The New Jersey Department of Health released models last week showing while new COVID-19 cases are expected to continue to rise, hospitals in the state are not expected to be stressed this Summer. The department released two models titled Moderate Plus and High based on a number of factors. Both models see the number of patients in intensive care and on ventilators staying below 200 through mid-August. For hospitalizations, the range is approximately between 700 and 1,800 depending on the model and time. New COVID-19 cases high points would be between just under 3,500 in early June in the Moderate model and nearly reaching 8,000 in mid-July for the High model. North-JerseyNews.com
Surveillance of the coronavirus in New Jersey shows an increase of BA.2.12.1, a second descendent of the omicron variant. BA.2.12.1 now accounts for 46% of specimens collected in New Jersey, not far behind BA.2 (stealth omicron) at 54%, according to the state’s variant surveillance report. While the variant continues to spread, new coronavirus cases continue to rise in New Jersey as the state reported 2,402 new confirmed positive tests May 23. The Garden State’s seven-day average for confirmed cases is 3,850, up 120% from a month ago. NJ.com
The United States had more deaths above normal levels during the pandemic than most other wealthy countries, according to data released by the World Health Organization this month. U.S. deaths were 15% above normal—a number surpassed by only four other large countries in the same income group: Chile, the Czech Republic, Poland and Romania. The New York Times
With Summer just around the corner that coincides with more gas usage, Rep. Tom Malinowski has introduced a resolution to urge the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Saudi Arabia to work with the Biden Administration to increase oil production and help stabilize energy markets. The statement comes as gas prices have hit record highs across the U.S. The national average is $4.60 according to AAA on May 23. New Jersey ranks 12th with an average price of $4.77—the highest average is in California at $6.07; the lowest is Oklahoma at $4.04. “One reason New Jerseyans are paying more than $4 a gallon for gas is that Saudi Arabia and the UAE are deliberately helping Russia, and undercutting our sanctions, by refusing to increase oil production to meet global demand,” said Malinowski. “It is time we start acting like the superpower in these relationships and exert the influence that our investment in the security of these oil producing states warrants.” North-JerseyNews.com
The Biden Administration is considering a release of diesel fuel from federal reserves to address skyrocketing prices and the threat of supply outages on the East Coast. Officials have drafted an emergency declaration as prices have soared to record highs in recent weeks, allowing for the quick release of some of the 1 million barrels of diesel in the Northeast Home Heating Oil Reserve “if necessary.” Supplies are particularly tight along the U.S. East Coast where inventories have dropped to their lowest level since 1990. U.S. average retail prices for ultra-low-sulfur diesel rose more than 37% in just 10 weeks after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, setting a new nominal record of $5.62 a gallon in the week ended May 9. The Wall Street Journal
Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky called on the global leaders gathered for the World Economic Forum to take a tougher stand against Russia as signs pointed toward an impasse could soon be resolved over an European Union (EU) embargo on Russian oil. Zelensky, speaking May 23 via video to the forum in Switzerland, said that sanctions should be pushed to the maximum “so that Russia and every other potential aggressor who wants to wage a brutal war against a neighbor knows exactly what this is leading to.” Germany’s energy minister indicated that the EU’s deadlock over a Russian oil embargo may be nearing resolution. The New York Times
Georgia voters head to the polls May 24 in Republican primary elections pitting an incumbent governor and secretary of state against candidates backed by Donald Trump. The races between Gov. Brian Kemp and former Sen. David Perdue, as well as Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger and Rep. Jody Hice, are among the most prominent tests of the former President’s political strength within the GOP, and in particular his unproven claims that his 2020 loss was the result of fraud. Other key primaries being held include in Alabama, where Gov. Kay Ivey is facing eight challengers after being criticized for encouraging people to get vaccinated against COVID-19 and blaming the unvaccinated for the pandemic’s impacts and a race in Texas that has George P. Bush is waging an uphill battle to win enough conservatives to oust state Attorney General Ken Paxton. The Wall Street Journal
The Tik Tok-driven “pop-up party” in Long Branch’s Pier Village badly hurt the upscale Jersey Shore destination’s shops and restaurants, said Gov. Phil Murphy. “Now who didn’t get through it? The small businesses in Pier Village didn’t get through it,” Murphy said. “They all had to close. That’s something that’s not acceptable. They paid a big price.” The governor said he was aware of another planned party at Pier Village next month and said his office was looking into it and tracking it. NJ.com
