Fighting COVID-19
Resources for Plainfield Residents
Greetings!

Our last update was Monday, June 7th. Today there are no new cases to report! Yesterday, two (2) cases of COVID-19 were reported. Additionally, two (2) persons were quarantined but fortunately, there continues to be no new fatalities.
The vaccine offers a promise of returning to normalcy however until we are all vaccinated, it is important that we get tested if we experience any COVID-19 symptoms. We should continue to wear face masks, limit indoor gatherings, and practice social distancing while in public. New cases have slowed, but we need to stay the course. Let us each do our part to protect our family, friends, and community.

At City Hall, we’re open for business and maintaining essential services while taking steps to safeguard the health of our employees. We encourage you to try and complete your business online as much as possible. If you can’t find what you want online, please give us a call before coming to City Hall, chances are we can get the information to you and save you the trip.

While this crisis lasts, we will share this resource edition of our newsletter every Wednesday. Please stay tuned and share this information with your loved ones and friends.
Stay safe and may God continue to bless you.

Creating One Plainfield. One Future.
Mayor Adrian O. Mapp
Queridos amigos y vecinos,

 
Nuestra última actualización fue Lunes, 7 de junio. Hoy no hay casos de COVID-19 para reportar ! Ayer hubo dos (2) casos de COVID-19 reportado. Adicionalmente, dos (2) personas fueron colocados en cuarentena y afortunadamente continuamos sin tener fallecimientos que reportar.
La vacuna ofrece la promesa de volver a la normalidad, sin embargo, hasta que todos estemos vacunados, es importante que nos hagamos la prueba si experimentamos algún síntoma de COVID-19. Debemos seguir usando máscaras faciales, limitar las reuniones en interiores y practicar el distanciamiento social en público. Los casos nuevos se han ralentizado, pero debemos mantener el rumbo. Hagamos cada uno su parte para proteger a nuestra familia, amigos y comunidad.
 
En el ayuntamiento estamos abiertos y mantenemos los servicios esenciales mientras tomamos medidas para salvaguardar la salud de nuestros empleados. Le recomendamos que intente completar su negocio en línea tanto como sea posible. Si no puede encontrar lo que busca en línea, por favor llámenos antes de venir al Ayuntamiento, lo más probable es que podamos entregarle la información y ahorrarle el viaje.

Mientras dure esta crisis, compartiremos esta edición de recursos de nuestro boletín todos los miércoles. Estén atentos y compartan esta información con sus seres queridos y amigos.

Manténgase a salvo y que Dios continúe bendiciéndole.

Creando Un Plainfield. Un Futuro.
Alcalde Adrian O. Mapp
FDA Authorizes Pfizer COVID-19 Vaccine for
Kids Ages 12 - 15
NOTICIA IMPORTANTE - La FDA aprueba la vacuna de COVID-19 PFIZER para niños de 12 a 15 años.
Para más información sobre esta novedad por favor dale clic AQUÍ
Stanford Medicine Joins COVID-19 Vaccine Trials for Children Under 12
Stanford Medicine is a test site for Pfizer’s nationwide trial of a COVID-19 vaccine in children younger than 12.

Stanford Medicine researchers have started enrolling children younger than 12 in clinical trials to evaluate their response to the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine.

Stanford is serving as a site of the Phase 2-3 trial to determine whether the vaccine produces an immune response and prevents COVID-19 in children 5 through 11 years old. It is also a site of the Phase 1 trial to determine the appropriate dose of the vaccine for children 6 months through 4 years old.

The Phase 1 trial has already begun, and the Phase 2-3 trial is expected to begin mid-May. Both trials now have enough participants.

The Food and Drug Administration on May 10 authorized use of the vaccine for 12- to 15-year-olds in the United States.

“Children under 18 make up about a quarter of the U.S. population, so if we want to get the virus under control and make sure we have as many people protected by vaccines as possible, we really need to include them,” said Yvonne Maldonado, MD, professor of pediatrics and of epidemiology and population health at the Stanford University School of Medicine.

