Knock, knock, knockin’ on Lawrence’s door…
Each morning I receive a brief COVID-19 report from our Health Officer, Keith Levine, and receive reports from the NJ Office of Emergency Management about statewide trends. In the past couple of weeks, it has become increasingly clear that things are trending the wrong way in our fight against the virus. Keith wrote the following to me:
Kevin:
Omicron is competing with Delta in our region (meaning NY, NJ, CT area) with about 13% of cases being Omicron, which is not high but increases with time. We still do not know how Omicron will affect things, more on that as it develops.
Hospitalizations and cases requiring a ventilator are also steeply rising in NJ, Mercer County has experienced a 250% increase in cases since early November so holiday season illness spread is in full swing right now and will only get worse.
For perspective, deaths due to COVID (in the USA) are higher in 2021 than they were in 2020 (hard to believe but true).
Mercer Co. deaths are at about 1,060 and NJ as a whole is around 30k last I saw. Hard to keep up with all the stats, but I check them every so often. This brings us to a total of 3,320 confirmed cases and 96 deaths to date.
NOTE: Our community’s daily numbers of new positive cases are steady and well above average.
Keith
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I think it is always good to allow the community a check “under the hood” and share some internal communications that I think are important for you to see.
I am not an alarmist, but clearly, the virus is gaining strength again with this new strain. As we enter 2022, everything I am seeing tells me that the virus is doubling down and we need to push back hard.
And when I say “push back hard,” it really doesn’t take much effort. Rather, I simply offer to you all, to remain vigilant and not let your guard down.
Keep a mask with you at all times. When you go into a store or a public place when social distancing is not possible or realistic, wear your mask to protect yourself and others.
Although we all want this COVID thing to be over, it isn’t. We need to remain focused on doing what we know is the right thing to do.
Despite political opinions to the contrary, a correctly worn mask protects us from the spread of the virus. mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/coronavirus/in-depth/coronavirus-mask/art-20485449.
Here are some trends we need to be aware of in our state: mayoclinic.org/coronavirus-covid-19/map/new-jersey.
Here is some good information for those that remain unvaccinated: mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/coronavirus/in-depth/coronavirus-vaccine/art-20484859
Lastly, for those that chose to be vaccinated, booster shots are readily available.
You know I don’t push shots on anyone, but if you relied on the science and were convinced that vaccination was the right course of action for you and others around you, a booster is something very seriously to consider.
Here is a link to booster info: mayoclinic.org/coronavirus-covid-19/vaccine-boosters.
I wish you all a very happy, healthy, and prosperous 2022!
Peace and love…. peace and love.
Kevin Nerwinski, a longtime resident of Lawrence, serves as Lawrence Township’s municipal manager.
