News

April 8, 2020

Key Points from April 8, 2020 Coronavirus (COVID-19) Daily Update

← Back to News overview

• We give these daily Monday to Friday and we appreciate everyone who logs on to listen to us give a daily update of what’s happening in our city, county, state and country; and the precautions we have to take, the success we’re having and the defeats as well.


• This is a new day, no one expected or is prepared for this. It’s a difficult time to be in your home, particularly if you don’t have a lot of room. May God wrap his hand around you and smile on you every day to help get you through this.


• Studies are beginning to show that black and brown people are dying disproportionately from COVID-19 – probably due to lack of healthcare and underlying health conditions.


• So we should not act as though business is as usual.


• Sending out prayers, help and gratitude to the families that have children with autism who need different environments than being stuck in the house.


• If you need to talk to someone and help is needed, or in a an abusive environment, call:

973-757-7377 from 9am-3pm

973-418-0735 for after hours calls

973-844-4357 Clara Maass

973-926-7444 Beth Israel

973-621-2323 University Hospital


• As of today – this is where we are:

Newark:

1,939 positive cases (1736 yesterday)

92 deaths (68 reported at 2pm yesterday)


• Essex County:

5,598 positive cases

276 deaths


• New Jersey:

47, 437 positive cases

1,504 deaths

• So please, remain diligent. If you must go out because your someone who must still work, or if you are leaving your house to replenish groceries, or there’s an emergency, or you need to go to the doctor, to get prescriptions, to walk your dog, or to get fresh air on your property – remember to wear a mask or cloth face cover, practice social distancing, and wear gloves (and when you take off the gloves THROW THEM IN THE TRASH NOT ON THE STREET).


• Did you know: When jogging, it’s more dangerous because the wind carries the virus further than if you were standing next to someone.


• The CDC is saying that if we stayed in the house just one week without going anywhere, we could help flatten the curve almost instantly. But it’s difficult for us to do that.  


• Remember to practice good hygiene by washing your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, which they say you can sing the chorus of a song twice if you need a fun way to time it.


• Today, we our police and fire fighters honored our healthcare workers by showing support and love at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center, University Hospital, and St. Michael’s. Healthcare workers, we appreciate you. Everyone watching, please send out a message on social giving our healthcare workers some extra love and support.


• Shout out to Whole Foods (Downtown Newark) for being a great example… everyone has on masks, is practicing social distancing, and you can’t enter the store without a mask. Hopefully everyone will follow that suit.


• More info about cases – by zip code:


07102 – 73, 07114 – 61, 07112 – 161, 07108 – 148, 07107 – 274, 07106 – 221, 07105 – 252, 07104 – 355


If you live in those communities, stay inside. Mayor Baraka suggests to only go to store every two weeks if you live in these areas. Stay home and call your families to tell them to stay home, too.


• By age:


20s – 176, 30s – 381, 40s – 396, 50s – 422 – the bulk of our cases


• NewarkStrong to help flatten the curve – Reach out to 5 people you know and tell them to stay home. Don’t go outside for anything and stay in the house.


• Don’t risk lives for your own selfish gain. This is a new way of life and we have to live by it right now.


• While holding people accountable…


    o NJ Transit has an issue. Don’t ride the bus if it’s overcrowded. Wait for the next one. The Mayor said if your job has an issue with it, you can contact City Hall and he can provide a letter if you were late.


    o If people have tested positive in jail, then they should be treated, and should not be in population as if business is as usual.


    o In halfway houses, people need PPEs (gloves and masks)


    o Jails and halfway houses need to be cleaned and practice social distancing; reach out to the commissioner and state legislators for those issues as well.


• We have a couple of thousand of masks but we don’t have masks for everyone. The police and firemen are going to start passing them out as we get them. Makeshift masks.


• Make sure you take off your masks and gloves properly. Throw the gloves away from the wrist to the fingertips. Don’t wear the mask again unless you can clean it.


• Remember you can be asymptomatic and have coronavirus, then can give to someone by simply breathing on someone.


• Beginning, on April 20, Newark Public Schools will kick off Spirit Week, where students will show their school spirit and Newark pride for the entire week. Please help us teach the adults what we need everyone to do. Help us out with staying indoors and speaking to others about social distancing. Make sure we participate in that.


• Remember to fill out the Census. The website is www.2020census.gov and the telephone numbers are posted on our Facebook page and website. We need money for roads, schools, homelessness, healthcare, etc. Count everyone in your house, undocumented or not. You cannot be penalized. https://www.newarknj.gov/news/mayor-baraka-announces-that-multi-lingual-census-2020-toll-free-phone-lines-will-go-into-action-on-march-1


• We are still counting on everyone to lift one another up, hold people accountable, do our part individually and collectively. Boost your immune system, choose healthy food options


• Poem by Audre Lorde – “A Litany for Survival”


"For those of us who live at the shoreline

standing upon the constant edges of decision

crucial and alone

for those of us who cannot indulge

the passing dreams of choice

who love in doorways coming and going

in the hours between dawns

looking inward and outward

at once before and after

seeking a now that can breed

futures

like bread in our children’s mouths

so their dreams will not reflect

the death of ours;

"For those of us

who were imprinted with fear

like a faint line in the center of our foreheads

learning to be afraid with our mother’s milk

for by this weapon

this illusion of some safety to be found

the heavy-footed hoped to silence us

For all of us

this instant and this triumph

We were never meant to survive.

"And when the sun rises we are afraid

it might not remain

when the sun sets we are afraid

it might not rise in the morning

when our stomachs are full we are afraid

of indigestion

when our stomachs are empty we are afraid

we may never eat again

when we are loved we are afraid

love will vanish

when we are alone we are afraid

love will never return

and when we speak we are afraid

our words will not be heard

nor welcomed

but when we are silent

we are still afraid

"So it is better to speak

remembering

we were never meant to survive."


• Together we will survive. God bless you, God speed to you. Let’s get through this TOGETHER. Newark Strong.

Key Points in Spanish