As families begin to think about Thanksgiving and other holiday celebrations, gatherings of family and friends, crowded parties and traveling can put you and your family at an increased risk for COVID-19 or the flu. Unfortunately, COVID-19 is worsening, and small household gatherings are an important contributor to the rise in COVID-19 cases. Staying home and celebrating with people in your household is the best and safest way to protect yourself and others. ...

“Experiencing this pandemic hasn’t been easy for any of us,” said Mayor Michael Giordano, “but we need to be even more focused on COVID-19 prevention behaviors as we prepare for our holiday traditions. Together, we need to get back to taking every step toward slowing the spread.”

COVID-19 is mostly spread by respiratory droplets released when people talk, cough, or sneeze. The virus may also spread to hands from a contaminated surface and then to the nose, mouth or eyes, causing infection.

Everyone should be germ-aware, and consider additional steps they can take to protect themselves and the people they care about. This holiday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) offers suggestions for safer activities to participate in with your household members:

- Have a virtual thanksgiving meal with family and friends who do not live with you. - Watch TV and play games with people within your household. - Shop online sales rather than going to the mall. Use contactless services for purchasing. - Make traditional dishes for family and friends; use contact-less delivery, such as leaving them on the porch. - Write down things you are grateful for and share with friends and family.

If you do plan to spend Thanksgiving with people who do not live with you, the CDC recommends steps to make your celebration safer:

- Wear a face covering at all times and stay at least 6 feet away (about 2 arms’ length) from people who do not live with you. - Spread seating out to help keep social distancing. - Only remove your mask when eating or drinking. When you remove your mask, you should safely store it in a dry, breathable bag such as a paper or mesh fabric bag. - Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

Additional steps when attending a gathering include bringing your own food, drinks, plates, cups, and utensils; avoid going in and out of the areas where food is being prepared or handled, such as in the kitchen; and use single-use options, like salad dressing and condiment packets.

People with or exposed to someone with COVID-19 in the last 14 days, or anyone waiting for COVID-19 test results should not host or participate in any in-person gatherings.

Getting a flu vaccine is more important than ever during 2020-2021 to protect yourself and the people around you from flu, and to help reduce the strain on healthcare systems responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. For more information: https://cdc.gov/flu/prevent/vaccinations.htm. To find a flu vaccine in your area: https://vaccinefinder.org/

Residents with questions or concerns about COVID-19 can email coronavirus@co.somerset.nj.us or contact their personal medical provider.

Since information on COVID-19 is being updated regularly, it is important to stay up to date by following trusted sources of information such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at cdc.gov the New Jersey Department of Health at nj.gov/health and the Somerset County Department of Health at https://www.co.somerset.nj.us/health Read more

Latest COVID-19 Case Updates and Map:
Somerset County Updated Map

Somerset County Department of Health
Somerset County Coronavirus Update Line: 1 908 231-7111.
The prerecorded message is updated daily.

Somerset and Hunterdon COVID-19 Testing Site:
Latest Testing Site Dates and Additional Information

NJ State COVID-19 Information Hub:
https://covid19.nj.gov

NJ State Department of Health:
https://nj.gov/health
24/7 Hotline: 1 800 962-1253
Residents can also text NJCOVID to 898-211 for text information or dial 211.

Center for Disease Control (CDC)

SIGN UP FOR EMERGENCY ALERTS:
https://notifications.northplainfield.org

Applications will be reviewed in a computer-randomized order to give each application an equal chance of being funded.

If your grant application has been conditionally approved by NJHMFA reviewers, you will be notified through the application portal and alerted by email. For more information go to:
https://njhousing.gov/dca/hmfa/rentals/sleg2/index.shtml

Pre-registration for the Small Business Emergency Assistance Grant Program opened on October 19, 2020 and closed at 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, October 27, 2020. For more info, please visit

https://faq.business.nj.gov/en/articles/3835237-what-is-the-status-of-the-njeda-small-business-emergency-assistance-grant-program-phase-3-in-progress

Pre-registered applicants will need to return to complete an application based on the following schedule:

Restaurants – 9:00 a.m. on Thursday, October 29, 2020

Micro businesses – 9:00 a.m. on Friday, October 30, 2020

All other businesses, excluding restaurants and micro businesses – 9:00 a.m. on Monday, November 2, 2020

Applications for each category will be open for a period of one week and will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.

https://www.co.somerset.nj.us/government/human-services/community-development/cdbg-cv-emergency-rental-relief-err-program

The Jersey School-Age Tuition Assistance Program can help you pay for care for your school-age child in need of child care as a result of COVID-19 remote learning schools schedules. To be eligible for this assistance, you must be:

*a NJ resident;

*your child must be attending school remotely, either part-time or full-time; and

*your annual gross household income must be $150,000 or less.

NOTE: The income cap was increased from $75,000 to $150,000 on October 1.

If you previously applied for tuition assistance and were denied because of income, someone will be reaching out to you shortly.

This assistance is available until December 30, 2020 and applications will be accepted until funds are exhausted.

Apply here: https://www.childcarenj.gov/COVID19

The County is starting the Somerset County Roadway Corridor Safety Study, funded by a grant from the North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority (NJTPA). The goal of the study is to improve the safety of five (5) selected county road corridors. This involves us! If you would like to be part of this public meeting, please register:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/somerset-county-roadway-safety-study-virtual-public-meeting-tickets-125510006809

Place leaves in narrow rows along curb, leaving a space along the gutter to allow for drainage.

Do not place leaves within ten (10) feet of any storm water inlet or fire hydrant.

Do not place twigs, tree branches, pumpkins, grass or other plant debris, including discarded mums in the leaf pile; note that the Borough will not pick up leaves with mixed debris. Only straight leaves are accepted at the facilities where the leaves are deposited.

Whenever possible, do not park on the street when the collection crews are in your zone.

Residents may bag their leaves by in biodegradable paper bags made specifically for this purpose, which will be picked up on the same curbside schedule as leaf piles.

Bagged (paper only) leaves can be dropped off at the DPW Garage at 254 Steiner Place on Saturdays as per the collection schedule on the Borough website.

This is the only bagged drop off location.

The North Plainfield Fire Department warns residents to never park a vehicle on a pile of leaves, even if the pile is wet. Hot metal parts on the undercarriage may ignite leaves and cause a potentially serious fire.

Residents who employ lawn care companies are responsible for informing the company of the leaf collection rules and schedule and for assuring compliance.

Do not place leaves in the street after December 13.

The safety of our residents is our greatest concern. The Tree and other decorations will still be lit on or about the 29th, however, there will be no event. The Mayor's Office and the Recreation Department invite you and your family to view the lights and decorations at your leisure and in a safe manner throughout the holidays. Please have a safe and happy holiday season.

Protect your pets!

With the pandemic, blood is in short supply. You can register to donate here: https://rwjuhdonorclub.org/index.cfm?group=op&expand=7983&zc=07060&fbclid=IwAR0y0VMwf9-ezHiZ5cMwIDsXJ3lZr9HZazr4QE0_GQCS1vkCtsFYWG44dHI

If you gave at our last drive, Thank You! It will have been 56 days between both drives... please consider donating again.

We thank the Watchung Avenue Presbyterian Church for sponsoring this program. Proceeds go to the Backpack Program that supplies our children in need with food to carry them over weekends.