Mayor's Message:
Beat COVID With Common Sense
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Dear Jazz,
A little over two years ago, the world ground to a halt as we confronted a new and unknown enemy. The pandemic created many crises and changed life as we knew it. Fear and uncertainty were prevalent, but the isolation shook us most. Being required to wear a mask did more than hinder our breathing; it challenged the way we looked at people and made us question how we interact with each other. We could no longer rely on facial cues that it took all our lives to learn.How could you make a good first impression, or form a friendship, if we could barely recognize each other?
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Like everyone else, it was a hard adjustment for me to make, and I can understand why people desperately crave a world where face masks are no longer required. The lure of returning to the mask-free world we knew and loved is enticing, but are we ready for that? Face masks, along with social distancing, are our first line of defense against the SARS-CoV-2 virus that is as much alive today as it was two years ago. The mandate to wear a face-covering while in a public setting was necessary to protect the wearer and prevent them from catching or transmitting the COVID-19 virus to others.
We should not be quick to put aside this valuable weapon when we have yet to win the war against COVID-19. Although we have made significant advances, there are still many unknowns about the virus. Why is the range of symptoms so wide? Why does it manifest as a common cold to one person and prove fatal to another? Do we have a proper course of treatment or medication that can effectively combat the virus? There are still too many unanswered questions to return to our pre-COVID practices heedlessly.
Although adjusting to the changes that COVID thrust upon us was hard, we adapted. We became more expressive with our eyes, and we listened more attentively to each other's words. When we interacted without a mask, our smiles were that much more special.
A time when face masks will be optional is fast approaching. When that time comes, I ask my fellow Plainfielders to confront the situation with common sense and caution. Our parents always stressed that it was common courtesy to cover our mouths when we sneezed or coughed, and COVID makes that advice even more urgent. We were also advised to exercise sound judgment in our decision-making processes.
When the time comes that face masks are no longer mandated, I hope that my community will love Plainfield as much as I do and CHOOSE to continue using them for the safety of themselves, their family, their friends, and neighbors.
If you're feeling sick, have been in contact with someone who tested positive for COVID, or suspect you’ve been infected through other means, please wear a face mask. Wearing a face mask can significantly minimize the quantity of SARS-CoV-2 virus particles you expel into the air, thus minimizing the number of infected individuals.
Disinfect your hands regularly, either by washing your hands or using hand sanitizer. COVID is not the only virus that spreads through contact. Many other bacteria and viruses that reside on our hands and hard surfaces can cause deadly illnesses.
Utilize the resources available to you. The City of Plainfield is one of the few cities that offers a variety of options for free COVID-19 testing. The testing clinic stationed at Plainfield Performing Arts Center (PPAC) is open five days a week and offers rapid and PCR testing. There is also testing on E 7th Street and our Public library on selected dates. Not to mention the city provides a series of COVID-19 pop-up clinics in all wards that provide all three COVID vaccines, flu shots, and testing. All these resources are free to everyone regardless of legal status. If it's good common sense to get physicals and test for certain cancers, then it's good common sense to test for COVID as well. It will cost you a fraction of your day, but that one act could save those closest to you and those with whom you come in contact. Finding out if you're COVID-positive before you exhibit symptoms can minimize the risk of infecting the more vulnerable members of our Queen City. They stand a lesser chance of surviving infection by the virus.
My beautiful Queen City, I ask you that work with me to protect each other. COVID is still very present in our community. However, every day that we remain COVID-free, our scientists discover more about preventing, treating, and ultimately surviving the virus.
Let's continue to heed the wise advice of our parents, exercise common sense, and choose to mask up regardless of whether it's mandated or not.
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Creating One Plainfield. One Future | | |
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Mayor Adrian O. Mapp
City of Plainfield
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Vence A COVID Con Sentido Común | |
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Querido Plainfield,
Hace poco más de dos años, el mundo se detuvo cuando nos enfrentamos a un enemigo nuevo y desconocido. La pandemia creó muchas crisis y cambió la vida tal y como la conocíamos. El miedo y la incertidumbre prevalecían, pero el aislamiento nos sacudió mucho más. El hecho de que nos exigían el uso de una máscara hizo más que afectar nuestra respiración; desafió la forma en que miramos a las personas y nos hizo cuestionar cómo interactuamos entre nosotros. Ya no podíamos confiar en las señales faciales que nos llevó toda la vida aprender. ¿Cómo se podría causar una buena primera impresión, o formar una amistad, si apenas podíamos reconocernos?
