To get the latest news updates go to CommunityNews.org and sign up for our free newsletter APRIL 2020 FREE
COMMUNITYNEWS.ORG
COPINg WITh COVID-19 We’re in this together
SAM SCIARROTTA FROM THE EDITOR
Hi, Hopewell Valley. A typical April issue of the Express is usually packed to the brim with some of my favorite content—outdoor activity roundups to mark the arrival of warm weather, fun photo spreads, spring sports coverage. But this year’s edition looks much different. The last couple of weeks have been many things—panicked, uncertain, hectic. With our coronavirus coverage, our goal is not to alarm you, but to give you the information you need in order to stay safe, stay informed and stay connected. We want to keep things in context in order to help you make decisions. We want to highlight the things going on in our community—good and bad— that might affect you during this extraordinary time. The spread of COVID-19 has completely upended the way we’re living our lives, from remote learning and working from home to, yes, the appearance of our local newspapers. Beyond that, though, a good chunk of lives are being irreparably altered. As of March 25, coronavirus has See TOGETHER, Page 4
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS? These symptoms may appear two to 14 days after exposure to COVID-19: If emergency warning signs develop, get medical attention immediately
Fever
Cough
Shortness of breath
· Difficulty breathing · Persistent pain or pressure in the chest · New confusion or inability to arouse · Bluish lips or face
HOW DOES IT SPREAD? The COVID-19 virus is mainly spread person-to-person by being in close contact with someone (within 6 ft.) or through respiratory droplets from an infected person sneezing or coughing. Another way COVID-19 can spread is by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching the mouth, nose or eyes. HOW CAN I REDUCE MY RISK?
Wash hands ofte n
Stay home
Limit personal contact (6 ft.)
Stay away from sick people
Clean & disinfect frequently touched surfaces
Don’t touch eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands
Practice social distancing
Resident raises $13K How to stay safe and for Boro businesses be smart By JOe EMAnsKi
A grassroots campaign started last week by a Hopewell resident raised more than $13,000 to support borough restaurants during the Covid-19 crisis. David Friedrich, the principal of Hopewell Elementary School and the person who orchestrated the campaign, posted the results of the effort to his Facebook page today. Friedrich says that more than a hundred people purchased
more than 225 gift cards worth more than $10,000. In addition, contributors pledged more than $3,000 to support restaurant staff members whose hours have been negatively affected by the crisis. After Gov. Phil Murphy ordered restaurants to close except for take-out and delivery service, Friedrich created a Google doc and shared it locally on social media. Contributors who accessed the document could buy gift cards See FRIEDRICH, Page 7
CDC, Department of Health offer tips, best practices By NicOle ViViAnO
The novel coronavirus, COVID-19, has come with an abundance of information since the pandemic has taken hold in New Jersey. The respiratory illness has prompted social distancing protocols in the state, cancelations of large
See our ad on Page 9
gatherings and events and has made schools and colleges move all learning to remote access While many sources have published helpful and necessary information, some of it may seem overly comprehensive and divided among different platforms. Information from the World Health Organization, Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, New Jersey Department of Health and Mercer County government has See FAQ, Page 5
Jack’s
GREENHOUSE & FARM ANNUALS • PERENNIALS • SHRUBS • TREES PANSIES • VEGETABLE PLANTS SUPER FORSYTHIA SALE 3 for $50 See Our Ad On Page 22
1179 NEWARK, NJ