATOR.
VYING FOR THE SEAT OF RETIRING SENATOR LORETTA WEINBERG.
THE CONTENTIOUS SPOT LEADING AN OPEN PRIMARY IN THE DISTRICT.
SPARKING NEW CONVERSATIONS ABOUT WHAT IT MEANS TO RUN ON THE LINE IN NEW JERSEY.
OUR SENIOR CORRESPONDENT DAVID KRUSE EXPLAINS.
>> Reporter: INTRAPARTY FIGHTS IN NEW JERSEY ARE RARE THESE DAYS.
INCUMBENTS ENJOY SAFE TRAVEL TO THEIR PARTY NOMINATION FOR COUNTY POSITIONS, STATE LEGISLATURE, AND EVEN CONGRESS.
BUT 2021 WILL NOT BE A DIFFICULT PRIMARY SEASON.
A RUSH OF VACANCIES CREATING GENUINE CONTESTS.
>> THERE WAS A COMPETITION FOR THE ORGANIZATION.
>> Reporter: CHARLES STYLE WROTE ABOUT THE RACE THIS WEEK.
HE SAYS IT IS NOT ONLY A BATTLE OVER WHO HAS THE PROGRESSIVE TO CARRY THE WEINBERG TORCH BUT ALSO ABOUT WHO HAS THESE SUPPORT OF THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY.
WHICH IN THIS CASE, IS JOHNSON.
>> HER PLAY IS OKAY, I'M NOT GOING TO WORRY ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION LINE.
THERE IS VOTERS WHO ARE DISGUSTED WITH THE SYSTEM WHO WILL RALLY TO MY APPEAL.
HER STRATEGY IS TO GO AROUND THE SYSTEM AND APPEAL TO THE 77,000 DEMOCRATS WHO WILL BE MAKING THAT DECISION IN JUNE.
>> Reporter: THAT WOULD MEAN RUNNING OFF THE PARTY LINE AND ON THE NEW JERSEY BALLOT, YOU MIGHT AS WELL BE IN SIBERIA.
JUST ASK HECTOR, HE TRIED TO RUN OFF THE LINE AGAINST REPUBLICAN CONGRESSMAN WHO WAS ON THE ORGANIZATION LINE IN 2020.
>> THE LINE COMES WITH BUILT IN VOTES AND THAT'S WHAT YOU HAVE TO FIGHT AGAINST.
A BUILT IN CONSTITUENCY.
WHICH ESSENTIALLY STACKS THE DECK IN YOUR OPPONENT'S FAVOR.
LET'S FLIP IT EVEN FURTHER ON ITS HEAD, WHAT IF YOU TOOK THE INCUMBENT CONGRESSMAN OFF THE LINE AND PUT HIM ALL THE WAY AND PUT ME WITH THE LINE?
I WOULD BE SITTING HERE AS A CONGRESSMAN.
IT'S NOT AN EXAGGERATION.
>> IT'S NOT.
>> Reporter: NEW JERSEY POLICY PERSPECTIVE, WHICH SUPPORTS A LEGAL EFFORT UNDERWAY TO GET RID OF THE LINE.
>> IT DOESN'T MATTER WHO YOU ARE OR WHAT OFFICE YOU ARE RUNNING FOR, IF YOU ARE ON THE LINE YOU ARE THE PREFERRED CANDIDATE.
YOU ARE THE FAVORITE CANDIDATE TO WIN.
>> Reporter: THE WOMAN WHOSE RETIREMENT IS CREATING THIS HULLABALOO SAYS THE PARTY CONVENTION TO PICK HER SUCCESSOR IS ACTUALLY PRETTY DEMOCRATIC.
SPEAK >> EACH ONE OF THOSE DELEGATES VOTES.
SO STRICTLY SECRET, MUNICIPAL CHAIR, NOBODY KNOWS HOW YOU VOTED.
I THINK WE HAVE A VERY OPEN PROCESS.
>> WE KNOW DEMOCRATS ARE BEHIND THE LAWSUIT TO TRY TO REDESIGN THE BALLOTS IN NEW JERSEY.
THAT IS NOT SOMETHING THAT WILL HAPPEN THIS YEAR.
BUT IT CERTAINLY IS SOMETHING THAT COULD BE ON THE HORIZON.
THERE IS A REAL QUESTION AS TO WHO CONTROLS PARTIES, AND CANDIDATE SELECTION PROCESS?
>> IF YOU HAPPEN TO WIN OFF THE LINE, YOU DON'T STAY OFF FOR VERY LONG.
THAT IS HOW THE PARTIES ALWAYS WIN.
I'M HINCHLIFFE --DAVID CRUZ, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.
>> THE NEW STIMULUS BILL CAME JUST IN TIME FOR THE STATES NEW BUDGET HEARING.