Como todos los demás, fue un ajuste difícil para mí y puedo entender por qué la gente anhela desesperadamente un mundo en el que ya no se requieran máscaras faciales. La atracción de regresar al mundo libre de máscaras que conocíamos y amábamos es tentador, pero ¿estamos listos para eso? Las mascarillas, junto con el distanciamiento social, son nuestra primera línea de defensa contra el virus SARS-CoV-2 que está tan vivo hoy como lo estaba hace dos años. El mandato de cubrirse la cara en un lugar público era necesario para proteger al usuario y evitar que contraiga o transmita el virus de COVID-19 a otros.
No debemos apresurarnos a dejar de lado esta valiosa arma cuando aún no hemos ganado la guerra contra el COVID-19. Aunque hemos logrado avances significativos, todavía hay muchos desconocidos sobre el virus. ¿Por qué es tan amplia la gama de síntomas? ¿Por qué se manifiesta como un resfriado común para una persona y resulta fatal para otros? ¿Tenemos un curso adecuado de tratamiento o medicación que pueda combatir eficazmente el virus? Todavía hay demasiadas preguntas sin respuesta para volver a nuestras prácticas anteriores del COVID descuidadamente.
Aunque adaptarse a los cambios que el COVID trajo fue difícil,lo logramos, nos adaptamos. Nos volvimos más expresivos con nuestros ojos y escuchábamos más atentamente las palabras de los demás. Cuando interactuamos sin máscara, nuestras sonrisas eran mucho más especiales.
Se acerca rápidamente el momento en que las máscaras faciales serán opcionales. Cuando llegue ese momento, les pido a mis compañeros de Plainfield que enfrenten la situación con sentido común y precaución. Nuestros padres siempre enfatizaron que era una cortesía común cubrirnos la boca cuando estornudamos o tosemos, y COVID hace que ese consejo sea aún más urgente. También se nos aconsejó que ejercitamos un buen juicio en nuestros procesos de toma de decisiones.
Cuando llegue el momento en que las máscaras faciales ya no sean obligatorias, espero que mi comunidad ame Plainfield tanto como yo y ELIJA continuar usándolas por su seguridad, la seguridad de su familia, sus amigos y vecinos.
Si se siente enfermo, ha estado en contacto con alguien que dio positivo por COVID o sospecha que se ha infectado por otros medios, use una máscara facial. El uso de una máscara facial puede minimizar significativamente la cantidad de partículas del virus SARS-CoV-2 que se expulsa al aire, lo que minimiza la cantidad de personas infectadas.
Desinfecte sus manos regularmente, sea lavándose las manos o usando desinfectante. El COVID no es el único virus que se propaga por contacto. Muchas otras bacterias y virus que residen en nuestras manos y superficies duras pueden causar enfermedades mortales.
Utilice los recursos disponibles para usted. La ciudad de Plainfield es una de las pocas ciudades que ofrece una variedad de opciones gratuita para la prueba de COVID-19. La clínica de pruebas ubicada en el Centro de artes escénicas de Plainfield (PPAC) está abierta cinco días a la semana y ofrece pruebas rápidas y PCR. También hay pruebas en E 7th Street y nuestra biblioteca pública en fechas seleccionadas. Sin mencionar que la ciudad ofrece una serie de clínicas emergentes de COVID-19 en todos los distritos que brindan las tres vacunas de COVID, vacunas contra la gripe y pruebas. Todos estos recursos son gratuitos para todos, independientemente de su estatus legal. Si es de buen sentido común hacerse exámenes físicos y pruebas para ciertos tipos de cáncer, entonces también es de buen sentido común hacer pruebas para COVID. Le costará una fracción de su día, pero ese acto podría salvar a las personas más cercanas a usted y a aquellas con las que entra en contacto. Averiguar si eres COVID positivo antes de mostrar síntomas puede minimizar el riesgo de infectar a los miembros más vulnerables de nuestra Ciudad Reina. Ellos tienen menos posibilidades de sobrevivir a la infección por el virus.
Mi hermosa Ciudad Reina, te pido que trabajes conmigo para protegernos unos a otros. El COVID sigue muy presente en nuestra comunidad. Sin embargo, cada día que permanecemos libres de COVID, nuestros científicos descubren más sobre cómo prevenir, tratar y, en última instancia, sobrevivir al virus.
