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.

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.

This year's Borough Egg Hunt at the community center has been cancelled in response to the COVID-19 outbreak and the Governor's call to limit large social gatherings so, The Niagara Fire Company will be touring the town with their good friend - The Easter Bunny - on Saturday, April 11th between 1:00 and 4:00 p.m. The Fire company promises to visit every street in Merchantville and urges everyone to be patient! The Easter Bunny wants to remind everyone to maintain social distancing during his tour by remaining in your front yard and not approaching the fire truck. Happy Easter!

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 Crayon, Krista 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.

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.

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. 

The state tax filing and corporation business tax filing deadline have been extended from April 15 to July 15 to allow New Jerseyans time to focus on their safety and livelihood during the COVID-19 pandemic. The extension was announced in a joint statement by Governor Phil Murphy, Senate President Steve Sweeney and Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin Wednesday morning. “This extra time is crucial for the health and safety of Camden County in many ways,” Freeholder Director Louis Cappelli, Jr. “