September 16, 2020
George Washington Ballroom
Trenton War Memorial
1 Memorial Drive, Trenton, Capital of the State of New Jersey
Statement Issued at 1:00 PM

Coronavirus Briefing

“Good afternoon.

I am honored to be joined today by Commissioner of Health Judy Persichilli, Dr. Christina Tan, the State Epidemiologist, and Colonel Pat Callahan, Superintendent of the New Jersey State Police.

First, I want to wish everyone a very happy Arts in Education Week. One of the reasons we are home to the number one public schools in the nation is because New Jersey was the first state to guarantee universal access to the arts. Whatever your artistic talent may be, you can let it shine here in New Jersey — and we tip our hats to every educator who is also an artist across our state.

Today also marks one year since the disappearance of five-year-old Dulce Álvarez from a park in Bridgeton. The New Jersey State Police and Dulce’s family continue their search, and we all hope and pray for her safe return home. Anyone with information is urged to contact the New Jersey State Police at (609) 882-2000, extension 2554.

On Monday night, we witnessed perhaps the most extreme and appalling display of reckless behavior yet, in Seaside Heights, sparked by a group of YouTube pranksters who achieved the notoriety they sought—but certainly did not deserve. The scene of hundreds, nearly a thousand according to some counts, of young people crowded together on a corner in Seaside Heights, largely unmasked and with no social distancing, is precisely the kind of situation we cannot afford to have. It was irresponsible from top to bottom.

These so-called influencers should be held accountable. New Jersey was just the latest stop on their cross-country tour of willful disregard for public health during a pandemic. Moreover, local law enforcement resources were heavily taxed as multiple towns had to send officers to assist due to the size of the crowd. I thank every member of law enforcement who responded Monday night.

I urge everyone who was among that crowd to get tested. That kind of gathering is exactly how the coronavirus spreads most easily, and just because you are young and feel invincible does not mean you truly are—or that you cannot pass the virus to someone who is especially vulnerable. As the Commissioner noted last week, positivity rates among young people are roughly three times higher than the statewide daily average. Three times.

It will take a couple of weeks to know whether Seaside Heights has unintentionally become a coronavirus hotspot because of these reckless individuals—who, I hope, will not return to New Jersey and are certainly not welcome here. Let’s use some common sense for the common good. Stop the house parties and the irresponsible behavior. Let’s get back to what we know works.

Moving on to better news: yesterday the Department of State announced that, thanks to everyone who has proactively responded to the 2020 Census, New Jersey’s current self-response rate of 68.1 percent is the highest we’ve achieved in the last four censuses dating back to 1990. Because many of you have also worked with census takers going door-to-door to households that had not yet responded, our statewide response rate now exceeds 92 percent.

At least 15 days remain in the count—so if you haven’t yet, please take a moment to visit 2020Census.gov and be counted. The more people who respond online, the fewer doors census workers have to knock on. Congratulations and thank you to everyone who helped make this a record-setting year.

Next, and staying with the Department of State, I want to reiterate a message shared yesterday by Secretary of State Tahesha Way regarding this year’s election. As Secretary Way noted, most New Jersey residents have received this U.S. Postal Service mailer in their mailboxes. To be clear, this is a general national mailer and not specific to New Jersey’s election.

1. You do not need to request a vote-by-mail ballot; one will be mailed to you directly.

2. You do not need to worry about postage; the ballot you receive will include a postage-paid return envelope.

3. You do not have to use the postal service to return your ballot. You may drop it off at any secure ballot drop box in your county—contact your County Clerk’s Office to find the nearest one. You may also hand-deliver your ballot to a poll worker at your local polling place on Election Day.

Alternatively, you can vote in person on Election Day using a paper provisional ballot.

We have done everything possible to make voting easier and safer given the challenges we face as a result of this pandemic. And don’t forget—if you still need to register to vote, you can now do so online at votes.nj.gov. The registration deadline is October 13.

Yesterday, the list of states from which travelers to New Jersey are advised to observe a 14-day self-quarantine was updated. The 30 states and territories highlighted in red have, on a seven-day rolling average, more than 10 new cases of coronavirus per 100,000 residents or a daily positivity rate above 10 percent. Visit covid19.nj.gov/travel to see whether you should quarantine and to complete the Department of Health’s travel survey.

Now, let’s turn to the latest overnight numbers.

Today we are reporting 447 additional positive test results, bringing our combined total since the first confirmed case on March 4 to 197,792. The positivity rate for all tests recorded on September 12 was 2.06 percent, and the statewide rate of transmission currently stands at 1.06.