Sigamos prestando atención a los sabios consejos de nuestros padres, ejerzamos el sentido común y optemos por enmascararnos, independientemente de si es obligatorio o no.
Creando Un Plainfield. Un Futuro
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Alcalde Adrian O. Mapp
Ciudad de Plainfield
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COMMUNITY POLL | ENCUESTA COMUNITARIA | | |
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According to a poll issued in yesterdays COVID Resource Guide, 90.9% of community members reported that they still actively use a face mask while in large gatherings and/or when visiting Plainfield Businesses.
9.1% reported that they are less strict with the use of face masks but still wear them on occasion.
Good Job Plainfield!
Let's Stay on Guard
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Según la encuesta publicada ayer en la Guía de recursos de COVID, el 90,9 % de los miembros nuestra comunidad reportaron que todavía usan activamente una máscara facial cuando en grandes reuniones y/o cuando visitan negocios de Plainfield.
El 9,1% informó que son menos estrictos con el uso de cubrebocas pero aún los usan en ocasiones.
¡Buen trabajo Plainfield! Mantengámonos Nuestra Guardia
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| Do you still use Face Masks when in large gatherings and/or visiting a Plainfield business | | | |
BLACK HISTORY MONTH SPOTLIGHT | |
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Born and raised in the City of Plainfield, Charles and Anna Booker with the support of the NAACP, won Charles B. Booker v. Board of Education of Plainfield in 1965, against segregation in the Plainfield Public Schools.
Charles served in the Army, and worked for the Veterans Affairs Department and Housing and Urban Development. Anna Booker was one of the first African American teachers hired in Metuchen, and she was later hired by Plainfield and retired after 20 years of service in the district.
In honor of the Bookers, in 2021 The New Jersey Schools Development Authority joined Plainfield Public School District to develop a $60M, 3-story school named after that Bookers that will house 840 students in grades K-5th.
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PSE&G UTILITIES PAYMENT
ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
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Today, twice as many PSE&G customers are seriously behind on their bills as there were before the pandemic. The moratorium provided much-needed support for those who have suffered financial hardship. New Jersey’s grace period for utility shutoffs ended on January 1, 2022. That’s 275,000 residential customers at risk for having their utility service disconnected.
After March 15, PSE&G can disconnect service to customers who have:
- not contacted PSE&G to make a payment arrangement
- not applied for State payment assistance
To protect utility services from being disconnected, customers must contact PSE&G before March 15, 2022.
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FIRST-TIME HOMEBUYERS MORTGAGE PROGRAM WITH DOWN PAYMENT ASSISTANCE | |
IMPORTANT CITY ANNOUNCEMENTS | |
PLAINFIELD POLICE DEPARTMENT
NOW HIRING
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The City of Plainfield is thrilled to announce that our Police Department is now accepting applications for the position of Police Officer. To apply, you must follow the New Jersey Civil Service Commission application for entry-level Law Enforcement Examination titles.
Applications and all requirements must be met and submitted by 4:00 pm
on February 28, 2022
CLICK HERE TO APPLY
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KEAN TUITION PROMISE:
FULL RIDE TO COLLEGE | VIAJE COMPLETO A LA UNIVERSIDAD
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The Kean Tuition Promise
program provides funding for incoming freshmen students to attend Kean University.The Kean Tuition Promise program covers up to FULL TUITION AND FEES for eligible students to attend Kean University and fulfill their dream of earning a college degree.
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El programa Kean Tuition Promise proporciona fondos para que los estudiantes de primer año que ingresan asistan a la Universidad de Kean.El programa Kean Tuition Promise cubre la TOTALIDAD DE LA MATRÍCULA Y LAS TARIFASpara que los estudiantes elegibles asistan a la Universidad de Kean y cumplan su sueño de obtener un título universitario.
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HARD DEADLINES | PLAZOS DUROS
Priority Deadline | Plazo de prioridad: March | Marzo 1
Standard App. Deadline | Aplicación Fecha límite:
May| Mayo 1
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USE CODE "KEANPROMISE" to waive the $75 application fee.
UTILIZA EL CÓDIGO "KEANPROMISE" para eximirte de la tarifa de solicitud de $75.