WHAT IS THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY THINK OF THE GOVERNOR'S NEW PLAN?
RHONDA SCHAFFLER HAS THE NEW BUSINESS STORIES.
>> TODAY'S FIRST LEGISLATIVE HEARING ON GOVERNOR MURPHY'S PROPOSED 44.8 BILLION DOLLAR BUDGET FOR THE NEXT FISCAL YEAR.
TESTIMONY SUBMITTED BY THE NEW JERSEY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE STATED THAT MORE INVESTMENT IS NEEDED IN NEW JERSEY BUSINESSES.
THE STATE SHOULD PROVIDE AT LEAST $500 MILLION IN GRANTS AND LOANS TO SMALL BUSINESSES IN THE NEW FISCAL YEAR.
THAT'S MORE THAN TWICE WHAT THE GOVERNOR HAS PROPOSED.
>> THE NUMBER ONE PRIORITY FOR US AND HAS BEEN SINCE THE PANDEMIC HAS BEEN LIQUIDITY AND GETTING FUNDING TO OUR BUSINESS MEMBERS.
PARTICULARLY SMALL BUSINESS ON MAIN STREET.
THERE IS A DIRE NEED.
THERE'S ONLY SO MUCH HELP TO THE PAYROLL PROTECTION PROGRAM FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.
>> NEW JERSEY BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION ALSO WANTS TO SEE MORE FUNDING FOR BUSINESSES, ALONG WITH WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS.
THEY CAUTIONED THE RATE OF STATE SPENDING IS UNSUSTAINABLE AND COULD LEAD TO FUTURE TAX INCREASES.
MORE FINANCIAL HELP IS ON THE WAY TO SOME BUSINESSES, THE EDA ANNOUNCED A NEW $2 MILLION PILOT MICRO LENDER SUPPORT GRANT PROGRAM.
THIS PROGRAM WILL MAKE UP TO 200,000 AVAILABLE TO THOSE ORGANIZATIONS WHICH LED THE SMALL AND MICRO BUSINESSES.
WE SPOKE WITH EDA CEO TIM SULLIVAN AHEAD OF THAT ANNOUNCEMENT.
>> THERE IS RECOVERY GETTING BACK TO THE FOOT, WE KNOW THERE IS MAJOR WORK AHEAD.
>> ALSO TODAY, THE EQUITABLE SMALL BUSINESS INITIATIVE RECEIVED A $1 MILLION GRANT TO SUPPORT BLACK-OWNED BUSINESSES IN NEW JERSEY.
AND 120 STATE RESTAURANTS RECEIVED GRANTS FROM THE DELIVERY APP DOOR DASH.
RECEIVING UP TO $5000 FOR THE PROGRAM ADMINISTERED BY THE NEW JERSEY RESTAURANT AND HOSPITALITY ASSOCIATION.
AND NOW, LET'S TAKE A LOOK AT THE CLOSING NUMBERS ON WALL STREET.
I'M RHONDA SCHAFFLER, THOSE ARE YOUR TOP BUSINESS STORIES.
>>> WITH REOPENING PLANS IN MOTION AND VACCINATIONS ON THE RISE, MOST EXPERTS PREDICT IT IS JUST A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE WORKERS START RETURNING TO THE OFFICE.
IT WON'T BE THE SAME ONE THEY LEFT.
HIS OWNERS WILL STILL NEED TO FOLLOW STRICT SAFETY STANDARDS AT THE WORKPLACE.
WE KNEW SO LITTLE WHEN THE OUTBREAK BEGAN, SO ARE WE ON BETTER FOOTING NOW?
RAVEN SANTANA REPORTS.
>> Reporter: IT'S BEEN A LONG YEAR FOR GREGORY, NOW HE IS READY TO MOVE FORWARD.
THE CEO OF THE GROUP OF PRIVATELY HELD COMMERCIAL AND RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT FIRMS IS ONE OF MANY NEW JERSEY BUSINESSES PREPARING TO HAVE THEIR EMPLOYEES RETURN TO WORK.
HE'S INVESTED TIME IN NEARLY $2 MILLION TO PREPARE FOR THE REOPENING.
>> SOME COMPANIES DEEM THEMSELVES ESSENTIAL AND CONTINUED WORKING.
BUT WHAT WE DID WAS TOOK IT AS AN OPPORTUNITY TO UPGRADE OUR FACILITY.
SO WE STARTED A RENOVATION, WHICH STARTED WITH AIR FILTRATION SYSTEMS THAT CLEAN THE AIR, AND KILL CORONAVIRUS'S.
THAT WAS THE FIRST THING WE DID.
EVERY SINGLE OFFICE, EVERY SINGLE COMMON AREA.
THERE IS A FORM YOU FILL OUT IF YOU ARE VISITING, THE SERIOUS HEALTH THINGS WE DID FOR PEOPLE ENTERING THE BUILDING.