As of last night, there were 462 patients being treated across New Jersey hospitals—226 confirmed positive for COVID-19 and another 236 listed as Persons Under Investigation pending test results. Of these, 100 required intensive care, and 38 ventilators were in use.

Today we report nine additional confirmed deaths, raising the total to 14,263, with 1,791 probable deaths—an increase of two from last week. Of the deaths reported today, seven occurred within the past four days. Our hospitals reported 13 additional deaths yesterday, though as we note daily, these are not yet laboratory-confirmed and are therefore not included in our official total.

As we do each day, let’s take a few moments to remember some of the blessed souls of New Jersey whom we have lost.

We begin by remembering David Rivara. David’s passing remains classified as “probable” COVID-19, as he was unable to be tested before his death, though his entire family later tested positive for antibodies. David lived in Glen Rock but will always be connected to the family restaurant he inherited from his father at age twenty and managed for the next forty years—Victor’s Maywood Inn, renamed Maywood’s Twin Door Tavern in 2013.

Through his restaurant, David became a pillar of the community—not only in Maywood but throughout Bergen County. Everyone who walked in felt like family, knowing they could trust David and his staff for a great meal and warm hospitality.

David was only 60 years old and had so much more to give—to his loyal patrons and his beloved family. He is survived by his wife, Cindy; daughters Christina and Victoria; stepsons Daniel and Ryan; sisters Maria and Rita; brothers Frank, Victor, and Joseph; and eight nieces and nephews.

We thank David for feeding and serving his community for four decades. May his legacy of hospitality live on. May God bless him.

Next, we remember Stephen and Jane Raitt of Bloomfield, married for 53 years, both of whom were taken by COVID-19 within two weeks of each other. They had spent most of their married life in Michigan, where Stephen was a businessman and sales executive.

Jane was a New Jersey native, born and raised in Newark, a graduate of Fairleigh Dickinson University, and a sales executive, teacher, and career counselor in her own right. They settled in Bloomfield in 2016, enjoying retirement surrounded by family and friends.

Jane remained deeply active as a volunteer and community advocate, helping to establish a dog park in West Bloomfield and serving as an active member of Temple Shir Shalom in Michigan and later Temple Ner Tamid in Bloomfield.

They are survived by their daughter Marni; son Jayson and his wife Kelly; and their grandson Jesse. Jane is also survived by her sister Judie. Jane would have celebrated her 77th birthday yesterday. May their memories be a blessing, and as our Jewish community prepares for the High Holy Days, may their names be remembered and honored.

As we have noted, this virus has now taken 14,263 confirmed lives, and nearly 1,800 probable more. Each must be remembered and honored—none should ever be reduced to a statistic.

Even as we see daily fatalities in the single digits, we must never believe that anyone is expendable. That is why we cannot excuse the reckless and irresponsible behavior witnessed Monday night in Seaside Heights.

Now, continuing with another of our daily practices—recognizing small businesses that have partnered with the New Jersey Economic Development Authority to secure their future.

Today we highlight The Little Gym of Montgomery and Hillsborough, owned by William and Ada Yung. The Little Gym is a children’s fitness center where kids can learn skills, build confidence, and develop a lifelong love of movement and exercise. The program also emphasizes character development and ensures inclusion for all, regardless of age, ability, or background.

When the pandemic hit, The Little Gym had to close temporarily. Through the NJEDA’s Emergency Assistance Loan Program, William and Ada were able to cover business expenses, retain their employees, and even expand their team with two new hires.

The Little Gym reopened in July to offer summer programs for local families and children—and I know they look forward to many more good years ahead.

Finally today, we remember a true American hero and a proud member of our New Jersey family. Tuskegee Airman Malcolm Nettingham of Scotch Plains passed away Monday at the age of 101, just two and a half weeks shy of his 102nd birthday.

He joined the Army in 1944, selected for radio communications training with the Army Air Corps, later the U.S. Air Force. He trained at Fort Dix as a radio operator and gunner aboard a B-25 bomber. Honorably discharged in 1946, he went on to a 32-year career in the electronics industry.

In 2007, the late Senator Frank Lautenberg presented him with the Congressional Gold Medal. Malcolm was also a man of deep faith—a member of Metropolitan Baptist Church in Scotch Plains for 96 years. We know that his faith has now been rewarded.

As Star-Ledger columnist Barry Carter wrote on Malcolm’s 100th birthday, the secret to his longevity was simple: “Treat your neighbor as you would treat yourself.” Never have truer words been spoken—and today they carry special meaning.

God bless you, Malcolm, and thank you for your lifelong service and commitment to our state. You made all of us proud.

And with that, I will now turn things over to Commissioner of Health Judy Persichilli.