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Plainfield Warming Centers | Centros de Calor de Plainfield | | | |
Love Plainfield Initiative | |
¿ How Do You Show Love For Plainfield? | |
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A MESSAGE FROM UNION COUNTY:
Emergency Rescue Mortgage Assistance Program Opens February 8th
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Union County officials announced that starting Tuesday, February 8th, registration will open for a new Emergency Rescue Mortgage Assistance (ERMA) program from the New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency (NJHMFA) to assist homeowners with mortgage and other housing costs that may have occurred due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“While there appear to be signs that we are starting to return to normal in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, uncertainties and financial strains created by the crisis remain,” said Commissioner Chair Rebecca Williams. “We often see many assistance programs for renters; however, homeowners are also struggling with their mortgages, property taxes and other rising or past housing costs. This program is here to help them.”
The ERMA program provides up to $35,000 in assistance to cover mortgage arrearages and other housing cost delinquencies for eligible homeowners negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. This can help protect thousands of homeowners from foreclosures and neighborhoods from being impacted.
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A MESSAGE FROM THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY
GOVERNOR PHIL MURPHY:
Murphy Announces That Universal School Mask Mandate
Will Be Lifted March 7
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TRENTON, NJ –
Governor Will Also Extend the Statewide Public Health Emergency
Noting the significant decline of statewide COVID-19 metrics, Governor Phil Murphy announced that masks and facial coverings will no longer be mandated for students, staff, or visitors in schools and childcare centers effective March 7, 2022.
“I must thank the overwhelming majority of students, parents, administrators, educators, and support staffers who have worn their masks without problem or protest since our schools reopened for in-person learning. Thankfully, we have reached a point where we feel confident that we can take another step toward normalcy for our kids,” said Governor Murphy.
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“Given the continued drop in new cases and hospitalizations, projections indicating a continued decline over the coming weeks, and the continued growth of vaccinations for our school-aged population, we believe that we can responsibly end the universal mask mandate."
School districts and childcare facilities can continue to implement universal masking policies after the mandate is lifted in March. Schools that do not impose universal masking should revise their COVID policies to utilize masking among other prevention strategies under certain circumstances. Schools will not be permitted to bar the use of facial coverings by individuals and will be expected to take disciplinary action in instances of bullying should they arise due to an individual’s choice to continue wearing a mask. Prior to the mandate being lifted, the Department of Health will release guidance to help school districts update their policies to align with the risks and unique needs of their setting and student population to ensure safe learning environments.
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A MESSAGE FROM THE WHITE HOUSE:
PATH OUT OF THE PANDEMIC
President Biden's COVID-19 Action Plan
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President Biden is implementing a six-pronged, comprehensive national strategy that employs the same science-based approach that was used to successfully combat previous variants of COVID-19 earlier this year. This plan will ensure that we are using every available tool to combat COVID-19 and save even more lives in the months ahead, while also keeping schools open and safe, and protecting our economy from lockdowns and damage. | |
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HELP US TAKE CARE OF OUR CITY!
DOWNLOAD THE REPORT- IT APP
Available in IOS and Android Mobile Phones
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Exercise your civic duty-- be the eyes and ears of our City! Your reports can greatly increase the quality of life in our Plainfield community. Let's work together to keep our city safe- If you see it, say it with ReportIt. | |
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Use the app, or text
reportit to 63975
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Mayor Adrian O. Mapp and the City of Plainfield are committed to making it as easy as possible to report concerns in our city. To that end, we've partnered with REPORT IT, which is now live in Plainfield and ready to be used as an important supplemental reporting tool.
Report it makes community reporting easier than ever! Residents and visitors can download the app by scanning the barcode above or by going to your phone's app store. Your reports will be submitted to the appropriate City department, and the department will work towards resolving the matter.
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PLAINFIELD IS OPEN FOR BUSINESS!
Download The City of Plainfield Business Guide
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Plainfield is rich in its cultural diversity, with ten historic districts,19 historic sites, and over 120 ethnic eateries, and an abundance of delis, and grocery stores, pharmacies, shopping stores, residential homes, and buildings, and much more.
Click the "Business Guide" image to see the full list.
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Sign up for our weekly newsletter and stay informed on the latest projects, and events around our Queen City!
Call us at: 908.753.3015 or
E:communications@plainfieldnj.gov
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|THE CITY OF PLAINFIELD NJ|
515 WATCHUNG AVENUE | 908-753-3310| MONDAY-FRIDAY | 9 A.M.- 5 P.M.]
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Creating One Plainfield. One Future | | | | |
