JOANNA GAGIS, CORRESPONDENT | DECEMBER 30, 2021 | HEALTH CARE Fewer kids were tested for lead in 2020, the latest year for which data is available. New Jersey is seeing an increase in the number of children with elevated levels of lead in their blood. The pandemic forced many kids to spend additional time at home where…
The Biden administration announced Friday that Americans can begin ordering free at-home COVID-19 rapid tests starting Jan. 19. Orders for up to four tests per household can be placed using the website COVIDtests.gov. The administration will also set up a phone number so those without access to computers or high-speed internet can place orders. The White…
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is considering updatingits mask guidance to recommend that people opt for the highly protective N95 or KN95 masks worn by health-care personnel,if they can do so consistently, said an officialclose to the deliberations who was not authorized to speak publicly. With the highly transmissible omicron variant spurring record…
By David Leonhardt Dec. 7, 2021 Scientists around the world are racing to understand the Omicron variant, and there are some clearer signs than a week ago. Today’s newsletter will try to answer four big questions about Omicron, with help from experts. The answers do come with a caveat: There is still a lot of uncertainty…
PETER CHEN | NOVEMBER 2, 2021 | OPINION State outreach is necessary to reach the neediest children As lawmakers in Washington debate the extension of the child tax credit, nearly 1 million New Jersey families with children under age 18 have already received advance monthly payments starting in July to help them pay for food, transportation and…
Partnership to Provide Greater Access to Capital for the State’s Black and Latinx Businesses October 20, 2021 08:46 ET | Source: New Jersey FAM Fund Newark, NJ, Oct. 20, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The New Jersey “40 Acres and a Mule” Fund (NJ “FAM Fund”), a private investment vehicle established to reduce socio-economic disparities resulting from systemic racism, announced…
Many New Jerseyans are now eligible for another COVID vaccine dose, and the state is reopening megasites to meet the expected demand. NEW JERSEY — With more than 100,000 additional doses of the COVID-19 vaccine administered in New Jersey as of Monday afternoon and recently expanded third dose/booster shot eligibility, the state is planning to…
By Patrick Wall Sep 17, 2021, 7:30pm EDT Earlier this summer, Newark’s youth vaccination rate was still alarmingly low. As of mid-July, only 30% of eligible Newark children had received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine — a full 14 percentage points below the statewide rate. That month, Mayor Ras Baraka warned Newark residents that, with so few young…
By Patrick Wall and Catherine Carrera Sep 7, 2021, 2:14pm EDT After 18 months of eerie silence, classrooms across Newark echoed once again Tuesday with the sound of students — their jittery excitement only partially muffled by the mandatory masks. “I don’t mind wearing my mask because I know it stops me from catching the virus,” said Angela Villa,…
By Tehsuan Glover – Aug 2, 2021 Newark’s Emergency Rental Assistance Program funds will pay for up to twelve months of past-due rent and up to three months of prospective rent, on a case by case basis, if applicable. Tenants and landlords can receive help in English, Spanish, or Portuguese by calling (866)484-9033, Monday through Friday, 9am-6pm. Help…