Fighting COVID-19
Resources for Plainfield Residents
Greetings!

Since our last update on Tuesday, March 16, there are seventeen (17) new COVID-19 cases to report. An additional twenty-three (23) persons have been quarantined. There are no new fatalities to report today. As of today, five thousand, one hundred and nine (5109) residents have recovered and eleven thousand, six hundred and eighty-five (11,685) residents are out of quarantine.
The vaccine offers a promise of returning to normalcy however, until we are all vaccinated, it is important that we get tested if we experience any COVID-19 symptoms. We should continue to wear face masks, limit indoor gatherings, and practice social distancing while in public. New cases have begun to slow but we need to stay the course. Let us each do our part to protect our family, friends and community.

 At City Hall we’re open for business and maintaining essential services while taking steps to safeguard the health of our employees. We encourage you to try and complete your business online as much as possible. If you can’t find what you want online, please give us a call before coming to City Hall, chances are we can get the information to you and save you the trip.

While this crisis lasts, we will be sharing this resource edition of our newsletter every Wednesday. Please stay tuned and share this information with your loved ones and friends.
Stay safe and may God continue to bless you.

Creating One Plainfield. One Future.
Mayor Adrian O. Mapp
Queridos amigos y vecinos,

Desde nuestra última actualización el martes, 16 de marzo, hay diecisiete (17) nuevos casos de COVID-19 que informar. Otras veintitres (23) personas han sido puestas en cuarentena. No hay nuevos fallecimientos que reportar hoy. A día de hoy, cinco mil cientos nueve (5109) residentes se han recuperado, y once mil seiscientos ochenta y cinco (11,685) residentes están fuera de cuarentena.
La temporada de gripe está sobre nosotros, y quiero recordarles a todos los residentes de Plainfield que continúen tomando las mayores precauciones para prevenir la propagación del virus COVID-19 y la gripe. Usemos nuestras máscaras cada vez que salgamos de nuestros hogares, continuemos con el distanciamiento social, lavemos las manos con regularidad y evitemos reuniones con grandes multitudes. Se ha demostrado que estas medidas de precaución contrarrestan la propagación de estos dos virus potencialmente mortales. La salud y el bienestar de nuestra comunidad es la prioridad número uno.
 
En el ayuntamiento estamos abiertos y mantenemos los servicios esenciales mientras tomamos medidas para salvaguardar la salud de nuestros empleados. Le recomendamos que intente completar su negocio en línea tanto como sea posible. Si no puede encontrar lo que busca en línea, por favor llámenos antes de venir al Ayuntamiento, lo más probable es que podamos entregarle la información y ahorrarle el viaje.

Mientras dure esta crisis, compartiremos esta edición de recursos de nuestro boletín todos los miércoles. Estén atentos y compartan esta información con sus seres queridos y amigos.

Manténgase a salvo y que Dios continúe bendiciéndole.

Sinceramente,

Adrian O. Mapp, Alcalde
COVID-19 Vaccine Live Stream | March 25
Get Tested for COVID-19 in Plainfield
Union County COVID-19 Testing
Neighborhood Health Center Vaccine Enrollment
The Neighborhood Health Center will be administering vaccines based on individual qualification as well as the availability of vaccines.
Emergency Food Resources
Get Covered NJ - Health Insurance Option
Get Covered New Jersey, the state’s official health insurance marketplace, has announced a COVID-19 Special Enrollment Period from February 1, 2021 to May 15, 2021 for all eligible uninsured residents seeking health insurance at this critical time. Visit GetCovered.NJ.gov to shop and compare plans and see if you qualify for financial help.

Click here for additional information.
Free Virtual & Drop Off Tax Preparation
Union County COVID-19 Rental Relief
Program Still Available
In November 2020 the Union County Freeholder Board announced a rent relief program for eligible residents adversely impacted by COVID-19. Residents can apply through one of three partner non-profit agencies listed below:

  • Family Promise Union County (org)
  • Urban League of Union County (org)
  • United Way of Greater Union County (org).

