Three weeks after a Yonkers racing official became the first man from New Jersey to die of the coronavirus, horsemen continue to debate how widespread COVID-19 became in the harness racing industry. John Brennan, who was a fixture at Yonkers Raceway, became the first New Jersey resident to die from the coronavirus on March 10. Four members of a family with deep ties to harness racing then died over a six-day period in mid-March. State health officials have said the Fusco family deaths were connected to Brennan, who had an office in the heart of the facility where the Yonkers horsemen would congregate before races. While no one is blaming Yonkers Raceway for the outbreak among the racing community, some remain unconvinced transmission of those early cases occurred at the track.

Forbes cybersecurity journalist, Kate O'Flaherty, reviews options for people using remote video conferencing who are concerned about "zoom bombing" security, privacy until Zoom has had time to properly deal with its security and privacy issues. Apple’s FaceTime is a perfect, stable alternative to Zoom, as long as everyone who’s part of the meeting or chat has access to an Apple device. Signal, which is already loved by the security community, is a highly private and secure app but does not support group chats. Skype is a solid alternative, very stable, supports large group chats and you don’t need an account to use it. Microsoft Teams is the video meeting choice for businesses using Office 365 and enforces team-wide and organization-wide two-factor authentication. Jitsi is also a very cool and secure open source app that’s recently launched to the market offering multiple video chatting features, and people joining your chat don’t have to create an account. Houseparty isn’t super secure, but it’s very functional for casual chats and you can lock it down. Kate has also written a guide on how to use Zoom securely as possible. So, read her review and choose wisely.

In addition to lesson plans and activities in theses stay-at-home times Merchantville School has focused on connecting to students and MES through "read out louds" on Facebook. Parents and kids can tune in throughout the week to listen as teachers and administrators share stories. Merchantville CSA, Scott Strong, read Duck for President and Harold and the Purple CrayonKrista Travaglini shared Peanut Butter and Cupcake and Spanish Teacher, Ms. Bonilla, read Say Hola to Spanish. Remember to read while you are at home. Enjoy and stay safe. for more videos. Keep on reading while you are home. We miss all of our students. 

While social distancing is the most important way to fight the spread of coronavirus and save lives, wearing a mask is an act of social altruism - a behavior that is designed to increase another person's welfare, and particularly those actions that do not seem to provide a direct reward to the person who performs them. While guidance on whether to wear a face mask has been evolving, wearing a mask can help limit the spread of respiratory droplets, which in turn spread the new coronavirus. Sewing your own face mask helps to protect the supply of surgical masks to frontline care providers. In an effort to promote this activity the NY Times provided a tutorial on how to make your own fabric face mask from common household materials.

Yesterday Dr. Deborah Birx emphasized that hotspots will see an increase in deaths over the next 6-7 days and the next two weeks will be crucial for the effort to flatten the curve and, unless it's essential to leave home during the next 14 days, Americans shouldn't. “This is the moment to not be going to the grocery store,” she said, “not going to the pharmacy, but doing everything you can to keep your family safe. And that means everybody doing the six-feet distancing, washing your hands.” She noted that she can tell by looking at the US curve of coronavirus cases that not every American is following the guidelines set out by the administration for people to stay home and be vigilant about washing their hands.

On April 2nd, Camden County's Department of Health announced 48 additional positive cases of novel coronavirus (COVID-19), bringing the total number of cases in our town to four (4). Freeholder Director Louis Cappelli, Jr. reminded the public that “We all must remain vigilant, policing ourselves to stay at home, to avoid unnecessary trips, and to exercise social distancing to the greatest possible extent. We have seen this strategy work in other parts of the world that have fought back this virus, and if we do our part it will work here too." On Wednesday the County opened a new drive-up coronavirus (COVID-19) testing site Cooper’s Poynt Waterfront Park, 801 Delaware Avenue in Camden City. Hours are Monday through Friday, noon to 4 p.m. through April 15.

Starting this Thursday April 2nd, The Blue Monkey Tavern will open for curbside pick-up of take out orders between 12:00 and 7:00 p.m. weekly from Thursday through Sunday. An updated menu can be found on our website  We will be adding takeout drinks - yes, bottles/cans/packs of alcohol - and "make your own" cocktail packages soon, making us a one stop shop for all of your dining needs. Decide what you want from our menu then, call us at 856-661-8008. When you call we will give you an estimated pick-up time. When you arrive drive up to the side door on the Rite Aid side of our building please call again and we will come out, take your payment - credit or exact cash only - and bring you your food. 

Thank you so much for the support you have shown us and all of our staff thus far. It means the world to us, truly. And now, we appreciate your continued patience as we adjust to this new system. We are so happy to be back to serving you even if it is in this limited capacity. Don't forget to visit www.bluemonkeytavern.com to order a tee shirt to support our staff. 

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