Far fewer children than adults have developed severe respiratory problems from COVID-19, but some children have become seriously ill, and a few hundred in the U.S. have died of the disease, said Maldonado, the Taube Professor in Global Health and Infectious Diseases. She added that long-term implications of contracting the SARS-CoV-2 virus in childhood are unknown. Young people are also vulnerable to a multisystem inflammatory syndrome, which typically occurs a few weeks after viral infection.

Children can spread COVID-19
“Even though the risk in children appears to be lower than in adults, this is still an important, potentially vaccine-preventable illness in kids,” Maldonado said. Children can also spread the disease to other people, meaning that vaccinating them is vital both for their own safety and to help bring the pandemic under control.

Pfizer’s vaccine is being given to people ages 16 and older nationwide under an emergency use authorization from the FDA. The vaccine uses messenger RNA to deliver molecular instructions that prompt the body to temporarily manufacture proteins matching those on the virus’s exterior, allowing the immune system to learn to recognize the pathogen. The vaccine has been found to be more than 90% effective in adults after two doses, and it has a strong safety record. 

The Phase 1 trial in young children has begun with 144 participants at four sites across the country; seven are enrolled at Stanford. These children are receiving two injections of the vaccine and will undergo blood draws to check for antibodies to the virus. Once a safe dose of the vaccine has been determined for them, further trials will be conducted to determine its effectiveness.

The Phase 2-3 trial will enroll as many as 200 children ages 5 through 11 at Stanford and a total of 4,600 children at 40 sites nationwide. The study is placebo-controlled, so some participants will be randomly assigned to receive placebo while others will receive the vaccine.

 Six months after the shots, participants who received the placebo will have the opportunity to be inoculated with the actual vaccine. The trial will continue for 18 more months, during which both groups will undergo blood draws to track the strength and duration of their immune response and to see if they are infected with COVID-19.

“We are excited to be helping the science landscape move forward,” said Jenna Bollyky, MD, clinical assistant professor of pediatrics, who is directing the Stanford study sites for these vaccine trials. “Herd immunity is the goal. To achieve that, it’s important to study kids’ responses to vaccines.”
COVID-19 Testing Resources for Plainfield Residents
ADDITIONAL UPDATES

You can also pre-register for the COVID-19 vaccine with the State of NJ at https://covid19.nj.gov/pages/vaccine. As additional information becomes available, we will keep you updated.

Hackensack Meridian Health is offering the COVID-19 vaccine to all eligible New Jersey residents, students and workers. Anyone 16 & older who lives, works or studies in New Jersey is eligible.
Appointments are available at 11 sites throughout New Jersey. Use the below link to register:

In addition, free COVID-19 testing at Kean University is operating on Mondays from 8:00 AM to 11:30 AM and Thursdays from 8:30 AM to 12:00 PM. Please visit UCNJ.org for more information. The test will also provide results for Influenza A and B (flu). Insurance is not required.
 También se pueden preinscribir para la vacuna COVID-19 con el Estado de NJ en https://covid19.nj.gov/pages/vaccine.
A medida que haya información adicional disponible, lo mantendremos actualizado.

Hackensack Meridian Health ofrece la vacuna COVID-19 a todos los residentes, estudiantes y trabajadores elegibles de Nueva Jersey. Cualquier persona mayor de 16 años que viva, trabaje o estudie en Nueva Jersey es elegible. Las citas están disponibles en 11 sitios en todo Nueva Jersey. Utilice el siguiente enlace para registrarse:
Las pruebas gratuitas de COVID-19 en la Universidad de Kean ahora están operando en un horario extendido para adaptarse a los residentes del condado de Union. Los exámenes son los lunes de 8:00AM a 12:00PM y jueves de 8:30AM a 12:00PM. Visite UCNJ.org para obtener más información. La prueba también proporcionará resultados para la influenza A y B (gripe). No se requiere seguro.
COVID-19 Resources for Plainfield's Seniors
New Jersey COVID-19 Updates
Everyone 12 or older who lives, works, or studies in New Jersey is now eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine.
What You Can Do Once You've Been Vaccinated
How Can People SAFELY Get Together?
What Are The Limits for Indoor and Outdoor Gatherings?
There are no numerical limits for indoor or outdoor gatherings.
To save lives and stop the spread of COVID-19, you should wear a mask and social distance if you are not vaccinated, wash your hands, and stay home if you are sick.
COVID-19 remains a threat, particularly at indoor gatherings with unvaccinated individuals. Follow the safety tips from the CDC and the NJ Department of Health to protect yourself and avoid putting your loved ones at risk

