New Jersey may never reach herd immunity from COVID. Here’s what that means.
Updated 8:14 AM;
Today 6:25 AM
Masked crowds walk along boardwalk in Ocean City, N.J. in May 2020.Lori M. Nichols | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
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Since the coronavirus first appeared in New Jersey last March, wreaking deadly havoc in every corner of the state, one phrase kept being uttered regularly, a seemingly magical yet nebulous two-word goal: Herd immunity.
It’s a point when a community reaches protection from an infectious disease because a sufficient percentage of a population has become immune to infection through vaccination or previous illness. Only when we reach that point can we truly get back to our old way of life.
Board of Health receives vulnerable assessment report from health department
Board of Health receives vulnerable assessment report from health department
Vulnerable Population Outreach Coordinator (VPOC) Gwendolyn Krol, through her vulnerable population assessment, found that in Princeton the Hispanic and Latino population has been disproportionally affected by COVID-19, when compared to other ethnic groups.
Krol presented findings in her report to the Princeton Board of Health meeting on March 9. She had created the first of two online surveys three weeks ago to gauge the impact of the pandemic on the community agencies and the vulnerable populations they serve.
The department hired Krol through a two-year grant from the New Jersey Department of Health (NJDOH). The vulnerable population needs assessment focus is to understand the impact of COVID-19 on at-risk residents and contain and mitigate COVID-19 through targeted outreach.
Vision Zero Task Force formed to reduce traffic crash injuries, fatalities
Vision Zero Task Force formed to reduce traffic crash injuries, fatalities
Traffic accidents claimed the lives of three pedestrians and injured 78 people in Princeton between 2015 and 2019 – but if the Vision Zero Task Force has its way, pedestrian deaths and serious injuries will be a thing of the past.
The Princeton Council has authorized the creation of the Vision Zero Task Force, which aims to present a set of specific improvements to roadway design standards, traffic signal policies, street lighting policies and enforcement activities by the end of this year.
Princeton first responders start vaccination process
Ken Cleveland
Special to The Landmark
PRINCETON – The gym at the Thomas Prince School was set up almost as a classroom, with desks 6 feet apart. But the “students” were a little older than those usually seen at the school.
Firefighters, police officers and other first responders were attending the class to get vaccinated on Friday, Jan 15.
Fire Chief John Bennett said the setup can handle 52 people at a time for the COVID-19 vaccinations. It showcased the efficiency that may process more than 600 people per day when it is time for the general public.
Friday evening, officials from EMTs to nurses moved from desk to desk with a cart and methodically and efficiently vaccinated the people who are among the first tiers to get the shots.
COVID-19 vaccinations to begin in long-term care facilities
Residents of the Princeton Care Center nursing home and the Acorn Glen assisted living facility, along with healthcare workers, are expected to receive the first COVID-19 vaccinations as the inoculation program rolls out during the week of Dec. 28, Princeton officials announced.
Arrangements have been made for the CVS and Walgreens drug store chains to administer the vaccinations – which come in two doses, 21 to 28 days apart – to the nursing home and assisted living facility residents.
Although people over 65 years old make up close to 10% of the world’s population, they account for about 40% of all COVID-19 cases and about 80% of all COVID-19 related deaths, said Dr. George DiFerdinando, who chairs the Princeton Board of Health. He is a physician and adjunct professor at Rutgers University School of Public Health.