>> I'M EXCITED TO SEE THAT BUSINESSES ARE STARTING TO REOPEN.
AND I HOPE THAT THOSE HAVE A SAFETY PLAN BECAUSE I REALIZE NOT ALL EMPLOYEES RETURNING TO WORK WILL HAVE THE VACCINE.
>> Reporter: DR. JUDITH LIGHTFOOT IS CHIEF OF INFECTIOUS DISEASE AT SCHOOL OF OSTEOPATHIC MEDICINE.
SHE IS CONCERNED THAT SAFETY MEASURES COULD FALL TO THE WAYSIDE AS PEOPLE BECOME VACCINATED.
>> I THINK AS WHAT IS BEING RELEASED TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC, PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN VACCINATED MAY FEEL AS THOUGH THEY DON'T HAVE TO FOLLOW STRENUOUS GUIDELINES.
>> Reporter: A REALITY THAT JAMES COMBER HOPES HE DOESN'T FACE.
CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER OF THE TELEHEALTH COMPANY HEALTH RECOVERY SOLUTIONS.
HE IS MAKING SURE SAFETY MEASURES ARE FOLLOWED BEFORE HE OPENS HIS DOORS.
>> WE DON'T HAVE AN OFFICIAL TIME TO BRING FOLKS BACK.
WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WE ARE FOLLOWING STATE AND CDC GUIDELINES FOR INSTALLING SHIELDS, FOLLOWING MASKED PROTOCOLS.
SO WE ARE STILL WORKING ON A LOT OF THOSE.
>> WITH THE DISINFECTION AND CLEANING, IT IS A WHOLE NEW PLACE.
>> Reporter: DISINFECTION IS KEY TO NOT ONLY REOPENING BUSINESSES, BUT MAKING SURE THEY REMAIN SAFE.
>> A LOT OF OUR CLIENTS HAD SOMEONE REPORTED THAT THEIR COVID POSITIVE AND SHUTDOWN BUILDINGS.
WE ARE GOING IN WITH TYVEK SUITS, RESPIRATORS, AND DISINFECTING.
>> Reporter: WHEN IT COMES TO AN OFFICE OR SCHOOL, WHAT AREAS ARE CRITICAL WHEN IT COMES TO DISINFECTING?
>> THE RISK IS IN THE ELEVATORS, COMMON AREAS, BATHROOMS, ANYWHERE WHERE PEOPLE GET TOGETHER.
WE WANT TO KEEP THEM OPEN, IT HELPS US.
BUT IT BENEFITS SOCIETY FOR THEM TO BE OPEN.
>> Reporter: THEY HAVE NO PLANS TO REQUIRE THEIR EMPLOYEES TO BE VACCINATED, BUT ALL AGREE THAT MASK WEARING AND SOCIAL DISTANCING WILL BE PART OF THE NEW OFFICE ETIQUETTE WHEN EMPLOYEES DO RETURN.
FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS, I AM EVEN SANTANA.
>>> MANY WOMEN TOOK A STEP BACK DURING THE PANDEMIC TO CARE FOR THEIR FAMILIES OR KEEP THEIR KIDS ON TRACK.
THIS WEEK ON CHECKBOX, DAVID CRUZ SPEAKS WITH A PANEL ABOUT WHAT THE RETURN WILL LOOK LIKE.
ESPECIALLY FOR THE BLACK AND LATIN ASK COMMUNITIES.
SEND YOUR QUESTIONS AHEAD OF TIME TO CHAT BOX AT NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.ORG.
>>> HARD TO SAY IF IT WAS THE PANDEMIC OR POLITICAL WILL, BUT A PLAN TO REGIONALIZED OUR PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM IS FINALLY GETTING TRACTION.
STEVE SWEENEY HAS BEEN WORKING ON THE PROPOSAL FOR YEARS.
THE STATE IS NOTORIOUS FOR HAVING HUNDREDS OF SEPARATE SCHOOL DISTRICTS WITH THEIR OWN BUDGETS.
THE BILL WON THE QUICK BACKING OF KEY GROUPS THIS WEEK AND COULD BE ON A FAST TRACK TO A FULL VOTE IN THE SENATE.
JOHN MOODY JOINS US TO EXPLAIN WHAT IT COULD MEAN FOR YOUR KIDS.
BEFORE WE GET TO THE PLAN, I WANT TO ASK YOU ABOUT A PRETTY BIG ANNOUNCEMENT THAT GOVERNOR MURPHY MADE TODAY THAT THE STATE HAS CLOSED ENTIRELY THE DIGITAL DIVIDE.
>> Reporter: I WOULD TAKE THAT WITH A GRAIN OF SALT.
HE'S BEEN TALKING ABOUT THE NUMBER BEING REDUCED FROM 200,000 TO 39, NOW I GUESS IT IS ZERO.