Safety Tips For Fully Vaccinated Individuals:
  • You can resume many activities that you did prior to the pandemic. You can resume activities without wearing a mask or staying 6 feet apart, except where required by law, a business, or a workplace.
  • If you've been around someone who has COVID-19, you do not need to stay away from others or get tested unless you have symptoms. Note: There are exceptions for those living in high-risk congregate settings like nursing homes and homeless shelters.
  • If you are visiting New Jersey or returning home after travel, you do not need to get tested before or after travel or self-quarantine.
  • Make hand sanitizer available for guests.
  • Remind guests to wash their hands before serving or eating food.
  • Use single-use hand towels or paper towels for drying hands so guests do not share a towel.
  • Clean and disinfect commonly touched surfaces and any shared items between use when feasible.

Safety Tips for Unvaccinated Individuals:
  • Wear a mask, wash your hands, practice social distancing, and stay home if you are sick.
  • Indoor gatherings are particularly dangerous places for the virus to spread. Host outdoor activities rather than indoor activities as much as possible.
  • If you do host indoors, increase ventilation by opening windows and doors or by placing central air and heating on continuous circulation.
  • The smaller the gathering is, the less likely it is that someone is infected and put loved ones at risk.
  • Require guests to wear masks when not eating, whether indoors or outdoors.
  • Plan ahead and ask guests to avoid contact with people outside of their households for 14 days before the gathering.
  • Delay travel until you are fully vaccinated based on CDC guidance. For more information, refer to the CDC's guidance for domestic travel.
  • Guests should avoid direct contact, including handshakes and hugs, with others outside their household.
  • Make hand sanitizer available for guests.
  • Gatherings that last longer pose more risk than shorter gatherings.
  • Remind guests to wash their hands before serving or eating food.
  • Use single-use hand towels or paper towels for drying hands so guests do not share a towel.
  • Clean and disinfect commonly touched surfaces and any shared items between use when feasible.
  • Consider keeping a list of guests who attended for potential future contract tracing needs. If you are called by a contact tracer, it's critical that you answer the call to protect us all. Your help is the key to stopping the spread of COVID-19 and saving lives.


Union County COVID-19 Resources
Emergency Food Resources
FEMA Funeral Reimbursement Program
The FEMA Funeral Reimbursement Program will launch in a week or two. FEMA is reimbursing up to $7,000.00 for COVID-19 funerals. Any family member who paid for a funeral. Please keep funeral documentation.

Who is Eligible?

To be eligible for funeral assistance, you must meet these conditions:

  • The death must have occurred in the United States, including the U.S. territories, and the District of Columbia.

  • The death certificate must indicate the death was attributed to COVID-19.

  • The applicant must be a U.S. citizen, non-citizen national, or qualified alien who incurred funeral expenses after January 20, 2020.

  • There is no requirement for the deceased person to have been a U.S. citizen, non-citizen national, or qualified alien.


---

El Programa de Reembolso de Funerales de FEMA se lanzará en una semana o dos. FEMA está reembolsando hasta $ 7,000.00 por funerales COVID-19. Cualquier miembro de la familia que pagó por un funeral. Conserve la documentación del funeral.

¿Quien es elegible?

Para ser elegible para asistencia funeraria, debe cumplir con estas condiciones:

  • La muerte debe haber ocurrido en los Estados Unidos, incluidos los territorios de los EE. UU. Y el Distrito de Columbia.

