The expiration date for driver licenses, registration and inspections were extended again on May 18th. Gov. Phil Murphy and New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission Chief Administrator Sue Fulton announced that an additional extension will be implemented for the documents as the agency remains closed to due to their continuing efforts to mitigate COVID-19 and safeguard public health. All standard driver licenses, including permits, all vehicle registrations, vehicle inspections, temporary tags and veteran/Purple Heart placards that were set to expire between March 13 and May 31, have been extended to July 31. Documents expiring June 30 are extended two months to Aug. 31, and those expiring July 31 are extended to Sept. 30.
New Outdoor Activities to Reopen
Gov. Murphy's Executive Order No. 147 will take effect on Friday, May 22nd at 6:00 a.m. allowing certain outdoor activities at recreational businesses, including archery ranges, batting cages, golf driving ranges, horseback riding, shooting ranges, and tennis clubs as well as community gardens to open with required social distancing measures in place. To limit physical interactions, the order requires outdoor recreational businesses that reopen to limit capacity to 10 people at one time and implement reasonable restrictions. Community gardens may reopen so long as they comply with the same restrictions implemented at parks under Executive Order No. 133. The order also relaxes four of the restrictions on golf courses, allowing them to expand tee-times to four players, allow the use of forecaddies, offer club and equipment rentals, and reopen restrooms with disinfecting and hygiene protocols in place.
Rethinking Covid-19 in Children
Message from Mayor Brennan 5/07/20
Mayor Brennan recorded a video message for the Borough of Merchantville regarding COVID-19 on May 7th. His message included the unfortunate announcement of the Borough’s first coronavirus death; clarification of passive recreation park use; the requirement to wear face coverings when working at or patronizing essential businesses; and, availability of testing by appointment regardless of symptoms for anyone over 18 at the Barrington Rite Aid site. The mayor thanked residents for all their hard work and patience.
Covid School Aid Distributed
Covid-19 Assistance Fund
Hometown Hero on the Frontlines of Covid-19
Merchantville is filled with neighbors going the extra mile to help each other and the community. It is also home to frontline workers like lifelong Merchantville resident Laura Panarello. As an assistant nurse manager for Virtua Health’s satellite emergency rooms in both Camden and Berlin, Ms. Panarello is familiar with the impact Covid-19 continues to have on our area. She took a few moments to speak with me about this time and how the hospital, and she, manage to juggle patients amid the pandemic. For staff on the frontlines this virus was something of an unknown. Says Ms. Panarello, “the most difficult part, especially in the very beginning, was keeping up with all the information being presented. This is a totally new virus, but came from a family of viruses that we already knew about. So, we had some base knowledge, but as we were studying the novel coronavirus and how and who it affected, things were rapidly changing.”
She quotes Monty Python’s famous line, “no one expects the Spanish Inquisition,” adequately summing up the reality that while this pandemic was never expected, practices already in place ensure that staff and patients may continue to receive needed care safely. Hygiene practices such as meticulous handwashing and sanitizing high-touch areas already a daily occurrence help keep staff and patients protected from the virus.
Like many others in her position have reported, one of the more difficult repercussions in the hospital setting is limiting loved ones with patients. Family sitting beside is no longer permitted and more precautions put into place require patients and their visitors to adhere to practices intended to keep them and others in the hospital safe.
Outside of the hospital, Ms. Panarello finds solace in her garden. Taking in sunshine and fresh air as often as the weather permits helps keep her mentally strong and rejuvenate her for a return to the frontlines.
Merchantville proudly supports Laura and all of our frontline workers. And Laura’s thoughts for Merchantville? “One of Merchantville’s best attributes is the sense of community. I have lived here my whole life, and despite social distancing people are still looking out for one another. We know our neighbors and we are checking in on each other. Do mental health checks too. Calling someone or writing them a letter could impact their entire day.”