North Jersey shops are hoping the ability to offer curbside pick-up service will give them a boost following extended closures due to the coronavirus outbreak. For now, many small business owners are trying to adapt to the COVID-19 reality, which means interacting with customers differently and tweaking business models. North-JerseyNews.com
Gov. Phil Murphy held the state’s annual Memorial Day Service at Brigadier General William C. Doyle Memorial Cemetery. “This is a solemn day. A day to remember our hallowed and fallen dead. A day to remember those who gave to this nation their full measure,” Murphy said. “And today we also remember that many honored veterans who survived wars, only to die at the hands of COVID-19.” The Record
Jersey City is preparing to help businesses once they reopen. The city will test all employees of local businesses, provide a reopening package that includes personal protective equipment and sanitizer once the business is tested, and an application for restaurants to expand to outdoor seating. The Jersey Journal
The New Jersey Economic Development Authority will offer an additional $50 million in emergency aid to small businesses. The expansion of the authority’s existing Small Business Emergency Assistance Grant Program relaxes eligibility to include more businesses qualified for loans up to $10,000. The employee cap was raised to 25 and home-based businesses and sole proprietorships are newly eligible. The Daily Record
Elective surgeries are allowed to resume in the state starting May 26. The state Department of Health issued guidelines requiring facilities comply with state and CDC guidelines to prevent COVID-19 spread, including screening staff, enforcing social distancing and requiring face masks. These elective procedures are not to be performed on any patients with COVID-19. North-JerseyNews.com
Lafayette approved the expansion of a medical marijuana growing and processing facility by approximately 30,000-sq. ft. The updated site plan from Harmony Foundation of New Jersey installs HVAC equipment inside the building and construction of a power production plant to provide the electricity and heating and cooling systems for the facility. New Jersey Herald
New Jersey issued guidance to assist agricultural businesses and farm workers in minimizing the risk and potential exposure to COVID-19. The state guidance to farm employers and operators outlines a framework to minimize the spread of the coronavirus for workers throughout the production process, shared housing and group transportation as well as for screening and caring for individuals with suspected or confirmed virus infections. North-JerseyNews.com
The New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness raised the state’s white supremacist threat level to high. State officials reported a dramatic uptick in recruiting and flyering, as taking white supremacist are looking to take advantage of the coronavirus with anti-Semitic and anti-Asian tropes. NJ1015.com
Preliminary survey results found 39% of respondents believe misogyny is extremely prevalent in New Jersey politics. The early results released by the Workgroup on Harassment, Sexual Assault and Misogyny in New Jersey Politics included 36% stating sexual harassment is very prevalent and an elected official was most commonly cited as the type of person responsible for engaging in harassing behaviors, at 22%. NJ1015.com
Paterson has been able to equip high school students with digital devices, but middle and elementary school levels have been a great struggle. Paterson-based Oasis, a nonprofit that provides services to women and families, has been pitching in to try to fill the gap. NJTVOnline.org
And finally…A Mashup of New Jerseyans singing The Star-Spangled Banner on Memorial Day. NJ.com