I'VE BEEN A LITTLE SKEPTICAL HOW THAT IS COLLECTED.
I SAW A RECENT SURVEY OUT OF NEW WORK WERE AS MANY AS A THIRD OF FAMILIES SAID THEY DIDN'T HAVE INTERNET CONNECTIVITY.
IT'S A GOOD SOUND BITE, IT NEEDS SOME FACT CHECKING.
BUT NO DOUBT THE STATE HAS BEEN PUTTING A LOT OF MONEY AND EFFORT INTO CLOSING IT.
AND CLEARLY MAKING SOME HEADWAY.
>> WITH A CONSOLIDATION PLAN LIKE THE ONE SENATE PRESIDENT STEVE SWEENEY IS PUTTING FORWARD HELP WITH ANY OF THIS?
I FEEL LIKE WE'VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT IT FOR YEARS.
>> Reporter: REGIONALIZATION HAS BEEN A TOPIC OF CONVERSATION FOR DECADES.
THIS IS THE LATEST ATTEMPT TO GET AT SOME OF THE OBSTACLES.
IT'S STILL A VOLUNTARY MEASURE, BASICALLY WOULD BE UP TO DISTRICTS TO DECIDE BUT STEVE SWEENEY'S BILL WOULD PAY FOR SOME OF THE FEASIBILITY WORK.
WOULD EVEN OUT SOME OF THE QUESTIONS AROUND WHAT CONTRACT WOULD BE AFFECTED AND THE LIKE.
SO I THINK HE WANTS TO GIVE IT A KICKSTART, WHETHER IT MAKES IT BIG DIFFERENCE I THINK THIS ISSUE HAS BEEN AROUND FOR A LONG TIME AND WILL BE AROUND FOR A LONG TIME TO COME.
>> ARE THERE ANY DISTRICTS RIGHT NOW THAT ARE SHOWING INTEREST?
OR ARE WE AT?
>> THE BIGGEST INTEREST HAVE BEEN OUT OF SALEM COUNTY, THERE IS TALK TO START THE STUDY AROUND THE COUNTYWIDE DISTRICT WHICH WOULD BE SIGNIFICANT.
SALEM IS A VERY ATYPICAL DISTRICT, DOESN'T NECESSARILY REPRESENT ALL DISTRICTS BUT THE FACT THAT IS HAPPENING I THINK IS SIGNIFICANT POLITICALLY.
AND A FEW OTHERS, TAKING OUT SOME OF THESE INCENTIVES WILL PROMPT DISTRICTS TO TAKE A SECOND LOOK.
I THINK YOU'LL SEE SOME MOVEMENT ON IT BUT WHETHER IT WILL REMAKE SCHOOLS, TIME WILL TELL.
>> JOHN MOONEY, ALWAYS GOOD TO CHECK IN.
THANKS SO MUCH.
>>> FINALLY TONIGHT, JOIN LILO STAINTON ON A THURSDAY AT 4 P.M. FOR A VIRTUAL ROUNDTABLE LOOKING AT FORMS OF TRAUMA OUR CHILDREN ARE EXPERIENCING MADE WORSE BY THE INTENSE PRESSURES OF THE PANDEMIC.
HOW DO WE ADDRESS ADVERSE CHILDHOOD EXPERIENCES?
HAD TO NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.ORG AND CLICK TO REGISTER.
I'M BRIANA VANNOZZI, FOR THE ENTIRE NEWS TEAM HIM A THANK YOU FOR BEING WITH US.
WE WILL SEE YOU TOMORROW.
>> AND JM INSURANCE GROUP, SERVING THE INSURANCE NEEDS OF RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES FOR MORE THAN 100 YEARS.
AND HORIZON BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD OF NEW JERSEY.
INDEPENDENT LICENSEE OF THE BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD ASSOCIATION.
>> THIS IS WHAT I WORK FOR.
TO BE MY BEST FOR THEM, AND FOR ME.
IN BODY AND IN MIND.
I NEED TO HELP ENSURE I GET THE CARE FOR BOTH.
THAT HAS MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS I CAN TALK TO WHEN I NEED TO.
BECAUSE WHEN I FEEL STRONG AND SECURE, SO DO THEY.
THIS IS MY LIFE, AND THIS IS HOW HORIZON BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD WORKS FOR ME.
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NJ to raise indoor capacity for restaurants and businesses
Video has Closed Captions
Clip: 3/10/2021 | 1m 50s | Capacity limits increased to 50% for restaurants, bars, gyms and other businesses (1m 50s)
Rep. Mikie Sherrill: Relief bill to provide much needed aid
Video has Closed Captions
Clip: 3/10/2021 | 6m 58s | Anchor Briana Vannozzi spoke with Rep. Sherrill ahead of the stimulus bill's vote. (6m 58s)
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