Eligibility requirements for applicants are as follows:
  • Renters living in Union County;
  • Household Income is at or below 80% of Median Family Income (MFI);
  • Household income loss must be due to Covid-19;
  • Applicants must be able to provide documentation of income received as a result of any governmental response program due to Covid-19 (such as unemployment compensation) as well as a current lease agreement.

Residents requiring information or assistance with the application process can call any of the three non-profit partners involved and schedule an appointment. Staff will inform applicants of the required documentation to bring to the appointment. Once staff has a complete application with all required documentation, the application will be reviewed for eligibility. Applicants will be provided with documented proof of their filed rental assistance application for their landlord. Once the application is approved, funds will be disbursed by mailed check directly to the landlord.

If you have any other questions please reach out to Brandon Givens, Director of Community Services at 908-527-4462 or via email [email protected].

COVID-19 Vaccination Call Center for Residents
In order to better assist seniors 65 years of age and older, and those who may not have internet access, the Union County Board of County Commissioners announced the opening on Friday, January 29th of a COVID-19 Vaccination Call Center for residents to schedule an appointment.

The Union County COVID-19 Vaccine Call Center will also work to answer questions from residents who need more information regarding the COVID-19 vaccine, and can also help arrange transportation if necessary for residents with a confirmed vaccination appointment.

The phone number is 908-613-7VAX (7829), and the hours of operation are Monday-Friday, 9:00 A.M. -7:00 P.M. and Saturdays from 9:00 A.M.- 1:00 P.M.

Within the hotline system, there will be tailored assistance for:
  • Seniors over 65 years of age;
  • Those in the 18-64 age range with qualifying medical conditions who may lack internet access;
  • Residents who need assistance in Spanish;
  • Residents who may need assistance with transportation to and from vaccination sites

Those currently eligible to receive the vaccination are individuals ages 65 and older, persons 18-64 with high-risk medical conditions, uniformed police officers, firefighters, health care workers and others identified in Group 1A.

Those wishing to make an appointment online for the Union County Vaccination center may also do so at www.ucnj.org

Narcan Free Virtual Training
Mayor's Wellness Campaign | Vaccination Program
Skip the Trip to City Hall
Free Meals Available For All
Students Through September
USDA Announces Extension For Summer Meals Programs

TRENTON – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced the nationwide extension of several waivers that allow all children to continue to receive free nutritious meals this summer when schools are out of session. These flexibilities are now available through Sept. 30, 2021.

“We want everyone to know these meals are available to every child in New Jersey,” NJDA Secretary Douglas Fisher said. “The extension of these waivers for the summer feeding programs will allow this essential need to be met for all students.”

Summer meal sites are places where children and youth, age 18 and under, can receive meals at no cost in a safe environment. The meals are also available to persons over age 18 with mental or physical disabilities. Sites may be located in a variety of settings including schools, parks, community centers, libraries, churches and more.

The locations, dates and times the meals are provided by participating schools who operate open sites can be found at http://bit.ly/3l3FLRa. Non-profit, non-school organizations providing meals can also be found with that link.

The USDA is extending these waivers to provide local program operators with clarity and certainty for the summer months ahead, when many children cannot access the school meals they depend on during the academic year.

The waiver extensions allow for safe meal distribution sites that serve all children for free, regardless of income. In addition, the waivers:
  • Allow meals served through the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) and Seamless Summer Option (SSO) – collectively known as “summer meal programs” – to be made available in all areas at no cost;
  • Allow meals to be served outside of the normally required group settings and meal times; and
  • Allow parents and guardians to pick-up meals for their children, including bulk pick-up to cover multiple days of feeding children.
“We will do everything we can to make sure children get access to healthy, nutritious meals regardless of their families’ financial circumstances,” said USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack. “Our child nutrition professionals are doing a heroic job ensuring kids across the country have proper nutrition throughout this public health emergency, often times with limited resources. The USDA is committed to providing local operators with the flexibilities and resources they need to continue offering the best meal service possible to their children, given their day-to-day realities.”