Long Branch officials are looking at every angle possible in cracking down on “pop up” beach parties that have caused chaos in Pier Village—including legal action against social media platforms. The Long Branch Police Department has tracked down organizers of these events and plans to “prosecute them to the fullest extent of the law,” according to Mayor John Pallone. The city is looking into legal action against TikTok and Instagram as well, for allowing such unauthorized gatherings to be shared so widely. None of the pop up parties that have caused local turmoil had received a special event permit ahead of time, as required. NJ1015.com
New Jersey’s attorney general has launched an investigation into two of the social media platforms used by the gunman in the racially motivated murder of 10 people in Buffalo. The state Division of Consumer Affairs said it will probe whether Twitch, a video streaming service, and Discord, a chat app, are violating New Jersey law by advertising robust moderation services but still hosting violent and racist content. Acting New Jersey Attorney General Matt Platkin said in a statement May 23 that the platforms have become “staging grounds for hateful and extremist content that may radicalize children and others.” New Jersey Globe
The New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development (NJDOL) reported the state’s job growth remained robust and was nearing full recovery from job losses after the pandemic. New Jersey’s employment growth entered its 17th consecutive month of growth in April with non-farm employment up by 14,800 jobs to a seasonally-adjusted level of 4,191,500, according to NJDOL. The unemployment rate declined to 4.1%. Job growth thus far in 2022 has averaged about 18,700 per month, with the unemployment rate down from 5.1% reported in January. In total, the state has recovered about 95% of those lost in March and April 2020 at the start of the coronavirus pandemic and 98.2% of pandemic-related jobs have been recovered. North-JerseyNews.com
Gov. Phil Murphy and federal officials highlighted a one-time pandemic-era waiver that allows public service employees to discharge their federal student debt against their years of full-time employment. The one-time waiver will allow anyone who has worked full time in an eligible public service job since October 2007 to qualify for loan forgiveness. Murphy and federal officials gathered at The College of New Jersey to encourage teachers and nurses to apply to the program, created in recognition of the extraordinary risks and responsibilities public employees took during the COVID-19 public health emergency, before the October deadline. The Daily Record
Hudson County municipalities repairing and replacing water and sewer systems will receive an infusion of federal cash to pay for the work. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has given the state a $221 million loan, state officials announced. Jersey City officials say the money will go toward projects its Municipal Utilities Authority has already completed, including stretches on the edge of Liberty State Park, near the Pulaski Skyway, and on Van Winkle Avenue. Kearny and Bayonne will receive funding toward a lagoon project to ensure water discharged from a North Jersey District Water Supply Commission treatment plant complies with the plant’s state permit, while Bayonne, East Newark, Union City, North Bergen, Harrison, Kearny, and Jersey City will all be beneficiaries of repairs at a Passaic Valley Sewerage Commission wastewater treatment plant and substation. The Jersey Journal
Paterson Councilman Michael Jackson has rejected a plea offer from the state attorney general that would have removed him from public office without requiring him to spend time in jail in the ongoing city election fraud case. Jackson’s decision was made public during a virtual court session that set Jackson’s trial date for Oct. 17. “I did not commit any crime,” said Jackson when asked why he turned down the state’s offer. “These charges are frivolous. They have no evidence against me.” The Record
Former Gov. Chris Christie, former Sen. and state Attorney General Jeff Chiesa and former state Attorney General Chris Porrino will serve as members of the advisory board of MAD Global, the bipartisan public affairs firm recently founded by Mike DuHaime. Christie said he welcomed the opportunity to work with the firm and DuHaime, a longtime friend, colleague and adviser. “This is a great opportunity for me to work again with Mike DuHaime, a person I have known and trusted for 25 years,” he said. “Chris, Jeff and I have seen the value of his strategic thinking and ability to execute firsthand. We look forward to working with MAD Global to get results.” ROI-NJ.com
And finally…Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band are set to tour again. The international tour will begin in February 2023, with a string of to-be-announced U.S. arena dates, followed by European stadium shows beginning April 28 in Barcelona. A second North American tour leg starts in August of 2023. Asbury Park Press