  • El certificado de defunción debe indicar que la muerte se atribuyó a COVID-19.

  • El solicitante debe ser ciudadano estadounidense, ciudadano no ciudadano o extranjero calificado que haya incurrido en gastos funerarios después del 20 de enero de 2020.

  • No existe ningún requisito para que la persona fallecida sea ciudadana estadounidense, nacional no ciudadana o extranjera calificada.

Asistencia funeraria COVID-19:

http://FEMA.gov https://www.fema.gov/disasters/coronavirus/economic/funeral-assistance
Union County to Hold COVID-19 Emergency Food Distributions in June
Press Release
For Immediate Release: June 1, 2021

Union County, NJ — The Union County Board of County Commissioners informs residents of the emergency food distribution events in June to aid those affected by COVID-19.
These will include:

Wednesday, June 23, 2021 at 2:30 p.m.
  • Gerald B. Green Plaza in Plainfield
  • Walk-up only
  • Coordinated by the County of Union with support from Village Super Market and Gargiulo Produce
Saturday, June 26, 2021 at 8:00 a.m.
  • Kean University in Union
  • Drive-up only
  • Coordinated by the County of Union with support from Village Super Market and Gargiulo Produce

The food distributions are open to all Union County residents. Food will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis and no registration is required. The events will take place rain or shine.
“Food distributions have become a lifeline for our residents throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and we are proud to continue to provide this valuable resource to our residents,” said Commissioner Chairman Alexander Mirabella.

“Despite the gradual re-opening and lifting of COVID-19 restrictions, residents continue to deal with unemployment, housing issues and food insecurity, we are working hard to help everyone put food on their tables,” said Commissioner Sergio Granados who also serves as Liaison to the Human Services Advisory Board. “We thank Village Super Market, Gargiulo Produce and CMC Foods for their continued partnership.”

It is recommended that residents picking up food at the walk-up events in Elizabeth and Plainfield wear masks or maintain social distance. Walk-up recipients should bring a cart or be able to carry several food bags at the walk-up area.

Residents wishing to pick up food at the drive-up distribution events at Kean University must arrive in a vehicle. Walk-ups will not be accommodated in Union.
All drive-up recipients must remain in their cars with windows rolled up when possible. Food boxes will be placed in the trunk or truck bed of the vehicle by volunteers.
Upon arrival, proof of New Jersey residency and indication of how many people reside in their household will have to be provided. Recipients will receive an emergency box of produce, dairy, and shelf stable food, with enough to sustain a family for several days. Please note that only one box of food will be provided per recipient at each event.


For more information click HERE
Small Businesses in New Jersey Can Receive
65% Discount on PPE Products
Department of Children & Families | Children's System of Care Public Awareness
New Jersey's Children's System of Care (CSOC), through the Department of Children and Families, is the state agency serving children and youth with emotional or behavioral challenges, substance use issues, or living and thriving with developmental disabilities. We serve children, youth and their families through wraparound services, peer supports, mobile response and stabilization, and in-home, in-community and out-of-home programs. If your child is in need of assistance, don't wait. Call CSOC today -- (877) 652-7624.

Click Here for more information.
Mayor's Wellness Campaign | NON-COVID-19 Vaccination Program
Skip the Trip to City Hall
Governor Murphy Gives COVID Briefing
JUNE 7, 2021
Last But Not Least
Mayor Adrian O. Mapp and the City of Plainfield are committed to making it as easy as possible to report concerns in your 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 below or by going to your phone's app store. Your reports will be submitted to the appropriate city department, and the city will work to resolve the issue or complaint.

You have the power to be the eyes and ears of our city! Your reports can greatly increase the quality of life in Plainfield. Let's work together to keep our city safe- If you see it, say it with Report It.

Click here to download the app.

As we navigate these uncertain times please know that everyone at City Hall is working to ensure that you are safe, secure and healthy. If you need anything addition please contact us at 908.753.3000.