According to the USDA, there may be up to 12 million children living in households in the U.S. where there is not always enough to eat. These critically needed summer meals will provide relief to many children in families who have been hard-hit by the COVID-19 Pandemic and are fighting daily to put food on the table.

The USDA is issuing this guidance as early as possible to empower communities to establish as many meal sites as they can effectively manage this summer. To learn more about how the program works and the role of sponsors and meal sites, visit www.fns.usda.gov/sfsp/how-become-sponsor.
 
Fact Sheet: President Biden Expands Efforts to Recruit More Vaccinators

The President Orders PREP Act Declaration Amendment to Expand COVID-19 Vaccinator Eligibility to Additional Classes of Medical Professionals and Health Care Students
HHS Launches New Portal for Vaccinators to Check Eligibility Status and Volunteer with their State
As vaccine supply continues to increase in the coming weeks and all adults across the U.S. become eligible for vaccination by May 1, President Biden is announcing new steps to increase the number of vaccinators to administer vaccines. Through today’s actions more health care personnel, such as dentists and veterinarians will be eligible to participate in the national effort to vaccinate the U.S. population, with the goal of getting the nation closer to normal by the Fourth of July.
The President is taking the following steps today to increase the number of vaccinators in the U.S.:

Ordering an Amendment to the Public Readiness and Emergency Preparedness (PREP) Act Declaration to Allow More Qualified Professionals to Serve as Vaccinators. This action, which was completed by the Acting Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), authorizes additional categories of qualified professionals to prescribe, dispense, and administer COVID-19 vaccines anywhere in the country. Newly eligible vaccinators include: Dentists, Emergency Medical Technicians (Advanced and Intermediate EMTs), Midwives, Optometrists, Paramedics, Physician Assistants, Podiatrists, Respiratory Therapists, and Veterinarians. T

This amendment also authorizes recently retired members of the above professions, pharmacists and pharmacy interns to serve as vaccinators, if they were in good standing upon expiration of their license. And, this amendment authorizes medical students, nursing students, and students of the other eligible health care professions with proper training and professional supervision to serve as vaccinators. States are encouraged to further expand the categories of persons authorized to administer COVID-19 vaccines in their states, as authorized under the PREP Act, to respond to the local needs and availability of potential vaccinators.

This effort is the Biden Administration’s third amendment to the PREP Act Declaration. The Administration’s previous amendments authorized any health care provider who is licensed or certified in any state to administer COVID-19 vaccines in any other state or U.S. territory; authorized any physician, advanced practice registered nurse, registered nurse, or practical nurse whose license or certification expired within the past five years – and was in good standing – to administer COVID-19 vaccines in any state or U.S. territory; and authorized any member of a uniformed service as well as federal government employees, contractors and volunteers deployed by a federal department or agency to vaccinate in the state or territory to which they are deployed.

Click here to read more.
Last But Not Least
Mayor Adrian O. Mapp and the City of Plainfield are committed to making it as easy as possible to report concerns in your city. To that end, we've partnered with REPORT IT, which is now live in Plainfield and ready to be used as an important supplemental reporting tool.

Report it makes community reporting easier than ever! Residents and visitors can download the app by scanning the barcode below or by going to your phone's app store. Your reports will be submitted to the appropriate city department, and the city will work to resolve the issue or complaint.

You have the power to be the eyes and ears of our city! Your reports can greatly increase the quality of life in Plainfield. Let's work together to keep our city safe- If you see it, say it with Report It.

Click here to download the app.

As we navigate these uncertain times please know that everyone at City Hall is working to ensure that you are safe, secure and healthy. If you need anything addition please contact us at 908.753.3000.