All businesses and property owners may qualify for loans that may be forgivable by a bank. Mike Bono, Executive Director of Uptown Linden, has contacted Unity Bank and learned that they are starting a list for any businesses or property owners that may need assistance. If you choose, please call (908) 419-1515, or, please submit an online request.
On 3/23, to help stop COVID-19, temporary measures to seal off basketball nets were taken. Sadly, people undid those measures to play basketball, a contact sport in which the virus can more easily spread. For the safety of all our residents, all basketball rims in Linden playgrounds will be secured until further notice.
Due to reports of Coronavirus cases in the U.S., many people are expressing fear and anxiety about this potentially serious illness. While it is understandable to worry about the health and safety of ourselves and out loved ones, it is important to manage our anxiety. Few make good decisions based on fear, and the 24/7 media coverage – much of it gloomy – often obscures reality and adds to a sense of panic. Taking care of your emotions, especially during times of higher stress and anxiety, is a good first step to protecting yourself. Please read this attachment for more information.
In these challenging and difficult times, as Mayor of the great City of Linden, I want to assure you that all information concerning COVID-19 is presented to you in a timely and transparent manner. My administration will continue to do all things necessary to protect our residents by providing the services that our government provides.
However, even in this pandemic, my administration is obligated to comply with certain laws that protect patient information and what can be shared publicly. The HIPAA Privacy Rule protects the privacy of patients’ health information but is balanced to ensure that appropriate uses and disclosures of the information still may be made when necessary to protect a patient, to protect the nation’s public health, and for other critical purposes.
Consequently, HIPAA still requires us to protect a patient’s privacy, however, through the Linden Board of Health, and our Health Officers, if certain information is received about a resident who tests positive for COVID-19, they are required to follow certain protocols in notifying individuals that may have had CLOSE contact with that person, and are able to take other steps to minimize the spread of the virus.
The following are trusted resources for COVID-19 information.
UNION COUNTY, NJ – Beginning Monday, the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders, in conjunction with governmental, educational and healthcare partners, will open the state’s first County-run, drive-through facility for testing of the COVID-19 virus at Kean University. For the full press release, please download or read the attachment.
Given the rise of the Coronavirus [COVID 19] as a global health concern, we want to assure the community that our office is working closely with the Health Department, to ensure that residents are educated and prepared for the evolving situation. The following is up-to-date information regarding this developing concern. The New Jersey Department of Health hotline is 1-800-222-1222 or 1-800-962-1253 (if using out-of-state phone line) for the public to ask questions about the 2019 Novel Coronavirus.
We would also like to remind all members of our community, there are everyday preventive actions that can be taken to help limit the spread of respiratory viruses; including the Coronavirus and flu. Common measures the CDC recommends for the general public include:Avoid close contact with people who are sick.Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. (Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol, if soap and water is not available).