The HOWELL Times
Vol. 17 - No. 45
In This Week’s Edition
MICROMEDIA PUBLICATIONS
JERSEYSHOREONLINE.COM
Girl Scouts Deliver Kindness
Mental Health A Concern During COVID-19 Quarantine
BREAKING NEWS @
jerseyshoreonline.com
Community News! Pages 8-11
Dear Pharmacist Page 13
Wolfgang Page 19
─Photo courtesy Andrea Plaza Nothing like Girl Scout Cookies to lift the spirits of healthcare workers at Jersey Shore Medical Center. By Bob Vosseller FA R M I NGDA LE – This is the time of year when Girl Scouts everywhere are busy promoting the sale of their cookies, setting up stands in front of convenience stores, chain stores and parades but that came to an abrupt change thanks to the
COVID-19 crisis. While sales occurred at some of those venues during the first months of the year, area Girl Scouts of the Jersey Shore Council found a new mission beyond the sale of their cookies. One that brought a smile to the faces of healthcare workers at
Jersey Shore Medical Center. There is nothing quite like Girl Scout cookies to lift the spirits of anyone and the healthcare workers clearly appreciated their special reward. “Girl Scouts of the Jersey Shore have been delivering scores of tasty
Girl Scout cookies and notes of thanks to cheer doctors, nurses, technicians and other superheroes on the front lines of the coronavirus pandemic,” Girl Scouts leader Andrea Plaza said. “Local troops were in the midst of their annu-
(Kindness - See Page 2)
County Officials’ Roadshow Pulls Over To Shoulder For Now By Bob Vosseller HOWELL – When t h e C OV I D -19 r e strictions are lifted a nd tow n cou ncil meetings resume to a r eg u la r s che d u le in Monmouth County they just may receive a special pair of guests.
Freeholder Director T homas A. A r none who serves as liaison to Shared Ser vices, and Freeholder Deput y Di rector Susan M. Kiley, liaison to Human Services and M o n m o u t h AC T S (Assisting Com munities Through Ser-
vices), were planning to attend municipal council meetings during the year prior to the escalation of t he c oron av i r u s outbreak and the precautions that have recently closed schools, r e s t au r a nt s , mov ie theaters and public
buildings. With the state’s mandate that meetings of people be limited to 10 people observing social distancing, the Fr e e hold e r s’ pl a n s have been put on hold. W hen the time is r ig ht howeve r, t he f reeholder d i rector
April 4, 2020
and deputy director i nt e nd t o v i sit t he governing bodies of the county to discuss potential shared service agreements, the Monmouth ACTS program and stigma-free resolutions as part of the Shared Services/ (County - See Page 4)
By Bob Vosseller HOWELL – Christa Riddle, who serves as the township’s Alliance Coordinator and whose mission involves substance abuse prevention, has a word for the current COVID-19 health concerns and that word is “ALGEE.” Riddle noted that Mental Health First Aid training uses a “5-Step Action Plan,” the easy-to-remember acronym ALGEE, to help offer support during someone’s mental health crisis. The acronym stands for A: Assess for risk of suicide or harm (call 911 if there is a risk), L: Listen nonjudgmentally (with empathy and understanding), G: Give reassurance and information, E: Encourage appropriate professional help (see the list of resources below), E: Encourage appropriate self-help and support strategies. “A mental health crisis can result from a range of situations, such as anxiety, depression, trauma f lashbacks/PTSD, substance abuse, risk-taking, eating disorders, and suicide contemplation,” Riddle said. “During the COVID-19 outbreak, many people, especially those with pre-existing mental health disorders, will experience increased anxiety, depression, and uncertainty.” She urged people to be supportive of each other. “Getting proper nutrition, exercise, fresh air, and a few moments of quiet to re-center the mind can also help ease anxiety, as can chatting remotely with loved ones and participating in a hobby or relaxing activity you enjoy. “Also, remember to communicate properly with youth who may be confused, overwhelmed, or feeling alone due to social isolation. Parents, caregivers, and other involved adults should remain emotionally available, listen with empathy, share accurate facts and information about COVID-19, avoid adding stress to the situation, and model positive behavior regulation,” Riddle said. Riddle noted that mental health and substance use disorder support are available for residents and loved ones who are feeling the stress of the COVID-19 pandemic. (Mental - See Page 2)
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