How NJ Is Handling COVID-19

New Jersey is the second state with most cases of coronavirus right behind h New York. New Jersey has a total of 111,000 confirmed cases and 6,044 deaths as of April 28.  New Jersey is now at a “stay home to order.” All must stay home unless it is to go grocery shopping, work and some go for walks but must remain six feet apart from others. It is recommended to wear masks. 

New Jersey wants to reduce the cases just like every other state and nation. According to the New Jersey Department of Education, “The New Jersey Department of Education (the Department) is deeply committed to supporting its students, families, and educators as we work together to reduce the spread of COVID-19. The guidance and resources provided below come from national educational leaders, researchers, and teachers with content area expertise. The Department recognizes that “schooling” cannot continue as usual and that schools and educators will be addressing the diverse needs of their students in different ways.” 

New Jersey school districts had to rush to move schooling and operations online after abrupt closures from coronavirus. Students now work from home as much as other adult workers. Students log onto the website their school will be learning off of and complete work as if it were a normal school day. This way of learning is much safer for students and staff because it reduces the chances of anyone getting sick by staying away from many people.  As New Jersey health officials uncover more positive cases of the novel coronavirus, they urge residents to help "flatten the curve" by "social distancing" and keeping 6 feet away from others, while other local leaders suggest that residents self-quarantine or impose curfews.

Governor Phil Murphy has closed the state of New Jersey until May 15, at this time. ABC News states, “Murphy, a Democrat, announced the regional cooperation effort on a conference call with fellow Democratic Govs. Ned Lamont of Connecticut, John Carney of Delaware, Andrew Cuomo of New York, Tom Wolf of Pennsylvania, and Gina Raimondo of Rhode Island. New Jersey has begun to see signs that social distancing is having a positive effect, but he stressed it's too early to relax the stay-at-home order he signed on March 21.”

New Jersey is doing its best to keep everyone safe by doing this self-quarantine. Citizens are asked to only leave the house for necessary things. Schools are doing online learning, and stores and most restaurants have closed and are only doing takeout or delivery. These steps may help to lower the number of new cases and keep people out of the hospitals.