For those who are concerned about the health risk posed by coronavirus, Camden County has an alternative voting process which is just as safe, secure, and confidential called "Vote by Mail". This option allows a voter to vote without going to the polls on election day. Any registered voter can Vote By Mail and no reason is necessary to apply. If you would like to Vote by Mail, click on the Vote by Mail Application. Governor Phil Murphy on April 8th, 2020 signed Executive Order No. 120, postponing primary elections on Tuesday, June 2nd to Tuesday, July 7th in response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

As government leaders consider how to reopen society, officials in many countries have latched onto the idea of issuing “immunity passports” to people who have recovered from COVID-19. In the United States, immunity passports could “have some merit under certain circumstances,” Dr. Anthony Fauci, head of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, told CNN this month. However, the concept of immunity passports raises other concerns as they could become a condition for traveling on an airplane or attending concerts or sporting events or divide society into two groups: those who have immunity and can resume normal life, and those who are required to remain under lockdown.

Hot off the presses! On April 1st Mayor Brennan introduced The Borough Brief - a digital newsletter containing updates on Borough of Merchantville happenings. Please subscribe on the front page of the Borough's website. Articles in this first edition include conducting virtual Council meetings, how to track the spread of coronavirus across the state by county on the dashboard at NJ DOH, the re-opening of The Blue Monkey Tavern and some ideas on how you can support our businesses to keep our local economy going during this difficult time. Links are also provided to the coming virtual Council meeting, NJ 2-1-1 and Camden County Covid-19 updates.

On April 24, 2020 the number of American deaths from Covid-19 infections surpassed 50,000 and, as the month of April draws to a close, testing has yet to ramp up to the levels experts say would give an accurate picture of the spread of the coronavirus.  A survey of infectious 21 disease modeling experts and researchers by Thomas McAndrew and Nicholas Reich at the University of Massachusetts Amherst makes for sobering reading. The experts predict the U.S. death rate to increase to approximately 70,000 by May 9, and to reach 150,000 deaths by the end of the year.

On March 9, 2020 Borough Council passed Resolution R20-44 awarding Joseph A. Cuzzupe the contract to complete various renovations and improvements at the Community Center recreation park. Renovations included the installation of a bocce ball court and basketball court. Residents can look forward to using these beautiful new courts with friends and family as soon as social distancing guidelines are loosened to permit the use of recreational equipment and public sports facilities. For now, we will all have to appreciate a job well done and admire them from afar.

While a safe, effective vaccine is still more than a year away, researchers are rushing to repurpose existing drugs and non-drug therapies as well as testing promising experimental drugs that were already in clinical trials. More than 70 vaccine are also in development around the world, with at least five in preliminary testing in people - one in Seattle and one in China. Reuters offers a look at some of the experimental drugs, vaccines and other therapies currently in development.

Mayor Brennan provided an update to the community about the Covid-19 status in the Borough. He reminded residents that Merchantville's parks, sports fields and the multi-use path are all closed at this time and while he feels and understands the frustration with these closures and desire to exercise it continues to be necessary. He thanked everyone for their cooperation. He noted that additional testing sites are now available and this has lead to a corresponding increase in positive cases in our neighboring communities of Cherry Hill and Camden. The mayor informed residents that the Primary election has been moved to July 7th and encouraged  anyone concerned about on-site voting to apply for vote by mail through the county. He assured residents that he and Council are working with their partners in government, faith based groups and our schools to support businesses and obtain the resources that our community needs.

During these times of uncertainty we, at Volunteers of America Delaware Valley, see glimmers of hope in the most unexpected places. This week, one of our family shelters, Anna Sample, was happy to accept a delicious catered meal courtesy of the Blue Monkey Tavern in Merchantville. The meal was generously donated by the Blue Monkey's owner Halil Gungor who personally delivered the food to Monique Reddick, Program Director and the 30 families staying with us. People like Halil give hope and show us that together, we will get through this crisis. #merchantvilleproud

Minnie's Magical Moments proved that there's nothing more enchanting than seeing a child's face light up when an impromptu parade of Disney characters, Super heroes and Folklore favorites passes by. Owner, Destiny Pagan, organized a three-day parade around the neighboring communities of Pennsauken, Delair & Merchantville to spread joy and happiness over Easter weekend to spread some cheer during these trying times. She was able to recruit some of her workers, friends and family to help her carry out this treat that has left a lifetime in the memories in the minds of all these children. Thank you, Destiny!

The community shared lots of "thank-yous" on social media for the efforts of the Merchantville Police Department and Merchantville Fire Department - Niagara Fire Company in bringing the Easter Bunny around town on Saturday, April 11th to compensate for the Covid-19 cancellation of our annual Egg Hunt. As promised, on a beautiful afternoon, the EB tour visited every street in Merchantville bringing kids and parents outside - while maintaining a safe social distance - to enjoy seeing and waving to this folklore symbol of Easter as he passed their home.